Top 600 bikes for beginners [USA]

shakey1378 · 06-30-2009, 2:12 PM

then dads on the right page. learn how to ride than worry about what you want. the 250 is dirt cheap and easy to handle the two most important ingredients.

worry about how cool you look after you can really ride. trust me when i say you dont want to be that guy that needs to slow down to 5mph to make every turn cause your scared of your own bike.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:16 PM

like i said my dad would like for me to get a 250 but in a year im going to want something bigger so i dont want to put the money into something and then in a year have to sell it an get something different so im wondering if i could just get a 600 and be ok i feel that i would be ok riding it but the only sort bike ive ridden was my friends 110 crotch rocket so if anyone has anything for me let me know

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:18 PM

im not scared im far from that i almost drag knee on a crappy moped doing 40mph through close to hairpin turns in the park

01'BLADE · 06-30-2009, 2:22 PM

Suzuki Katana - heavy bikes that don't corner well, and not as nimble as other bikes[/quote]

My first streetbike was a katana, I found it to be an extremely forgiving machine. Once you get rid of the crap tires it comes with (i put on dunlop qualifiers) it was a really smooth easy to handle street/track bike to start on. I did have alot of other local riders that would always make cracks about it, but there's nothing like blowing by them on their r6/gixxers through a turn on a trackday when your on a sport touring bike. I spent about 4 years with it and graduated to the 929, but i would recommend it as a forgiving learner.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:31 PM

ok cool thank you but did you have any problems with it someone told me that they leak something but fact is that soon enough i wanna be on a cbr600rr but some people tell me it would be a bad idea to get it for my first bike and i figured i got a katana 600 for my first bike then i wouldnt be able to sell it in a year to get a cbr600rr you see what im saying its not logical i guess i wish i could just get a cbr600rr or something thats very sharp looking and race looking thats a 600 cause the seat on the katana is kinda weird looking its not race looking but im being took picky

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:34 PM

ya know what though ill be able to kill myself just as quick on a 250 or 500 or wimpy 600 as i would on a 600cc crotch rocket

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:41 PM

ive been told that the katana leaks something but i have seen it and im picky about things with riding and i hate the seat i like sharp looking sporty looking but a 600 i guess im being too picky and should just shut up and suck it up

01'BLADE · 06-30-2009, 2:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

ok cool thank you but did you have any problems with it someone told me that they leak something but fact is that soon enough i wanna be on a cbr600rr but some people tell me it would be a bad idea to get it for my first bike and i figured i got a katana 600 for my first bike then i wouldnt be able to sell it in a year to get a cbr600rr you see what im saying its not logical i guess i wish i could just get a cbr600rr or something thats very sharp looking and race looking thats a 600 cause the seat on the katana is kinda weird looking its not race looking but im being took picky

When i picked up the katana i thought similar to how you are thinking, I wanted the look of a sportbike as in full fairings you know racey. My uncles would not let me on, ride or buy any of the 600 sport bikes, the katana did satisfy their requirements after they rode it, and i wanted the full fairings so i bought it. I did not like the banana seat or the tires but you can make them look a little better with aftermarket goodies, here's a pic.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 2:52 PM

wow very nice i like that a lot it almost looks like a hyabusa or something haha did it cost a lot

01'BLADE · 06-30-2009, 3:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

wow very nice i like that a lot it almost looks like a hyabusa or something haha did it cost a lot

Not really, you can find used ones for around $2-3k, ebay for esthetic parts. It's really cheap to insure. But listen to your dad, I consider myself very lucky that my relatives forced my to get an 75 hp bike when i wanted to migrate from the trails to the streets.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 3:06 PM

yeah what are the bikes you have

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 4:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

ya know what though ill be able to kill myself just as quick on a 250 or 500 or wimpy 600 as i would on a 600cc crotch rocket

Connor, it doesn't matter what you ride, how long you have been riding (e.g. past history with dirt bikes) or how experienced you are, bikes as a whole are lethal machines.

I'm not sure you are getting what riding is all about (from my point of view) - sorry in advance if this seems like I am having a go at you, just merely putting my point across.

I ride because I love and have a passion for riding, yes it does feel good having the power to leave everyone at the lights but what am I proving? That my bike can do 170? Who cares?

Who are you actually buying the bike for? Yourself? Or for your mates? Just have a think about it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

... i guess im being too picky and should just shut up and suck it up

Couldn't have put it better myself

Get a few years under your belt, have a few drops and make a few 'small inexperienced' mistakes on a smaller bike, the smaller bikes are far more forgiving and in 99% of the time cheaper to fix (and buy).

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 4:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

then dads on the right page. learn how to ride than worry about what you want. the 250 is dirt cheap and easy to handle the two most important ingredients.

worry about how cool you look after you can really ride. trust me when i say you dont want to be that guy that needs to slow down to 5mph to make every turn cause your scared of your own bike.

I started off on a Honda Superdream 250 many moons ago

shakey1378 · 06-30-2009, 6:42 PM

like twincam states its about "riding" not what bike you have. ive been on a bike since 8yrs old dirt and 18yrs old on the street. when i couldnt afford a sportbike i had a 1983 XL600r dual sport to get me through the tight money times. 295 lbs and a wopping 43hp at the crank. good fun though.

how about get the 250, keep it for a few years till your really ready to upgrade, and then buy any bike you want. at that stage you ll be able to get anything.

1yr doesnt make you experienced imho.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 6:45 PM

ok i guess

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 7:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

how about get the 250, keep it for a few years till your really ready to upgrade, and then buy any bike you want. at that stage you ll be able to get anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

1yr doesnt make you experienced imho.

Give it a go. What have you got to lose? A few hundred dollars (IF THAT) to gain far more experience than if you were to jump straight onto a 600.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 7:09 PM

ugh man i guess i mean what do i have to lose on a 600f4i i mean i can kill myself just as fast on the 250r

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 7:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

ugh man i guess i mean what do i have to lose on a 600f4i i mean i can kill myself just as fast on the 250r

But its far easier for a beginner to make mistakes on the F4i than it is on the 250R. The 250R is also a lot more forgiving if you were to get into that situation.

I know its hard on you, I always wanted the most powerful and best looking bike I could lay my hands on, but I had to act mature in what I chose. I seemed to have made the right decision as I'm still here today.

Live to ride, ride to live.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 7:15 PM

ok well obviously ur gonna be right so i guess its a 250r but only for like a year while i can learn some things about riding and stuff

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 7:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

ok well obviously ur gonna be right so i guess its a 250r but only for like a year while i can learn some things about riding and stuff

I'm not saying whats happened in my case is what will happen in yours, but from what I have experienced it has helped form a basis for my riding.

Once you get on your bike, like the others say try and get yourself into as many classes/courses as possible. The best way is to be taught right from an early stage otherwise u'll form habits and it'll be even harder to get out of them.

Other than that, ride safe and enjoy yourself.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 7:36 PM

cool and have you ever been on an f4i or owned one?

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 7:46 PM

Nope I never got to ride one

I currenly own a EL250 though

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 7:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

is the bike for you or your dad? 9 outta 10 the guy tryin to be a big shot is the first to make an example out of himself...

if your dad knew all the details he may favor the supermoto. but regardless you should be doing this according to skill level not too which bike is the fastest a newb can sanely handle. there is no right answer to that question.

if your being pushed to a larger displacement go with the sv650.

something tells me your father may ride a cruiser?

ok my skill level is ok considering i have ridden a moped that i can almost drag knee on through turns but the pedals get in the way and i know pretty wlel how to shift and obviously dont pop the clutch and i like going fast and i want something that can keep up with me maybe through college im not really basing this off which one is the fastest i just want something that is smooth that is light but still powerful and that i can stay with for a while because truthfully i dont want to get a 250 i dont like them i will get bored with it after a while so please tell me what you think about a 600 like a cbr f4i or something because someone said they are smooth and it will keep me satisfied for a long time

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 8:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

ok my skill level is ok considering i have ridden a moped that i can almost drag knee on through turns but the pedals get in the way and i know pretty wlel how to shift and obviously dont pop the clutch and i like going fast and i want something that can keep up with me maybe through college im not really basing this off which one is the fastest i just want something that is smooth that is light but still powerful and that i can stay with for a while because truthfully i dont want to get a 250 i dont like them i will get bored with it after a while so please tell me what you think about a 600 like a cbr f4i or something because someone said they are smooth and it will keep me satisfied for a long time

Connor, have you passed yet?

I think you should go test ride a 250 out. I think you are under-estimating them and don't know what your missing out on.

They can prove to be quite nippy pieces of kit.

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 8:10 PM

yeah i just dont have my motorcycle temps yet and i dont know anyone who has a 250 that will let me ride it

Twincam · 06-30-2009, 8:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nn0r147

yeah i just dont have my motorcycle temps yet and i dont know anyone who has a 250 that will let me ride it

Dealer?

c0nn0r147 · 06-30-2009, 8:26 PM

yeah but i dont think they will let me test ride with out my temporary license

shakey1378 · 06-30-2009, 9:38 PM

connor,

stop comparing a moped to a motorcycle. it all changes when you throw a transmission in the mix. add about 150-200lbs.

get your permit, take the motorcycle safety foundation rider course level 1. for the love of god stop worring about the bike you want and worry about the one you need. im 30 and i plan on buying quite a few more bikes before i drop dead. how old are you?

i know you dont want to hear this but you sound like every other kid out there...

always in a rush to grow up. you have your whole life to ride. start off right and you will have many years of good riding ahead of you.

a friend of mine whos about 25 6'3" 240 just bought a 96 gsxr750 for his first bike. now that he has it and has ridden it and almost dropped it a couple times he admits it was not what he should have bought, that he should have listened to me. he thought just because he races cars and is comfortable at speed that it would be easy to learn to ride and because hes heavy the 750 would be appropriate. well its a lot faster than he expected and lets say hes a slow learner too...

in these cases no one likes to say i told you so when it could be your a$$

BasetotheFACE · 07-16-2009, 3:21 AM

What do u guys think about the 2001 CBR600 F4i?

Should be picking one up on Sat.

CAN'T wait had '03 CBR 600RR until lady totaled dumb B***! took off too! I admit it was my first bike and i was stuiped and got a bike i shouldnt have rode it for bout 8-10 months until lady clipped back tire. I ended up breaking all five toes across the board at the base of my ankle. Trust wanted to shoot the the bitch

I was speeding i admit idk i know fo a fact she felt me hit her car idk if she saw me. but whatever much smarter this time around getting '01 cbr600 F4i (white and red)

but wanna change red to different custom color but keep white. Get a 250 or older 600 is my say.
**** on a side not saw an 1998 Ducati Monster 750 for sale 22,xxx miles ONLY 2800!!!!! trust i had to slap myself around a couple of times and say NO! NO! down boy DOWN!

Destructo · 07-16-2009, 7:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

The ZZR600 (ZX6E) is another good one but I've found they feel a bit bulkier than the F3/F4.
The option of being able to run "standard" 120-17 and 180-17 tyres is worthwhile I think since all bigger bikes run them and there's always a good supply of cheaper ex-race rubber
The GS500 is another fun lightweight but has an odd rear wheel (I think the latest ones have a 17" though?) and rare enough to limit resale ability when you're ready to move up.

My 1st / previous bike was a ZZR600 (Ninja ZX-6 in the States I think) - bought it cheap off someone I knew.

It was OK - not much to look at though. It was heavier than the Blade, the seat was lower and seating position more comfortable. Handling was good enough (with a new shock), and it was stable due to the length and weight of the bike. It was fast when you wound it up, but in the lower rev range was pretty easy going.

Had the bike for 2 years, and yes being my first bike I did crash it! Only killed it when I tried to adjust the valve clearances.... it could have been saved but I didn't want to spend the money on it, so sold it as spares and put the proceeds towards the Blade. After 2 years I was ready for the change, the lack of mid-range grunt wasn't for me any more.