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Beginners and 600's

3109 Views 21 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  jeeps84
Taken from another forum, but it pretty much reflects my sentiments.

This may seem a bit redundant, but I have recently had a few experiences that many newbies should know about. I have recently started working at my local honda/suzuki/yamaha motorcycle dealership as a mechanic. I get to test drive many of the bikes that come in for service (to make sure they don't fall apart when the person picks them up), as well as many of the brand new bikes for the same reason. Within my first day there, we sold a brand new gsxr600 to a kid that has ridden dirt bikes for about a year. Of course the salesman had no arguement against the kid getting the 600, because it "wasn't a 1000, so it was a good bike to start on" and he was getting paid to sell it. The bike left at noon. It came back at 1:00. There was blood all over it, the whole right side plastic was gone, and the kid was a mess. there was 42 miles on the bike. We had to make him go to the hospital because he was dripping blood on the floor.

Its easy to forget that the new 600's are NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Period. they are 100 hp, and closer to a race bike than any 17 year old has any right to own. I have goten a chance to ride many of them. I currently ride a suzuki bandit 1200 (obviously not a beginner bike) and I have been riding for about 7 years now. After swallowing my pride, i had to admit that the 600 scared me a bit. My bandit is certainly much faster as a whole, way stronger throughout the rpm range, but the 600's were more than I expected. The power band hits hard around 45 mph on most of them, and to some it may come as a surprise. Back in the 80's, a 500 ninja or interceptor, or maybe even some of the 600 fzr's could be considered beginer bikes. Not anymore. Not by a longshot. Since the first kid wrecked his bike, I have seen the exact same scenario play out twice. I have been working there for 2 months, and 3 bikes have been wrecked with less than 100 miles on them.

Why should anyone care? because of insurance. I pay $1000 per year to insure my bandit because people wreck sportbikes. It gives our sport a bad name, and people think that bikes are "dangerous", when they really don't have to be (except for the cage drivers).

Maybe this whole novel I wrote is worthless. People will always be attracted to fast bikes that push thier skill level too far. But Please, if you are looking to get in the sport for the first time, consider a gs500, or maybe a ninja 500. Heck get a honda rebel or nighthawk 250, all are fantastic bikes for beginners. Even with the smaller bikes you probably won't be able to ride them to their full potential for a year or so, and it might save your life when you start out.

originally at http://forums.cycleworld.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/16860151/m/9180048521
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Oh, And this isn't really pertaining to bikes such as the SV650, FZR, a 2000 600, or others, but specifically 03ish and on ZX6r's, GSXR600's, R6's, and CBR600's.
:iagree: people that have no experience with street riding just want the bike for image. They have no clue what they are doing with all this HP between their legs. I don't care if they buy a bike with 65 HP they can still hurt their selves pretty good, but getting a bike will more HP will just increase the chances.
Just a heads up, A study not long ago released a statement that proved the Boy's mind don’t develop the skills required to make good judgment until he is 25 or older. Far to often chances are taken before the thought process could develop a result in the action about to be taken. That is why most youth are smart asses. It has nothing to do with being tough but they put themselves in a defensive situation before they realize it. This was the backbone of the study. Further test proved actions were also done before the thought of what could happen. Those of us at the age of 30 or older, take that one more moment required to make the better choice. However avid to Moderate drug users (common street drugs) have delayed their thought developing process and could continue to make those life threatening bad choices for several more years than average.
There was a lot to this study I just wanted to point out the “Just Of It” To help anyone who may beg to differ in why without some sort of riding instruction or training is necessary to any new street rider. Perhaps some graphic photos wouldn’t hurt either to put a real life image in the mind to give something to think about before just acting crazy.
I don’t think anyone should be denied the right to ride. But the right tools need to be provided to the mind of first timers. Fundamentals are key to staying on your wheels.
Going from Dirt to street should not be a deadly choice. It should be and can be a smooth.
And as we all know “enjoyable” transaction. I like to ride both, I respect each in there own way.
:2cents:
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:iagree:
But, Steve (the sales manager) at my local dealer keeps me informed when some kid uses his dads credit card to buy a bike, then crashes it shortly after.
I'm able to make offer for salvage before most get the chance. :D
Hey, I'm 25 and have a R6...Is that bad? I haven't done anything stupid or layed it down yet. I say YET cause I know it's inevitable.

And to think, the guy at the dealer was trying to push me on the R1 or 1000RR
Grafixx01 said:
Hey, I'm 25 and have a R6...Is that bad? I haven't done anything stupid or layed it down yet. I say YET cause I know it's inevitable.

And to think, the guy at the dealer was trying to push me on the R1 or 1000RR
Its all about the $$$ he would make.
jeeps84 said:
Its all about the $$$ he would make.
:iagree: they are just commisioned, some salesman just don't care about the riders safety, they just want their paycheck.
SVupON1 said:
:iagree: they are just commisioned, some salesman just don't care about the riders safety, they just want their paycheck.

That was how the salespeople were told to be when I worked at CompUSA in retail. The sales manager told them to get the highest mark-up items out the door. I didn't, guess that's why I didn't last too long when I switched departments. I would ask the customers what they were going to use the machine for and then go by that with what I would tell them to buy. Sometimes, I stole business and custom built the machines for people to save them extra cash.

One of the salesmen at my store actually got caught by the police for using the same OEM number for MS Windows, or I think that is what he got in trouble for. It could've been the fact that he wouldn't give the customer back-up/restore CDs...Not sure.
Grafixx01 said:
That was how the salespeople were told to be when I worked at CompUSA in retail. The sales manager told them to get the highest mark-up items out the door. I didn't, guess that's why I didn't last too long when I switched departments. I would ask the customers what they were going to use the machine for and then go by that with what I would tell them to buy. Sometimes, I stole business and custom built the machines for people to save them extra cash.

One of the salesmen at my store actually got caught by the police for using the same OEM number for MS Windows, or I think that is what he got in trouble for. It could've been the fact that he wouldn't give the customer back-up/restore CDs...Not sure.
I know how all this plays out, I was a sales manager for staples and best buy for years. F that business. I hate retail and will never find myself back in it.
SVupON1 said:
I know how all this plays out, I was a sales manager for staples and best buy for years. F that business. I hate retail and will never find myself back in it.

I second that! That is like the last place that I want to ever hold a job again, unless it is like high up in the chain at corporate!
Grafixx01 said:
I second that! That is like the last place that I want to ever hold a job again, unless it is like high up in the chain at corporate!
Best Buy did it for me.. I stepped down while I was there, or tried, I went to the install bay to install car audio and video which somehow I was stuck doing both. I went to work one day and said F this this is still retail. So I moved on to another company audio visual rental and stageing, then I was promoted to Director of Audio visual services since I had so much management experience. Then I left there to work for the worlds 5th largest engineering company installing integrated audio visual components. Much much better life and money than retail BS could ever bring.
My friend worked/works at Best Buy. He says things "walk" out of the car audio bays all the time, all day...

Told him to get me a 50" plasma HDTV!
Grafixx01 said:
My friend worked/works at Best Buy. He says things "walk" out of the car audio bays all the time, all day...

Told him to get me a 50" plasma HDTV!
It was very easy to do, there is very little supervision back there. I was a supervisor also when I was back there, I have caught a few guys (employees) trying to walk out with things. Granted I took little things like connectors and wires, but nothing like store merchandise.
SVupON1 said:
It was very easy to do, there is very little supervision back there. I was a supervisor also when I was back there, I have caught a few guys (employees) trying to walk out with things. Granted I took little things like connectors and wires, but nothing like store merchandise.
:dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe:
You stole...You're a stealer...I'm reporting you to the proper authorities...

I thought that I said it multiple times on TWF before... NONE of the users here BREAK THE LAW IN ANY FORM OR FASHION (ie: speeding, illegal items or acts, stealing)
Grafixx01 said:
:dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe: :tt: :dupe:
You stole...You're a stealer...I'm reporting you to the proper authorities...

I thought that I said it multiple times on TWF before... NONE of the users here BREAK THE LAW IN ANY FORM OR FASHION (ie: speeding, illegal items or acts, stealing)

Originally Posted by Grafixx01
I did 145 on the bike the other day, that was kinda fun but also a little scary when I came up to the 18wheeler. put them on before I hit the wind blast that he gave off.
:dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: You got caught red handed telling a lie. :lol: :dupe:
SVupON1 said:
:dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: :dupe: You got caught red handed telling a lie. :lol: :dupe:

Why does everyone say that all the time. Man I was just kidding around about the whole "never breaking the law deal"...
Grafixx01 said:
Why does everyone say that all the time. Man I was just kidding around about the whole "never breaking the law deal"...
:dupe: :lol: it's the fact that you always say it :lol: :dupe:
I would really like to see this study they did and who did it. Maybe it was just the info given or the way it was said but it sounds flawed and illogical. Trust me I know people over 25 that do crazy irrational things all the time and I know people under 25 who are very reserved and always analyze situations. Either way, whoever has it toss it over to me
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