Streetbike Selection

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

now I respect and and agree with your response, but when I think of doing that it makes no sense. Why would you buy a bike like that if you can't use all the bike can provide. Its a waste of money, not just in the bike but the insurance is outrageous for thoes! I would suggest you buy something used on craigslist. buy an old (1980 - 1995) honda, suzuki, yamaha, kawasaki 550 - 750 standard. they are cheap, plentiful, and generally reliable. join an online forum for them and learn the tricks to keep it running.
That's IMO the best way to get into riding!

I understand what your saying but i look at it as, why buy a bike that ill sell in a year to buy another bike to buy another before i get where i want to be. One of my boys went straight from a GSXR 600 to a Saki ZX14 and couldnt be happier, the only thing he didnt like was double the weight. If i buy an R1, ill be content for a while and when im ready to upgrade and i can just put some cash in the motor instead of needing to sell it then buy something bigger. You point is definitely valid but there is always more than 1 way to skin a cat.

 

[Max_Power 10+ year member]

I understand what your saying but i look at it as, why buy a bike that ill sell in a year to buy another bike to buy another before i get where i want to be. One of my boys went straight from a GSXR 600 to a Saki ZX14 and couldnt be happier, the only thing he didnt like was double the weight. If i buy an R1, ill be content for a while and when im ready to upgrade and i can just put some cash in the motor instead of needing to sell it then buy something bigger. You point is definitely valid but there is always more than 1 way to skin a cat.

I absolutely agree with you again, but I find the fun in getting to change my bike every so often. Unfortunately I collect and never sell, but I still get to try something completely different.

 

[Sweet'n Low 10+ year member]

Good talk guy's. Appreciate the input, was never planning on this thread making it 2 three pages.

 

[Skittles619 10+ year member]

IF you plan on actually learning how to ride and getting to know the bike and take streetbike riding for as dangerous as it is get a ninja 250 or somethin small...IF you just wanna look cool and have no idea how to actually ride what you have or have an idea of what you bike can do get the popular 600cc (R6, CBR600 etc.)

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

lulz. My beginner bike will most likely be an R1 here in a week or 2.

lulz

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Deciding CC's for a beginner is like saying beginner audio people should be limited to 800 watts or something.

That's actually not a bad comparison. However, if everyone started out with 400W instead of 3K amps, I bet you'd read a lot less "why did my coil melt" threads. Sure, at low power both are harmless, but the beginner doesn't have the self-control developed yet to not turn the volume knob.

Likewise, a flick of the throttle on an R1 will put you into a world of hurt much faster than the Ninja 250, even though cruising around town they're comparable in risk.

 

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

Well i have actaully been around bikes my entire life so i guess i have a little more respect for the machine than most beginners who want to be the next stunt master or something. My stepdad is a Harley davidson mechanic but works on all bikes, his father was killed in daytona, ive seen people die in the middle of the street from not respecting it. I have learned by observing that respect for 2 wheels is the only way to live.

 

[infamous_e46 5,000+ posts]

Well i have actaully been around bikes my entire life so i guess i have a little more respect for the machine than most beginners who want to be the next stunt master or something. My stepdad is a Harley davidson mechanic but works on all bikes, his father was killed in daytona, ive seen people die in the middle of the street from not respecting it. I have learned by observing that respect for 2 wheels is the only way to live.

true i was about to convince my moms to get me a gsxr1000 and the salesman jumped up and said you arent ready blah blah race bikes have very sensitive brakes and throttle (not good for s first bike) he was like i recomend the gs500 i was like //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

so yeah leanr to ride on a dirt bike or mild street bike before you go trying to be billy bad *** on an r bike aka superbike

 

[ButtaMax 10+ year member]

The reason you start on a small bike is the learning curve is easier...

Buy a 1000 ride it for a year, while another dude starts on a 250/500. Then put that 250/500 rider on a 1000 after a year and Ill bet 10 to 1 he'll ride circles around you! Why might you ask? Beacuse your fighting with that 1000 to control it, PROPERLY!

Make a mistake and blip the throttle on a small bike most likely you'll just snap you neck back a bit, do the same thing on a 1000 and your looking up @ the sun while flat on your back....

And for the guy whos friend own the rebuild shop its guys like YOU that keep him in business.. Another squid on a bike that cant ride, because his balls are bigger then his brains!

FYI, Ive had 4 bikes, a POS Honda 250 (learner bike), 2002 R6 rebuilt (till this day the bike I had the most fun on), 2004 GSXR1000 (when I thought I was fast), 2006 cbr1000 (when I realized fast in NOT a straight line)

 

[on1wheel01 10+ year member]

lulz. My beginner bike will most likely be an R1 here in a week or 2.

Ok wow. 1 you should never suggest a 1,000 to anyone to start on seen to many ppl get hurt , yea it's the rider but mistakes happen especially when you get scared. Op if you want great gas mileage and comfy ride while semi cheap. Look into a sport tourer like a katana, or a v twin sport bike that's fun and quick a sv650. I myself have owned about 10 bikes ranging from 600's-1k's. Most riders who buy 1k's never use to bike to the full potential, 600's are usually more fun to ride as the power is more manageable. I suggest if you have cash go on craigslist and look around. Another cheaper bike is a cbr600 f3 which can be had for around 1500.

Ill show a few pics of past bikes I've had. I buy and sell bikes get them wrecked fix and resell them.

98 Katana 600 converted to ***** style good beginner bike

96 Cbr900 with 03 r1 tail section not a good beginner bike

01 cbr929 not a beginners bike

99 Suzuki sv650 great beginners bike

82 yamaha seca 650 great cheap beginners bike

Cant find anymore pics but just gives u a idea. Another good bike is a ninja 600e aka zx6e not zx6r.

 

[on1wheel01 10+ year member]

The reason you start on a small bike is the learning curve is easier...
Buy a 1000 ride it for a year, while another dude starts on a 250/500. Then put that 250/500 rider on a 1000 after a year and Ill bet 10 to 1 he'll ride circles around you! Why might you ask? Beacuse your fighting with that 1000 to control it, PROPERLY!

Make a mistake and blip the throttle on a small bike most likely you'll just snap you neck back a bit, do the same thing on a 1000 and your looking up @ the sun while flat on your back....

And for the guy whos friend own the rebuild shop its guys like YOU that keep him in business.. Another squid on a bike that cant ride, because his balls are bigger then his brains!

FYI, Ive had 4 bikes, a POS Honda 250 (learner bike), 2002 R6 rebuilt (till this day the bike I had the most fun on), 2004 GSXR1000 (when I thought I was fast), 2006 cbr1000 (when I realized fast in NOT a straight line)

I couldn't agree more with you. And a 600 of the line will out run a 1k (well stock to stock) as well as usually corner better as you can throttle up sooner without having to worry about raising the front to the sky

 

[Johnny Law.Lulz 5,000+ posts]

But if we arnt racing like we shouldnt be then none of that matters lulz.

 

[Sweet'n Low 10+ year member]

One Year Dead Thread Revival

Starting to look into getting a Cafe Racer. Decided crotch rockets aren't really my style. Any chance I can squeeze some more opinion out of this tread? I just looking to commute from small distances with it mostly. Will be avoiding highways and will never hit a freeway on it. Plan on buying in need of a few repairs and go on from there. Trying duck gas prices without driving a vespa and still having a little bit of style/power. Any thoughts?

 

[bubbagumper6 5,000+ posts]

Go for it man. Motorcycles are great, awesome on gas and always fun to ride. I remember when I was working full time I would look forward to the ride home at the end of my shift, it was like a little treat at the end of the day. Now the bikes your looking at now won't be as quick off the line as a sport bike but if you don't care about that then I'd say go for it. I love the look of those bikes.

Another thing to think about would be building a street fighter. Basically a sport bike with all the plastics (fairings) removed. These are easy/cheap to build because you can look on craigslist and find 1000 sport bikes that are extremely cheap because the previous owner laid it down and ruined the plastics.

 

[Sweet'n Low 10+ year member]

Never heard of a Street Fighter before your post

. I feel like that might be a easier route to take. I like the look of both. Got me feeling good about my decision, I appreciate the input. Hopefully I can come by something worth picking up. Checking on craigslist and ebay...looking for alternate resources.