Kawasaki 650R

[the1sen]

Oh yeah, and Insurance... well it depends on the bike you get, but a twin is generally a lot less than the inline 4 bangers, which can cost more than a car... Even when I first started riding, Insurance was cheap.

I used to have All State and they were great. I also used Progressive, and they were OK...

[ItsThaMonsta]

PM sent to you "The1Sen". Im 5'9.. 172.

[Cegan09]

you could go the route i did and get an old one to learn on, they can be had cheap, no fiarings to break, and not overly powerful. However get one that is running well when you buy it. I've spent easily 10x the time working on mine than riding it.

and a big +1 for good gear. I've seen what happens to people who crash without gear, it just isn't worth it. Even here in NH where helmets aren't required I will always wear full gear.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

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.

to answer ur question, no.
but given you have never riden a bike b4, how do you know this is the bike you want?
i always suggest buying something for 500 bucks, ride it for a few months, then u will have a better idea of what kind/type of bike you want. (sportbike, standard, sporty, cruiser, etc)
plus if you buy a cheap first bike and tip it over you wont cry abt it.
good luck.
if you wanna try my hayabusa, u know, to see if you like it, come on by.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

PM sent to you "The1Sen". Im 5'9.. 172.

At 5'9" and 172, you'll be fine on an SV650, Ninja 650R, or an Aprillia Shiver 750.

As time progresses, you may want more power. But to start out, those bikes all have enough umph to scare your balls into your stomach.

If you were over 200LBS, we would need to talk.

Strangely, when I first started riding, I wanted more power... went all the way up to an R-1 to get it. Then a GSXR1000, and even a Hayabusa for a while... but I soon realized that I was missing something. I bought an SV650 shortly thereafter and BAM, like a ton of bricks, I realized what I was missing... handling and fun.

I will say it over and over again... but you may not understand until you ride. It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow.

What that basically means is that riding a slow bike to its max potential is a lot more fun than riding a fast bike at 1/10th its potential and scaring the balls off yourself. I was a pretty good rider man, but damn I liked riding smaller displacement bikes a lot better.

If I ever recover from my crippledness, I am buying a Suzuki SV650 or a Ninja 250 and I am going to turn and do wheelies and turn some more until my head falls off.

Twins are seriously the best bikes for the street They aren't as fast as an inline 4, or as pretty, but man they are WAY more fun.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by the1sen

At 5'9" and 172, you'll be fine on an SV650, Ninja 650R, or an Aprillia Shiver 750.

As time progresses, you may want more power. But to start out, those bikes all have enough umph to scare your balls into your stomach.

If you were over 200LBS, we would need to talk.

Strangely, when I first started riding, I wanted more power... went all the way up to an R-1 to get it. Then a GSXR1000, and even a Hayabusa for a while... but I soon realized that I was missing something. I bought an SV650 shortly thereafter and BAM, like a ton of bricks, I realized what I was missing... handling and fun.

I will say it over and over again... but you may not understand until you ride. It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow.

What that basically means is that riding a slow bike to its max potential is a lot more fun than riding a fast bike at 1/10th its potential and scaring the balls off yourself. I was a pretty good rider man, but damn I liked riding smaller displacement bikes a lot better.

If I ever recover from my crippledness, I am buying a Suzuki SV650 or a Ninja 250 and I am going to turn and do wheelies and turn some more until my head falls off.

Twins are seriously the best bikes for the street They aren't as fast as an inline 4, or as pretty, but man they are WAY more fun.

and arent you the guy who said your honda fit was a sports car???
im not gonna debate ya, ya like what ya like.....i just wanted to bust ur balls a little bit.
in good fun, of course.

[Shorty111R]

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

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.

I didn't bother reading any of the responses, so I'm sorry if I repeat anything.


NO! The 650 is a killer bike!!! I had an 06 as my first bike, and I loved it. It has just enough power that it takes some getting used to, but still doesn't fail to satisfy in the long run.

I ride a much (much much) heavier and much more powerful Concours 14 now, but I miss the low end grunt of the 650!

GET THE BIKE

GET IT

BUY THE 650!!

IMO, 650's or a detuned 600 like a Yamaha FZ6R are the best place to start for a new rider entering the sport bike region.

get it!

1) because it's a great bike, and you'll probably love it, and

2) because it would satisfy my need to live vicariously through someone else, and help fill that terrible void I have now that my beloved 650 is gone

If I ever track down the guy who I sold my bike to, I'd buy it back in an instant, no doubt about it.

[ItsThaMonsta]

What should I pay when getting a bike? Should it just be msrp? I assume I shouldn't pay any so called setup fees or anything else from the dealer? Input?

[Shorty111R]

Setup and Freight are pretty standard fees. I'm not sure how legitimate the fees are, but I haven't seen anyone get awy with not paying for them. A buddy of mine just bought an FZ6R a couple months ago, and managed to knock about a hundred bucks off the bike, even though it was still a pretty good deal to begin with.

I'd also consider an FZ6R, a Suzuki SV650, and, if it's in you price range, a Buell XB9. Also in that price/performance category are the small Ducati Monsters.

I would shop a couple stores, compare prices, then go from store to store, telling them how low the other guys are willing to go, and see if you can bargain between them. A lot of places will chop the price to earn your business.

[specialk]

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

What should I pay when getting a bike? Should it just be msrp? I assume I shouldn't pay any so called setup fees or anything else from the dealer? Input?

the 650r has been out 3+ years now. no need to buy new, especially since this will be your first bike. you shouldn't have a hard time finding a good used one.

quick cycletrader search in my area:
Kawasaki 650r Motorcycles for Sale near New York, New York

lots of good info so far for you to start out. but i'll add, and no offense to the previous posters, but take the MSF course for what it is – a 2-3 day course with only a few hours of actual seat time and little-to-no real world exercises (at least around here. they are all carried out in giant, empty parking lots littered with little orange cones). it's a great way to see if you enjoy being on a bike at all and you kill two birds since it doubles as your road test.

don't get me wrong, i recommend it to everyone who asks me about getting into riding. i took it myself before i ever rode a bike. but in the grand scheme of things it's still laughably inadequate compared to what newbie riders need to endure in other countries to get licensed.

basically i'm suggesting to take the course with a grain of salt. it will teach you the basics of motorcycle operation, but very little about actual riding, and even less about motorcycle roadcraft. get the 650r, or a used sv650/m600/etc, rack up a few thousand cautious miles and get comfy. then maybe do something like a Keith Code course and/or track day. you'll learn more in one lap on a proper track than a full week in a parking lot going round cones. good luck

[xtn]

I've had crotch rockets. If I were to buy a motorcycle again now, I think I would go with one of the street legal, four stroke dirt bikes. Talk about wheelies!

xtn

[Shorty111R]

I don't really like crotch rockets. The speed is cool but seems like it's a one-trick pony if that's all you're buying a supersport bike for.

I'd love to have an enduro bike, or and on-road/off-road tourer like the Buell XB12X Ulysses (first two pics)

Torquey V-twin!


For now though, I'm happy with my C14! Comfort, plenty of storage space, and powwwwwerrrrrrrrrrr!!!! (second two pics)


It's a good looking bike too

[Shorty111R]

+1 on the MSF course. I took it and had a blast.

I plan to go back for the advanced course. Hitting a deer had something to do with convincing me I wasn't as prepared for hazards as I thought.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by ItsThaMonsta

What should I pay when getting a bike? Should it just be msrp? I assume I shouldn't pay any so called setup fees or anything else from the dealer? Input?

ItsThaMonsta,

I used to work in the Motorcycle industry and I can tell you from personal knowledge that Freight and Setup fees are complete and utter BULLSH¡T.

Unless the big 4 have all changed their practices in the last 2 years , Freight is built into the MSRP, which is why you will never see "Freight" show up on their websites... Setup has SOME value, however, for the most part, you're talking about a kid getting paid $10/hour to put windscreens on a bike and fill the tires with air. So setup fees are nominal on a bike like a 650R.

***BMW motorcycles charge freight outside the MSRP, and it is a legitimate charge for a dealer to recuperate that cost, and it is posted on their website.

**** As for how much you should pay: Invoice plus tax and license is a fair cost. Dealers are compensated for moving units, no matter what price they sell at.

***** DO NOT BE TALKED INTO BUYING A MAINTENANCE CONTRACT OF ANY KIND ***** BE SURE TO GET GAP INSURANCE IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING CASH *****

If you are hell bent on getting a new one, look in the printed Cycle Trader for the OTD prices of dealerships for individual models. The ones who won't tell you their price over the phone aren't worth dealing with as they subscribe to the Lemko System...

Lastly, I agree that a used one is in order... never, and the Rock means never, buy a new motorcycle for your first bike. It would be bad.

[ItsThaMonsta]

Originally Posted by the1sen

ItsThaMonsta,

I used to work in the Motorcycle industry and I can tell you from personal knowledge that Freight and Setup fees are complete and utter BULLSH¡T.

Unless the big 4 have all changed their practices in the last 2 years , Freight is built into the MSRP, which is why you will never see "Freight" show up on their websites... Setup has SOME value, however, for the most part, you're talking about a kid getting paid $10/hour to put windscreens on a bike and fill the tires with air. So setup fees are nominal on a bike like a 650R.

***BMW motorcycles charge freight outside the MSRP, and it is a legitimate charge for a dealer to recuperate that cost, and it is posted on their website.

**** As for how much you should pay: Invoice plus tax and license is a fair cost. Dealers are compensated for moving units, no matter what price they sell at.

***** DO NOT BE TALKED INTO BUYING A MAINTENANCE CONTRACT OF ANY KIND ***** BE SURE TO GET GAP INSURANCE IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING CASH *****

If you are hell bent on getting a new one, look in the printed Cycle Trader for the OTD prices of dealerships for individual models. The ones who won't tell you their price over the phone aren't worth dealing with as they subscribe to the Lemko System...

Lastly, I agree that a used one is in order... never, and the Rock means never, buy a new motorcycle for your first bike. It would be bad.

Points well taken. This whole project is put off about a month now. I hear the sky in Florida is suppose to run out of water by then.

[Viggen]

a sumermoto bike would be a great starter bike

like others stated go used preferably cheap. IF you decide motorcycle riding isn't for you then you are not out much money. If you love it you can decide if a 650r fits the bill or something else.

My first steet bike was a 1yr old harley ultra classic. 900+lbs, 50hp on a good day etc.... the one thing it did do was keep me from doing wheelies or going 150+mph. I am on my 5th ultra now, a 09..... someday I will snag a sportbike probably a used cheapish one so I can see if I like it or not If I do I will get something newer/nicer

[PhlypSide]

Monsta: Get a used 650R, else look for a Honda CBR 600R F4i.... lots of those around (just make sure it's minty as most stunters get F4i's).

[Shorty111R]

Most importantly though, let us know what you decide and post pics!

[ItsThaMonsta]

I shall. Ill take the extra time and get a class in so Ill be ready when the rainy season ends.

[the1sen]

Man, when I lived at Eglin, the rain came like clockwork in the summer every single day - 330-430pm torrential downpour, 10-? raining mist... Morning, FOG... and then other days it just rained all day...

Out here in AZ, it rains maybe 40 days a year. AND, you can ride all year long too, which is why motorcycles here are more expensive. Damn I miss riding.

I don't envy your location ItsThaMonsta... How long can you tread water?