Got my Motorcycle Learners

[SirShaun]

Last saturday i woke my *** up at 8:30 and went to DMV. My cousin had got his motorcycle learners 4 days before. I decided to give the test a shot. In VA if you are under 18 u have to hold your learners for 9 months. I got my learners so the 9 months would be counting down. Its turning nice and im about to get a job. (im 17 by the way). My dad really wants me to ride a harley but im set on a crotch rocket.

Those of you who ride.
What is a good crotch rocket to start out on?
How much is insurance for a young person on a bike?
What kind of prices should i expect to pay for a bike?
Is cosmetic damage that hard/expensive to fix on a crotch rocket?
How uncomfortable is riding a crotch rocket? Im a big guy 240+.

Thanks for the info. It can be a suzuki, yamaha, honda, kawasaki, aprilla, ducati as long as its a crotch rocket.

[firebird4u99]

Get a Honda. Insurance sucks no matter what way you look at it since you are only 17.

[TealV6]

I'm so glad this topic is here... it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside after my last post :rolleyes:

First, congrats!! You've taken the first step in a wonderful adventure :D You'll love it!

With learners in your state, to they have MCF courses that are needed? if not, may I suggest atleast taking the basic one. It's a good thing and may help with ins too.

As for the Harley/Sport Bike (croch rocket seems so negitive) pissing match. Once your on a bike, it doesn't matter what you ride. Your a rider! We all support one another, ok.. some die hards don't, but that's ok too. You'll see most riders wave if you watch closely.

I ride a Yamaha (see sig) and it's the little brother to the R6. It's comfortable, agile and still great on power and gas. I have a friend that rides a Honda Magnum. In my OPINION, it drives like a wet mop. But he and I will trade up while out riding just to get our grins. If you like tight handling, incredible braking and good style... your in for a sport bike. If you like the layed back, sunday cruise type drive... a cruiser is in your future.

A good first bike... again is about opinion. I can recommend the YZF600, Suzuki GS line and even the cbr F series. All can be found for the right price if you look. Plastics will be expensive but to get a few pieces is not bad. Most can be had on ebay or local sources. Mileage is just like a Diesel, it really doesn't count unless abused. If taken care of, a good rider will put miles on it. But that does not mean when he is selling it that it's abused. He may have out grown the bike or just ready for an upgrade in power handling. If you don't know bikes, have someone that does inspect it for you. Most sellers will let a buyer test drive it, again.. let the inspector do it as they will know what they are looking for.

Again... congrats and be safe!

Steve

[L32Projekt]

Yes, please refer to the motorcycle as a sport bike, unless you want to be classified as a squid. Have fun.

[black98V6]

I had this same perdiciment back when I bought my bike. I'd be a second to say take the basic saftey course. It will help you immediately. As far as sport vs cruiser. Well for my first bike I chose a cruiser, like you I am not a small guy, 6ft at the moment a little under 220lbs. I chose an 1100 Vstar custom. It's a fairly heavy cruiser, kinda like a beefed up harley sportster. The main reason aside from the styling was the fact that the engines and trannies are prettymuch bullet proof, it's air cooled so yes less power but also less moving parts. Also I like the idea of shaft drive. I chose the 1100 over the 650 because I wanted something I could ride on the highway on at 75mph and be somewhat comfortable.
now at the same time I did ride a suziki SV650, it was a sweet little bike and if I had the money to purchase a second bike I'd buy a sport bike in a minute. but for now I like the bigger cruiser and yes they handle TOTALLY different. But either way as teal said you are a rider and that is the most important part.

Oah and be careful whatever you get, and wear the saftey gear, at some point you are very very likely to lay the bike down in the first year. It's just statistically very very likely. The key is to make sure you are well protected and you aren't doing anything crazy enough to really hurt yourself.

[img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img]

[SirShaun]

In VA to get the actual license you must take a riders skills course at DMV. Or take a class at Germanna one weekend cost 70 bucks and u ride around on dirt bikes and cones and such. Im definately going to take the motorcycle class/course. After i take the motorcycle class/course i won't have to take the road skilsl test just go to dmv and get license.

I have been looking out for a YZF600 im not finding many. Also is riding a sport bike uncomfortable?

[TealV6]

Originally posted by SirShaun:
In VA to get the actual license you must take a riders skills course at DMV. Or take a class at Germanna one weekend cost 70 bucks and u ride around on dirt bikes and cones and such. Im definately going to take the motorcycle class/course. After i take the motorcycle class/course i won't have to take the road skilsl test just go to dmv and get license.

I have been looking out for a YZF600 im not finding many. Also is riding a sport bike uncomfortable?

That's excellent news.

That YZF600 can be elusive, but not as much as the imfamous R7 [img]graemlins/bowdown.gif[/img]

If you want... You can stop by www.yzf600r.com and check out the for sale section. I know there are some bikes up there now, and PLENTY of great minds to pick.

Sport bikes can be uncomfortable for long rides without stopping and also depends on them model. R6 to YZF600, the Thundercat is better (600r). But the R6 was designed more for the track vs. the street. Everyone will tell you that any bike is comfortable, but you have to be the judge in the end. Go to a bike store and just sit on each model for 5-10 minutes in the riding position with a buddy talking to you. You'll get the idea of what might bother you.

Oh.. and the 97+ Thundercats (600R) has not really changed except colors. It's there bread and butter model if tells you anything.

[Zora's Camaro]

I recommend the 2005 R6 it weighs alot less then the new CBRS and has better performance and horsepower. From what i read

[TealV6]

Originally posted by Zora's Camaro:
I recommend the 2005 R6 it weighs alot less then the new CBRS and has better performance and horsepower. From what i read

For a new rider??? Are you trying to get him killed? Anyone ever thought about insurance either??? Isn't that why most of us bought a V6 and NOT a V8??

Oh.. not to mention the price tag of the show room floor.

[Zora's Camaro]

lol No im not trying to get him killed. I could have said the R1 but the R6 is a good learner bike. what you think would be a good learner bike?

[SirShaun]

At most my dad will cosign a 3 grand loan for me once i start working. So im working with around 3grand.

[L32Projekt]

If I were to take the plunge and start riding tomorrow, I'd purchase a Suzuki SV650 as it's a Sport/Standard and you can grow into it. Relatively light, decent power and good handling/ergonomics. Oh yeah, reasonable insurance rates last time I checked.

[JusFlyinBy]

Originally posted by TealV6:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Zora's Camaro:
I recommend the 2005 R6 it weighs alot less then the new CBRS and has better performance and horsepower. From what i read

For a new rider??? Are you trying to get him killed? Anyone ever thought about insurance either??? Isn't that why most of us bought a V6 and NOT a V8??

Oh.. not to mention the price tag of the show room floor. </font>[/QUOTE]Just so ya know, the R6 isnt such a power house as people think. You really need to rev the piss out of this thing to get power out of it. A new rider would prob be fine on one just because a quick snap of the throttle wont even pick the front tire up without a little clutch work. If I said this on the R6 forum, people would flame the hell out of me, but hey thats the truth.

I paid like 150-200 a year, just liability, no collision when I was 17 on an 89 Ninja 600R. Im 23 now and pay 100 a year for my R6, but its like 1800 a year with full coverage, or something ridiculous like that.

[ March 25, 2005, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: JusFlyinBy ]

[TealV6]

Originally posted by L32Projekt:
If I were to take the plunge and start riding tomorrow, I'd purchase a Suzuki SV650 as it's a Sport/Standard and you can grow into it. Relatively light, decent power and good handling/ergonomics. Oh yeah, reasonable insurance rates last time I checked.

And reason prevails!!!

Even a decent R6 is going to cost 5K + used. Then add the ins. to a new rider at a young age... he'll pay 5K a year.

All manufactuers have a "work horse" model. Look at what they are, find some of the boards out there and then see what you like. Remember, power is not everything. How good it rides and how well you can handle it getting down in the corners is a rush all in it's self! When you start dragging pegs, then I would look at an R6 or R1 type machine.

[nikon]

Originally posted by Zora's Camaro:
lol No im not trying to get him killed. I could have said the R1 but the R6 is a good learner bike. what you think would be a good learner bike?

heh, I learned on a 600 Shadow. tacked out she did 75mph. then I went to the R6 about a year and half later. Instead of being on crutches for a few days after my accident on the r6 I prolly wouldda been squished into the guys hood. R6=Bad learned WAY too much power even though its a 600 shed pull the front wheel like nothing, clutch it in 2nd and you'll find yourself on your *** real quick. This is the point where'd Id normally say I regret selling my bike, then teal would come in afterwords and say get another one, and someone else with a flame edition r6 would prolly also chime in and say something, so you guys dont have to say it this time :cool: I still want another one though :(