Im geting a motorcycle soon. Is it hard to drive one? Purchasing one of those GSXR's?

Question

What should a newbie cyclist do?

Answer 1

Please name me as beneficiary of your life insurance policy before proceeding to buy this bike.

Motorcycles are ridden, never driven.

Do your family a favor and learn to ride and handle a dirt bike before EVER getting on the road and dealing with traffic. I promise you that auto drivers are not concerned about whether or not you are a novice rider or and old pro. They will pull out in front of you (not always intentionally) and leave you in a position to defend yourself. You should take a certified motorcycle safety course before getting a license, always wear protective gear.

Always ride defensively.

Never arrive before your gaurdian angel does.

Answer 2

DO NOT GET A GXS-R OR ANY OTHER 600cc (OR LARGER) MOTORCYCLE FOR A FIRST BIKE!!!

They are not toys, and the girlies can't hang off you if you're dead.

Motorcycles handle COMPLETELY different than cars do, so even knowing how to drive doesn't do you much good. The throttle is touchy, the clutch is on your left hand instead of your left foot, the shifter os operated by your left foot instead of your right hand, and your right hand runs the throttle and FRONT brake, because the rear brake is completely separate and operated by your right foot.

Now combine the learning curve to operate ALL of those controls at once with keeping the motorcycle balanced at speeds you didn't know you could reach and idiots that can't see you. It's not a matter of being "extra careful," it's simple biology that your brain cannot process that much conscious information at once.

Over half of new riders crash within their first year, and many of them don't live through it. If you panic and do something you're not supposed to, physics is completely unforgiving on a bike, whereas in a car you'll just crumple a fender and probably stay upright.

Look up the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and take a beginner rider's course FIRST. It'll run you about $200, but every manufacturer supports them and most will give you a discount on a new bike or gear that will make up for the MSF cost.

For a newbie bike, remember that you're looking for your first bike, not your last. You WILL drop it, scratch it, etc. so get something that's easy to ride and lets you learn all the controls before you go too fast. Popular bikes are the Suzuki GS500F and the SV650. I started out on an SV650S, and the very first twist of the throttle taught me INSTANT respect for what even a small bike can do.

It should go without saying that you need FULL GEAR. This means that a T-shirt and shorts with a helmet is worthless. You'll also need to budget for a helmet ($200), jacket ($150), gloves ($50), and decent boots. If you've got the cash, get a good pair of boots ($150-200) and some pants or overpants ($120). Unless you crash and destroy them, it's a one-time investment that will save your bacon- TRUST ME ON THIS!

If you listen to "LaterMe" you'll end up like the people in the link below, but if you listen to yazukka and myself, you have a good chance of surviving your first few years and really enjoying it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It is definitely something that takes practice. I had to ride mine around some back roads for weeks before I felt ready to venture into traffic. But if you can ride a bicycle and drive a manual transmission, you almost certainly have what it takes to learn.

I would advise you to start by signing up for riding lessons, if you haven't already. These typically take place over a weekend and will have an instructor walk you through the basics, starting with the clutch and throttle and by the end of the course having moved up to emergency skills like riding over 2 x 4's. At the end of the course, in most states, you can get a licenses just by passing the final tests. You can get these lessons through the MSF, some Harley dealers, or possibly some other programs depending on where you live. Check with the office where you get your driver's license.

Besides riding lessons, I'd suggest getting full riding gear - not just a full face helmet, but boots, gloves, and a riding jacket and pants. These can do a lot to get those "Oh snap, what if I fall off? There's just these jeans between me and the pavement!" sort of jitters out of your head - not to mention reassure your wife, girlfriend, or others concerned about your safety that you are a safe rider.

As for your second question: You will be making things considerably harder on yourself if you get a GSXR as your first bike instead of something more forgiving, even if you get a 600 cc model. Supersport bikes tend to respond immediately to any input you give them, even if it's the wrong thing or you gave them that input by accident because you hit a bump. It's easy to grab too much brake and skid, or accidentally pop a wheelie.

If you like Suzukis and you like sportbikes, may I suggest dropping a few of those letters and getting a GS500F? This one will have similar styling to the GSXR's, more than enough power for highway riding, and much more forgiving and predictable riding characteristics. And if you get the itch for more power in a year or so, you'll be able to sell it for close to what you bought it for. Other great first sportbikes are Kawasaki's Ninja 250 and 500.

Answer 4

Please start out in a 600cc class. I own a 06 GSXR 1000, and have rode 1000cc class for 10 years. If you want to learn right and survive, do not buy anything bigger than a 600cc. For a first bike a GSXR 600 is awesome. Here are things you NEED! Best quality helmet you can afford(I have a GSXR Shoei helmet)and a leather riding jacket, pants, boots, and gloves. The main thing is to get a good helmet, but you want the other clothing so when you get your bikes feel and become more confident, you can start riding hard and low and its always nice to be well protected if you wipe. Also get some frame sliders for the bike to save it from major damage if you wipe. You dont need a custom exhaust or paint job yet, so spend your money on above items that you need and not want, unless you have money coming out your as*, budget your $. I could go on forever so if you need more info you can email me. The main things are having 360 vision, know what and where everything is around you, and use both rear and front brake together, be careful with using just front brake right away. Plan for someone to smash into you and have an idea of how to avoid accidents, most of the time steering rather than braking is needed in order to avoid accident and not get killed. Drive bike at low RPMs first 500 miles, NO!, beat the hell out of it as soon as you feel comfortable to do so, these engines need to be broken in ASAP, the bike if new will have 1 year warranty so dont worry about blowing a engine. But dont be idle and rev it too high or too long, this is just stupid. And dont look like an idiot shifting gears, know your gears and how much tension it takes to up or downshift correctly. And when riding for speed make sure you redline every gear, do not be afraid to get into redline with your RPMs. I once raced a guy on my first bike and could not figure out why he was so far behind me in a mile race. He was up shifting at 5-6,000 RPMs, long before the redline on any bike that deserves to be riden, this will do nothing but slow you down. Much more to say because I take this so seriously but if you want more let me know.

Answer 5

Wow, another first-time biker who wants to hop on one of the quickest and most technologically-advanced machines on the road today right off the bat.
I am guessing that since you don't know how to ride a motorcycle, you have no experience. DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT buy a Suzuki GSX-R, a Honda CBR, a Yamaha R1/R6, or a Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R/R, 10R, 14, or a Hayabusa. Please. This is for your safety.
Even the smallest GSX-R (or Gixxer as they are sometimes refeered to) is scarey fast. The GSX-R600 can do 0-60mph in UNDER 3.2 seconds, the 1/4 mile in around 12 seconds, and tops out at over 170-mph. While this all sounds impressive, you wil be scared sh!tless. Riding a bike in a complete 180 than driving a car. Everything handles and reacts different. You will wreck in you get on a Gixxer as your first bike. Trust me. I see it everyday.
I have to compare it to the first time you drove a car. Rememeber how fast it felt the first time? Then after a few weeks (or longer) it got slower? And then after even longer it got just "normal". Now, imagine if your first car was a NHRA funny car with over 4000-bhp. You wouldn't be able to keep the front wheels on the ground (like on the GSX-R too) and you wouldn't know what to do because everything moves so fast. Same on a bike. And all the controls are different than on a car.
But there is hope. Enroll in the MSF novice course. Learn how to ride. Then get a used Kawasaki Ninja EX250 or 500 depending on your size. Learn for a while, then upgrade something better. You have to take this progressively. Do not just go buy a superbike that puts over 106-bhp to the rear tire stock and go out on it having never ridden a motorcycle before. Please.

Answer 6

I started off by taking a motorcycle safety class. I had never been on a bike before & they taught us how to get on, turn it on, everything!! We learned to ride with little 250 honda cruisers. After i got my license I bought a 2005 GSXR600. I purchased it brand new. I love it!! I would recommend it as a first bike. Just be careful & be safe. It is a fast bike! Faster than I thought it would be. Also be sure you invest in some frame sliders in case the bike goes down! They save the plastics, totally worth the money! You don't need anything faster that a 600 for your first bike though. Even my husband & all his friends started on 600's and worked their ways up to Hayabusas and 1100's. MOST IMPORTANT, watch for cars around when you ride...doesn't matter how careful you are, cars don't pay near enough attention to bikes on the road.

Answer 7

Find your local branch of MSF; the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Any GOOD bike shop will be able to help you. They give a safety course that takes people from non-riders to licensed motorcyclists in a 3 day course spread over 3 weekends. It costs about 150 bucks, and you have your license at the completion of the course. That'll give you all you need to know, as well as a 10% discount off your insurance.

Answer 8

If this is your first bike, buy a gun & shoot yourself in the head. It's quicker, cheaper, & won't hurt as much. You shouldn't even buy a picture of one of these bikes till you get some riding experience under your belt. Check with your local DMV & get the # & contact info for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation program in your area. Take the course. You'll have a good time & learn the basics of safe motorcycling.

Answer 9

Riding Leather -- Leather Chaps, Motorcycle Jackets, Leather Vest, Motorcycle Bags... Great for Road Rash or Style!

Answer 10

I completely agree with "yazukka". Being relatively new to road bikes, I started off with a used small Suzuki to get the confidence and skills (once you leave the MSF class, you still have to practice what you've learned).

Take the class first. I cannot emphasize that enough. I used to ride dirt bikes and 500lb street bikes handle way different to 150lb dirt bikes.