i started on a 82 yam xj750,i had my brother inlaw ride it from dealership back in 1984,it was a good starter bike.then later had 83 honda v65 magna,then 1999 yam
vmax.i now own a 06 hayabusa which i totally enjoy riding.the best advise i can give a new rider is ride as if you are invisible.assume the worst from 4 wheelers  

Also think about what you can afford.  You might be able to afford the bike, but can you afford the insurance?  It's a shame to see a bike that can't be ridden because of what it costs to insure them these days.

If you finance, do your homework on the loan company as well.  It's also a shame to see a bike get repoed or a rider bite off more than they can chew with a rip-off scam, and there's a lot out there.  

would it be safe to tell weather you can get a faster bike by going to the MSF classes?? because im set to go in for the riding courses this weekend and what was said in the class is that they dont use bikes over 500cc because we wont be going that fast on the bikes while working with them, so is it safe to determine which bike to buy based on how you feel on one of their bikes???? or would it be better to test drive some of the bikes that are already on the lots, if thats possible.....to be on the safe side....  

The only reason I suggest getting a used bike is that you will no doubt drop your first bike (i didn't say lay down) but just from not paying attention, soft asphalt, not putting stand out all the way or maybe thinking your in first to find out your in neutral... What ever it's just it hurts less on a $3500 bike verse a $9000. And there are alot of used bikes out there.  

Davis_SSB:
Okay guys. Let's back off the throttle a little. I can smell the road rash section submissions from here. Today's 600cc bikes are way too powerful for a new rider. Sure you can go out and buy a sick looking fast bike, but if you have any intention on learning how to actually ride a motorcycle well, you're doing yourself an injustice.
kawininja6r, you said that you traded in your SV650 after 3 months. Wow, you're either the fastest learner ever, or you mastered opening the throttle on the highway and decided it was time for an upgrade.
I rode and raced an SV650 for years. If you honestly have the skill to max out the capabilities of an SV you need to get some sponsors.
The long and the short of it folks is this: If you want to look cool and impress your friends, then get a big new bike, never really learn how to ride and do a bunch of burnouts and lame little wheelies on the highway complaining about how "the thing just won't come up". If that's the route you're taking, get full coverage insurance and a good helmet and jacket b/c you'll be visiting the pavement soon. If you want to learn to really ride, master the machine and want to enjoy riding for riding, get a "starter bike" like an older Honda F2/F3 or a SV650. Learn the basics, have some fun in a canyon or two and in a year or so get that R6 or ZX6R...but don't push it too quickly.

Thanks,
Vince Davis
Associate Ed, Super Streetbike Magazine

+1 on this.

Too many squids posing on 600 supersports these days.  If you really want to impress people, ride something small and maneuverable with not alot of hp for your first bike.  I guarantee in a year you'll be alot faster in the canyons than the newb squids on i4 600s and gixxa i1000's.  Actually new guy on R6, ZX-6, liter sportbikes, etc... look really stupid.  

when purchasing a new bike how would the price work our??? does it all depend on the condition of the bike? and depending on how much work it needs??? what should be the most important things to look for when making a transaction, considering you don't knot the seller that well? Any suggestions?  

im sure about getting a used gixxer 600...i agree with respecting whatever you ride and i am gonna take the motorcycle safety course as well as practice in parking lots every minute i can till i feel comfortable to start riding it casually...i'm just gonna take it slow and ride the 600 for a few years and if i feel like it move up to the literbikes or 750...but there's no way in hell i'm gettin a 250 where i will get over the power in a few months...i know myself i started out driving a v6 5 speed mustang and got over it in the first month and people told me i was a damn good driver compared to most my age...bottom line is i've always had incredible balance and been an extremely fast learner at anything i start doing as long as i go at my own comfortable pace...i don't care if i ride like a grandma for a while if thats what it takes it will be what it is  

JUST WANT TO WELCOMEYOU TO THE BIKE WORLD, GOOD LUCK, AND DO SEE WHAT SUITS YOU ..... A 6 IS VERY POWERFUL AND WILL IMPRESS YOU MUCH, AND PROPS TO THE EARLIER ADDS ON THIS... IT IS THE RIDER, NOT THE BIKE THAT GOES FAST... BUT YOUR SKILLZ AND YOUR ATTITUDE WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOU ON THE ROAD... WE ALL NEED TO LOOK OUT AT TIMES, AND NOT BEING COMFY WITH WHAT YOUR ON IS A BIG NO NO... YOU HAVE TO ENJOY THE BIKE AS WELL AS BE A LEARNER TO IT'S HARMONY AND TO HOW IT TALKS... IT'S NOT ALL TROTTLE AND FLAP IN THE WIND LIKE A FLAG YA KNOW...HAVING THAT ABILITY TO SYNC WITH A MACHINE AND WORK THE TURNS AND TIGHT STOPS WITH QUICK GO'S COME WITH TIME... AND THAT MY FRIEND YOU WILL ACOMPLISH AND YEA, BEING SMART IS A GOOD HEADS TO KEEP THE FUN WILL BE THERE FO SHO!!! JUST LET YOUR ALLREADY TRAINING WORK FROM WHAT YOU KNOW, NOT WHAT OTHERS KNOW... CAUSE YOUR NOT THEM.... CHIN UP HOMIE!!  

I'm new to riding and have my heart set on a 09 honda cbr 600 and have mixed feelings about what bike to start on..... everyone i talk to that rides says i shouldn't get anything less then a 600 but dont know anymore ant feedback is appreciated.....  

Im taking the bike course in may, never been on a bike before. Luckily I have an advantage, my bf has a kawi ninja 500 from last season which he is now upgrading to a ZX-10 so when I take my course I'll be riding his 500 for a season before trading it in for a cbr600. But everyone I have talked to says the same thing, respect your bike, and your invisible to other drivers. Just be aware.