[bksuzukigsxr]

if anyone can help me on giving me ideas and information about bikes and whats good and not good all that it would be appreciated, I'm also looking for a 2000- or higher suzuki gsxr600 or 750 to start and looking around $4500-5000 i know its a hard find but there are some out there who want to sell thier bikes, if anyone can help that would be greatly appreciated, [email protected]

 

[jaydog19833]

Its going to be a little tricky finding a bike thats in good condition for quite that low. I was considering a 2000+ GSXR 600 last summer and coudn't find em for much less than 5,500-6,000. I just ended up getting a new one because it was only about 1,000 more for a NEW one.

P.S. I fope that isn't gonna be your first bike, because they are f'ing fast and could kill you before you had a chance to wave at the girls :smile:

 

[bksuzukigsxr]

hey jaydog

wats goin on man, yea its gonna be my first bike, everyone says 600 or 750 aint bad, but yea im lokin for a good one 2000 model or higher, i found one for 4800 but 13000 miles, whats a good mileage to buy em at? i usually see them at 8000 ppl sellin em?

 

[bksuzukigsxr]

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wats goin on man, yea its gonna be my first bike, everyone says 600 or 750 aint bad, but yea im lokin for a good one 2000 model or higher, i found one for 4800 but 13000 miles, whats a good mileage to buy em at? i usually see them at 8000 ppl sellin em?

 

[Clint]

everyone says 600 or 750 aint bad

Everyone meaning kids on a sportbike forum, right? Not the best advice you've ever been given.

 

[Redlined600]

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wats goin on man, yea its gonna be my first bike, everyone says 600 or 750 aint bad, but yea im lokin for a good one 2000 model or higher, i found one for 4800 but 13000 miles, whats a good mileage to buy em at? i usually see them at 8000 ppl sellin em?

Get a 500, learn the right way...with confidence, not with fear.

 

[jaydog19833]

If the bike is in good shape, the mileage isn't as much of an issue as people say it is. I got my bike in June 2004 and I already had over 5,000 on it when I put it away in October. It's definately not ruined and is in mint condition. Just look over the bike really well and hope they have service history somewhere.

I'm telling you...be careful with a GSXR 600, if you're careful you'll be fine but all it takes is once and bye bye legs or life.

P.S. Have you considered a 600cc Katana or SV650? Both really fast and nice looking also, but a lot more forgiving for a new rider. Not to mention you could get a new Katana for what you're willing to pay for a used GSXR.

 

[pjd]

I'm telling you...be careful with a GSXR 600, if you're careful you'll be fine but all it takes is once and bye bye legs or life.

P.S. Have you considered a 600cc Katana or SV650? Both really fast and nice looking also, but a lot more forgiving for a new rider. Not to mention you could get a new Katana for what you're willing to pay for a used GSXR.

Sound advice. I'm far from an "expert" rider, in fact I'd barely qualify as "seasoned". However, I'm really starting to believe that a GSX-R shouldn't be the first bike for someone. Just my opinion though. I'm also partial to the Katana mostly 'cause I have one.

 

[inspiron]

Before anyone goes out and buys any kind of bike, they should first take a close look at themselves and determine what kind of riding they are going to be doing. Ask yourself these kinds of questions:

What kind of riding will I be doing? Commuting to school/work/whereever? Or just for fun in the twisties? Or out for long roadtrips? Or track racing? Or stunting? Or just getting around the town/campus/city/whatever?

Will I be carrying a passenger on the pillion? Will I be transporting books/laptop/groceries - Do you want/need a Givi-case or sattlebags?

How much riding experience do I have?

How much weight can I handle?

How much can I afford to spend for gas/tires/maintenance/insurance?

... there are alot more I could add to this list.

If I am going to be using the bike for commuting on the highway and will be carrying a backpack, I don't necessarily want a Gixxer or SV650S (sorry SuzukiGirl!). The tank-humper position is not good for being seen, and not good with extra weight on your back. And like I've said before - a GIVI has no business on the back of a Gixxer - it ruins the look of the bike.

If I am going to use the bike for long rides (hundreds of miles per day) and my name is not Dale , then I probably don't want a Gixxer either.

The rider position of the Gixxer (and SV650S) is a racing position - the intention is to go as fast as possible, with less focus on visibility or comfort. The Bandit, Katana, SV650 (without the "S") and other "street" bikes offer a more upright position, which IMHO is more comfortable and more visible (the cages see you, and you see over them).

A cruiser is great for 100s of miles straight ahead, but less fun in the twisties, and no fun whatsoever in slow-speed manoevers like tight parking lots, etc.

If I want to stunt, then even 500ccm is too much. If I was into that, I would get a 250ccm rat-bike. They are light and cheap. If I'm practicing wheelies and stoppies, I don't really want 500+ lbs of bike ... and I don't need 100+ horsepower, with $300 for a set of tires.

And if you want a radio, heated seat, cruise control and a reverse gear, go get a Gold Wing. Or just buy a new Beetle convertable and leave the 2-wheeling to us.

Just my $0.02 ...

 

[Va bene]

Great thoughts Inspiron. The only thing I would amend is the comment about cruisers. Just like there are different types of sportbikes there are different types of cruisers. I ride a Savage - 650 cc single, 350 lbs -- and it is great in the twisties and easy to handle at slow speeds. I mostly ride twisties and the Savage is definitely a fun ride.

 

[RookWV]

Take the MSF course first....you may not even like riding.

• Take the course,

• they provide the bike,

• it'll let you know if you like riding,

• it'll be more benefit to you than anything anyone can tell or show you,

• it'll give a discounted insurance (have you checked on this cost yet????)

• it'll make getting you license easier.

 

[wavyredlaurie]

IMHO, there are far better bikes out there for a new biker. I'm NOT a new biker, and I got the 650 V-Strom, which is a dual-sport bike. You sit upright, and it's great for commuting, touring, and just about anything else. It's a lot of bike, and I'm glad I didn't go for something sportier.

I also agree with Susan that the Savage is a great bike - very adaptable, and very fun. But not as good for us longer-legged folks, and not what I'd really call a beginner's bike. There's a lot of factors to consider in picking the best bike for you, and the more you educate yourself before you plunk down all that money, the happier you are likely to be with your final selection.

The first thing I'd STRONGLY recommend is taking the MSF Safety course. You get to ride the bike they provide, and you can see what a "tiny" little 150 or 250 can do. You might decide something like a nice Bandit would be a wiser choice to start out, price-wise, and power wise! In any event, you can learn on that bike, rather than on your shiny, pretty ride, and you can learn proper technique before you develop bad habits, or make some costly mistakes. It's the best deal going, for a new rider. It's also fun, and you get to meet different people, and check out some different motorcycles, too (that's where I got to see my first Savage, up close and personal!) You'll be a smarter rider after taking the course, a smarter buyer, and you'll get a very nice reduction on your insurance (and you'll need it, if you stick with getting a sport bike!).

 

[tlwisner]

Great thoughts Inspiron. The only thing I would amend is the comment about cruisers. Just like there are different types of sportbikes there are different types of cruisers. I ride a Savage - 650 cc single, 350 lbs -- and it is great in the twisties and easy to handle at slow speeds. I mostly ride twisties and the Savage is definitely a fun ride.

Very true Susan. People who rag on cruisers need to go out and ride one. My C50 handles great and has plenty of torque - very rideble, comfortable and enjoyable through the twisty roads we are blessed with in Kentucky. I don't ride twisties at double the speed limit though...

Racing replica bikes for people who have never ridden? Just simply a bad idea. Learn to ride first so you can actually enjoy that Gixxer in a year or two...

 

[inspiron]

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers ... I've never ridden a cruiser, I just watched people on Harleys trying to do the slow-speed manoevers during safety courses ... I can't watch without my hands in front of my face, because it always looks like they're about to dump the bike...and I know what that costs!

 

[tlwisner]

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers ... I've never ridden a cruiser, I just watched people on Harleys trying to do the slow-speed manoevers during safety courses ... I can't watch without my hands in front of my face, because it always looks like they're about to dump the bike...and I know what that costs!

There are lots of scary riders at safety courses, but the scariest riders don't seem to make it to the course...

Watching Jerry Palladino ride a Valkrie, Goldwing, etc. in his Ride Like a Pro DVD really shows that the bike is not usually the limiting factor.

Cruisers Forever!

 

[Va bene]

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers ...

No feathers ruffled here. Just wanted to broaden the perspective regarding cruisers. :smile:

The Savage is a unique beast. Small and light but with lots of power. I do think your personality has something to do with what you are comfortable starting out on. It may not be a great beginner bike for everyone but it has been perfect for me.

 

[tlwisner]

The Savage is a unique beast. Small and light but with lots of power. I do think your personality has something to do with what you are comfortable starting out on. It may not be a great beginner bike for everyone but it has been perfect for me.

I would put the Savage on a list of ideal beginner bikes. The simplicity of the aircooled single is a maintenance dream too. It's been around a long time with good reason. If you like cruisers, it's a great first bike. If you're more of a "Torque" (the movie) type, you should probably consider a Ninja 250 or a 500 cc sport type for starting.

 

[SuzukiGirl1]

Take the MSF course first....you may not even like riding.

• Take the course,

• they provide the bike,

• it'll let you know if you like riding,

• it'll be more benefit to you than anything anyone can tell or show you,

• it'll give a discounted insurance (have you checked on this cost yet????)

• it'll make getting you license easier.

DITTO...DITTO...DITTO...DITTO!!!
take the class before you buy your bike...the class will open your eyes quite a bit before you go sit on those big 750's!!!!!

 

[md2lgyk]

It's truly amazing to see the number of choices new riders have today versus when I started. There was no MSF course. There were no books on how to ride. There was no real "gear" except for helmets and maybe gloves. The state I was living in didn't even require a M/C endorsement on my driver's license.

I gave no thought to size or power; I had decided what I wanted to spend and went from there. My first bike was a new 1974 Suzuki 250. I was 26 at the time, and just brought it home and started riding. In retrospect, I'm lucky I didn't kill or seriously injure myself. It wasn't until maybe 10 years and 3 bikes later I finally took a rider's course.

Knock on wood, I'm up to bike number 7 and 30 years of riding with only one accident.

 

[LayinLo]

Look into the Katana's and sv650's if you want they sporty look, they both great starter bikes!

Good luck!