[JayMax]

Having read the thread about starting small, and other threads by the more experienced riders about NOT getting certain sportbikes, I painfully have to ask for some advice.

I've been saving for a bike for some time, had tried to finance a bike only to get turned down. This meant if I wanted a bike, I'd have to pay it fully in cash. For most bikes I didn't have the money fully yet. Until... a friend told me of someone who was selling a 98 Suzuki GSX R600, for about $3000. I couldn't pass it up, since I just happened to have that amount.

My NEW bike now sits in storage while I get the money up to buy a helmet, jacket, gloves, and do my second MSF course. I did the MSF course quite some time ago, didn't ride much after that, so decided to take it again. I'm treating all this as if I had never ridden before.

Was just wondering if any of experienced riders give me any tips before I got out to practice in parking lots later this month?

Thanx in advance.

 

[Gas Man]

WELCOME! Make sure you check in on the newbie thread and tell us more about yourself!!!

Sense you have taken the beginners MSF course and now own a bike..I would suggest taking the advanced course. You need a bike, gloves, helmet, and over ankle boots for the class, but you will get ALOT more out of it!

As far as your gear... you have many sources on the net, but I would definately check with TWF's SpeedWerks

:twfrox:

 

[bulldog]

also try this cheap site

 

[zx636r]

welcome to the forum. and i must say, thank god for a newbie that has some commone sense. good job on not riding it untill you have what u need. there will be plenty of ppl on this forum that would be glad to help you. just ask questions and we will answer, even if they are dumb questions, just ask.

 

[2FURYUS]

Congrats.....your starting off with a most excellent bike. :dthumb:

And welcome to TWF.... :twfrox:

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

Welcome to TWF. Congrats on getting a bike. :dthumb:

 

[zx636r]

dont let them confuse you, green kawasakis are the fastes bikes. the green gets you and extra 10hp, lol

 

[LiLxBoi]

Since you're taking the MSF again, try to get the instructor to let you use one of the bigger sportbikes so you can get a greater feel of the size of the bike. Not sure if where you are at they have different bike.

You said you have some experience so just take it slow the first few weeks and you should be fine. The main thing I would worry about is throttle control and keeping the bike balanced when you come to stops whether they be hard stops or stops in a decline or incline.

Read up on how you should make turns and how to lean and countersteer.

I started on 97 CBR600F3 and my problem wasn't really throttle control because it didn't seem like the power delivery was so much that I would lose control, but rather keeping the bike balanced when coming to stops and making 90 degree turns. Im 5'6" and 140 so I can't really flat foot the bike so it took a week or two of riding to get use to stopping hard & coming out of driveways.

 

[JayMax]

Thanx everyone.

I went and ordered my jacket, one of the new ICON team merc jackets. I saw it and dug the look. It was only $10 more than the other ICON jackets I tried on, so I thought what the hell. In two weeks I'll be getting my helmet & gloves. I already know what helmet I want, was just a few bucks short, but could afford the jacket, so went with it. Went with a friend, who's been riding a bit.

My friend went with me to check out the bike, brought his gear. He took it for a quick spin in the storage area lot, then he loaned me his and I rode up and down getting a little more of a feel for the bike.

Everything LiLxBoi mentioned was dead on. One thing that caught my attention definitely was my lack of confidence. Been driving a stick for quite awhile and when I get in the car, I have no second thoughts. Being on the bike brought back all that early nervousness I had when learning how to drive a stick. It's not something I'm very used to. That's going to be tough to get over I think. Come late April I'll find out.

Also need to change the oil I believe, don't think the previous owner did it in awhile. Not sure if I should go to a dealer, or try it myself.


Thanks for the greetings. :twfrox:

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

jaymax.. id say if your budget is tight just spend the money on the gear and do the oil change yourself, but when u get soem extra $$ take it to the dealerr if it needs servicing.. they cna check it over real well, adjust valves(if it needs em) and make sure the chasis is all lubed up.

But great starter bike... great bike period. and as far as shifting goes.. dont worry about that... on a bike it becomes seocnd nature even more htne a car, u shift way to often to evne think aobut it unless you are pushing the traction limit in a corner... which shouldnt really be a problem on the 600 anywyas.

Take care and do it right.. but id say the advanced MSF class might be money better spent then the basic. Icon geari s nice too. get that basic gear, get osme miles and get the license.. and enjoy

Also welcome ot the forum and we'll all see ya around the board.

 

[LiLxBoi]

Search around for the manual or even try to find the pdf file online. You'll save plenty doing the oil change yourself and its basically just like a car except you need to take off the fairings.

I've owned the F3 for a few months now and I changed the oil and the brake fluid myself. Dealers would probably charge around $30-40 for each service.