Looking into buying a sport bike.

So like the title says I'm looking around for a sport bike not too big but enough power to get me places ya know? Y'all got any suggestions? Much appreciated and thanks in advance. This will be my first motorcycle if that helps in choices.

 

Depends a lot on your budget. I see that you are 20yrs old and this is your first bike so you may do better starting on a 600. What is your height and weight? If you are big and tall you my need the liter bike to get the performance you want but the big bike can get you into big trouble real quick, it is also heavier so it is harder to turn and stop than the 600. If money is no object and you have a level head then my choice would be the BMW 1000R. More like a "dream bike" than a "starter bike". My advice would be to keep the budget under 5k and look for a nice used GSXR 600. The things run great and are affordable and easy to get parts for. If you go for an older bike just do yourself a favor and make sure it is fuel injected and not carbs. Makes for easier starts and way less maintenance. Buy a good helment and all the gear you can afford because you will go down at some point and your gear can save your skin.

 

Yeah ive seen alot of people have those and there's even a used one here in town for around $5k. I'm 6 foot 1, 205 lbs.

 

Ninja 300, R6, Kawasaki ZX6, CBR 600

 

Ninja 300, MSF class, ATGATT.

Get some time/miles under you then move up.

 

I’d look for an R6 they have a good power band for a 600. my brother had one and did not have any problems out of it, he had it for a few years before he traded for an R1.

I also like they way i sit on the R6 the best.

edit: but if i was to get a bike right now it would probably be a super moto style bike, maybe from KTM or someone.I have been on dirt bikes for a while now and would be a good transition imo. also they are not too fast, and they are kinda light so WHEN you lay it down it wont be that hard to pick up. also some of them have less plastic and shit to get fucked up when you do lay it down. and IMHO it’s only a mater of time till you lay it down or you knock the kick stand down and it falls over.

 

Ok here's my 2 cents, when I was 20 I worked at a Honda powerhouse store, we sold every toy Honda made. So I was obsessed with sport bikes. I am 6'2 205 so were the same size. 600 is way to small for you. Fun to learn on but, in less than 6 months you'll be tired of the powerband and you'll want more. I started with a GSX-R750, and that was a great bike. But I wanted more right away so I traded for a CBR1000rr. If your serious about a bike and think you'll ride it for awhile get one and done. Just learn your bike and don't be stupid. It's the people around you who will get you hurt. Good luck hope that helps

 

take the motorcycle safety course first and foremost

its been shown that people that start off on smaller bikes and progress their way up to bigger bikes stick with the sport longer.

there are those people who start off on 600cc race replicas that do fine but I have met quite a few who don't.

everyone's favorite bike to recommend is the SV650 (even though it is 650cc it's a V twin, not as powerful or as fast as the inline 4s). I would say start looking there and see how that fits you and then go from there.

but whatever you end up with, like others have said, keep a level head and don't get stupid by riding out of your comfort zone and you'll be fine.

 

Did you really just tell a beginner to get a 1000 for a first bike That's beyond horrible advice!

I agree with Tinker Troy, the SV650 is a great first bike and a lot of fun to ride. If you think you've 'mastered' the power, work on your handling. Race bikes aren't very forgiving, beginner bikes are.

 

I was in the same situation as you about a year ago. Same-ish age, same-ish size (Ok I'm a little taller and lighter ) and I decided on a Ninja 250. It's a little small sizewise but definitely do-able. Yeah, I get shit from everyone for it being a "girl bike" but I figured it would be the best thing to learn on. And if you decide to get wild on it, it's not gonna take you much past 100 mph. You're still dead at that speed if you fuck up, but at least you can't look down and find yourself approaching 200. It's light and nimble, lots of fun to ride in the twisty roads in the Black Hills of SD. It still accelerates fast enough to get the thrill of being on a sport bike, but won't really wheelie if you get on it too hard and get you outta control.

They're reliable bikes and relatively cheap. After you take the initial hit driving it off the lot, they hold value well. I got mine for $3k and the guy threw in a helmet and jacket. I think I can definitely recoup 100% of that when I trade up to a bigger bike in the next year. I feel like I am beginning to outgrow its capabilities in acceleration and cornering (you can't lay it down as far in a turn with the narrower rear tire than bigger bikes have).

That's my 2 cents. You could do just fine starting on a 1000cc bike just as easily as you can kill yourself on a 250cc bike, ultimately it's up to you what to get. I just think there is a natural progression to be followed here

 

As mentioned above, please do take the MSF course and safety over anything i.e proper helmet, leathers, gloves etc. ALWAYS.

For a first time "sport bike" owner, I'd suggest not to start with a 1000cc on a street...way too much bike to begin with to avoid mishaps. A 600 would be good. Can't go wrong with either R6, Gixxer, CBR, ZX6. Even better, maybe even the new CBR 500's or 250's would be good to start out with on a street.

 

I started with a 250 ninja and it was perfect. I had no dirt bike experience so if I made a mistake shifting it wasn't going to throw me over the seat out of no where.


I sold it what I paid for it, I had about 6k miles on my belt and when I rode an r6 I felt completely fine. Now I'm in the market for a 600 because I took it slow and with no experience I didn't want to kill myself

 

Thanks guys. I have dirt bike experience and whatnot. I agree with y'all about the dumb people on the road, especially in south Louisiana, if I decide to get one I will no doubt be taking the course and will have all the right gear, etc.

 

Are you planning on going triple digit speeds on the reg? If ya, go with a i4 600.

If not, go with one of the smaller CBRs (250 or new 500) or a Ninja 300/650r.

They'll be a ton less for insurance, plus they're still powerful enough to kill ya.

 

x2

 

Haha no not at all. I'm looking to save money on gas and whatnot after I lift my truck.

 

Seriously - get a starter bike, then move up after a year or more. Don't even start on a 600 supersport - most of those have in the neighbourhood of 90 hp, may not sound like much but remember how light the bike is. Try to find a bike with <40hp. Suzuki DRZ 400 would be a great starter.

I've been riding since the '70s always on a sport bike, always too fast. I've had a lot of people tell me - "if you keep riding like that your going to die", I'm still riding "like that" and still not dead. I started on a Honda 400 four, it had maybe 35 hp. I now have a gixxer 750, maybe 130 hp. It's stupid fast. Will flip over and land on you in the first 2 gears if you hold the throttle open. Goes well over 100 mph in 2nd gear.

Please trust someone who has been there and done that (gotten old while riding and enjoying sport bikes) or you may not have long too live. My next door neighbours kid rode dirt bikes forever, but when he got his first street bike, a gixxer 1100, he killed himself within 2 weeks. It was just too fast. You need to work up to it, learn your limitations before you step up to big power. Cue Clint Eastwood - "A man's got to know his limitations".

I've watched a couple of riders kill themselves on litre bikes, both from their own mistakes, one on the street, one on the track. I've pulled many more riders from ditches with injuries of all types. Take it easy, start small and sport bikes can be a lifelong source of enjoyment and thrills. Jump in too fast and sport bikes can shorten your life.

I've had a lot of fun and thrills on bikes, but I hate seeing people get hurt. Start off slow and you'll likely enjoy the hobby more and longer.

 

So something like a Ninja 300 would be around the best size for a beginner?

 

I've ridden bikes for over 40 years (yes, I'm old) and had almost every type out there. But, by far the most fun bike I've ever had is one of my current rides. SuperMoto bikes are light and agile, not the fastest, (mine will run over 100) and you can find a better mount for long distance work. But are just a blast to sport around town on.

 

^ Well said. I a MotoGP fanatic, but prefer open fairing bikes to ride. In between bikes right now, and torn between a Supermoto build, or a Monster 796. Leaning towards the 796 though as she'll be a keeper for a loooong time.