tuj

Just take it serious. Take a riding class, start slow, and don't get over-confident. Riding a sportbike is about being able to control your reactions to things. Learn how to deal with situations like panic braking, and what countersteering is.

Its an activity with a certain amount of risk. The problem is that a minor accident between two cars can be a major one with a bike. So wear your gear and use your head. I see so many guys riding around in shorts and tshirts it makes me sick. Funny that when I was on the Isle of Man this year, there were probably ten thousand sport bikes and most everyone was in full gear.

But is it fun? Oh yeah, my F2 is still too fast for me, and its only been lightly tuned. But you can't ride at the same limits you would drive, because of things like gravel, bumps, etc. That isn't to say you don't ultimately go faster on a bike, because you usually do, its just you can't really take the bike to 7 or 8ths of its performance on the street and get away with it for long.

Krankor

Don't be scared off. What tuj said was dead on. You're getting lots of warnings because WAY too many people don't take riding seriously enough (again, the aforementioned riders in shorts and tshirts, for instance). Riding entails some risk, but it is risk that can be managed. That means proper training, developing proper skills, and wearing proper gear. You already sound like you're going in with a responsible attitude, so just keep that up.

But don't be scared off. Riding is one of the most fun things you can do. I seriously wish I had started riding 10 years before I did. I'll tell you something even though it'll probably get me lynched here: as much as I *love* driving my RX-8, it's absolutely NOTHING compared to riding my motorcycle. NOTHING.

Krankor
05 Shinka 6MT

rx8gurl

sorry for reopening this thread, but im looking at the suzuki GS500F for my first bike. I like the styling and not too much power. I really want an r6 but i have a feeling i would just end up killin myself. What do you guys think about the suzuki, is it fast enough, mileage?

oh and what do you say on used bikes, are they realiable overall?

Ike

That's a good starter bike, bikes in general are pretty reliable, and even if you do have a problem or two they're rather inexpensive to fix. As far as fast enough, it's plenty fast, IIRC those are mid 13 second 1/4 mile bikes.

cowboyup75146

My son has a suzuki VStrom 650 a 04 model with 1400 miles , this is a euro style bike , but not a lean over racer. V twin this bike is very quick , water cooled , chain driven . Very ggod suspension even when extra rider. has not had 1 problem with the bike. Good luck

rx8gurl

haha now im into this one, love the looks, i think this is it, finally. Just want to kno if 650 cc is too much for a carefull beginner http://kawasaki.com/product_detail.a...tag=motorcycle the ninja 650 r

Ike

Sportbikes of any type are bad for beginners, and you really need to get yourself something used.

rx8gurl

Im would probably agree with you ike, that sportbikes are bad for beginners, but i really want ot buy one for commuting, these gas prices are killin my college student salary. And i really dont see myself riding a harley, so sportsbike it is.

Im surprise i have resisted the temptation fo saying wtf, im getting the r6, but i know i would land it in no time.

And i am gettin a used one, I am saving all winter and buying it next spring, they should be selling these used by then.

Ike

I don't think you really understand what a sport bike is, there are many many bikes that aren't sportbikes and aren't harleys that are great for beginners.

tuj

I would not shy away from a 600 cc bike. Some people will suggest a 250 or 500, but I'd get a bike that you won't outgrow in a few years. The 600's in the past 15 years are simply phenominal bikes. I agree that a used bike should be the only option; there's simply no point to having a new bike as your first bike. You can get a excellent used 600 for under 3k really easy, and there are many good bikes under 2k.

Respect the machine, and learn to control it. I actually think that these types of bikes are safer than some other choices for new riders because their capabilities are so high; they will stop faster and turn sharper than pretty much any other bike.

Ike

That's precisely why they're such a bad idea... Another reason is they just don't crash well and you can do a lot more damage to the bike and yourself just by laying them down at low speeds compared to the bikes that are considered good starter bikes.

Rhawb

Suzuki SV650S is supposedly a good starter bike. Seems to be kind of in between a sportbike and a cruiser.