[DJKhan85]

Been kicking around the idea of buying some sort of sport bike. I know nothing about bikes other than a basic understanding of how they work. My buddy just picked up an R6 and it was OK riding it up and down my street but I wasn't instantly "hooked" like I thought I would be. Either way I'm going to give it a shot.

Anyone selling a bike or know someone selling a bike around these parts?

[TripEEE]

My buddy is selling his bike, here are the specs on it

2004 Honda CBR 600 F4i with 5229 miles, black with yellow.

- Power Commander
- Yoshimura Exhaust
- Low Profile Directionals
- Carbon Fiber Break and Clutch Levers
- Price: $5500.00

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Check Craigslist, I'm sure there's a ton in your area.

[cyphr]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

Been kicking around the idea of buying some sort of sport bike. I know nothing about bikes other than a basic understanding of how they work. My buddy just picked up an R6 and it was OK riding it up and down my street but I wasn't instantly "hooked" like I thought I would be. Either way I'm going to give it a shot.

Anyone selling a bike or know someone selling a bike around these parts?

Craigslist is a good suggestion. Make sure to check the bike thoroughly for any type of damage in key areas (swing arm, bent fork tubes, case covers, etc...) I could offer a hand in checking out the bike- I've built/raced sportbikes and know my way around them pretty well.... and what they look like when they've been dumped

In terms of what bike to get, I would look at an sv650 if you must have a 600c. The torque curve is more forgiving than let's say your buddy's r6 which is pretty dead till 8k then will throw you for a loop (sometimes literally) at 10k and above. I will always recommend starting with a smaller cc bike (ala Ninja 500). The new body styles actually look pretty sweet too.

[2Times]

I'm a big fan of the cbr600rr as I own one Looked at the R6 and Ninja but I guess I'm a honda guy at heart

[DJKhan85]

I've been looking at the "big 3" (r6, cbr600 and gsxr600) mainly because I haven't a clue what else is out there. I'm fine starting with a smaller CC bike ( or cheaper bike). Did find some pretty nice Triumph daytona 675s for sale but I know nothing about Triumphs.

Can any of you guys point in a good direction to just learn more about bikes(an what I should look out for when buying)? I r newb

[DFW_MThree]

this isnt my region but the thread caught my eye lol..ive owned pretty much all of the major brand bikes, started off with the 08 triumph daytona 675, it was ok for about 5 months then i started to ride my friends bikes and pick out things i hated abt the triumph, for one it felt way too narrow and kinda small, and very underpowered compared to other 600s, its a nice bike but i wouldnt buy another one, ive also had an 08 CBR 600,06 yamaha R1,06 GSXR 600,08 r6 raven and an 06 r6 raven, this is my favorite so far i love the R6, the newer r6 08 and up is amazing, alot of it is rider preference but i found the gear box is awesome on the r6, as well as the feel of it when in the corners. anyways hope this helps a little lol

[virtualbong]

There are a lot of locals that I have gotten to know in this forum:

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/

They can be very helpful, but will murder you if you ask anything basic when a search can be done.

I have been riding for 4-5 years now and here is my bike progression:

1993 Kawasaki EX500
2002 Honda CBR F4i
2003 Honda CBR 600RR
2006 Yamaha Raven R6 (Non-S)
2008 Ducati 848

I think "most" people who are mature enough and have experience driving manual can probably handle a 600 as their first bike, but only if you are not throttle happy. I am pretty sure I could have jumped right into a 600, but I am happy with the bike I started out with. Made me a lot more comfortable with my riding skills. I also suggest taking your bike up to the track in Loudon to better hone in on your riding skills. It will make you a much better street rider. BostonMoto hosts some track days and those guys are great. Good luck with your search!

WIL

btw. if you really want a 600, I suggest the F4i or R6-S because the ergonomics is not as aggressive as the 600rr, gsxr or R6 (Non-S).

[DJKhan85]

thanks a bunch for all the responses guys! I'm going to stick to the kawaski 500 or any other 500 cc bike. The prices on those seem to be in my sweet spot. I'll wait till I get better at riding before jumping to something larger.

When do you guys say the riding season ends up here? Am I getting into this too late in the season and should wait till next spring to actually buy a bike?

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

thanks a bunch for all the responses guys! I'm going to stick to the kawaski 500 or any other 500 cc bike. The prices on those seem to be in my sweet spot. I'll wait till I get better at riding before jumping to something larger.

When do you guys say the riding season ends up here? Am I getting into this too late in the season and should wait till next spring to actually buy a bike?

If you are going to buy a bike...the best time is in the Fall. Spring is the worst time to buy.

Riding season for me ends normally in Mid to Late October but some people go much longer as long as there is no snow. I ride until it goes below 50 degrees.

[cyphr]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

thanks a bunch for all the responses guys! I'm going to stick to the kawaski 500 or any other 500 cc bike. The prices on those seem to be in my sweet spot. I'll wait till I get better at riding before jumping to something larger.

When do you guys say the riding season ends up here? Am I getting into this too late in the season and should wait till next spring to actually buy a bike?

Good choice in getting the 500. The learning curve is much faster than you would have on a 600 Wil posted up some good info as well. NESR is a good place to start looking for bikes/learning more about them.

[cyphr]

Originally Posted by virtualbong

If you are going to buy a bike...the best time is in the Fall. Spring is the worst time to buy.

Riding season for me ends normally in Mid to Late October but some people go much longer as long as there is no snow. I ride until it goes below 50 degrees.

50 degrees is warm riding over in Wisconsin. I tend to stop riding when temps hover around 37 degrees (black ice territory), so mid November for me. Worst part is trying to keep your fingers from falling off.

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by cyphr

50 degrees is warm riding over in Wisconsin. I tend to stop riding when temps hover around 37 degrees (black ice territory), so mid November for me. Worst part is trying to keep your fingers from falling off.

True...someone actually gave me some winter gloves for free this year so my riding season will probably be extended until it hits like 40 degrees.

[hafacar]

Hey DJ -

Good luck with the bike search! Would also recommend the MSF riders course if you don't have your MC license yet. I did it up at Bunker Hill CC back in '05 - long two days but I would consider it a pre-requisite. Can't believe you can go to RMV, pass a computer-based test and get a permit to ride a MC with the only restrictions that you can't ride at night or with a passenger.

I went down the path of getting something not everyone else had around here - a Triumph Daytona 650. Only made them for one year before the 675 came out so there might not be that many around for sale. In the same category as the 600's and felt it was completely manageable for my first bike.

[DJKhan85]

Thanks for all the input so far. A little update so far....I finally got my permit and will be attending the training course next weekend or the weekend after. Then as long as my insurance agent gets back to me with a number thats *reasonable* the real hunt begins.

[sk8board511]

im selling a 02 R1 not sure if you want it for a first bike but its a hell of a lot of fun its on craigslist in maine under "raven r1"

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

thanks a bunch for all the responses guys! I'm going to stick to the kawaski 500 or any other 500 cc bike. The prices on those seem to be in my sweet spot. I'll wait till I get better at riding before jumping to something larger.

When do you guys say the riding season ends up here? Am I getting into this too late in the season and should wait till next spring to actually buy a bike?

Ninja 500 is a decent learner bike, but you will outgrow it fairly quickly - another good option is a Suzuki SV650 - little more power, much better chassis and been around for 15 years, so you can pick one up at almost any budget. Kawasaki basically sells the sv650 now as the Ninja 650, but it has only been around a few years. The older steel frame CBR600's a good bikes and would be decent to learn on also - pre 98 (before the aluminum frames) are pretty reasonably priced!

[DJKhan85]

So little update again. Took the motorcycle safety course this past weekend and passed it. I've basically narrowed the bike choices down to the SV650 and the Ninja 650r. So if anyone knows someone selling one of these bikes(or a bike like these 2) for sale.....let me know.

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by DJKhan85

So little update again. Took the motorcycle safety course this past weekend and passed it. I've basically narrowed the bike choices down to the SV650 and the Ninja 650r. So if anyone knows someone selling one of these bikes(or a bike like these 2) for sale.....let me know.

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...18k-miles.html

[Sigmachimde]

I have been a bike fanatic my entire life but am new to owning a BMW.

PM me for any suggestions.

If you are a taller rider, the CBR 600RR is a great bike.
I am about 5' 7" and fit very comfortably on both the R6 and Kawasaki 636-both great bikes.

You won't notice much of a difference in performance starting out, but make sure riding position is a concern. Not only this, but make sure to buy a bike that hasn't been down.

You will get a bargain on Craigslist, but MOMS South in Foxboro MA is a terrific dealer as well.

[roadkillrob]

+1 on MOM's - motorcycles of Manchester - check out the Manchester store also, their website is pretty much junk though, call both stores for current stock, but they typically have the best used selection around for decent prices (ie cheaper than main dealers!)

[DJKhan85]

Thanks for the recommendation. I will give them a call and see what they have. This ad caught my eye. Going to check it out this saturday. My only hesitance now is that it is August. Maybe I should try and get a deal this winter to prepare for next spring/summer? Seems like I'd get a potential max of 1 to 1.5 months before I call it quits being a beginner.

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/1865168589.html