maybe a bike??

[Rex]

Before you buy a bike figure out what kind of riding you plan on doing. Sport bikes are generally not well suited for commuting, but are a blast to zip aorund with your buddies on the weekend and do some canyon carving.

I'd recommend picking up something inexpensive (~$900) on ebay just to make sure you want to ride more than 2 or 3 times. You should be able to find something like this ...

If you decide to stay with it, make sure the ride will fit your style of riding.

My buddy got a Superhawk this summer and sold it after developing forearm cramps after riding 20 minutes. Next he got a V-Max and I spent about a week on it when he was out of town and WOW, that's a nice ride, somewhat a cross breed riding style and very powerful.

Now, I'd like to get a Yamaha Roadstar Warrior, but I'd have to change the exhaust.

[TachyonS14]

That is a clean looking bike. But man you are right, that exhaust is horrible! wow.

[SeVa-S13]

to that Yamaha

Another good starter bike in the cruiser genre, the Honda Rebel. It was my uncle's first bike and a cool ride.
Modified by SeVa-S13 at 6:45 AM 12/10/2004

[themadscientist]

depends on what style you like. For crotchrocket the CBR600s are good starters, enough pop to keep you respectful but more forgiving than a GSXR750. I ride a Hornet 600, it's called a 599 in the states. It has a detuned CBR600F3 motor and if you keep it in the powerband (it's less peaky than the full on CBR but it don't pull down low like a 750) there isn't much I can't run with in a corner. It's naked though, it tires me out fighting the wind but I like to let it all hang out. I think it's great for beginners, it is VERY forgiving. I have had several instances where the bikes nature has allowed me to scrape through a bad mistake in technique where an R6 would have shot me off. If you like the naked style I have to reccomend it or the bigger 919. The Yamaha FZ6 is supposed to be similar in design, detuned R6 motor and a half fairing.

[JESTER]

Like the other gent said, Suzuki SV650. I had a 99 model.

They can be had fairly cheaply. They are lite weight, very nimble, and plenty of power for a first bike, about 65 hp.

They are the way to go for a first bike, hands down. Or if you could find a Honda Hawk GT. They are older bikes, but they are the most comparable thing to the SV, and are a great bike. Many racers buy these things Hawk GT's and SV's due to their handling ability.

I have owned four motorcycles, and totalled three of them, I know motorcycles. If you are gonna get a bike, start with the SV650. Trust me on this, SV650.

[Rex]

That is a clean looking bike. But man you are right, that exhaust is horrible! wow.

Here's a couple customized ones





And a stocker with straight pipes

[SeVa-S13]

Those are frickin' cool...

[JESTER]

Go for a Vmax, I am assuming that Yam'y still max the Max. That is a mean bike.

Nice pics Rex.

[Rex]

Go for a Vmax, I am assuming that Yam'y still max the Max. That is a mean bike.

Nice pics Rex.

Yeah, they still make the V-Max, my buddy picked up an '05 (20th anniversary edition) in September. I put about 200 miles on it for him, what a BEAST, and I never got it over 5k.

Yeah, great pics, just wish one of them was mine . My hopes is to get a Road Star Warrior middle of next year, would like to get one sooner, but don't want to pay the "start of season" premiums and can't afford one this offseason.

[Jesda]

Consider something more fuel-efficient:

[Altiman94]

Go for a rocket. Faux'r'cycles are just not cool.

[Gold Digger]

My first, and only, bike was a 1980 Honda CB750 Custom. Damned thing weighd like 600LBS on a full tank of gas. But, with a little bit of money it got a 4into2into1 MAC pipe, one tooth bigger in front, one smaller in back, stage one jet kit, mikunni carbs, wiseco 850 bore kit, fresh cams, drag bar, and new clutch. All the mods I did were under 1500. Used parts for what i could find and new parts for stuff i needed. Now keep in mind I did this in 94, and at the time, where I lived, there wern't to many street bikes that could run with me. And I say street bikes as being a classification...crotch rockets were not something I could hang with. Bout the only ones that could run with me were the V-max, the old Kawi KZ's and one ultra fast Honda Magna.

Oh..and the bike only cost me $900, and I did better on my riding test than my friend with a 500cc kawasaki.

[hansQ45]

Bikes are great! Fun to ride and cheap to operate.

Here's my suggestion.... Go with a bigger street bike 600cc+ or at least a 750cc. They have power and you will master the bike fairly quickly with more and more experience. At 250cc doesn't have enough "balls" after about 6 months of riding. A 750cc has plenty of power and the larger street bikes are smooth to ride. Not hard to learn to ride.

I learned on dirt bikes but the fundamentals of riding are the same (dirt vs. street).

Motorcycles will make you a better driver in a car. You must pay attention and really learn to set up for cornering, braking etc. If you don't pay attention... down you go and it hurts! Road rash.... You learn quickly. You become a very defensive driver.

It's great to ride on a sunny spring or summer day. Go for it!