First bike advice - found one
 

I'm looking to get into riding this year, after a couple years of consideration. Planning to take the course this summer.

After a deal of searching I found a bike, and just want to hear from other Revsceners their opinion on this as a first bike. I wanted to find something inexpensive to begin on, and am going to invest in proper gear.

It is a 1992 GSXR 750 with 57K. New tires and recent tune up.
Not a rebuilt but was lowsided once in its life at 60kph on dirt. All plastic parts replaced.
The owner was going to sign up for track days at pitt meadows and installed race rails to protect the body work while practicing in parking lots or w.h.y. He's selling to get a newer bike and is asking $2300obo.

I'm sure these threads get started all the time - please dont flame me, but direct me to some resources if I've missed some things about starting up. I have done research, but am still new to bikes.

Thanks for the help

I dont think a 750cc is a wise choice for a first bike. Even a 600cc is borderline.

Have you set a budget for motorcycle training?

I was hoping to find training for $1000 or under
Also found a 93 600 F2, perhaps that would be a more appropriate bike.
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where do you planning to take your course?

everyone here says Pacific Riding School but its really out of the way.

I could not imagine starting on a supersport where you're leaned over. I really like my SV with the upright riding position, very easy to get used to.

My buddy started on a CBR and recently tried my bike and admits it was a much better first purchase - although his bike is faster and I am jealous. :o

i'd say if you went to a school you'd be fine with a 600 as long as your mature enough in your head (not what you think you are but what other ppl think if your mature or not lol) although i don't know if i would buy one with 57k on it

I used to think that it was out of the way. Yes, it is. But the quality of training was totally worth the distance. Personally, after talking to some friends who took training elsewhere, their skill level in riding was not as good as I thought it would be. I would not want to ride with them to be onest.

I do not regret taking courses at PRS one bit. I paid $795 (inclusive of all taxes etc.) for the course and I finished it a month ago. It was either going to Surrey for training, or my life. My life is worth more than travelling to Surrey so I'll let you be the judge.

Edit: +1 to eurochevy. It's about maturity and knowing your personal limits and boundaries. Knowing where and when to draw the line. When you take the course, you start off with smaller bikes (250cc or so.) Once you're comfortable, you can try out a 600cc. I went from a 49cc, to a 200cc, 250cc, and most recently a 500cc. I don't think I could have gone the other way around.

I'm personally happy that I started with a 250 (was looking at 600's mostly). Its not the day to day riding thats the issue its if you need to make a quick decision.
On a sportbike if you need to stop quick you'll likely end up over the handlebars or if you dont have a perfect feel for throttle control and bodypositioning and roll the throttle on slightly too hard you end up in the ditch, highsiding, or overshooting your corner (potentially into the oncoming lane). I'm not saying that will happen, but theres the distinct possibility

Make sure you find a bike that fits you height. Preferably a bike where you dont have to tippy toe. If a bike is too high for you, it may cause a few problems.

Judging by the fact its a 92 gsxr750, your looking at about an equivalant of an early model Honda f4i, power wise that is. The technology in sportbikes has dramatically improved in the last decade, that something like a 92 750 is nothing compared to sportbikes of the last 5-6 yrs. If you have any type of motorcycle background, say dirtbiking, something like this shouldn't be a problem for you. However, if you are a complete noob, starting off in a 250 - 500cc is probably better. You are on the right track with starting with a very inexpensive bike and good gear. Which btw, if you are looking for quality gear, pm me and I'll see what I can do for you.

One other thing, you said he installed race rails? Like the ones stunters use? Man, I would take those off in an instant if at the track!

took the course at PRS last feb never rode a motorcycle before bought my full gear before i bought my first bike an 03 f4i lovin every minute of it and now im workin on dragging my knee at the parking lot...:)some people wud say its not a good idea to start on 600 yes its true but it depends on how ull be riding(attitude) it coz either way when u crash on a 250 is almost the same crashing on a 600 juz have discipline and take it slow last thing u wanna do is rush then thats how u gon hurt urself...take the course ud learn a lot from it oh and make sure go put on some gear...

it's true if you crash on a 250 is the same on a 600 but the 250 is a lot more forgiving then a 600

^ agreed
As I was saying before, the throttle is much snappier and responsive and more eager to get you into a heap of trouble on a supersport, and ditto for the brakes

Well i started riding about a year ago but it was few and far between, this season i picked up riding.

My first bike was/is a 87 FZR400. Ill be honest with you, im still learning, and ill admit i still have quite a bit to learn, i had minimal dirt bike experience so really i learned on a "sport bike." I personally cant imagine people learning on R6/CBR600RR/gsxr600's!

I ride my friends R6 a bit, and that bike still amazes me at how much of a difference 200CC and technology makes. Bike is fast, i cant imagine riding a new liter bike. Im actually looking for a new bike, mostly at CBR600 f4i. Atleast now i have some experience under my belt so im not a total noob.

In my opinion for learning, id start with something around 400-500CC. Even on my 400 the lack of low end torque is annoying, its hard to ride at 50kmh because in 2nd the revs are to high and its kinda snappy and in 3rd its too low and has no balls. Atleast on a 500 the lack of torque is not bad so it makes riding around town a little easier. Some bikes make a lot better low end torque than others so id try to find one that does as a first bike. Top end power is not something you should be concerned about learning anyways.

dont listen to anyone..go with fastest bike possible..

thats how i learned..practice practice practice

school is a big ripoff they charge 800 to get a licsence

Markus, is that you?

Its $800 to learn the skill, awareness and knowledge of riding as safe as possible and keeping your life. If you think they charge $800 to help you get a license you're a tool.

yeah dude...is this will???i see u got an rr now huh?

k3lv is absolutely right

i took the PRS course and the 800 dollars was WELL SPENT. they teach you many survival skills on todays ever increasingly dangerous roads. they also take you on a few road trips with the class after you do your theory and parking lot training. WELL WORTH IT. I am doing my class 6 roadtest tmrw and i have NEVER felt this confident about a roadtest before. I have not mentioned that i do not own a motorcycle and that i have no been on a bike for the last month.

^
Good luck! :)

You're height and weight?

You wanna keep in mind the bigger the bike the heavier, and if you're going in to sports bike, the bigger bikes have very strenuous leaned position.


I personally would not recommend anything over 600cc to anyone who isn't physically fit or mature.

Bigger sport bikes get any where from 400-500+ lbs where as the 600cc's are in their mid 300s. That 100lbs makes a huge difference.

You got to think about whether or not you can pick up your 450lbs bike after u lay it down or w/e.

How about walking your bike with just the handle bars? Think about the weight you have to fight against constantly pushing over you.

Start on 250 move your way up, 400 > 500 etc. 250 is plenty enough power for most new riders to have fun and can take it way past speed limit on any north American Highway.

The amount of power the 600cc + bikes put out is enough to get most in trouble.

Imagine this scenario, if you hesitated and accidentally squeeze the throttle too much comin out of a corner and u get a "tank slapper". GG.

Especially for new riders who aren't familiar with bikes, or the things that can happen to you while riding. Reading about it, and going to school and hearing about it is one thing, actually experiencing it is something else completely. Most new rider's natural instinct is to grip the bars too firmly or accidentally squeeze the throttle from a nervous reaction etc. Then what happens? You can imagine....

Start with a small bike, it gives you a taste of what you're getting your self into... and you have less chance of laying down a bike doing low speed maneuvers.

A lot of noobs who take their 750 - litre bikes off the dealership first time crash and get killed on the first ride home within couple blocks.

m2c, coming from a 135lbs 750cc rider.

cheers,
Happy safe riding. "Don't end up a statistic"

i didn't know delivering pizzas in your miata could get you a 750 =/

m2c, coming from a 165lbs 750cc rider

The dry weight between most 600's and 1 liter's are only 20lbs different

m2c, coming from a 150lbs 750cc rider

since when do u have a 750? lol

OP: btw 750 is fine, that price is kinda pricey for that year tho, 95% of riders i know started on 600/750s


m2c, coming from a 200lbs 750cc rider

LOLWUT? proof?