I will probably be getting a Sport Bike within the next week or two. Just wanted to go over a few things. i have heard these horrible things about these 600s. I plan to get a 2006 GSX-R 600, i have chose this bike due to the fact of my size (5'6) and also i was looking at the 08 250R but they are completely sold out. And i havent found anyone selling used ones on online. My question is i plan for my bike to be my only transportation. BUT NOT IN BAD WHETHER!!! I have NO intention to SPEED and/or act stupid...i have already been in my share of bad wrecks so i am extremely careful. Does anybody use a 600 for daily driving or does any one have any advice. thanks for all the help.... if you have any questions for me let me know and i will try to answer them on my add details.....
Also, FYI
Male
20
5' 6
I have never been on two wheels with a Motor... This bike is OK to learn on. I'm not sure what you are referring to about choosing this bike for your size. I'm 5'10" and when I ride the 06 GSX/R 600, I hardly can flat foot both feet at the red lights. It's stock and hasn't been lowered. So at 5'6" I know you can't flat foot it.
Other than that you should be fine. Take a rider course to get some formal training in.
If you already know and understand how to drive a manual transmission, it helps learning a motorcycle because it's one less thing you have to focus on when learning. The common saying is that if you can drive a stick and ride a bicycle, learning a motorcycle will be easy. If you can practice discipline and restraint when riding, you may be fine. It's not all fun and games on a sport bike. Even if you ride perfect you need to know how to react when other cars and bikes and trucks don't drive so perfect. That comes from building new instincts and reflexes, and driving habits. While I definitely recommend the class, the class doesn't usually teach all you need to know. Many, many riders go down every summer due to overconfidence gained by taking the class.
The first time I ever touched a motorcycle, it was a 1997 ZX6. I rode it around a parking lot for 5 minutes to find out how to shift, then rode 100 miles home on the interstate. I鈥檝e been riding ever since with a clean riding history. (Thanks to God) So it is possible to start on something other than a 250. Generally speaking, a 600 is a beginner鈥檚 sport bike. The internet is the only place I鈥檝e heard of anybody starting on anything other beside people who grew up riding dirt bikes.
When I ride on the highway, I assume that every car I pass or that passes me, doesn't see me and is looking to come into my lane. I'm ready for any move that car makes half a second before he makes it.
You have to learn aerodynamics. If you get to close behind a rig, the wind can trap you there. When you pass along side of a rig the wind will pull you closer to the truck at one point and push you away at another. You have to learn all this and have counter balance and movements programmed into your body reflexes. There is so much more to it. You need lots of practice.
People recommend smaller CC bikes for beginners because most newbies are into it for the speed and flashiness of it and often underestimate the seriousness of riding safe. The temptation to tap into that power is usually too great to overcome. If you know you can and will respect the bike and get at least a thousand miles of practice before hitting the highway, and before group rides, then maybe you can start on a 600cc bike. Otherwise, help yourself out and start small. Are you familiar with bikes? If it was me and I wasnt, id go with a smaller cruiser to learn on. There are those who will tell you the opposite so its all really based on personal opinion. I would not go with a 600 for your first bike and especially not a sport bike. They are built for speed and being totally honest, the only times i ever rode them it scared me. They just dont feel right under you. Thats my opinion. I learned on dirtbikes and atvs so I guess the cruiser jsut suits me better. There is a lot of great advice here already (with the exception or word nerd who hasn't got a clue). I would keep looking for the 250 Ninja for your first bike. The right first bike can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying the sport vs having an expensive dust collector in the garage.
Oh....
TAKE THE MSF COURSE!
Welcome to the sport! For gods sake test ride it. Most GSXR's have a steering damper, which is a very big difference from what you may be used to. If you don't ride fast, a steering damper will have no benefit, but a lot of drawbacks.
For commuting take a look at an F4 or a ZZR600. With your height, you'll be uncomfortably stretched over the tank on some years of GSXR. Listen to YZF600R.
Take a different engine style into consideration also. Inline 4cyls are great for going fast, but doggy and high strung. A V-Twin, Inline 2, Inline 3 or V-4 is a great choice for around town. Please Please Please, take lessons from a certified training school like the MSF
http://www.msf-usa.org/ Step #1: Sign up for and take an MSF course. Don't even THINK of getting on that bike without passing the class, or you will die.
Step #2: Purchase FULL gear and wear it all the time. Every ride. Full face helmet, jacket and gloves at the LEAST, and add motorcycle boots and overpants if possible. Budget $500 - $1000 just for the gear, and WHEN you go down (because everyone does sooner or later) you'll be very happy you were wearing it!
Step #3: NEVER assume that just because you are careful, responsible, athletic, mature, or whatever that the motorcycle OR other drivers give even the tiniest bit of a damn for you. Whether or not you intend to go fast, the bike you want will do it before you can blink, and it will toss you on your face just as fast.
Step #4: Let's assume you have an MSF course under your belt, full gear on your body, and left your ego at home so you can concentrate on riding. Find a comfortable street with little or no traffic and PRACTICE. Pick a manhole cover and swerve around it, getting as close as you dare before swerving. Do this until you are sick of it, then do some more. Then practice panic stops, keeping in mind that the FRONT brake is what stops you, not your right foot. Stop as hard as you can from 30mph, then 40, then 50 and so on until swerving and stopping safely is AUTOMATIC. It will save your skin someday, believe me.
Step #4: Don't shy away from bad weather. It will teach you to be smooth and unafraid, as riding tense will transfer right into the bike and make it feel scary.
Remember, the beauty of motorcycles is that they must LEAN to turn, and the lean is where the magic is. ANYONE can go fast in a straight line, but real riders know how to lean. i was in the same boat you are, i never rode before and i wanted the 08 ninja, but no one has any. i new i would get a 600 later on but i really wanted a 250 to learn on plus u get 70mpg rather than like 40 to 50 with a 600. i have a 2006 ninja 250 now. i really like it. it has plenty of power. ive gotten it up to 80 adn could easily get it up to 100. but there really is no need for goin over 70 unless your askin for trouble. the only benifit of a 600 is the added weight wich gives u more stability at highspeeds and the look of them and the raw power of course, think of it this way, get a 250 for around $2300, ride it for 6 months so you get the feel of riding and your license and everything. then when you feel its time to upgrade just sell it adn get yourself a 600. im saving up now for a 600. by next summer i'll prob sell my ninja 250. good luck I commute daily on a 1000cc sport bike.
Advice: Pretend like you are invisible - like no one can see you. Dress in brightly colored clothing. Never use the center lane on the freeway - either the slow lane or fast lane (and the fast lane is best - cars can only come at you from the right side, as there is a wall on the left!) Stay in the area of the lane that the car tires are in - to the left or right of center, not in the center of the lane - this is where oil builds up. Use your mirrors - they aren't there for show!
Lastly, stay the hell outta my way. |
