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VioXtreme · 03-15-2007, 10:11 AM

The F4I may be a good choice for you. Or a naked bike like the Z750.

Fenton · 03-15-2007, 10:13 AM

New: Suzuki SV-650, Kawasaki EX-500.

Used: Honda 647 Hawk or the two above.

Search the site for 1st bike threads too.

Good luck.

mscuddy · 03-15-2007, 10:16 AM

Word from one who knows: If you're just getting into motorcycling DO NOT buy a "sport bike".

Buy an old Japanese standard or dual-sport, get some riding (and crashing) under your belt, then move up to something better.

Can I interest you in a nice clean CL350?

The_AirHawk · 03-15-2007, 10:17 AM

As a plus: Hawk's crash very well - few things to fix when you eventually drop/throw it down (levers, mirrors, pegs, usually).

They hold their value well, and prices range from several-hundred for a lightly-crashed rebuilder, to ~$5000 for an immaculate, tastefully-modified example of the Breed.

acecycleins · 03-15-2007, 10:22 AM

I know you're 18 and probably only like sportbikes for there looks but consider this:

Your insurance will be HIGH if you look for anything other than liability only coverage.

check these out (some were previously mentioned): Honda 599, Honda CBR600f3, Kawi z750, Ducati Monter 695, Triumph Speed 4, Suzuki SV650s (with lower fairing kit- for that sportbike look you crave).

Looking at any of the bikes above will save you tons of money over the straight-out sportbike class.

Kreb_Cycle · 03-15-2007, 10:24 AM

The ninja 250 and 500's work well for shorter folks too, and they won't loop if you twist too hard either.

TheFox · 03-15-2007, 10:25 AM

Seconded. Do what this man says. UJM or dual sport is the way to start, especially dual sport. I wish I started on one. Height may be an issue for you on that though.

If you absolutely must have a sport bike, get a Ninja 250 and don't pay more than $1500 for it. Year is unimportant. Brand new they MSRP at $3000 and there were factory rebates last year, so don't let anyone scam you.

There's going to be a bunch of naysayer friends of yours who will rag on you for having a small bike, but I'm willing to bet that 9/10ths of them don't have a bike, or let their dad pay for the one they do have. I started at age 19 on a '72 CB500. I paid $400 for it, and fell over on it at least 4 times. Trust me, it will be worth it. Whatever you buy, you'll be able to resell for the same price and then you'll be comfortable moving on to a bigger bike. I promise you that you will thank me if you follow this advice.

--The Fox

Thruxomatic · 03-15-2007, 10:39 AM

I'm just a bit taller than you are, so I know the feeling when over half the bikes you can't even ride. My suggestion is a Ninja 650R. Cheap, good motor, enough power to still get you in trouble and you can always replace the bars with clip-ons if you want a more aggressive riding position later.

DerkT · 03-15-2007, 11:17 AM

A 1975 CL360 was my first "big" streetbike at 16yo. The year I got it was 1979 and I went to the Honda dealer to look at one bike. Go ahead and guess which one it was. Come on guess!

Luckily the salesman was a friend of the family and he pointed me away from that 16yo's wetdream and toward the brand new NOS CL360 and made me a great deal.

After the first drop I knew I had the right bike to grow up on.

By the way mscuddy: Sadly my CL is long gone so I have to ask you a question. Where are you and how much?

Derrick

WeeBee · 03-15-2007, 11:18 AM

No brainer: Ninja 250. $3000 new, your feet will be flat on the ground when stopped, insurance is cheap, sportbike look (full fairing), lots of fun to ride. Have put almost 8000 miles on mine since September. By the way: I have been riding since 1980 and have had FZR 1000, R6, SV650-love my little Ninja, and when you learn to really ride, it romps through through the twisties. GO for it!

03-15-2007, 10:11 AM	#1
VioXtreme Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. The F4I may be a good choice for you. Or a naked bike like the Z750.

03-15-2007, 10:13 AM	#2
Fenton Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,898	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. New: Suzuki SV-650, Kawasaki EX-500. Used: Honda 647 Hawk or the two above. Search the site for 1st bike threads too. Good luck.

03-15-2007, 10:16 AM	#3
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. Word from one who knows: If you're just getting into motorcycling DO NOT buy a "sport bike". Buy an old Japanese standard or dual-sport, get some riding (and crashing) under your belt, then move up to something better. Can I interest you in a nice clean CL350? __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

03-15-2007, 10:17 AM	#4
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,891	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. As a plus: Hawk's crash very well - few things to fix when you eventually drop/throw it down (levers, mirrors, pegs, usually). They hold their value well, and prices range from several-hundred for a lightly-crashed rebuilder, to ~$5000 for an immaculate, tastefully-modified example of the Breed. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

03-15-2007, 10:22 AM	#5
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. I know you're 18 and probably only like sportbikes for there looks but consider this: Your insurance will be HIGH if you look for anything other than liability only coverage. check these out (some were previously mentioned): Honda 599, Honda CBR600f3, Kawi z750, Ducati Monter 695, Triumph Speed 4, Suzuki SV650s (with lower fairing kit- for that sportbike look you crave). Looking at any of the bikes above will save you tons of money over the straight-out sportbike class. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

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03-15-2007, 10:24 AM	#6
Kreb_Cycle Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 872	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. The ninja 250 and 500's work well for shorter folks too, and they won't loop if you twist too hard either. __________________ He was a fattish but active man of paralyzing stupidity, a mass of imbecile enthusiasms—one of those completely unquestioning, devoted drudges on whom, more even than on the thought police, the stability of the Party depended. - George Orwell _1984_

03-15-2007, 10:25 AM	#7
TheFox Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 730	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. Seconded. Do what this man says. UJM or dual sport is the way to start, especially dual sport. I wish I started on one. Height may be an issue for you on that though. If you absolutely must have a sport bike, get a Ninja 250 and don't pay more than $1500 for it. Year is unimportant. Brand new they MSRP at $3000 and there were factory rebates last year, so don't let anyone scam you. There's going to be a bunch of naysayer friends of yours who will rag on you for having a small bike, but I'm willing to bet that 9/10ths of them don't have a bike, or let their dad pay for the one they do have. I started at age 19 on a '72 CB500. I paid $400 for it, and fell over on it at least 4 times. Trust me, it will be worth it. Whatever you buy, you'll be able to resell for the same price and then you'll be comfortable moving on to a bigger bike. I promise you that you will thank me if you follow this advice. --The Fox __________________ --The Fox The best bike to take a trip on is the one you have.

03-15-2007, 10:39 AM	#8
Thruxomatic Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 138	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. I'm just a bit taller than you are, so I know the feeling when over half the bikes you can't even ride. My suggestion is a Ninja 650R. Cheap, good motor, enough power to still get you in trouble and you can always replace the bars with clip-ons if you want a more aggressive riding position later. __________________ Matt

03-15-2007, 11:17 AM	#9
DerkT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 60	Best advice ever! A 1975 CL360 was my first "big" streetbike at 16yo. The year I got it was 1979 and I went to the Honda dealer to look at one bike. Go ahead and guess which one it was. Come on guess! Luckily the salesman was a friend of the family and he pointed me away from that 16yo's wetdream and toward the brand new NOS CL360 and made me a great deal. After the first drop I knew I had the right bike to grow up on. By the way mscuddy: Sadly my CL is long gone so I have to ask you a question. Where are you and how much? Derrick

03-15-2007, 11:18 AM	#10
WeeBee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 24	Re: Need some quick advice on bike choice. No brainer: Ninja 250. $3000 new, your feet will be flat on the ground when stopped, insurance is cheap, sportbike look (full fairing), lots of fun to ride. Have put almost 8000 miles on mine since September. By the way: I have been riding since 1980 and have had FZR 1000, R6, SV650-love my little Ninja, and when you learn to really ride, it romps through through the twisties. GO for it!