So I wanna buy a bike

[E30Nova]

Well I want something decently sized, and I figured 600cc would be good since I've been told 500cc is a good starter bike. I also thought it would be fast enough for me to want to keep it for a few years. Just didn't want to buy a super small bike like a 250cc and then after a year buy another bike.

I mean depending on the price of the bike(s) it might actually be cheaper, but eh...

[b*saint]

A PRE 06 R6 is fantastic. The difference between a 2006+ R6 and a GSXR600, CBR600RR, and a ZX6R is an R6 is a balls out machine. A n00b rider isnt going to ride balls out.

[5spoke]

Well I want something decently sized, and I figured 600cc would be good since I've been told 500cc is a good starter bike. I also thought it would be fast enough for me to want to keep it for a few years. Just didn't want to buy a super small bike like a 250cc and then after a year buy another bike.

I mean depending on the price of the bike(s) it might actually be cheaper, but eh...

I am not saying you should start with a 250cc, but I am saying you should look at the power and torque ratings for the bikes you are looking at. My sv650s produces 70 Hp and will do 0-60 in a little under 4 seconds. Being a beginner myself, that's probably the upper limit of a starting bike, unless you want to end up dead. I am not saying that its not possible to start on a high-power bike and survive but you have to be very careful and the learning curve will be much steeper.

The bikes you are looking at are approx. 100hp or so. Just consider your options so you don't bite off more than you can chew. You would probably be bored on a 250cc in a few weeks, but jumping on a 100 or more hp bike can be intimidating and dangerous if you have no clue what the hell your doing.

But like I said its your money and your life.

Have you ridden a bike at all yet? Even a dirt bike or anything?

[Joey Link]

Take the MSF course. Here in Oregon once you pass you take the card to DMV and they give you your endorsement, no further testing required.

I had an R6 for my first bike. Rode it a few times and I was smart enough to realize it'd pretty stupid for a beginner bike. Though I thought I could 'handle it' and my buddies thought it was cool, getting on a bike like that for your first bike will not make you a better rider, and one slip of the throttle often ends in disaster. I sold it and bought a Yamaha FZR400, which I rode for a year. They're great bikes and tons of fun, but the lack of torque and small hp output doesn't really make it a very good bike for beginners either. Designed as race bikes, you really have to wind it out to 12k+ RPM's to stay in the power band. I loved it, since I enjoyed working the engine/gears, and the lightweight aspect, but it's definitely not for everyone. After that season I was ready to step up to a 600 again. I road the offerings by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki, and I ended up choosing the Honda F4i. It wasn't the fastest, and it wasn't the best handling, but the way the bike was balanced was absolutely phenomenal. It's similar to how people describe the Acura NSX. The stability of that bike will make you a better, safer rider, which will prepare you for the other bikes if that's what you want.

Depending on how much you're looking to spend, I'd look for either an F4i or an older CBR, F2 or newer. Coming from a guy who's been riding Yamaha all his life (Banshee since I was 12), you can't go wrong with a Honda sportbike.

As the person said above, the sv650 is also an amazing bike and very easy to ride, though most people are turned off by the lack of fairings. Take this for what you will, but most of the best riders I know started on 250cc Ninja's, and most of the worst riders I know started on larger bikes such as new 600's.

[Joey Link]

Also forgot to mention, invest in quality gear. Most people buy the helmet, jacket, and gloves but forget one of the most important pieces; quality boots. Ankles are very intricate and difficult to heal. I know a couple guys who no longer walk correctly because they damaged their ankles laying their bikes down. When I say quality, I'm not talking about a set of timbs. Invest in a set of $300 Sidi's with exterior ankle supports. I believe I had around $1700 invested in my gear; how much is your life worth?

[dj01540i6sp]

How much do you Value your life?

I rode for 25 years before I realized it is too easy to Die / Vegetable.

[wannagetane30]

Well I want something decently sized, and I figured 600cc would be good since I've been told 500cc is a good starter bike.

The difference b/w a twin 500cc Ninja and a 600 inline four r6 is HUGE. Read some more and learn what you're getting into.

I also thought it would be fast enough for me to want to keep it for a few years.

Do you expect to ride like Valentino Rossi after a couple of months? Like cars, most bikes are better than their riders will ever be.

Just didn't want to buy a super small bike like a 250cc and then after a year buy another bike.

Why not? Money and inconvenience take a back door if you really want to learn to ride versus just surviving and looking cool.

I chose the 250 to learn and even though it's slow and I'm fixing to upgrade to a 600 soon as I have the money, I don't regret it one bit. Here's why:

1. You will make bonehead mistakes. The smaller bikes are much more forgiving and it may mean the difference between being able to save yourself from a fall and seriously injuring/killing yourself. I did a dozen little mistakes in the beginning. If I would've been on a fast bike, I would've been on the ground. No doubt.

2. Being a beginner, you have a high probability of dropping the bike. Would you rather drop a shiny r6 or a $1500 250/500?

3. Insurance cost. Look some up.

4. My 250 is a real confidence builder. I would've been too scared on an R6 to try some of the stuff I have on the 250. I honestly think I'm learning faster and safer this way.

5. Resale. I can probably make money when I sell my 250. This may not matter to you if you plan on keeping your bike for a while. Or you may decide you want something else after a year no matter what you get now. Happens all the time.

If you want something with some speed and still a good beginner bike, try a Suzuki SV650. Lots of torque. Easy to handle. Great to learn on.

My 2c. I know people are going to say "I learned on a 600/liter/turbo Busa, man! And I'm fine!" That's great. It's not just about surviving, though; it's about learning and minimizing risk and cost at the same time.

You wanna know what's embarassing? Being on one of the fastest bikes out there and getting passed by a 250. :)

off my soapbox now. :)

[wannagetane30]

Take this for what you will, but most of the best riders I know started on 250cc Ninja's, and most of the worst riders I know started on larger bikes such as new 600's.

This.

I'm with Joey and 5spoke obviously. Joey, love the F4i. As far as the SV, they have a fully fairing-ed version, although I like the naked look. :)

[5spoke]

This.

I'm with Joey and 5spoke obviously. Joey, love the F4i. As far as the SV, they have a fully fairing-ed version, although I like the naked look. :)

I spent my first few months learning on my future brother in laws Hyosung gt250r and just recently purchased my 2001 sv650s. Both are great bikes and have been very forgiving.

OP, it just depends how much you value learning properly and safely over looking cool and bragging to your buddies on bigger bikes. Just don't be stupid or you WILL get yourself hurt or worse killed. And listen to Joey, get good gear.

[avery0829]

Hey, just last summer I did the class to get my endorsement and to get my first sport bike which was an R6. If you have any questions let me know.

[Varinn]

Just chiming in with my input here, I learned to ride on a GSXR 600. I would not do it again, hell I've even since upgraded to a 2009 gsxr 750 and im considering selling it to get something more fun. That's right, slower, but more fun. Give something like the vtwin bikes a try, SV650, BMW F800, hypermotard, KTM superdukes, all of them are fantastic bikes and actually in my opinion, much cooler than the supersports on the street

[b*saint]

Fuck it. Buy a R1. Be happy. Its the last bike you'll ever have to buy. You learn to ride to go fast. When you want to start taking it easy its because going fast got old.

[808BMW]

Most people who are willing to start on a 250 will usually figure that out on their own from research.

Most people who want to look cool on a sport bike will get whatever they want.

I started on a 636, but I rode a 50cc moped on the streets for 5 years...
5 years on a 50 = 1 year on a 250, at least that's what I told myself ;)