Getting my first bike

[Hondadude141]

So I'm finally doing what I've been saying I've wanted to do since I turned 18. I'm taking the Texas mandated motorcycle safety course, and then the one for the Army, in about 2 weeks. After this I want to go find a bike.

So my question is, what would you guys recommend as a first motorcycle? I'm probably looking at the 600cc engine size and nothing more for the first one, and something that is used. How many miles is "average"? I've seen 2007's with 3K to 10K and didn't know what "high mileage" is for a motorcycle.

Also, if you can, give me some opinions on gear (jacket, pants, gloves, helmet) that you've had good experiences with.

Thanks ahead of time for any info you guys provide me, I really appreciate it!

 

[95b16coupe]

I had a three wheeler when I was 6 and a dirt bike at 10. So I was familiar with how to ride. Even after that I still started with a ninja 250. The reason being is that even if you can ride, nothing prepares you for the asshat cagers on the road. You need to get used to how people drive and signals for when someone is about to do some stupid shit. Bike size doesn't matter as long as you respect the bike. Whether you start on a 250 or a hayabusa, the moment you lose respect for the bike, it will take your life in an instant.

I would personally suggest starting with a ninja 500. It's a good bike, you can get them used with low miles and sell it for what you bought it for a year later. If you are embarrassed to tell someone you ride a 250 or a 500, you shouldn't be riding. Any real bike enthusiast will give your props for starting modestly. Assuming your first bike should be at least a 600 is like a teenager wanting a Ferrari for his first car. And when it comes time to buy a bike, the best bike is the one the feels most comfortable. They all pretty much do the same thing, they just fit different. So sit on one a couple hours before you buy it. It's a big purchase.

Any mileage is fine, but I know I now ride and how others treat stuff. You can find abused bikes with 3k and mint bikes with 20k. Just find something with low miles and all original plastic and you should be fine. I wouldn't buy anything with custom paint....ever.

As far as gear, there are two camps. 1) if you wreck, you're going to get fucked up and differences in gear will be minimal. So buy whatever is decent. A scorpion helmet and decent composite gear is fine. Or 2) which is me. Believe you get what you pay for. I ride with an arai helmet. Cost me $700. My jacket cost another $600. Even if the difference is minimal, there is no cost too great to protecting my head.

 

[92stoccord]

I started on a Buell Blast. If you're over 5'8" I wouldn't suggest it, but the 500 one popper was a good bit of power to get myself into or out of whatever trouble could arise. I didn't have any experience prior. After riding my buddy's gixxer, I know I'd be dead if I started on that thing.

 

[hondafreak513]

CBR 650 is a nice stater bike. But like 95b16coupe said get what is comfortable for you and yes sit on it for a while to make sure you won't have a sore back after riding all day..

 

[Inmywhitetee]

I started with 89 fzr 600. I would say any 600 is perfect. If your looking for cheaper and good wear I go to xelement.com they have pants jackets and gloves but go in person to get the right helmet it needs to fit just right and diffently get full face . I now ride a 06 hayabusa extended 7" one thing you can never forget is never be sure of anything on the road

BURN RUBBER NOT YOUR SOUL

 

[95b16coupe]

I started with 89 fzr 600. I would say any 600 is perfect.

with that being said, keep in mind a 600 cc bike from 1989 isn't 1/2 the bike that is made in 2009. they are worlds apart. hell, if you were able to pick up a 1989 600 for less than $1000 and ride it for 2 months, you could probably move to a new bike pretty quickly.

 

[BigJ]

SV650 is what I'd suggest. If you haven't had a lot of fast toys before, then I wouldn't go faster than this at MOST, and also you won't outgrow it that fast as you will with smaller bikes.



And I'm with 95b16coupe. When I was riding I had a Arai rx-7 tommy gun, and icon timax jacket, gloves, superduty pants and boots. My gear was expensive and I'm still paying off the credit card I charged it all on years ago, but when I went down I was ok. Would cheaper gear suffice? I don't know, but I lived with the expensive gear.

 

[Hondadude141]

Alright cool, thanks for all the replies guys. I'm probably going to go to a few shops around town on friday and sit on a few and see what I like the most and what fits me.

I didn't mean I had to start with a 600 either haha, it was just the "medium" sized bike that came to mind, and I don't mind going a little smaller if I think it'll fit me better. There is a honda, kawasaki, yamaha, and suzuki dealer within about 15 minutes of me and they all carry used/new bikes, and gear, so Ill have my day made out for me.

While I'm out looking at bikes, I'll definitely look at gear. I figured you can't go wrong with good Icon gear from what I've heard, and cost doesn't matter to me, because like you all said, I prefer not to be dead if I ever go down. (And the Army's reg say I have to be in full gear to get my medical/life insurance, haha...)

 

[BigJ]

I'd stay away from icon helmets.

 

[double0Si]

I had a three wheeler when I was young, but I started on a 07 GSX-R600 back in spring of 08 and never looked back. Respect the bike and know that its limits ALWAYS exceed your own. And always watch for other drivers. They do not see you, they do not care even if they do, pretty much they're all out to get you so try to stay a step ahead if them.

As for gear; I go with mesh motorcycle specific jackets. I have two Alpine Stars examples and I love them. Yea leather is the track required material for some places, but you get more impact protection out of padded mesh, and its breathable whole still offering scrape resistance. Costs a hell of a lot less too. I know its frowned upon,but I just wear my jeans. Some company's make padded thicker jeans so you don't have to run around in some true riding pants but j have yet to try them out. Gloves; I don't wear them. Again I know its frowned upon but I can't stand my touchy throttle in a pair of gloves. I lose all feel for it even with my thinner icon lambskin pair.

Even with all the hazards riding is still one of the most exhilarating and rewarding hobbies you can pick up. There's nothing like jumping on the bike and going out for a ride on a hot ass day or a cool ass night. And of course, chicks dig the motorcycles.

 

[BigJ]

Gloves; I don't wear them. Again I know its frowned upon but I can't stand my touchy throttle in a pair of gloves. I lose all feel for it even with my thinner icon lambskin pair.

You know what you lose first when you hit the pavement at 60mph+?

 

[Hondadude141]

I'd stay away from icon helmets.

If there a reason behind this? If there is, then Icon helmets will go out the window.

 

[double0Si]

You wanna know how much faster Id hit the pavement if I wasn't comfortable/didn't have as much control over my bike? Like I said, I know the risks and I've made peace with them. Also, tuck and roll. Tuck and roll.

 

[b303monster]

ive ridin all my life and my first bike was a 2004 cbr1000rr and it turned out to be a good bike. i think of it this way u can give it much gas as u want, so in a sence u can ride it easy for starting or hit it hard. that and when u would get used to a 500 or 600, u would want to upgrade, this way ur already their. and gear wise i have scorpion(cheap but reliable).

 

[92stoccord]

Or when you're not used to the ergonomics, and accidentally tweak out and twist the throttle while simultaneously completely letting off the clutch, you don't go screaming 120 on one wheel into 7 parked cars 3 pedestrians and a brick wall.

 

[95b16coupe]

Dealers are rape artists. The markup on bikes is fucking retarded. I got mine for a steal and still felt raped. After you find the bike you want, negotiate a deal on gear. A good dealer should give you 20-30% of whatever you want. Gear is like liquor. Cheap shit will get you drunk, but it will give you a terrible hangover and taste terrible.

 

[alexfleury]

+++1 on the SV 650 for a first bike. It is easy to learn on but a full size bike that you might be happy with for the first year or two of riding. And many accessories and upgrades are available. If you think they aren't fast enough, go talk to the hundreds of WERA racers around the country who are on them at the track every weekend. Parts are available and reasonably cheap.

BUY ALL THE RIDING GEAR YOU CAN AFFORD AND PRAY EVERY RIDE THAT YOU HAVE WASTED YOUR MONEY!!!!!

Trust me, the pavement is HARD. And road rash is no fun. The last time I went down it was not good, but proper riding gear, HJC helmet, Joe Rocket pants, and Fieldsheer jacket kept it from being much worse.

Motorsports Honda Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki Motorcycle Dealer ATV Greenville NC Used Sport Bikes Eastern North Carolina will get you discounts on just about everything you ever need to ride upgrade or repair your bike. Prices WAY below dealer cost on parts riding gear and everything else you need.

I have been riding, repairing and building bikes for a long time. email me if you have any questions j_alexfleury@yahoo.com

 

[92stoccord]

I should get gear at some point. I get the feeling a T-shirt on the pavement isn't going to be very comfortable.

 

[E_SolSi]

its great for exfoliating

 

[jeffie7]

+1 on SV650.

Stay way from supersport bikes.

Nothing wrong with any DOT/SNELL rated helmet. Main difference in a $100 helmet and a $500+ helmet is comfort.

https://hondaswap.com/motorcycles/picked-up-some-new-gear-500354/

My latest gear.

Don't cheap out on gear! Also don't buy into the (you'll just grow out *insert random bike*) I know a lot of people who ride and I'd say somewhere around 75-80% of the people who buy supersport bikes as a first bike go down within a few months of buying it.

There's always 1 guy who started out on a 1000 and did just fine.... If you want to try your luck at it, be my guest.

600cc SS for a first bike = way too much bike. I bet you wouldn't use 30% of what that bike can do on public streets in the first year of owning it, even if you pushed it as hard as you could.