[pintsizemoto]

first - how does one know how much bike is just right
does it depend on what my "measurements" are?
(i'm 6'2" about 230)

i am looking at 750s - 1000s and think that a 600 would be too small - both size and power wise.

for all intensive purposes, this will be my first bike, (technically it will be my second - i drove the first into a ditch about 12 years ago and sold it due to parental pressure several years later)
so now with gas prices hitting my "breaking point" it's time to try one more time, and mom seems to be "better" with it, but still not thrilled about me on a bike!
so, i have always wanted a GSXr750 since my first ride about 15 years ago but have been told by a friend of mine to buy a "Gixxer 1" the main problem for me is PRICE - i don't really have the money for one, but don't really have the money to fill up a gas tank for ~ $66 once a week! so.......

i am looking at GasMan's ZX9 but for "me" it's a bit pricey, as i still need to pay ~$650 to have it shipped on top of his price whether it's on ebay or through the forum - although i truly believe that any bike i will find here in AZ won't hold a candle to his in terms of condition and the way it was taken care of, not to mention his upgrades!

so - with my "measurements" would a 600 suffice?
i truly believe there will be NO upgrading for me, this will be it - that is why i wish for 750cc+

please bash away, respond, i don't care, just lay it on me!

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

First off...let me be the first to tell you that you are not ready for a Gixxer 1000 nor Gas Mans bike. If your first bike was riden into the ditch and you haven't riden in 15yrs....STAY AWAY FROM THE BIG BOY BIKES!!!!. Now on your size...a gixxer 750 will do you fine as well as 600's. I know guys biggr then youy on them. But I really think a CBR600 F4i or older F3 will do you fine to get back in the game and all.

I understand that you are not going to want to trade or upgrade bigger later....but you have to think safety first. And with the ditch story and not riding in 15yrs...you need to take it slow. I am not trying to be a prick...I have been riding for 14yrs and I still have things to learn.

Just take it slow and get to know your bike that you finally get. Still..I think a CBR F4i or older F3 will do you fine. Even a SV650. :dthumb:

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[pintsizemoto]

ok, so how many miles is good for a used bike? i see bikes with anywhere from 10K to 50K miles - and 23K seems like the max i would want to go.

also what is an R1 or an R6

are the honda VFR bikes any good?

 

[ne1469]

first :welcome: and :iagree: with GSXR..plust dont forget to get good quality riding gear...since you havent ridden in a longwhile you may also wanna consider taking the MSF course if you havent already

an R1 and R6 are very high performance/ powerful sport bikes...pretyy much they are replica race bikes. Many would agree that they are not for the newbies.

 

[drewpy]

:yesnod:

ok, so how many miles is good for a used bike? i see bikes with anywhere from 10K to 50K miles - and 23K seems like the max i would want to go.

also what is an R1 or an R6

are the honda VFR bikes any good?

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

R1 is a 1000cc bike and R6 is 600cc. Both bikes can scream. Ask Mudpuppy...he owns an R6 and loves it.

The milage on the bike is going to depend on how well it was maintained as well. You could find a bike with 20K on it and be in better shape then a bike with 7K on it. Alot of it depends on how well it was taken care of by its owner or owners.

Take a good look at the bike for scratchs, dents and dings. Also any kind of road rash as well. This well help you know if it has been laid down or noy. If the plastics look good, look at the framing as well. Alot of times if a bike has been down, a rider will replace the plastics only and forget to do something about the frame, levers, and mirrors on the bike.

And Need4Spped will tell you in a heartbeat the the Honda VFR's are probley the greatest bike that has ever been built. :lol: But honestly...Yes they are a great bike to ride. They come with the sporty look and handle great. Now they do not have all the same power as say a R1 or any other liter bike...but they will handle there own.

Good luck and I hope this helps you out. :cheers:

 

[f4ilapper]

Have you used the search for First Bike Recommendations? There is a ton of stuff on that all over hear and everywhere else. Here is a little less bashy and factful IMHO.

Don't sell the 600s short. True you will have to ring their neck a little more than a 1 liter anything. The good side to that is you might come close to using a 600 to its capabilities.

My riding preference is trackdays for testing limits of rider mostly and machine partially. The F4i hangs at the track with all the others (RRs, GSXR's, ZXR's, etc) on the twisties and not to far behind on the straights unless they are really long (150+ mph). I've been working pretty hard at getting to the limits of the F4i for about three years. Everytime I think I'm getting close it shows me something new it was hiding on me. The bike has been very forgiving while I'm building skills.

I recently picked up a CBR 1000RR and it is awsome by all means, but when its on the track I can't even use a small percent of it's capabilities yet. There is plenty to learn yet on the F4i.

The peeps I ride with on the track are of various horizontal, vertical, and gravitational varieties and a majority are riding 600 somethings and smokin' the liter bikes all day long. Many of the riders riding 125s and 250s provide humbling experiences at will, quite a few are women. The motards are equally puzzling.

Bottom line don't get stuck on the 750 or 1000 thing. After running the 600 ragged you will be in a much better postion to really use and control the bigger bike.

And face it the "I'm satisfied with what I got" and "This is the only bike I need" doesn't work. We're guys damnit :cursin: . That's how we started riding these damn things anyways. :tt:

I'm obviously partial to the F4i but any F series, SV650, FZ6R, etc. will get you going and provide plenty of room to grow. You don't need to jump over a 100 hp right off the bat, unless you have had kevlar epidural implants or really good health insurance. :luck:

Rob

 

[pintsizemoto]

one more question - i see some of the new GSXR bikes are fuel injected - what years did that start? i think fuel injected would be much easier than working on carbs!
what other bikes are fuel injected? and what years?
and what is the suzuki TL1000R - how similar to GSXR?

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

The TL has a ton of torque and easily comes up. Its a wheelir monster. No need to go near them yet.

 

[f4ilapper]

what other bikes are fuel injected? and what years?

In general the FI came in between 2000 and 2002 on most models. You will have to look model specific for the year on each one. Some are still with carbs.

Rob

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

what other bikes are fuel injected? and what years?

2000 for the Gixxer.

 

[pintsizemoto]

The TL has a ton of torque and easily comes up. Its a wheelir monster. No need to go near them yet.

that's interesting - they seem to be cheaper than the GSXR at least here locally.

i JUST read this http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/best2/tlr.html
and not sure what year they are referring to but they say the one they tested "It's not the wheelie monster last year's TL1000S was, but you can lift the front wheel off the ground. For the most part, the front end prefers to stay planted on the pavement."

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

that's interesting - they seem to be cheaper than the GSXR at least here locally. i JUST read this http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/best2/tlr.html
and not sure what year they are referring to but they say the one they tested "It's not the wheelie monster last year's TL1000S was, but you can lift the front wheel off the ground. For the most part, the front end prefers to stay planted on the pavement."

2002 year to 2003. Yes it doesn't come up as quick...but it still comes up. And they are cheaper then the GSXR in most places. More due to popularity of the Gixxer.

 

[Gas Man]

All I know is that somebody needs to buy my bike!

 

[pintsizemoto]

All I know is that somebody needs to buy my bike!

i'd love to, but my budget is holding me back, i'm looking to stay under $5K (OTD) and your's as it sits on ebay puts me at $6K (including shipping)
now, if you'd like to lower your price to accomodate me then we can talk :leaving:

 

[Gas Man]

Ya unfortuantely I can't... that would put the major screws to me... even at $5500 I think it's a GREAT deal. I'll be sorry to see her go...

 

[No Worries]

...are the honda VFR bikes any good?

The Honda VFR 750 was Cycle World's best 750 Streetbike for like 10 years in a row. And usually the owners are very fickle about maintenance. The engine is like an electric motor, instead of the "peaky" rush of the new race replica's, which aren't fun to ride in traffic. One of the best "do everything" type of bike you can get.

 

[VA_ZX-6R]

I bought my first street bike in May of this year after taking the MSF course. I was torn between the Katana 600 and the ZX6R. I eventually went with the ZX6R. The 100 lbs weight difference and fuel injection won me over. I love the bike and for me I think it was the right decision (not to mention I am partial to Kawasaki). I have several years of dirt experience so I know falling down hurts so I give the bike the respect it deserves. If you have any smarts and understand throttle control, it is not bad first bike IMO. Whatever you choose, the MSF course is a must. Then ride smart.

 

[bumblebee]

first - how does one know how much bike is just right
does it depend on what my "measurements" are?
(i'm 6'2" about 230)

i am looking at 750s - 1000s and think that a 600 would be too small - both size and power wise.

so - with my "measurements" would a 600 suffice?
i truly believe there will be NO upgrading for me, this will be it - that is why i wish for 750cc+

please bash away, respond, i don't care, just lay it on me!

I am 6'5" and weigh 250+ and my F4i will haul my fat A$$ at 140+

I bought it with the intention of upgrading to a liter bike this year, but I am gonna keep it at least one more year.

F4ilapper is right, the bike is forgiving while you are learning, especially cornering. And I will tell you it has enough power and speed to scare the skid marks in your underpants. Don't let the 600 cc's fool you.

 

[Gas Man]

Bee you should buy my liter bike! :dthumb: