[madjak30]

This is an article from Motorcycle.com…even a motorcycle magazine is stating that they are beginner sport bikes, not a good first bike…and they suggest training (MSF anyone?)

Enjoy the read…

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Entry Level?

Marketing writers and moto mag writers alike often throw around the term “entry level” when describing middleweight motorcycles with low seat heights and comfortable riding positions. But if so, it’s at least partly because they represent a mid-way point in a world of motorcycles in which the upper limits are absolutely astonishing by standards of not so long ago.

While manufacturers have spent engineering overtime honing extremely light, powerful, yet tractable and inviting machines for the past few decades, last time we checked, human DNA is still the same as it ever was.

In 1980 a bike that could turn a mid-to-low 12-second quarter-mile would have deserved acceptance in a league of high-performance machines of 900cc to 1100cc displacement.
Today, anyone with a credit score can buy 600-650 cc bikes that are considered not-too-expensive, yet able to develop speed deceptively fast.

Anyone who has never ridden a street motorcycle, and wants a 600cc sportbike for his or her first ought to be sure this is the right level bike to start on, because there are less powerful machines that work great as well. Although our liberty includes the right to take unnecessary risk, and even though the bikes of today have better chassis, suspension and brakes to manage the power, a word to the wise might still be in order.

We consider the GSX650F, Ninja 650R and FZ6R – any of which can beat a Corvette to 100 mph – to be entry level sportbikes, and not necessarily ideal for first-time riders.

Mistakes in judgment on a motorcycle are expensive and painful, so why add exceptional speed to the mix?
On the other hand, I was interviewing a Pentagon official last year, and he said they put young people in the cockpit of aircraft, and the good ones soon see time in a fighter. His point was well taken, but it’s also true they train the heck out of these pilots, and only the ones who don’t wash out make the cut.

You and I have nothing stopping us from getting in over our heads but our own good judgment.

We highly recommend first-timers honestly self-evaluate their readiness for the challenges of handling a powerful motorcycle.

It is widely believed that prior proficiency on a dirtbike (or, at least a bicycle) can be of some value. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that if you are athletic, or have good balance, great eyesight or spatial awareness, high level of manual dexterity, eye-hand-coordination, and such, these too are believed to help you in learning to ride.

Seeking qualified training is also a good idea.

And overall, if you think you will be okay, who would we be to say these bikes – or faster ones – aren’t suitable? They may be, and you may be fine.

We’ll leave you with advice we share with our family or friends interested in riding: Don’t walk before you can crawl, and don’t try to sprint until you are a good walker.

Use your head, wear the gear, and have fun.

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[JackTrade]

Though I love how the whole concept of “getting qualified training” doesn’t appear until the end, almost as an afterthought.

Wish they’d spelled out what they mean by “entry-level sportbike.” They’re referring to the dynamics and characteristics of a particular type of motorcycle for a particular purpose, but not everyone’s going to understand that…they’re going to think they mean “the racy-looking ones”.

Someone who barely passed the BRC is going to read this article (somewhere else on the net, not here I mean) and all they’re going to remember from it is “we consider these bikes to be entry-level sportbikes” as they march into the dealer to buy a 650r they can’t handle.

[WeaponZero]

All I can say on the matter is this: My first bike was a Suzuki SV650, a bike which makes only about half the HP of modern 600cc supersports, and in the two years I’ve owned it, I have not even come close to pushing it to the max. Anyone who thinks they NEED anything more than even half the bike that my SV650 is for their first bike is absolutely nuts.

[madjak30]

This was a side bar within a story about the comparisson of the three bikes…Suzuki GSX650F, Kawasaki Ninja 650R and the Yamaha FZ6R…they are all comparible bikes, and some people have suggested the Ninja as a beginner bike…I was just putting this in here to show that they may be more bike than we should be suggesting for a beginner. Even the magazine, if not real obviously, is not recomending them as a beginner bike. I was just surprised to see them showing some kind of responsibility toward newbies…

[madjak30]

I have started on the GS500, which I have pushed when accelerating in a straight line, but I haven’t come close in cornering…I still have work to do on my clutch control…this morning, I miss judged the closing speed of a truck while in a line up and had to “givver” to get out of the way…I dropped the clutch before twisting the throttle enough and the bike lurched before leaping…kinda scared me, and a little embarassing too…being to cocky, instead of just waiting…all part of the learning curve, I guess…lol…but if I had been on a more powerful bike, I may have had a different experience…unintentional wheelie, over correcting on the brake and probably wiping out…all in front of a 1 Ton welding truck, that I’m sure was taking a drink of coffee at the time…ROAD PIZZA…

These bikes would also be comparible to your SV650, since the Gladius is compared to the Ninja quite often…the GSX650F is the replacement for the old Katana 600 and 750 bikes…which were aimed at the bargain sport/tourer (more towards the sport)…they weren’t really a beginner bike, but were a beginner sport bike…if you read that on it’s own without the first part it will sound like you are endorsing the Katana as a beginner bike…??? I know you have mentioned in posts before that you could have learned easier if you had gotten a less powerful bike, and I think that is kinda where this side bar was supposed to be pointed…at least that is what I got from it…even if it does seem a little lacking in the clarity of the message…

[WeaponZero]

I’ve come up with my own theories on this matter that I’m going to post in a separate thread. Be on the lookout. Might be a few days from now cause its gonna be a doozy.

[Rab]

Well, if it’s any help to someone pondering the question, my Suzuki GSX650F is my 3rd bike and goes as fast as I’ll ever want to go. Then again, I’m over 40 and have lost that youthful sense of invulnerability.

In my opinion, it’s not a beginner’s bike. Beginner sport-bike is probably a reasonable statement, although I’ve no desire to “progress” beyond it.

[madjak30]

How do you like the bike? I am looking at that as a possible bike #2 for next season…that or the Gladius. I almost bought the GSX650F as a first bike (demo sale $3500 off, in Canada that brought it down to $5600)…kinda glad I didn’t, my GS500E is plenty bike to start on. The GSX seems to have a similar riding position to the GS, and the seat seems a lot more comfortable than the Gladius, which is my main reservation about that bike (I also might want farings for hiway use)…

I am also thinking about it’s big brother coming out this year, GSX1250FA. Basically the same farings from your bike on the Bandit 1250S. But that is a big step up from the GS500…I don’t really want to scare myself…I guess I will go to the test ride weekend next year, it was two weeks ago here.

I should have a better feel for what I want by the end of the season…I still may go cruiser (I really like the Yamaha Star 950)…I don’t know…still learning…

[Rab]

I’ve been riding my 2008 GSX650F 70 (mostly freeway) miles a day, 4-5 days a week for around 2 years now, have no complaints whatsoever and have had no mechanical problems at all. I’ve never seen a bad review of this bike and I’ve seen quite a few.

It really hugs the road and is very stable, never getting blown around like many lighter bikes do. It feels so smooth and safe at speed; a very easy bike to ride, with an almost upright riding position which just feels “right”. I actually went to the dealer intent on buying a V-Strom 650, but having sat on them both, the GSX650F just felt so much more “right” to me, so I bought that instead (after some reflection).

The big advantage I would see over the Gladius (apart from the GSX650F looking much better IMO), is the windshield and fairing, which makes a BIG difference on the freeway (I previously had a naked Bonneville). Power wise, the GSX650F makes more power than the 800 c.c. Bonneville twin and is just a better motorcycle. I loved owning the Bonnie, but there’s no denying that the GSX650F is just a superior machine in virtually every respect.

If I had ANY dislikes about the GSX650F, it would be that first gear feels a bit short to someone who is used to a twin. It isn’t really, as the engine will quite happily scream up to 12,500 RPM (and sound like a gixxer doing it), but having come from a twin cylinder background, I’m happier changing up a gear when I hit 5000-6,000 rpm.

The Bandit/GSX1250FA is basically the same bike with a monster torque engine which many people feel to be overkill (unless you’ll be doing a lot of two-up touring). More insurance and engine heat, more expensive maintenance, less gas mileage.

Check out the forum at http://www.gsx650f.biz

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