I am saving up for a motorcycle and i really like the suzuki telefonicas. is this a good dependable bike or not? or should i get something older and smaller to start off with? i ride dirtbikes a lot so i have a little skill. any advice would be appreciated
need advice
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Hey!!
:wink: Hello wishihad1.
To start, I am a newbee. Telefonica's are, as you know GSXR's, and I am almost sure that they are 600's, but I can be wrong. If my assumption is correct, GSXR600's are very great bikes for starters.
I have just bought my 04 GSXR600 yesterday. Even though I have never ridden a bike before other than the Motorcycle Learners Course, I was able to take it home from the dealer (1 hour away ride, highways etc.).
New or older (down to 2000) have great handling and control.
Only thing I would suggest is to get used to 1st to 2nd gear. Very short lasting and very sensetive gears (throttle vise).
They are much different then dirtbikes and cruisers, they are agressive, they want power. Respect your telefonica and it will respect you...
I say go ahead make your dream come true, but at the same time have respect and be careful.
You will want to (eventually) try the speed and handling. Don't do that until you get very comfortable with your telefonica.
Other than that, they are another show stealer.
I hope my suggestions would help you in your decision. If I can do more please let us know.
Ride Safe...
NomadTurk
8) 8) 8)
:wink: Hello wishihad1.
To start, I am a newbee. Telefonica's are, as you know GSXR's, and I am almost sure that they are 600's, but I can be wrong. If my assumption is correct, GSXR600's are very great bikes for starters.
I have just bought my 04 GSXR600 yesterday. Even though I have never ridden a bike before other than the Motorcycle Learners Course, I was able to take it home from the dealer (1 hour away ride, highways etc.).
New or older (down to 2000) have great handling and control.
Only thing I would suggest is to get used to 1st to 2nd gear. Very short lasting and very sensetive gears (throttle vise).
They are much different then dirtbikes and cruisers, they are agressive, they want power. Respect your telefonica and it will respect you...
I say go ahead make your dream come true, but at the same time have respect and be careful.
You will want to (eventually) try the speed and handling. Don't do that until you get very comfortable with your telefonica.
Other than that, they are another show stealer.
I hope my suggestions would help you in your decision. If I can do more please let us know.
Ride Safe...
NomadTurk
8) 8) 8)
Before it all happens I will tell you that a lot of people will not agree with your choice of bike.
A telefonica is a 600 gixer,it is more than you will be able to use,if you have had your nerve endings removed and think you will ride everywhere at warp speed then this IS'NT the bike for you,but if you have really good self control and will take it easy for a while,months/years not days/weeks,then this is a good bike.They are reliable,and they look great.
I personally started with a gixer 600 as my first bike,but it took me a winter of riding in all weathers to get to know and respect it,now a year on,its great.
Good luck,
Stevie
A telefonica is a 600 gixer,it is more than you will be able to use,if you have had your nerve endings removed and think you will ride everywhere at warp speed then this IS'NT the bike for you,but if you have really good self control and will take it easy for a while,months/years not days/weeks,then this is a good bike.They are reliable,and they look great.
I personally started with a gixer 600 as my first bike,but it took me a winter of riding in all weathers to get to know and respect it,now a year on,its great.
Good luck,
Stevie
i wouldn't go as far as saying a gixxer 600 is a great bike for a beginner. I don't really know **** about owning or riding a motorcycle, but i realize that a gixxer is not a good decision for a newbie. I'm not saying you won't be able to handle the power, because a lot of people can. I would advise to start something somewhat more reasonably powered. If you do get the gixxer, just remember to take it easy.
Newbies should stick to bikes with less than 60 hp to start.
Most riders here would agree with this, those that don't agree have a right to their erroneous opinions. But please don't take having owned a gixxer for a week or two without incident as proof that it's a good idea.
Most riders here would agree with this, those that don't agree have a right to their erroneous opinions. But please don't take having owned a gixxer for a week or two without incident as proof that it's a good idea.
I a bit confussed about all the concern over power. Now granted I am a newbie and also an old fart, however I found the size/weight of a bike more intimidating than its power. Last year I rented a Buel blast about 6 times or so. This year when I looked for a bike, I really wanted a Kawasaki Ninja 500. I test drove one and really liked it. Unfortunately the deal fell through and I could not find another one in my price range. Thus I ended up buying a 750 Katana. Everyone talked about being "careful" since it had all that extra power, yet I found the size of the bike more of a problem than the power! Its easy not to use the power, just turn the throttle slowly (which I would think a beginner would do anyway) and keep the rpm down. You can't compensate like that for the size and weight.
Rob
Rob
Joined
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3,027 Posts
Most newbies get itnto trouble when they go searching for that rush of adrenaline from the acceleration or over all speed. A high performance bike is no place to start. It's knowing the limits of your own skills and how to manage the bike once you commit to opening that throttle. As an example, some newbies consider my bike as a first bike! BAD idea.
0 to 60 = 2.8 seconds
0 to 100 = 5 seconds
Quarter mile = 9.75 seconds at 148 MPH
It's a death warrant if you lack self control and some practical experience.
0 to 60 = 2.8 seconds
0 to 100 = 5 seconds
Quarter mile = 9.75 seconds at 148 MPH
It's a death warrant if you lack self control and some practical experience.
I guess its my old age that makes me cautious. Although I will admit that the rush of excitement when I do crank it up Which I must admit I have done, but only on long straight sections of road with little to no traffic or intersections. Even then I only did it for a VERY short burst and then immediately slowed down. But then again, the Blast had enough power to get me in trouble too.
Which I must admit I have done, but only on long straight sections of road with little to no traffic or intersections. Even then I only did it for a VERY short burst and then immediately slowed down. But then again, the Blast had enough power to get me in trouble too.Problem is not so much the power but more the power delivery. GSX-R's are actual racebikes with twitchy controls and sensitive brakes.
New riders make mistakes that's a given, a Gixxer will only compound those mistakes. Too much throtle could lead to an involontary wheelie ( seen that a couple of times, squid wants to show off at a light, next thing you know he's sitting on the ground and his bike is going down the road on it's back wheel), squid comes into a corner too fast brakes to slow down and locks up either front or rear wheel leading to a premature dismount.Shifting to the wrong gear will also seriously upset the bikes handling, downshifting and engine braking can easily throw a rider off balance.
Now starting on a 120hp bike does not garantee that you will drop it ( you probably will ) does not garantee that you will crash ( you probably will, about a one in four chance ) does not garantee that you will hurt yourself ( you probably wil, about a one in height chance ) does not garanty that you will kill yourself ( about a one in twelve chance according to statistics ).
Now if you feel that those statistics are in your favor because you were born with above average natural ability and think you are invincible then go right ahead.
If on the other hand you are starting a riding "career" and plan on riding a long time then start off on something with 60hp or less for the first year or two then you can consider getting any bike you want.
On a side note it's interesting to see that there seems to be two distinct age groups on this site, let's just define them as below 35 and above 35. The "older" members seem as a general rule to be more conservative and safety conscious, now does that mean that we are that way because we are older or did we make it to our ages because we were more safety conscious.
I've buried riders, I've administered first aid to riders, I've seen riders lose limbs, I've seen plenty of riders leave riding because it's "dangerous" after doing something stupid and having a close call ( hey it must be riding that's dangerous because they were "above average riders"sic).
Some of you may disagree with me but this is my opinion based on years of riding, statistics and just plain common sense.
New riders make mistakes that's a given, a Gixxer will only compound those mistakes. Too much throtle could lead to an involontary wheelie ( seen that a couple of times, squid wants to show off at a light, next thing you know he's sitting on the ground and his bike is going down the road on it's back wheel), squid comes into a corner too fast brakes to slow down and locks up either front or rear wheel leading to a premature dismount.Shifting to the wrong gear will also seriously upset the bikes handling, downshifting and engine braking can easily throw a rider off balance.
Now starting on a 120hp bike does not garantee that you will drop it ( you probably will ) does not garantee that you will crash ( you probably will, about a one in four chance ) does not garantee that you will hurt yourself ( you probably wil, about a one in height chance ) does not garanty that you will kill yourself ( about a one in twelve chance according to statistics ).
Now if you feel that those statistics are in your favor because you were born with above average natural ability and think you are invincible then go right ahead.
If on the other hand you are starting a riding "career" and plan on riding a long time then start off on something with 60hp or less for the first year or two then you can consider getting any bike you want.
On a side note it's interesting to see that there seems to be two distinct age groups on this site, let's just define them as below 35 and above 35. The "older" members seem as a general rule to be more conservative and safety conscious, now does that mean that we are that way because we are older or did we make it to our ages because we were more safety conscious.
I've buried riders, I've administered first aid to riders, I've seen riders lose limbs, I've seen plenty of riders leave riding because it's "dangerous" after doing something stupid and having a close call ( hey it must be riding that's dangerous because they were "above average riders"sic).
Some of you may disagree with me but this is my opinion based on years of riding, statistics and just plain common sense.
Joined
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3,027 Posts
Nice post Bob. I'm in the "Senior" bracket at 48. Can't agree with your comments more. Just hope the others think about it too. I did it the hard way like a lot of others, but maybe a few newbies can learn from our mistakes.
Joined
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115 Posts
Starting with too much power?
Power does not cause problems, it is control. When I first started out on a street bike it was a 250. I thought I would have a vary hard time learning to control that. I know that sounds strange to some riders, but being I had only rode a motorcycle 3 times in my life before getting this, I had doubts in my skills. After the wonderfull experience of flipping the bike and landing it on my chest, I knew the size was more an issue when you concider the weight. My first bike weighed in at just under 300 pounds. Had I been on a 500 pound machine, I very well could have cruched my chest, and that would have ended my riding days quickly. If you have experience, and skill, as well a good head on your shoulders, you may be able to start out on a bike that has a bit or power to it. Remember if you lay this bike down, how much will it cost you to fix it? Anouther concideration is insurance. I have seen a huge difrence between pricing on a straight out street bike and a sport bike. Items you may with to check on before you buy, is what will it cost for you to insure the bike, and exactly what type of riding do you wich to do? A motorcycle is a part of you and since you are out there in the weather, traffic, public and people vision or lack there of, you may concider you ability. I have watched a few people take to larger sport bikes from the start, but more I have seen people crack up. The chioce is yours and you need to make your own chioce. No one can acurately judge your learning curve when it comes to buying a new bike. If you wish to sprint around town or cruise great distance, of ride single of eventualy have a passanger. I feer the movie Biker Boys did not help people make wise chioces when it came to a learning bike. Perhapse if you are new to bikes, then you should take the Motorcycle training course. They usualy have bikes for you to use and you can develope your skills before you start out on a larger bike that may have more or less power than you are ready for. Just a thought.
Power does not cause problems, it is control. When I first started out on a street bike it was a 250. I thought I would have a vary hard time learning to control that. I know that sounds strange to some riders, but being I had only rode a motorcycle 3 times in my life before getting this, I had doubts in my skills. After the wonderfull experience of flipping the bike and landing it on my chest, I knew the size was more an issue when you concider the weight. My first bike weighed in at just under 300 pounds. Had I been on a 500 pound machine, I very well could have cruched my chest, and that would have ended my riding days quickly. If you have experience, and skill, as well a good head on your shoulders, you may be able to start out on a bike that has a bit or power to it. Remember if you lay this bike down, how much will it cost you to fix it? Anouther concideration is insurance. I have seen a huge difrence between pricing on a straight out street bike and a sport bike. Items you may with to check on before you buy, is what will it cost for you to insure the bike, and exactly what type of riding do you wich to do? A motorcycle is a part of you and since you are out there in the weather, traffic, public and people vision or lack there of, you may concider you ability. I have watched a few people take to larger sport bikes from the start, but more I have seen people crack up. The chioce is yours and you need to make your own chioce. No one can acurately judge your learning curve when it comes to buying a new bike. If you wish to sprint around town or cruise great distance, of ride single of eventualy have a passanger. I feer the movie Biker Boys did not help people make wise chioces when it came to a learning bike. Perhapse if you are new to bikes, then you should take the Motorcycle training course. They usualy have bikes for you to use and you can develope your skills before you start out on a larger bike that may have more or less power than you are ready for. Just a thought.
Now i'm only 26 which puts me in the [below 35] category, but i still know that if you want to continue riding you have to be a bit sensible when on the road, after all you can't ride a bike with a broken leg in plaster cause you fell off while wheelieing off the lights.
I just feel aggrieved that a 17 year old with 1 weeks riding experience can give advice that a gsxr600 is a fantastic starter bike! Having said that it's the insurers fault for indulging these people in boyhood fantasies of starting on race bikes.
I just feel aggrieved that a 17 year old with 1 weeks riding experience can give advice that a gsxr600 is a fantastic starter bike! Having said that it's the insurers fault for indulging these people in boyhood fantasies of starting on race bikes.
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