Ready to buy a sport bike...

Ready to buy a sport bike...

by Megan
(Michigan)

Im a 19 year old female and I would love to start riding. I'm just not quite sure..where to start. Ive taken a basic riding class and I have my CY endorsement, but now I'm ready to find my bike. I would love some tips on what to look for and what to look out for! Thanks!

Comments for
Ready to buy a sport bike...

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Apr 03, 2009

Ready for a Sport Bike
by: Anonymous

I am an old guy of 55 who rode the Kawasaki Triples of the early 70s at twice the legal four lane speed. After being out of motorcycling for 30 years I bought a used 2001 Suzuki Savage with 7000 miles for less than $2000. It is a 650 single cylinder. 30 horsepower will get you to highway speed in no time. It has a seat 27 inches above the asphalt. It is a little buzzy, but cruises fine at 55-65. NOT a tourer or crotch rocket, but remember this: It is cheap, dependable, light at 352 lbs, and totally reliable. If you drop it (and you will) $50 at most will probably put it back in service. I intend to keep mine forever, because of back problems that keep me from riding over an hour. Don't pay $6000 for a practice bike. Learn first. If possible try friends bikes in empty parking lots. Be responsible and pay for repairs if you drop one. Pick a user-friendly bike and then move up to your "dream bike". Resale on the beginner bikes is holding up well. Check the prices on the Rebel (not very powerful) and Savage.

Jun 10, 2008

In defense of sportbikes...........
by: Anonymous

I just wanted to add a little comment about being ready for a sportbike and some of the comments that it has drawn. I have riden on the back of my husbands bike for over 15 years and one day grew tired of looking at the back of his head. So I took the safety course and spent many, many hours in empty parking lots practicing on a CBR600. It was his old hand me down bike so I didn't have much choice on what I used to practice on, but now after years of riding that bike I have tried other "less aggressive" bikes and find that I'm not comfortable on them since the steering is not as responsive. I am VERY far from the crazy testosterone boys you see riding these, but I don't think that they deserve the bad press and warnings of "staying far, far away from them" that I have seen alot on this site. I think that any motorcycle can be just as dangerous in the wrong hands. Ride what is comfortable to you. I wouldn't go out and buy a huge brand new sportbike and press it to it's limits, but I think that any sportbike 600 or below would be just fine for someone with enough self control to ride it like an adult. Also keep in mind that seat heights on these are normally taller than the cruisers so you may have to lower the seat some to be flatfooted. Good luck

Mar 04, 2008

Sportbikes and Superbikes
by: Quicklimegirl

One of the most important things to consider is your inseam length (not your height) in knowing just how high of a seat height will be safe and comfortable for you.
There are a lot of "naked" sportbikes, Supermoto styles, sport touring and Superbikes out there. Most of them are thoroughly unsuitable for a beginner...PERIOD.

When I was your age, I felt virtually indestructible no matter what I did or how badly I would scare myself on my first potent little 2-stroke 350cc, a mini-superbike of it's era (70s). Had there been 110+ hp 600s like today, no doubt I wouldn't be here.

I bought my Nephew (he's small for a guy 5'6" 140) a mint '95 Ninja 250 when he was 19. He started on this first, though. A street legal 60cc mini Cafe Racer:

[IMG]http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/Quicklimegirl/CamberRD60B.jpg[/IMG]

I kept his Ninja for 1.5 years, and even with 7 other bikes, including some vintage Cafe Racers and a modern naked Sportbike (Z1000) it was one of the most fun bikes I've ever ridden.
Now, after 19 years as an unchanged model, for 2008 Kawi finally has updated it and it's even better. I have this urge to trade the Z for a new one, that's how much I like 'em.

Don't listen to the "experts" (especially the "Stunna Boyz n Girlz" your age) with their clapped out Gixxer600s and such tell you how you'll "outgrow" it in a few months and have to upgrade. Bullshit.
80+% of riders today cannot ride their bike to ITS limits. Myself included, except for the RDs.
A smaller, lighter, much more forgiving bike can very well be the difference between a momentary bobble that you might recover from, or a vicious high side on a superbike.

My choices for good starter bikes with a sporting bent:

1) Ninja 250
2) Ninja 500
3) GS500 Suzuki
4) Ninja 650R twin
5) Suzuki SV650

There are others like the Ducati Monster 600 or the Moto Guzzi Brevia, but expen$ive. The Brevia was purposely designed for women, a VERY mildly tuned 750. Not much more HP than the GS500. The Monster might be a bit much but something to trade up to after your wear out and use up the first bike.

Do your research, sit on bikes like these, DO NOT get talked into a GSXR600/CBR600RR/Yamaha R6 or 636R Ninja. All of these are hair-trigger responsive at certain RPMs, have 110-120+ RWHP, very touchy steering and brakes, and will make it far more dangerous to learn on. Trust me on this, and don't bet your life I'm wrong.

Get your gear first, ALL of it. Don't go cheap on this. I have the scars to prove how bad a choice that can be. Thirty years ago very people even thought about gear, and their certainly wasn't women's gear anyway.

Take the course, and when you get your bike practice manuevers, panic stops and other situational movements. Learn to lean seamlessly and get your confidence up.

Have fun and good luck!

Mar 04, 2008

Do you want a sport bike?
by: Jacee

Your title says you want a "sport bike" so this advice relates to that. Most people start out with a V-twin or cruiser, but it's not necessary, as long as you don't go jump on a really hot sport bike for your first bike. A good first sport bike is the Suzuki SV650. Some would argue that it's not a sport bike, and it is a V-twin in a sport bike configuration (looks). This is a pretty safe bike to start out on as it has lots of power but is very forgiving, unlike an inline 600 or 1000. Most 600 sport bikes have "twitchy" throttles that take a while to get used to. More people hurt themselves on 600s and 1000s than on V-twins. The SV650 is just a comfortable, easy bike to ride.

That said, you should go to a dealership (or several if one doesn't carry all brands) and just sit on bikes. Find one that feels comfortable for you. Don't just sit and jump off. Sit there for a while. How does the seat feel? How well do your feet reach the ground? Are the pegs in a comfortable position for you? Are the handlebars a comfortable reach? Do you feel comfortable in a jockey position (knees bent and leaning over the gas tank)? Or would you be more comfortable in a more upright sitting position?

Have someone go with you who is strong enough to hold the bike in an upright position so that you can sit on the bike and put both feet on the pegs. Is the position comfortable for you?

The rear brake lever and the shift lever can be adjusted to your comfort level. Also, be sure and have someone who knows suspensions adjust the suspension just for your weight. That will assure a smoother ride and easier maneuvering.

Good luck and happy riding!

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