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Contradicting opinions for a newb on a 650R?
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July 25, 2008 at 10:32 pm #1784knighthawk77Participant
I’ve been on a few bikes in my life, some informal lessons and occasional short ride on an 82 Nighthawk 650. A few months ago I decided to finally cave in and get my bike license (which I should have very soon) for the freedom, fuel savings, and fun of the sport, so safety is important. Most experienced riders around here think all of the ninjas are “chick bikes”. One of my friends even hinted that an 1100 cruiser probably isn’t enough bike for me. I decided to check out the 250R and 500R Ninjas as my first bike anyway..he’s a little crazy!
There isn’t much selection/quality in used bikes here. In the local paper, someone was selling a 2004 CBR125 for 3500 Cdn, on the same page a Honda dealer had a 2008 for 3495! I went to our local Kawasaki dealer to try on a few bikes for size. I’m 5’10″/230lbs and felt a bit cramped on the 250R, the 500R wasn’t a bad fit, but I was most comfortable on a used 2007 650R in the showroom.
The 650 has (4800 Km), well maintained, and the (transferable) extended warranty. The economics of the deal and the fact that I’ve wanted to ride for a long time have me leaning toward the comfy 650R, being a little more cautious…and hanging on to the bike for a longer time.
I was planning on getting the 250R this year and stepping up to the 650 next year, leaving my girlfriend with the 250R to get started on next summer. All of the beginner bike sites and forums seem to have contradicting opinions on the 650R as a first bike. Anyone here start on a 650? Is the 650R a bike that a newb can be confident/comfortable on?
July 25, 2008 at 11:52 pm #9301megaspazParticipantI started on an SV650S. The 650r would be a comparable bike. You’ve got something that I didn’t have when i started… previous riding experience. Even though, for noobs, the best bet’s still the smaller bike (250cc – 500cc range). But the twin engine 650cc bikes (sv650, 650r) do make decent beginner bikes as well where the person asking about them has some kind of riding experience.
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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…July 27, 2008 at 5:03 am #9355knighthawk77ParticipantThanks Megaspaz. Writing that post got me thinking. I decided to go see my friends father who’s now a little over 60. Looks like there’s a chance I might end up with that same 1982 Nighthawk 650 I learned on! He’s the original owner. There’s quite a few miles on it now, but its still a nice bike. That should keep me busy spinning wrenches until my MSF course. I’m stuck on a waiting list in three nearby cities. It’s an inline four, but it’s also a bike I’ve been trying to weasel out of him for over ten years so I know I’ll take it easy. Not worried about dropping it either, just adds character and leaves you with a story to tell.
I should know for sure in the next couple of days! If it doesn’t work out, I’ll go the 650R route, since local selection is pretty slim.
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