New Rider - First Bike?

[-stew-]

A 1000cc litre bike is just plain dumb unless you plan on doing track days.

Eat schit.

Haha, carbs work just fine. My bike starts within 2 seconds weather its 40 or 100 degrees. If it doesn't, there is some thing wrong with it.

^^This. I parked my bike November fourth. Half a tank of "bad" reformulated gas, no battery tender, no stabil in the gas. Nothing. Just a blanket over it. Weekend before last, I went to move it to work on the car; decided to fire it up. Put the petcock on prime four a few seconds, set the choke, and spun it for about ten seconds. Fired right up.


EFI is better than carbs, but good carbs, well tuned, work fine.

[lilws6]

i'm thinking bout selling my gsxr as well its served me well its my second bike the first gsxr i bought from pork. I learned to ride on a 4" dropped bike and wasn't too bad being i'm 240 lbs and all. i love the way this one rides but if i can sell it i'll let it go

[pOrk]

^ The diesel GSXR was awesome

[VroomPshhTsi]

Is it true that bike prices go up considerably when it gets warm outside? Guy at dealer today said they raise 500-700 by May. Is this BS or is there actual truth to this?

[BoosTT]

The prices are already at spring prices. Usually they dont go up, but almost every price is firm now. At road track and trail, you won't get a single cent off the prices. So, I guess you could concider they are $500 more then winter time.

[Reverend Cooper]

Sorry, thought this said KNIGHT RIDER,I came in to pick on Joesepy

[xFullThrottlex]

Is it true that bike prices go up considerably when it gets warm outside? Guy at dealer today said they raise 500-700 by May. Is this BS or is there actual truth to this?

Yeah, they usually have some kick a$$ deals at dealerships starting labor day and lasting until spring. Buy a bike already and lets go riding!!

[1320PNY]

Everyone has their opinions on this subject. For a first bike, I would suggest a midsize ( 600cc ) sportbike. Take a riders safety course and get use to riding on their bikes if they let you use one. You being 155lbs. should easily be able to handle the weight of a 600 once you get use to being on a bike... My opinion is exactly what you already stated, and that is you would quickly get bored with a 250 and want to upgrade right away. Remember, the bike only goes as fast and as quick as you want it to.

I completely agree. My first "street" bike was a FZ1000S (2001), but I am 6'1 and 260lb. So for you, I would suggest a nice 600. The great thing is they don't make any "dangerous" power until they rev past 8K and you shouldn't "accidentally" rev a bike that high while learning.

Always wear a helmet, jacket and boots! No matter how good you are things have a tendency to bounce off of you. I had a goose hit me in the shoulder and "explode" in my lap. I was 1 mile from my home going for gas. I was doing the speed limit. Helmet and jacket saved my life!

[Al]

My first bike is my 07 Sportster.

It's reliable, easy to ride, cheap to buy, very good on fuel and cheap to maintain.

BTW- the dealers will let you test ride them!

Also, it's the best selling bike in the US for a reason.

[pOrk]

Chicago Cycle is selling 2008 R6's for 5999, brand new

[VroomPshhTsi]

Thanks for the info so far.

My budget is between $2-3 grand. Here is a list of bikes I'm looking at.

2 Cylinders
Suzuki GS500F
Suzuki SV650S
Kawasaki Ninja 500R, 650R

Older (mid 90s) - 4 Cyl
Suzuki Katana 600
Honda CBR 600

[BoosTT]

Thanks for the info so far.

My budget is between $2-3 grand. Here is a list of bikes I'm looking at.

2 Cylinders
Suzuki GS500F
Suzuki SV650S
Kawasaki Ninja 500R, 650R

Older (mid 90s) - 4 Cyl
Suzuki Katana 600
Honda CBR 600

From those I would pick the CBR, but thats just me. F3 is a nice bike for the price.

[Al]

How tall are you?

[VroomPshhTsi]

how tall are you?

5'9"

[1320PNY]

SV650S...

1.) Plenty of power and torque for a first bike and a guy your size.

2.) Nice clean bikes are out there for $3500 and if you look hard enough I think you can get a cherry bike for $3K.

3.) If you keep the thing in the first 3/4 of the power band it would be real "streetable" for a rookie.

4.) You can beat the piss out of a Suzuki and it will run forever.

5.) This bike is nimble and fun as hell. I took my fat-ass for a ride on one (260lb) and I was impressed and had a blast!

[Fast SVT]

From my personal experience having been a new rider 1 year ago.

1) Take the MSF course. Depending on how easily you pick things up make a decision on what sort of bike you want for a first one.

2) If you pick things up fast and are confident then get the bike you want as oppossed to the starter bike everyone thinks you should have.

3) If you crash the new bike it is your own damn fault for being stupid. The bike will only go as fast as you want it to. If you crash it because you accidentally 'blip' the throttle too much on a litre bike then guess you should have gotten a Harley!



Seriously though, take the MSF course and then make a decision. I started with an XL1200N and it was a near perfect bike to start off with, though if I would have done it over I would have started with a VROD. I picked up riding VERY fast at the MSF course so I might be a different case.

Notice the bike in my SIG....not a sportster but a Street Glide. I'm 5'6" and the FLHX is fine for me even though I've only ridden for a year so that is proof that there is no single rule for new riders. Make sure you continuously practice what they teach you in the MSF course. I take my FLHX to parking lots occasionally and practice panic stops and tight turns.

Also, people are not lying to you when they say that you should keep your head on a swivel when riding. You have to be extra alert when on the bike because any small mistake by you or someone else could be the end of you. Having said that don't be scared, that is the one thing that will kill you.

I've had two close calls in my 1 year of riding. First one was a panic stop and my rear locked up but luckily I had distance between me and the car in front (very important). The second was my own damn fault for zoning out early in the morning.....

[xFullThrottlex]

^ well said

[WickedSix]

ANOTHER VOTE SV550S! I had the SV650 for a year for my first bike and then went to a SV1000. I am 6'4" and 300+ and I still miss the lil SV for cruising around. real comfortable, good milage and usable power, plus mine sounded awesome with the full FMF titanium system

[VroomPshhTsi]

What places around the New Berlin area are best for gear? I'm looking for a nice riding jacket, nothing super fancy just a plain leather one. I stopped by Road Track And Trail but their selection was pretty small.

[xFullThrottlex]

What places around the New Berlin area are best for gear? I'm looking for a nice riding jacket, nothing super fancy just a plain leather one. I stopped by Road Track And Trail but their selection was pretty small.

buy a bike first

(interweb, Motorsports factory, that leather outlet off of Calhoun (mainly Harley leather though,) All Pro, Don and Roys, Sportland 2, etc.)