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Crotch Rocket Advice - First Timer
zhen_rogue
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Looking for your advice on purchasing a motorcycle - specifically makes/models that might suit my needs as described below:
-I'm looking for a fair-weather bike to take me on a short commute to work every weekday, and be a hobby on the weekends. I live in Boulder, so weekends will be taking this on twisty mountain roads at high altitude. This bike will likely never see riding times more than 3-4 hours in one run. This bike will likely never be on the interstate. This bike will never need any cargo room (save toolkit). This bike will likely never exceed 60mph, as the commute is urban and the moutain roads are rarely set past a 45mph speed limit.
-I'm looking for a "crotch rocket" design, not touring or cruiser (see above use and terrain). Primary concerns are: handling, responsiveness, agility, and a sharp/aggressive cosmetic design.
-I'll be buying new, money is not currently a limiting factor. I'll be changing my own oil and filters, but any other mainenance/repair will be done by a licensed motorcycle mechanic. Even though I will lay this bike down several times, i'm not interested in buying a used learner/beater first. I do have a car for winter/rainy conditions, this bike is supplemetal tranportation and entertainment.
-I'll be taking several motorcycle safety/training/licensing classes prior to purchasing.
-I'll be wearing a full helmet, steel-toe boots with plenty of padding, motorcycle gauntlets, and will likely invest in a jacket and overpants.
-I'm 6'-2" tall, around 145 lbs (very long arms and legs, small frame).
Right now, based on design and my good experiences with honda vehicles - i'm looking at the 2007 CBR600F4i and the 2007 CBR600RR.
However, i'm looking for comperable suggestions for makes & models (or even ones to stay away from).
Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki also look promising, Ducati and Triumph don't seem to be my style.
Additionally, advice on gear and general riding/learning is greatly appreciated.
-I'm looking for a fair-weather bike to take me on a short commute to work every weekday, and be a hobby on the weekends. I live in Boulder, so weekends will be taking this on twisty mountain roads at high altitude. This bike will likely never see riding times more than 3-4 hours in one run. This bike will likely never be on the interstate. This bike will never need any cargo room (save toolkit). This bike will likely never exceed 60mph, as the commute is urban and the moutain roads are rarely set past a 45mph speed limit.
-I'm looking for a "crotch rocket" design, not touring or cruiser (see above use and terrain). Primary concerns are: handling, responsiveness, agility, and a sharp/aggressive cosmetic design.
-I'll be buying new, money is not currently a limiting factor. I'll be changing my own oil and filters, but any other mainenance/repair will be done by a licensed motorcycle mechanic. Even though I will lay this bike down several times, i'm not interested in buying a used learner/beater first. I do have a car for winter/rainy conditions, this bike is supplemetal tranportation and entertainment.
-I'll be taking several motorcycle safety/training/licensing classes prior to purchasing.
-I'll be wearing a full helmet, steel-toe boots with plenty of padding, motorcycle gauntlets, and will likely invest in a jacket and overpants.
-I'm 6'-2" tall, around 145 lbs (very long arms and legs, small frame).
Right now, based on design and my good experiences with honda vehicles - i'm looking at the 2007 CBR600F4i and the 2007 CBR600RR.
However, i'm looking for comperable suggestions for makes & models (or even ones to stay away from).
Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki also look promising, Ducati and Triumph don't seem to be my style.
Additionally, advice on gear and general riding/learning is greatly appreciated.
zhen_rogue on
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Posts
I would reccomend a basic Honda, suzuki, or kawasaki road model.
if money is not an issue, Harley's are the bomb. if you want something sporty then I would go with the XL or Evolution in the 1100 CC range. It is a sport bike, without the Dukati rocket feel, and provides ample control.
Personally I'd go with the CBR600 (F4i or RR, both are equally awesome) or the ST1300.
My only real issue with the Ducati line is service and maintenance, as the closest service center i'd take it to is in denver.
And driving to denver is a 45-minute sojourn through terrible, terrible traffic and construction zones.
Exactly the type of environment i'll be avoiding.
The ST1300 is a sharp bike, but would it be as light/nimble as the 600RR?
I forsee a hairpin mountain curve @ 45mph, and suddenly see a boulder and loose gravel in my path.
There's no shoulder, there's a truck in the oncoming lane, and I have a car on my ass - only choice is to deftly react in one-lane and avoid the obstacles.
Granted, this isn't an every-day occurance, but is one of the reasons I need agility and stability in a turn above all else.
Wouldn't an 1100cc harley have just as much thrust/power as a 250hp sportbike?
I would think the 1100cc would be even more of a potential overpower problem, but maybe i'm wrong.
Your general plan sounds pretty solid. I'd just be alert for loose gravel and black ice, particularly on mountain roads where the mountain sides can keep some of the road in shadow (ice!) and the other in sun (nice and dry).
Take the course, buy your shit, and just drive alert and defensive, and you'll be fine.
O_o "hey guise, I'm gonna get my driving permit soon. What F1 car should I get? McLaren or Ferrari"
DOES NOT COMPUTE. You're buying a race replica to commute? Why? The comfort? Like having 4 gears you never use? Want the thrill of launching yourself off a cliff after grabbing a touch too much throttle?
I advise you to rethink the way you're going about this. Seriously. I think both of the bikes you listed are too much for a beginner rider. Put it this way - you didn't learn to drive in a top end corvette did you? It's worse with a bike. Way worse. A small error can fuck you up a lot, and a race bike isn't very forgiving.
an SV650 is considered by some a beginner bike, it will do everything you want without breaking a sweat, and is what I would consider the upper limit for a newb rider if your safe and responsible. And if money really is no object, get the smaller bike and when you out grow it (ha!) then upgrade.
Or if this is all just some elaborate suicide pact thing, consider adding me to your life insurance. I could use the cash.
IIRC the suspension on the ST1300 is a variant of the suspension on the CBR1000RR. It's going to be a little more forgiving than the 600RR/1kRR, but quite responsive nonetheless. And yeah I understand you about the Ducati maintenance. There is a dealer in Loveland though; would probably (read: definitely) be easier to get there than the one in Denver. I make the Boulder/Denver drive twice each day; I know exactly what you're wanting to avoid.
Once you get your license, go out and take some for test drives. That's the only way you'll really be sure about what you want. I'm 5'9" and have only ridden Kawi Ninjas, so far be it from me to give you an expert opinion on what would suit you best ;-)
I prefer Roadkings or Powerglides myself.
I think I understand what you're saying about "more than a newb bike" when it comes to the 2 models I listed.
However, top speed is not the issue.
If you're saying that the sv650 is just as nimble/agile/responsive or better than the two CBR 600's, then that's what I need to know.
If you're saying that if for some reason I crank too much throttle, i'll be much safer on the sv650 than the two CBR600's, then that's helpful.
I have to admit that I initially skipped over your post after reading the first condecending line a few hours ago, but I think now i've got the jist of your suggestions.
Out of curiosity, what bike did you learn on, and what bike(s) do you ride now?
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
Yeah, I'm not trying to sound like a prick - but I am - so that how it comes out sometimes. :P Sorry, no offense intended.
The sv650 (you'lll probably want the 650s. pretty) isn't nearly as fast or as powerful or as nimble as the two you listed. But the thing is - it doesn't matter. As a beginner you just won't be able to push the bike to its limits. The lower-end the bike, the easier to handle and the more forgiving of mistakes it is. Too much bike and too green a rider, a slight twitch at the wrong time, down you go.
think of it like this - a high end performance bike is like a high end performance car - they take lots of skill and finesse to work right. Even a low end crap harley will out accelerate most cars and that RR (Race Replica!) will hit 60MPH inside 3 seconds. So take it slow... if you could call the 650s 0-60 in under 4 seconds slow...
yes, I know people that didn't and were ok, but I also watched a guy be a damn squid and wreck his 2 week old CBR and put himself in the hospital by grabbing too much throttle while taking off from a party.
I learned by 1) taking the MSF class intro class, 2) riding *AND PRACTICING* (that's important) on an old xs400 for 2 years. it was a daily driver until I highsided, 3) riding a nighthawk 750 for about a year (sold). I'm looking for a new ride right now. I'm lusting after the KTM 950 supermoto but it's not real likely... god it's so yummy...
last two things - buy the book 'proficient motorcycling' and look into nearby track days. And hell, if money is really no object buy a BMW with ABS. Amazing bikes and the ABS is gold.
As far as gear goes, not sure how much night riding you have in mind but I stand by bright clothing. Black just seems to be asking for trouble.
If you have leg's and are flammable, you are not blocking the fire exit.
That's some solid advice, i'll check into the 650 and definitely pick up that book.
I'll see how things fare at the MSF - it might tell me what bike I should (and shouldn't) get right off the bat.
More good advice - i'm not imbued with titanic strength, but I should be able to stand up a bike.
I'll definitely make sure about the weight before I buy - because i'll likely be in a sparsely populated area with very little traffic when I lay the bike down (i.e. no help).
Colors are a definite - the only black i'll be wearing will likely be the boots.
Have you thought about something like a Suzuki SV650 - if you're after something a bit better low down a twin may be better then a 4 cylinder. I know you had your doubts about a ducati, but surely there's another motorcycle mechanic who can service one nearby? A monster would be damn good.
Either that or a triumph speed triple (or a [url]=http://www.hermys.com/downloads/06speedfour.jpg]speed four[/url], they feel different to a normal 4 cylinder).
See how many books I've read so far in 2010