Upcoming New Rider (spring 2009)
Hello everyone. I'll be a new rider this spring. (as soon as all this nasty weather clears up). MSF course is scheduled for April.
I'm 39, 6' 1" and weigh in at 195.
I have read many reviews and have heard many conflicting positions and opinions on the subject of beginning motorcycling. I almost feel as if every new person who is entering and the advice they are given is more geared toward viewing cycling as only a sport and not the value of it as a viable form of transportation. I've also noticed that advice and opinions are quite different depending on which side of the ocean we live on. (UK vs US). Europe seems to be much more geared toward discussing motorcycling as transporation rather than just pure sport and fun time.
I'm looking into two bikes in paticular for my first motorcycle: Yamahas new FZ6R and the Suzuki GSX650F. The specs on these are very close with Yamaha coming in at slightly more HP. And I guess that's my big question. Being that I'm not at all familiar with cycles my biggest concern is to have something that is going to handle well on the highway at normal highway speeds (which around this area is 70-90mph).
I've heard the arguments about 600cc motorcycles. However it doesnt take much time in research to realize that not all 600's are created equal. It's all in how the engine is tuned that seems to determine how much power these will actually produce and how they will handle.
For example the Yamaha R6 has twice as much power as the FZ6R but the same 600cc displacement. So my big question is that coming in at 78hp, what can someone with any riding experience tell me what I can expect from the FZ6R?
Will it be "good" enough for highway riding while keeping up with fast moving traffic? Or should I be looking at more power than this?
Welcome. My opinion on this,
Welcome. My opinion on this, is to stay away from an I4 600cc bike. If you absolutely have to have a bigger sports bike, grab an SV650SF or a Kawi 650R - twin engine bikes with very smooth/linear power delivery and a more usuable lower powerband and they'll handle the highway just peachy keen.
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If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
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AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Well . . . . I commute, as
Well . . . . I commute, as do many of the guys on the board. However, the first thing that has to happen is some skill building. Motorcycles are very counter intuitive. It takes some time to get your brain to except the fact that doing what the bike wants is the right thing to do, and build the muscle memory to do it. Hop on the slab at 90mph in heavy traffic before you do that . .well heck, I am a good guy, get me in your will. (((-:
I am on a sportster . .and megaspaz is dead on. Everything about the bike is "predictable" . . making my learning curve pretty easy, AND it will go more than fast enough to put me in jail. I find 80'ish is just fine for me and she will do that all day long while she is still asleep. Not selling the sporty idea, just confirming that the V Twin is a good compromise. In fact I might argue they are so popular in general because they are such good all around "street" bikes for those of us who don't aspire to 130 mph runs on the streets. .
There are a lot of SV owner's on the board too . . I'll let them talk about what they have.
Can you start on the FZ? People do it and live. I don't know anyone who recommends it however. Lots of bikes will give you highway speeds. Not all of them will put you into a tree the first time you get a little fixated and tense. All new riders have those moments.
Oh . . I am 48 . . not my first time riding, but the first time in 30 years. I honestly would not have wanted anything bigger OR faster than this sporty. Don't see the need or desire building as I log miles either. Keep in mind a slow bike is faster than most fast cars . . . (-;
In general . .if you can, take the class . .see how you feel after that. If you struggle at all in MSF . .don't start on the supper fast machines. The price tag for mistakes is kind of high on these things.
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