Any bike guys here? (sport bikes)

[Oneslowz28]

I rode a cruiser for the last 2 years and sold it last September and bought my buddies GSXR1000 but after riding it the last few days I am thinking that its more bike than I want to handle. I rode my buddies Ninja 650R the other day for about 120 miles and loved it. It was not so fast and responsive that I had to focus 150% on the ride like I have to do on the GSXR. I was able to actually enjoy the ride and man was it more comfy. So does anyone else on here ride?

[Luke122]

I've managed to convince my wife to let me get a bike, so I'm in the market.. I just need to raise some money.. lol.

For a starter bike, I'm looking at the new Honda CBR125R. Plenty fast for my commute, great on gas, nice and light, and still sporty! The price is right too, at under $4k for a new 2009 model. :D

Dont get me wrong, I'd love a 600F4i or a 929CBR, but I know that's way too much bike for me right now. Someone once said (I think it was here actually..) "Beginners have NO BUSINESS on a one liter bike." and I'll never forget that.. I know a few people who have been riding for years, and 1000cc bikes are still way out of their comfort zone.

[Oneslowz28]

The thing about ss bikes in general is that their throttles turn about 25% less than normal bikes. This means each bump and small pothole you hit or what ever mistake you make in throttle movement is increased by 25% Top that off with near instant response and it will surprise you. My GSXR is just plain dangerous for me to ride. That's why I am selling it and buying a Ninja 650R much more give and take in the mistake dept.

I just joined over at http://www.sportbikes.net/ and have been reading lots of stories where the long term riders even have non super bikes for their every day / pleasure riding and save their super bikes for the track.

[Luke122]

I had a chance to buy a Kawasaki 750r a few years ago for cheap.. i should have done that. :(

EDIT: Sorry, ZX-7, not a 750r. It was the newer style. :)

[Oneslowz28]

I have been searching ebay and some local classifies mags and it looks like I can pick up a 05-06 Ninja 650R for $2500-3500 and a 07-08 for $3500-5500. Now I need to sell this GSXR for $6000 so I can buy some nice leathers and a new helmet.

[Oneslowz28]

The Kawasaki ZX series, Honda RR series, Suzuki GSX series and Yamaha R series are all SS bikes. The 650's are just as dangerous in these classes as the liter bikes. Its the normal sport bikes like the Kawa Ninja 650R, Honda 6XX F4I, The Yamaha and Suzuki non SS 650 bikes that are the safer ones.

Just a note. There are several Ninja 250's on ebay for less than $3k

[bartvandenberg]

I've managed to convince my wife to let me get a bike, so I'm in the market.. I just need to raise some money.. lol.

For a starter bike, I'm looking at the new Honda CBR125R. Plenty fast for my commute, great on gas, nice and light, and still sporty! The price is right too, at under $4k for a new 2009 model. :D



they are cool, but trust me, you'll get bored of it within a month. what you should look into getting is a suzuki sv650 or a suzuki gsx-f 600 katana.

the katana is nice, but weighs quite a bit more, so your power/performance ratio is actually worse than the 2 cylinder sv650. i owned a 2002 for a couple years, and if you like the ducatti sound as opposed to the whiny sound of a 929 or f4i, go for a bike like the suzuki sv.

Insurance is cheaper on the sv, since its not an "r" model (which immediately raises insurance) and its a 2 cylinder, as opposed to 4.

You wont get bored of it near as fast. tons of low end torque puts you in a wheelie with a little bounce, but lean forward, and you can crank your wrist back all you like.

but i didnt tell you that.

note: 7 pounds equals 1 horsepower. a lighter bike with less hp can still be as quick, but also more agile.


the second most important thing to buy is a helmet. I only stand behind aria or shoei. You pay for it, but when it comes the time to need it, do you want to risk it by buying a cheap budget helmet, or even a used one? dropped once from table height, and its useless in a crash.

[NightrainSrt4]

I want one so bad, but bar in the chest = nope. I'd even go for a new-ish 250 Ninja as I don't weigh much at all, but nope, can't. One crash/fall and I'm in the hospital for a long time at the very least.

Oh well. What I wouldn't do though. =)

[SXRguyinMA]

I second the SV, or check out a TLR or TLS (used of course), also check out my other home-away-from-home TLZone (www.tlzone.net) :up: lots of good info there on the SV's as well

I had a 2003 TLR for a few years, parted it out though. loved that bike, want to get another one someday :banana:

[Luke122]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll look into the Kawi 250's, since my preference is either Kawi or Honda. I've never been a Suzy fan, and I'm marginal on Yamahas.

EDIT: Ok, the 250R is definitely a sexy bike. I still dream of the zx6rr, but I think that's a few years of experience away from me. :D

Checking out the local dealership for Kawasaki to see about a test ride. :D

[SXRguyinMA]

how big are you Luke? (height/weight) as the ninja 250 may be too little for you. I'd shoot for the ninja 650 at least, its an inline twin, not too powerful. my vote still goes for the SV650. v-twin, easy to learn on and you wont be wanting to upgrade in a year or two :up:

[Luke122]

5'10, 220 right now.. was 230 last month, aiming for sub200 by July. :D

[SXRguyinMA]

I'd go bigger than the 250 then lol. I'm 6'1" and currently at 225 (should be 200-210 come jet ski season :up:) the 250 would be fun for a bit, but you'll grow out of it quickly

[Luke122]

My problem is my "lead foot" (lead hand?)... I'm a speeder, so if I get a 600, I'll be riding way too fast. With the 125, the top speed is 130kmh, which is a bit above the normal cruising speed of 120kmh on my work commute. The 250 is higher than that since it's more powerful..

I know that I'll outgrow it fast, but I doubt I'll be ready for a bigger bike this season. I wont likely buy new anyways.. the depreciation is so fast that i'll let someone else pay for the first year, and scoop up a "like new" one for much less. :D In fact, the 125 lists at $3400CAD right now, but I found one that is a year old (08 with 1200km) for $2500.

It's a tough call for sure, but I think I'll have to limit myself to a smaller bike for now. :)

[bartvandenberg]

I second the SV, or check out a TLR or TLS (used of course), also check out my other home-away-from-home TLZone (http://www.tlzone.net) :up: lots of good info there on the SV's as well

I had a 2003 TLR for a few years, parted it out though. loved that bike, want to get another one someday :banana:

thats probably my all time favourite bike. always wanted one, but the step up to 1000cc was a bit much for me too swallow insurance wise, as i was only 20 at the time. maybe in couple years, when im rich and famous ill have to buy one.

[SXRguyinMA]

heres a few shots of mine when I had it...put over 32,000 miles on her, and over $20k into her, ohlins suspension, paint, powdercoat, full tiforce exhaust (akrapovic on it here, tiforce came after) BST carbon fiber rims, etc etc etc :devious:

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/4-17-06%20006.jpg

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/4-17-06%20016.jpg

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/4-17-06%20011.jpg

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/4-17-06%20024.jpg

when I bought it she looke dlike the blue/white one next to it lol

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/IMG_0104.JPG

http://www.postwhore.biz/albums/userpics/10082/4-15-06%20001.jpg

more pics here (http://www.postwhore.biz/thumbnails.php?album=390&page=1)

[Luke122]

:eek: WOW.. killer bike!

[bartvandenberg]

damn, that is nice. I gotta ask my buddy if he's still got some pics of my old bike, since him and i rode together all the time. I lost them all when my old backup drive crashed. talk about a kick in the @ss that was. I didnt put much money in mine, but i polished every piece of aluminum on that thing. A lot of elbow grease goes into properly polishing rims and swingarm, especially when you sand it all by hand. but man was it worth it. It was hard to look at on a sunny day it gleamed so much.

and luke122. if you are worried about getting a big bike and killing yourself because you cant control your speed, you probably shouldnt be looking into getting a bike. Im not trying to sound like a grandpa or anything, and i think everyone should have fun, but if you cant trust yourself, then i would be scared to be on the same road as you.

[Luke122]

if you are worried about getting a big bike and killing yourself because you cant control your speed, you probably shouldnt be looking into getting a bike. Im not trying to sound like a grandpa or anything, and i think everyone should have fun, but if you cant trust yourself, then i would be scared to be on the same road as you.

My worry with the big bike is underestimating it.. too much throttle for a pass or something, or accelerating too quick, etc. That's why I want to start with a small bike, and work my way up. :)

[bartvandenberg]

go to the local shop, and ask the bike guys there what they would recommend. either a ninja 250, 500 or something like an sv650. I put money on it, for a first bike, it will be your best bet, and almost anyone who knows bikes will agree.

Unless you know how to, an sv650 wont just jump the front tire off the ground. You have to 'convince' it to go up, unlike a bike like an r6 or a gsx-r

[Oneslowz28]

A ninja 250 will do 0-60 in under 6 seconds with my heavy ass on it. (256lbs and 6'2") I rode one last summer and it got to 100 in no time.

Get the small bike and ride it until you are comfy with the way a sport bike handles. Then in a 18 months to 2 years move up to a 650 or a SS bike and have fun.

I want to point out that on a trip to Deals Gap last year with some friends I saw a chick on a Ninja 250 that was running down guys on liter bikes and 6XX DD bikes. It was because she didn't have to break so hard and could take the turns faster. Do not underestimate a 250.

I am going with a 650R for the soul reason of my size. I will never take it past 80 on the street because thats just not me. The truth of the matter is that weather or not your on a scooter, 125, 250, turbo charged busa, or even a loud and choppy Harley we are all riding and thats what matters.

[Oneslowz28]

SXR that is one sexy TLR. + rep

[SXRguyinMA]

SXR that is one sexy TLR. + rep

WAS one sexy TLR :(

I bought her brand new in the spring of 04, and parted her out in the fall of 07. between then she was off the road for winter, and for the modding (which mostly took place over the winter), and I still managed to rack up over 32,000 miles :up:

had to part her out unfortunately. hopefully I can save up and get another one soon. they stopped making the R in 03, so they're getting harder to find, and even harder to find in decent shape. :dead:

buton the flipside, I've still got my ski...and the weather's warmin up :devious:

[Oneslowz28]

Yea I just checked ebay and only saw 1 on there.

[SXRguyinMA]

like I said in an earlier post, check out TL Zone. (http://www.tlzone.net) lots of great guys on there, lots of support. I've been a memeber there since 03.

Theres also a lot of support for the SV's as well :up:

[Oneslowz28]

I will give it a look.

[SXRguyinMA]

my username on there is TLR-Billbo :up:

[NightrainSrt4]

Man all this talk is making me seriously want that damn ninja 250. I'm lucky if I break 140lbs lol. But I am 6'1" so the height might give that bike issues, don't really know. 60+ish mpg is sounding mighty nice too lol. Damn, I want lol.

How much does insurance run on a bike like the 250's or smaller 500's? No point in getting a 250 if its going to run the same insurance wise as a bit bigger bike.

Ahh, what am I saying, I can't have one anyway. But last night I was seriously considering selling off the two gaming rigs, extra laptop, servers, and extra computers to fund it lmfao.

[Luke122]

I"m already trying to figure out what I can unload for funding. :D

[NightrainSrt4]

Ugghhh, there's an 06 Ninja 250 with 1,700 miles for $1,500. I want!!! Lol. Yellow's not my color but nothing some paint couldn't change. Ughh, I want soo bad.

[Oneslowz28]

My insurance on my cruiser I had ran me about 340 a year. I was quoted lower on a 650R because I am now 25

[Oneslowz28]

So I went and test rode a 09 Ninja 650R and a 08 SV650 today. They were both nice bikes but the SV being a naked bike lost to the ninja in the looks dpt. Now the SV did feel more powerful and had more tq than the Ninja.

I did come to the conclusion that I will be buying a used Ninja 650R though. At almost 7500 new they were out of my price range. Besides I can get a used 08 model for 4k-4500 and a 06-07 model for 2500-3500 with low mileage.

What surprised me was that when I got back from the ride on the Ninja the salesman had already filled out all the paper work (which I did not ask to be done) to start the buying process. When I told him I would be buying used because of the horrible depreciation he got mad and walked away.

[Oneslowz28]

The dealer just called me and said they have 3 of these in now. They are the non naked version of the Suzuki sv650sf. They have ABS too. So I am going to head up there tomorrow and if I like it I may just buy it because IMO this bike just looks like pure sex.

http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/gallery.php/d/166877-3/09_Suzuki_SV650.JPG?g2_GALLERYSID=TMP_SESSION_ID_D I_NOISSES_PMT

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200810/2008-suzuki-sv650sf-sv650-2_460x0w.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s187/CJGanttphotography/SV650SAA-Aashx.jpg

The ninja 650r I wanted was the 07 model in the blue color but unless I use ebay its a hard color to find in the used market. So I may have to bite the bullet and get this SV in this blue.

[SXRguyinMA]

I'd go for the SV too :bowdown: then join up on TLZone and let the modding begin :devious:

[Oneslowz28]

Joining tlzone now.

Just called the dealer and they wont even have one of the SV650sf's they got in this morning together until mid next week. The manager was the one I spoke to and he said he would reserve one for me to check out when its together just in case the others sell. Might be getting a nice discount on some gear too.

[Luke122]

Well, I just bought a bike.

Dont get your hopes up, lol.. it's not anything fancy. It's a 1979 Honda CB400T, in metallic blue.

I got it for $400 + an external hard drive from a friend. He hasnt ridden it in over a year, but it's got new tires on it, and it fired up with one kick the other day. Pretty solid!

Needs: new exhaust + a new battery, and some tape on the seat (some cracks on it, visible foam).

Edit: Here we go.. the proper model! Mine is blue, but this is the exact bike!

http://www.hoc.org.uk/gallery/bikes/CB400_Hawk_1978.jpg

[Eclecticos]

I was thinking about getting a Honda Rebel 234cc.
A friend of mine just bought a lowered Suzuki GSXR600.

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/2363/rebel250ccu.jpg

Via: Honda Motorsports (http://powersports.honda.com/2009/rebel.aspx)

[x88x]

Congrats! There's nothing wrong with that bike, and your insurance might actually be cheaper, being a classic (idk how it works in Canada). I've got a 1980 CM400T and I love it. It took a bit of work to get it running again (had been neglected and then sat in a garage for a year or two), but I did most of the work myself so it was nice and cheap :D And because it's so old, the construction is so simple that there's hardly anything to break. IDK what differences there are b/n the CM and CB models, but mine still does 0-60mph in about 6-7 seconds if I push it (5.5 originally...29 years ago), averages about 60mpg, and is perfectly happy going up to at least 75 mph (highest I've had it).

[Luke122]

I'm going to get it tonight, and start an inventory of what I need to buy/fix before I can ride. I also need to go get my license!

[Oneslowz28]

Im still waiting on the financials to level off so I can afford one with out having to eat ramen for a few weeks. Darn fluctuating economy. Congrats on the bike luke.

[Luke122]

Thanks! I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep it as is and fix it up, or go wild and customize it. The hardtail bobber option is looking pretty darn good!

[x88x]

Thanks! I'm still trying to decide if I want to keep it as is and fix it up, or go wild and customize it. The hardtail bobber option is looking pretty darn good!

Personally, with mine I'm trying to keep it/get it back to stock. Mainly because it's a great bike to keep as a classic; very few parts to break and whatnot.