Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm 31 6'4 240 lbs

I like the "sport" bike look and have never really ridden a bike before.

I've wanted one since I can remember though.

Next spring I'm enrolled in a MSF course and plan on buying my 1st bike.

I've sat on all the bikes I think are good choices:

Yamaha FZ6
GS500
SV650
Katana 600
R1 (not a choice)

THe only one I didn't get to sit on was a Ninja 500

I felt the GS500 was a little to uncomfortable and liked all the rest (Katana and FZ6 the most) am I going the right direction?

I'm not interested in any dual sports.

From what I understand (and other will probably correct me) the Katana and FZ6 are pretty zippy for starter bikes. The GS500 is supposed to be one of the best starter bikes, as are the ninja 250 and 500.

This is just what I've heard by browsing around though.

You are 31 yrs old and you are looking at quick speed bikes. You must be young at heart, if that is what you want go for it, be careful those bikes can be very quick. Have fun.

If I remember correctly, the Katana 600 doesnt have much more hp than a ninja 500, but it is fat and heavy.

The gs500 and sv650 are possibilities, they are known as novice bikes. The FZ6 is going to be at the very top end of what you should consider. It has well more hp than recommended for new riders, but it is damn comfy.

niterider wrote:You are 31 yrs old and you are looking at quick speed bikes. You must be young at heart, if that is what you want go for it, be careful those bikes can be very quick. Have fun.

LOL I'm no novice to speed, but like to be cautious as well.

[quote="swatter555"]If I remember correctly, the Katana 600 doesnt have much more hp than a ninja 500, but it is fat and heavy.

quote]

Since the 2000 models, Katana 600s have been showing about 75 hp stock on the dyno (Suz claims 78-80 at the shaft, they used to claim 86, hahaha!). The Ninja 500 is more in the mid to high 50 hp range at the rear wheel. That's a pretty decent differnce. I'd call the 500 a good learner. The Kat's engine has been tuned to be more user friendly than it's sportier brothers, but it can easily be a handful. It revs very quickly into it's powerband and will be much less forgiving that the Ninjas 500 twin.

I'm really hoping that one of the dealers get a ninja 500 to sit on then

I've sat on both the Ninja 500 and the GS 500, and i couldn't really tell much difference.

Mix a bit of maturity with your attitude and the SV 650 could be a damn fine bike for you. Commit to the learning curve and you could have many enjoyable years on that bike without wanting to step up too soon.

SV650 would probably work well for you. There are 2 versions of the SV, there is the regular SV650 and the SV650S which has a fairing and sportier riding position but is otherwise the same.

The new Ninja 650 is another option when it comes out around the new year or so, it looks to be very similar to the SV650 power and size wise but has full fairings and probably a less agressive riding position. Looks like it will have about the same position as the FZ6.