Getting a Motorcycle/Bike

[AAAgent]

great link biblebelt and thanks. i'm still in love with the yamaha r6. i would be looking towards the r6s since its cheaper. anyone know what level this bike is around as in beginner, intermediate and advanced, etc.

 

[vatoloco]

If this will be your first bike, I'd strongly advise you not to start with an R6. Even though it's only 600cc, IMO it has too much power for someone who has not fine-tuned their wrist for precise throttle control. You could get yourself into serious trouble if you run across an unexpected situation (and you will) and cannot handle the throttle and brakes properly.

What are your specs? What's your build? Height? Weight? Inseam? Based on that info. I can make you a recommendation...

In the meanwhile, get signed up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider's course. They teach you how to properly ride a motorcycle (and in some states is now required for the M endorsement). Plus it should get you discounts on insurance.

http://www.msf-usa.org/

 

[AAAgent]

muscular/flexible/athletic, 5'11, 168, wth is inseam...my waist is 31. on a good day i can dunk a mini basketball if that helps.

 

[Bible_Belt]

If this will be your first bike, I'd strongly advise you not to start with an R6.


I have to agree. This question has come up before on the R1 forum, and the consensus advice is to buy a Ninja 250 and ride the hell out of it. Learn to push the bike to its max - that takes a while. Then a year or two later, buy a 500 and do the same thing. Work your way up slowly. Then when you get to the R6, because you really know how to ride you will be twice as fast on it as the guy who got it as his first bike...and a lot safer, too.

 

[vatoloco]

Thanks for the stats. At 5'11", you're probably a 30" or 32" inseam (the length of your pants) so you should be able to easily flatfoot just about any bike (except for the dual sports/dirt bikes). Although my usual first recommendation is like BB's,a Ninja 250R, that bike IMO is too small for you. I'd recommend skipping ahead to the Ninja 500R. Find a used one so that if you drop it (and chances are you will), you won't take that big of a hit on your investment when you resell it.

And once you've had a couple of years of experience, please do get your R6. They're beautiful machines. I myself will eventually get an R1 once I'm able to add a third bike to the stable.

 

[Bible_Belt]

Good point about probably being too tall for the 250.

On an unrelated note, I saw a Kawasaki KLR650 yesterday.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2007models/2007models-Kawasaki-KLR650.htm
I live in a very rural area with bad roads. That bike looks perfect. Plus there are no drunk drivers in the cow field. I was surprised to learn when I had an R1 that I did not want to take it on most country roads, because the road was too rough. Going anything over 80mph, I'd have to stand on the pegs to stay on the bike. Plus even riding the R1 with its slick tires slowly across wet grass or loose gravel was scarier than going fast. I didn't realize when I bought it that sport bikes require perfect pavement.

 

[AAAgent]

vatoloco and bb thanks alot for the info. the bike looks pretty good but i'm having a hard time getting used to the front/head of the bike. it makes the big look super skinny compared to all the other bikes. It might just be the design of the ninja's.

My inseam is 30. the r6 is beautiful. I've wanted one for 4 years now. now i can actually afford it but will look to other options.