looking for a new bike

[rybo]

I agree with most of what's been said here:

My additions:

There are older 600's that are perfectly fine starter bikes

Basically 1998 and older 600's are forgiving rides that will do well with a newer rider on them.

That being said, and if you want a newer bike, I'm a big fan of the SV650, the Ninja 650 (twin) and the GS500. All are fine bikes and a lot of fun to ride. My favorite of all time is the NT650 Hawk, but good luck finding one of those in decent shape.

[MetaLord 9]

ex-500 (Ninja 500) FTW!!!

[asp_125]

... and if you are open to naked bikes.. Ducati Monster 600 series.

[GregsGSXR]

... and if you are open to naked bikes.. Ducati Monster 600 series.

And you get to learn how to be a mechanic too!!!

[FALCONSEYE]

I just found this deal: http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/933567501.html
Since I don't know much about a bike, another thing i am afraid of is being cheated. If it's not too much to ask, could somebody help me out picking a bike (perhaps test drive it for me)? Promise, i will buy you a beer....

[Sortarican]

That's not a bad deal if it's in the condition stated.

I'll buy YOU a beer if you let me test ride it.

[sky_blue]

I just found this deal: http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/933567501.html
Since I don't know much about a bike, another thing i am afraid of is being cheated. If it's not too much to ask, could somebody help me out picking a bike (perhaps test drive it for me)? Promise, i will buy you a beer....

I have that bike and it is FAN-TASTIC. AND HAWT. Glad it was my *second* bike and not my first bike. Could I have learned to ride on it? Sure. But I made some dumb mistakes on the GS500 I started on, and I got away with them because that bike had less power, and a less responsive throttle/engine.

Did I get bored on a smaller bike? Yeah, after a year I got a little bored, so I made some performance modifications and learned to ride at the track. After another year I was a little bored again so I bought my 600. I kept the 500, but I could have sold it for only about $500 less than I bought it for, and I had ridden it for two years.

Many here would be happy to check mechanical condition of your future purchase, but be aware that private sellers may not let anyone test ride the bike they're selling. Some people are cool with it, some not. Lots of liability in letting a stranger take off on your machine, even if they are an experienced rider.

[Sully]

well....... it is a Honda.... do not want

[rybo]

^

don't listen to her, the 600RR is a great bike

[MetaLord 9]

start at kelly blue book (www.kbb.com) or another similar site to get a good idea of what the trade-in value of a bike you're looking at is. The owner can really only count on getting that if they trade it into a dealer so that's a good start price. If the bike is not in perfect condition then that price needs to be lower. Again, I urge you to buy an older and/or lower cc bike.

The insurance on the bike you're looking at is gonna be a little high too, so I'd take that into consideration.

If a bike's been dropped or "abused" and still runs just fine then it's probably a perfect starter bike because you don't have to worry about dropping it yourself. Something about the old adage "there are 2 kinds of riders: those who have been down and those who are going to go down" comes into play here...

As far as test riding, you're gonna need to ride it yourself. Sure one of us might be able to spot something wrong with the bike if we ride it, but you need to be comfortable on the bike first. If you're dead set on getting an '07 model, head to a dealership & see what they've got. Sit on a couple and find out what you like. You may find out that the bike you love looking at doesn't fit you b/c it's too tall or too fat, or cramps your legs, or whatever. Don't rush into something just because you're drooling about being on a bike. A lot of the good roads are sandy, closed, or lousy this time of year, so it's not like you're wasting the season away.

[FALCONSEYE]

start at kelly blue book (www.kbb.com) or another similar site to get a good idea of what the trade-in value of a bike you're looking at is. The owner can really only count on getting that if they trade it into a dealer so that's a good start price. If the bike is not in perfect condition then that price needs to be lower. Again, I urge you to buy an older and/or lower cc bike.

The insurance on the bike you're looking at is gonna be a little high too, so I'd take that into consideration.

If a bike's been dropped or "abused" and still runs just fine then it's probably a perfect starter bike because you don't have to worry about dropping it yourself. Something about the old adage "there are 2 kinds of riders: those who have been down and those who are going to go down" comes into play here...

As far as test riding, you're gonna need to ride it yourself. Sure one of us might be able to spot something wrong with the bike if we ride it, but you need to be comfortable on the bike first. If you're dead set on getting an '07 model, head to a dealership & see what they've got. Sit on a couple and find out what you like. You may find out that the bike you love looking at doesn't fit you b/c it's too tall or too fat, or cramps your legs, or whatever. Don't rush into something just because you're drooling about being on a bike. A lot of the good roads are sandy, closed, or lousy this time of year, so it's not like you're wasting the season away.

Thanks again. A seasoned rider might notice something that I wouldn't otherwise. So, Sortarican I will touch base with you later.
I am 6'2 and 195lbs. I sit on couple bikes. The cbr seemed to be a little lower than gsx-r. It seemed like I would lean forward a bit more on cbr and putting more weight on my wrists and forearms. By the way, how much do you think the insurance will cost?

[sky_blue]

Thanks again. A seasoned rider might notice something that I wouldn't otherwise. So, Sortarican I will touch base with you later.
I am 6'2 and 195lbs. I sit on couple bikes. The cbr seemed to be a little lower than gsx-r. It seemed like I would lean forward a bit more on cbr and putting more weight on my wrists and forearms. By the way, how much do you think the insurance will cost?

Your body weight should be supported by your core/stomach muscles. You should not be leaning onto the handlebars...

[asp_125]

Thanks again. A seasoned rider might notice something that I wouldn't otherwise. So, Sortarican I will touch base with you later.
I am 6'2 and 195lbs. I sit on couple bikes. The cbr seemed to be a little lower than gsx-r. It seemed like I would lean forward a bit more on cbr and putting more weight on my wrists and forearms. By the way, how much do you think the insurance will cost?

Something a new rider may not be aware of.. supersports are small bikes. I'm 5'-10" and even I find the CBR 600 to be small, compared to my gixxer. If it feels small in the driveway, imagine how cramped it will be on a ride of any distance. Then again I'm not as flexible with an old knee injury so YMMV. Also pick it for the kind of riding you want to do. Me, I am just getting warmed up at 50mi, easy to do around here. There are a bunch of us who like to go on all day rides. You really want to find a bike that's comfortable for those.

Weight on the wrists and forearms have to do with fit as well. I had a Ducati 750 that hurt on long rides. My advice starting out? Don't pin your hopes on any one specific bike. It's your first bike and not your last. Tastes change all the time so go test sit on as many bikes in that category that you can.

Oh.. also consider the Yammi FZ-6 and Kawi ZR7-S as perfectly good alternatives, especially if roominess is a factor.

[t_jolt]

Falcon your close to my build, I would also try sitting on a 03-05 R6. It was one of the best fitting bikes ive sat on for my body type

[Sully]

Depending on your driving record and what insurance company you have will determine your cost of insurance. You're 35 yrs old, so that should help a bit. My insurance is cheeeeeeeeep for my bike $30ish a month..

[salsashark]

Depending on your driving record and what insurance company you have will determine your cost of insurance. You're 35 yrs old, so that should help a bit. My insurance is cheeeeeeeeep for my bike $30ish a month..

+1 I pay $20/month on an 07 Speed Triple through State Farm.

[Sully]

+1 I pay $20/month on an 07 Speed Triple through State Farm.

show off !!! lol

[Sortarican]

+1 I pay $20/month on an 07 Speed Triple through State Farm.

I pay $150 a year for two bikes.
(It's good to be the King!)

[salsashark]

I pay $150 a year for two bikes.
(It's good to be the King!)

[MetaLord 9]

Depending on your driving record and what insurance company you have will determine your cost of insurance. You're 35 yrs old, so that should help a bit. My insurance is cheeeeeeeeep for my bike $30ish a month..

The flip side of that is my insurance, even though I've got a great driving record, my bike by itself on a policy is more than my monthly payment on the thing. I'm in the 25-30 age bracket & saw a price cut at 25 too.

[salsashark]

[Sully]

... even your bike is sexier...

[salsashark]

[MetaLord 9]

...