Hi, few Questions

[murfthesmurph]

New to the forum, but been reading awhile. I really want to get a bike and know all the stuff to start on a small bike and what not and msf course, as i do plan to do so.

Right now though Im just mapping out some details such as price of insurance. Im 18 so I expect to be paying out the wazooo anyway. I was just wondering what some of the rates if anyone wanted to share.

Oh yah and any good places to look for bikes. I want to get some sort of early 90's maybe even late 80's but to start with preferably a 500 but I hear that early 90's 600's are not to bad to learn on either. Just any input as to where to start browsing bikes.

Thanks

[LiononaLeash]

A katana 600 would be nice start. They are everywhere and are pretty cheap.

They seem to handle real neutral and are quite comfy. They are a proven design that has lasted 20 or so years on the showroom floor. That is probably the big reason they still sell so well.

Lots of plastic on them to break though. Maybe an EX500 would be another one to start with.

[Rice-rocket1]

First off, welcome to the nut house.

Glad to hear you looking for info first.

An early to mid 90's 600 will be fine for a starter. Definatley go for the MSF course as it will teach you alot and get you a break on insurance and your license when you pass the course.

Don't skimp on gear, it's the only thing between you and the street if something should happen (but hopefully won't).

Plus with the right gear then you will be able to track days such as Tony's where you can learn alot more about your bike than you ever could do safely on the street.

As far as where to look, I have had good luck with Brockton Cycles.

Just stay away from Windmill Cycles in Dartmouth, MA. Seen to many near totals there that they have poorly rebuilt and sell for better than top dollar. They target the people that want the top bike and have poor credit. Soak them on the price of the bike and the interest they charge for the loan, IMHO.

[murfthesmurph]

All right thanks for the info so far guys. To add to the list of questions what kinds of gear do you suggest. I don't know are there better brands out there(better quality) which i am assuming there are any suggestions on helmets, jackets pants, gloves, boots??

-Gear?
-Insurance?


Thanks again

[01YZF6]

welcome ! great that you are wanting to LEARN instead of just jumpin into this...

as said :

GET GEAR
GET MSF
GET PRACTICE


gs500 (e or f)
ex500
zzr600
katana 600

all great bikes if you repsect the capability of your wrist....

[Nikon]

Def do the MSF and you can do that without owning gear or a bike. Most of the known brands are gonna give you good stuff. If you can afford it get leather but if not, textile is fine too. Don't go cheap on the helmet or gloves though. Armor is your friend.

I give you a lot of creidt for asking the questions first. You are gonna pay for being 18 and owning a sportbike. There is no question about that. Take a look in the for sale and wanted section of the site for some decent deals and you can trust most of the people selling stuff here.

Ask all the questions you want and you will get MANY answers.

Welcome

[OreoGaborio]

Murph, welcome to the forum, bro Glad to hear you're interested in the MSF course, I suggest you sign up early and get it over with ASAP. The courses fill up pretty quick and there's not a whole lot you need to do before hand... just get your permit, attend the class, bring an open mind and be ready to learn - that's it.

In regards to insurance, depending on what you get, whether or not you finance it (that'll have a huge impact on your insurance rate, as a financed bike requires 100% full insurance) it'll be anywhere between 50 bucks a month and 250 bucks a month.

I'm 26, have an '00 zx6r, have collision & comp and pay about $50/month.

As for a good beginner bike, the Kawi EX500 is definitely a good one and you can always turn it into a Production Twins legal racer once you get your race license in a few years and join my race team, right?

If you don't go for the EX, just about any mid 1990's 600cc sportbike will serve you well. Cheaper to insure and easier to stay outta trouble. I'd really stay away from anything much newer than the year 2000.

As for gear, it'll always be safest to get a leather jacket, leather gloves, good helmet and boots, but save up and buy what you can... any gear is better than no gear. A good website many people like is www.newenough.com - poke around in there & you'll learn alot about different kinds of gear and find some great prices as well.

Originally posted by 01YZF6
gs500 (e or f)
ex500
zzr600
katana 600

The zzr600 doesnt really go there... It's nothing like the other bikes you listed. If you're gonna put the ZZR in there, you might as well lump in the rest of the '00-'02 600 supersports as well, since they're all very comparable.

Although my '00 zx6r is pretty much exactly the same as the ZZR600 and that's what I started out on, I wouldn't really recommend it. Although I love it, there were plenty of times where I probably would have liked a less powerful bike w/ a lower center of gravity.

[JeffL]

I actually bought my first bike right here off NESR.

My advice to you after this experience, is take any opportunity you have to look the bike over IN PERSON before committing to any sort of sale. Or at least bring someone knowledgeable about bikes.

Insurance? Whats your SDIP step? Theres a few members here on the board that actually work for a large insurance company here in Mass that might? possibly be able to help you kind of get an idea of what your insurance might be, but dont quote me on that.

Bikes? Look around here, usually something kicking around at all times. I know I saw a lot of promising bikes on www.craigslist.com as well when I was searching for my first bike last year.

As a first time rider last year, I spent my time reading online, on the forums, and various articles. As the bare minimum at first, I bought myself full gauntlet leather gloves ($150), a full leather jacket ($325), helmet ($350), and some leather ankle-high boots ($40). I chose to spend a bit more money and went with a Shoei helmet, and all Alpinestars gear. Its certainly not the cheapest, but its not the most expensive either. A price I was willing to pay. Other brands will afford you the same quality and protection without the cost of some of the "higher" up brands I suppose. I dont have much experience with gear besides my own, but based on what your budget is, you should be able to fill your needs for gear fairly reasonably.

Take your time, no rush, theres always next season. I had my bike nearly 2 months before I ever really rode it on the street, I waited the entire time to take the MSF, and I'm all the happier I did. Got in 2 months of riding in the fall, then suffered not being able to ride in the winter, but spring came plenty soon enough, and I've already got in 2+ months of riding already this year.

[SVRACER01]

the cool thing about an EX is when you want to get rid of it you can almost get what you paid for it from someone else whos learning.

early 90s CBRs are very forgiving bikes. they wont punish you for small mistakes.

sv650 is also good to learn on and it will grow with you. not really a bike that you will learn on then get rid of in a year or 2. youll have it a while.

insurance: remember.. insurance companies like bike with the least amount of fairing on them (gs500, naked sv650, 599, older bandit 600, etc) they are considered "standards" instead of "sport"
letters that insurance companies dont like are: GSXR, CBR, R#,ZX. progressive will insure just about anyone but shop around, find an agent that deals with more than 1 company. in your bike budget dont forget helmet ($100+), jacket ($100+ on e bay or something) and gloves ($50+) and fun (priceless )

[LuvDog]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
The zzr600 doesnt really go there... It's nothing like the other bikes you listed. If you're gonna put the ZZR in there, you might as well lump in the rest of the '00-'02 600 supersports as well, since they're all very comparable.

Although my '00 zx6r is pretty much exactly the same as the ZZR600 and that's what I started out on, I wouldn't really recommend it. Although I love it, there were plenty of times where I probably would have liked a less powerful bike w/ a lower center of gravity.

I think he's talking about the older ZZR600? As in the early 90's.

It was mostly referred to as a ZX6 notice there is no "R".

Some people also refer to them as ZX6D or E. There was a ZX6R in the early 90's too... so don't get them confused.

It's a good beginner bike and still fairly sporty looking.

[murfthesmurph]

All right thanks you to everyone on all of your input. Right now I have a little money saved, but I know not enough for a bike as of yet. But knowing that it is summer time and the season is in gear should I take the msf course while there is still available space or should I wait until I know I'll have a bike? which possibly might not even be until fall, though Im really shootin for mid to late summer.

Murf

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by LuvDog
I think he's talking about the older ZZR600? As in the early 90's.

It was mostly referred to as a ZX6 notice there is no "R".

Some people also refer to them as ZX6D or E. There was a ZX6R in the early 90's too... so don't get them confused.

It's a good beginner bike and still fairly sporty looking.

ahh... that would make alot more sense. only zzr that came to mind is the "new" one based on the '00-'02 zx6r.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by murfthesmurph
All right thanks you to everyone on all of your input. Right now I have a little money saved, but I know not enough for a bike as of yet. But knowing that it is summer time and the season is in gear should I take the msf course while there is still available space or should I wait until I know I'll have a bike? which possibly might not even be until fall, though Im really shootin for mid to late summer.

Murf

I took the MSF course back in '01... didn't get my first bike till '04. If you wanna take it now & not get a bike till next year there's no reason why you can't.

[Rice-rocket1]

Take the course, pass it and you will have your license. Then when the right bike for you comes along you will have the basics and be able to head right out and enjoy the sport.

[Paul_E_D]

4 cylinder 600s are big and heavy. I think you can do better than that for a starter. The twins are narrower and "feel" a lot lighter. (EX, GS, etc.)

But, there's really no wrong answer. Actually, since you agree lighter is always better, an older dual sport might be a good choice... XL250 or 500 or something.

[roso]

murph take the course who cares when you get the bike

if you want gear go to www.motoxoutlet.com
they are doing a deal where you buy a helmet and get a jacket free
at least they were last week but check em out they are always changes sales and have good prices

and if you take the class some peeps you know might let you take out their bikes

good luck, be safe and please dont become a squid

[ancosta]

Take the course ASAP. I had mine over at Ironstone Ventures in Seekonk, they did a nice job overall.

I would suggest getting a budget together, and then working backwards. For example, if budget is $3k, figure on jacket, boots, gloves, helmet, pants for about $500 if you shop around well, leaving you about $2500.

I would not skimp on boots or pants, you may not wear riding pants all the time but it's good for those day trips and when you are practicing your manuvers in a lot, etc. Also good boots will protect you from ankle injuries much better than a set of workboots, etc.

If you search hard for a deal you can find a bike you can get, ride for a year, then get out of for about the same as you paid for it. EX500 comes to mind.

Last night I saw an SV650S in the Want Ad for $1800, sounds like some light cosmetic damage, that would be perfect esp. if the title is clean.

Also if you want to start learning today, go pick up a copy of "Proficient Motorcycling" by David Hough, probably on the shelf at the local Borders or Barnes & Noble. A ton of knowledge in there and it helped me get more psyched to learn about riding the right way.

Good luck and you'll find a lot of smart ppl on here to help you.

[Jenks]

IF your going to get into that course better sign up NOW... there is one long wait... even if your not going to ride/ or get a bike for a little while atleast you will have it out of the way... not be like me and wait until the last minute then be pissed when everyone is out riding and your not, oh and by the way being "really" young having the MSF course isn't really going to help you too much with insurance at all but it shall help keep you alive, GOOD LUCK

[murfthesmurph]

all right gunna try and sign up soon for the msf. Thanks for all the info and comments really have helped me think over my approach to the situation. Look forward to postin some more.

THanks again