What is a good sport bike for a new rider

Alright, first off i know the basic idea of not getting a bike that is too powerful, b/c it can be dangerous...deadly.

Right now i have Firebird Formula and i am finding out that the previous owners raced the car a lot....now i need a transmission rebuild and its in getting it done right now ($4000 to the insurance, thanks :)). I think i am going to come across more wear and tear than i wanna deal with. So i want to sell it, buy a toyota pickup and a sportbike. Use the truck at night, on long trips, and bad weather and the bike whenever i can.

I don't have cash to buy new, so what are some good bikes for used and what is their price range? I want something that looks good, has at least some power (i don't want to have to get a new bike as soon as i can ride out of the neighborhood. I am responsible enough to not be an idiot).

Don't get anything above 600cc, and nothing newer then 1990.

I suggest that you get either a CBR 600 F2, Suzuki Katana 600, or (depending on your size) get a Kawasaki Ninja 250/500. You can pipe and jet a 250 to outrun any 650 or lower cc bike out right now. :D Believe me I know...

Originally posted by 93Civicgurl
I suggest that you get either a CBR 600 F2, Suzuki Katana 600, or (depending on your size) get a Kawasaki Ninja 250/500. You can pipe and jet a 250 to outrun any 650 or lower cc bike out right now. :D Believe me I know...

All of those are excellent suggestions! Couldn't have said it better myself! :D

Well, maybe I could say "Suzuki GS500", but I'm a bit partial ;)

yamaha FZ400!!!

Suzuki SV650
hth,
Bill

My first bike was a Honda Hawk NT650. It was perfect to learn on. However, they are kind of rare, so I suggest the modern day equivalent ... Suzuki SV650. It is a 'twin' meaning it has a different feel than a 4-cyl CBRF2 for example.

My second bike was a VFR750 which was a sweet bike, but too much for a new rider.

I own no motorcycle right now, but if I were to buy one, I would find a used SV650. Something cool about the torque and feel of a twin.

Any kind of BUEL Model sport bike. They are easy to get a hold of price wise and are fast. Very sporty too.

Buell's are not sportbikes. thanks.

Originally posted by R1-rider
Buell's are not sportbikes. thanks.

Who cares about that??? Buell's aren't fast. :finger: :p JOKING, okay??? (kinda)

There are FAR more economical, and reasonable first-bike choices than a Hardley Ableson wannabe.

OK what do you call a Buell then????? would like to know, and yes they are fast. This guy is not looking for something that goes 200mph. Come on now.

The buell falls into the class called Streetfighters:
1. Harley no longer makes Buell, they are owned by them, however the design team totally left HD. So you can't classify it as a harley.
2. Buell does not compete at superbike competitions, harley has always had their own racing competitions only for harley bikes.
3. The bike is nowhere fast enough, or agile enough to be considered a track bike.
4. The only good thing about it is the vtwin sound, and (ugly) looks.

Oh a street fighter huh, i call it one bad ass looking ride. Have you ever rode a new buel R1 Rider??? They are fast and handle better than alot of other bikes. -cy- if i were you get a buell, they are awsome looking and will get up to 140mph anyday. From what you were looking for, you don't need something to get killed on.

Honda has a FAR more reputable name. They require less time for maintenance, and there are many more Honda dealers around.

Buells are "traditionals" and I've only heard nightmarish stories from Buell owners about the cost of maintenance. Honda is basic. Even I can do basic fixes...

Hey, whats the name of this thread???? CY is looking for a sport bike not a super bike with 1400cc and 180hp.

I have ridden a X1 and a XB9R, I was unimpressed with every single aspect of the bike excluding the lowend torque (which is offset by virtual no topend). The cornering on the bike was horrid, the wheel would not go where you pointed it, it would float in and out of turn, and at high speeds the bike felt like the smallest gust of wind would send you flying.

About 3 track days ago, there was a AMA Superbike (forget his name) rider there who was on the XB9R, and actually did an incredible job, however granted he rides sportbikes for his job and no doubt knows the exact limits of the bike. However his track times were still a good deal slower then the leading track times that day.

Buell's are still a long shot away fom being considered a sportbike. In order to really be considered a sportbike, your bike must be able to function in AMA racing events, at any level. Not like HD where they sponsor their own races only for HD bikes.

Wow last time I looked harley was runnin a bike in AMA superbike. But what do I know I've only been playin with these things for 30 years or so:rolleyes:


P.S. the v-rod has the street version or harley's super bike motor in it.

I knew that V-Rod had the superbike motor in it from Harley. Im just trying to see why alot don't like the Buels all that much. I keep my opinion on them though.

erg, totally forgot about the VR1000, i suppose it has to do with the fact in can't place within the top like 25 since 95? I suppose.

btw, the engine in the VROD was not made by HD, instead it was made by porshe, thus the reason it was water cooled. But seeing as how the VTX walks over the VROD anyway... And there is no superbike using the VROD engine, it may use a similar engine, but not the same one.

Originally posted by R1-rider
The buell falls into the class called Streetfighters:
1. Harley no longer makes Buell, they are owned by them, however the design team totally left HD. So you can't classify it as a harley.
2. Buell does not compete at superbike competitions, harley has always had their own racing competitions only for harley bikes.
3. The bike is nowhere fast enough, or agile enough to be considered a track bike.
4. The only good thing about it is the vtwin sound, and (ugly) looks.

1. Harley DIDN'T made Buell. Erik owned the company and just recently sold it to HD. So I guess HD DOES make Buell...now

2. Harley raced in the AMA Superbike class, until recently...and shorttrack (which has or has had Suzuki and Yamaha)

3. Buell's have some of, if not THE most radical suspension setting in the entire motorcycle industry (more radical than the RACE ONLY TZ250's)

4. and BIG V-twin torque, "different" deisng and styling, easily repairable engines and trannys, etc...

You're selling the bike short and Buell calls them SPORTfighters, not streetfighters.

hth,
Bill

p.s. They are sportbikes, but NOT for beginners and as such a bad example for this thread.

Originally posted by dallas sr20
Wow last time I looked harley was runnin a bike in AMA superbike. But what do I know I've only been playin with these things for 30 years or so:rolleyes:


P.S. the v-rod has the street version or harley's super bike motor in it.

Look again. HD closed the doors on the Gemini (read AMA Superbike) project 2 years ago...and actually, the V-Rod has a Porsche/HD designed water cooled, V-Twin. It does NOT have the Gemini/HD designed engine.
hth,
Bill

Originally posted by R1-rider
btw, the engine in the VROD was not made by HD, instead it was made by porshe, thus the reason it was water cooled. But seeing as how the VTX walks over the VROD anyway... And there is no superbike using the VROD engine, it may use a similar engine, but not the same one.

Actually, the V-Rod's engine was designed by a team consisting of Porsche Design and HD. Porsche the car company owns Porsche Design, but they are run as a seperate design house only. Porsche AG does not and did not manufacturer the V-rod's engine.

Also IIRC, the V-rod will out accelerate and top end the VTX (I think it currently has the highest power and torque rating of the "power cruisers"...but I may be wrong!)

hth,
Bill

Originally posted by Scott 02
Oh a street fighter huh, i call it one bad ass looking ride. Have you ever rode a new buel R1 Rider??? They are fast and handle better than alot of other bikes. -cy- if i were you get a buell, they are awsome looking and will get up to 140mph anyday. From what you were looking for, you don't need something to get killed on.

I've ridden a couple Buells, I argree, not only do they buzz the shit out of you, the motor is weak, and the handling in garbage. Now, how many sportbikes have YOU rode to make a comparison with?

honda cb500

great street bike and u can burn some rubber if u know how 2...

on the bad side it aint exacly the sorta bike that can do a constant 110mph+ for very long... so if ur looking to gun it on the highway, dont buy this bike.

I've been looking into it more, and a lot of people have been recommending a CBR600 F3 if i am responsible enough to not push it, which i am.

Originally posted by -cy-
I've been looking into it more, and a lot of people have been recommending a CBR600 F3 if i am responsible enough to not push it, which i am.

That is an excellent starter bike, and you won't get bored on it quickly. Just remember that you aren't invincible. Cars are bigger, dumber and harder than you or your bike. Keep your sensible head on, and you'll be fine.

Ya, i respect cars as well, so i'm sure if i do get the bike (and hopefully things work out) that i'll be responsible and try to get some experience under my belt.

I was just talking to a friend last night, his first bike is a '92 yamaha (forget name) 750cc sport bike. He told me a story where you almost highsided it coming out of a turn, and just hearing of this stuff makes me wanna be careful.

I know there are a lot of risks with it, but i believe life isn't worth living if you are afraid to enjoy it. :D

I think the CBR600 is a good starter bike, but this bike is still extremely fast, and if you are scared to push IMO a Katana is a good starter.

Originally posted by R1-rider
Buell's are not sportbikes. thanks.

:flipa: Buels are a far better bike than any of those Yamamoto hentai sushi things you're riding, and at a far better price, and sound better and look better and they have more torque and they can be made to hadle better!:flipa: but you're just too narrow-minded to notice that he's looking for a good beginners bike, huh?:flipa:

Go with the Buel! You'll never look back! I love mine!:smoker:

Buels are a far better bike than any of those Yamamoto hentai sushi things you're riding, and at a far better price, and sound better and look better and they have more torque and they can be made to hadle better! but you're just too narrow-minded to notice that he's looking for a good beginners bike, huh?

Well said. People don't give Buels much support b/c they are an American bike that kicks the shit out of foreign. Any problems? Buel is the bike I said at the start and Im still sticking with it.

Go with the Buel! You'll never look back! I love mine!
I don't have one yet, but i sure will when the time comes. Great bikes! :)

I have a 99 cyclone, and it works like a charm. I love taking it on long country rides, the engine can make gobbs of power without breaking a sweat. I love it so much I don't even bother looking at other bikes anymore, my Cyclone has become and extension of myself. So far it has had only routine oil changes, and a few mods. When I wash it I just sit and stare at it, and think how beautifull the shape still looks. Not like those "other" so called "sportbikes" that are going to look ugly as sin in a few years.
The new Buells are even better, they are so deeply engineered for their price, only byassed morons would overlook these gems. :mad: not a sport bike, bah!

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro

Go with the Buel! You'll never look back! I love mine!:smoker:

Hey, so long as you're down with buying something that has been recalled MULTIPLE times for SERIOUS problems, more power to you. I also hate Duc's because you have to get everything re-adjusted every 5000 miles. DUMB. That's an easy summer riding season. No thanks. I'll stick with the relatively maintenance-free "imports".

What, shock absorbers are serious? Sorry, but i don't make deals with the devil.:devil:

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
What, shock absorbers are serious? Sorry, but i don't make deals with the devil.:devil:

Swing arms aren't serious??? I think you need a way to attach the drive wheel to the rest of the bike, last time I checked. :p

Heck, if you want something from a company that's been around for forever, get a BMW... They've been in bikes longer than they've been in cars!!! Too bad they are friggin' expensive!

What swing arm? Those weren't recalled, it was just the rear shock absorber.

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
What swing arm? Those weren't recalled, it was just the rear shock absorber.

THIS (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?postid=800388#post800388) is the list of recalls that I am aware of. Some of them are rather severe. I wouldn't trust a Buell farther than I could ride it, but then again I was raised on a Honda dirtbike. :o

Holy $#!t! I guess I'm riding a fuel injected suicide machine!

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
Holy $#!t! I guess I'm riding a fuel injected suicide machine!

You makin fun of me??? :confused:

No, not at all, I just had no idea Buell had this many problems, but like you said earlier "ignorance is bliss" I don't know how confident I'm gonna be riding my Cyclone now.:(

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
No, not at all, I just had no idea Buell had this many problems, but like you said earlier "ignorance is bliss" I don't know how confident I'm gonna be riding my Cyclone now.:(

Well, at least you are more aware of things and can be best prepared for anything. :o

Well, everyone tells me I've got reflexes quicker than a mongoose!

I was gonna reply to some of your posts earlier, but was delayed my loss of my internet for awhile here. Anyway, as you can see by the post of mine that listed Buell's recalls is a very large reason who I do not recommend them as beginner bikes, and for the most part bikes at all. I look at many aspects of a bike, and many I don't look at. The main ones I do tend to care a great deal about is dependability, durability, comfort, and other such characteristics of a bike that is so infinitely more important on a motorcycle then a car. The ones I usually don't look at are the visual appearance, sounds, and other such things because each person is different, and has different preferences.

Btw, just for some information on a post you had where you said you had more power then me, that is true as you have 10ftlbs of torque more then my bike, howevery inversely I have 40HP and about 3-4K more RPMs to play with as well. And when I use my nitrous, I have about 15ftlbs MORE then you, and about 70HP more then you, and from a bike 200ccs smaller in engine size.

I don't usually rag on any type of bikes, but Buells, Harleys, and any other potato choppers I laugh at, and slightly disgusted of. A big part of it is because when I see another rider on the road, I ALWAYS wave, no exceptions. It is a rare sight to see somebody riding a jap bike not wave bike, but only about 1 in 7 harley riders every waves back. So, in light of better words, they can suck my (put a 4 letter word of your choice here).

But on the subject of not recommending a Buell as a first bike is simple for one reason, besides the absolutely horrible Buell Blast, all of their bikes have a good deal more power then what a new rider should be taught on. My first bike was a 550cc and I thank god that I started out on a bike that was incredibly easy to master. Ofcourse now I am on a sportbike with an amount of power that is just sickening, and can ride it like you wouldn't believe.

kaoru-tochiro, don't waist your time arguing with her. I have once at the start of this thread. Oh god, wait untill R1-Rider gives his opinion on Buells.:rolleyes:

Yep, I knew F*cking R1-rider would be in soon:D :rolleyes:

Well the misconception is that American bikes have gotten crapier, when all they've done is pretty much stay the same. The Japanese motorcycles have gotten really really good, but since I don't look at them much I don't know what I'm missing. I like the potato chopper sound this thing makes, and how ruff it is, its part of its personality, this Buell has really grown on me over the years and it really hurts me to see all those recalls. :( I was just sticking up for the one I love.

Originally posted by Scott 02
kaoru-tochiro, don't waist your time arguing with her. I have once at the start of this thread. Oh god, wait untill R1-Rider gives his opinion on Buells.:rolleyes:

It might appear that he has come to see that perhaps Buell is not as reliable as he once thought. If he wishes to ignore the statistics, he is more than welcome to. I, like R1rider, ALWAYS wave to riders regardless of bike. Even on a sportbike, I think I get a better reception for the wave just b/c I'm a girl and everyone is supportive of a female getting into riding.


My strongest recommendation for a "starter" bike is a 500cc or an early 90's 600cc bike, as I've said before. If the person is VERY hesitant, or knows that they will try to override their abilities, then they really shouldn't ride, but if they must, then a 250cc bike is my only option for them.

Have you had any problems with your buel?

Originally posted by Scott 02
Have you had any problems with your buel?

Not at all dude, those recalls are only precautionary, I mean there haven't been any accidents from failures. If there were could you immagine the lawsuits? Buell would go out of business. It would be the same story as the Pinto and the Explorer. :o when you write something on paper it seems a lot worse than it actually is.

Not at all dude, those recalls are only precautionary, I mean there haven't been any accidents from failures. If there were could you immagine the lawsuits? Buell would go out of business. It would be the same story as the Pinto and the Explorer. when you write something on paper it seems a lot worse than it actually is.

I love how you explain things, I agree with your opinions soo much. I have never heard of anyone having problems with the recall part. I cant wait to get a buell some day.

I will look forward to mopping another one up.

Originally posted by Scott 02


I love how you explain things, I agree with your opinions soo much. I have never heard of anyone having problems with the recall part. I cant wait to get a buell some day.

Thanks buddy:) It is sure to become a classic, unlike those disposable rice rockets.

I will look forward to mopping another one up.
I hope you do. ;) :D