Anybody Know Anything About Sports Motorcycles

[lefty21]

I've been thinking about getting a bike but everything related to bikes is entirely foreign to me...I am like a BIG FAT NEWBIE lol reminds me of my paintball newbie days...Can somebody help me out? What kind of bike is good to get for a beginner? Why? What do all the letters and numbers stand for i.e. CBR600 or YZF-R6? What else do I need to know? And any sources of info would be greatly appreciated....Thanks

[ROOSTER]

I just happen to be a Parts manager at a Honda motorcycle dealership. A 600cc sportbike would be the best place to start. They are plenty fast but not as intimidating as the litre bikes (1000cc) are, and they are alot cheaper on insurance. CBR600 is what Honda calls their 600cc sportbike. YFZ-R6 is yamaha's 600cc sportbike.

[sharps990]

you could also look up vantage tes if he is done moving yet

he is quite into the things

sharps

[Talon]

I'd have to agree. A 600cc bike is a good place to start. A good starter 6 class bike would be a Suzuki SV-650S, if they're still making them. Within a particular class, it comes down to personal preference, much like paintball. I've been riding dirt bikes forever, but when it came to buying my first street bike, I bought a 2003 Kawasaki ZX-6R 636. Tall, light, with a narrow tank, as fast as I want it to be. With a little work, i.e. filter, pipe, good fuel, it put 115.9 bhp on the dyno. Even now, I still manage to scare the hell out of myself with every ride.

[lefty21]

cool...yeah kinda had my eye on the YZF-R6...sweeeet. Do the colors go by year? I want it in yellow but between 2000-2004...Thanks for the reply and keep them coming!!!!

[Talon]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the Yamaha R6. Something about the tank and the feel of the bike when your on the seat. But that's just me, I'm sure it's a great bike. Look around, I'm sure you will find what you are looking for, although I'm not sure you will have an easy time finding that bike in that color within the year range you want.

[AZIROC]

wow.. im am SERIOUSLY disappointed in the advise you fellow riders are giving a newbie for riding. :thumbsdow

FIRST THINGS FIRST, GO TAKE A MSF COURSE!!! please.. Please.. PLEASE visit, http://www.msf-usa.org/ , and find/TAKE a local MSF course. i am not sure how much this costs in NY, but in AZ it costs $200... Michigan, its free... so it depends where u live i guess. they will teach you TONS of information. plus u get a discount off ur insurance *usually 5%.

after that, go visit some dealers and sit on bikes. u may LIKE a Honda 600, but after u sit on some bikes, u may FIT better on a Yamaha 600. If u get a salesman to come up to you, just kindly tell him u are new to sport bikes and just looking around. If they say anything besides "cool, if u need anything just give me a hawler" tell them to §§§§ off!! most bike salesmen are retarded people who have never riden a day in their life, yet think they know everything when it coems to bikes and will stick to you like a leech and try and get a sale out of a newbie *watch out for their.. "well, lets just run a credit check" bull§§§§.. dont do it.. it does against ur credit just for them checking.

Next thing, how old are you? if u are under 25, expect to pay out the ASS.. SPECIALLY being in NY *just be thnakful ur not in New Jersey!!*. if u are under 21.. yea.. u better have a 2nd job just to afford insurance alone. i got my '02 R6 NEW in 2002 and was 19. wanna take aguess at my insurance, $350/mo!!! but that was full coverage *which i strongly recommend getting*. as far as which insurance company to go to.. well, state farm is usually the best, but most of the time they will want a car with the policy and wont do the bike alone. progressive is a 50/50 shot. i have them and they love me, my buddy called them, they wanted more then the bike was worth a year for coverage. :notsure:

when it comes down to getting a bike, ur best bet is to buy a few year old 600 (still same power as most new 600's, but insurance will be a bit kinder, plus ull prob find 1, depending on year, for between $3000-$6000). the oldest 600 id go is around '99. most 99-02 bikes are still great bikes, plenty of power. 03-present have a few new frame designs, fairing design, and about 3 hp more. personally, id look for:
'00 Honda CBR 600 F4,
'01-'02 Honda CBR 600 F4i (F4's are carberated, F4i's are Fuel Injected)
'01-'02 Yamaha YZF-R6 (carbed)
'03-'04 Yamaha YZF-R6 (fuel injected)

I am not a fan of Kawisaki's at all *except the new 10R,* imo, older Kawis are lacking in technology and feel/ride like crap. im an not a huge fan of 01 and older Suzuki GSXR600's.. they just feel clumbsy *but all suzuki's come with a steering dampner (its a great suspension componant that helps the bike "ride" better).

oh.. and dont feel like u need to be in a rush to buy a bike.. trust me, there are plenty of bikes out there, ull find the right 1.

all i can think of for now, if u have any more ?'s please post up. :cheers:

[AZIROC]

cool...yeah kinda had my eye on the YZF-R6...sweeeet. Do the colors go by year? I want it in yellow but between 2000-2004...Thanks for the reply and keep them coming!!!!


the yellow is only for the new R6/R1's. 99-02 R6's u could get either blue/white or red/white. 03-05s u could get white/red/black, white/blue/black, black with red flames*03 only*, gun metal grey/black (04-05) or all black*raven* '05-
06

[i luv me angel]

the suzuki GSXR 600 look sweet they just redone the whole bike for this year and they are doing very good in moto gp just watch a race like ocer half the bikes are suzuki just an sugjestion(cant spell)

[lefty21]

EXTREMELY HELPFUL GUYS...Thanks a lot...:cheers:...Been keeping my eyes open for a good deal, but buying a bike had to take a back seat for now cuz I had to pay tuittion out-of-pocket...KEEP POSTIN though.

Peace

[Furby]

I feel your pain...I was looking to buy a bike too but it had to take a back seat because I had to buy a new car....*sigh*

[Vantage_TeS]

My friend just bought a 2006 Kawasaki ZX-6R [600cc]. I taught him how to ride a little while ago, and he's never owned a bike before. I was a little worried on how he would do but he's proven one of my favourite points.

If you are new to bikes, take it easy and ride within your limits. Even the smaller 600cc sport bikes have ALOT of snap to them. Always wear your gear [pants, jacket, gloves, helmet] no matter what. Even if you are just fooling around.

Another really good thing to look into if you don't know much about bikes and riding is a riding school. Its usually over a weekend, or once or twice a week in the evenings etc. You get to use their bikes and the instructors work with each person seporately. Most places will end up giving you a break on insurance and your licence when you finish the course.

Another thing I will stress. After you finish the course and you dont feel 100% on a bike, don't get something big and fast. Falling off a bike sucks hardcore, so ride withing your limits.

Other then that? Have fun, and don't forget to wave to the other two wheelers =)

[Packets]

Also check out www.sportbikes.net (http://www.sportbikes.net)
A great site for pretty much everything related to sport bikes. Like everyone else is saying take the MSF course, it helps so much.