This is the last time I talk about this subject but it's an extension of another post that was really listed in the wrong forum section.
First of all, if you are a new rider, ask yourself why you wanted to start motorcycling. For fun? Learn new skills? Look good? Sound good? Bragging rights? Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of these reasons at all, but if you choose the wrong ones at the wrong time then you have to be able to accept the consequences.
If you want to ride for fun then I'd assume that any bike would satisfy you. Since you have no experience, why not start on a bike that is more forgiving in every aspect? Sure, many people are quick to learn and have a lot of natural talent but no one is perfect. Even the ones who pick it up right away will make a mistake now and then or be an emergency situation. When you make a mistake learning your new skill or if you are faced with an emergency would you rather be in the saddle of an EX500 or an RSV Mille R? Unless you're filthy rich and wipe your ass with $100 bills everyday then I'd assume you chose the 500 in this case.
Here are a few reasons for why you should choose a bike like the EX250, EX500, GS500, or (by a far stretch) the SV650. First of all, you've grown to like motorcycles and the idea of riding. So, you want a bike that's going to grow WITH you. Don't get sucked into the idea that you'll outgrow the bike and that you'll want to upgrade soon - that's the excuse for the people who want super-sports no matter what. I'm willing to bet my own bikes that over half of this board cannot fully use the potential of the 54hp that an EX500 has, on the track or the street. The idea is that you don't want to buy that R1 and get so scared (because many of us has had a close call at one point or another in our lives) that you don't want to touch another motorcycle again. It happens, and when it does you lose thousands of dollars.
Another reason you want a forgiving bike is because of your reflexes. Some of you have very slow reflexes and that would be fine for a smaller bike - some of you have very fast or over-reactive reflexes and that's even a bigger excuse to buy a small bike. Imagine being out on the street for your first time covered by nothing but leathers and a helmet when, suddenly, a car pulls out of a driveway and you only have 75 to stop and you're going about 45-50mph. Being in a car you can just hit your brakes or swerve and you'll feel a little nervous, maybe. On a bike you wouldn't know what to do being your first time and if you grab that front brake hard on a ZX6R then you're going down for sure. However, if you grab the brake hard on a 500, the worst that can happen is that you lock the brake, skid, and low-side. You're thinking to yourself, "Either way, in a situation like that I'm going down so what does it matter?". Well, if you chose to buy a used 500 then you'll have some plastic and parts to fix. If you flip over on a major stoppie with the ZX6R then you can buy a good used bike with the damage you're going to have to pay.
These are just some things you might want to consider. The handling on newer bikes are far more touchy and responsive than bikes of old, so you really have to have a good sense of touch and feel. Even then you'll need all the experience you can get and it's better to acquire that experience on a smaller bike. Many find the ergonomics to be discouraging, too. There are many posts on this site about sore wrists or a painful lower back. These are the types of things you're not likely to experience on a standard or standard/sport bike. Also, low-speed things such as u-turns and other parking lot maneuvers are more difficult on the newer sportbikes. The DMV practical test is MUCH more difficult with the SS bike - just something else to consider.
OK, aside from the obvious and riding aspect of motorcycling you'll want to consider other factors in choosing a bike. For one, everyone knows you'll need good gear. Expect to pay about $100 for good gloves, $200 for good boots, $350 for a good jacket and also about the same for a decent helmet. If you want to throw in leather riding pants then add another $220. It adds up, doesn't it? That's nearly a grand for just the riding gear alone - assuming you want that protection when you ride. One thing I always say since hearing this good advice is NEVER CHEAP OUT ON GEAR. Don't blow your money starting out on the latest and greatest if you're going to be left with a t-shirt and shorts.
Next, think about insurance. There are many insurance companies that won't even insure a motorcyclist unless they've had one to three years experience. In some places choices are limited and if you choose a 100+ horsepower sportsbike then expect to pay anywhere from $3000-$6000 a year for full coverage. If you don't believe me, then shop around and don't lie on your quote - tell them you are new to riding and see what they say. Then again, you could always ride without insurance like many squids do in Southern California, but that's your choice and no one's going to help you there.
The last thing you should consider is what you have to lose. Pretending like nothing is going to happen is being in denial and the worst thing any motorcyclist can do. If you go out and finance a $10,000 R1 and you just so happen to crash then you are going to pay. I don't like discussing the inevitable with certain bikes, like... "Oh, well if I get hit then what does it matter if it's a CBR1000RR or a Ninja250"? Again, like I said, if you're rich then it doesn't matter. However, if you've been saving up and were finally able to put a down payment and get enough of a paycheck to finance for monthly payments then you're screwed. Are you willing to lose thousands of dollars so that it may be another few years before you ever ride again? Or would you rather dump or trash a small and inexpensive bike and ride again in a few months? Even garage tip-overs or driveway accidents will cost more than a used bike... and if you've been riding for a year or more then these little things tend to go away and not happen. I think I remember someone on here saying they just bought a 636 and were asking for help on new plastic. I believe the damage was going to be about $800!
Well, that's it, this post is long enough. Remember, it's not just engine size and power but it's also brakes, handling, ergos, costs, insurance, and so on and so forth...
Oh, if you answered, "I wanna look good, have a fast bike, win drag races on the street, and be able to brag about my bike" then go ahead and buy that penile-extension but be prepared for the consequences.
First of all, if you are a new rider, ask yourself why you wanted to start motorcycling. For fun? Learn new skills? Look good? Sound good? Bragging rights? Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of these reasons at all, but if you choose the wrong ones at the wrong time then you have to be able to accept the consequences.
If you want to ride for fun then I'd assume that any bike would satisfy you. Since you have no experience, why not start on a bike that is more forgiving in every aspect? Sure, many people are quick to learn and have a lot of natural talent but no one is perfect. Even the ones who pick it up right away will make a mistake now and then or be an emergency situation. When you make a mistake learning your new skill or if you are faced with an emergency would you rather be in the saddle of an EX500 or an RSV Mille R? Unless you're filthy rich and wipe your ass with $100 bills everyday then I'd assume you chose the 500 in this case.
Here are a few reasons for why you should choose a bike like the EX250, EX500, GS500, or (by a far stretch) the SV650. First of all, you've grown to like motorcycles and the idea of riding. So, you want a bike that's going to grow WITH you. Don't get sucked into the idea that you'll outgrow the bike and that you'll want to upgrade soon - that's the excuse for the people who want super-sports no matter what. I'm willing to bet my own bikes that over half of this board cannot fully use the potential of the 54hp that an EX500 has, on the track or the street. The idea is that you don't want to buy that R1 and get so scared (because many of us has had a close call at one point or another in our lives) that you don't want to touch another motorcycle again. It happens, and when it does you lose thousands of dollars.
Another reason you want a forgiving bike is because of your reflexes. Some of you have very slow reflexes and that would be fine for a smaller bike - some of you have very fast or over-reactive reflexes and that's even a bigger excuse to buy a small bike. Imagine being out on the street for your first time covered by nothing but leathers and a helmet when, suddenly, a car pulls out of a driveway and you only have 75 to stop and you're going about 45-50mph. Being in a car you can just hit your brakes or swerve and you'll feel a little nervous, maybe. On a bike you wouldn't know what to do being your first time and if you grab that front brake hard on a ZX6R then you're going down for sure. However, if you grab the brake hard on a 500, the worst that can happen is that you lock the brake, skid, and low-side. You're thinking to yourself, "Either way, in a situation like that I'm going down so what does it matter?". Well, if you chose to buy a used 500 then you'll have some plastic and parts to fix. If you flip over on a major stoppie with the ZX6R then you can buy a good used bike with the damage you're going to have to pay.
These are just some things you might want to consider. The handling on newer bikes are far more touchy and responsive than bikes of old, so you really have to have a good sense of touch and feel. Even then you'll need all the experience you can get and it's better to acquire that experience on a smaller bike. Many find the ergonomics to be discouraging, too. There are many posts on this site about sore wrists or a painful lower back. These are the types of things you're not likely to experience on a standard or standard/sport bike. Also, low-speed things such as u-turns and other parking lot maneuvers are more difficult on the newer sportbikes. The DMV practical test is MUCH more difficult with the SS bike - just something else to consider.
OK, aside from the obvious and riding aspect of motorcycling you'll want to consider other factors in choosing a bike. For one, everyone knows you'll need good gear. Expect to pay about $100 for good gloves, $200 for good boots, $350 for a good jacket and also about the same for a decent helmet. If you want to throw in leather riding pants then add another $220. It adds up, doesn't it? That's nearly a grand for just the riding gear alone - assuming you want that protection when you ride. One thing I always say since hearing this good advice is NEVER CHEAP OUT ON GEAR. Don't blow your money starting out on the latest and greatest if you're going to be left with a t-shirt and shorts.
Next, think about insurance. There are many insurance companies that won't even insure a motorcyclist unless they've had one to three years experience. In some places choices are limited and if you choose a 100+ horsepower sportsbike then expect to pay anywhere from $3000-$6000 a year for full coverage. If you don't believe me, then shop around and don't lie on your quote - tell them you are new to riding and see what they say. Then again, you could always ride without insurance like many squids do in Southern California, but that's your choice and no one's going to help you there.
The last thing you should consider is what you have to lose. Pretending like nothing is going to happen is being in denial and the worst thing any motorcyclist can do. If you go out and finance a $10,000 R1 and you just so happen to crash then you are going to pay. I don't like discussing the inevitable with certain bikes, like... "Oh, well if I get hit then what does it matter if it's a CBR1000RR or a Ninja250"? Again, like I said, if you're rich then it doesn't matter. However, if you've been saving up and were finally able to put a down payment and get enough of a paycheck to finance for monthly payments then you're screwed. Are you willing to lose thousands of dollars so that it may be another few years before you ever ride again? Or would you rather dump or trash a small and inexpensive bike and ride again in a few months? Even garage tip-overs or driveway accidents will cost more than a used bike... and if you've been riding for a year or more then these little things tend to go away and not happen. I think I remember someone on here saying they just bought a 636 and were asking for help on new plastic. I believe the damage was going to be about $800!
Well, that's it, this post is long enough. Remember, it's not just engine size and power but it's also brakes, handling, ergos, costs, insurance, and so on and so forth...
Oh, if you answered, "I wanna look good, have a fast bike, win drag races on the street, and be able to brag about my bike" then go ahead and buy that penile-extension but be prepared for the consequences.
