Topic: A Bike Itch

[vdk]

Summer's just around the corner, and I found myself looking for a summer toy in the last couple of days.

I'm looking for a bike. Some posters here know a lot more about bikes than I do. I've never owned a bike before, although I've ridden a couple. I'm looking for something cheap, don't wanna spend big bucks, under $5k. I want something for a summer, if I like it then I'd probably spend more money next summer and get something 'proper'.

I looked on Autotrader and came out with a few options.

2003 Kawasaki ZR 750 - 12km
2005 Suzuki GS500F - 12km
2004 Suzuki SV650S - 42km
2005 SUZUKI BANDIT 650S - 7km

Any beginners bikes that I should look for in particular?

[Flinter]

Summer's just around the corner, and I found myself looking for a summer toy in the last couple of days.

I'm looking for a bike. Some posters here know a lot more about bikes than I do. I've never owned a bike before, although I've ridden a couple. I'm looking for something cheap, don't wanna spend big bucks, under $5k. I want something for a summer, if I like it then I'd probably spend more money next summer and get something 'proper'.

I looked on Autotrader and came out with a few options.

2003 Kawasaki ZR 750 - 12km
2005 Suzuki GS500F - 12km
2004 Suzuki SV650S - 42km
2005 SUZUKI BANDIT 650S - 7km

Any beginners bikes that I should look for in particular?

I'm certainly no expert on motorcycles. I had an old Yamaha Virago 750 about 10 years that I spent more time fixing than riding However, I've had several biker friends suggest the Suzuki SV650 as a good bike to get back into the hobby with. The reasoning has always been:

1) It is a fairly light bike for a 650.
2) The V-twin engine is less peaky than many inline 4's so it is a little more friendly to new riders.

Good luck with the search!

[Loudpedal]

I think you've put together a good list.  Here's some input.

ZR 750 - arguably the most interesting bike on the list, a classic machine
GS 500 - strictly entry level, most end up selling it after a year or two
SV 650 - a great all around machine, a little high km's though, it's probably the machine I end up advising most newbies to
Bandit 650 - a nice bike all around

I'd also recommend a Yamana FZ6, and a Honda 599 or 919 if you can find one.   The list you've got though is pretty bang on.    

[Turbo Bob]

I love the Suzuki Bandit, awesome machine.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Do you have your license? You said you've ridden before, was it fairly often or just borrowed a friend's bike a time or two. Just want to get a handle on your experience.

The ZR750 is a heavy old lump. Pretty straightforward two valve, air cooled motor, pretty flabby suspension. Decent, but very dated design, even in 2003.

The GS500 has been around forever too, but has been updated a bit lately. It and the Ninja 250/500 are pretty much the go-to street bikes for noobs and for good reason. Cheap, generally competent, fairly light, mild power delivery, but enough to keep it interested until you get your feet under you.

I consider the Bandit and SV to be a bit much for first timers. That's not to say you couldn't handle them, I just wouldn't recommend them.

The FZ6 has a touchy throttle and a very peaky motor, almost two-stroke like. Great second bike.

[blur911]

Personally I'd probably pick the SV650.  (edit, I'd find a lower mileage SV650)
However, if you are doing a lot of urban riding I think a DRZ400SM would make a great beginner bike.  Light and maneuverable is a big plus when learning.  Plus they are fun at 60kph instead of 160kph.

[vdk]

Do you have your license? You said you've ridden before, was it fairly often or just borrowed a friend's bike a time or two. Just want to get a handle on your experience.

I've had an M1 licence for almost 2 weeks now, hence the itch.
My experience is close to nil. I've ridden my friends' bikes a couple of times, far from often though.


Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated!

[Careener]

Personally I'd probably pick the SV650.  (edit, I'd find a lower mileage SV650)
However, if you are doing a lot of urban riding I think a DRZ400SM would make a great beginner bike.  Light and maneuverable is a big plus when learning.  Plus they are fun at 60kph instead of 160kph.

+1

[Turbo Bob]

Summer's just around the corner, and I found myself looking for a summer toy in the last couple of days.

I'm looking for a bike. Some posters here know a lot more about bikes than I do. I've never owned a bike before, although I've ridden a couple. I'm looking for something cheap, don't wanna spend big bucks, under $5k. I want something for a summer, if I like it then I'd probably spend more money next summer and get something 'proper'.

I looked on Autotrader and came out with a few options.

2003 Kawasaki ZR 750 - 12km
2005 Suzuki GS500F - 12km
2004 Suzuki SV650S - 42km
2005 SUZUKI BANDIT 650S - 7km

Any beginners bikes that I should look for in particular?

All the bikes you have listed seem quite powerful for a beginner bike?

[initial_D]

Get thing smaller & cheaper then trade up?

I am not much of a rider, but 650CC+ is awefully 'big' to start.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

FYI

ZR-7S 75hp
GS500f 47hp
SV650 72hp
GS650F 75hp

My FZ6 has 97hp and IIRC is lighter than all the above. The fuel injection is pretty choppy at low revs, a bit of a pain around town.

[vdk]

FYI

ZR-7S 75hp
GS500f 47hp
SV650 72hp
GS650F 75hp

My FZ6 has 97hp and IIRC is lighter than all the above. The fuel injection is pretty choppy at low revs, a bit of a pain around town.

Thanks man. 70hp on a bike sounds quite fun to me. I think I can handle that, I'm not reckless, the bikes I've ridden have all been high hp bikes (2 R1s, and an R6) and I didn't open them up. So I think I'm able to manage a bike gradually.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Everybody has to walk their own path.

I've know people who started off on Honda C90s and crashed at every opportunity, and others who started on YZF600s and RD500s and never had a problem. Unfortunately a few never survived their first season.

I started on old dirt bikes including a CR250 Elsinore and a first year RM250LC. Then I got into a number of street bikes.

The twin in the SV is very nice. You get decent power pretty much everywhere. It still revs well enough, but you really don't need to. Its handling is better than the budget parts would suggest.

While shopping for my current bike I had narrowed it down to the SV, the FZ and the 599. The FZ is arguably the sportiest, but the fuel injection isn't well sorted at low revs, and the ride is harder than it needs to be. At the limit, you don't get any real feedback from the front, which is spooky. But I got it new for $6995, and really don't push it too hard on the street anyway.

Check to see what insurance looks like before you buy. Most places seem to be leaning on sportbikes.

I'm still partial to Suzukis. FWIW

[Guy]

I'd go for the SV too. Good torque across the RPM range is easier to handle but still lots of fun.

[dash]

I'm with SirOsis, size and hp should not be the most important factors in buying a bike, because it is driver skill, mentallity, and experience are the most important part of riding safely. That being said, for a first bike look for one that is easy to handle, good balance, comfort, and designed for your riding needs.

[huota]

I would choose the SV650. I don't think any of those bikes is "too much" even for a beginner. The main thing is to have a bike that is easy to handle, and the SV meet that requirement. However, rider skill and attitude are far more important, so my advice is to practise, practise, practise. If you have a chance, take some rider training that will teach you to break efficiently, go around pylons etc.

[huota]

I've know people who started off on Honda C90s and crashed at every opportunity, and others who started on YZF600s and RD500s and never had a problem. Unfortunately a few never survived their first season.

That is always sad to hear about a someone losing their life like that. But the upside is  that if you survive the first year or two then you have a much higher chance of survival as you gain experience.

And regardless of your grandmother, neighbour, colleague and everybody who's never ridden a motorcycle "knowing" that bike riding will kill you sooner or later - well, that's obviously a lie, I know many happy and alive bikers 

[vdk]

I WILL go through a training course no doubt about that. I talked to my boss about this, he's a huge fan, and he will help me find gear and a well maintained bike. 

[johngenx]

I believe it's better to begin on the dirt, but that's not always the reality for many older riders starting out.  My Dad was in his 60's and I was teaching him to ride, and no way he was going to do laps in the dirt.

I do agree about getting a bike that is manageable.  I prefer big bikes (hence my preference for the GT bikes vs. the sport bikes) and some of them are a little unwieldy at slow speeds.  My 'busa is not nearly as parking lot friendly as any of those 650-ish bikes, but it's a dream compared to any big touring boat.  Also, even in stock form, a liter+ performance bike can go to warp speed so fast, it's often not only shocking to new riders, but can be difficult to control for someone not accustomed to going so fast, so quickly.  When my bike was stock, it would easily loft the front wheel at over 100km/h with only a twist of the wrist.  Not sure how a new rider would react to that.  "Take it easy."  Sure.  Why buy a 190hp bike to ride around like you're on a moped?

Last summer I watch a new rider park his heavy cruiser bike nose-in on a severely sloped street angle spot, and it took him about a half hour to turn it around so he could ride out.  Somethings are just learned through doing, so I suppose now he knows.

Insurance is a big concern.  It's getting more and more difficult to insure motorcycles, and I can't imagine a new rider taking a policy on some open-class GT or liter+ sport bike.  It's getting tough for those of us with 30 years of saddle time.  (see my rant about my modded bike, not resolved yet...)

[Loudpedal]

FYI

ZR-7S 75hp
GS500f 47hp
SV650 72hp
GS650F 75hp

My FZ6 has 97hp and IIRC is lighter than all the above. The fuel injection is pretty choppy at low revs, a bit of a pain around town.

Thanks man. 70hp on a bike sounds quite fun to me. I think I can handle that, I'm not reckless, the bikes I've ridden have all been high hp bikes (2 R1s, and an R6) and I didn't open them up. So I think I'm able to manage a bike gradually.

hop on a couple, and see what feels comfortable.  a buddys girlfiend started out an a katana 600, then traded to a GSXR 600, then a GSXR 750.   She is comfortable on it, and does rides within her limit.   The ability to ride within ones limit is but one key factor to not becoming a statistic.   

As far as insurance goes, State Farm is a pretty bike friendly company, however, they require a house or auto to cover a bike.   

Good luck in your hunt, let us know what you get!