good beginner bike CBR 400?

sportballa4eva · 03-24-2009, 12:50 AM

i'm looking around for a bike. I'm 6'2 around 215 and i have little to no experience. Just curious been looking around and most people say stay to a 250 or possibly 500. so i looked around and saw the CBR 400 and i like how it looks and the reviews is it a good bike for a beginner?

LoopyLee · 03-24-2009, 4:45 AM

Firstly,

sportballa4eva

Yes the CBR400 is an absolutely brilliant bike for a beginner but given your height I would definatley try before you buy if at all possible.. I'm just 5'3" (32" inside leg) and can flat foot with my legs slightly bent. Now while that was perfect for me as a new rider, it increased my confidence and made it easier for me to move my bike around, I'm now feeling a little cramped on my bike and wishing she was a little taller.

Given that you are so much taller then me, (mind you, you may have short legs and a tall body

), you may feel very cramped on a 400 so you definately need to sit on a few bikes before you choose your first one.

sportballa4eva · 03-24-2009, 6:00 AM

lol nope i have long legs but thanks any kind of bikes you know that are good for taller beginners?

LoopyLee · 03-24-2009, 6:40 AM

Some of the folks from the USA should be able to answer that for you, I'm in the UK so the bikes we have are different from what you guys get over there.. I'm not entirely sure what 500cc bikes you guys have, if any, you could look at the 600's but what ever you get treat it with the respect it deserves..

As it's your first bike I would definately recommend buying 2nd hand as you will probably drop it at some point. Plus if you don't know much about bikes take a mate who knows a bit along with you when you go looking at bikes as they may notice any problems that you, as a newbie, might not pick up on.

Also make sure you take every class you can to help you learn to ride properly and safely

shakey1378 · 03-24-2009, 3:18 PM

drz400sm. you will love it. my bro is 5'10" and loves it. heck i love it. id probably ride that more than my blade if i had one...

CBR929RE · 03-24-2009, 5:25 PM

where'd you find a CBR400? that's a rare bike on this side of the pond because its a gray market import.

older 600s are also good. Check out any CBR600F, F2, F3, F4, F4i. good beginner bikes and should give you a little more leg room. there's also older Ninja 600s and GSXRs and some FZR600s.

jazzy · 03-24-2009, 8:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

where'd you find a CBR400? that's a rare bike on this side of the pond because its a gray market import.

older 600s are also good. Check out any CBR600F, F2, F3, F4, F4i. good beginner bikes and should give you a little more leg room. there's also older Ninja 600s and GSXRs and some FZR600s.

to the site and

, if you're tall, as CBR929RE has said a CBR600f series type bike would be more beneficial to your overall riding. Good hunting

SusanRepsol · 03-29-2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

where'd you find a CBR400? that's a rare bike on this side of the pond because its a gray market import.

older 600s are also good. Check out any CBR600F, F2, F3, F4, F4i. good beginner bikes and should give you a little more leg room. there's also older Ninja 600s and GSXRs and some FZR600s.

Yep those above is what I'm told to purchase for a first bike..although I had ride on the back of a Honda cbr 1000 I know i cant have one..for awhile yet

Red Rocket 1000 · 04-03-2009, 3:02 PM

i started out wit a cbr 1000 and it is easy i can handel it

Red Rocket 1000 · 04-03-2009, 3:03 PM

i started out wit a cbr 1000 and it is easy i am 5,3 and i can handel it

sheepofblue · 04-03-2009, 3:33 PM

sorry to chime in late but no. In the states that is not a normal bike and thus you will have parts and other hassles that you just don't need. Now overseas maybe and I am sure they are a hoot to ride. However consider that as a new rider you WILL drop it and plastic is expensive on anything. Not saying you will crash but you will drop it (maybe even in the garage) therefore consider a naked bike. Maybe a 599 Honda. They never were that popular so you might find a deal. Yet they are capable and should fit your needs nicely.

shakey1378 · 04-03-2009, 5:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Rocket 1000

i started out wit a cbr 1000 and it is easy i am 5,3 and i can handel it

a beginner on a cbr1000 is stupid. you merely operate it. i always say to each his/her own choice. its your life, but dont come in the new rider section spewing this garbage. we all know it can be done but it is not a good idea. reason being is a steep learning curve and minimal if any margin for error on a 150+ hp superbike

id love to see pics of your tires...

Red Rocket 1000 · 04-05-2009, 9:24 PM

why do you say that i like to go fast so i got a cbr 1000 cause it is and besides a hayabusa is a stupid start

shakey1378 · 04-05-2009, 9:47 PM

both the cbr1000 and busa are bad beginner bikes.

are you ricky bobby?

i like to go fast

repsol954rr · 04-11-2009, 11:51 AM

Starting on a cbr1000? You either have a deathwish LOL or think ur better than what you are. Definately not very wise, a 600 then a 954 was my choice and I thought that was an ok route.

The Gerd · 04-11-2009, 11:55 AM

Sportballa,

If you havent already bought a bike theres a few suggestions I could make. the first is the Suzuki SV650, its a V-twin, its a naked bike, they are cheap as dirt and to be honest, they are a fun bike to ride. Not too small and they have a ridiculous level of support in both OEM parts and aftermarket...I actually know a guy who has a SV650 built up for the track...and he dominates with it.

Second is definitely the CBR600F4i, never have i ridden a bike that was so smooth, its very predictable, operates like a sewing machine (you tun it on and it works), they have a good amount of support and the best thing about them is fuel injection, messing around with carbs is annoying and a first bike should be anything but annoying.

Third would be a decent used GSXR 600/750 after 1996 since they all went to fuel injection in 1997 (i had a 96 SRAD GSXR 750 as my first bike). They are good bikes that do everything well, and since they are GSXR's they have probably the best support from the aftermarket. The 750's can be a bit hairy due to their power coming on really strong after about 8k rpm while the 600's feel low on power. They are great bikes but in the end you will want a replacement eventually.

My only thing i would warn against is buying any bike thats more than 5,000 dollars for your first. Everyone drops their bike...sadly I've dropped every one of my bikes...I havent dropped my new Repsol but then again i havent even ridden her yet...3 months left of deployment and all.

Last but not least, take an MSF course, its worth the time and money and you will come away from it a better rider.

Oh one more last thing

Since you are a bigger rider...like me (im 6'4" 225lb) you will find that most bikes are not made for us big people. I barely fit on my Blade, my helmet literally is in contact with the windscreen at full tuck, but i live with it since the Blade is a phenomenal bike. You gotta take this into consideration when it comes to sportbikes, if you intend to ride them you need to find a bike that you can cope with as much as possible. I looked at the 1198S before i left for deployment just for giggles, but that bike is even more cramped for me than the Blade...that wasnt a price concession i could live with.

CBR929RE · 04-11-2009, 2:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gerd

Sportballa,

If you havent already bought a bike theres a few suggestions I could make. the first is the Suzuki SV650, its a V-twin, its a naked bike, they are cheap as dirt and to be honest, they are a fun bike to ride. Not too small and they have a ridiculous level of support in both OEM parts and aftermarket...I actually know a guy who has a SV650 built up for the track...and he dominates with it.

Second is definitely the CBR600F4i, never have i ridden a bike that was so smooth, its very predictable, operates like a sewing machine (you tun it on and it works), they have a good amount of support and the best thing about them is fuel injection, messing around with carbs is annoying and a first bike should be anything but annoying.

Third would be a decent used GSXR 600/750 after 1996 since they all went to fuel injection in 1997 (i had a 96 SRAD GSXR 750 as my first bike). They are good bikes that do everything well, and since they are GSXR's they have probably the best support from the aftermarket. The 750's can be a bit hairy due to their power coming on really strong after about 8k rpm while the 600's feel low on power. They are great bikes but in the end you will want a replacement eventually.

My only thing i would warn against is buying any bike thats more than 5,000 dollars for your first. Everyone drops their bike...sadly I've dropped every one of my bikes...I havent dropped my new Repsol but then again i havent even ridden her yet...3 months left of deployment and all.

Last but not least, take an MSF course, its worth the time and money and you will come away from it a better rider.

Oh one more last thing

Since you are a bigger rider...like me (im 6'4" 225lb) you will find that most bikes are not made for us big people. I barely fit on my Blade, my helmet literally is in contact with the windscreen at full tuck, but i live with it since the Blade is a phenomenal bike. You gotta take this into consideration when it comes to sportbikes, if you intend to ride them you need to find a bike that you can cope with as much as possible. I looked at the 1198S before i left for deployment just for giggles, but that bike is even more cramped for me than the Blade...that wasnt a price concession i could live with.

the fiche on ronayers.com lists the 96 and 97 GSXR750 as having carbs. I thought they all went fuel injection in 99 or 2000 but I could be wrong.

shakey1378 · 04-11-2009, 4:14 PM

98 was the first year for a fuel injected gsxr750

The Gerd · 04-11-2009, 9:08 PM

yeah sorry bout that...been a while since my first...I just remember that when ibought my 96 I saw what I believed to be a 97 with FI...but then again I got my 96 in 2000. So I digress, get a 98 or newer...you really dont want carbs if you can have FI thats the point I was trying to make.

FI is just smoother, plus you can get a Power Commander and an exhaust down the line for a few more HP if you need it, instead of dealing with jet kits and the associated headache with those if youve never messed around with carbs.

Dont get me wrong a properly tuned carbeurated bike is still fun but the inherent hassle really isnt newbie friendly

shakey1378 · 04-12-2009, 2:39 AM

damn dont be so hard on yourself you were off by 1 year...lol

fi is definately great. ive had only carbs till i got my blade and it so nice to not have to play with a choke for a few minutes before you can take off.