What is a good starting motorcycle for me?

Question

I am interested in buying a motorcycle for the first time, and im wondering what would be an appropriate choice. I have read forums on how 600cc bikes are an option, but a lot of people are against them and say start small, say a Ninja 250r. Im looking for an opinion here, from an actual rider who has gone through this. Im 6' 2'' and 170 lbs, I have never been on a dirt bike before but i do own a manny tran atv, so i have some clutch experience. I have also read the basics about riding so I know a decent amount of what ot expect on the road. I am thinking about getting a Suzuki GSXF Katana 600 as a first bike, and would this be a good choice for me?

Answer 1

Well dude, i just went through what u went through. I bought my first bike yesterday a Kawasaki Vulcan 500. Take the msc course in your area.. u wont regret it. I learned alot and had alot of fun. in their they taught me on a kawi intimidator and when i got my bike i was surprised by the difference in power between the intimidator and my 500. so it would be wise to start on something around 500.

Answer 2

At 6' 2" and 170 and ATV experience I think you can handle a 600. I don't think I would go with a 250cc at your size.  

I've said this a thousand times right here on Answers. In a perfect world you would start out on a mini bike or small motorcycle at a young age and gradually work your way up to bigger and faster dirt bikes along the way as you rode your way up the dirt bike line.

Since that is not the case here and you are a pretty big guy I think I would go for a 600 too.

I'm not real familiar with the Katana but it's a full fledged sport bike repliracer I would NOT suggest that kind of a bike for a beginner. I would suggest something more universal like an SV650 or a 650 V-Strom. Only because they are a little more forgiving for a beginners mistakes.

I've met a group of young girls who never rode before who went out and bought 600 and 750 sport bikes for thier very first bike. They were cool as h**l but you could tell which ones didn't have prior motorcycle experience just by the way they were trying to manuver their bikes out of a parking space. But it's not like no one is doing it they are. I just don't advise it.

I don't know if you have gone out to the bike shops and looked at all the bikes but I suggest you do and try them all out for size. But if it comes right down to you still wanting the GSXR-F 600 they're good bikes and you can't go wrong.

Just be careful and take an MSF course in your area. Also if they have a race class you can take in your area and can do that that's a good idea too. It will teach you how to shift and throttle more smoothly and effectively and will help you on the street. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Take the MSF class.. don't get a 600 if you have that little experience. Get a used 250 or 500 ninja..  have a fun time, get good.. THEN upgrae.. trust me, if you want to LIVE to ride a bigger bike, then start small.

Also.. how old are you?

Answer 4

i dont think you need that much power for you first bike and if you go with the ninja 250 it has enough power to take you to 110 miles per hour.

Answer 5

You are too tall for a Ninja 250R. The 250 is a lot of fun to ride and great on gas but you don't want it. You'd be ready to sell it and upgrade in 90 days.

The Katana is a great starter bike. It is a 600 but not a race type bike. it's actually classified as a sport tourer so insurance is less. It's not a keeper though so buy an old used one just to put put around on to learn. Katanas are considered a girls bike. A ryder will tell you that any of the "big 4" 600 sport bikes would serve fine as a starter bike for a mature person. We usually try to steer the 19 year old speed junky, wanna be stunter to the 250 bikes.

If you can keep a level head, don't be a show off and get lots of practice, you would be fine on any 600cc sport bike.

Answer 6

Katana is a nice, mellow 600.

Best thing to do is take an MSF course

www.msf-usa.org



It's what you feel comfortable on. You may outgrow the 250's basic powerplant sooner than you thought. I rode a 1000cc the other day. You def. don't need THAT much power.

Answer 7

Start small, work up

Crusier not sport bike

Answer 8

250 is too low. Get something around a 500-600. Getting my first bike and Im exactly your size. MSF course is a VERY good idea and gets you an insurance discount. The katana would be fine IMO.