First Time Motercyle Buyer?

Question

Ok im looking to purchase a sports bike (crotch rocket) but have never drove a motorcyle. I need to know what would be the best bike to get. I want one that looks sweet, one that is under $8000 and one that preforms well

I did some research and i like how the Suzuki Katana 750 looks, so one that is on the looks of that one
thanks!

Ok well i guess i wasnt to clear in the upper part, when i mentioned the Katana, i never ment that i was interested in it, i said i like how the body looked, i had no intentions of starting off on a 750, i have some sense about me.

The other thing is by preformance i dont mean speed, , i mean dependaility, maintnance and up keep, and overall how it preforms as on interstate and city streets. The main purpose will be to transport me to and from college on the weekends

Sorry for not being more specific, but thanks for all the imput so far!

Answer 1

if u r just starting those 600s have to much power i would recomend a kawasaki ninja 250 or 500 they look cool and r a perfect starter bike

Answer 2

I find a couple of problems with your question and intention. First, with no riding experience, jumping on a crotch rocket for a first bike is gonna get you hurt. "Looking sweet" is an ego thing. Riding a bike to please your ego leads to major problems, like injury or death. You like the "looks" of a katana, but have no idea how a katana is for handling or safety. I don't mean this as a put down, but for your safety, and the publics safety, you need to re evaluate your "wants" versus your "needs".
First, get a smaller bike to learn on. I prefer people learn on the dirt on a dirt bike. It sharpens your reflexes while being a lot more forgiving of mistakes. If you have to go to a street bike first, go thru some real training like the STAR program. Then, get a good solid, safe and dependable street bike. You'll be happier with a "cruiser" than a crotch rocket. Crotch rockets are made for one thing. Speed. They aren't comfortable to ride for long periods, they don't fit a passenger well at all. A cruiser is much more comfortable and easier to operate safely. And for an ego boost, they can look really cool as well. A good solid cruiser like, oh say, a "shadow" can be had new for around $5000.00 ( my son just looked at a couple of '06 models, new at the local dealer). Take some time, think about what you really need a bike for. They are darned dangerous under the best conditions, don't go stacking the odds against you by getting the wrong kind of bike. Remember, there are only two kinds of riders. Those who have been knocked down, and those who are going to be knocked down.
Ride safe

Answer 3

I pretty much agree with everyone on here. My recommendation at first was going to be the Yamaha R6, but the others are right, don't start off on that. I was at a motorcycle shop this past weekend, asking the same questions and saying the same things you are. They told me if I HAD to buy a street bike first, they recommend a Honda, because it is more forgiving to newer riders and would correct mistakes made by you (which I find hard to believe). Then, they kind of convinced me that starting on a cruiser would be best, for all reasons: money, insurance, upkeep, maintainence. So I was looking at a a larger 600 cruiser, that kind of looked like a Harley. But then I was on here yesterday, and found someone talking about a Honda Hornet (599 or 919). This is the best of both worlds. 600cc's, sport look, cruiser handling. See if you like that. I fell in love, and plan to get one this Saturday.

Answer 4

You're getting some good advice here, one other thing I might suggest is if you're into cruisers they're a lot less to insure (at least the medical side). If you're just getting liability then it just goes by engine size.

Personally, I started with a Honda Rebel 250 which easily kept up with traffic and wasn't more than I could handle to start with. A Ninja 250 will go faster and even pass people still on the Interstate, but it's a short bike. If you're taller, I'd look at a 500. My point is small is good to start, because you'll still have all your limbs when you're ready to get that sweet bigger bike.

Answer 5

I've been into bikes since age 10. After 30 years of riding I finally bought a sport bike this year. And had to significantly up my game. These bikes are basically factory race bikes and are way overpowered.

If you value your skin and your neck, there are smaller bikes like 250's with the same look. Ride one of these for a season, you may decide you hate the aggressive riding position and would rather have a cruiser. You may decide to trade up to a real rocket, but at least you will get a chance to master the basics before you jump into the deep end of the pool.

Answer 6

ur showing ur squidliness. only a squid would pick a 750cc rocket, or an r-1, r-6, zx-14, 'bussa's. u need a bike that wont kill u learning how to ride it, and a 750cc rocket will do just that. the first 6 months is historically and statistically the most lethal time for a rookie rider.......namely u. another dead giveaway that ur a squid is that ur only interested in looks and performance. i have a feeling there's a cage out there with ur name on it, and it will show up when u are getting stupid on it on the street. looks dont mean zip; a lowly 883 sportster will kill u just as dead in a slide as losing a 'bussa at 100+.

if u want to live to ride next season, listen to the experienced rocket riders, and limit the engine to no more than 500cc's. u need a forgiving bike....unless u like the thought of asphalt surfing.

Answer 7

For a 1st time rider I would recommend that you look at your states motor vehicle riding test requirements. Typically a "crotch rocket" is a very hard bike to pass any state riding test on. Like the other peopl have said and this is a 100% quarantee you will drop your bike so if you really wnat to learn how to ride, buy used!! Most of the time you can get a bike that has EXTRAS already on them so you save $$$. Good luck and be safe.

Answer 8

I've never had a bad experience with either. If you do your homework and conduct yourself businesslike you'll never have an issue. There have been pups who didn't grow to MY standards but that can happen with anyone and any pup. Pups are a gamble. Like you, you actually cared enough to do your research and got a REAL German Shepherd Dog. There are several people on this site who didn't and paid just as much as you did, and have a dog that sort of looks like a GSD if you squint but doesn't have the same genetic temperament, sound build, or working ability. Heck a lot of them don't even have sound bodies and came from breeders who don't x-ray. Instead of saying "Ehhh, my bad, I should've researched" many argue their dogs are wonderful when it's obvious they're second class compared to a well bred dog and some even breed them -hence the white GSD, the oversized GSD, and the long coat GSD breeders who flood this site and the Classifieds in the local newspapers around this country-....

Answer 9

i would not recommend buying a Katana. I would say that the general concenses on Katana is that they are junk. I would buy a 600 for a first bike and buy something that you dont mind if it get scratched or plastics get broken. There are very few NEW riders that have not dropped their bike or done something else to damage it. Plastics are expensive. Take some of your 8K and put it down on a nice used "sweet" bike. By you an R6 or a GSXR 600. You can find these everywhere on www.mautofied.com, www.craigslist.org or any other website. Please be careful out there and dont try to show off too much. Thats how i crashed my first one.

Answer 10

I'd suggest a suzuki SV650s: a better bike than the katana, and a better starter bike than a 4-cylinder 600. The SV feels lighter and more manageable to the novice rider, and it's much cheaper to buy and maintain as well. Plus, you get cool points for owning a v-twin sportbike, as opposed to a dime-a-dozen race replica.

Answer 11

get a Yamaha R6 or a Suzuki GSXr 600. I recommend the Suzuki GSXr. I really like the looks of it. According to the magazine, the R6 has the best body style.

for a first time rider, u should get a 600. a 750 may be too much power for you to learn on.

you should buy a new one. A used bike to learn on will be good because there will be at least one time when you will drop that bike. You can find one 2005 or 2006 bike for around $6000 or less.

wait until mid way through football season, there will be a lot for sellers due to people needing money to pay off football debts.