very first bike... im thinking a Ninja 500R ???

rydordy · 10-15-2004, 4:43 PM

I want a bike, pure and simple. I am 22 and have never riden a bike before by myself, only rode as a passanger on a friends bike once or twice. And up until today I had my mind set that I was going to buy a brand new CBR600RR... these bikes are awesome! BUT, I was reading a few other threads earlier and heard a lot of peaple saying that todays 600cc bikes are just too much bike for the extreme beginner such as I. Im usually very stubborn and would have normally let this information go in one ear and out the other, but I dont want to do that and end up dead while riding my new 120hp bike.

With that said, I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the Ninja 500R. I have read in a few places that this was a great beginners bike. Can anyone confirm this? and what are some other choices out there that kind of classify as a "beginner bike" without making me look too much like a wussy while riding it. Thanks....

Cornfedwhitey · 10-15-2004, 4:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydordy

I want a bike, pure and simple. I am 22 and have never riden a bike before by myself, only rode as a passanger on a friends bike once or twice. And up until today I had my mind set that I was going to buy a brand new CBR600RR... these bikes are awesome! BUT, I was reading a few other threads earlier and heard a lot of peaple saying that todays 600cc bikes are just too much bike for the extreme beginner such as I. Im usually very stubborn and would have normally let this information go in one ear and out the other, but I dont want to do that and end up dead while riding my new 120hp bike.

With that said, I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the Ninja 500R. I have read in a few places that this was a great beginners bike. Can anyone confirm this? and what are some other choices out there that kind of classify as a "beginner bike" without making me look too much like a wussy while riding it. Thanks....

Other than the fact they look gay.

. Great starter bike..

I'd go 96-97 600f3..

ReaperAZ · 10-15-2004, 4:48 PM

Welcome to hell!

Anyhow, it's nice to hear someone actually use their head when looking at their first bike. It's cool that you didn't come on here saying you wanted the biggest fastest bike on the market like most of the new riders out there. My only suggestion is to buy what you like, and is good for you. Good luck.

Dano

CBR929RE · 10-15-2004, 4:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydordy

I want a bike, pure and simple. I am 22 and have never riden a bike before by myself, only rode as a passanger on a friends bike once or twice. And up until today I had my mind set that I was going to buy a brand new CBR600RR... these bikes are awesome! BUT, I was reading a few other threads earlier and heard a lot of peaple saying that todays 600cc bikes are just too much bike for the extreme beginner such as I. Im usually very stubborn and would have normally let this information go in one ear and out the other, but I dont want to do that and end up dead while riding my new 120hp bike.

With that said, I was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the Ninja 500R. I have read in a few places that this was a great beginners bike. Can anyone confirm this? and what are some other choices out there that kind of classify as a "beginner bike" without making me look too much like a wussy while riding it. Thanks....

I have heard the ninja500r is an awesome beginer bike as well and dirt cheap and since the design hasn't changed in almost 20 years parts are readily available and cheap as well. you could also look into an older 600 such as a CBR600F2/F3 or even old the F1. I had an 86 Ninja 600R as my frist bike and I loved that thing till I got the 929. Those late 80s early 90s bikes really can handle the beating put on them and they take drops (which you'll probably do) with minimal damage. Buy something fairly cheap and ride the piss out of it for a season then next season buy the 600rr.

sheepofblue · 10-15-2004, 4:49 PM

As I have stated before I recommend a bike with more rake than a sportbike. Make it handle less sporty. Learn on a more traditional style or even a cruiser. Other than that an older Ninja 500 is probably a decent bike to learn on.

Baketech · 10-15-2004, 4:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornfedwhitey

Other than the fact they look gay.

. Great starter bike..

This is a stupid-assed comment to give an entry rider looking for information....

The EX500 is a great starter bike and beyond...it looks good, is easy to work on and ride....

ConqSoft · 10-15-2004, 5:00 PM

You can also check out: www.beginnerbikes.com

rydordy · 10-15-2004, 5:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornfedwhitey

Other than the fact they look gay.

. Great starter bike..

I'd go 96-97 600f3..

Cornfed.. any specs on the 600f3 you talk about? weight? horsepower?
The 600f3 sure does look less gay than the Ninja 500R, but im sure that when dropped the 500R would have less damage... and I right?

stegen · 10-15-2004, 5:01 PM

thats what i started with. worked very well and its quick. go with it

Mojave954 · 10-15-2004, 5:01 PM

Smart choice to start with.

Welcome to the org.

Now that you have selected a Kawi.....

2OHOH2 · 10-15-2004, 5:02 PM

It was my first bike. Couldn't recommend it more highly. I think I turned something like 7000 miles on it before getting a 929.

rydordy · 10-15-2004, 5:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

You can also check out: www.beginnerbikes.com

Thanks ConqSoft, thats the site I have been on for the last 2 hours or so, and thats where I found info on the 500R. Think its a good bike for me?? What else would you recommend?

TGZ13 · 10-15-2004, 5:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

As I have stated before I recommend a bike with more rake than a sportbike. Make it handle less sporty. Learn on a more traditional style or even a cruiser. Other than that an older Ninja 500 is probably a decent bike to learn on.

Only reason I disagree is b/c once you get tired of the cruiser style then you have to get used to a totally different ride.

Making the transition from the Seca II to the RC was crazy. Raised bars to low clipons changes everything about the bike but still easier then going from a cruiser to a sportbike for a beginner

CBRVFR · 10-15-2004, 5:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydordy

Im usually very stubborn and would have normally let this information go in one ear and out the other, but I dont want to do that and end up dead while riding my new 120hp bike.

Wisdom !

Take a look at an SV650. It's fun, versatile, sporty, capable, bulletproof, and there are a lots of mods on the market. If you buy a good used one, it will hold its value decently well.

And all of the above makes me wish Honda had a bike in it's class to recommend.

Welcome!

HondaGalToo · 10-15-2004, 5:06 PM

Congrats on using your head in choosing your first bike! You've just greatly improved your chances of becoming a life-long rider, and living long enough to become an old rider!

It's a great sport!!

Since you don't want to learn on a cruiser,the Ninja 500 (or EX500, depending on the year), is a good starter bike. Some mentioned older CBR600s, like the F2, but they are still a lot of bike. Not as much as the new ones, but still a lot. Another good starter would be a Suzuki GS500.
Other older late '80s or early '90s standards would be good, also. Personally, I'd get something older without a lot of fairings so there's minimal damage when you drop it, which you will when learning.

Also, if you haven't already, take an MSF course!

Cornfedwhitey · 10-15-2004, 5:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

This is a stupid-assed comment to give an entry rider looking for information....

The EX500 is a great starter bike and beyond...it looks good, is easy to work on and ride....

So your saying the color scheme and body style is attractive?

Then maybe you're a lil light in the loafer's?

I said there good bikes,if you like you 1st bike to resemble something a homosexual would ride.. I would take a red/blk or smokin joes 600 f3..

Cornfedwhitey · 10-15-2004, 5:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rydordy

Cornfed.. any specs on the 600f3 you talk about? weight? horsepower?
The 600f3 sure does look less gay than the Ninja 500R, but im sure that when dropped the 500R would have less damage... and I right?

Im sure you can find specs on the net all day..

It was my 1st bike, 600f3.. I was 18.. Rode it for 7 months, got bored with the power and got a 929.. Had it for 2 years then the 954 I will have till Dec.. then off to the 1000..

None the less, awesome starter bike.. Light, nimble, good sounding, plenty of power.. Old school Kawi'= Ass..

CBR929RE · 10-15-2004, 5:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Congrats on using your head in choosing your first bike! You've just greatly improved your chances of becoming a life-long rider, and living long enough to become an old rider!

It's a great sport!!

Since you don't want to learn on a cruiser,the Ninja 500 (or EX500, depending on the year), is a good starter bike. Some mentioned older CBR600s, like the F2, but they are still a lot of bike. Not as much as the new ones, but still a lot. Another good starter would be a Suzuki GS500.
Other older late '80s or early '90s standards would be good, also. Personally, I'd get something older without a lot of fairings so there's minimal damage when you drop it, which you will when learning.

Also, if you haven't already, take an MSF course!

yeah the new GS500 looks just like a gsxr so the girls will still think its a fast ass bike so you still get those points. My 86 ninja took a concrete barrier on the highway at 65mph and all that happened to the bike was a broken flushmount signal, ripped off the reflector, broke the shifter and rashed the plastic. My knee is another story though. once the knee was healed up enough and the bike fixed I was scared to get back on but glad I did and haven't looked back since (a year and a half now). You're definetly gonna enjoy riding once you get whatever bike you get, its just too much fun to not do.

Baketech · 10-15-2004, 5:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornfedwhitey

So your saying the color scheme and body style is attractive?

Then maybe you're a lil light in the loafer's?

I said there good bikes,if you like you 1st bike to resemble something a homosexual would ride.. I would take a red/blk or smokin joes 600 f3..

What I'm saying is that an intelligent person posted an informed question, and you responded with a counter-productive answer about a subjective quality of the bike....

The poster has taken the time to get informed, and that deserves some respect. They can make up their own mind on what looks good, so why give them baggage when they are only trying to do the right thing...?

BTW...keep your "homo" comments to yourself, or PM me and we can discuss...

Kuss929 · 10-15-2004, 5:52 PM

I started on an 87 red EX-500. I had it for 4 years through the end of high school and into University. Excellent bike. I thought (and still do think) that it was a great looking bike. I wanted something that looked sporty. (I really hated (and still do) the look of katana's).

Buy used except for the gear.

rydordy · 10-15-2004, 6:03 PM

Wow guys, thanks so much for your quick and very informative responses!! Now I guess I have to make up my mind between the following bikes:

(all used)
Ninja 500R
Suzuki SV650
Suzuki GS500
CBR600F2/F3

Im sure no matter which I go with Ill have a great beginner bike. All of these bikes have their pros and cons...

Thanks again!! Keep your replies comming, the more info I get the better a decision I can make!

Kuss929 · 10-15-2004, 6:11 PM

That is a good list to pick from and yes they all do have pros and cons.
Try to find them all and through a leg over them to see how you fit on the bike. The decision might be easier than you think then.

Mangina · 10-15-2004, 6:15 PM

Personally, I'd go for a mid-90's 600cc bike. I started on a 92 ZX-7 and my buddy had a 90 Katana? I think your first bike depends more on where your head is at, than how fast the bike is. Although the first time you open up a 600cc+ bike, you'll probably drop a log in your pants.
Some people are going to wipeout whether they start on a 250 or a 1300. I'd recommend taking a class to get the basics down, then get the bike you want, and spend alot of time practicing in an empty parking lot. Oh yeah, if you drive like a dick, you will die. Take it easy and be safe.