I have an '86 VFR700. Perfect beginner's bike. It's been knocked around a bit, has a "mere" 70hp, handles good, light, good seat height, and cost me less than $2k including all maintenance done in the past two years.

Try to find something sound in the $2k range. You WILL drop it and you WILL be pissed.

So true. I believe the average age of a motorcycle crash victim over here is 37. Most of them are born again bikers that haven.t riden for years and caught the bug again or have just
reached that stage in life where they can afford a sports bike.

Pity insurance premiums don't reflect that though.

That is like the time last summer at one of the local bike nights, when a middle-aged "born again" biker who probably now has enough $$$ to afford it, had his brand-spanking new H-D full-dresser, all decked out, pulled up, gave a couple of revs of the throttle, turned off the motor, stepped off the bike and it immeadiately fell-over(he must have been nervous because he had forgot to put down the kickstand.):D

ok I just got back from football pratice...pratice is starting early....I love the posts. You guys have so much experience! I have decided that I am just going to get a cheap YZF-600R and get a good helmet. I know I will drop it. Thanks for all the comments. Now lets just see if mat will get back from doing his homework or whatever I want to see his view on it.
p.s sorry if you feel I hijacked your thread matt, it is just that this was something I was also about to post.

Don't stop at the helmet...that is just the beginning. Motorcycle-specific gloves, boots, jacket and pants are a necessity imho.

Word.

Thanks for the advice. Brporsche, I'm glad that you replied to this thread. We are on the same level regarding sport bikes.
I never knew sport bikes were that hard to control. I will definatley go with a smaller cc bike now that I have read these posts. When I do get one, it will be mainly a town to town bike. I will probably never do freeway riding unless I feel confident enough to try. Most of the speed limits here are below 40 MPH, and there isn't much traffic, so I might be okay.

Got to go now... Thanks for the info.

Matt- good to see you're open to some sensible advice! I was 15 and going to Miramonte when I got my first bike. Rode for for 11 years like a manic and was lucky to make it alive. Quit while I was ahead and got back into it 6 years ago; liking it more than ever. My best advice is don't even start...

You obviously like the looks of the fully-faired sportbikes. Most would not be a good idea for a newbie; I'd suggest the Yamaha YZF600R to start in that arena. Friendlier seating postion and engine characteristics, and 600ccs will be plenty until you have more experience.

If you can, start off with something cheaper and used that doesn't have a full fairing, like a Suzuki SV650 (not the S). It won't cost nearly as much when you dump it. Put frame sliders on a fully faired bike if/when you do get one; they help a lot.

Also, once you actually own a bike, you'll start to figure out what you really want. If you can, start reading all the bike magazines, maybe go to Barnes & Noble and read them all every once in a while.

In general, the Japanese bikes are going to be the most reliable and there won't be any mechanical issues to concern yourself with if your bike is a late model.

Definately take the MSF course and get good gear from head to toe. Jacket, pants, boots, and gloves in addition to the required helmet.

There's some awesome twisty roads near where you live, and I ride them all the time. Be happy to show you around and teach you about riding when you're ready!

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Word II !!!
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(Ego kills!)

Steve,
Thank you for the long write-up. I live less than 2 miles from Miramonte, although I'm going to Campolindo instead. What year did you graduate?
I like the Yamaha YZF600R so far as well as a few Kawasaki Ninja models like the 250R and 500R, as well as the Kawasaki ZZR600.
Ah yes, the twistys: Redwood and Pinehurst :D. I'll defiantly ride those once I get my M1 permit and license. I'll be happy to have you as my "teacher".


SmileWavy

Truthfully, I basically LEARNED to ride on my Ducati. Prior experience in riding a motorcycle involved riding my friend's R6 up and down his block twice. Then the 15-20 minutes after I bought the bike where I learned the basic controls and the shifting (1 up 5 down on mine, confused me for a while). Then, I jumped on the highway and onto the freeway to take it 20 miles back into town. IMHO, the bike is so much easier to handle on the freeway. I'd rather be on the freeway than on regular streets, where you easily feel the weight of the bike.

Graduated in '74, so I'm probably older than your dad...

You'll probably be on the freeway sooner than you think, although the real fun is in the twisties, which are in local abundance! Check out my "Breakfast Run" and "Mt. Diablo" ride reports. I'll be happy to show you the ropes, Young Jedi...

Check nostatic's "NATO garage" thread- lots of good advice for newbies there.

tell you the truth, matt doesnt seem like the typical kid. he "seem more responsible. at his age, a streetbike would have killed me. my mom decided to keep it safe and buy us honda three wheelers and dirtbikes. only thing safer was that we crashed into mountians not other cars. not her best mom moment.

when i went off to college at USF, parking was not to be had, so i picked up a honda 500 interceptor in texas. had it shipped to hayward/newark. met the bike, and had my first freeway experience riding down california highways. i was puckered, but hooked. i got into bikes big time. i dont understand how anyone can say a sportbike is difficult to handle or too much motorcycle. like all vehicles they have throttles. a cruiser with the poor handling can throttle you into a wall just as fast. matt, if you are responsible, and careful you can own any bike you want. just remember insurance rates skyrocket with the sportbikes, and that is not good.

Matt,

Have you taken the MSF course and gotten your M1 licence yet? Given that you have no experience with motorcycles I highly recommend that you complete those first. Then you can ride a couple bikes before making a decision/purchase. Look at something used in the 600 class. Actually the best recommendation I can offer is to start with a dirt bike. They are light, fast, and hella fun to ride. Develop your 2 wheel + engine handling skills off road and away from cars. These skills will be very helpful when you move to the street. If a off-road only bike is too much of a burden then consider a dual purpose bike that you can ride to the dirt. They are also loads of fun and easy to learn on. If going for a street bike stay away from the stretched out bikes with lots of plastic. Sport bikes look very cool, and they are, but are terrible choices for learning to ride on. Actually once you sit on them it's apparent they are designed to only go fast/race on. Weekend rides and around town or on the freeway/commuting their seating positions suck and I see lots of them on the freeways with guys contorted in all kinds of postions trying to ease their backs/arms/hands.

Like Todd said, invest in really good gear, as it will probably end up saving your life someday. Good luck and keep us informed of what you decide.

Thanks Steve, rufblackbird, vash, and dmoolenaar.

I don't consider myself to be a typical kid. My brother in law (who is 32) told me that I am much safer and mature than he is while driving. I guess I never have hit the "crazy or rebellious or stoner teenager" part that many teenagers encounter.
I'll keep everyone posted on what I decide on a sport bike. I'm going to get my M1 permit or license first, so it might be at least a month before I get a bike.

Thanks.

The first day of my MSF class the instructor wanted introductions including what bike the person has or is going to get. No less than 5 of the 25-30 folks present already purchased a "GIXER" 750 or larger as their first ever bike. And these guys had so much attitude, bad a$$ "got the Gixer". Man I hate to say it but these guys are in real trouble. Oh and topper was an older guy, who offered us all discounts from the cigar shop he owns, just purchased as his first bike, get this, a Ducati 999. He had questions on what a tach was...:confused:

how many days is your msf course? I did the banzai Friday night, all day saturday, sunday morning.

6 hours classroom (2 nights) and 10 hours riding (2 weekends). I'm doing the slow boat to china program :( Hell it's raining anyway. Hopefully the final class will get more interesting. First one was all about primary controls and proper attire. I'm not knocking it too hard as some folks in the class have ZERO experience on a bike, but all the same, I'm happy to just get the insurance break and skip the DMV riding test.

you should have an interesting time on the range. Some of the no experience people just will not have or get a clue. Yet you know that some of them will still go out and twist the throttle. It's no wonder there are so many bike accidents...and these are the ones that bother to try and get some training.