Sport Touring Suggestions for New Rider?

[Below Zero]

I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle. I have never ridden one. Anyone have any suggestions for a sport touring bike for this newbie? Any other advice or good internet links would be appreciated.

[Z]

I'm thinking of buying a motorcycle. I have never ridden one. Anyone have any suggestions for a sport touring bike for this newbie? Any other advice or good internet links would be appreciated.

Seems like blurred is infecting people. Good shit. I'd love a bike.

Shit, I can still get down, I'll ride dside's scooter. Shit rips.

[pechelman]

all my friends suggest buying a peice of crap
itll be faster than anything youve been on before, and you will lay it down at least once, so might as well not get anything nice

thats all ive got

[mtnbikerskierchick]

Yep. Blurred has most certainly infected you It's okay though... going fast is good

[InspectorGadget]

More riders than I can count (skiers too) are constantly in search of the next wiz-bang piece of gear; it's easy to make your bike go faster and/or handle better. There are too few riders (and skiers) who are willing to feed their brain - think Str8line camp for motorcylists.

Take an MSF course, which will also get you a discount on your insurance, and then take the advanced course. Sign up for some track days. They're really fun and you'll learn a lot.

Buy a used bike that you can learn to ride on. Today's 600's offer more than enough in terms of horsepower and many of them are plenty comfortable for a long day in the saddle. At most, buy the model just below the supersport class.

Buy the right gear. There are plenty of cows that have given their skin so you don't have to. I always ride in full leathers, road race quality boots, gloves and helmet.

Don't be a jackass squid and ride in shorts and sandals, with your too-short t-shirt blowing up around your neck.

I've got a few things hanging around that need a good home; let me know if I can help.

I heart motorcycles.

[StokeSmack]

I know you asked for recommendations for a sports/tourer, but if I had to do it again, my first bike would've been something a little lighter that I could ocassionaly also take off-pavement. A Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a fairly manageable and economical ride. Going up the ladder, I'd consider a Buell Ulysses, Trimph Tiger, or BMW GS 1200 if I planned on putting on a lot of highway miles.

[schindlerpiste]

Do not even consider a BMW as a first bike. It would be like buying a pair of LP's as a first ski. Go with a rice burner with 650-750cc. After a season or so, if you like riding, move up to a autobahn eater.

[Mulletizer]

It ain't no sports tourer nor speed machine but you could always buy my bike. After years of putting off the inevitable I finally put it up for sale this afternoon. Sniff, sniff...

[mntlion]

I'd go for a older 600 sport bike that you won't be to upset when you dump it. Dont worry that will usually happen at slow speed, turning around or something....

And the course's are key to keeping the bike upright and you alive.

[InspectorGadget]

After years of putting off the inevitable I finally put it up for sale this afternoon. Sniff, sniff...

Nooooo. Don't. Do. It.



Too bad you're on the other side of the planet.

[Below Zero]

Thanks guys. Still need some more help here though. I'm just not sure where to start.

Are there any internet sites for used bikes? Like autotrader.com for motorcycles?

Any other suggestions for a make and model for this motorcycle newb?

[marshalolson]

get the fastest bike you can find, and worry about the rest later.

[MakersTeleMark]

For an affordable and reliable first sport tourer, keep your eyes on older VFR's.

I've seen a bunch on craigslist:

http://tinyurl.com/mdobx

[Blurred]

Listen to Inspector Gadget. He definitely knows what he's talking about.

BZ-take a class. Contact good4nothing, he's doing a class down there in D-town in the next week or two....would be fun if you both attended at the same time.

Not sport touring, but Yamaha fzr600's were made almost entirely unchanged from 89-99. What's this mean? Tons of bikes on the market at good prices, and lots of parts to be found. Try e-bay for bikes, will give you an idea of what you can get. Also, like others have said, I wouldn't get a really expensive bike, or anything over a 600 to learn on. There's a good chance you'll drop it or ding it up, and 600's will help you keep it under 150 mph.

[InspectorGadget]

Are there any internet sites for used bikes? Like autotrader.com for motorcycles?

Any other suggestions for a make and model for this motorcycle newb?

There are tons of sites for used bikes, i.e., ebay, cycletrader, etc.

MakersTeleMark suggested a Honda VFR. I've had several and it's a fabulous bike to be sure, but it's not one I'd recommend for a first bike.

Suzuki SV650 - Comes in a couple versions, is a gas to ride and isn't super expensive.

Honda Hawk GT - Borders on the collectible; but, like the SV650, is fun to ride.

As I said before, virtually any of sub-supersport 600's will be relatively inexpensive and plenty competent. A buddy had a Kawasaki 600 several years ago; he liked riding the Ducati I had at the time and we'd trade bikes once in a while. That Kawi was a blast and very easy to ride fast . . . . once you learn how to ride. Young man! [/fatherly tone.]

[Below Zero]

BZ-take a class. Contact good4nothing, he's doing a class down there in D-town in the next week or two....would be fun if you both attended at the same time.

Yeah, definetly going to take a class, but I don't even have a bike yet. They don't give you a bike to learn on do they?

Good4nothing - do you have a link to the class website? Edit: Is it this one: http://www.t3rg.com/

[Sinecure]

+1 for what gadget said. Track days are a great way to get comfortable with what the bike can do.

Used bike would definitely be the way to go. The less plastic on it, the less you'll pay when you drop it in the parking lot. Ride it for a year or two and then decide if you need more/different bike.

Bike's I might consider in your situation:

Yamaha FZ6
Suzuki V-Strom (not really an off-road bike, even if it looks like it - I like the FZ better)
BMW F650 (maybe)
Suzuki SV650 (I'd buy that before a V-strom, but the v-strom might be a bit more comfortable - the SV is a great compromise between street and track and can tour if you want - IMO, similar to the FZ6)

The Yamaha and the SV650 will be easy to find spare parts for them. Also shouldn't be hard to find used bikes. Don't be totally scared off by bikes with a "salvage" title. Just know what you are getting into and make sure it has a straight frame. Salvage just means it was crashed and the insurance company "totaled" it. It doesn't take a lot to "total" a bike, given what the bits and pieces cost to replace.

All those bikes are still available new, so you can go sit on them at a dealer to get a sense for the ergonomics.

Web sites:

www.sportbikers.net
www.southbayriders.com (a San Jose, CA local board, but populated by relatively mature, intelligent riders - you can get really good feedback from them, in much more detail than I can offer).
There are also forums dedicated just to FZs, SVs, etc. Just do a google on something like "Yamaha FZ Forum".

Be sure to include full leathers - yes, full leathers, ideally pants and jacket zip together, good helmet, good gloves, good boots. I've crashed 3 times and had injuries, but never lost any skin or blood. All three would have been much worse without good protective equipment.

[Blurred]

Yeah, definetly going to take a class, but I don't even have a bike yet. They don't give you a bike to learn on do they?

Good4nothing - do you have a link to the class website? Edit: Is it this one: http://www.t3rg.com/

I'm not sure who he's doing it through, you'll have to contact him....unfortunately, he's out hiking in the woods somewhere for a couple of days. However, I do know that they provide the bikes for you to learn on.

[Grange]

I'm in the middle of the MSF basic course. First day was last Friday and the 2nd day is this Friday. They provided the bikes. All are either a 125cc or 250cc. I've been reading motorcycle forums to get some general information about different bikes. Apparently they fill up so I was luck to get into one due to a cancellation.

I prefer a cruiser style bike and want a decent used Yamaha 650 V-star custom. Once the class is over, I get my license, and I find out about my transfer application I'll start to look seriously for a bike.

As far as links go check out this one if you're considering an open face helmet.

http://jeff.dean.home.att.net/swisher.htm

[Spats]

Yes, buy something cheap that's already been dropped. I guarantee that you will drop it yourself at least once, probably doing something stupid, and you don't want to mess up something expensive.

You absolutely do NOT need anything larger than a 600 sportbike or a 650 twin. Even an older CBR600 will be scary fast. I started on an old Interceptor 500, and even that got me in plenty of trouble. "Sport-touring" bikes generally are heavy and have big engines and don't make good first rides. Plan on trading up in a year or so once you get better at riding.

The most important thing: plan on about a $1100 budget for safety gear over and beyond the motorcycle.

-Full-face helmet. Whatever brand fits you best and is street-legal (DOT approved) is fine. Black looks cool but is a horrible head oven on hot days...I recommend a lighter color.

-Good leather riding gloves. Don't skimp here, they'll be the first thing to hit the ground.

-Solid boots. You don't need expensive racer-boy boots...any good, tough leather high-top work boots with rigid soles will protect you. Avoid boots with a high heel, as it'll make it harder to shift.

-Jeans wear through in about six feet in a slide. You'll want full protective coverage, not just a jacket. I use and recommend the Aerostich Roadcrafter, because (unlike regular one-piece suits or leather pants) you can put it on and take it off in about ten seconds. Plus it's waterproof.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/...t-p-16133.html

Whatever you do, don't get black leathers. They look cool, but you'll cook like a steak in the summer. Ask me how I know.

[Blurred]

Spats adds some great things to this thread.

However, I wouldn't get a 1 piece suit. Just not practical for stops/restaurants/etc. 2 piece suits zip together and offer about the same protection. Go that route.

[Sinecure]

A couple other things.

The MSF class is a great intro. If you decide to try a track day, consider going to one of the schools that caters to new track riders and offers quite a bit of instruction along with track time. It won't be cheap, but it will be good and safe. Plus some focus much more toward street riders than track riders. I did the CLASS school with Reg Pridmore as my first exposure to the track. It was expensive, but it was a very good introduction and I didn't feel any pressure to push limits. There were even a couple of guys with Gold Wings and Harleys on the track at that school - it was amazing to watch the GoldWing guy grind his chrome pipes through 7 and 11 at Sears Point / Infineon. Now when I do track days (which has become the majority of my riding), I go to regular track days where there are instructors, but they mostly focus on track skills, cornering, body position, some track safety (when you fuck up) and general skills development - plus they only help you if you ask or are acting like a squid.

If you start lurking/posting on motorcycle sites, just a heads up that Squid = JONG, you'll get called a squid for a while. Don't fret.

Enjoy the bike and be safe. And I can't tell you how valuable a day on the track will be. You'll be a much safer rider, regardless of how fast/slow or aggressively you plan to ride. It won't make you more aggressive, or put you more at risk, quite the opposite.

[InspectorGadget]

I wouldn't get a 1 piece suit. Just not practical for stops/restaurants/etc. 2 piece suits zip together and offer about the same protection. Go that route.

Aerostich makes a great one piece and a two piece. The one piece is so easy to put on and quick to take off, I wouldn't give it a second thought. One piece versus two piece, like boxers versus briefs, it's really a matter of personal preference.

[riderspro]

Does anyone recommend getting an enduro and crashing it a few times in dirt/turf to get the hang of ditching, or is that just stupid? I've heard from several unrelated people to do that.

And if yes, two stroke or four?

[Sinecure]

Does anyone recommend getting an enduro and crashing it a few times in dirt/turf to get the hang of ditching, or is that just stupid? I've heard from several unrelated people to do that.

And if yes, two stroke or four?

Yes, that's stupid. But by all means, make it a big four stroke. You'll get more hang time that way!