Let's say you had about 5K or so to spend on your first motorcycle...

[RichS]

...and you lived in Austin.

I'm about to finish my motorcycle safety course tomorrow and I'd like to pick up a bike.

I know that I don't want a dirt bike, but I'm sort of open towards anything else although I'm sort of leaning towards a sport bike.

Some data:

About 195 lbs (ideal would be about 10 to 15 lbs less), 6 feet tall.
Track membership.

I'm of two minds:

1. Pick up a 2k or so bike that has already been dropped a few times and build up some skill without the fear of dropping the bike.
2. There are some great deals on great bikes because of the state of the economy so I could spend more (even more than the 5K) and pick up something nice and just be careful.

Craig's list in Austin turns up a bunch of interesting things:
2009 Harley Davidson XL883N Sportster (obviously asking too much, but this is kind of cool looking and seems like it might be fun)
2005 Ducati Monster 800cc
2005 Ducati 749 Dark
2006 Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja 5K Miles, Black, Immac, 1-Owner, $$$ Mods
And a few hundred other interesting bikes...

So what would you do?

[Chris Mackey]

Great question. I'll be watching this thread.

[RoadDad]

Rich,

You're going to drop the bike.

[Allan Gibbs]

See if you can get this for $4,000 (due to the state of the economy).
2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650 650R w/ Full Fairing

Or, maybe this:
2006 Suzuki SV 650 S 6k Miles

Can't go wrong with this for 6 months or so:
Kawasaki Ninja

BTW, have you checked insurance yet? When you get more experience and insurance rates ease off a bit, just add a new bike to the stable.

[Allan Gibbs]

And just FYI:

New Enough Motorcycle Apparel sells motorcycle jackets, pants and suits, boots, gloves, helmets, etc :: New Enough, LTD
Home | Helmet Harbor

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by RichS

...I could spend more (even more than the 5K) and pick up something nice and just be careful.

No one ever says "I'm going to drop my bike today."

[Dragon]

I had a 2006 R6 that I loved... You can probably pick one up for that price. Fly by wire throttle and lots of performance in a small light weight maneuverable package..

After many mods...

[the1sen]

RichS

It depends on the type of riding you will do.

If you tell me you will only be on the track, then get the cheaper bike, and get a bunch of go-fast parts for it. Be careful here - people of all ages beat the piss out of inline 4's and some of them don't take it well when they're laid down.

If you tell me you will ride on the streets a lot, then may I humbly suggest your sized frame may need a little larger twin to be happy on the street. Perfect bike for your size would be an 07 BMW F800s, which I am sure you could pick up for under $5k. Bulletproof engine, Brembo brakes, single sided swing arm, belt drive (you can still wheelie the hell out of it, think Chain without the lube BS), great ergos, unique factor, and you can get OEM side panniers.

The SV650 is a BLAST to ride, but you may quickly outgrow it because of your size. The Kawi Ninja 650R is also great, but you may outgrow it quickly... The BMW is completely unique in that it is 150cc's larger, but feels just as light and nimble as the smaller bikes. Most flickable and silly bike EVER for me was the SV650 - I can't say enough great things about that bike.

But my favorite bike for everything, including the track, was my BMW F800

[Morty]

I still say Super Moto. Its the Lotus of motorcycles. But I think it may be too "Dirt Bike" for you 2005 Suzuki DR-Z400SM

I have also always been a fan of the Honda Super Hawk! Officialy it is not a sport bike so full coverage ins for you should be less than $300 a year. Here is one in your area bet you can get him down on price too. Only thing is its a 1000cc bike, a little large for a new-B but its a twin and is very light and torqey. I think you would really enjoy it.
Here is one near you.
2003 Honda VTR 1000 Super Hawk

[Minnis]

I'm going to be getting an 06 Triumph 675 for my wife shortly. They are light weight (360lbs) and have the power if you need it- incase I want to ride it. Plus they are really narrow with a 3 cyl. And their not as common as every other Jap bike and they are British like our Lotus if thats a reason... I almost had one for $4k two weeks ago. Jack Trebour in NJ gets them as trades pretty cheap. The newest one is even lighter and faster. I've seen quite a few with over 20k miles which is a good sign.
If you want a cheap sportbike the CBR600 F2-F4i's are decent bikes for not a lot. We had one for our first bike and it was fun.

I have always wanted a 749 dark but without frame damage.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by Morty

I have also always been a fan of the Honda Super Hawk! Officialy it is not a sport bike so full coverage ins for you should be less than $300 a year. Here is one in your area bet you can get him down on price too. Only thing is its a 1000cc bike, a little large for a new-B but its a twin and is very light and torqey. I think you would really enjoy it.

If you do look at the Super Chicken (yeah, it's that boring to ride), then also give a gander to the Suzuki SV1000.

If you look into inline 4 bikes, generally speaking, your insurance rates will be insane. Twins, as Morty mentioned, are generally not considered sport bikes and are MUCH easier on the wallet for insurance purposes.

You could factor in the Monster 800 as well, but frankly, it's a boring bike. It's about as boring as riding a Honda.

Then again, I'd rather be dead than ride red.

Also - RichS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sure to get some proper riding gear. The day I was crippled on my bike, I thought I would not wear my gear since the weather was just perfect. For whatever reason, I squelched that idea and wore my gear. 5 minutes later, I was in an epic accident and will be crippled for the rest of my life. If I hadn't worn my gear my feet would have been broken, my hands would have been ground through the bone, my shoulders would have been crushed, and my back very well may have been broken.

Please, Please, PLEASE wear your gear and ride as if you are invisible because no one will see you.

[RichS]

Sweet info guys, keep it coming!

RoadDad, I'm assuming you'll say that I'll drop a bike because everyone drops a bike.

Alan, although no one ever says, I'm going to drop my bike today, some do push the envelope quite a bit. I drive my Lotus at 9.5 to 10.1 at the track, I'm relatively sure I could drive a bike at 8.0 or lower everywhere I drove for quite a while (even on the track). I do realize that there is almost no way you can control what OTHER people do, but I could, of course, 'be careful' about what I do.

the1sen, Did you make that chart as you were reading this thread? Or is it from somewhere (and is it bigger)? Thanks for the effort! I already have my helmet that I use in my car and I've been assuming that it is fine for a bike. I also have some good boots, I'll work on the rest of the gear over this week and will ride it.

I have looked at a Triumph 675 tripple up at the Triumph dealer here in Austin. They've got a slightly used one with lots of mods for a bit more than I want to spend (at least they are asking that much).

You've all given great advice! Thanks.

(I noticed nobody liked the brand new Harley. I think it would be 'harder' for me to push the limits on that bike which is one of the reasons I was thinking about it.)

[Timmah]

IMO Harley's make great cruising bikes but if you want to ride it on the track, you're going to be disappointed. A good sport bike would be much better suited to the track.

I'd also recommend getting some of those frame sliders that they make for most bikes now as well. They will help if you low side.

I don't know which helmet you have but you are probably going to want something bike specific because of the venting. You're going to be wearing it for a long time, may as well try to be comfortable doing it.

[PhlypSide]

1) Don't start out on a liter bike
2) I like your mention of naked bikes

So... based on that I'd say:

Buell XB12S (want a Harley that turns?)
Ducati Monster (remember Ducati parts costs and maintenance though)
Suzuki SV650 (nekkid of course)
Triumph Speed Triple (Triumph offers a 2 year warranty for a reason LOL! j/k it's a sweet bike)

If you're looking at fully faired sportbikes (with clip-ons as opposed to actual handlebars) your budget can probably net you:

2006 Yamaha R6
2006 Honda CBR 600RR
2006 Suzuki GSX-R 600
2006 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6-R (636 - not the ZX-6RR which is only 599cc)

You may also consider a 2004-newer Suzuki GSX-R 750... the only modern Japanese 750cc bike sold in the US... if you can spend more and score an '08 you can get SDMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector)......

The SDMS lets the rider choose between three power settings to suit varying riding conditions. C-mode reduces engine power all around and softens throttle response by changing the fuel mapping and closing the secondary butter- flies. B-mode bumps up the power marginally until nearly full throttle, where it then switches to maximum power. A-mode is unrestricted, full-bore [1,000cc] madness. Suzuki claims that this system was designed for optimum performance on the track, and while there’s some truth to that statement—say, in a wet race—what racer wouldn’t want all the power all the time? Where this system shines is out in the real world, where sport and sport-touring riders encounter riding conditions as varying as their skill sets.

Source: 2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (article is on GSX-R 1000, but SDMS is now available on all GSX-Rs since last year)

[agirls]

Triumph Street Triple R lol, you won't find it cheap though.

You should not start off on a liter bike. They are sensitive. When I got mine, I actually found it harder to ride than my smaller bike. Till I got used to it anyways.

If you like to track, no Harley's. You will not find a Harley on a track. My 200+ lb boyfriend would rather follow me in the canyons on my Kawasaki KLX250 than his Harley FXDX. He says it is more fun. Of course he is wringing the **** out of the 250 lol.

Everything else is just preference. It's really hard for new riders to find something they like because chances are you are not going to get any demo rides. I've ridden a lot of bikes and know what I like, but that does not help you. I like the naked sport bikes. They have a more upright seating position that my back tolerates. The faired sport bikes have an aggressive seating position that is uncomfortable for me on the street. And the first 2 years I owned my bike, I never crashed it, but dropped it 3 times. So embarrassing lol. But damage was minimal due to no fancy fairings.

[Allan Gibbs]

Originally Posted by RichS

Alan, although no one ever says, I'm going to drop my bike today, some do push the envelope quite a bit. I drive my Lotus at 9.5 to 10.1 at the track, I'm relatively sure I could drive a bike at 8.0 or lower everywhere I drove for quite a while (even on the track). I do realize that there is almost no way you can control what OTHER people do, but I could, of course, 'be careful' about what I do.

It's not so much as actually crashing the bike (which is the main thing people think about when it comes to motorcycles), it's more of dropping the bike at very low speeds. On a sport bike, a 0 mph tip over can be expensive when you have to replace levers, mirrors, scratched fairings, and the occasional broken handle bars. Low speed drops usually result from stalling the bike, road inclines, slipper roads, brain fart in getting your foot down, etc. And that's just for street riding. So, that's really the main reason I suggest getting a beater bike for your first few months. After that, add a second bike and begin your collection like a liter class sport bike and a dedicated middleweight track bike.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by RichS

the1sen, Did you make that chart as you were reading this thread? Or is it from somewhere (and is it bigger)? Thanks for the effort! I already have my helmet that I use in my car and I've been assuming that it is fine for a bike. I also have some good boots, I'll work on the rest of the gear over this week and will ride it.

I owned all those bikes (aside from the Super Chicken ) and ridden the ones I haven't owned, then rated them for you accordingly. I have owned a LOT of other bikes as well if you want me to rate them for you also. Please note the chart has been changed to reflect all the bikes I owned that were of note... and most of my riding was done to commute and for fun canyon runs. I spent some time on the track as well. You'll notice I liked the smaller displacement bikes best, again, because to me it is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

Helmet - Get a bike helmet, maybe a Scorpion EXO 1000 $300, or a Shoei $300-550, or an Arai $350-700... your comfort is the main goal and most car helmets I've seen are too heavy and not ventilated well enough for use on a bike. Your neck and sweat glands will thank you.

Don't forget gloves, and a protective jacket of some kind. A lot of newer bike jackets have padded inserts which prevented my shoulders and back from breaking in my accident.

[agirls]

And I have to say, I know several people who have started on faired 600's, so if you chose to, go ahead, just be careful. I've ridden Honda's, Kawasaki's, and Suzuki's 600. I liked the Honda CBR600 the best because it fit me like a glove! But I like my nakeds.

[erics75218]

I haven't read the responses so far, but as a long time Ducati owner, I have to say, that you should get yourself a used Ducati Monster. I would PERSONALLY get a m900.

Here are my reasons

a) the L-twin is an EXTREMELY tame motor, yes it's a 900, but it's TAME. I have a 750 and it was WAY to tame, comming from a Jap inline 4. I've never riden the 800s, but they came out when they went to a Single Sided Swingarm. I still think the 900/1000 are better bikes, than the 800, but the single sided swingarm is very nice.

b) those bikes can be had on the cheap, it's very easy to get a great example of one

c) the online community for Ducati Monsters is THE BEST you are going to find. ANYTHING you ever need for your bike, or any question you need answered will be a non issue. I can't stress this enough, it's nice when you jump into something new, to have support, and the Ducati Monster Community is even more helpfull and nice than this one.

d) It's a Ducati, you can actually own a piece of motorcycle history. The Ducati Monster is a landmark motorcycle, classic in it's style.


e) the air cooled l-twin is as reliable as you are going to find, do not let anyone tell you any different.

f) you look like a BAD ASS on a Monster...like a post nuclear road warrior.

g) they have been making them so long, and they have changed so little, your #1 source for parts will be e-bay. I'm convinced you could build a monster from scratch off e-bay.

h) the 900 is a classic, and as tractable as it is stock, you will easily be able to give it more "omph" as your riding skills improve.

i) the bikes have been out so long, you'll be able to get a used one for cheap that already has some good mods on it, specifically an exhaust :-)

I love motorcycles, i've only owned 3. A Monster (still own it baby!!!!), a 999 (awesome, but ugly) and a ZX-6r (first bike, a bit scary)

So that's my suggestion.....feel free to PM me with any questions, i can send you a link to the Monster forum, great group of guys.

p.s. if you ever manage to ride your Ducati to Laguna Seca, you can park on Ducati Island..and they will check your helmet and your jacket. They provide free bottle water, sunscreen and food. OR you can not get a Ducati and be stuck parking in the dirt, hauling your great around with you all day.

Get a Ducati man, and you will NOT be disappointed....TRUST ME..own something unique and special.

P.S. this is THE BEST place online to buy gear
New Enough Motorcycle Apparel sells motorcycle jackets, pants and suits, boots, gloves, helmets, etc :: New Enough, LTD
Don't let the name fool you, it's brand new gear. The thing with motorcycle gear is it's like fashon, so each year they come out with NEW COLORS on generally the same old products. So they kind of stockpile past years products and sell them on the cheap. PLUS they are SUPER nice, I once ordered an entire leather suit for a track day, it came and didn't fit. I called them up, the fed ex'd me a new suit and said to return the other one whenever I got around to it. How about THAT for customer service.

I mean seriously, look at this one, it's 10 year old and still looks so bad ass

[erics75218]

Oh, and to the individual who said a Ducati is as boring as a Honda...GET REAL!

Let me be the first to tell you that riding an unfaired monster, that AMAZING v-twin WAILING behind you, it sounds like NO other bikes on the planet. You can hear a Ducati coming from a mile away.

Join the club my friend....own Italian....seriously...do you want an NSX or Testerossa....get real..it's obvious.

IF YOU HAVE TO GO JAP....well...pick the style of power you want your motor to provide...and go find one of the big 4s bikes with a motor like it, then go find the cheapest one. I mean who cares...you'll be one of 11ty billion people on a Honda Super Hawk, or a Suzuki SV 1000....or get an R1/2/3/4/5...or maybe a ZX-3/4/5/6.

OR, get a bike that was pinned by a living legend...Masimo Tamburini
Massimo Tamburini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I duno..seems pretty damn cut and dry to me...a legend v.s.who cares.

2000 Ducati 900 MONSTER for sale in Hempfield, PA: Sportbike - CycleTrader.com
4900, m900..has all the "standard" mods you'd want, this bike is PERFECT

And if you want to go CRAZY, you COULD get the water cooled S4.....
2001 Ducati Monster 900 S4 for sale in Big Bend, WI: Sportbike - CycleTrader.com

Man I can't believe how cheap these bikes are these days....WOW!!