Motorcylce Questions.

[ProdigalPoster]

So, the time has come in my life for me to move to 2 wheels.

I've riden before, but never owned a bike. This weekend I'm going to go try some out (CBR600RR, R6, GSXR600). What do I want to consider when 'fitting' them?

Chances are all I'll buy used 98-02 since I'm rather rusty, no need to ruin a brand new bike.

Any information you can give me would be much appreciated!

[GTR]

After having to lay mine down in the middle of the street twice in a month to keep from getting nailed I sold my last one. That was in 1981, I miss it, but no one misses me.
SteveU

[ProdigalPoster]

So are you recommending against me getting a bike?

[GTR]

Oh no... to each his own.
BTW, in 1972 (I was 16) while standing in front of my house I witnessed a car run a stop sign and nail a man and women on a Harley. She hit the fire plug and he hit the curb... both head first. Not a pretty sight needless to say. Neither survived long enough for the FD to get there which is only 4 blocks away.
1972 was before helmet laws in CA and neither had one. The driver of the car was DUI. There's no defense against that.

After all that I still had bikes for a while.
SteveU

[ProdigalPoster]

Well I live in a rather small town. We don't have traffic and we have quite a few people on bikes here.

I've only seen one accident here and yes, the people driving were just stupid. The bike was ok after coming to

[Aquatic Image]

First I would say get what feels the most comfortable to you. The R6 is a very small bike. Which can be a good thing. The 600 F4I is nice size and I can only assume the RR is quite similar in design. The GSXR is a little bit bulkier and is my favorite among the three. But again sit on them ride them if possible and get whichever you like/fits best. HTH

[scottw]

Here are my last 2 bikes.
I sold this one when I thought going 189MPH was a smart and cool thing to do, I was very lucky I didn’t kill myself, that’s for sure. When I was clocked by the cop I was slowing down, he got me at 177, I am VERY THANKFUL my dear dear friends were with me, and 2 of them happened to be sheriffs on the same dept as the cop that pulled me over. I saw him, but it was WAY too late, I just pulled over like a smart guy and waited for him to catch up to me. He let me go, only because of my 2 cop buddies, I can guarantee if they were not with me, I would have went to jail, lost my bike, lost my insurance, and my license as well. Let that be a lesson to you, go slow and enjoy your bike.


and my last one 01 GSXR-750





stay away from the 600RR they are junk, they built them too fast. I owned an F3, F4, an F4i so I know all about honda's. Go with the Zuke (owned a Busa, and 750), they are pound for pound the best bikes in the US, now if you have some extra cash, get a ducatti 996 single swing arm, wicked bike that will be my next bike in a couple years, have a 14 month old and want to watch her grow up.. Its way to easy to turn the lever and be at 140+ mph in less then 3 seconds, hehe. Make sure you go Fuel Injected, they run a lot smoother and have a lot less problems.

[gqjeff]

ducatti 996 YUMMY........ If I had a bike though I would be dead, therefore I don't and never will....

[scottw]

ducatti 996 YUMMY........ If I had a bike though I would be dead, therefore I don't and never will....

It was funny when Jeff sat on my bike.. hehe.. he is shorter then I am.. a lot to be specific, so my dampener is setup about as tall as it can be, to keep the front end down, so it was funny to see him on it hehe.. go Jeff, go Jeff, go go go go.

[GunMoto]

Chances are all I'll buy used 98-02 since I'm rather rusty, no need to ruin a brand new bike.

I'll assume you know and accept all the dangers and risks involved with riding so I won't comment on "safety" or "riding techniques" and that you're primarily looking for a middleweight sportbike (600cc).

I agree with Aquarist20, you need to sit and get a feel for the bike (i.e. reach to the bars, seat height, overall weight, tank shape, etc.). Have someone hold the bike upright or set it on a rear stand, so you can get both your feet on the pegs and get the best feel by simulating a riding position (simulate both an upright position and tucked in behind the windscreen). Also realize that you can tailor your riding position using aftermarket bits, typically using adjustable clip-ons or rearsets. But getting a good baseline feel is a good start and how a particular bike handles once you actually ride it, is another story.

For four cylinders, I would select from any of the four major manufacturers: (i) Yamaha R6 (ii) Honda CBR600 F4i; (iii) Suzuki GSX-R600; and (iv) Kawasaki ZX6r. For twins, Ducati would be my only choice...albeit the 748's have had their fair share of "isolated" cases with failures of the hard coating of the rocker arms. In short, Ducati's require more frequent regular maintenance, but they are beautiful! Personally, if you're choosing MY98-02 600cc bike, I would choose either the Yamaha R6 or Suzuki GSX-R600. Let me know if you have any specific questions, HTH.

[GunMoto]

Chances are all I'll buy used 98-02 since I'm rather rusty, no need to ruin a brand new bike.

Ooops, maybe i should have my eyes checked (I really do, hehe), so you've ridden before, correct?

[MrMongoose]

I'm also saving my pennys for a bike this spring....I'm well aware fo the dangers and I still need to think about it before I drop 6500 on a bike and maybe spending a few weeks in the hospital or worse....I just really need to think about it first. I really like the look of the CRB600RR even if they are not the best bike or the fastest I think its going to be fast enough for a beginner like myself. I'm use to the speed I had a 1996 Grand Sport Corvette lastyear that I sold....154 and still pulling like its doing 70 is pretty good for a car. My best buddy has a 02 Z06 Corvette w/ heads/cam/exhuast ect ect.... 467RWHP I'm use to speed....just on 4 wheels. I may save my dollars and get an 01 Z06 I know how to handle a car a bike is another story. I've handed many people thier asses on the AutoX hehehehe

[ldrhawke]

Don't buy a bike unless:

1. you learn to think and ride like everyone on the road is aiming to hit you and what is going to my defensive move when they try.

2. believe your shouldn't throw your leg over it without a helmet on.

3. and have the highest respect for the power to weight ratio

othewise you are asking to live a short life or one as a vegtable.

With that said.....they are wonderful. It is the closest thing to an airplane on the ground you will find. I've taken trips and run rallies from coast to coast, Mexico to Alaska, put over 50,000 miles on one year, and I've even rode 2047 miles in one day .

Decide on the type of riding you want to do and select the model that best fits. Buying a used bike is a good way to start. Don't be worry about buying one with a few miles on it, a lot of peopel buy bikes and think they are worn out if they have over 10,000 miles on them. Most of todays bikes can go 100,000 miles.

The little 600's are great bikes for a couple hour ride, anything longer , you will have a sore ass. Move up to a 1,000 to 1,300 cc to eat up the miles. If you are going with your honey from bar to bar...get a Harley. and only drink NA beer when you stop. Drinking and MC's don't mix....at least and live very long doing it.

[GunMoto]

I really like the look of the CRB600RR even if they are not the best bike or the fastest I think its going to be fast enough for a beginner like myself.

I think the newer (2003 and up) 600cc sportbikes from the four Japanese manufacturers are ALL on par. Each may have their own particular characteristic you can learn from any magazine comparison test, but for typical street riding, they are all great bikes. Just choose the bike that suits you best physically, because it will compliment how comfortable you feel with the bike when riding it. (e.g. would you choose to ride aggressively on a horse with, or without a saddle? My point [opinion] is: the obvious answer would be "with" a saddle because I'm guessing you would have more "control.") Also, to a lesser degree, how the bike "looks" also has a certain influence on your decision to choose a bike, right?

[MrMongoose]

Yup your right....If a Horse fits me well but has a big growth hanging off its face I'm still not going to ride it I know I don't want a GSX-R just simply because EVVVVVVERYONE has one....I'm not opposed to an R6. Or even starting out on a true beginner bike like a Suzuki SV650S