HI there, I am looking to get a very different experiences, so from DP and scooters I am now looking at sports bike. I have a budget and in that budget I see it possible to purchase my friends super well taken care off GSX 2006 1k bike. I have never own nor driven anything that fast and will like to do it. I am not a new rider, I have been on bikes for the past 10 years (almost) and never been bikeless for more than a month, and ride basically every day. My biggest bike is the KLR 650, and as you all know that is not a speed machine. So I am worry the power mite be too much. If I use my brain, I would go with a new 250-500 cc sports bike, and use it untill I have enough miles/confident to say thank you! and next! I am not saying outgrown since I am not that kind of rider, I had a 100 cc scooter that I used for 2 years that I just sold last January, and a scooter will be back at my place some time in the coming years. So any toughs? I am considering this liter bike because it is available, I know the owner and know how well he takes care of bikes and the price I think it is acceptable. Would I consider a 600 cc SS? yes, if all of the above characteristics were match, but for now no other offer has come my way. Thanks for your comments. Damasovi
High-end sportbike suspension is sublime, the few short rides I've had. That incredibly planted, unshakable feeling is addicting. They are almost universally geared tall, liter bikes more so, and require pretty high speeds to get into their 'happy zone'. I'm sure you'll be fine but I bet you'd have more fun on the street on a 600 four, 675 triple, or 650-750 twin.
You should try it out even just around the block a few times. I had 1k of about that vintage and it was fast but where i live it's quicker getting around on a 250 dual sport and way more comfortable. I liked the quickness of it but thats about it, i traded it for a speed triple
sure, since it is a friend I will ask him to lend it (with all or most of the cash in hand) for a Sunday ride, you know, some 100 mile ride, as we ride together he would come. Thanks Damasovi
just a bit over 50 K miles on the KLR + 2 hondas, the scooter was like 6 K. And I do believe I am a slow get to learn your bike, regardless of the cc. Damasovi
SV650.....ride a year....then go buy the liter bike. I have been riding 40 years. On road, off road, comp license, raced cars, karts and bikes. I have no freaking clue what I could possibly do with a liter sport bike on the street that wouldn't end up bad. Now I do have a ZRX1100...but it doesn't taunt me a like a sport bike would!!! I hardly ever crack the throttle on that thing and it is still way faster than I need.
I downgraded after havinga R1 to a zx6 aand found I was faster on the 600. As you don't have to worry about flipping it as much you can concentrate on corners. YMMV
Honestly, I'd look at the 750 GSX-R first; probably the best real-world sportsbike out there. If you like that one it's a relatively simple step to the 1000. But, if you are a sportsbike newbie remember that Suzuki do not have may bells and whistles on the GSX-R range. They are, however, fairly user-friendly and roomier than the competition. And put some sports-touring tyres on it like BT23/30 or PR3/4. You don't need Diablos unless you like trackdays.
Not a problem. Just short shift (say under 6K rpms) and concentrate on throttle control. If you are comfortable with beating on the KLR and going wide open throttle all the time, you may want to start practicing being very smooth and controlled. Brakes will be another area to be very careful with. The brakes on the GSXR will be much more powerful than your KLR. No need for a heavy pull with 4 fingers. Probably a very light pull with two fingers.
I went from a Honda XR650L to a Hayabusa and lived. Main thing is to have restraint and patience. A big help to me was taking Reg Pridmore's CLASS school and learning how to ride a sport bike. I had a 2005 GSXR-1000. Great bike but nuts-will do over 90mph in first gear.
100% agreed. Many other smaller displacement , more appropriate bikes out there for the street. Liter bikes, if you are talking about a liter sport bike, or pretty close to race bikes these days. Granted it has a lot to do with the NUT behind the handlebars. In my earlier riding years, i must confess that the lure of riding the baddest bike out there was a temptation. But it was WAY better for me to work on my riding/racing skill set by riding a smaller displacement bike which forced me to perfect my riding skillset. Once I started racing, my outlook on Street riding completely changed. I no longer felt the urge to ride the baddest bike my money could buy and concentrated on what would best fit my street riding mission.
Sounds like you have plenty of experience and just the fact that you're worried about this at all tells me you'll be OK. Liter bikes build speed in a scenery blurring fashion, so throttle control is important. The reality is that nobody needs a bike that fast, but they are fun, and if you can get your hands on a nice unmolested example I wouldn't hesitate.
if you plan on riding it mostly on the street, go for a smaller one. it's not that much fun constantly restraining your throttle hand all the time, and knowing that a little too much throttle (and i mean a *little* too much) in the city can paste you and the bike against a wall. if you spend a lot of time on the highway, it's more fun, but you still have to restrain yourself a lot. the only way you can really enjoy and really use a liter sportbike is take it to the track and take some classes. even then, you will most likely be slamming the throttle on the straights, and creeping around corners for quite some time. and that vision-blurring acceleration, it's no joke. it is fucking exhilarating, though.
as has been said if you want the liter bike and its in good shape, etc....go for it. insurance may be higher and what not, so remember all that i had no riding experience with motorcycles before riding my 600cc FZ6 home in 10 miles of L.A. traffic. never even shifted a gear on a bike, really. but i rode it fine and am riding it quite well after two months. like you i had lot's of experience riding scooters, however. and you have motorcycle experience. i would say "don't worry" as you know how to control yourself, and are familiar with operating a motorcycle. throttle / clutch / brake. its all the same. more power with the liter bike, but you can manage it if you can manage your 650 finally just make sure you are and will be comfy with the ergonomics, etc. thats about it. based on my experience (or lack thereof) i'd say you're good to go with just about any bike you want and are comfortable with. not comfy with the idea of a liter bike? well, don't get it, i suppose. but if you can see yourself on one and are confident enough in your abilities i'd say go for it
totally agree. I have a CBR600rr. just get the 1 liter and keep the RPMS under 5k and the throttle wont be too touchy. I barely go over 6k around town on a 600 because its not needed... still plenty of power. Then when its wide open highway let er rip and get used to the feel. But then again.. ull never get used to the feel. Blurred vision acceleration fury!
With 50k mile under your belt, you are fine. Enjoy the ride, you have waaaay more than enough experience to be safe, have fun with it you only live once!
The modern sport 600 will, indeed, be more than enough for any street based activity (& 95% of track based). Engine displacement is almost immaterial these days. The big advantage I see with super sports is the top shelf braking & suspension. If you are used to DP bikes & scooters, I think you are in for a pleasant surprise in the way these bikes can really utilize modern tire designs, for going, stopping, & turning. One advantage of the liter bike might be that if you should get into longer rides, it can make a very passable sport tourer. It's far cheaper & easier to make a sport bike more comfortable (aftermarket seats, bar risers, bigger windshields, etc.) than it is to try & give a DP, cruiser, or tourer the kind of frame, suspension, & brakes that are the hallmark of a current sport bike. As mentioned above, however, either size can put you in deep trouble very quickly, the liter bike will just do it lower in the rev range. Somewhere between 650cc - 850cc is my personal "sweet spot".
1000 or 600 no matter just get one ..I find they are geared high so -1 /+2 on the sprockets makes them better for around town use..they heat up in traffic so change out your rad fluid right away when you get it home and go thru it..I love sportbikes for daily drivers- light,nimble, powerful and reliable [if you maintain them]..good luck on your purchase..