Sportbikes

[James S]

Anyone interested in sportbikes like the Yamaha YZF-R1 or the Honda CBR600RR, let's chat it up in here. I just today stopped by a dealership in town on a whim as I passed it, ended up leaving with all the information on getting my driver's license endorsed for driving motorcycles and info on signing up for a local rider's class that uses 500cc bikes to teach. I'm planning on taking the course, getting my license endorsed (which only involves a written test in Florida, which will be waved after the class). I'm lookin' into what bike to buy after the course and how much insurance will be at the moment. I'm feelin' like, after the course, I'll be able to handle a nice 600cc bike without a problem, since they'll teach on a 500cc. So right now I'm looking into these bikes:




I'm prefering the Yamaha for it's accesories, lower price, and it's a more respectable bike manufacturer, but I kind of feel like the Honda would be better to go with my Acura, and it's a more subtle style than the Yamaha. The Kawasaki is nice, but ... I just don't like the Ninja brand very much. I don't know why, though. The Kawa is the cheapest of all, but it's also the largest engine by 37cc's. Honda is the heaviest by 20 pounds, too.

Anyone else on here interested in bikes? I know NYIll has talked about them before.

The rider's course I'm looking into can be found at http://www.ridersedge.com

[damian]

Taking a course is not the same thing as experience; it won't prevent you making dumbass mistakes. Besides, a 600cc 120hp sportbike is not the same as a 500cc 50hp beater bike. Not by far.

I don't actually ride, of course, merely looked a bit into it. I might get a bike for college just as a convienient, cheap means of transportation; of course, it depends on what school I'm going to. My parents most likely won't let me, though. They're scared shitless by my driving as it is. I'll probably have to wait until I'm done with college, financially independent, etc. Of course, that doesn't stop me from drooling over sportbikes.

Oh, and

Ask your newbie questions there, not here.

I remember trying to ride my cousins' small 250cc bike in Poland once when I was 11 or so. It's definitely harder than it looks. Must've dropped the fucker at least twice.

[James S]

600cc's are generally not higher than 80hp.

And I've read all of the start small stuff. I understand that. I don't need it again. I had decided to start with a 125cc bike, but none are around. I found this 500cc training course. I won't act stupid.

[damian]

Accidents are usually because of inexperience, not stupidity. If you accidentally give it too much throttle (which does happen), would you rather be scared shitless and going faster than normal or would you rather be upside down, possibly pinned under a 400lb bike?

Not higher than 80hp?

2003 R6: 123hp
2003 ZX-6R: 125hp
2003 CBR600F4i: 103hp

In case you were wondering, that's a shitload for a 500lb vehicle.

No 125s? There are tons of other choices. Kawasaki EX250, EX500, Suzuki GS500, SV650...

And you're what, 19? You'll be raped by insurance. Remember to get a quote.

Then again, if you're responsible and careful you should be fine. But it's still a fairly dumbass choice considering how much you're risking your life.

[chuck]

yet another thing moose buys to make chicks think he's cute.

[James S]

My girlfriend hates the idea and about kills me every time I mention it. I want one because they're fun and because it will ebb my desire to buy a new car right now at a tenth the price.

I'm more than responsible. Don't worry.

[chuck]

[sponge]

[chuck]

[Brig]

[James S]

[damian]

[James S]

No, the Buell R9 Supersport is what they recommend after the course. But Harley owns Buell, so that's a warning for me. I told the guy at the dealership I visited that I was thinking about buying a smaller cc used bike to drive around for a year or so before moving up to a 600cc. He said that was a good idea, but that if I bought a 600cc it would last me longer... good salesman.

I've been looking arund some more, because I know it's not SMART to start on a 600cc... I've found a Suzuki, the GS500F, that's a 500cc sports bike with 54hp. I think I could handle that one more and it would last me long enough. I plan on buying used if I can. I'm probably going to scratch the thing up. And I want to learn how to do all of the maintenance on it myself, too.


I think that would suit me better as a starter bike, but not quite as lame as a smaller bike so I can keep it longer.

[damian]

[James S]