First Bike ... Narrowing It Down

Hi all.

I'm 27, USAF, and am returning to the States early next year.  I'm looking for a good, new, first sportbike.  I know that most people recommend used bikes, but I want to have a few new ones in mind first; I am not sure where I'll be stationed stateside (and thus don't know what sort of used bikes I'll find).  I'm not stupid; I know riding safely and smartly will take time, I know not to expect much during the first few years, and I know I'm not a hot dog who's gonna try to impress everybody I pull up next to.  I think I'm mature enough to understand I'm in it for the fun, the performance, and mostly the experience of improving myself with every ride I take.  Now that y'all know I'm in it for the long haul, let me lay out my choices.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R: By far the most conservative of my options, but I think maybe a little too much so (moving from this to a true 600 would be quite a leap, no?).

Suzuki GS500F or Kawasaki Ninja 500R: These two seem to be the newbie's own little Chevy-vs-Ford argument.

Kawasaki ZZR600: I've only recently looked into this one, but please give me some opinions, since I can only find info on used ones.

Honda CBR600RR: The MotoGP choice.  My question is: can a mature, level-headed, knows-what-he's-getting-into kind of guy really start out on a full-blown 600?

P.S. - What are the options on maybe importing an Aprilia RS125 two-stroke?

Thanks for any info!

- "Flip" Wilson, USAF
- Aviano AB, Italy  

I would probably pass on the Kaw Ninja 250. Very likely too small for your build.

Suzuki GS500/Kaw EX500: Very good choices to start off with. Low insurance, fairly cheap/easy replacement of tip-over-damaged parts.

Kaw ZZR600: Another excellent starter machine. Fairly comfy (actually used to be considered "hard core" back in the day ), excellent chassis, motor, and brakes.
Another bike to consider in that vein is the Yamaha YZF600R (not the R6). Very comfy, midrange-strong motor, good brakes, etc.

Honda CBR600RR: You could learn on it, but your wallet will be seriously lightened by insurance, parts costs, and tires.

Hope that helps.  

I highly suggest buying a used SV650S over any of those 600s.  Then after a summer or two (depending on how many miles you stack up) sell it and get that MotoGP choice if you desire.  A LOT of times you can buy a good used SV650 and sell it a year or two later without losing much money at all.  I think the SV's motor is A LOT more fun to use on the streets when doing legal speeds than a 600 anyway.  Insurance on a SV650 will definately be more than a 250 or 500 but it's often a considerable amount less than a 600 too.

My first bike was an '01 Yamaha YZF600R, my second and current bike is an '03 Suzuki SV650S.  I don't lilke 600s as a first bike because the powerband is all uptop, which you want to be in the powerband when you're riding, you want to feel the power...so a 600 with all that power uptop i feel encourages you to speed a bit, especially compared to a v-twin like the SV650...where you have enjoyable power in the midrange.  I know a YZF600R will do 65mph in first, so if you redline it in 2nd gear you're probably speeding.  They're not geared as tall as the latest literbikes but their power is still uptop and you gotta have a little bit more speed to get into their powerband.  Compared to the SV650 that can power wheelie from 12mph/2500rpms in first gear lol.  First gear on my SV is good for about 55mph, but unlike a 600 you have some decent scoot (power) at 4-5k rpms.



 

Oh yeah, almost forgot:

Quote:

---

P.S. - What are the options on maybe importing an Aprilia RS125 two-stroke?

---

As you can probably tell, I ride an 03 600RR and it was my first bike.  Before I bought it, I had barely even sat on a street bike before.  I have had it about 3 and a half months now and I have chalked up about 6500 miles.  I am extremely happy with it as a first bike.  I have never ridden any of the other bikes that you mentioned, but I can say that I feel extremely comfortable on mine already.  The acceleration is nice and linear and the cornering is amazing.  It feels extremely stable at high lean angles and the brakes are lively and responsive.  I think it has a great balance as a beginner's bike while being able to hold it's own in a pack.  I will say that 600cc's is as big as you want to go for a first bike.  I rode a 1000RR yesterday and that thing was rediculously fast.  It shouldn't even be legal  

How's it going?  My first bike, and the one i'm still riding is the 05 ZX-6R.  At first I thought I made a bad decision, but now I know I made the right one.  I don't ride for no one else but me.  I dont go around showing off or riding around town trying to be a pretty boy.  A 600cc sportbike is very powerful, dont let it fool you just because it's a so called middleweight.  All of my riding buddys have 750's and 1000s.  I have no problems sticking with them, even on the straights.  But in the curves, that's when I start to have all the fun.