[wp326]

Originally Posted by anthony @ eas

That's an excellent starter bike too. Not having a fairing wont affect the ride in any way other than providing less wind protection. That price is unbeatable too!

does any body in Fremont wants to go with me to Chrysti street to check it out?? I don't know crap about bikes. and I do believe the sales will try to rip me off with something.

[Dre01SS]

1- First take the MSF course.

2- Buy gear - full face lid, gloves, jacket, boots.

3- Then get yourself a used bike. A used 600cc, 01-04 (CBR F4is are FI and smooth/forgiving with enough grunt to commute daily in and out of traffic) should be within a decent price range, good enough to get you going and cheap enough that WHEN you drop it, it won't matter much.

4 - Once you feel that you've outgrown the bike, do a trackday, and realize you haven't pushed but 50% of what the bike can do.

5 - Do more trackdays, and become a better all-around rider.

6 - Buy a newer bike if you'd like.

[anthony @ eas]

Originally Posted by Dre01SS

1- First take the MSF course.

2- Buy gear - full face lid, gloves, jacket, boots.

3- Then get yourself a used bike. A used 600cc, 01-04 (CBR F4is are FI and smooth/forgiving with enough grunt to commute daily in and out of traffic) should be within a decent price range, good enough to get you going and cheap enough that WHEN you drop it, it won't matter much.

4 - Once you feel that you've outgrown the bike, do a trackday, and realize you haven't pushed but 50% of what the bike can do.

5 - Do more trackdays, and become a better all-around rider.

6 - Buy a newer bike if you'd like.

+ 1,000,000

Full protective gear is a must and track days teach you more than you could ever learn riding on the street.

[cyphr]

Originally Posted by anthony @ eas

Definitely a 2003+ Suzuki SV650.

Fun motor, bullet proof, great gas mileage, comfortable, beginner friendly and it's super cheap to buy, repair and upgrade. It also makes for an awesome race bike.

+1 on the sv650. The v-twin is a great beginner motor. It's torquey and has a very linear power delivery.

[mtla4]

DRZ-400
I'm done with sports bike on the street. They feel at home on the track but not on the street.
With Supermotos you can have fun on the streets without loosing your licence of risking your life.

[RALFnotralph]

Originally Posted by Dre01SS

1- First take the MSF course.

2- Buy gear - full face lid, gloves, jacket, boots.

3- Then get yourself a used bike. A used 600cc, 01-04 (CBR F4is are FI and smooth/forgiving with enough grunt to commute daily in and out of traffic) should be within a decent price range, good enough to get you going and cheap enough that WHEN you drop it, it won't matter much.

4 - Once you feel that you've outgrown the bike, do a trackday, and realize you haven't pushed but 50% of what the bike can do.

5 - Do more trackdays, and become a better all-around rider.

6 - Buy a newer bike if you'd like.

Step 1 and 2 is done. On the way to step 3. And thanks for the confidence in me dropping my bike. Well I guess it is inevitable.

[soupy]

All the replies above are pretty good. Definitely avoid picking up a 250, granted the current 08/09 ninjas look like 600 sportbikes and will get you nearly 70mpg, but you're gonna hate it on fast moving freeways. They're a joy to practice low speed maneuvering on though.

The SV650 recommendation is good, especially if you can find a SV650S version with fairings if you're not fond of the naked bike look. My roommate has one and he loves it. I had a monster 620 as my first bike and enjoyed it, but it just felt way too dated and it's hard to find one in excellent shape for <$4k. Better off spending more for an S2R if you like monsters.

I'd also look at a Ninja 650R, Yamaha FZ6, Honda 599/Hornet, or a Suzuki GS500F. If you're going to use this everyday, a standard/sport touring bike is going feel way better.

[dirtyylicous]

I dont have a bike yet, but ive been researching and found that the
yamaha fz6r would be a great starter bike.

Its goodlooking (fully faired so it looks like a super sport)
78 HP , not too little and not too much.
Low seat height at 30 inches.
Every review i read said its a great beginner bike

[V1.47fan]

Just get this one with that exhaust,do it right the first time. just kidding

or something else you're more comfortable.

http://www.mvagustausa.com/web-mvagu...s_current.html

[AV9]

r6 or gxsr IMO...they're both great looking bikes

[mmm def]

I learned on a Yamaha FZ6 for a little bit then got rid of it and picked up a new CBR 600. Both great bikes, totally different feel, i like the CBR more.

[Deathboy]

Used 2008 yamaha WR250X so much fun and really easy to maintain.

[white_hype]

Originally Posted by cyphr

+1 on the sv650. The v-twin is a great beginner motor. It's torquey and has a very linear power delivery.

+1000 the sv650 is a great cruising bike and once u ride a v-twin you cant go back- i just recently stepped up to a mille r and love it

[blacknbean]

i got a ninja 250 and have done the commute to sf to sj and its not the greatest on the freeway like other said. it maxes out around 90 and on 280 you can get run over going 80. my recomendation would be a sv650 or ninja 500. whatevers cheaper since youll prolly drop it