I know these posts are up all the time, but I didn't know exactly what to search for and I am new to this forum. But anyway, I am looking to get a sport bike that I would be using for mostly fun and riding to school. I have ridden all kinds of dirtbikes for over 10 years, and I rode my friends Buell XB9R yesterday, which I really liked, but I have no other experience on other street bikes. It was very easy for me to ride it, and everything just came naturally from riding dirtbikes. So I know I don't want a 250, but what would be a good bike for me now? I'm thinking along the lines of an R6 or just an XB9R like my friend's. What do you you guys think?
Thanks for the help,
Jayce
What bike?
Started by
JtkJayce
, May 29 2012 12:01 PM
10 replies to this topic
Posted 29 May 2012 - 01:23 PM
How old are you?
How much can you afford?
Who's paying for your insurance?
How long have you been driving (a car)?
How much can you afford?
Who's paying for your insurance?
How long have you been driving (a car)?
Posted 29 May 2012 - 04:31 PM
I'm 17
Probably could go up to about $4000
I would probably be paying insurance
I have been driving for 2 1/2 years including time with my permit
Probably could go up to about $4000
I would probably be paying insurance
I have been driving for 2 1/2 years including time with my permit
Posted 30 May 2012 - 12:20 PM
Have you researched how much insurance might cost you on a R6 or XB9R?
Posted 30 May 2012 - 02:24 PM
Yes I have, and I can pay the insurance I have a job and a steady income. But I am definitely not limited to an R6 or XB9R, the XB9R is just what I rode. I just wanted to know what bike would suit my needs well. It will probably get a lot of miles on it also
Posted 07 June 2012 - 04:42 PM
IMO, I would look at the Yamaha YZF600R. It has been around for awhile, still sporty, and the only thing that really goes wrong with them are the second gear mishap, sometimes. A little cheaper on insurance, especially if you belong to State Farm or Foremost. Plus it has a way more comfortable seat. A Suzuki SV650, would also help out alot more.
Posted 09 June 2012 - 10:47 PM
You should hop on a few different 600s and see what feels most comfortable to you. Try sports and standards and see which feels better. A standard bike will probably be more comfortable for commuting, but let's face it, sport bikes are just cooler looking 
They can be a little less comfortable though, especially for long rides because you're more hunched over and sitting ON your nuts 
I got my first street bike earlier this year. An '06 kawasaki 636 and love it. I was afraid a bike with 3x the horsepower would eat me alive but I actually found it really easy to ride compared to my dirtbike. So much power, but still quite manageable. Now I've taken up freestyle riding and I'm having a blast! It's a good way to have fun on these bikes without breaking the law... as long as you're not one of those guys that stunts the streets, that is
Some free advice though. When you get on the street WATCH OUT!!! Everyone is trying to kill you! keep your eyes open, keep looking around and pay attention! It's a whole different ball game than dirt! I'd also recommend taking a MSF course. I took one, it was only a day and I learned some stuff. In Idaho, passing the STAR MSF course will let you waive the skills test for your endorsement, and most insurance companies will give you a discount for finishing the course.
They can be a little less comfortable though, especially for long rides because you're more hunched over and sitting ON your nuts I got my first street bike earlier this year. An '06 kawasaki 636 and love it. I was afraid a bike with 3x the horsepower would eat me alive but I actually found it really easy to ride compared to my dirtbike. So much power, but still quite manageable. Now I've taken up freestyle riding and I'm having a blast! It's a good way to have fun on these bikes without breaking the law... as long as you're not one of those guys that stunts the streets, that is
Some free advice though. When you get on the street WATCH OUT!!! Everyone is trying to kill you! keep your eyes open, keep looking around and pay attention! It's a whole different ball game than dirt! I'd also recommend taking a MSF course. I took one, it was only a day and I learned some stuff. In Idaho, passing the STAR MSF course will let you waive the skills test for your endorsement, and most insurance companies will give you a discount for finishing the course.
Posted 31 January 2013 - 10:43 AM
+1 for the sv650 there bullet proof and you can probably get one for two grand or under. Plus insurance is cheap (if you dont have full coverage on it) which i would never have for an older bike. these bikes are known to climb 60K miles with no real problems.
Posted 31 January 2013 - 02:00 PM
sv650 is a great bike, had one, sold it. probably will end up buying another.
Posted 05 February 2013 - 07:02 PM
First off...welcome to the site..fellow Oregonian 
Regardless of your age I would never recommend an R6 as a first bike. Especially if you're wanting to use it as commuter. It's not a relaxing ride...it's more of an inline version of a built-to-the-nuts Banshee. After all, they're basically a detuned track bike.
There are many models of Twins that are just as popular and look better in most cases, and as mentioned above, the riding position is more comfortable. Insurance rates are considerably better, maintenance costs are cheaper, and Johnny-Law will pay less attention to you.
My advice would be to go to a bike ralley, a bike show, a few showrooms, and take a look at the wide array of options out there for you before you narrow your options down to 2 or 3 models. Then way out the resale value, some brands/models are waaay cheap 2nd hand. I'll sound like an old man here;
Be sure and spend an equal amount of $$ for protective gear. a quality helmet/jacket/gloves/boots. Dress for the crash...the pavement hurts a LOT more than the dirt. I've been in the hospital due to both...I prefer the dirt if I have to crash..and I still do
Regardless of your age I would never recommend an R6 as a first bike. Especially if you're wanting to use it as commuter. It's not a relaxing ride...it's more of an inline version of a built-to-the-nuts Banshee. After all, they're basically a detuned track bike.
There are many models of Twins that are just as popular and look better in most cases, and as mentioned above, the riding position is more comfortable. Insurance rates are considerably better, maintenance costs are cheaper, and Johnny-Law will pay less attention to you.
My advice would be to go to a bike ralley, a bike show, a few showrooms, and take a look at the wide array of options out there for you before you narrow your options down to 2 or 3 models. Then way out the resale value, some brands/models are waaay cheap 2nd hand. I'll sound like an old man here;
Be sure and spend an equal amount of $$ for protective gear. a quality helmet/jacket/gloves/boots. Dress for the crash...the pavement hurts a LOT more than the dirt. I've been in the hospital due to both...I prefer the dirt if I have to crash..and I still do
Posted 09 February 2013 - 06:37 PM
If you really want to ENJOY your riding and are not just worried about thinkning that you LOOK cool, go for something like a V-Strom. After a couple weeks you will be itching to take that baby on the road for a road-trip. If you buy a crotch rocket, most likely you will NEVER be itching to take that thing on a road trip. But you will think that you LOOK good while riding around town. At least you will look good to the other guys that have that kind of bike. but lets face it, when you see a dude on a sport bike, do you say to yourself, "man, that guy looks hot on that bike". If so, you may be on the wrong website. Anyway, no one else cares what you are riding, girls included, they will all think you are cool when you have any kind of bike.
