My helmet that i have is a hjxc and it is dot and snell approved. I live in Redwood City California, the roads are prety much smooth, i am going to improve my skills hopefully in this VERY popular biking area, Skyline. This place is very hilly and lots of cornering, so this might be a place to slowly work my skills up SLOWLY lol. You probably dont know where this is, buts its like a 10-15 min drive. I will be riding alone, maybe with my friends older brother, but i dont know of anyone that rides except dad, friends brother, and my nextdoor neighbor. So an ex500 seems more plausable for my situation? I will definetly get some good gloves and a jacket, again thanks for your support and pictures!

 

in 1999 when the F4 was released it was not suitable for beginners, and now that bikes are faster...that doesn't change the fact that the F4 is fricken fast!!! maybe not as fast, but still good for 0 to dead in a matter of seconds!!
So a used EX500 or something like that interceptor 500 is a GREAT suggestion

 

If you buy any beginner bike like a ninja 250 or Gs500, I highly suggest you upgrade the front fork springs. My first bike was a GS500 and the front fork pogoing really scared the life begeezus out of me! Other than that I don't suggest getting used to riding any bike with over 70 ponies. Maybe find a Yamaha Seca if possible or a bandit. The throttle response is a little tamer while still givng you better power curves than a ninja 250. GS500 is tops especially for city riding. Upright ergos enough power to get you to 80 if you have to be on a highway. Forgiving throttle. Non adjustable suspensions suck but just pop in some progressive springs and a good fork oil and it will improve its handling greatly. If you like to tune you can also swap a GSX front end and rear shock for not a lot of money. Or just take you pops!!! If he offered, hell its free and cash is tight.

 

The Santa Cruz hills tend to attract a lot of throttle jockeys. IMHO, its not the best place for beginners because you'll get a lot of other riders egging you on to go faster.

I suggest riding in Marin instead. Less bikes and less traffic in general. Yeah, its a little further away but you can really do whatever pace you want there. If you're really intent on riding in the Santa Cruz hills, take the lesseer used roads such as Pescadero and Hwy 84. Or go at a time when there are less bikes on the road. I would avoid Hwy9 like the plague since as too many idiot bikers treat it like their own MotoGP.

 

a 600 probably isnt a great beginner bike however.

i am 21 and 5'5 and weigh 140 lbs. I'm by no means big and i started on a 99 600. Ive been riding for about 3 months now. This bike is pretty big for me, should i get it lowered it will fit me much better but i make do. I had a buddy who had rode for a while take me out and probably spent a good 7 or 8 hours with me on how to ride, turn, ect. I feel confident on the bike now however they are pretty quick and i have a good taste to go slow. i was told by my friend the bike will hit 160+ But ive never been faster than around 80 on it. Its more about the person, if yo ucan control yourself and you know what your doing (take the test/Class) have someone go out with you and spend time with how to ride and just spend some time riding on some roads that arent packed with people i would think you would be alright. However like i said, you gotta keep your head on, don't try to show off on a 600 because them babies will get up and go.

 

at the end of the day if you buy a quick car do you always race it about? i feel its more up to the person. i'm looking at 1999 f4 for my first bike but my reason for getting it is a im 16 stone in weight and as far a 600 go the cbr is the more sensable option compaired to the likes of the R6 and GSXR. however i am 25 and although most of my road miles are in a car road i covered over 1.5 million k since learning to drive so i have seen alot of instances on the roads

 

Everyone missed this point. Try your dads 750k, get used to it a little, try to manuever it around cones, hell take the MSF course on it, that will get your confidence up. Hell its free, once you get the hang of it a F4 wont really matter, a hundred or so pounds wont really matter when you are balancing the bike.
Do to the dif in throttle response and suspension I wouldnt recommend a dirt bike.
Of course this is my opinion.
Good luck, keep us posted.

 

Hey all, been a while for my update. As of now, havent got a bike yet, i could try my dads 750k... but my dad is recommending a 2005 ninja 500r. Ive read these are very good starte bikes. I was considering a sv650s, but maybe a little too advanced for me? As for clothes, ive bought alpinestars gloves(60), icon pursuit jacket(350), icon boots(90) and i already have a helment. Now all i gota do is sign up for the safety course. Ill keep u guys updated on everything, espcially when i get my bike :-D.

 

Well NVM, my dad just told me hes guna sell me his bike(2005 sv650s) and buy himself a yamaha r1. Things seem pretty good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all i gota do is get it a full fering kit and a yosh pipe hehe.

 

Don't put fairings onit until you're really comfortable with the bike because you will drop it (even if it's just standing still and for getting to put the kickstand down....opps) and what don't you like about your *** and legs? since you've bought everything else for safety gear get some pants! All gear, all the time = less skin grafts. Good luck with your new bike and keep the shiny side down.