Sportbike Motorcycles

I'm looking into getting a used sportbike. I want a 600cc probably an Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda but what do you guys think about a good first bike? I'll be 18 when I get one.

What do you ride? What do you think I should get?

 

I ride a Honda CBR 600F4i. very sporty, but with better ergonomics than most.

 

I ride red as well- I have a 2007 Honday CBR600RR7. It was named the top middle weight for 3 years in a row starting in 2007 and Honda is a great company imho.

A 600 is a good place to start as long as you have the self restraint to ride right. 600 is more than enuf to ride for the rest of your life...or to end your life very quickly. Take the safety classes- All the gear, All the time- and Keep looking for the other assholes on the road who WILL try to kill you...and you'll love it.

How late model are you looking to go (or what are you looking to spend?) GSXRs are everywhere- so parts and labor are easy to come by...but there are SOO many. Good bike tho. The Yami (2006 and up) are -VERY- recer oriented...They are AWESOME on the track- at the expense of some streetability- The ergos are a bit rough and I didn't like the seat. The Honda bikes are solid...Very easy to handle and powerful...Easy to work on if that's your thing. If you want a track weapon-These need a LOT of work...but in general they are a great all around bike.

Enjoy your shopping and ride safe!!

 

SV650s if you want a full fairing bike would be a good starter bike. it a 650cc L-twin that puts out around 80hp iirc.

80 is plenty to start out with. Like Brunes said, 600cc sport bikes will test your discipline. but if you don't give in to the speed it would be ok with you i feel.

i'm kinda in the same boat as you (except i have no money for a bike haha)

 

i also have a cbr 600 f4i, great all around bike. had the thing for years turned it shiney side down a few times-cant kill it

 

I'll be the party pooper....
PLEASE take a riding class and start on the smallest cc (250~400).
Get some seat time before moving up
My self I went 400, 500,750, 920, 1100 and ended my riding on a Kawi Concours (1000cc) sport-touring.
600cc's is the great second bike. SORRY
(I speak from experience and the fact that I currently am recovering from 2 broken wrists due to a cage!)
Yuma Taco

 

+1 on the self restraint. A modern 600 will kill you easily enough. I had a few close calls that put me in my place earlier on. Luckily nothing too damaging, but enough to learn the lesson. Just remember, when you ride you WILL go down at some point. How bad is your choice. Whatever you end up with, PLEASE make sure you get all your gear. A good helmet is not enough- a sturdy jacket, gloves, boots,.... don't cheap out!

Quick question- any time on a dirt bike? or are you picking this up from scratch?

 

yes to what he said & Brunes on the gear/classes.
MSF & MSF2 here, got it free through the service & this was many years after getting my motorcycle license at 18. They helped identify some bad habits I developed.

Not sure if you are new to riding or not, but the classes are worth it imo.

 

I started on a 600, and would suggest that to anyone else. My first and current bike is a 2002 Suzuki GSX-R 600. I think the 600 is a great motor to start out on.

It's all up to the rider as to how they treat it. It has nothing to do with the size of the bike.

 

Take it from me. Don't go over 600cc for a first bike. I have been through (4) GSXR 1000's and done everything from track days to racing on the WERA circuit. Anything over 600cc for a first bike is signing a death wish.

 

Thanks everyone... I have I'd say 10 strong hours on a dirt bike. So mostly from scratch.

 

Great info on first bikes with stickys

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/new-rider-forums/

 

I feel like I want a 600 but I know I'm gonna test it. I know I'm gonna crash but I know I am going to wear gear.

 

600 is a good starting point, but when in doubt, something smaller may suit you like a ninja 250 (or just borrow one) My first bike was a 93 Suzuki Katana 600. I didn't know much about bikes but now i know almost everything about my Kat. I lurk here and there on Katriders.com, another forum i'm part of. Nice ppl. and like everyone else who rides sport bikes, TAKE THE MSF COURSE!!! you'll learn a lot, and gain confidence. just my 2 cents

 

Okay sv 650 or gs 500?

Neither has tooo much power.

 

I have been looking around for a first bike as well and I have pretty much settled on a Ninja 500. I have heard very good things about them being forgiving and very eaasy to learn on. I also thought about getting a 250 as my GF would also like to learn and she is a little smaller than....by about 130 pounds.

 

SV650/s if you like the naked bike look, Kawi Ninja 650R if you like the fairing look.

Both are great bikes to learn on, and you wont grow out of them quickly for riding on the street like you would a ninja 250.

 

Take the MSF course. A 600 is plenty of power and then some for a first bike. If you want full fairing go for it. I had a Kawi 600 years ago. Fun bike, good power band. Owned a Muzzy built 600 as well. Very fast bike, so don't look at cc numbers to gauge power. Bikes can be very deceiving and deadly.
I've been on the saddle since I was eight and owned numerous bikes. Too many to list on one message. Yes I have been down several times. It will happen and more than likely will be the other idiots fault. Arm yourself with defensive riding and offensive tactics.
The MSF courses are good and geared toward novice riders. Don't bite off more than you can chew on a larger bike. You only have one ass, don't ruin it!

 

This.

Although I could recommend a Ninja 500, too, if you want a little more power. I started on a 250 and put 4000 miles on it in like 6 or 8 months and then sold it for more than I paid. To this day I do not regret that decision. It let me learn how to ride correctly without worrying that any mistake was going to put me on the pavement. It is light and maneuverable, and not excessively powerful. But guess what, it still goes 100-105 mph and it is still fast enough to KILL you, just like a 600.

Whatever you do, ride safe and wear ALL the gear ALL the time.