Oh So Close
 

Hey guys. What's up? Just to fill ya'll in I owned a very nice '99 Mustang GT that I totalled last week (black ice + turn). Well I decided against on getting another car since I have 2 other DD'sand through around the idea of a bike. All of my buddies and my girlfriend can't beleive i'd even think about getting one (they're into cars). Well I walked into my local Honda dealer last week in search of getting my buddy a good deal on a Honda TRX450R. No sooner than I step through the doors, I caught glimpse ofmy very own Carmen Electra..... a 2008, Graffitti CBR600RR with an $8600 OTD price tag. After I picked my jaw off the ground, I talked to a salesmanabout getting it financed, freebies etc. etc. I left the dealer about 45 minutes later with the intent to leave with that machine within the next 2 weeks. I found this place, did research and I am pretty content on buying it. I know I should buy an older CBR or other to learn on but I only want to buy one once. I've raced quads since I was 13 (i'm 20 now) so I know the potential for mistakes and the consequences for mishaps. I caught on quick and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I'm about 5'11 & 145 and when I sat on the bike, I felt right at home, minus the crappy feeling handlebars and twist throttle (thumb throttles FTW!). Just give me some input on whatever you guys/gals think and what some of you younger guys pay on insurance.

RE: Oh So Close
 

i pay 1600/yr for full coverage insurance on an 04 600rr, clean record, I just turned 22.

08 600rr really isn't a good starter bike

RE: Oh So Close
 

Not bad. Why's that? I've ridding on "crotch rockets" before, never driven one but i've been on CRF's & YZF's before. It's all about a leanring experience.

RE: Oh So Close
 

Check with State Farm, I hear good things about them.

RE: Oh So Close
 

$8600.00 sounds like a good deal..they are trying to charge me 10k for one here..and no freebies.

RE: Oh So Close
 

Welcome...I don't know anyone that's gone from twist throttles to thumbs and preferred the thumbs--give it a chance and you'll swear off measly one-finger lever action like it was a Honda three-wheeler...:D

RE: Oh So Close
 

Geico has awesome rates. I have full coverage on two of the three bikes at my house and I'm only paying $800 a year for three bikes, two with full coverage. Also, if you've never owned a bike and you're getting insurance money for the car, I would HIGHLY recommend going out and finding a nice used bike for a couple of grand (roughly around 4) and putting the rest away for a brand new later. I got mine for $5,500 which was a little pricy for an 02 F49 but it was MINT condition. not a scratch, never wrecked or laid over, tons of aftermarket parts, 8,000 miles, just a beautiful bike, alarm etc. Honestly, I wouldn't want a brand new bike for my first bike. I can say this much, if you've ridden dirt bikes, they're not much different or if you can drive a stick, you should be alright as long as you've got pretty good balance.

Enough said of out me over here, Welcome to the family and hope that you find your mistress out there somewhere because once the bug and obsession of the bike takes you over, they are definately another part of you body and soul. Remember one thing, respect the bike always.

RE: Oh So Close
 

I've already got state farm, my rates gonna be around $120 a month with a new '08. I've been looking around and really the only CBR style I like is the '05-'08. I'm gonna see if I can find a good deal on an '05 or '06 1st. If nothing comes up then i'll buy new.

I'm ready to get one and go ride![:@]It's 30 degrees outside and the insurance company is screwing me around right now so hopefully it'll all clear up, I find a bike and beable to ride......

RE: Oh So Close
 

Did some quick research on some used bike through cycle trader and i'm finding used '06 600RR's with avg. 1000 miles going for $7800-$8500. '03-'05 RR's are from $5000-$7000 but have a 10,000 miles or so on them. Kinda seems more logical to buy the '08 for $8700 OTD then to buy a high mileaged one for $1500-$2500 less. Hopefully I find a good deal on an '05 here soon.

RE: Oh So Close
 

Hello & Welcome!!:D

RE: Oh So Close
 

There are hundreds of reasons why that should not be your first bike.. I almost wanted to list some of them, but wont. Do what you have to do. Do it with care and caution and you will be rewarded with a lifetime love of this most wonderful sport.

Tuck away in the back of your head somewhere that the slightest indiscression can prove fatal, even to the most seasoned of riders.

CJ

RE: Oh So Close
 

A new RR as first bike has been addressed 1000 times on this forum, so I won't go there.

The average bike owner switches bike every 3 years, you are not buying a vintage Cobra/Corvette/Cuda that will be a family heirloom or worth money some day. These bikes aren't like that, they are here and now and they depreciate like crazy.

If you don't like the ergos in the showroom, you will hate them on the road and want to change bikes soon anyway. When you are riding and your neck hurts and your wrists go numb and your hands fall asleep you will look back and say that was the dumbest thing I could do with $8600. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and relaxed on a bike, that will keep your head in the game and prevent dumb mistakes on the road.

Get a bike you feel good on and you will love it. After a while you will know what kind of riding you like. You may not care about the twisties and decide a cruiser is better or you may want to do some touring and you'll want an Interceptor or something similar. You may want a bike that is better suited for two-up than an RR.Don't get me wrong, the RR is an awesome bike, easily the best sportbike out there, but if it don't fit you (like it didn't fit me) don't push it.

Every bike is different and very specialized, since you don't know even how you are going to use your bike you should get something older to learn on and then spend the big bucks on your second bike.

RE: Oh So Close
 

The 08 Grafitti is a great bike. I sure as hell LOVE mine. As others have said though.. This is not a good learner bike even for someone who has riding quads for the better part of his life. I would think about this a little longer if I was you... You have all the time in the world my friend, use it! :D

Welcome to the forums bro.

RE: Oh So Close
 

Welcome to the forum:

Investing in quality gear can run you upwards of $1.5k, so account for that. Before you buy the bike, look into your local MSF course. Great information to be learned and most insurance companies offer a discount to your policy.

1)State Farm
2)Progressive

is the order of insurance companies I'd recommend. The 600rr isn't a good starter bike but it can be done with the right attitude and respect. (could possibly hinder your learning curve tho)

RE: Oh So Close
 

Thanks for the great input guys. My insurance is $89 a month through progressive. But i'm gonna wait 2-3 weeks and ride a couple different bikes before I jump into this one. I'm still thinking and I still want a bike but I'm in the process of buying 40 acres and being 19, that's kind of hard to afford. So i'll keep ya'll updated.

You guys are great, keep puttin in input... thanks!

RE: Oh So Close
 

So it's been a month now... did ya get the 600RR?

Reason I ask is I see a lot of people telling you NO here. I personally think it's a great starter bike for somebody whose already familiar with powersports. It's a bike you'll actually wanna keep instead of it getting boring in less than a month. Like any bike tho, you have to respect the power. You can really get hurt if you mess up takin this bike to the max. Never exceed 7/10 on the road. Pace your learning and you'll be fine.

Personally, I started on a brand new 2004 Honda VFR800 a few years ago. It was a little over $9200 OTD which for an $11K bike was a steal. The V4 engine is amazingly smooth with tons of torque. That alone really helped with learning the bike. It's a heavyweight compared to the 600 and a little bit more sport than touring, but I still did fine and even passed the motocycle license test on it. Now I ride a CBR929 and I'm lovin this bike. Just so you know I had very little powersport experience before this.

So let us know how ya do. As long as you stay away from them 1000's and Busa's for now... I think you'll be just fine. Ride on brother!

RE: Oh So Close
 

i got my insurance through progressive and i pay 1400 year. i just started riding also. i have an 08 grafitti. i tried with state farm and they wouldnt insure me because i havent had my motorcycle liscense for 3 years. they said the only way they could insure me is if i put my car insurance through them and then i could get my bike insurance with them.for all my gear helmet jacket and gloves i probably spent about 1200 dollars.

RE: Oh So Close
 

I got my motorcycle fully-covered through State Farm for $29/month in Ohio. I did check a month before I turned 25 and they wanted to charge me $1200 a year! It's crazy how they figure out these rates, but I guess I matured a lot in 1 month, lol. YMMV.

RE: Oh So Close
 

my friends mom works for an insurance company and she said thats just pretty much the age that they feel safe that you are a good driver or something stupid like that.