chillmex
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 01, 2006 11:13 PM
First bike
Iam thinking of trading my car a 05' SRT-4 and getting a normal car. For fun i'd be getting a bike. One of my friends started out on a honda RC-51 and has picked it up real well. Iam a kawi fan and really like the 10R, my question is is it possible to start on a ZX-10R? Most people ive talked to have said to start on a 600 or smaller and work up. I figure if i get something i might as well get what i want, plus with all the elevation of Colorado it does'nt take much for a car to run with a 600 up here. I figure if i take it easy and don't try to show off, just stick to the back roads and get use to it i'll be alright. Any input on what other have done or would do? I would be taking a rider training course before getting the bike.
  
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nitrous347
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
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posted June 01, 2006 11:46 PM
I bought a 2005 ZX-10R as my first street bike,but I grew up riding dirt bikes.I see no problem getting the 10R as a first bike so long as you always remember that this bike deserves respect.If you lose that respect be prepared to get hurt or worse. Also remember that nobody on the road will be looking for you so ride defensivly ,and eyes open,but above all enjoy it it's a life long love affair.......
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don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted June 02, 2006 02:21 AM
...so lemme get this straight: you're a beginner motorcyclist, you want a badass 1000cc hypersportsbike, you're gonna take 'some classes', and you're concerned about cars outrunnin' ya...
...my advice for what its worth to you: get a Suzuki SV600, get ALL of your safety gear, wear ALL of your safety gear, ride the bike for a year or so, take a pro riding course, wear ALL of your gear, don't be concerned about 'taking cars', live long and prosper 
____________
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
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franz131
Expert Class
Posts: 341
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posted June 02, 2006 06:08 AM
[quote...my advice for what its worth to you: get a Suzuki SV600, get ALL of your safety gear, wear ALL of your safety gear, ride the bike for a year or so, take a pro riding course, wear ALL of your gear, don't be concerned about 'taking cars', live long and prosper
How can one look cool on a girl's bike with a spacesuit on?
A summer on a wimpy bike will do irreperable damage to a man's reputation.
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thundermonkey
Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted June 02, 2006 08:13 AM
quote:
[quote...my advice for what its worth to you: get a Suzuki SV600, get ALL of your safety gear, wear ALL of your safety gear, ride the bike for a year or so, take a pro riding course, wear ALL of your gear, don't be concerned about 'taking cars', live long and prosper
How can one look cool on a girl's bike with a spacesuit on?
A summer on a wimpy bike will do irreperable damage to a man's reputation.
So will a couple square yards of skin grafts
 
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chillmex
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 02, 2006 08:19 AM
Well not so much concerned about a reputation, just have my mind set on a certain bike. What would yall say to a 6R thats less power, but from what i've heard alot of people grow out of them sort of quick. Either way i would have all the gear, dumb not to experience or not. So overall most say its not possible to respect it and slowly get use to it?
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted June 02, 2006 11:42 AM
Um.. here is my .02 cents - for what it is worth. Go 500 or 600 cc's for your first bike. Chances are good that you will drop the bike - hopefully not bad. Most begining riders do stupid shit, becasue riding a bike is SO different from driving a car (you'll drop it at a gas station forgetting to put the kickstand down etc). so - do NOT get a new bike, get a nice used one and save your $$$ for a few years from now when you are ready to step up into a larger displacement machine. believe me, you could be riding on the HOTTEST super uber turbo nitros 1000 cc machine for your first year, and a better rider will SMOKE your ass on a 600. Get used to the fact that you will need to practice to be fast - going too fast before your time will get you hurt or killed. Now, you say you want to go fast ok. Here is my suggestion after you get the 500 or 600 to learn the ropes:.
1. Enroll in the california super bike school (keith code) and take levels 1 through 4. You will spend about as much on those classes as you will on a cheap bike, BUT those one series of classes WILL make you faster SAFER than any bike or mod ever will.
2. Chill out about a 600. Just as an FYI - most racers choose a 600 class. know why? They turn better for the average rider. You will NOT be able to handle the power of a 1000 enough to turn as well as you can on a 600 in your first few years.
3. invest in good gear. Chances are you will fall - hell almost everyone does in the first few years - make it a safe fall
4. go have fun and don't worry about "Beating" cars. Thats just stupid. See my advice #1 above. If you REALLY want to learn fast - learn it from the pros. And be prepared to getyour ass handed to you by the instructors. They WILL show you what fast really is (they all ride 600's) and they WILL show you how to become fast.
End of rant.
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hvactech77
Parking Attendant
Posts: 25
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posted June 02, 2006 02:45 PM
agree w/ deathpulse, i started on a 250cc was a new rider. I don't regret it one bit. 500 -600cc is max for starting. Your gonna fall i put money on it, everyone does at least once.
derek
PA
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nitrous347
Parking Attendant
Posts: 22
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posted June 03, 2006 12:16 AM
I have ridden motorcycles since I was 5 years old. I'm 29 now and the closest I have ever come to falling down or dropping my bike was when I was learning for the first time how to ride a bicycle. I don't understand why everybody says "you're gonna go down just deal with it". I say bull shit not everybody goes down............ thanks I feel better now,had to get that out
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don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff
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hvactech77
Parking Attendant
Posts: 25
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posted June 03, 2006 01:03 AM
"If you ain't crashin, your not tryin hard enough."
Derek
PA
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worm~hole
Needs a life
Miles to go before I sleep....
Posts: 10623
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posted June 03, 2006 03:52 AM
quote:
I say bull shit not everybody goes down............ thanks I feel better now,had to get that out
...and most experienced riders will disagree with you and say that everybody goes down eventually....and in varying degrees of severity....from dropping it slo-mo to faster-than-you-can-blink collisions...so you're almost 30 years-old...might take you till you're 50 years old before you go down....maybe 90...and it might not even be your fault....this is key and an unfortunate part of motorcycling....the only way (imho) that you can say that you'll never go down is to quit riding NOW before you go down...thanks, I feel better now, had to get that out...
____________
“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men
stand ready in the night to visit violence on those
who would do us harm.”
-George Orwell
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CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
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posted June 03, 2006 06:22 AM
There are 2 kinds of riders...
Those that have gone down, and those that will go down!!!
For those of you that have not gone down yet, I hope for your sake it is when you are going slow and dont get hurt...Good Luck!!!
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
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chillmex
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 03, 2006 10:14 AM
Well i'm going to look into some classes and go from there. Might not even like it, or could pick up on riding quick. I'll see what happens and go from there. I'm more of a straight line person, rather than turns but i see where experience helps in all situations. Thanks for all the input.
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jredone
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted June 04, 2006 10:10 PM
hey man it's all about the rider...my first bike was an 04 zx10 and i was fine. it all depends on your respect for the bike. Any bike is fast when you know how to ride it, as long as you are not stupid and not showing off until you really get the feel for the bike, you wll be fine. Even after riding for years, if you are not a pro, it is so hard to even come close to pushing this bike to it's limits. Whatever your decision, be safe and have fun
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If you feel in control...u just aint goin fast enough
JoE ReD
S.I.N.Y
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franz131
Expert Class
Posts: 341
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posted June 05, 2006 12:34 PM
quote:
hey man it's all about the rider...my first bike was an 04 zx10 and i was fine. it all depends on your respect for the bike. Any bike is fast when you know how to ride it, as long as you are not stupid and not showing off until you really get the feel for the bike, you wll be fine. Even after riding for years, if you are not a pro, it is so hard to even come close to pushing this bike to it's limits. Whatever your decision, be safe and have fun
PLEASE, do not take this personally, these are hypothetical questions
I'm curious, have you ever:
1. Locked the front wheel in a straight line? in the wet? saved a front tuck?
2. Spun the rear tire? a lot? a whole lot? too much? in the wet?
If you haven't, how do you know where the limit is and how the bike reacts at the limit?
How do you become a 'pro' if you don't know these things?
2006 is the 20th anniversary of me earning my race license, in that time I've seen many racers starting on superbikes. My experience is that they never fully develop until they get a 600, often going faster than on their superbike.
BTW, 'not crashing' is not an indication of competence.
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FP 10R
Expert Class
Fast Learner
Posts: 212
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posted June 05, 2006 02:49 PM
Chill,
everyone is different but most of the above is good advice, to much experience is never enough and the 10R is a bike that deserves a healthy respect going from JekyL to Hyde in a twist of the wrist. I agree even a 6R is a bike that can easily catch you out but a shit load of fun and I agree with Franz the way to go in developing your riding skills that will serve you well when you go to a 10R later.
Nothing exceeds like excess but riding is supposed to be enjoyable not a new way to scare yourself shitless every time you throw a leg over it, I have been riding/racing for more than 30 years and still learn someting everytime I go out.
Keep it SAFE!
____________
"Life is not a rehearsal so make the most of it" Carefully
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deathpulse
Pro
Posts: 1688
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posted June 05, 2006 08:36 PM
I agree franz - thats why I was suggesting the 600 and some nice track classes  . Congrats on the race license BTW - you must be one fast dood after 20 years!!!!
To frame the purpose of my response.... I started riding street bikes about 20 years ago (after riding dirt for years as a kid). My first bike was a 1980 Honda CB-750F Super Sport. I rode her for a few years untill I felt I had "ridden it to its limits" then upgraded to a nice 1992 Ninja zx-11. Man I thought I was fast shit on the '11 - untill one day an uncle of one of my close friends came out to ride with us. He was an older guy - and turns out that he was also a former semi-pro racer. When he went out with us, he brought an older Kawi 750 (can't remember the model - but it was a late 70's or so). I took one look at the bike and thought "wow that thing was fast 20 years ago - I'll easily dust him". Long story short - an hour or so later (and after he had to slow down a few times to wait for me to catch up) we stopped. My eyes were wide as saucers and I asked how the HELL he was riding so fast - and WHY so fast on the roads. He actually laughed and said (I'm paraphrasing now - it was a long time ago) "that wasn't really fast. I was just concerned when I looked back and you guys were lagging behind, so I kept her pretty slow. I was maybe at 50 percent of my limit. We'll go slower on the way back - I don't want anyone to get hurt!" Well, it was that day that I had my first basic taste of the difference between REAL riding skill and just time in the saddle. I've done some racing courses and stuff since and its REALLY eye openning. Believe me, if you have not done these types of classes before, the limiting factor on anything larger than a 500cc bike is your skill . .
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franz131
Expert Class
Posts: 341
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posted June 06, 2006 06:16 AM
1 example of how a small cheap bike can help you become a better rider.
I raced RZ350s for 6 years, the first 2 years were mediocre with a few Sundays spent watching the final from the grandstand. I discovered that I enjoyed riding in the rain and decided that I would ride every lap available if it rained during practise. I would fill the tank and ride until the marshals wanted to get out of the rain, or I crashed. I had a complete blast sliding my little RZ around and dragging my knee on DOTs (Metzeler ME33 and ME-1, best bias tires ever). In my last race weekend on the RZ I had the chance to do 2 finals in the rain. the first was 600 production and I was the last qualifier out of a dry LCQ. From my 36th position I passed riders, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time, inside or outside and finished in 4th. I've never had as much fun in a race since, I was embarassing some of the top amateur racers of the time, some of whom were headed for factory rides. Later in the day I started my 400 production final from the front row, passed 2 riders around the outside for the lead and promptly threw the bike down the road. I remounted dead last, minus a RH footpeg, and charged back through the pack harder than during the 600 race, eventually finishing 4th again .
My point, besides fond memories, is that I had a $1000 bike that was regularly sent for soil samples. It freed me from the fear of crashing and I was able to really learn the dynamics of a motorcycle, and I'm still no pro.
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chillmex
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted June 07, 2006 10:06 PM
Still checking into some things but what would yall say is the the best 600? Motorcyclist magazine rated the Triumph 675 the best out the group, is it mostly brand/ personal liking?
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted June 08, 2006 05:46 AM
Dude...
Ya know, Harley / Buell was the *only* manufacturer to actually sell a bike that was intended specifically to get you into riding, and then let you trade up to a bigger bike. That was the Blast, and it umm...didn't do that well. But I applauded the idea of starting a new consumer off on a friendly, easy to ride motorcycle, let them figure out what they like, then be ready to take the bike back in trade when they come shopping for that next bike.
Think of it this way. How much money do you want to spend on your little life-experiment? Because there's only a couple grand diff between any sportbike, be it 600, 750 or 1000cc. On the other hand, if you look at the standards, they are more like four grand cheaper, and are a lot friendlier to ride. And you know what? Everything you learn on one of those cheaper bikes will translate over very nicely to one of the more expensive sportbikes, should you decide that you really like this whole 'motorcycle thing'...
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Lucky Lo
Moderator
I gotta go....
Posts: 677
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posted June 08, 2006 12:28 PM
Wish I still had my Kawasaki 636. We sold it when I bought my ZX10 last year. I rode a Willow Springs Track Day last week on the 10 and do my share of weekend canyon carving here in So. Cal.. I've been riding 20 years street (dirt crashing for 15 before that) and while I do not consider myself a highly skilled or "great rider", I am still alive after many years of fast fun, close calls, and a variety of different cc sport bikes.
I have had more fun, built more confidence and riding skill on that 636 than anything I've every ridden. Really missed it on track day 'cuz that 10 scares the bejeezes out a me at times. I total felt like a girly rider. (even though I am one...) I usual hold my own quit well with the boys in my group even though they are all on liter bikes. I bought the 10 'cuz I thought I'd be cool and ride right on their butts, or at least not have to work so hard to keep up with them. It kinda back fired for the most part. Now I just catch up easily in the straights 'cuz I know how to twist the throttle! I was much faster and no doubt safer on the 636.
Bottom line, in my opinion, I have yet to meet a 636 owner that wasn't total stoked on their choice. And as the very wise "D. Pulse" has pointed out, there are some great deals on previously owned bikes. Just be selective.
Good luck... Lo
____________
one fast girlfriend....
Be yourself - Everyone else is already taken.
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tigger
Expert Class
Posts: 199
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posted June 19, 2006 08:38 AM
 Edited By: tigger on 19 Jun 2006 12:14
I got a mixed opinion on this subject. It all depends on your demeanor. What kind of breed are you? If you're a Pitbull inside, my advice is not to do it, its a fatal mistake! If you are a Lab or a Golden retriever inside, go ahead. Most guys that ride liter bikes have no clue what they have. You can teach a monkey how to ride fast on a straight line. A newbie can even ride a ZX14, and learn without dumping it. This is what riders don't realize. The time will come when someone will pull your "punk card". When you fall for it you will eventually give it all you got with your liter bike. A liter bike will put you in a predicament where a lesser displacement bike will never will. The question is, when you run out of discipline to control your urge do you have the skill to handle the situation? You're riding with an experienced guy on a 600 infront of you, and one behind you. Your caught in the middle. You're doing a fine job staying with him for the most part, until a 25mph decreasing radius comes along. Well! It does'nt seem like the dude upfront is slowing down. Can you make that turn going 70 mph?or are you gonna give up and let the guy behind you hit you from the back? I can go on, and on. If you get killed on a liter bike thats no problem, if you get paralized you better have a life subscription of "Sport Rider" magazine. Most of the guys might not agree with me, but you know what?at least I tried. By the way there is a valid reason why it cost more to insure a liter bike compared to a 600cc. Just think about it...PEACE!
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tigger
Expert Class
Posts: 199
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posted June 19, 2006 08:59 AM
To those of you that are giving an "expert" advice... Do a self check! and look at your rear tire. If you have remaining "chicken strips" on the edge of your tire, you need to stop giving advice about riding...
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billcoll
Parking Attendant
Posts: 2
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posted January 21, 2007 02:21 PM
Long tme biker, new sport rider
My wife and I have ridden Harleys for 15 years or so. In my younger years (I am 42) I raced motocross. We decided to go to the other side. I sold our HDs. Bought myself a new ZX10R had a power commander and Two Brothers full exhaust put on it. Bought my wife a ZZR600 and added Yoshi exhaust along with fender eliminators on both bikes.
Wish I would have done it 20 years ago. We did not get into these bikes to do endos, wheelies or other crazy stuff, just to get on them and have fun. Its my opinion that if you respect the bike, you'll be fine. The second you lose respect for that bike is when you get hurt.. Years of defensive street riding on the hogs carries over tto the sports bikes.
Have fun and be safe.
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted January 21, 2007 08:39 PM
After 25 years of riding sportbikes, most of them literbikes, I am STILL amazed every time I twist the throttle on my 10R. If you whack it open in 3rd gear at around 9k it damn near squirts out from under you. I don't think I could ever get jaded to that sensation. Hmmmm... can I put "whack" and "squirt" in the same line?
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