I'm just turning 18 and i want a bike!!!!

ethandk · 02-10-2009, 2:16 AM

Im about to turn 18 soon and im really wanting to have a motorcycle and i need help on what to get. Im only 5'6 and i am taking the MSF soon. I really want to get a cbr 600! Please people with biking exp. help me. thanks so much

Ethan

you can email me at ethandkrus@gmail.com thanks =]

dicknose · 02-10-2009, 3:03 AM

CBR600 isnt for short people!
I have the CBR1000 and its actually better for those "short of leg" than the 600.

People will also differ over the idea of a sports bike as your first bike.
If you are sensible then there is nothing wrong with it - but how many 17 year olds are sensible. Only you can answer that one.

I think you would be much better off spending a year on something a bit smaller, that you can easily "flat foot" and probably best to have a bit less power.
You have many years ahead of you to have fun on a sportsbike - dont rush it, learn your craft first. And especially if you arent tall, learn it on something you can get your feet on the ground!

WyoJames · 02-10-2009, 3:48 AM

Yeah, a 600rr would be good but a 600 F4i would also be a great choice, and cheaper. I definitely wouldn't recommend a 1000RR because personally, I know, if I would have had a 1000 when I was 18 I probably wouldn't be here today

Oh, and welcome to the org

HondaGalToo · 02-10-2009, 7:00 AM

Welcome! Get a used bike for your first, you'll drop it. We all did. A 600RR, as cool as they look, aren't good beginner bikes, IMHO. You'd be much better off starting on something smaller...a Kawi Ninja 250 or Kawi Ninja 500, a Suzuki SV650, or a Suzuki GS500. Used ones can be had for a good price, then when you're ready to move up, you can sell it for probably close to what you paid.
Another factor to consider is insurance. At your age, insuring a 600cc sportbike isn't going to be cheap. In general, sportbikes cost more to insure than other types anyway.

Also, if you start on a smaller bike, you'll be a much better rider in the long run, as you can focus on learning technique. Get a bike with too much power, and you'll spend your learning time trying to just manage the power.

There will be folks who say they started on a sportbike and did fine. I'm sure there are, but it's just not the best way to start out. This is an awesome sport that you have your entire life to enjoy. Start out slow, don't let your ego get in the way, and you'll become a lifetime rider, too. I learned on 175cc dual sports when I was 14. There's another good option...a dual sport bike.

Good job taking the MSF! That's a great way to start out.

Destructo · 02-10-2009, 7:55 AM

Hi and

,

Whatever you get, take it easy at first until you get used to riding a bike (this can take years....). I don't want to sound like an old fart, but when I was 18 I thought I was the best driver around and everyone else was too slow - I crashed my car 3 times before I was 20...... fortunately no-one was ever hurt.

Cars are one thing, bikes are quite another - regardless of whether you go for a 250, that CBR600 or anything in between on a bike you can end up very dead very quickly. The best bit? It doesn't even have to be your fault!

But bikes are great fun. If your heart is set on a CBR600 then make sure you get that training and treat the bike with respect. It will only go as fast as you make it go!

tuffy6969 · 02-10-2009, 10:55 AM

I agree with HondaGalToo - a 250 is MUCH better for a beginner. I've been riding a long time and I can't tell you how appreciative I am of the people that steered me away from bigger bikes and towards smaller ones. We want you here on FB.Org telling of your adventures on the road / track for years to come - start off small. You have the rest of your life to get a 600 or 1000!!

ethandk · 02-10-2009, 11:04 AM

thank you for your help

setanta · 02-10-2009, 12:21 PM

IMHO Im really glad I never got a sports 600 to start with, I started with an sv650s, lovely bike and you can get a thin seat for it so you fit nicely. Its also a very forgiving bike and youll prob learn everything you need on it.
My second bike was a gixxer 600 and believe me I was very thankful (on more than a few occasions) for the experienced gained on the SV.
Good luck to you and

kfromm · 02-10-2009, 12:29 PM

I saved and saved and saved and on the day I turned 18 I bought myself a brand spanking new 2004 cbr1000rr as others have said, you will crash it, I did, it was a terrible feeling dropping a brand new bike. As for the common sense I am suprised I am still here a little over 4 years later, I had not common sense when I bought it but gained alot of common sense and respect for these bikes when I had 2 friends pass away in less then a month. My friends Perry Phelps and Talon Stogren both killed themselves on motorcycles going way to fast. Whatever you get please be careful. If I did it again I would have started with a used 600, probably an F4I and I grew up on dirt bikes.

kfromm · 02-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Where in Indiana are you?

jazzy · 02-10-2009, 1:02 PM

ldavis · 02-10-2009, 1:53 PM

welcome aboard.. just take your time, and be careful.. and find a few experienced riders that will help you along the way..

FB1000inPA · 02-10-2009, 2:24 PM

Welcome. Class first. After that search, test, search, test some more, ... , until you find the right bike for you.

muddysteel · 02-10-2009, 2:37 PM

and good luck! Something under 500cc for a road bike is a good starting point.. And used Kawasaki 250s are a great purchase!

ethandk · 02-10-2009, 4:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfromm

Where in Indiana are you?

Hey kfomm im from northern indiana i live about 30 min. away from fort wayne.

kfromm · 02-10-2009, 11:42 PM

Thats to bad I am in Terre Haute if you get a chance to make it out to MotoGP this coming spring hit me up.

ethandk · 02-11-2009, 12:26 AM

Cool and when is it? that would be bad ass man

lanbrown · 02-11-2009, 12:33 AM

Calendar & Circuits | The Official MotoGP Website

shakey1378 · 02-11-2009, 7:47 PM

if your short like me im 5'5" definately start on something less than a 600. you will find that all the RR model bikes to be too tall. average seat height is around 32.3 inches not even considering the width of the seat. you will be on your tip toes. without any prior riding experience this will probably hurt your learning curve and make it easier to drop when parking and slow u turns or the ever so common stall and fall...

ninja 250 will be flat footed for you
ninja 500 will be close to that

welcome to the .org

best reccomendation i can give is get ALL your gear before you get the bike.

some wise words for you
"dont dress for the ride, dress for the fall."

bulldog12 · 02-11-2009, 9:29 PM

listen to what experienced riders tell you. even if you disagree still listen to them. Ask Questions. ABSORB suggestions. ATGATT. ABOVE ALL "Ride your own Ride" don't try and keep up w/ anyone (at least til you've got the hang of it)

i get lots of practice on Tourist Trophey on the PS2. hehe. i actually really do.

enough. get a bike, and have fun.

setanta · 02-12-2009, 6:59 AM

I thought Ethan has made his mind up on his new bike