Ok guys, I'm always helpin' you foolios when it comes to buying, selling or just talking cars, now I need a favor from you folks. I know a lot of you G drivers ride and I was wondering what type of advice you'd have for a bike n00b looking to get his motorcycle license and a cheap used sport bike to start off with. I was originally itching to possibly buy a used low mileage 350Z as a toy car but I think I'm leaning towards two wheels instead. What will I need, how should I do this and FFS where do I start?

 

man, i never had my license, lol! start with a 6/750. then work ur way up to a balanced, blue p'd, boosted one s.hit is reeeeeaaaal scary! hit up Ted too. madd knowledge there.

 

Start with something in the 250-500cc range. You will learn how to ride WELL, not just learn how to survive.

 

brah my first bike was my 03 suzuki 750. i would say start with a 750 or just buy a 1000. my friend bought him a 600 and he regrets not having the power after like a week of riding the thing. honestly because you can always pull on the throttle a little less. i say anything after 2001 is an awesome bike. i like my suzukis. and make sure you buy FRAME SLIDERS! it will save you alot of head and heartaches. shoots

 

make sure its old and beat up.

 

If you read other bike forums they will always tell you to buy a 500cc or less bike. Unfortunately 500 or less sportsbikes looks very ugly. So I got a 600f4i and moved to a honda 600RR. Rode my buddy's TL and it was noticeable harder to handle.

IMHO, I suggest getting a 600cc and take a MSF class. Do they have that here in Oahu? If they do, MSF class will teach you how to ride and give you a certification to skip the road test at the DMV, but not the written.

 

MSF-600cc/750-give it a year then get a thou.

 

you need a license to have a bike?
I started with 600's (Yamaha) fun size and good power, but like everyone says you will want more in no time. Too easy to get nuts on those things though, thats why I sold my bikes. Still get the itch once in awhile.

 

Before you buy any bike, take the time to take the rider safety course. It saves you on insurqance as well since you will be listed as novice rider. Do not waste your money on buying a 500cc bike. Unless you are short. Spend the money on a 600 or 750 to start. You'll have the power as you get used to riding and save the hassall of trying to sell the 500, they do not sell well.
But the draw back is they also hit you for how many cc's your bike has in your insurance.

But my sugestion take the course. And if you can take the race course. Trust me it save my life learning how to dump a bike, especially when you get cut off by one truck and you doing like 60

 

I agree with taking the safety course. Depending on your location, completion of the course will get you a "road test waiver." Pick up some books like Twist of the wrist vol 2 for riding techniques. In terms of bike selection, a 600CC honda like an f4i of RR is probably your best bet. They are forgiving enough to learn on in stock form and are plenty fast when modded while also handling better than a lot of the bigger bikes with longer wheelbases. Invest in some safety equipment while you are at it. A steering damper is also a good addition to any bike you own especially if you ride on low quality pavement. I never said it was gonna be cheap.

 

Def start out with something used and in the 600 class. + 1 on twist the wrist, and the MSF class. No matter what you get you will enjoy riding. be safe

 

I would purchase an old Kawi ex250 or ex500 and sell it when you're ready to move up. It took me a month to be comfortable on my 500 before I stepped it up to a 600. The biggest thing is the ergonomics in my mind. I wanted to feel comfortable with my feet flat on the ground before I stepped it up to a sporty stance. The ex250 or ex500 will easily sell for the same price when you're ready to move up.

 

i would one f4i super sick bike had one but sold it to many dum people wit cars no watch out 4 guys on bikes............

 

yO... Matt take the class first... if you want... You should give them a call because they are usually backed up for months... Here's a link to the LCC one
http://www.leeward.hawaii.edu/ocewd/ ... go to motorcycle training.

... as for the bike... 600/750 is good enough for this island...

...also depends on how you like the seating position on the bike... On a gixxer. It's not so bad on your wrist. Because the pegs are somewhat lower. On a yamaha. the pegs are hellah high. So a lot of your weight is up front... it's all up to the rider i guess. those are the only 2 type of bikes i've rode... so yahhh...

... get one and we go ride...

 

If you sit properly on a bike, you shouldn't have ANY weight on your wrists, no matter how aggressive. My heels rest on my gf's toes when she's on my bike, and I have lowered clipons in the front.....long rides are no problem. You need to learn how to support your body weight with your core, not your wrists; leaning on your wrists not only hurts, but doesn't give you full control of the bike.


To the OP, seriously, you don't have to start on a big bike. You can buy a 250, 400, 500cc or whatever and basically sell it for what you paid, if/when you get tired of it. If you're content to cruise in a straight line, go ahead and get whatever bike you want, just don't twist the throttle too hard. If you want to learn how to rail in the canyons and on the track, then get a small bike. It will teach you a hell of a lot more about the functionality of a bike, teach you how to carry speed in the corners, and will be far more forgiving for mistakes (especially in corners). Remember, you're on two wheels, so throttle/brake balance is JUST as important as how much you decide to lean the bike.

If you're a sane person, you can probably start off on a 600cc supersport, but why? All those bikes, including the "recommended" F4i and 600rr can be looped by someone with a grabby throttle hand. You do NOT need 100+hp to have fun on a bike that weighs less than 400 lbs. It'll also help on insurance to get a smaller displacement bike for the first few months/years/whatever.

The best learning experience I ever had was on 50cc two-stroke sportbikes, out on a track. You learn so much more about carrying speed through corners, proper braking technique, etc. I guarantee you, unless you have INSANE self-discipline, a bigger bike will probably slow your learning curve. When you're trying to learn the basic physics and controls of a bike, you don't want to be scared of the throttle or the brakes.

Like I said before, if you just want to pose, go on chill cruises with your friends, and basically ride in a straight line.....it doesn't really matter what you start out on. If you really want to improve as a rider, and stay alive to enjoy it, it's highly recommended to start on a smaller bike. Also note that the guys who start out on a 750/1000 often give it up because it's too "crazy," but the guys who take riding seriously make it a lifetime passion.


NOTE: For the flamers, of course there will be exceptions out there. There ALWAYS are!! I'm sure your neighbor's brother's mom's cousin started out on a turbo Busa and is now a world class road racer, but for the average person, it's recommended to take in one challenge at a time when learning to ride. To put a new rider on a 100-120 hp bike throws way too many variables and "potential learning experiences" into the mix.

That's all. Enjoy riding!! Approach it with the right mindset, and you'll never look back.