"JEM" (jem)
02/17/2014 at 12:42 • Filed to: None
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"JEM" (jem)
02/17/2014 at 12:42 • Filed to: None | 4
| 19 |
As we head into the last throes of winter... I start searching craigslist for a first bike.
Took the course and got my license last year, bought a helmet, but still haven't gotten a bike. Hopefully that changes this year.
And this, this is exactly what I looking for in a commuter/sport type of bike:
2010 Yamaha FZ6R with 2785 miles
Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 12:45 |
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If you can find one, I also recommend a Honda CBR500R. Both are great first bikes.
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JEM
> Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/17/2014 at 12:55 |
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Yeah that would definitely be on my list, as well as a 600 Ninja of course.
I feel like I don't see many CBRs for sale. Not sure if they aren't that popular up here (New England) or people who have them just don't sell them.
yamahog
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 12:59 |
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I have a 2004 FZ6 with 40k miles (hand me down from my dad) and it's been great, absolutely no problems at all. It's my first 600cc bike and I've done 5+ hour rides through California canyons and 8 hour rides from Michigan to Albany with little complaint from my back. Stay on top of the maintenance (get a repair manual, there's a list of stuff to do every 600 miles if you're not familiar) and have fun!
jkm7680
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 13:05 |
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Check out the Suzuki Gw250, it's got a terribly low top speed, but you won't regret it, and you can get them new for $4,000.
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JEM
> yamahog
02/17/2014 at 13:05 |
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Whoa 40K is a lot! There's also one around me for 1/2 the price with 15K but I was thinking that was too much. Good to know it's good for long distances.
Casper
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 13:12 |
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FZ6 wouldn't be a bad first bike. I actually started with a Kawasaki Z750S (rare in the US) and thought it was a decent bike, but too top heavy for a newbie. You might also look at the Kawasaki 650R or Suzuki SV650, they are forgiving bikes to start with too.
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yamahog
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 13:12 |
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Lol yea, I don't think I'd buy one with that many miles if I didn't know the previous owner well! My dad used it for commuting and track days so he had nearly 30k on it before giving it to me, and I DD'd it in California and when it's not snowing here in Michigan.
Reigntastic
> jkm7680
02/17/2014 at 13:24 |
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250cc bikes get boring pretty quickly. Solid efficiency is nice, but most riders would be past that phase in a few months of riding.
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jkm7680
> Reigntastic
02/17/2014 at 13:39 |
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I agree with you, a good commuter, but not much fun. They are good for learning the ropes, but only to a certain point.
JPhi
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 13:49 |
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I'm going to recommend a "naked" bike for a first bike. I currently have a Suzuki SV1000 (not my first bike), and a SV650 would be a good choice. Also something like a GS500 might not be sporty enough, but the Bandit line can be pretty fun.
I'm not critiquing your ability, but a 600R series bike can be a lot to handle when you're learning the basics. If anything, get a naked, less sporty bike for a year, and get what you want next year. Chances are very good that you're going to lay the bike down (even if it's at low speed) and on a naked bike you might loose a handle bar or clutch lever, but you're not going to have destroyed faring.
Of course there are a lot of people that start on the sport bike and have no issues, but I'll always recommend starting lower and working your way up. (I've been riding for over 10 years)
Oh, and also, if you get one of the popular sport bikes, theft prevention is #1. Someone will kick the shit out of the handle bar lock and drive away or just chunk it in the back of a truck. It only takes seconds... (ask me how I know)
MIATAAAA
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 13:50 |
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Get. It. NP.
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Reigntastic
> jkm7680
02/17/2014 at 13:51 |
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I'd even say it depends on the type of commuting you're doing. They're fine for merging on the highway, but they're not very fast at all above 70mph. I like having a little bit more than ~25 horsepower for highway riding, but it's possible.
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jkm7680
> Reigntastic
02/17/2014 at 13:55 |
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City commutes and short distance, When the speed limit is 70, on a bike that can only go around 80 would probably be where to not ride
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JEM
> jkm7680
02/17/2014 at 13:59 |
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Yeah I would definitely want something with more top end, just to have in reserve as I would definitely be doing highway riding. And with Masshole drivers, I'd have to be doing 70-80 and be able to move quick.
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Reigntastic
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 14:01 |
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Being nimble on a motorcycle has gotten me out of countless accidents. Have to be able to out-accelerate, out-brake, and out-think the massholes. Just pretend everyone is out to kill you, you'll do great.
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JEM
> JPhi
02/17/2014 at 14:03 |
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Oof. Thanks for the heads up on the theft front.
Yeah, I was originally thinking 500cc, but the more I look at the options, the more a 600cc bike seems to make sense for what I want.
I would totally consider a naked bike as long as it had a windscreen (or a way to mount one aftermarket), I actually prefer the naked bike looks.
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JPhi
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 14:21 |
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Yea, I don't know how easy they are to find, but the FZ6 (no R) is a cool bike that I think you would really like. Also, I'm not sure if you're going to need full coverage insurance (financing), but if you are, the difference in price between a bike that has R or X anywhere in the name and one that doesn't will shock you. Like insurance is more than your payments shocking - to the point of you could just throw away the bike and get a new one every two or three years instead of having insurance. And again on the theft, if you are planning on liability only, go with an insurance company that can do liability and comprehensive only. That will cover you for theft and vandalism, but doesn't have the insane premium that collision has.
So good luck with your first bike, and the other best riding advice I can give is: Ride like half the people on the road can't see you and the other half are actively trying to kill you.
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JEM
> Reigntastic
02/17/2014 at 14:23 |
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I pretty much already assume that in a car anyhow. I will say that taking the safety course enforced a lot of the "watch out for sudden idiot move" stuff I already did on a daily basis and helped me be a better driver. I think everyone should have to pass that course before they get even a regular car license.
Soloburrito
> JEM
02/17/2014 at 16:11 |
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"Fazer"
