First bike HELP?????

Question

Would you guys suggest getting a gsxr 750 for someones first bike, I realize that it is a bit big for a first rider but most of the miles put on it in the first month or so will be in a parking lot or neighborhood. Im more worried about the weight of the bike than the power, is that good or bad. Oh yea im 6' tall and about 220 On a side note, this might be a dump question because the answer seems obvious but im not sure, what are steering dampers, and where/what exaclty do they do???

Please dont give me any harley crap its obvious im intrrested in a sportbik

also be realistic, dont tell me what I want to hear, tell me what will keep me from droping my bike

Answer 1

As long as you respect the machine you can learn on anything. It's only when you get crazy and try testing it's limits that you'll get into trouble. You didn't mention what year it was, but if it's your first bike you should not get a brand new one. If you want to get a brand new one cause you can finance it, hahhaahaha you're betting it all on black so to speak, especially as a new rider. get something a little older that you can pay cash for, and afford to buy parts for.

Steering dampers help prevent the forks from getting 'headshake', that is, when the forks and front wheel wobble side to side quickly. usually a result of putting the front wheel down crooked or hitting something at high speed. having a worn or 'cupped' front tire can also cause headshake. When headshake gets to it's most extreme form, going back and forth from lock to lock, that's called a tankslapper, because your thighs will be slapping the tank. BTW, the factory suzuki steering dampers aren't worth a dam really, some people drain them and put in heavier weight fork oil to stiffen them up, but it's better to take it off and get an ohlins/scotts or a GPR radial damper in my opinion.

Answer 2

No. That is not a reasonable first bike at all. It's got enough power for a car, brakes that can send you over the handlebars in a panic stop, and response times quick enough that it'll immediately do anything you accidentally tell it to do. This bike will almost certainly be faster than any car you have ever driven.

You are going to have a much easier time learning on a more forgiving and predictable bike. Something like a Ninja 250 or a GS500. And if you get one of those little bikes, keep it for a year or two, and learn to really push the little beasty to its limits, you will be a much faster rider once you get your GSXR than had you started by trying to learn on the Gixxer.

The weight will be the least of your worries. At your size, you should be able to handle a bike that's a hundred pounds heavier with no trouble. (BTW, you do not need 750 cc's to keep up with freeway traffic even though you are a bit heavier than average. I weigh about the same as you and have no trouble taking my 500 on the freeway.)

To answer your last question: A steering damper is like a shock absorber, only it has one end connected to the frame and the other to the steering head. It cuts down on vibrations from the handlebars and helps stabilize the bike a bit.

Answer 3

Yeah, guy above me is right.

problem is... cool bikes starts from 600cc. I am taking about inline 4 engines. All the 250 and 500 seem cheap and got only 2cylinders, but trust me, you have to step up correctly... Nowadays, 600cc inline 4 makes well above 150mph...

I understand that we all want cool bikes, but 750 is a heck of bike.

If you must get an inline 4, then try 600cc. It will definately satisfie you no problem.

If you get 750, then learn "how to read the traffic" than how to ride it.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I will suggest to you the same thing I suggest to everyone regardless of what type of bike they want to end up with. Buy a cheap used bike that doesn't have much power first. Ride it for a year then get the bike you really want. Most fatalities happen with people who have been riding less than a year. I give the same suggestion to those what want sport bikes, harleys, tour bikes etc.

Answer 5

THIS BIKE IS WAY TOO FAST FOR A BEGINNER!!! Sport bikes are for experienced riders period. If it is size you want to buy now, a regular curiser in a 650 or 750 would be good for your size.
But remember one thing there are two types of riders out here!!! Those who have gone down and those who have not gone done yet!!! And this is one bike that will put any beginner down...

Answer 6

dude that bike is suited for you, do not worry about the weight or dumping it, My first bike was a kawasaki kz 750, the bike weighed about 700 pounds because of a cast iron engine, I only weight 140 and am 5 8 so don't worry, just be calm and take it easy

Answer 7

Yeah, I'm with you when it comes to old fart Harleys. I remember when only bad-asses road them. Now everybody's grandpa has one.

As far as your new bike. This isn't about practicality or safety, it's about buying something that you think is very cool and you will be proud to ride. If this is that bike, go for it.

And then know that you can get in trouble very fast with these rockets. Know your skill level and respect your own life and good health.

Steering dampers deal with high speed wobble in your front forks.

Answer 8

dont worry bout the weight. just keep up the speed. the weight problem only happen if u lean too low at low speed. steering damper used to absorb accesive vibration so u can hav smooth ride at high speed.

Answer 9

it is a good bike to learn on if you have alot of money, cause its a nice bike to mess up on while learning, and if you are paying for your own insurance it cost alot with someone who is just learning how to ride. soo yes and no

Answer 10

Sorry, I prefer Harleys.....rice rockets are hard to balance as you lay over them when you drive....lousy center of gravity from my POV.

Try an 883, or anything by Yamaha that you can sit up straight when you ride...not lean over the gas tank to drive.......