So you've decided to buy your first bike but don't know which...

[kamen rider]

I finally found some time to read this since it's raining. Great writeup. I agree... it should be a sticky.

[grandshervee]

Definitely needs to be a sticky. I printed it to make a read of it a few days ago, and I am super glad I did. I thought that I was ready for a 600cc this season (my 3rd on the road), but after reading the article, I realized that I am not. I never realized how tempermental 600s can be. Next season will most likely be when I get my first supersport. Very happy I read this article!

[masonjarz]

Sticky! Sticky! Sticky!

Great article--that guy really knows his shit.

I would rather feel comfortable and confident on a lesser machine than insecure and vulnerable on a new 600 or litre bike.

I don't think enough can be said about the wisdom to take one's time with that first bike or its sophmore replacement and really get some chops, to borrow a musical analogy, before moving on to a serious sportbike.

[greenboy]

Great read, Bjorn.

Lots of good stuff in there to remind us "work-in-progress newbies" as well. Easy to forget things over time.

A definite sticky.

[Jagged]

I am currently looking (and saving) for a new bike, I WAS going to get a 600
(for many of the reasons outlined in the article, except i have no illusions about my skill - or lack thereof)

I've been browsing the marketplace board and noticed that oftentimes the 500s (such as the GS500F) are commonly labeled at "Newbie" bikes...

But its only a stones throw from 500 to 600 - or is there other factors that make this a more newb friendly bike?

(http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=40393)

Also, I am going to be taking action motor school before I buy a bike, don't know if that is relevent

[Streetfightin]

Originally Posted by Jagged

I am currently looking (and saving) for a new bike, I WAS going to get a 600
(for many of the reasons outlined in the article, except i have no illusions about my skill - or lack thereof)

I've been browsing the marketplace board and noticed that oftentimes the 500s (such as the GS500F) are commonly labeled at "Newbie" bikes...

But its only a stones throw from 500 to 600 - or is there other factors that make this a more newb friendly bike?

(http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=40393)

Also, I am going to be taking action motor school before I buy a bike, don't know if that is relevent

There's a huge difference between the 500's and the 600's. The 500's tend to be 2 cylinder bikes in a moderate state of tune. The 600's are highly tuned 4-cylinder bikes much closer to what you'd find on a race track. I believe the modern 600's put out about twice the hp of the 500's.

The 500's will make good beginners bikes.

[Chadwick]

Originally Posted by Jagged

I am currently looking (and saving) for a new bike, I WAS going to get a 600
(for many of the reasons outlined in the article, except i have no illusions about my skill - or lack thereof)

I've been browsing the marketplace board and noticed that oftentimes the 500s (such as the GS500F) are commonly labeled at "Newbie" bikes...

But its only a stones throw from 500 to 600 - or is there other factors that make this a more newb friendly bike?

(http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=40393)

Also, I am going to be taking action motor school before I buy a bike, don't know if that is relevent

They seem similar, but they aren't at all. The 600s have double the horsepower, and it's much less newbie friendly power, building around the top end, whereas the 500s have much more midrange. The other noticeable difference is the weight: the 500 feels much lighter, so it's easier to avoid dropping it. If you're not sure about a 250cc bike, definitely go for the 500, the throttle and brakes are very easy to operate smoothly, and it has more power than the 250.

For the record, I wish I'd started on a Ninja 500, not my kz-750. Although I have considerably more power, the bike's too heavy, and it doesn't inspire as much confidence in corners as the 250s and 500s I've ridden.

[Mighty Kentor]

Sticky it is.

Wow, those articles totally blew me away. And to think I wanted to go and buy a GSX600R as a first bike.. Anyone know what would be reasonable for a 6'7" 220lbs guy? Ninja 500 maybe?

The original site of this post was www.beginnerbikes.com Matthew who ran it shut it down. The people from it migrated to http://www.beginnerbikers.org

It's got a lot of good info for new riders. - Joe

[DARKSUN]

Awesome!! I learned Alot !

Great article. I was stuck there asking everyone what to get, buggin them all. Thanks for posting that up! Very useful information for us noobs....

[Hadar]

I also did my course on the Honda Rebel. Besides the fact of it being a pain in the tailbone (literally), I found it a bit weak. While I managed to get up to speed on highway 1, I didn't have any reserve to scoot out of trouble, if it would have happened. I am a touch under 6'2", and about 230 lbs., so that might be a factor. Therefore I was thinking along the lines of a Suzuki GS500, or some other 500 cc bike.

Is this reasonable? My aim is to learn, develop the skills, and live to ride another day, not break any speed records.


Ron

[GSP]

Originally Posted by Hadar

Is this reasonable? My aim is to learn, develop the skills, and live to ride another day, not break any speed records.


Ron

Yes. If you find a clean, used example, you'll probably be able to re-sell it at some point in the future for minimal loss if you decide you want something different.

[JAYJ]

awsome post for the newbies!!