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GSXR 600 for first bike?

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LakeShow310

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I know there has been tons of questions about this topic, but I was hoping to hear more opinions, and I hope you guys wouldn't mind one more time. Also I am not very tech savvy and I hope i'm posting in the right thread, if not i'm sorry.

I have been looking at motorcycles for almost a year now and I will be taking the MSF course in a week and get my license soon. I have never ridden a bike yet, but I have never been in any accidents nor been given any citations while driving a car for the past 4 years if that matters. I am 19 years of age, very mature for my age as well. I am a police cadet and I will soon be a police officer once I graduate college, which means I will not be speeding or doing dumb stuff on a motorcycle.

I'm 5 ft 11, 160 pounds and I have been debating on the gsxr 600 and the new ninja 300. I live in southern California next to LAX, and I will be taking this bike with me once I transfer to San Diego for college. Two of my friends started off on 600s as their first bikes and one other friend of mine started off on a Road King Harley which is 1800cc I believe. They all have been doing well and have never dropped their bikes so they recommend the gsxr 600 for me. This being said I was hoping to hear more opinions.

Which bike should I start off with? Do you think I will be able to handle the gsxr 600? Also I believe both the gsxr 600 and ninja 300 have about 4.5 gallons, how many miles per gallon do both these bikes get? Is it a huge difference?

Thank you guys in advance, I appreciate it.
 
#2 · (Edited)
This won't end well for you.




But my 2c: if you're bent on doing it, do it... seeking approval won't help. I started on the sv650s. Looking back I probably could've done just fine starting on a 600, but each person is different. Ninja 300s are sick looking bikes and inexpensive too.

About your questions-
Ninja 300 is gonna get a shit ton more mpg than any 600. I frequently ride below 6k rpms and squeeze maybe 35mpg? (Very rough estimate) which isn't all that impressive considering my mother's Ford Focus gets about 30mpg. I hear the Ninja 300 gets something absurd like 70mpg, but I don't know how true that is.

Your driving record as well as height and weight are irrelevant.

I'm skeptical of all new riders self proclaimed maturity, so that's also irrelevant. I'm 18, and I act like an 18 year old... doesn't say much about me riding a motorcycle besides fitting into a stereotype.

Your friends may have started on 600s, but maybe they're just naturally better riders than you... you aren't the same as your friends.

Taken right from the Suzuki website:
"Suzuki engineers designed GSX-Rs, and Hayabusa for experienced riders."

I'm not trying to talk you out of it, since personally if I could go back I would've started on a 600. But you really have to take everything into consideration. I pay a SHIT TON of money for insurance. If I had a 300 I would probably be paying a fraction of what I pay.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yeah I wouldn't even mind a 300 since I will be riding on roads mostly and not highways, and I prefer more mpg also. Would the 300 get me to San Diego easily?(Its a 2 hr drive on freeway). I would be going to San Diego in about a year or 2 years max. Do you even think a 300 will be a good first bike brand new?
 
#4 ·
I don't see why not. I saw a couple of Ninja 250s on the freeway in the bay area .. they can definitely keep up. I don't think your first bike should be a new bike, there's no point of paying the higher insurance and OTD price.
 
#5 ·
The Ninja will get better gas mileage, the GSXR will perform leagues above the Ninja. It really depends on what you're looking for. I don't think anyone rides a GSXR for gas mileage, though. Unless your other vehicle is a big truck or something. :dunno

Also as stated above, get a used bike unless money really isn't an object. You'll save on insurance and it'll be loads cheaper. That said, you'd be looking at a Ninja 250 vs a GSXR 600.

It also comes down to why you want to ride. If it's just for transportation purposes, look into like an SV650 or a GS600 or something like that. They're both fairly sporty and will do great on the highway.

If you're really looking forward to doing some spirited riding and want a bike that really looks the part, go ahead and get a GSXR 600. I personally would go used just for financial reasons.

I started on a GSXR 750 and I'm fine. Just respect the throttle and know it'll put you on your ass at 100 mph in about 2 seconds.
 
#6 ·
Just because you're friends are fine (for now) doesn't mean you will be too. Even though it's an 04, it's still a rocket under your ass. These are race replica bikes with lights. And with zero riding experience this is a bad idea. The main problem I see is under emergency conditions or when you have to avoid an obstacle. You simply don't have the skill set yet to give yourself the best chance at avoiding a crash. You will panic, grab too much brake or too much throttle and crash. The non "R" bikes are more forgiving. So if you grab too much brake or too much throttle, it may give you a chance to recover, but same scenario on an "R" bike and you'll be on your ass.

Also don't listen to anyone who says "respect the bike" etc. That is the biggest bunch of horseshit ever. You can be "respecting" the bike or throttle all you want, it's in an emergency where respect will do jack shit for you but your skill or lack thereof is the determining factor.

Whichever bike you get, wear full gear. All leather preferably. At least a leather jacket, and good protective riding pants, not just jeans. And fuck your buddies who are riding in shorts and a t-shirt if they bust your balls. They won't be laughing when they have no skins. Don't forget good quality race style boots and good gloves with good palm protection, not just a set of batting gloves. And obviously, a good helmet. Don't go cheap on your gear. Good gear costs money so factor that into your purchase.

As with someone else said, don't buy new for your first bike. Save the money. There are plenty of great used smaller bikes for sale from people upgrading. Especially since you are going to college, the chances of theft or someone fucking with it increase big time. Secondly, not trying to be a dick here, but there is a good possibility that you will crash at some point. We all do it. But better to do it on a used bike than a brand new bike. Buy used!

Good luck and remember your gear. Don't be a pussy it's not too hot out for it. :biggrin
 
#7 ·
No, of course not, they say the one millionth time is the charm. So the multitude of "Why a street legal race bike not even a $250,000 super car can exceed in acceleration" in the starting line somehow does not apply to you and has to be rehashed just so you can hear that NO, this is not a good beginners bike is warranted, catered just for you? So the other "No" that were given to the other 350 people who asked last week is somehow not applicable to you, huh? No accidents, no citations and Police cadet somehow masters throttle control and the complexities of riding? Just be sure to get the bike before you start the Academy so when you crash and rack up $1000's in medical bills it wont be on the tax payers bill.

Image
 
#10 ·
osider92 said:
600 is fine. just respect the throttle.
Click to expand...
See above in regards to your "respect"...show the bike all the respect you want, just know that it dosnt give 2 fucks about you.
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
Samschou said:
No, of course not, they say the one millionth time is the charm. So the multitude of "Why a street legal race bike not even a $250,000 super car can exceed in acceleration" in the starting line somehow does not apply to you and has to be rehashed just so you can hear that NO, this is not a good beginners bike is warranted, catered just for you? So the other "No" that were given to the other 350 people who asked last week is somehow not applicable to you, huh? No accidents, no citations and Police cadet somehow masters throttle control and the complexities of riding? Just be sure to get the bike before you start the Academy so when you crash and rack up $1000's in medical bills it wont be on the tax payers bill.

Image
Click to expand...

cranky much? need some more tampons? you whine more than my 4 year old niece...
 
#12 ·
I own a 2008 Ninja 250 as well as my k5 gsxr 600. I'd say the Ninja will be better/cheaper /more comfortable for commuting, I've had over 160 kph out of mine which is plenty fast enough for keeping up with traffic - and it's pretty good on gas. The 600 is worlds apart in terms of performance though.

I wouldn't listen to the guys with the horror stories saying the 600 will put you on your ass etc. It's a motorbike - not a horse - so it will do exactly what you tell it to. So just keep it a gear too high for the first few weeks and steady on the throttle. They're not very strong at low rpm anyway so just keep it around 4-5k rpm for the first few weeks and build up from there. This is of course assuming you are as responsible as you say you are....
 
#14 ·
I'd personally go for the 600 out of the 2. Used bike as a first bike, as has been stated. You get two types of bikers- those who have gone down and those who will eventually- there is no third type.

I see there are a lot of grumpy old men on here telling you how shitty you will be on a bike. You may very well be better than your friends who started off on 600s as well- or not. How would anybody else know? And yes, invest in good riding gear.

In the end, get the bike that you want, not what others tell you to- and most of all, enjoy the ride!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#15 ·
LakeShow310 said:
cranky much? need some more tampons? you whine more than my 4 year old niece...
Click to expand...
:nono Youre digging up your own grave there.

Read the stickies, theyre there for a reason. Shes actually trying to help your chances of surviving riding a bike. Tons of people come in here looking for approval to buy a 10 or 11 second bike as their first bike. Thats as fast if not faster than a new zr1 corvette or 2012 nissan gtr. Now remove 2 wheels, the airbags, your seats, traction control, and every other safety feature in the vehicle. You think thats a good first car for a kid who cant legally buy beer where he lives?

Lots of people start on a 600 so it definately can be done. However LUCK will help you more than being mature and "respecting the throttle." So why take the chance when you have your whole life ahead of you?

A 250 or 300 will give you better mpg (not 70mpg though) and will be cheaper to insure. Theyre faster than civics and most cars out there so they have plenty of power for city riding. Im guessing the 300 will feel a bit more stable at highway speeds. If not theres a lot more bikes that make good beginner bikes other than the 250. sv650, ninja 500/650 etc...
 
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#17 ·
LakeShow310 said:
cranky much? need some more tampons? you whine more than my 4 year old niece...
Click to expand...
You post a question that has been asked thousands of times,a question that has been asked so many times its been made a sticky just so people wont ask it again...and then get butthurt when people give you their opinion.
Let me help you,try www.gsxr.com you will fit in there much better
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
oldgixxer said:
You post a question that has been asked thousands of times,a question that has been asked so many times its been made a sticky just so people wont ask it again...and then get butthurt when people give you their opinion.
Let me help you,try www.gsxr.com you will fit in there much better
Click to expand...
I've already stated i'm not so good on these computers and forums so I don't know what sticky you guys are talking about, a direct link would of been better then just talking trash straight up... Plus if a question gets you this mad, then you guys need some classes to help with your anger management problems. What's the point of these forums anyways if people are going to get mad at me for asking a question? I thought these forums were suppose to help me...:wtf
 
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