nijiconfetchi

Hey everyone.
Kind of ran into this sight doing a little research on what bike i wanted, (ive made up my mind but just looking at reviews).

I hope to find some good advice, and a few pointers on riding, etc..

bwhip

Glad you're here!

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Bikerboy1974

Welcome to the addiction...hopefully somewhere and somehow we can help!

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HondaGalToo

Welcome! What bike are you interested in? First bike? What riding experience? Lots of knowledgeable folks here to help you out, that's certain!

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ND4SPD

aboard!

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CBRVFR

Greetings!

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nijiconfetchi

WOW.
replies already!
you guys are awesome.

I was looking into getting a Gixxer 600.
Im 19 right now, and thinking of getting an 07 model gixxer when i turn 20 in august.

Been researching the heck out of that zuk' for almost a year now. Went to the dealership, and sat in one. Fell in love with it instantly.

Any tips?

ND4SPD

If it's your first bike, take an MSF course. Don't spend all your money on the bike, get some quality gear. Go try on a bunch of different helmets and see what fits best. Make sure you get good leathers, gloves, and boots.

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ONEvcs

Very nice bike. Good choice.
Tip:
Since you're getting a Suzi..., PLEASE, don't stunt on an open street, or where you or others might increase the risk already inherent with that kind of bike and riding.

Bikerboy1974

I second that! Gear gear gear! MSF course! First bikes don't need to be amazingly beautiful or new, you are getting it to learn, both good and bad things usually. Good helmet, gloves, boots and leathers is a must!

Be careful and grow with the bike. No need to get too good to fast. I was 18 when I got my first bike and got cocky real quick. It bit me in the tail (literally!). Take your time and get to know the bike and your abilities first!

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luvtolean

Since you asked...if you've never had a bike before, the GSXR is a poor choice.

Suzuki's SV650, or a Ninja 500 (or 650 which has the most aggressive style) would be a much better choice. Pick one up used, ride and learn on it for a while, and sell it for minimal loss (if you don't stunt, and/or crash the hell out of it).

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nijiconfetchi

Thanks for the tips guys.
I know for sure I am not going to do any stunting at all. Im looking at my bike as an investment, so im going to try and get the most out of it, not including wadding it up via stunting.
I was also looking into some gear, and also fell in love with the new Scorpion brand helmet, the EXO-700. Was thinking about getting the "burst" style 700.
I currently am still debating on leather, or textile for jacket fabric. Not quite sure yet on that. Any help on that? I might be riding mostly during spring-summerlike weather.

Help is MUCH APPRECIATED.

luvtolean

Bikes are not investments (with VERY few exceptions), just like cars, a new bike drops 20% of its value the minute you ride off the lot. Buy a used one and let someone else pay that if you're worried about money.

Leather is always better, and outside of the really high quality textile stuff, like Aerostitch (which is probably a bit homely for a 19YO, but I love mine) I think textile is garbage. Nylon melts under minimal temperature due to friction...sometimes right to your skin.

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ND4SPD

Make sure you try the helmet on before you buy it. Walk around the showroom for 5-10 minutes and make sure it's not putting pressure on your head anywhere but that the fit is uniform all around. Don't buy it simply because the way it looks. Different helmets fit different, even from the same manufacturer. Food for thought, there is a great review of the EXO-1000 in our magazine section: http://www.motorcycleaddicts.org/tec...-approach.html

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ONEvcs

That's going to shorten the list of bikes you can buy and the usage you're going to get out of it considerably.

As a rule of thumb, within the first two months you own the bike, you're going to drop it once, crash it once with different levels of damage solely depending on how lucky you are, and realize what a mistake it was to buy it as an investment.

I prefer leather jackets even in summer.

SheepOfBlue

I am not as against textile as LTL but agree leather is much better protection. If you plan on riding in the deep south in the summer be sure to get perforated leather though as heat stroke is a big hazard.

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luvtolean

Shed some of that insulation you carry at all times and you'll sweat rather than bleed.






(niji, just so you know, I'm kinda famous around here for hating textiles, especially SHIT like the Joe Rocket football jersey, er, Phoenix jacket.)

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HondaGalToo

I agree with luvtolean on the choices for a first bike. If you have no riding experience, a modern 600 is a poor choice. Definitely get a used bike, and a smaller one, and learn on that for a season. Then move up to your dream bike. If you start smaller, ultimately you'll be a better rider.

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luvtolean

I'll repeat this as it is critical, whatever bike you do buy, put frame sliders on it, that day if possible!

Many, if not most people drop their first streetbike (like in the garage or driveway) within weeks of getting it. I know I did mine.

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BobcatSig

Indeed. ALL great points.

I too will echo the sentiments on leather: get the best you can afford. And if you can afford a new GSX-R, you are putting too much into your bike and not enough into saving your own skin (literally). As it's been said, it is much easier to wipe off sweat than it is to do the same with scars (or blood).

To put another way, it is much more advantageous in the long run to have an older bike and the best gear, than to have the "best" bike and little or no gear.

No matter how long you've ridden bikes, the MSF course with make you an infinitely better rider and increase your confidence almost over night. So get to it!

And before I forget ... Welcome to MCADX!! Terrific group of moto-heads here. Glad you found us.

ND4SPD

Glad you hold yourself in such high regard.

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BobcatSig

::cough, cough:: I mean "glad you found MCADX" ...

nijiconfetchi

lol.
I agree very much with the fact that my bike wont be much of an investment, and yes, i will be buying it used due to the fact of me certainty laying it down (not on purpose of course). Maybe gently, (in the garage getting tipped over) most likely, but laid down nonetheless.

I dont mean to be a squid, but i've taken the gixxer 600 out for a test ride (5 miles), and it seemed forgiving in my point of view, but what do i know, im just a squid right? (seriously)

The helmet, i havent tried on. I agree with the "dont just buy it because of the looks", and now im going to stop by the dealership after work to test out helmets. Thanks!

anymore tips?

p.s- THIS FORUM IS AWESOME with all the prompt replies.

nijiconfetchi

You guys are hilarious!
haha.

nijiconfetchi

Oh, and before i forget!
I absolutely agree with sweating. I totally rather wipe sweat than blood any day.
I think i'll invest a bit more in my gear than my bike.

And, about those frame sliders? What advantage do i get with having them installed? Ive seen those crash cages and i think those would give much more protection to the fairings, and engine than the frame sliders would. Could someone help me out on that one?

THANKS GUYS! (and LADIES if there are any)