New rider motorcycle advice

Hello everyone and thanks in advance,

I am a new rider and just completed the MSF course earlier this month. I have never owned a street bike. I am 37 and tossing around the idea of buying a bike.

My experience with motorcycles 99.999% dirtbikes. I have been riding constantly since 1996. All of my dirtbike experience is all track riding with a little trail riding now and then. I have only owned and ridden two-stroke 250cc bikes Yamaha, Honda and currently KX250.

My ONLY street experience (if you can call it that) was about 3 years ago. My close friend bought a new 2005 GSXR1000 and  I took it for a  short spin; it was really smooth (lots of bottom end) and quiet compared to what I am use to.

I have been to the delerships looking at some bikes new and used. The bikes I really like visually are the R6s, and FZ6 (dosen't mean that I am ready for a 600cc bike). I have sat on many bikes (while being balanced) and most feel comfortable. I am 6'2'' 170.

My question to you guys is what would you recommend for me. I will use it alot; for fun and enjoyment and commute to work in Houston.

I like the sportbikes and sport/tourers but I WILL listen to and heed the advice of the experience here.  

Welcome to the forums and congrats on finishing the MSF course!  At least we know some people out there listen to advice!  

OK, to your situation.  Although street bikes and dirt bikes are completely different worlds, at least you'll know some throttle control, working the clutch and generally how to work a motorcycle.  I tend to recommend the Suzuki SV650 to a lot of people starting out because I think it would be the perfect starter bike.  I think it would be no different for you.  It's not underpowered so you shouldn't get bored with it (like some people claim on the Ninja 250).  It's much more forgiving and easier to learn on than the super sports.  And with the SV, you probably wouldn't want to trade up so quick.  Their owners love them!

However, if you really want the R6 or R6-S, for example.  I would recommend starting with something a little cheaper like the Kawi 250 or Kawi 500 or the like.  Then you could ride that for a couple months, work on your skills and then move up to a 600.  

There are a couple good reasons to start smaller and cheaper.  First, replacing fairings and insurance is expensive for a newer, more pricy bike (lots of beginners tend to drop their bike a couple times).  Secondly, the most important thing you can do is learn good motorcycling skills, which is much easier to do on a smaller bike.  

Now, I'm being a bit of a hypocrite because I started on a R6, but it wasn't the easiest of tasks (lots and lots of practice) and if I had to do it again, I probably would have started smaller.  But, knock on wood, I've had no problems to date, so it's doable to start on a bigger, faster bike, but much more caution must be exercised!  I hope my rambling helps a bit.  Continue to post progress and keep us updated - it's always interesting to see where people go with their decisions.  

Thank you very much for the response.

I will take that advice and avoid the true sportbikes. I been looking for some a decent used SV650 but haven't found any at the dealerships or in the cycle trader.

Two different dealerships have offered (what they call) deals on new unsold 2007 bikes. Suzuki SV650 naked $6799.00,faired SV650 $7199.00, 2006 GS500 $5800.00 and Yamaha 2007 FZ6 6399.99.

The thought of new bike sounds nice but I don't know if I should go that route. What do you guys think about new versus used in my case and the quoted prices from the dealerships?

Should I focus mainly on the SV650 or consider other bikes in the same class or smaller?  

I don't know about anyone else, but I cannot find any good used bikes in my area (Houston). I guess gas prices have really impacted what is available on the used market for new riders. Some used bikes I have found (2) are priced like new bikes. I have been searching the local Cycle Trader for the last 2 months. What should I do?  

Yeah, used bikes are hard to come by.  Every dealer I have talked to says that used bikes go out as fast as they come in.  When I first started looking, I wanted to go used but the dealer said that every time they got a used bike, it was out the door within a couple of days.

I suggest maybe looking at eBay and see if you can find anything on there.  There are throngs of choices there.  That's where I got my bike - I bought new, but I got a great deal!  Hopefully you can find a dealer somewhere that has some used bikes.  Unfortunately, it's a process that can require some patience.  Good luck with the search.  

I am not giving up but it is frustrating. The used bike market must be doing well. I am going on over a month now looking for a good bike with no luck.

It seems bikes are gone in the Cycle Trader within minutes. One used 2006 SV650 at the Kawasaki dealership is priced like a new bike (6399.00) and they really won't move.

There are some bikes on Ebay that are really far away from me. My work schedule does not allow me to travel far or often. I have had mixed experiences buying from Ebay. What are some of the experiences that you guys have buying bikes off of Ebay? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I would love to have somthing now and be practicing techniques taught in the MRF course, getting used to the bike while using it around the neighborhood and in large parking lots however; I still looking for a bike.

I probably could swing it to buy new however; that really was not my initial objective as a new street rider.

What to ***  

You still looking for a bike?  I just wanted to give you my experience from eBay.  I bought new from a dealer and it went super smooth.  I called them after I bought it and made a down payment via credit card.  Then they sent me the papers, I signed and returned with the loan check and they shipped the bike using the bike shipper I set up.  I had the bike in 9 business days.

Dealers are reliable and I had no apprehension about the purchase.  It's all up to you though.  Keep rolling on and let us know if you make a purchase.  

It is looking more like I will end up with a brand new bike if anything at all. I will make a decision at the end of this month to find somthing or call it a done deal. I really didn't want to buy new but pickins are slim with gas a 4.00+ gal. I am cosidering just staying on two wheels in the dirt and finding a used small car for commutes.