Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm looking into buying my first bike. Im looking at the Kawasaki ZZR600. I'm 5'4" and 135lbs. Do you think this would be a good first bike? If not houw about the Yamaha YZF600R. If that is another bad choice could you help me out? They and the two bikes i like the most. Im a very mature person. My goal is just to ride not to hit 125 on the highway. i dont want anything smaller than a 500 thats as low as i want to go. HELP!!!

madness84 wrote:I'm looking into buying my first bike. Im looking at the Kawasaki ZZR600. I'm 5'4" and 135lbs. Do you think this would be a good first bike? If not houw about the Yamaha YZF600R. If that is another bad choice could you help me out? They and the two bikes i like the most. Im a very mature person. My goal is just to ride not to hit 125 on the highway. i dont want anything smaller than a 500 thats as low as i want to go. HELP!!!

I wouldn't get any of those. Go for a 500. GS500E/F, Ninja 500, etc. And don't rule out 250's, they're faster than you might think. And if you've NEVER ridden before, a 500 might be an unwise choice.

I second what Geoff said. Definitely.

Ok..the advices are good guys,im not sure bout the one that posted but in my case,im only gonna have money for 1 bike.It really isnt on my mind to buy a $4000 bike just so I can buy a $9000 one a year later.I just dont have that money....and even tho the kawasaki ninja 6r is fast...all you need is common sence,no one will make u put the gas to the pedal on its max... just drive it slow until you figure it out.Still I want to go to a driving/safety school before I get mine.I need atleast some experience....dont wanna scratch up my new one.

thats sounds like what this guy must have been thinking....


http://www.rsportscars.com/Acentral/vid ... kimpg.mpeg

Maybe look at ZZR600s before they simply became ZX-6 restyle bikes. I think I remember reading that Kawa was targeting those bikes for novice riders. Regardless, there are certainly better bikes to learn on.

You might consider the new Ninja 650Rs, they are directly aimed at novice riders and are direct compeditors to the SV650S.

I think the general sentiment around here is to let new riders know that the dream bikes they want are often a handful to learn on. If you come to TM forums, your going to get conservative advice from experienced riders. If you go to Kawa forums, most people think a newb getting a ZX-6 isnt a bad thing. I can tell you this, advice around here is much better.

Gear up and be safe.

WickedlNl, I think you should spend the $9000 on your new 6R. That will save you all kinds of money. But then when you dump it, just using common sense, and hurt yourself and destroy the bike you will have nothing. Sounds like a well thought out plan to me .

WickedlNl wrote:Ok..the advices are good guys,im not sure bout the one that posted but in my case,im only gonna have money for 1 bike.It really isnt on my mind to buy a $4000 bike just so I can buy a $9000 one a year later.I just dont have that money....and even tho the kawasaki ninja 6r is fast...all you need is common sence,no one will make u put the gas to the pedal on its max... just drive it slow until you figure it out.Still I want to go to a driving/safety school before I get mine.I need atleast some experience....dont wanna scratch up my new one.

I think GsJack's siggy sums things up perfectly... "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow."

Just because a 500 is "slow" next to 600, doesn't mean a good rider on the 500 won't hand your "O Ring" to you regardless of the raod conditions. I know a guy who rides a Road King who could probably school most newer riders on sport bikes. Sure, the guys that know how to lean and just GO around the twisties could smoke him, but when it comes down to it it's one thing. Skill.

Roger that!


I always got my jollies dusting the obvious 'newb' with his shiny new 600 sportbike...that with my old 700SC and a pillion full of wife and groceries.

Go for a manageable bike and learn to really ride, then get the S/P.