12-23-2013, 10:26 AM | #15 | |
Suffers Fools Poorly
Drives: 2010 SS/RS, CGM w/ Silver Stripes. Join Date: May 2011
Location: Coolidge, AZ
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Yes, I owned an SV650S, now I own a chopper and a VTX1800. I learned on an 82 Yamaha Seca. I didn't say 600s or 650s were slow. I said they COULD be as slow as a 250 or 300 if you show some self restraint. You can ease yourself into the power, as opposed to deciding "I'm ready" and figuring out how unready you are.
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2010 2SS/RS, CGM w/ silver stripes. Hurst Shifter, long tube headers, full exhaust, CAI, tune. SAE 407 RWHP/402 RWTQ
Momma didn't bronze my shoes, but when I turned 16 I inherited a lead foot. |
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12-23-2013, 10:47 AM | #16 | |
Drives: 2014 Rubicon X Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 98
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Quote:
SV650's are great beginner bikes with their less aggressive seating position and power delivery. Cheers
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2010 VR 2SS RS
2013 BRM 2SS RS 2014 Black Rubicon X 2016 |
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12-23-2013, 10:54 AM | #17 | |
Suffers Fools Poorly
Drives: 2010 SS/RS, CGM w/ Silver Stripes. Join Date: May 2011
Location: Coolidge, AZ
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Quote:
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2010 2SS/RS, CGM w/ silver stripes. Hurst Shifter, long tube headers, full exhaust, CAI, tune. SAE 407 RWHP/402 RWTQ
Momma didn't bronze my shoes, but when I turned 16 I inherited a lead foot. |
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12-23-2013, 12:57 PM | #18 |
Drives: 2013 Full Bolt on LFX M6 Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago,Illinois
Posts: 417
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My brother bought a used SV650 to get started, and he loved it! Only cost about 3 grand, looked great, and was an all around great starter bike. I believe it was a 2004. When he was ready to upgrade, he sold it for just about the same price he bought it for, and bough a GSXR 700 with a wicked cam in it. Have fun out there and good luck with your decision!
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12-23-2013, 03:39 PM | #19 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Kernersville, NC
Posts: 931
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Ducati Monster you will never regret
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Hurst Short Throw Shifter, K&N CAI, SRP Racing Pedals, GM Performance Exhaust, GM GFX Package
Lakewood Strut Tower Brace, JBA Shorty Headers, JBA 8 MM Wires, Airaid TB Spacer, Phastek CAI Scoop, Washer Bottle Relocation Kit, Stainlees Steel Brake Lines, Brake Performance Slotted and Drilled Rotors, BMR Tunnel Brace, BMR Trailing Arms, BMR Subframe Connectors, Borla ATAK Muffelers, Z28 Wickerbill Spoiler, VTC, Bow Tie Delete, BMR Adjustable Front Swaybar, BMR End Link Kit, BMR Extreme Rear Anti-Roll Kit, Diablo I1000 "InTune" |
12-23-2013, 05:05 PM | #20 |
Drives: 2013 RS - 2013 2SS/RS - 1971 RS Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,027
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if you can find you a nice used 250cc and move up when you feel comfortable to the new bike in whatever engine size you feel you will be comfortable with once you have a little experience. the reason I say used is if you tear it up your not out as much learning on a new one.
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12-23-2013, 05:06 PM | #21 |
Drives: 2013 RS - 2013 2SS/RS - 1971 RS Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 1,027
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12-23-2013, 05:46 PM | #22 |
Hail to the King baby!
Drives: '19 XT4 2.0T & '22 VW Atlas 2.0T Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 12,156
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Always a great and passionate discussion.
First you have to understand how frighteningly fast a modern 600cc sport bike is. Even if you buy a used one 5 plus years old it can be wayyyyyy more than you are capable of for a long time. The risk of starting out smaller is simply that you will out grow it quickly. If you have a lot of discipline with your right wrist and can be patient with your learning curve go bigger. If you don't think you can do that start smaller. Regardless, I suggest a race track based training class. I took one taught by Reg Pridmore years ago at Gratten Raceway (CLASS it was called) Took it with my BMW K75 (a tank) and again on my Kawasaki 600 ( a baby rocket by comparison). Well worth the time and $$$ to understand your bike and your limits. Either way be safe, never drink and ride and regardless of your state laws ALWAYS wear a helmet, gloves, boots and jeans.
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"Speed, it seems to me, provides the one genuinely modern pleasure." - Aldous Huxley
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12-23-2013, 06:24 PM | #23 |
Drives: 2011 1LT/RS IBM Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Rockwood MI
Posts: 89
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12-23-2013, 10:22 PM | #24 |
Drives: 2013 1ss Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: WI.
Posts: 509
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I have been riding for 35+years. One common factor I saw over time was people who started out with more power or bike capability would tend to leave riding sooner.
On the street speed is a major factor to trouble. Riding is honing your skills and it is actually more enjoyable to ride a slow bike to its limit than to ride a fast bike at 30%. I have chased Ducati riders through windy roads on a touring bike and stayed with them, creating some frustrated Ducati riders. Back to the bike choice, look at European models for motorcycle licenses. They require progression up through the different sizes over time. |
12-23-2013, 10:35 PM | #25 |
I think if you felt comfortable riding in the the class and you really want a sport bike I wouldn't recommend anything less than a 750 or you will want to get rid of it after a few weeks you will be bored. My neighbor bought a ninja 650r the beginning of summer and is ready for a 1000 now. I ride a 1900 cruiser and have rode many different bikes if you know the basics you can ride anything. Get what you like and you will grow into it quickly don't waste your time with the smaller size. Respect the bike and be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine. Good luck
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12-23-2013, 10:48 PM | #26 | |
Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Rochester Hills
Posts: 167
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12-25-2013, 01:25 AM | #27 |
Drives: '14 Red 2SS/RS/LS3 Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Posts: 692
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I've been riding for 35 years, crashed a few times, but never been hurt. Currently ride a '12 Ninja ZX-14R. You said you want a sportbike (not cruiser), but it would help if we knew more about how you plan to use your new motorcycle and your budget. Do you just plan to ride it around town, to and from work? Do you plan to mount luggage and take a 400 mile day trip or longer? Is it just for you or do you plan to have a passenger? How much wind protection do you want? Can you physically stand to be hunched over a tank and support most of your weight on your wrists/hands?
Japanese brand motorcycles offer good value and tend to be easier to operate - good handling, good brakes, reliable, etc. A lot of riders of my generation will tell you they started out on dirt bikes! Two things are for sure: you will outgrow your first motorcycle after a year or so and any bike over 600cc can build speed so fast you'll easily get in trouble...either speeding tickets or crashing the bike. Personally, I feel a 250-300cc bike is just too small, too light, too slow to be used day in and day out. Lastly, as sexy and appealing as a hard core sportbike may be, I recommend you choose a motorcycle with an upright seating position to start with. You're going to be learning the basics of balance, manuvering, starting and stopping, counter steering and avoiding becoming a hood ornament. I think it's way easier to learn good habits on a "standard" or "naked" bike than a "sportbike." Insurance for a motorcycle varies greatly by model and rider age, but expect to pay 1/3 as much as you're paying for your auto insurance. Good luck, motorcycling is a very rewarding hobby that many of us enjoy more than driving a car - if you can imagine that! |
12-25-2013, 11:06 AM | #28 |
Drives: 2010 imperial blue LS3 M6 2SSRS Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Virginia beach Virginia
Posts: 210
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A 600cc inline4 is NOT a starter bike. I've been riding 25 yrs cruisers zuk M109r, kaw 1500cc meanstreaks, even gl1800 gold wings. My current stable is an 08 Kawasaki ZX14, and an 09 Yamaha R6. Everyone thinks the R6 would be easier to ride, it couldn't be farther from the truth. ZX14 is like a big comfy cruiser of a hyper bike sure it'll rip your arms out if you twist the throttle but barely twist it and it's just as docile as they come. R6 on the other hand power band is between 12k to 16.5k and it becomes a shrieking wheelieing monster between your knees. Not something you want to learn on very unforgiving and will bite you hard when you not expecting it. On the track is where it shines, I spent many weekends hustling it around mid Atlantic road courses VIR being my favorite! Sv 650, or a Suzuki gladius 650 would be my choices. Extremely forgiving powerband, comfortable riding position, cheap insurance. Plentiful, cheap parts. Hope this helps....
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