Let's face it... No-one wants a moped for their first bike (well - some do. But they're on another forum ; ) ). So it's a bit of a hard sell trying to get the newbies to turn their heads away from that sexy R1 or G1K add in the latest copy of CycleWorld in favor of what they see as an underpowered 'beginner bike'. But what the new guys & gals don't realize is that, among REAL RIDERS, there are plenty of bikes out there that command much respect among those in the know. Here's a couple of bikes that would definitely capture the admiration of my friends (and most experienced riders on this forum). And this is straight-up. About the only people who won't consider these bad-ass bikes, new riders, are your old friends who don't know shit about bikes images/icons/wink.gif ...

1) An SV650S - Ultra Light, Ultra Nimble, corner carving machines. You see so many of these on the track nowdays. They rule the Lightweight classes. Cost is very reasonable so you can pour money into aftermarket goodies (which are available by the boatload, thanks to this bike's popularity)! Looks are great as is, or you can throw race plastics on them and have something like this:

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/1043724512.jpg

2) The Suzuki Bandit 600. Excellent all-around bike. But kind of plain, right? Not at all!!!Use the money you save on a brand new Gixxer 1K to build something like this! (I'm drooling! )

http://www.gixxer.com/uploads/1043725970.jpg

[ 01-28-2003, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: leanangle_750 ]

so true...so true...

i can vouch for the SV's nimbleness and the fun factor is way up there! even in stock form!

there is no respect for the beginner who gets a g1k

where as there is respect and help for the guy or gal that makes a more informed choice
theres more respect for the person who can ride the ass off an sv than a fool on a G1K wheelying with no gear on

real bikers know images/icons/grin.gif

That sv650s looks badass, makes me wish i got one instead of a gixxer 600!

ahh the SVS... that is what I'd prefer to have as my first bike.... and prolly final bike.... but the only bad thing about em is you just cant find them used..... new they rack 6300 out the door... but good luck finding a used one...

lovely bikes, and the new style is great...

Torinalth

I started out with a 98' 900RR and now I ride a GSXR 600. Wish I started on a six and not so big of a bike. Start small and work your way up, it's the better way to go. graemlins/thumbup.gif

Too true!
I started at 16 with a 50cc (for a year)
17...70cc (for a year)
21...100cc
22...250cc
23...750cc
And I like where I am at! graemlins/yumyum.gif

I guess starting with a 750 is kinda odd then, especially for a girl images/icons/confused.gif But I'm not you're average chick graemlins/thumbup.gif

aaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh i miss my 6 images/icons/frown.gif hopefully i will get another for my stable graemlins/yumyum.gif

You seem to know where your at anyway, good girl, lovely bike!!

Hey Leanangle you forgot to mention the Honda Hornet 600. Like the SV it's lightweight , fast, cheap and there are plenty of mods for it. Over here it has sold more than double the SV. On the track it's said to be as fast as the SV. For me it's one of the best buys around.

It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it that gets respect, in my eyes anyway. If you can show me a bike more fun than a '77 CG125 I'll eat my hat! graemlins/laugh.gif

Originally posted by Steve Strange:
Hey Leanangle you forgot to mention the Honda Hornet 600. Like the SV it's lightweight , fast, cheap and there are plenty of mods for it. Over here it has sold more than double the SV. On the track it's said to be as fast as the SV. For me it's one of the best buys around.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Nice bike! graemlins/thumbup.gif (I had to do some research!)

I'd never seen one of those before. After doing some web searching, it looks like it's not available in the states images/icons/frown.gif

Throw up pics, guys! This is for giving newbies sexy, fun bike options (other than the GSXR-1000 death machine their friends think they should get)

[ 01-29-2003, 04:24 PM: Message edited by: leanangle_750 ]

Originally posted by Seanic:
That sv650s looks badass, makes me wish i got one instead of a gixxer 600!<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">look we both know you dont mean that graemlins/laugh.gif

how u been sean?

well...i must say that after looking at that SV
racebike, that I now have a hardon!...damn, it looks good! I always liked the way they looked stock, but that.....! wow!
always better to start small and build up! images/icons/grin.gif
i started with honda cruiser back in the day to learn how to shift, and also had a honda aero 50 scooter, then moved to a honda interceptor, then a gix6 and now a gix7

friend of mine just picked up a honda 600 hornet yesterday (it has a bikini fairing) nice nimble bike to ride around, and a excellent step for someone coming off a 250 and dont want a sports bike

I started on a yz80/125 when i was 15

then had RG250 and couple RGv250's

then gixxer 750, tlr and now 03 r1, i think if i got the r1 as a 1st bike and i was 20, i would be 6 foot under now

If you ride like a squid, you will never get respect. I can out ride most people on my old ass Katana fer Christsake. Experience and ability comes first.

?

Originally posted by meanstrk:
If you ride like a squid, you will never get respect. I can out ride most people on my old ass Katana fer Christsake. Experience and ability comes first.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">graemlins/thumbup.gif Darn tootin'!
I respect anyone who rides within' their limits though, because otherwise yer just a twat. I played (won't say raced because he was slow and dangerous) with a guy on an R1 before now, and he was taking crazy risks overtaking taffic just to stay in front of a 750. Funny thing was as soon as we got a clear road, I'd catch him up and piss past him on the brakes or something! graemlins/laugh.gif What a tosser! We pulled over afterwards just to say hey and this was his excuse "Oh I wasn't gonna go too crazy because it was a little windy." Fucking twat. If ya can't handle an R1 in slight wind you shouldn't bloody own one!!

Originally posted by LooneyonaWT:
I respect anyone who rides within' their limits though, because otherwise yer just a twat. <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Couldn't agree with you more. Any newbie that tries to out do other's and themselves at the same time is going to end up skidding across the road. Not to mention that they aren't honest with themselves trying stuff they know they can't do, but do it anyways..

[ 01-31-2003, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: AzGixxxer ]

Got my slowkat and thank good...I think it's kept me alive while I learn the ropes.

Bro that Bandit fuggin rocks! If I pulled up at a light next to that bad ass streetfighter with my 1k, I know everyone wont be lookin at my bike! Saaaaweeeet! graemlins/la.gif graemlins/la.gif graemlins/thumbup.gif

gone for several months and still the same problems. Good advice however graemlins/bounce.gif

a guy came to look at my 600 i had for sale and he ended up calling me the next day and saying he put a deposit on an R1. this is his first bike and i dont think he realizes what he's in for yet.. graemlins/bash.gif

If I ever get another bike, It will be a SV650..

Damned sexy.. graemlins/yumyum.gif

http://www.svrider.com/photos/sv-pics/wescott/MVC-003F.JPG
http://www.svrider.com/photos/sv-pics/Joerankin3/MVC-018F.JPG
http://www.svrider.com/photos/sv-pics/maidment/DSCN0824.JPG
http://www.svrider.com/photos/sv-pics/chappSVR2/DSCN0819.JPG

The SV650S is a great bike. My roommate got lucky and found a used one in the classifieds. I got to ride it to gain experience while I saved the money to get my own bike.

How 'bout the Honda Hawk GT (NT650). They were only made from '88 to '91. It'd make a sweet little track bike or daily driver. 647cc v-twin, 400 lbs, ~50hp, SSS. With race plastics, or just like it is, it's a sweet little bike.

http://www.tireqwik.com/images/hawk/pic1.jpg

My boo and I are getting a 2000 sv650 this month for a practice bike for both of us. it is $3999 and it has 4900 miles on it. I can't wait to feel the handling on this bike I hear it is pretty good.

How 'bout the Honda Hawk GT (NT650).



The Hawk GT is a very cool bike... friend of mine races one:

http://www.geocities.com/alfredosauce.rm/hawk.htm

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif:

I dont think the bike has all that much to do with it. Respect is earned when I see how well you can ride around the turns or how good you are at launching from a stand still. Anybody can pull the throttle open all the way once youre at speed.

I watched a guy on a V65 Magna SMOKE a guy on a R1 one night. The guy on the R1 was a new rider that bought what he thought he "had to have" because of what he read in magazines. The guy on the Magna was in his 40's and had ridden many years.

If you get a GSXR1000 as a first bike, you will not be much faster than on a SV650, Hawk GT (etc.) until you gain skills. However, you could end up in traction very quickly trying to learn on a GSXR, R1, etc...

I learned on dirtbikes, then took MSF course, then took Team Hammer/EMGO Suzuki course. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I don't think any kind of bike is stupid. I love all bikes, mopeds, 50's, scooters, sport, ect... They are all fun in there own way, but if you should buy what you want. If you don't you will be unhappy soon down the road. So get the bike you want and know your limits. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

my first bike was an '02 sv650. it gotten stolen and made me sad, but i ended up with a gix 750. i wasnt sad anymore after i got my gix. its a major difference in handling and power of course.

I got myself a SV after finding out I really couldn't find a good insurance quote for the SS. So I settled (kinda) I love this bike, but I know in a few months I'll grow tried of it and want a SS. But I'll just have to bite the bullet and wait a year or so. At least looking at the bright side I can sharpen my skills on the nibble SV.

I would have to agree, You must get what you want, just don't over do it. Common there really isn't that many newbies riding a 1 liter bike, because who would insure them???? At least here in Cali, most insurance companies won't even give you a quote on a SS if you have less then 1 year of riding experiance. And if they do its like a 3-4 grand per year. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif