sportsbike for a beginner

[LSDaamn]

I've been riding dirtbikes for about 5 years off and on the road. I was wondering what would be a good starter bike that has more power than a ninja 250 but not a 600cc. Any suggestions?

[232]

Ninja 650 or SV650.
Both will also be more fun on public streets than any 600 ever will be.

[LSDaamn]

Actually I was looking for something a lil less than a 600 since I don't want pull the throttle a bit and go flying off lol.

[232]

Those bikes have half the horsepower of a 600 super sport. Maybe even a bit less than half vs a newer 600.

The Ninja 650 is a parallel twin engine, the SV650 is an L twin engine.
But they do have more torque and their power is available at a vastly lower rpm.
The power is also linear making it far easier to handle versus the extremely peaky power of a high strung I4.

They end up being easier to ride and more fun for these reasons. Win/win situation.

[LSDaamn]

Thanks ill look into them.

[232]

There isn't really much worth buying in between a Ninja 250 and the 650's I mentioned.
Not for sport bike style bikes anyways. Assuming you are in north america.

Only other bike worth buying would be a Ninja 500 but they use very old technology on them.
And aren't exactly the best looking. They can be had extremely cheap second hand though.

[LSDaamn]

Ya I looked into the 500 until I saw what it looked like and the specs.

[driftking]

If you've been riding dirtbikes for five years, go with a 600. You'll probably get bored rapidly. Have you ever ridden a street bike before? You'll probably find that your skills will transfer across quickly.

Where I live, learner and provisional bike riders have power restrictions on their bikes. It's technically power to weight, can't remember the figure but you're limited to 250 sport bikes and around 600 for cruisers and heavier bikes.

So some people buy much faster bikes and have a restrictor installed to limit the power, then take it out when they get their opens.

otherwise what 232 said. another good one is the suzuki gs500f.

[LSDaamn]

Ya I was close to getting a 250 until I saw how underpowered it was. I might go to some dealers and see which 600 would be a good fit.

[232]

Problem with the 600's is they are real shit on the street.
I've owned a 600 before and to be completely honest, my ZZR-250 was more fun on the street.

Zero power until 9000+ rpm makes for a very boring ride anywhere but the highway.
And highway riding is an absolute bore. Keep in mind, even in first gear you won't be making any power until about 100kph.

You can slip the clutch all you want to keep the revs up, it won't make a difference. You'll always have more fun on a bike with low-mid range power on the street.
Super sports are plain and simple not made for the street. Anyone who says otherwise is too busy posing to know what riding is.

Myself, I will never buy a super sport for the street ever again.
My next bike is going to be one of those 650's I mentioned, or a supermoto (which are 1000x more fun than any sport bike).

[LSDaamn]

Ive heard of super morose but they weren't for me but thanks for all the info.

[CitizenUzi]

I don't know what the hell 232 is talking about.

Don't go to a dealer, first off. Check your local and not so local various classifieds for older, well treated mild 600's. A good example of this was my first bike, a '94 yamaha XJ600. It was mild, very rideable and couldn't throw you off unless you literally blasted the clutch out at redline in 1st.... while leaning back.

There are a bunch of bikes like that, specifically made to be more comfortable and useable than any RR. The redlines are low, midrange is good and they'll go fast enough to entertain (some people). Just look at specs first, then check out the actual riding position and shit. A lot of those air cooled engines are bulletproof and idiotproof (pretty much) too. That XJ made about 60hp, shittier torque and weighed a decent amount. You would have to seriously lay on it to go quick.

I even like older 1000's because they are milder but still fast and fun. Not for you though, I think.

[232]

Originally Posted by CitizenUzi

I don't know what the hell 232 is talking about.

Uhhh
Sorry, what?

[happy_one_hit]

Get an SV650 or a DRZ400 depending on what you want.

Case closed.

[232]

^ Truth.

[NTP]

So anyone out there who has ridden like a Honda CR250 or CR500 know that if you don't stay up on it, it will stand right up on you and possibly throw you off. How let's say I have a 250 street bike. I would assume the power to be the same and stuff since it's a 250 and all but with different gear's to keep up with traffic. I assume anyone with that experience could handle the street bike just as easily?

[232]

If you are experienced with a modern 250 two stroke motocross bike, you could pretty much handle anything. CR500's are just mental.

A 250 street bike is going to be nothing like those as there hasn't really been a single street legal 2 stroke bike since the 80s. And those were pedestrian in comparison to the 250 2 strokes we have now.

[NTP]

Originally Posted by 232

If you are experienced with a modern 250 two stroke motocross bike, you could pretty much handle anything. CR500's are just mental.

A 250 street bike is going to be nothing like those as there hasn't really been a single street legal 2 stroke bike since the 80s. And those were pedestrian in comparison to the 250 2 strokes we have now.

Yeah I have a 1989 cr250 that is bored out although i'm not sure how much because I bought it built, with aftermarket piston and sleeve and new carb and stuff its a beast for only a 250.

[232]

That's the beauty of 2 strokes. Can get insane power out of tiny engines.
Even those older 250's can get you into trouble plenty fast.

[Haiti's Space Agency]

[DrkManderly]

Look into a hyosung/united motors gt650r. Its a light bike with about 79 hp, i ride a sv650 but after riding my buddies hyosung i wish i had his.

[ACE_187]

Get a 600. I wish I'd got a 1000 now I guess. I am thinking of getting one before spending more to make the 600 faster. Only time I dropped it was coming into my driveway and hit some leaves.

I would be mad if I started with a 250

[ACE_187]

For some reason kawasaki engines dont put out as much power.

I have a cbr600 now. I want a cbr1000 or maybe an r1

A vmax would be cool too

[232]

Originally Posted by DrkManderly

Look into a hyosung/united motors gt650r. Its a light bike with about 79 hp, i ride a sv650 but after riding my buddies hyosung i wish i had his.

.....light bike?
It's dry weight is 25kg heavier than the SV650.
The Hyosung will have a wet weight that is *HEAVIER* than any modern liter bike.
That is extremely heavy for this kind of bike.

79hp?
Maybe in an alternate reality. Yes, that is the quoted crank hp specs from them.
The SV650 is quoted as having 73hp at the crank.
Yet the "more powerful" GT650R makes 5 less rear wheel horsepower than the SV650 RWHP.
So take a guess at which company is being truthful about their figures (wouldn't be surprised if the Hyosung is heavier than they say too).

You would be crazy to want one over your SV650.
The SV is a vastly superior quality bike in every regard and should last forever with no problems.
I wouldn't count on the Hyosung making it to 20k without any major repairs.

[ACE_187]

Originally Posted by Haiti's Space Agency

I don't agree you will never be a great rider starting with a 600. I have rode like 6000 miles. I put wear on my tires where the tread ends. After a couple thousand miles you should be comfortable. But I know another guy with a cbr600 who I dont like and thought it was funny how far away from the edge the wear stopped. I have stood up on the seat and let go once but have not wanted to do it again. I can do wheelies with the clutch but I cant keep it up and I dont like doing that either. But basic riding I think I am good.

The main thing is dont hit corners you cant see around going so fast you cant correct yourself because if you hit gravel or pine straw or whatevet you are in trouble. And you will drop it somehow. Once within the first hundred miles. Maybe again if you arent careful about debris when cornering or turning

[happy_one_hit]

I said it before and I'll say it again get a SV650 or a DRZ400. Me I drool over the DRZ400, but if I saw a SV650 for a good price I would snatch it up.

ACE I think your problem comes from a lack of low end power. Think about it when you are riding around like a normal person you should be well below 9-8k RPM and you aren't making much power down there. As someone said before those bikes are for racing, when you are racing you will be well above 8-9k RPM just about the whole time.

Personally I think you should buy a bike that suits you best.


I like the freedom of riding an enduro or dualsport

If you want it to street race or drag race then buy a 'busa

If you want it for road course style racing then your probably better off with a CBR600RR (an SV650 works VERY well for this too)

If you are going to ride it around and want a sport bike get an SV650. They make good power down low and are much better for driving in traffic and around town (in my opinion)


If your fat, white, and racist, then get a Harley Road King

...I'm gettin bored now

[232]

Originally Posted by ACE_187

I don't agree you will never be a great rider starting with a 600. I have rode like 6000 miles. I put wear on my tires where the tread ends. After a couple thousand miles you should be comfortable. But I know another guy with a cbr600 who I dont like and thought it was funny how far away from the edge the wear stopped. I have stood up on the seat and let go once but have not wanted to do it again. I can do wheelies with the clutch but I cant keep it up and I dont like doing that either. But basic riding I think I am good.

Everyone do yourself a favor and never listen to a single thing this guy says about motorcycles.

Already I can tell you don't know how to ride, as you are bragging about how small your chicken strips are.
Anyone with any real knowledge of riding properly knows how little that crap means.
I have never met a single good rider who has even so much as briefly mentioned those. There is one plus though, it lets you know who the idiots are so you can avoid riding with them.

And if you actually think you are fast or even just above average in any way shape or form after that miniscule amount of miles then I don't even know what to say. . . .

With how little riding experience you have, your "tire wear to the edge of the tread" just means you have complete shit body position while cornering.
I love seeing guys like you at the race track, getting passed like they aren't moving in the corners thanks to their horrible riding technique.
Yet they still go around bragging to everyone about how fast they are and how they have no chicken strips.

It's things like this that are the reason why you start on slower bikes.
So you can properly learn technique gradually. You will never learn anything when you are afraid to push your bike to the limits.
And don't give me that "but I'm not afraid" BS. I'd be highly surprised if you are even doing 25% of what your bike is capable of.

[ACE_187]

Happy one hit, smaller bikes I think redline higher. I think mine is like 14k may be wrong but it's not unusual to go 8k or more.

The hyabusa is like 100lbs more than 1000's and less horsepower in most cases. Someone told me the vmax was 200hp and that would probably be a much better drag bike.

[ACE_187]

232 what does that even mean? Pushing your bike to the limit but you dont think chicken strips mean anything. Do you think professional riders have them?

If by scared you mean knowing my limitations yeah I guess but I have not really been afraid of it since I got over the initial awkwardness.

[232]

Originally Posted by ACE_187

232 what does that even mean? Pushing your bike to the limit but you dont think chicken strips mean anything. Do you think professional riders have them?

If by scared you mean knowing my limitations yeah I guess but I have not really been afraid of it since I got over the initial awkwardness.

Because they don't mean anything? If you know how to ride you aren't going to even bring it up because it literally tells you nothing (if you're riding properly).
The only way they are the slightest bit relevant is if your riding position/form is bad.
In which case it shows you how bad your riding is, as your bike is leaning over further than it needs to for any given corner. So in this case, smaller chicken strips = bad.

The same thing goes for people who brag about getting their knee down (people who do are generally always shit riders).

Originally Posted by ACE_187

Happy one hit, smaller bikes I think redline higher. I think mine is like 14k may be wrong but it's not unusual to go 8k or more.

The hyabusa is like 100lbs more than 1000's and less horsepower in most cases. Someone told me the vmax was 200hp and that would probably be a much better drag bike.

Smaller bikes don't always rev higher. It all depends on the engine and what the bike is designed to do.
A touring bike isn't going to rev as high as a sport bike, for example.

The Hayabusa has more horsepower than the majority of liter bikes. Liter bikes have only recently started making more power. With the likes of the S1000R and the 1199 Panigale leading the way.

The new V-Max has 174hp. Stock it will be a better drag bike than the Busa.
But the Busa has 1000x more potential. You can't modify the V-Max nearly as well/easily as you can with the Busa. Hell I have yet to actually see a modded new V-Max yet.
People modded the old ones a fair bit though.

[happy_one_hit]

Originally Posted by ACE_187

Happy one hit, smaller bikes I think redline higher. I think mine is like 14k may be wrong but it's not unusual to go 8k or more.

My friend has a f4i 600 that I ride from time to time, I am somewhat familiar with them and how they ride. What I was talking about was how they don't make a lick of power until they get to 8-9k RPM. So to get into or even near the sweet spot of your RPM range in or around town you have to be riding like an ass speeding through the streets. On the other hand a bike like a SV650 makes much more power much lower in the RPM range. A bike like that makes a lot of power in your USEABLE RPM range. Some people don't mind sacrificing low end grunt for high end power, personally I like an engine that makes power where I use it most.

People look at HP numbers and think that's all there is. Next time look at the TORQUE CURVE, that's where the magic happens. Compare the driving characteristics of a c5 corvette and a 400 HP civic that doesn't make any power until 4,500 RPM. In a drag race the civic would win, but driving it around town and in traffic it would feel slow as hell because you have to get it above 4,500 RPM to make any power and around town you rarely get above 4,500 in a 400 HP civic because it would probably be loud as shit.

Originally Posted by ACE_187

The hyabusa is like 100lbs more than 1000's and less horsepower in most cases. Someone told me the vmax was 200hp and that would probably be a much better drag bike.

Racing those bike is something I don't know much about, but a good friend runs a motorcycle performance shop and has been racing bikes her whole life, so has her husband who owns the shop. They race busas, they swear by them. They say they are strong, reliable, and respond very well to aftermarket parts. I think the newer ones runs high 9s from the factory and with headers and a power commander you can get them below mid 9s.

Like I said I don't race bikes, for that I much prefer cars, but that is what they do and they tell me if you want to drag race bikes or just want to be one of the fastest guys on the road, then buy a hiya-whatever.