Posted: 4/10/2005 1:20:51 PM EDT
| Im looking at getting a beginner bike, and was concidering a Honda CBR 600 or a Ducati Monster 620. Which bike would be better to learn on, and would be cheaper to fix? Im not wanting to spend more than 2000 on my first bike, and hopefully it will make a good backup for the gas price probs instead of my 2005 Mustang. |
| both of those are good......you should be able to pick up a decent used one for what you are wanting to spend!!! believe it or not there is a huge different in a 500 cc and 600cc sport bike...I would never recommend someone to start out on something over 500 cc, unless its a cruiser. Some people are ok with it and some go down hard. Its too big of a risk to take!!! this is however just my opinion.. I started out on an 800 cc cruiser and rode 11,000 miles in a year and sold it to buy a 1500 cc cruiser..I'm so damn glad that I didnt start out on the big cruiser first!! |
Mine were not/ are not. How often did you spend in your garage with your Duc's? Why are you wanting a specific bike to learn on? If you flip the coin for a small motor, about 2 weeks after you truly learn how to ride, you will want a more of a bike. Good luck! |
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Even a decent used Ninja will probably cost you more than $2,000. The ones I see around here are at least $2,500 for 10 year old bike. Don't go too cheap on the bike because first you don't want to end up having to fix it every time you want to ride and second if the bike is in poor condition, breaks down, or just fails to perform as it should when you need it the most it could put your life at risk. Have you checked eBay for bikes? You can find a huge selection out there and maybe something close to what you are looking for. |
A BIG +10000000 I've riden for 15 years, and my current ride is an Aprilia SL1000R. My brother has one in addition to his Z1000, it is the most fun bike to had! Even for experienced riders and novices alike you can NOT go wrong with this little 650 Vtwin. Balance and handling are terrific, power is acceptable for all street purposes and even track days are a joy. |
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Ebay is your friend. Lots of 500-600cc bikes for around 2 grand, but I can promise you it won't be a Ducati (Unless it's missing the wheels, engine, etc.) The Ninja 500 is a fairly good bike. It's been relatively unchanged since it came out in the late 80s, so if you can find an older one in good condition it'll be pretty close to what you can get new. Parts are also pretty ubundant, as they're popular little bikes. If you don't like the Ninja, check out the the Suzuki SV650 or the Honda Nighthawk. The SV650 might be a little much for a first bike, but I hear they're easy to get used to. And make sure to buy used because you will most likely drop it at some point. I dropped my '03 6R in a parking lot and almost cried. And take the MSF course if you've never ridden before. Lots of helpful info and you'll get your license in a weekend. Take care. |
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try to find a used bike instaed of new, cheaper and parts are easier to find ninja 500 is a good starter and parts are common read everything in the link, then read it again home.earthlink.net/~thebradfords/startsmall.htm |
| Suzuki bandit 600 would be a good choice. Check out insurance costs. Also the seat height of the bike can be a problem for people with short legs. Find someone you know that has knowledge of and rides to help you out. A older bike that cost less may not be a good deal if you need to put a lot of work and parts in it. I would look for what used to be called a UJM. Made in Japan inline 4 motor. Standard style. I have owned and rode a lot of bikes and a 600cc sport bike takes a lot of skill to ride. I owned a 600 Ninja and a 800 VFR, these are not beginner bikes! I rode a SV650S, and I would not consider that a beginner bike. Maybe the standard SV650? I know the standard is cheaper to buy and insure. |
In the context of locating a large amount of used motorcycles, it's a good resource. If you want to buy firearms related items, then ok, it's not. *Correction from my last post, "Ubundant = abundent" |
Good looking bike, i will have to do a search for one. |
I rode whenever and as much as I could!!!! However Ducks are a work of art and need to be kept as close as perfect as possible. 
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| Its easy to keep a Duck looking like new, they're always broke. Go ahead and ask me how I know? Go AHEAD! Well fine I had a 900ss and an 900 Monster. While they are beautiful and meticulous in detail , they are typical Italian junk. With that being said I now have an Aprilia but the heart of it is Teutonic engineering ala Rotax 998cc 60 deg Vtwin power. So I finally got wise and got the best of both worlds. The styling of Italy and the workmanship and reliability of Austria. |
Too Funny!!! I am looking for my next ride...I don't care for the new Ducatis... Have been looking at a Kawasaki ZX11. Maybe i'll go check out the Aprillas.. BTW I met Lyle Lovette(sp??) and he is a big Ducati monster fan...He's pretty quite though which is strange for a public performer.. |
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Oh man! Check out this awesome Honda!!! (nothing against Honda at all, they make awesome bikes, but this is hilarious!) Honda |
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SV 650 would be a great choice. Also, look for a Honda HawkGT (also a 650 V-twin). The HawkGT should not be confused with the Nighthawk. Two completely different bikes! The HawkGT was made from 88-92 (IIRC). They have a super-sexy single sided rear swingarm. Although they made tremendous racebikes (in the lightweight classes, unitl the SV came out), a mostly stock HawkGT is IMO the best starter-bike around----->awsome handling, enough power to be fun, great looks, bulletproof reliability, and more... Here's mine going from racebike back to street(fighter!).  Damn, I gotta finish that thing... |
You mean this Benelli?  
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Jawohl... |
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i have to say. The only time I want more power is when I get the urge to do a wheelie... I can keep up with liter bikes just cause I can lean the bike. (Bandit 600S) I still get elated on accelerating but, it really doesn't compare to stickin' a turn. And that part has very little to do with monster horsepower. My bike will last me for another year or two. I mean... if you have money to throw around (which I don't) then, yeah, you're gonna want a faster bike just as soon as you get rid of the unworn band around your tires. Learn to ride fast and hard on a smaller bike before you dump $8000 on a super bike. And, possibly, dump it the hard way. Suzuki was the cheapest buy for me. You'll probably find the same. If you want better gas mileage... a smaller displacement motor all the way. |
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The Honda V-65's are overweight, poor handleing, shitty brakes, boat anchors. Don't forget about the cam problems they have. Try www.cycletrader.com
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Nice work! I like it! |
