that was pretty comical. but on a serious note he is so right. i would start on something used like a 500 or a f4i. the f4i is a fantastic bike to start on. it is very reliable and forgiving to rider error. very comfortable for someone that is trying to learn to ride. the last thing you want is discomforrt while trying to learn to ride. take the MFS(Motorcycle Sfatey Foundation) course ASAP. it will teach you to ride and teach you the sr's(Survival Reaction) you need to keep you safe. but definately start on somehting use and not on something new. the thought of the fact that you can go down is very real and any rider should always have that in the back of there head when they get on there bike. if you dont you dont belong on a bike cause you are a hazard toyourself and to everyone on the road. the reality of riding is this. there are 2 types of riders. those that have gone down and those that WILL go down. i hate to sound so harsh but that is the reality of riding a motorcycle. and i cant stress enough abut wearing full gear from head to toe whenever you get on your bike even if you are going only a mile from your house always wear full gear. i was right in front of my house when i was ran into by a van and thank god and my angel my grandmother r.i.p. i had on full gear and i came out of it without a scratch just some bumps and bruises. and another very important thing is to ride with common sense. most young kids not all but most these days ride with there ego and not there head. a motorcycle is not somehting to take lightly you have to take it very serious. im not saying dont have fun. i definately want you to have fun but ride iwth you head and never let people try to influence you to ride outside of your skill level.

 

now i wish you haven't came up after you've gone down... so to save our selves from the curse of your wishfull thinking, may your only passenger make sure you don't come up the next time you go down, why? because just like those who haven't yet gone down, WILL go down, those who went down and came up, WILL go down and never come up... uggghhh my mouth is full of filthy words right about now, but i am gonna keep them those filthy ones...

May God protect us all and keep us for our family and friends. There's no protection without precaution. Its in our hands long before we start riding.

 

Dude, you keep revealing how much of a newbie you really are, because that saying has been around as long as motorcycles themselves, gecko isn't wishing death on anyone...it's one heck of a true statement too!

We don't write the rules...they is what they is...

Maybe someday you'll be a cranky old sport biker like me ash

 

First of all let me start by saying hi since I'm new to the forums. I figured this was the perfect question to post my first post with since I just bought an 05 CBR 600rr less than a month ago. This is not my first bike, I first started riding back in 98 on a brand new Yamaha YZF 600. I did mange to put that bike down on it's side because I wasn't familiar on riding a sport bike at slow speeds and navigating tight turn. My buddy however put that bike out of it's misery by putting it on it's side in the parking lot of a Casino, damaged the engine and the bike was totalled. I had that bike for just under a year. From 2000-until just last month, I didn't even have a bike, but since a lot of the guys I work with have bikes, I decided to get back into it again, and also for another form of transportation. Damn High Gas Prices! My daily driver is is a Chevy Trailblazer 4x4.

So let me get back to the topic at hand, I'm 31, and am beyond trying to do wheelies and other stunts on a motorcycle, I would recommend to anyone buying a bike for the first time, is to a) get something used so you're not ruined if you should wreck your bike and b) analyze how you drive and ask yourself are you going to be responsible with a sportbike for your fist bike? Like mentioned before it's very tempting to open up the throttle to see what the bike will do, and that's where trouble starts especially if you're not comfortable with the bike. It's also very tempting to try and keep up with another bike if it blows by you. Are you going to resist those tempatations? If not, than I highly recommend staying away from a crotch rocket. Another thing I noticed is a lot of guys with rice burners like to challenge guys on sport bikes. Personally I think they're more dumb than any bike rider, since any bike can waste a car in top speed, but that's not the point. What is is that's another thing to consider if you want to start on a sport bike. Are you going to try and prove your manhood if that situation should arise. If you do decide to buy, remember always wear a helmet and protective gear, no matter how dumb you might think you look. Here in Philly, PA. doesn't require a helmet, so you see a lot of riders without them. Last year a rider was struck on the head by a piece of metal from a car in front of him while riding down I-76. He was killed instantly; a death that could of been avoided if he choose to wear a helmet. That's my input. Good luck with your decision.

 

you know i am glad that there are people like fretless33, steviestyles, myself andmany others here that are mature and care enough to help out newbie riders so that they dont kill themselves, hurt themselves or give up riding cause they started on a bike that was way out of there means. we just hope you make the right decision and love motorcycles as much as we do. myself i grew up around bikes and wouldnt give mine up for anything. heck i would be happy if i was on a harley, cruiser or whatever as long as it has two wheels i love it.

 

Amen!!! That's a true biker and I feel the same way...We have a similar motorcycle history and beliefs gecko!

 

gecko, Amen to that brother!!!!

 

Soko - Back to your original question. If you haven't riden a motorcycle at all, I would suggest getting something along the lines of a street legal dirt bike. They used to be called Enduros (sp?). The best part about them is that you get the experience of riding without the cost of replacing the plastics when you put it down. They are very durable and usually pretty inexpensive. They are not as throttle responsive as an RR, but you can still enjoy them. They also come in many different sizes. After riding something like this for awhile and you are comfortable, then I would progress to something with a bit more kick.

By the way, I am 33 and have been riding (legally) for 15 years. I don't go out to impress anyone, but to enjoy the ride. No wheelies, no stoppies for me. Again, good luck on your decision.

 

Good answer Rotts1. Plus, you can really run from the cops with a dual purpose bike-just kidding guys (but you could, they love yards and trails too)

You and I share the same riding philosophy- ride to enjoy, and make it home in one piece!

 

what do you guys think if i get something like this.... I know you are all honda fans, but honda doesnt have anything similar ....


http://kawasaki.com/product_detail.a...tag=motorcycle

its kawasaki 250r