Kawasaki 650R - LotusTalk

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 09:55 AM

Is this too much bike for a first time rider? Im really close to walking away with this bike but Ive never rode a bike ever.

dma550 · 08-14-2009, 09:57 AM

IMO take a local riders course. They'll seat you on 200cc singles for the training and test, and you'll get the feel without having a 50hp bike under you.

Allan Gibbs · 08-14-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dma550

IMO take a local riders course. They'll seat you on 200cc singles for the training and test, and you'll get the feel without having a 50hp bike under you.

+1. Take the class. They'll give you everything you need including a motorcycle, and your license if you pass the class. Then get the 650R.

LotusLacer · 08-14-2009, 10:17 AM

I own an 07' 650r. I started riding last july and bought a 500r because i was afraid a 650r would be too big. I took the STAR course (motorcycle safety course) in October. By spring time riding i realized the 500r just wasnt doing it, it didnt have enough power or the mid level engine range i wanted for cornering. I lowered the 500r an inch and a quarter and gave it to my wife, and bought the 650r in may.

I LOVE the 650r. It is incredibly fast, while staying comfortable. Sure the zx-10r's and the gxr's can do 210, but really... do you want to ever be going anywhere near that speed on 2 wheels? If so, get a different bike and good life insurance.

I commute on mine 5 days a week, the upright handle bars are nice for staying comfortable in traffic, but if you prefer sports bars you can get those for like 90 bucks.
(did i mention the bike is highly modable? because it is, and its addicting

).

Have you had any experience riding at all? Like dirt bike as a kid or what not. If not, i wouldnt pickup the bike until after a training course. If you have, you can get it and mess around in the neighborhood/parking lots until you take the course and get more comfortable.

scottiedawg66 · 08-14-2009, 10:23 AM

what is your riding experience, and what are you looking to do? i have to say that to me the KLR 650s are pretty boring. I love single cylinder bikes and dual sports but I think the KLR is more of a tool than a toy if that makes sense.

Allan Gibbs · 08-14-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LotusLacer

Sure the zx-10r's and the gxr's can do 210, but really...

They really can't -even if their speedos tell them they are. Well, at least without some serious modificaitons.

But I agree it's important to get a bike you can grow into -preferably after you've taken the course. You may take the course and decide you don't like motorcycling. Motorcycles aren't like on/off switches. You control the power and your attitude controls you.

LotusLacer · 08-14-2009, 10:28 AM

yeah the course's are really fantastic. My wife was really afraid to learn how to ride and was scared to even take the course. By day 3 she was taking the corners faster than everyone else and my instructor was telling me that i'd likely have my bike stolen from me very soon. (she also ended up with a perfect score on the skills test at the end!)

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 10:33 AM

I have ZERO experience at all. I plan taking a course to start my life on it.

scottiedawg66 · 08-14-2009, 10:37 AM

how tall are you and what type of riding do you want to do?

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottiedawg66

how tall are you and what type of riding do you want to do?

Im 5'9. I just want a bike for no good reason at all. Ok Ok they get great gas mileage... there's one lol. Ill only consider a sport bike though.

LotusLacer · 08-14-2009, 11:51 AM

Take the course first. Right now there are PLENTY of deals on bikes. Feel out the course and make sure you dig riding before dropping 3-8k on a bike.

If you have a friend that has a bike as well, see if he'll let you mess around on it for a weekend, use it driving around town and what not.

Then buy the bike, ask them to order your Scorpion exhaust can, frame sliders, and rear fender eliminator kit at the same time

Allan Gibbs · 08-14-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

Ill only consider a sport bike though.

BTW, check insurance rates before you buy!

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

BTW, check insurance rates before you buy!

I never thought about that. I just figured that they had to be really low considering the price of bikes... Ok I know bad thinking. But I was seriously thinking only 50 or lower per month considering I can get a 650R for 69 a month.

Allan Gibbs · 08-14-2009, 12:11 PM

Just an old example. When I was 18 years old, I bought a 1990 ZX6 for $6,500 (accident settlement money). One year full coverage insurance for the bike was $6,000.

I'm not saying it will be that expensive but depending on age, experience, location, bike, etc., it can be. BUT, chances are, the 650R won't be anywhere near as much.

DeanG · 08-14-2009, 12:16 PM

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation class is awesome. I had ridden some before taking the class. I kept taking classes which eventually lead to a brief and unsuccessful try at road racing. The first class was the best. Second best was the introductory track class by California Superbike.

Good Luck, have fun, remember that nobody sees you.

dma550 · 08-14-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Gibbs

Just an old example. When I was 18 years old, I bought a 1990 ZX6 for $6,500 (accident settlement money). One year full coverage insurance for the bike was $6,000.

I'm not saying it will be that expensive but depending on age, experience, location, bike, etc., it can be. BUT, chances are, the 650R won't be anywhere near as much.

Exactly. Pay for the bike up front. If you need to finance it, you'll need collision. If you need collision, and you're young, you'll pay 50% of the bikes value each year! (exxageration).

Conversely, my Husky TE250 was $175/year for my insurance last time I had it insured for race season.

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 12:44 PM

Yeah Im checking insurance rates now.

ACE51 · 08-14-2009, 12:57 PM

there is a learning curve with motorcycles. when I was 18 I bought a R6 and did a bunch of stupid stuff. Luckily I never killed myself but I have some pretty damn good stories. I then took a on track racing course and learned a ton, which made me scared of other inexperienced motorcycle riders because there is so much to know about cornering a streetbike (cornerspeed @ VIR).

I would get as much instruction as you could from a good rider.

A fun sexy bike is a 06 R6 Ann. edition.

ItsThaMonsta · 08-14-2009, 01:11 PM

I was just quoted at 170/month.... I think I waited too late in life.. Well im only 27 but..... Even though the money isn't an issue I refuse to pay 2.5x more for the insurance than the bike itself. My motorcycle dreams may have just been dashed.

Jeff_r1 · 08-14-2009, 01:17 PM

Insurance prices depend on what company you are trying to get a quote from, the only reasonably priced insurer for sportbikes for the under 35 crowd is State Farm. As an example I am 28 and ride a 07 r1 full coverage from state farm is 100 a month from progressive they wanted 1500 for the same coverage no wrecks no tickets. For the bike the 650r is a good bike my first bike many years ago was a sv650 and i loved that bike.

08-14-2009, 09:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
ItsThaMonsta Will There Be Cake? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,086	Kawasaki 650R Is this too much bike for a first time rider? Im really close to walking away with this bike but Ive never rode a bike ever.

08-14-2009, 09:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,187	IMO take a local riders course. They'll seat you on 200cc singles for the training and test, and you'll get the feel without having a 50hp bike under you. __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

08-14-2009, 12:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,399	Just an old example. When I was 18 years old, I bought a 1990 ZX6 for $6,500 (accident settlement money). One year full coverage insurance for the bike was $6,000. I'm not saying it will be that expensive but depending on age, experience, location, bike, etc., it can be. BUT, chances are, the 650R won't be anywhere near as much. __________________ 2005 BRP Elise- SOLD 6/9/07 2006 MV Agusta F4S - SOLD 4/30/09 2008 Audi TT (MKII) 2009 Audi A4 2009 Ducati 1198

08-14-2009, 12:57 PM	#18 (permalink)
ACE51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Summerfield, NC Posts: 612	there is a learning curve with motorcycles. when I was 18 I bought a R6 and did a bunch of stupid stuff. Luckily I never killed myself but I have some pretty damn good stories. I then took a on track racing course and learned a ton, which made me scared of other inexperienced motorcycle riders because there is so much to know about cornering a streetbike (cornerspeed @ VIR). I would get as much instruction as you could from a good rider. A fun sexy bike is a 06 R6 Ann. edition. __________________ 06 Exige CO BWRized 05 Civic "Special Edition" 05 Elise CO, Trim shop interior and other things...SOLD

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08-14-2009, 10:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
LotusLacer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 143	I own an 07' 650r. I started riding last july and bought a 500r because i was afraid a 650r would be too big. I took the STAR course (motorcycle safety course) in October. By spring time riding i realized the 500r just wasnt doing it, it didnt have enough power or the mid level engine range i wanted for cornering. I lowered the 500r an inch and a quarter and gave it to my wife, and bought the 650r in may. I LOVE the 650r. It is incredibly fast, while staying comfortable. Sure the zx-10r's and the gxr's can do 210, but really... do you want to ever be going anywhere near that speed on 2 wheels? If so, get a different bike and good life insurance. I commute on mine 5 days a week, the upright handle bars are nice for staying comfortable in traffic, but if you prefer sports bars you can get those for like 90 bucks. (did i mention the bike is highly modable? because it is, and its addicting ). Have you had any experience riding at all? Like dirt bike as a kid or what not. If not, i wouldnt pickup the bike until after a training course. If you have, you can get it and mess around in the neighborhood/parking lots until you take the course and get more comfortable.

08-14-2009, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
scottiedawg66 supermoto racer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: petaluma, ca Posts: 2	what is your riding experience, and what are you looking to do? i have to say that to me the KLR 650s are pretty boring. I love single cylinder bikes and dual sports but I think the KLR is more of a tool than a toy if that makes sense.

08-14-2009, 10:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
LotusLacer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 143	yeah the course's are really fantastic. My wife was really afraid to learn how to ride and was scared to even take the course. By day 3 she was taking the corners faster than everyone else and my instructor was telling me that i'd likely have my bike stolen from me very soon. (she also ended up with a perfect score on the skills test at the end!)

08-14-2009, 10:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
ItsThaMonsta Will There Be Cake? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,086	I have ZERO experience at all. I plan taking a course to start my life on it.

08-14-2009, 10:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
scottiedawg66 supermoto racer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: petaluma, ca Posts: 2	how tall are you and what type of riding do you want to do?

08-14-2009, 11:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
LotusLacer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 143	Take the course first. Right now there are PLENTY of deals on bikes. Feel out the course and make sure you dig riding before dropping 3-8k on a bike. If you have a friend that has a bike as well, see if he'll let you mess around on it for a weekend, use it driving around town and what not. Then buy the bike, ask them to order your Scorpion exhaust can, frame sliders, and rear fender eliminator kit at the same time

08-14-2009, 12:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
DeanG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 722	The Motorcycle Safety Foundation class is awesome. I had ridden some before taking the class. I kept taking classes which eventually lead to a brief and unsuccessful try at road racing. The first class was the best. Second best was the introductory track class by California Superbike. Good Luck, have fun, remember that nobody sees you.

08-14-2009, 12:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
ItsThaMonsta Will There Be Cake? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,086	Yeah Im checking insurance rates now.

08-14-2009, 01:11 PM	#19 (permalink)
ItsThaMonsta Will There Be Cake? Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,086	I was just quoted at 170/month.... I think I waited too late in life.. Well im only 27 but..... Even though the money isn't an issue I refuse to pay 2.5x more for the insurance than the bike itself. My motorcycle dreams may have just been dashed.

08-14-2009, 01:17 PM	#20 (permalink)
Jeff_r1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 29	Insurance prices depend on what company you are trying to get a quote from, the only reasonably priced insurer for sportbikes for the under 35 crowd is State Farm. As an example I am 28 and ride a 07 r1 full coverage from state farm is 100 a month from progressive they wanted 1500 for the same coverage no wrecks no tickets. For the bike the 650r is a good bike my first bike many years ago was a sv650 and i loved that bike.

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