[Big Sky Girl]

I found a similiar problem on another forum, and they suggested new spark plugs (which it just got) and also some carb cleaner. Would carb cleaner still be a good idea either way? Just wasn’t sure if I should mess with the idle adjuster before looking at the carb or not. Thanks!

I’m trying to find what the normal idle should be. The previous owner couldn’t find the owner’s manual and I’m not having any luck finding it online.

[Big Sky Girl]

From what I’ve read, the Ninja 650R is ‘tamer’ than the Gixxer 600, so I think that would be better – but again, I’m a newbie, so I’m no expert. Just sharing what I’ve read. I’ve sat on the SV650 and Ninja 650 and they seemed similiar for riding position. They both seemed nice. I believe the SV650 has less fairing, if I recall correctly.

Even though I liked all of those, I still went smaller with the 500. It just felt more balanced and lighter and easier for me to handle. So part of it is what do you feel comfortable with? Many told me I could handle a detuned 600, but I still didn’t feel comfortable with the idea, so I went with what my gut told me and went smaller and I’m very happy I did.

[Big Sky Girl]

Is there are reason you aren’t looking at the Ninja 500? I looked at all three of those bikes, and just bought the 500. I had a little experience too. Wanted a larger one like the 650 for that same story ‘you’ll out grow anything smaller’ but read that those who start smaller generally become faster, better riders more quickly. The 250 was a little small for the amount of freeway riding, and mountain passes I’ll be using, so I went for the 500. Plenty of power. Lots of them around, so I got a great deal, and small enough that I’m not scared of it or nervous of the weight.

Good luck!
Big Sky Girl

[Big Sky Girl]

I was in the same boat, “they” said “you’ll get tired of a 250 or 500 in a month”. So I started looking at the SV650 and Yam FZ6R and Ninja 650. They are all ‘tame’ sport bikes, and more upright. However, they all felt heavy to me. Top heavy, wider. I REALLY want an FZ6R – it’s so pretty! But after reading this forum, I decided to start with a 500.

I just bought a Ninja 500 and love it. Been on a couple rides, and parking lot practice. Did slow maneuvers with ease, enough power to put you back in the seat, but easy to handle and not too heavy. I thought about the 250 but plan to do some long rides, freeways, mountain passes, and didn’t want the bike to be pushing too hard. The 500 should handle it fine.

I’m so glad I took the advice on this forum. My MSF coach said I could prob. handle the FZ6R, the dealers, other bikers, but the thing is I had to listen to my gut. I felt like it would be too much (plus the cost!), and I knew I’d be too nervous on it. I’m completely comfortable on the 500.

From what I’ve read, those who suck it up and start smaller become better, faster riders. I’d rather do that and be on my 2nd or 3rd or even 4th choice of a bike for a year and become skilled and have FUN, rather than get something larger, that I could probably handle, but that would make me nervous, I’d be afraid to drop, etc.

Just sharing the conclusion I came to. I just bought my bike last week and love it! Good luck! The best advice I can give you is to listen to your wise self and what your gut is telling you.
Big Sky Girl

[Big Sky Girl]

Well, I spent a day and sat (again) on every sport bike out there that wasn’t a super sport. The next day I bought a Ninja 500. (Maybe it was the 09 that seemed to lean more? Or maybe it was that I had gotten on it after sitting on a 650). Anyways…I found an ’06 Ninja 500R w/only 500 miles, with a full set of gear except boots (the gear will fit hubby) for $2,800. I think I got a great deal, esp. with all the gear and considering it’s basically new.

As BADLY as I wanted the FZ6R, the Ninja’s weight and balance felt more comfortable for me for a newbie. I know I’d be afraid of the larger bike and dropping it. The Ninja is a perfect fit for me to start on.

I need to adjust the idle – it wants to die when I’m stopped if I don’t have the choke slightly on, or slightly rev the engine. Other than that, I love it. I went on my first two rides yesterday and I’m hooked!

It’ll do great on the freeway and I can get a good year of learning and confidence under my belt and move up to the FZ6R next year. Plus, it fit my budget! Yay – tax returns! LOL

All I want to do now is ride! The only hard part was getting it onto the center stand. Geez, you would have laughed watching me trying to do that. Hubby had to help me!

Thanks for all your input!
Big Sky Girl

[Big Sky Girl]

I bought my first bike! Thanks everyone for your comments. After reading more and more on these boards, I’m going the cautious route and starting with a Ninja 500. Couple of reasons:

1. I can get it used! I got an ’06 w/only 500 miles w/ a full set of gear (that’ll fit my hubby if he decided to ride) for only $2,800. (The FZ6R is $7 K – would have had to finance it.)
2. I wanted larger than a 250 for lots of freeway and mountain pass riding, but small enough that the weight and power wouldn’t make me nervous. Something with a nice weight that would handle the freeways well, that I could develop my skills on.
3. The Ninja fit the bill. I looked at the Zuk GS500F and liked it too, but it was a little wider and I didn’t like the feel as much, plus I couldn’t find any used ones in the area.
4. In a year I plan to upgrade to the Yamaha FZ6R – which by then I’ll have more experience and they’ll have been out a year, so I can get it used, or at least cheaper if they have ’09s still on the floor.

I went on my first two rides yesterday and the hardest part of the whole thing was putting it back up on the center stand! LOL I had to have hubby help me! It rode very well, and I could even do slow maneuvers with it (those killed me at the MSF course)!

Thanks so much for all your input! This is an awesome site!
Big Sky Girl

[Big Sky Girl]

I have yet to ride in traffic and on freeways, just passed the BRC, but have researched this topic a lot. I just ordered a JR Jet Set leather jacket. If you look, you can find closeouts and save a bunch of money on different brands. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com seems to have competitive prices and good return/exchange policies on a variety of lines. http://www.newenough.com shows more detailed pictures of the inside and outside of lots of gear.

After talking to all the guys at the bike shop, all of which have had slides and a couple even hit deer, they all suggested leather jackets. One guy had a mesh jacket, and had a slow slide (under 30 mph) and I saw where the mesh had a huge tear in it. The elbow armor saved his flesh though.

I’m sure I’ll pick up a textile jacket for the hot summer days when vented leather is just way too hot. If so, get the highest denier textile that you can swing. It’s more abrasive resistant. I’ll definitely avoid anything mesh, unless the major impact points are textile covered.

Now on the other hand, another bike shop owner said a high denier textile provides enough protection. He also hit a deer (we’re in western MT) and slid 90 feet on the pavement and his Cortech hardly showed ANY signs of a wreck. No tears, or anything. The cop didn’t believe he was the one that was in the wreck.

So if not leather, get a really high quality textile, and you’ll probably be ok. I’ve heard both sides of the coin, so it’s down to personal preference. The textile would definitely be more versatile.

[Big Sky Girl]

Thanks for the input. I have to ask, what color did you get? I want the white one (whether that’s now or later)!

Ok, the engine is gentile under 5K rpms…one of my concerns is accidently popping a wheelie. (I know it can be done on anything, I’ve seen someone ride a wheelie on a scooter.) Is it all about smooth throttle control? My first time on a small 100cc dirtbike I popped a small wheelie while practicing smooth starting and it freaked me out. Is something like that likely to happen on this bike?

[Big Sky Girl]

Thanks, Matt! I hadn’t though of risers for the Ninja 500. I’m still learning all the ‘tricks’ you can do to make a bike more comfortable and stuff. I’m going out next week to try out the 250s and 500s.

[Big Sky Girl]

Someone suggested to do a google search for Bestbeginnermotorcycles and then add in the topic you are looking for. I don’t see a way to search from this site, but that would be nice.

[Big Sky Girl]

Thank you! Can I ask what was the difference between those three bikes that you discovered? I haven’t seen much of a difference. If I go with a 250 or 500 to start, one of those three will most likely be my next bike (later this summer or definitely next spring!)

[Big Sky Girl]

Thank you for your input!

[Big Sky Girl]

Thanks for your input. The YZF-R6 I know is too much for me, I’ve looked at the FZ6R (why can’t they make the initials a BIT more different?) It is a ‘tame’ version of the R6. I’m thinking it might still be too much, but hadn’t really seen anything in the threads on it. It is similar to the SV650. I asked my instructor coach what he thought and he said to make sure it’s comfortable, they did tell me I was the best female rider in the class and that I did very well (whatever that translates to as I’m still learning).

My main concern is a 250 on the freeway. I’ve sat on a Ninja 500 and it leans over too much for me. I’m thinking also about the Suzuki GS500F but don’t know if I want to fight with starting it on cold Montana days.

[Big Sky Girl]

If your BRC is anything like what I took here last weekend, it is helpful to be well rested. We had two 9 hours days and it’s tiring. Get a good night’s sleep, eat a good breakfast, and dress in layers if it’s cold where you live (I’m in Montana, and we FROZE on those bikes all day!)

Reading the DMV motorcycle study guide also helped me prepare and I also read The Complete Idiots Guide to Motorcycles. A great book! The knowledge I had from those made it nice because I wasn’t having to learn ‘everything’ in the class as far as knowledge and safety goes.

As far as riding in the class…if you have a question, ask it. They’re there to help you. Don’t worry about how everyone else is doing, either. Progress at your own pace. Also, you don’t have to pass ‘every’ riding skills test to pass the course. I did HORRIBLE at the slow maneuvers U-turn test, but fine on everything else and passed without a problem. I’m not sure how much the classes differ from state to state.

Out here, if you pass the BRC, you don’t have to take the DMV riding test, just the written test. We also get our endorsement the same day we pass the DMV test. Stinks you’ll have to wait! Killer!

Big Sky Girl

[Big Sky Girl]

Thanks, SantaCruzRider! I didn’t want to ask repeat questions if there was already a tread going and as you are probably aware – there are pages and pages of threads on here and it’s taking me ‘forever’ to search them all. Thanks for the tip!!!

Big Sky Girl

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