[DBK]

What's up TWF?

I'm getting ready to sell my stroker motor Z06 to buy a house, and in anticipation of having some kind of toy to keep the adrenaline going, am looking at bikes. My old man has a few, and looking at the 999s in his garage gets me drooling. I went with him shopping for an MV Augusta F4 1000s the other day, and that just sent me over the edge. I've ridden in spurts before on small cruisers up to 750cc's, but I've never really ridden a sportbike. I've taken an old 750 ninja around the block, but that's about it.

Not wanting to die before I can afford another fast 4 wheeled vehicle, I'd like to find a cheap ass starter bike to take some MSF classes, get a feel for cornering, figure out the physics etc, before I buy a bike I can keep long term. I think I'm responsible enough to not act like an asshole and crash a 600, but I figure you're gonna dump it sooner or later going to slow on a corner or some other dopey situation, so you might as well make that happen on the cheap stuff.

So my question is, where can I find a good bike that'll most closely mimic the 600 I'll likely be stepping up to without paying a ton? Recommendations on models? One reason I don't want to spend too much is I find very few bikes below 600cc's to be aesthetically pleasing.

Thanks at:

 

[jeeps84]

:welcome: :twfrox:
E-Bay and local or internet classifieds.

 

[R1up0n1]

:welcome: :twfrox: A 600 is a good bike to start with, check local listings, and cycle trader.

 

[snakemann]

craigslist.org

 

[Darksyde]

like they said, look through you're local classifieds for a used bike. if you don't care what it looks like you can usually find one that's been laid down or something for a pretty good price.

Late

Darksyde

 

[jeeps84]

Damn stunters have driven the price skyrocket on even a badly damaged bike. :rant:
Oh Well, that's supply and demand. :crazy:

 

[AirForceTeacher]

Where would you get a cheap starter bike?

Well, if you lived anywhere near me, I'd say at my house! My Seca II is going to be up for sale very soon, as soon as I change the jets. (I just moved from Colorado Springs and the bike is still jetted for high altitude.)

But that's probably not exactly what you were asking ...

I found my starter bike in the Thrifty Nickel (sometimes called American Classifieds). I spent about a month looking before a decent starter sportbike showed up. There are very few starter sportbikes sold in America. Ninja 250/500, Suzuki GS500/500F and the Yamaha Seca II (which is no longer for sale.) The Ninja 500, GS500 and Seca II are all roughly equivalent in performance, with the Ninja I think having the edge.

Talk to motorcyclists near where you live. There may be a city close to you that has better selection, if you're willing to travel. For example, in Colorado Springs, everyone says to go to Denver to get a good deal on bikes and cars. Here in Shreveport, they say the same thing about Texas, Dallas specifically.

Good luck, and take the MSF!

 

[No Worries]

Check dealers. They get bikes on trade-in. Also check the bulletin boards at motorcycle parts stores.

 

[JK_DILLA]

Shops, classifieds, word of mouth and patience. Good luck and tell us what you get. Where are you located? may help if any one of us are familiar withe the area.

 

[DBK]

Damn stunters have driven the price skyrocket on even a badly damaged bike. :rant:
Oh Well, that's supply and demand. :crazy:

That's kind of what I've noticed. The conundrum is that a new 600 is like 7-8k, but a used one from the last decade hovers around 4-5. If I'm gonna buy a hunker to learn on, I'd really like it to be pretty cheap.

Thanks for the advice guys. Anything that you look for on a used bike that say "don't buy me!" other than the obvious?

:cheers:

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

i wouldnt go a 500 for a starter.. i did and couldnt recomend it... not for a lack of power at all.. but for a lack of suspension.
If u have any interest in cornering then the 500's dont have the suspension....
I'd say find a 1994-1998 600. Brand not to important. Find one with less miles and good shape, maybe just stock for now... Upgrade later and look where everyone told u too..classifieds, online etc...

 

[DBK]

i wouldnt go a 500 for a starter.. i did and couldnt recomend it... not for a lack of power at all.. but for a lack of suspension.
If u have any interest in cornering then the 500's dont have the suspension....
I'd say find a 1994-1998 600. Brand not to important. Find one with less miles and good shape, maybe just stock for now... Upgrade later and look where everyone told u too..classifieds, online etc...

Good advice. That was one of my fears, that a smaller bike wouldn't have the same character(outside of the engine) that a bike I'll eventually be riding will. :cheers:

 

[Gas Man]

That is true...while the 500's may have the less power that is great for learning, they don't have the suspension adjustment and the growing room that the 600's have. I would suggest a 600cc bike...

Look out for painted (non-factory colors) fairing and alot of new parts. It may indicate a recent crash.

Look at the tires on the bike. If they have chicken strips then it means that it hasn't been rode hard... unless the front wheel is cupped and it may mean the owner stunted a lot.

If it has low milage and you aren't sure it's accurate... check the foot pegs (if rubber coated) for excessive wear for a low milage bike. You can also check the wear on the clip on grips.

Look at the side cases of the motor... the most common damaged part from a parking lot drop.

Ask for a maintance log. Check the oil and it's color.

 

[Samurai_Jack]

I think the Suzuki SV650S would be the best choice for you. Sporty looking and more aggressive handling compared to street bikes and enough power to last you for a long long time. You can even get aftermarket parts to make it a full faired bike if you are going after the sport look but personally I think it looks great in stock form. You may want to search for local motorcycle forums in your area and see if they have a classified section. The forum I frequent have a minimum of 10 bikes posted up for sale each day.

 

[Gas Man]

:withstupi Couldn't go wrong with that choice!

 

[R1up0n1]

I think the Suzuki SV650S would be the best choice for you. Sporty looking and more aggressive handling compared to street bikes and enough power to last you for a long long time. You can even get aftermarket parts to make it a full faired bike if you are going after the sport look but personally I think it looks great in stock form. You may want to search for local motorcycle forums in your area and see if they have a classified section. The forum I frequent have a minimum of 10 bikes posted up for sale each day.

:iagree: The SV is an excellent bike to go with.
Here's some pics of my brothers 2000 Canadian imported SV650S, my 2000 SV650, and my dads 95 Intruder.

 

[DBK]

:iagree: The SV is an excellent bike to go with.
Here's some pics of my brothers 2000 Canadian imported SV650S, my 2000 SV650, and my dads 95 Intruder.

After samurai suggested it, I was looking at it and it looks like a good choice. Looks a bit big though. It's not that I'm particularly short (5'10), but I'm all torso :lol: I was sitting on my old man's 999 trying to get a feel, and if I really stretch I can just barely get both soles flat. That bike is nice and small everywhere else though so I'd like something around that general size. The new gixxer 1000's size was really nice to when I saw it at the store. Think the SV would be comfortable for a guy that's 5'10 150? Any other competitors stack up from the last few years?

:cheers:

 

[R1up0n1]

After samurai suggested it, I was looking at it and it looks like a good choice. Looks a bit big though. It's not that I'm particularly short (5'10), but I'm all torso :lol: I was sitting on my old man's 999 trying to get a feel, and if I really stretch I can just barely get both soles flat. That bike is nice and small everywhere else though so I'd like something around that general size. The new gixxer 1000's size was really nice to when I saw it at the store. Think the SV would be comfortable for a guy that's 5'10 150? Any other competitors stack up from the last few years?

:cheers:

I had to lower my SV a little, I;m only 5'5" and weight about 120. I think the SV or the SVS would be an excellent choice. :dthumb:

 

[Gas Man]

Most guys under 6ft...will stand on the bike with only the balls of their feet touching...so I'm trying to tell you...you don't have stand flat footed to be able to ride the bike!

 

[ScottSellersUNR]

SV would be a great choice too.

I'd just say either way dont go brand new.. youll be tossing your money when u drop it. Go at least a couple years old.. if u go a 4 cylinder 600 id say 2001 or back just cuz the new ones are damn near as fast as new 1000's... u will see many 600s own guys on thousands on both the track and drag strip.

Plus u can find a 98 600 or early Sv650 for cheap. And at 5'10" u should be fine on the SV or late 90's 600....since the older 600s are short with less rake then the new ones. With a used bike it will sit a lil lower too... a brand new bikes suspension itill stiff.. it softens a lil over time.. my Z sits about an inch or so lower since i got it brand new....I used to barely touch flat footed at the highest point on the Z when it was new, now i can almost stand clear of the seat in the same spot.