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First Bike Purchase in NYC
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October 28, 2009 at 2:14 am #3531Rob LParticipant
Im looking to purchase my first motorcycle and I’m not sure exactly what type bike to buy and which route to take. I know this question has been beat in to the ground, but I still can’t find the perfect answer. Here is my situation:
I live in Brooklyn New York and I’m looking to purchase a bike strictly for pleasure and not planning to drive it as a daily driver nor am i planning to venture into the busy streets of manhattan with it. I definitely want a sport bike but nothing too extreme because insurance seems to skyrocket after a bike has more then 100hp or 600cc. I have heavily considered the new ninja 250r but have had second thoughts being 6′ 3”. I also don’t want to be some guys hood ornament trying to get away from a traffic light in the stop and go environment of nyc. (ughh i wish Kawasaki would bring the 250 styling to the 500).My second consideration was Aprilia’s SXV 4.5. I think the idea of the supermotard would be great in the city and would be an extremely fun first bike, then I heard that Aprilia recommends rebuilding the engine every 5,000 miles, not something i feel like dealing with. My most recent idea is just buying a used Honda CBR600rr or Buell XB9 because they are not as extreme as say an R6 or GSXR. I know this is extremely frowned upon, but from an economical perspective it makes the most sense for me. Being a college student i rather get a lot more bike for my $4,500. I’m also confident in myself to respect the machine.
I am open to any ideas. I’m just looking for a bike i can learn on, grow with and get my adrenaline going without needing the skills of Valentino Rossi to handle. I know I probably seem like the ultimate squid right now, but hey we all have to learn sometime. Thanks in advance and hope to see you guys on the road.October 28, 2009 at 5:42 am #23033JtownJJAParticipantHave you looked at the Suzuki GS500F (which happens to be what I have). It is also a 500 like the Kawasaki you mentioned, but it has the full fairings and a more updated look. If it still feels small to you, which it may with your height, you might consider the Suzuki GSX650F. It looks like the GS500F, but it is bigger in size, with a bigger motor, yet still tame in it’s power deliver. Cycle World had a good article on it in it’s “Frugal Fuelers” series several months ago.
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=819
October 28, 2009 at 8:28 am #23034eternal05ParticipantBelieve me, as a then-undergrad who loved (and loves) to watch MotoGP, I really wanted that supersport. Eventually I got it but, dude, I’m telling you: you’re a beginner, so get a beginner bike! The CBR600RR is NOT easier than the GSX-R600 or R6. In fact, in terms of “easiness to ride,” any magazine will put the GSX-R’s manners above the pack. It’s what I own now (in addition to my 250R). I’ve since ridden (not owned mind you; I’m not made of dough) a couple different years’ worth of R6s, a CBR600RR, a Kawi ZX-10R, and a Triumph Daytona 675. So let me tell you, direct from the horses mouth: all those things that magazine folk say about the GSX-R being smoother, easier to ride, more predictable, blah blah? Doesn’t make a bit of difference to the beginner. They’re talking about how easy it is to control at a fast pace, but it still presents the same massive problems to a beginner that all the other sportbikes do. Just trust me. Seriously. This is one of those just trust me moments. No supersport.
So for the sake of insurance, price, and most importantly, the overwhelming advice of my peers, I went with an ’08 Ninja 250R as my first bike. A year later, when I got an offer I couldn’t refuse on a brand new GSX-R, I found myself still scarred SH$^tless the first time I tried to pull a figure-8 in the box on the new bike. And that’s AFTER a year on the 250R!
The Ninja’s great, nimble, and despite what you think, it’s FAST compared to most cars. You will have no problem pulling away from traffic, but you’re not going to beat a Porsche down a straight. Moreover, I’m 6’4″ and it handles me just fine. The only thing I had to do was buy adjustable footpegs (not rearsets, just footpegs) to make a bit more room for my knees, but that’s a $140 add-on. Most of all, the Ninja is EXTREMELY forgiving to mistakes, and very light, a combination you’ll appreciate when you can catch your bike as its falling (something that you can’t do with a bigger, heavier bike), completely botch a shift, or jerk the throttle around.
Now the Ninja’s not for everybody, and I have to remember that sometimes. If it’s not the bike for you, that’s just your call. But honestly, for the price, the looks (I think it looks better than EVERYTHING else available to beginners), and the quality and riding experience that bike offers, I don’t see why anybody would get anything else when they’re starting out.
October 28, 2009 at 8:32 am #23035eternal05ParticipantIn true eternal style, I wrote 80 pages of response and forgot a short and important part:
You aren’t a squid. You might be a newb, but that’s why this site exists. Don’t know what your experience has been at other forums, but here nobody will berate you for lack of experience or for the size of your engine. This is a “safe place” (rolls eyes). That is, until you make Megaspaz angry.
So yeah, you might be a newbie, but until you buy a supersport bike and do stand-up wheelies down the Interstate without pants on, you’re not a squid. Keep it that way
October 28, 2009 at 11:18 am #23039knolltop314ParticipantBig +1 for X650F … I love it! Be aware that it’s a bit on heavy side …. 530 lbs loaded with gas. It remains well planted in crosswinds and interstates.
There’s great user forum at http://www.gsx650f.biz/gsx650f-forum-f1.htmlOctober 30, 2009 at 6:41 pm #23072CBBaronParticipantNo experience with riding but have sat on quite a few beginner bikes and I’m similar to your size at 6’2″ with a 34″ inseam.
The GS500F fit me great and is said to be a good beginner. The Ninja 650r and En6r(naked ninja 650) also were very nice with much more comfortable riding positions than the supersport bikes (600 I-4s).I tried the 250r and the 500r ninjas but found that the crease in the tank your knee is supposed to tuck under for aerodynamics hit me right in the side of the knee. It did not seem like it would be comfortable for any distance.
I am looking a Dual sports and supermotos. The Aprilla seems like it would be a little too high strung for a beginner, however the Yamaha WR250x and the Suzuki DRZ400sm both look to be nice bikes and they fit tall guys very well. The higher seat and upright sitting position seems like it would be advantageous in the city as would the good suspensions and light weight. Only problem is that supermotos are harder to find used as they are a newer style and are less common than sport bikes are cruisers.
Craig
October 30, 2009 at 7:19 pm #23073AParticipantYou can find a used one pretty easily for under $3000 or even $2500.
At 6’3″, you should not have problem standing over the Bandit with both feet flat on ground.
Rock solid engine, upright riding position, good amount of torque if you do descide to venture out to Harriman State Park for a jaunt.
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