Should I buy a Honda Cbr 600rr?

Question

I have a friend who is selling his 2005 Honda Cbr 600rr. It's only got 5,000 miles on it and has never been dropped. He bought it to use as a stunt bike but decided not to use it. He has gotten rid of the fairings and installed a crash cage.

Now the dilemma...I've never ridden a bike before and I know this one is a beast (roommate owns a F4i and I've read other yahoo answers), but the price is ridiculously good (under $3,000) and I think that the crash cage could come in handy (for when I do drop the bike, b/c I know it will happen).

I'm a 24 y/o male with no previous wrecks so insurance isn't too bad. I've looked into other starter bikes like the gs500 and a ninja 500, but they are priced more than this and usually have more miles.

So in your opinion, should I get the CBR or not?

Answer 1

24 y/o male with no wrecks because you've never ridden.
The CBRs are race bikes made street legal. They are VERY fast, and very sensitive (TOO sensitive) to steering input. Unless you are buying it to race, and have the experience to do so, stick with a bike that's a bit more forgiving.
This would be a terrible first bike for anyone. Find a nice Honda nighthawk, yamaha maxim, or similar bike. They'll be much easier to learn on, safer, and more comfortable.

Answer 2

Used Honda Cbr 600rr

Answer 3

TAKE AN MSF COURSE FIRST!!!!!!!!

This bike is not for a noob, and your primary concern should NOT be whether the bike would survive your inevitable crash, but how messed up YOU will be (or if you'll even survive).

You are under 25, so insurance WILL be horrible, wrecks or not. Also ask yourself what's wrong with the bike. Why is a 2-year old bike that has "never" been dropped or abused in ANY way going to be "let go" for 1/3 its original asking price?

If you are smart enough, you will have many bikes in your motorcycling lifetime. You want to get your first bike, not your last, and this bike is too much for a newbie to handle. Even if it IS a good deal, walk away from it and get something more suited to your skill level.

Answer 4

a brand new Kawasaki EX250, with a year of full coverage insurance, full gear, and a motorcycle saftey course will cost you around $5,000

if it is your first bike buy used, (Kudos there) but at the same time, the motorcycle Saftey foundation does not consider anything above 400cc to be a "beginner's" bike. have you seriously gotten a full coverage quote on a year's insurance at full coverage for the bike, have you figured in the cost of your gear? those initial purchases (the ones you will be glad you made later) can take your "entry costs" through your buget, and could really hurt you in the long run.

It took me four years before I even thought about getting a bike after I scoped one out that I liked. the initial entry into the hobby was startleing. and I was not about to break my back and get a loan. I paid cash for my bike/gear/MS course, and a year of Full coverage insurance. I did not play around.

I am now the proud owner of a Kawasaki EX250. if you do decide to get the 600, meet me in the twisties, I can guarantee you that I will (and I do mean it) blow by your bike, without a moment's hesetation. the 600+cc bikes are great for the straights. the smaller bikes have the canyon carving down.

"think big, ride small" N250RC

Answer 5

As a complete beginner, you really should avoid sport bikes completely to start off with. They are fast, powerful bikes and you can get into trouble faster than you can think "oh crap". If you really have to have this bike, I'd suggest you buy it and park it for the first year. Get yourself a really cheap bike. An old 250, or 500 standard style bike. You can probably find one for under a thousand. Drive that the first year to learn how to ride. Then you can sell it, probably for what you paid. But even then, be very careful on the CBR, it will be a completely different animal.

Answer 6

I think you should buy the bike because its an amazing catch. It is a great looking bike, its fast (very fast), and just all around amazing. My friend started off riding the '02 CBR 954 and he laid the bike down once because he didn't see a corner and braked too hard into it. Try to have your friend teach you about the bike and how to ride it; have him take it out with you on the back and drive it around a bit in a parking lot or something. If your careful I think that you will be able to pick up riding it pretty quickly.

Ya I think you should get it, but just be careful. Buy it, then for a while, drive it with him watching, in small areas with not a lot of traffic.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Your gut feeling is right: This bike *is* a beast. I ride a GS500F, and recently took a bike with about as much power as a 600RR for a demo ride. I'm glad I did not start on a 100 hp machine for my first bike. Bikes in the 50 hp or less category are a lot easier to ride, and it's a lot easier to get to the point where you can really start to push the machine without worrying about it getting out of hand. I'd strongly recommend getting a more beginner friendly bike for learning to ride.

Answer 8

Get what you can afford,
but why not buy a used CBR600RR and save some money until you get a little more riding time. Do the speed limit, that's the safe way to ride any bike.

Answer 9

You can easily get a nice Kawi or Suzook 500 for under $3000. It's still a better choice, for somebody who hasn't ridden much.

Heck -- I would like either, and I've been riding 40 years.

Answer 10

hondas r a good bike i had an 01 cbr929rr and never had a problem with it they r a lighter bike than the gs or kaw so will be easyer 2 lift if u do fall off it it sounds like a good buy 2 me and u know where it came from go 4 it