[caliyankee]

Hey everyone. Obviously new to these boards but auto boards have been cool to me so hopefully you guys will be too. I have a question that I need some help with. My wife has never driven a bike...ever. She has been a passenger a dozen times and wants a bike dearly, for almost 2 years now...nag nag nag. I finally caved in, but now she wants a Gixxer 600. I don't know a whole lot about bikes, but I think that is too much bike for a novice. Am I right? Any suggestions? Oh yeah, she also wants a new one...I want an older bike so if and when she lays it down we don't cry about hurting a beautiful new bike. Thanks a lot guys...and gals.

 

[pitbull76]

I think you're on the right path. I really believe that a brand-new GSXR is not the best choice for a beginning rider. How about a Kawasaki EX500 or Suzuki GS500? They both have decent power and comfort, and can be found for good prices used. I agree with your reasoning for buying an older bike as well, but I have been known for being a bit cheap. Just curious, do you ride at all?

 

[caliyankee]

I have ridden in the past. Nothing special, just an old Kawasaki of a friend, like 8 years ago. I am obviously going to pick it up again, but I am more of a Harley style bike myself.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Perhaps you could ask your wife to read the following link. The bike involved is a Katana 600, less power and not as twitchy as a Gixxer 600.

http://www.suzuki-bikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2051

 

[Uncle Bob]

Nobody on this board ( save one or two wannabes ) is in good conscience going to recommend a Gixxer as a first bike for any new rider.

Matter of fact is that nobody a GIXXER.COM is going to recommend one for a beginner either.

Check around on the site, we've answered this question many times already.

 

[tlwisner]

My wife has never driven a bike... she wants a Gixxer 600.

If you want to keep your wife, point her toward an MSF course and a less powerful bike. Many people say they don't want to outgrow a bike. Why not? If you learn to ride well enough to outgrow a bike, you are going to enjoy the second, bigger bike a lot more than if you bought a bike that would intimidate you right off with no riding experience.
Selling that smaller, used bike is also very easy.

 

[NomadTurk]

Hello,

I am a newbie too, I have just bought my new GSXR 600. The dealer got me to believe this is a great starter bike.

And yes, I am doing great on my GSXR, but, after riding it for a few weeks now, I am understanding my bike better.

One thing I can say is, it is too powerful for a starter, very sensetive throttle, very fast, wants to go fast.
Overall, its a race bike.

I don't blame her for wanting one, they look good, powerful, top of the line for its class... but, I care too much for fellow riders and my advice is for her to take MSF course and start off with something smaller.

I believe she will agree with starting something smaller after the MSF course, those nighthawks250CC and gs250's c will definately give your wife a taste of how GSXR 600 can be.

I hope my suggestions help you...

PS. Man to Man, I have a girlfriend and I would not want anything happen to her, I assume you want the same for your wife, I suggest you try very hard to calm her down in CC's, at least for now

 

[caliyankee]

Thanks a lot everyone. I did some looking throughout the posts here and emailed her links to all of the articles. I really appreciate all of your help and thoughts. Her sister's boyfriend has been riding for some time now and has a 'busa all souped up. He has told her that it would not be too much bike. At least I have a lot more opinions than my own for her now. Of course I don't want anything to happen to her. And she is definitely taking the MSF course prior to any purchase. We are in the military and she has to take that to get on base anyway.

 

[87gsxrnut]

Where are you guys stationed at?

- Nut

 

[caliyankee]

Both in San Pedro, Ca (SoCal) Coast Guard.

 

[Gixxerdale]

Both in San Pedro, Ca (SoCal) Coast Guard.

If you need any local info or help let me know. I'm just north of you in Chatsworth/ San Fernando Valley.

 

[CHENspeed04GSXR600]

true

yea i also got an 04 gixxer as my own first bike that's over 150cc that isnt automatic. i have to agree with turk, the throttle is real sensitive. the first couple days whenever i hit a bump i'd throttle a bit but not enough to throw me off. i quickly fixed that problem tryign to smooth out everything by just taking local roads and riding nice and easy. i woudnt say it's not good for a beginner bike because frankly i thought it would be a lot harder than it turned out to be. not saying im anywehre near good but that's just my opinion. i've fallen off it once after comign out of my boy's driveway that dips down real low and throttled to hard let go of the clutch hit the brakes and flew sorta over the bars doing a nice roll. good thing the bike wasnt damaged, only a scratch on the muffler (thanks to the frame sliders) other than that

i've fallen b4 on the 150cc scooters after trying to avoid pedestrians cuz if you been to taiwan...you can ride in some places where people walk and go shopping.

i know peopel who started 750cc+ and are doing well so far and it's been 1-2 years of riding which is okay. you just need your head screwed on right and be careful and not push your limits. youre bound to fall or drop it a couple times. after youre comfortable with it, then fix it up brand new. that is if you got that nice paycheck to buy new fairings and etc.

im not trying to be bigheaded...dont get me wrong. i know i got a lot to learn b4 i'd even think about riding freeways or even larger heavy traffic roads.

 

[tlwisner]

I finally caved in, but now she wants a Gixxer 600. I don't know a whole lot about bikes, but I think that is too much bike for a novice. Am I right? Any suggestions? Oh yeah, she also wants a new one...I want an older bike so if and when she lays it down we don't cry about hurting a beautiful new bike.

I am 100% on your side! Get an insurance quote on a new Gixxer 600 and see if that helps your case. :wink:

 

[ricekiller2003]

No offense, but hear me out...

If a GUY wants to get a gixxer as a starter bike, he's taking a huge risk but may just be able to brave it out if he's smart about it.

If a GIRL wants to get a gixxer as a starter bike, I just see that as something sweet and innocent bound to get hurt IMO...

 

[Marcos]

Tell me the name of the salesman, if you can remember, and I'll call the manager and complain that he's trying to sell gxxers to beginners. I'm new to biking myself, but to my mind, this salesman is trying to profit by potentially killing or injuring your girlfriend. Not cool in the least, and he needs to be talked to.

 

[smith_scotr]

New Gixxer

I just recently bought a new 2003 Gixxer 600 for my first bike and I agree with most that has been said. I love the bike and I'm very happy with it, but I can see how it can be a tough beginner bike...nothing like the Honda CBR125 I had for the MSF course!!!

Anyway, I'm still learning as I just recently passed the 500 mile mark. However I would say this to a new rider, especially on a Gixxer.

Appreciate and respect the power. The throttle is very jerky/responsive, so try not to panic and stay relaxed. Take it easy and learn at your own pace, regardless of how good your fellow riders are. Come to a COMPLETE stop before putting your feet down, especially if you can't stand with your feet flat on the ground. Don't be caught dead in 2nd gear...in other words make sure you're in first gear at a stop (at least until you can see the car behind you slow down/stop) in case you have to take off quickly in the event of an emergency. Learn the friction zone of the clutch, this is especially important when taking sharper turns from a stop, the last thing you need is for the bike to stall while leaned over halfway through the turn...well that's my 2cents I could go on forever...just be careful...now it's time for me to take my own advice. Good luck.

 

[Jonathan]

First, lets play nice with one another.

Second and last, I agree/disagree with the previous posts'. I think it should be a personal choice after lots of research and if available, a "in person" look at it.

 

[Marcos]

It's one thing if you know what you're getting into, and know what the issues are. It's another when a salesman pushes someone who might not know better, who hasn't yet even taken the MSF course. I think that borders on criminal, were anything to happen, god forbid.

 

[Jonathan]

I see your point, however, I dont think it would ever be held up as a criminal act. The final decision comes down to the person, no matter how much pressure to buy.

This is just my opinion, just sharing on the boards here.

 

[Marcos]

Sure, the ultimate responsibility belongs to the person who is deciding to buy or not to buy. If you go into a car dealership with the intent to buy an economy car but drive off in an SUV, it's your own fault, though we can probably also point a finger at an unethical salesman.

I'm just pointing out that the salesman is worse than simply unethical, he's immoral. He's hoping to profit by putting someone at greater risk. This is to be discouraged, possibly by contacting the sales manager. If, god forbid, something bad should happen, he might not be legally negligent (actually, that'd make a pretty interesting case), but he'd certainly bear some of the moral responsibility.

I dunno. It's just really sticks in my craw when someone gives out bad information when critical risk management depends on good info. It's all the worse that it was done for a commission.

I won't spend my money at a place that puts the dollar ahead of a person's life, and I think the sales manager should know that.