About to buy a GSXR 600 what should I know?
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I was in the same situation last summer. I walked into the dealer and rode off on the lot on a 2003 Honda CBR 600RR. I'd never been on a dirtbike or motorcycle before. I haven't had any major incidients, and don't regret making the purchase I did. I agree that it's not logical to buy a new bike. He'll drop it, they all do; I did. Sometimes it's just nice to make an emotional decision to buy a new bike. Also, it's not how much power it has, but rather how he respects it. I used the breakin period as a learning period, you can't get into much trouble under 5000 rpms. 
Just because a bike is older and cheaper than a new one doesn't mean you will have to keep on repairing it, if it is running fine and properly maintained from the purchase there is no reason to have any problems with it.
Plus having to do a little work on the bike if it is your first will help you learn about the bike and the way it is built and will pay dividends if you have to take it into a mechanics so they don't rip you off.
Plus having to do a little work on the bike if it is your first will help you learn about the bike and the way it is built and will pay dividends if you have to take it into a mechanics so they don't rip you off.
There are sport bikes more suited to the beginning rider than GSX-Rs. Saying that a Gixxer 600 isn't a good beginner bike is not the same as saying that a sport bike isn't a good beginner bike.Novaz3 said:
http://www.beginnerbikes.com
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I JUST bought a 2004 GSXR 600 as my second bike. I had a Ninja 500 last year, and I was shocked at how much more power the GIXXER had. He should probably learn on a little smaller, but if he REALLY wants the GIXXER get frame sliders and leather because he'll probably lay it down. I LOVE the GSXR 600 so much, but I have a little more experience. Its the difference between what you WANT to hear and what you SHOULD hear. He should start smaller is he's never ridden.
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theres nothing wrong with buying a gixxer, just buy frame sliders and take the plastic off for the first month. That way when it goes down and hopefully it won't it won't cost an arm and a leg to fix.
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Well, this same arguement has been going on at the kawasaki forums for a long time (over 10 pages), but there is a twist. They allmost all agree that you can start on a 600. On this forum you can't, but over there, you can. I say yes, buy the gixxer. Learn on it and be responisble.Its like, HEY I know some poeple who learned on a modern GSX-R 1000, no problems. Other poeple can jump on a ninja 250 and die on the first day. It happens. One thing is, take the MSF course.
Who are "they" ? none of the mods or admins over at kawasaki forum says it's ok to start on a 600. Most of the members also disagree. So I don't see where you're getting this info.ZX-10R Urza said:
Before giving advice that could get someone hurt or killed why don't you actually buy a bike in order to know what you're talking about.
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·i suggest you try to make him buy a gf500f. its a great bike and its better on the twisties and it looks like a GSX-R600 too.
Well, I tend to agree against buying a powerful machine like a GSXR-600 for first. There are hundreds of things that can go wrong and it usually just takes one. At SSBC, a rider was killed when the bike nicked a rear left bumper of a vehicle.
Just ask your bro, certain questions about riding and see how just how well he is prepared if prepared at all.
How to handle tank slaps/head shakes, what causes them.
What to do when back wheel comes around.
What is standard throttle control.
How to deal with decreasing radius turns.
What to do when front wheel locks.
What is counter-steering and when should steering begin.
If your bro can't answer these basic questions, would you feel safe about him riding?
Just ask your bro, certain questions about riding and see how just how well he is prepared if prepared at all.
How to handle tank slaps/head shakes, what causes them.
What to do when back wheel comes around.
What is standard throttle control.
How to deal with decreasing radius turns.
What to do when front wheel locks.
What is counter-steering and when should steering begin.
If your bro can't answer these basic questions, would you feel safe about him riding?
I followed exactly the same path, got my licence (French) in 2019 and rode a ninja 500 (EX500D/GPZ500s) for 2 years to get to know what it's like to ride, get accustomed to positions, reflexes and such. That first bike did require repairs (old carbs, old electronics), but that allowed me to work on it and see how bikes work. Plus, since you always drop your first bike, let it be a bike that's not worth too much. Although these bikes aren't too complicated, I would recommend to make sure you have your own garage at home to work on it.
Now to the point, after 2 years spent on this first bike, I have just got myself a 2005 GSXR 600 and I can't describe the pleasure it is to ride such a bike AFTER you have had time to learn on a beginner's bike. That makes you feel confident about the bike, plus you're aware of all the risks and already know what to do/not to do, predict other drivers' behavior and whatnot.
Here in France, we actually don't have much of a choice : one can't simply get his licence and drive a powerful bike : you must go throw the A2 driver's licence, which basically limits the power of your bike for 2 years, hence no gixxer. Then you get your A licence and you're clear to go choose any bike you want. At first I thought that was lame when I compared to the US system, but in the end it's a good way to go.
Anyone wondering if they should get a gixxer (or such) first or a lower cc/lower power bike first, my advice is get a ninja 500 or CB500 first. You won't believe how much fun you'll have after having spent time learning on these bikes before getting your hands on a sports bike.
Bonne route à vous !
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An old post but I agree in full a GSXR isnt called a crotch rocket for nothing. They are capable of insane acceleration and top speeds....not a learners machine.
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One of my bikes was a Kaw Eliminator 600. Almost the same engine as their 600 "sport" bike.
Red line was something like 14000.
When passing on a 2 lane, I was used to dropping back a bit, dropping a gear and cranking the throttle BEFORE pulling out to pass.
That does NOT work when you actually have horse power to work with.
I almost ran up the trunk of the car ahead of me the first time I did that........and found the "turbo feeling" when the engine hit about 9K RPM and seemed to instantly jump another 5K.
It had a 6 speed transmission and given the gearing and redline, I figured it was good for about 140 MPH......in 4th gear.
But I never really tried that.
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Two of mine were Hayabusa's and they have a hump on the rear of the seat for a reason....which I almost found out...
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