Got a GSXR1000 for a rediculously low price... but its a first bike...

I've just recently purchased a gsxr 1000 for 2900 dollars, which was quite a steal. However, I never intended on buying something that big, since it is a first bike.

However, I have taken the MSF course, and I seem to be quite decent learning with the motorcycle, and have been studying about two wheelers for as quite a long time. :]


I do realize I am in over my head with this monster...


Does anyone have any advice? Am I doomed? should I just throw a cover over the bike and practice with another bike before riding it?


edit: it is a 2007 GSXR1000.  

Why not try this: Read the new rider sticky at the top of this section of forum and tell us your opinion.  

Do some dirt riding.  

Get an enduro, something designed to handle both street and dirt.  

In the dirt, once you are comfortable with, and can control the bike while the wheels are slipping and sliding under you, then take that same bike, with those same compromised dirt/street tires, onto the pavement.  Then, inch up to the point where you can feel the wheels slipping and sliding on pavement.  

Now you're ready to begin learning to ride that terrific bargain you got.  Take it easy.  Ride defensively.  Spend the money you saved on complete protective gear.  Suit up.  

Chances are you will drop it, but since you got it cheap...I dunno.  The questions that come to my mind are:  How old are you? How would you honestly evaluate the group you ride with?  Would you be tempted to try to keep up with the more experienced racer types?  If you ride the bike alone and do not try to do anything but execute clean riding technique and do not ever get pulled into a racer pissing contest..it would be no different than a scooter.  It is not likely you will be able to resist the urge to open the throttle, slide the rear, chop the throttle and highside. Busted bike.  Busted you.  But if you are the one in 100,00 that can stay disciplined, ride with a mature and careful group of riders or ride alone, be will ing to take courses and work on basic techniques while others jeer at you for being a hapless no skill squid, ride on brother.  Display those chicken strips for all to see.  Find a riding mentor though.  You will need some encouragement because there is alot of playground bravado out there and there is only so much of that you can listen to before it is taken personally.  Honestly, you might want to consider selling it and making some coin.  Buy a bike that you can learn on instead being afraid of.  A couple years of patient practice and honest effort will have you riding well.  Who knows, by the time you are ready for the GPZXSR superbike, the technology will be much better and you will have the skill set to use it.  

if i have it right the 07 has a power switch with 3 settings switch it to the lowest one. til u feel safer then add more power...rightside of handle bars or chk with dealer. im in the market for a gxsr 1000 myself if u wanna sell it let me know. that was a hell of a deal.  

sell it to me for $3900, then take that money and buy a smaller bike!  

Hi JW!
I'll simply come out and say it:  Park it!

Knowing nothing about your ability, that is my advice.

One of the brothers suggested enduro riding, dirt first, then street--good advice.
Do that for about one year, then buy a 600 streetbike, and rev the snot out of it until you can do anything and everything from wheelies, stoppies, slide the rear.

Then you may be ready for the GSX1000.  I say may, because even seasoned riders may be in over their head with this bike.  This bike, with a few mild modifications, is the bike that Mat Mladin rode to win a bazillion AMA Superbike Champion titles.

Add fuel stabilizer, attach a battery tender, and drape it with a permeable cover in a garage until you are ready for it.  Or, I'll buy it cash!  :-)

I'm green with envy, you luck bastage!  ;-)  

baldnblk:
if i have it right the 07 has a power switch with 3 settings switch it to the lowest one. til u feel safer then add more power...

The problem with that idea is that the power mode always defaults back to the full power "A" mode whenever you restart the bike. Thus, every single time you start the bike, you have to take the time to set it in "C" mode...not something that a novice rider will be getting in the habit of doing. After tip-toeing around at light throttle settings, any person's ego will take over and they'll think they can have self-control and "handle it" at full power...until their ego gets the best of their actual ability...