Express Action Sports

The size of one thing might scare you.That’s the cost of the insurance.Before you lay down your cash you better check on some insurance quotes after you decide what bike you think you want.
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Did you find the 250cc bikes at the rider course too small? If so, try the Kawsaki Ninja 500. It’s got the power when you need it but not more than you’ll probably be able to handle. Not being scared of the power and being able to handle the power rarely have anything to do with each other. The guys who crash while doing 100mph wheelies don’t look like they are afraid of their bikes.
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Kawasaki Vulcan LTD
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Buy something used.

Biggest mistake you can do is buy a brand new bike!
Hate to say it…. But you WILL drop it or wreck it r scratch it or SOMETHING will happen to it.
Doesn’t matter how good or careful you are… It just Happens somehow with everybodys first bike!

I started out an older 650, never majorly dropped my bike, but even as extremely
careful as I am, one time while leaving the golf range, my throttle went nuts while i was in a slow turn preparing to leave the parking lot, It happened SO fucking fast, it caught me off guard, since I was mid-turn and wasn’t ready for it!
Bike ended up taking off on it’s own, and I hopped off like a stuntman or something, bike jumped the curb and bumped into a fence.
I ain’t talking about no little 650, this thing weighed over 500lbs, jumped a curb and almost went thru a chainlink fence like it was made out of paper!

Picked up the bike, restarted it up, and never had it go Rogue like that again.

I got home and realized that the new Handle Bars I installed messed with my throttle cable, so when the bike turns, it actually PULLS the throttle…. I googled this, and apparently it’s a big problem with older bikes, and you have to adjust the locknuts on the throttle cable to fix it.

Just goes to show even when NOTHING out of the ordinary appears to be going on, SOMETHING can happen…. Even something stupid and small like that.

Yeah I should have just yanked in the clutch but because I was simply turning at slow speed in a parking lot with no cars around, the last thing i was worried about was a Ghost In the throttle.
It always happens at the most unexpected times!

And I’m an experienced mechanic and sports car driver.
Sometimes we forget little stuff too!

Gotta be careful!
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I’m in the exact same boat as you, from what I’ve noticed its hard to take someone’s opinion with any merit. This is because only you know what your capable of. Its easier to get a straight answer from someone if you ask about a specific bike. Looks play a role in my decision as well as ergo, comfort, weight, and power. I like the V-twin engines instead of the i-4’s, but those super sport bikes can be found cheap because owners get scared riding them or decide motorcycling isn’t for them after they drop it once.
I’ve tried 6 different bikes in my testing ‘the waters’ experience, as most of my riding has been on dirt. Honestly if your going to get a super sport bike, get one, you don’t need any validation from someone here at yahoo, but if you want my opinion and you have some time, research a little bit. I’ve joined the gixxerforum and the svforum (Google them). Some other people have some really good ideas about moding their bikes to specifically suit them. The ninja 250’s seem to small, at least to me and at 6’1 probably yourself too, and I would say the ninja 500 but I think their really 90’s looking (in a bad way).
After everything I’ve heard and been recommended; not to mention lectured about over the past few months I’m most likely going to get the sv650 used. Its a vertical twin cylinder, standard seating position (better for longer rides), with lots of low end power and torque. Once I’ve put 10k miles on it then I’ll consider one of the super sport bikes, because as much as I like to think I’m ready for one; It’s smarter that I don’t. Check out the ducati monster as well, its a cool looking naked style bike.
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A fellow squid.

first of all, I think you should stop listening to people say "your gonna fall since its your first bike". If you keep thinking that way then your basically just waiting for it to happen rather than preventing it. Get that out of your mind and as far as bikes go, look at the maintenance costs on the bike your looking at because that’ll put a hole in your pocket depending on the bike you get. What i recommend is that you go to a motorcycle shop (like Berts mega mall if your in the L.A. area) and go sit on a few bikes and lean them side to side to see if the weight is good for you and put your feet up on the pegs to see if thats comfortable because if your going on a 100+ mile ride… your gonna be in that position for a long time. Your 6’1 so your pretty much gonna be bigger than all the bikes except for maybe a harley, busa, or a zx14. For 6’1, you are most likely going to have to get a 1000cc engine or higher.
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http://www.bertsmotorcyclemall.com/

Read and learn from Mike’s answer we’ve all been there at some time so try and do ‘it’ the easy way. Stay safe, learn slow, ride for ever.
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There are lots of good bikes out there. Go and see which one you feel comfortable on. When i started on street bikes i had a GSXR750 great bike plenty of power but not scary power. I would suggest that bike to you as a good choice, however no sport bike will be comfortable for a 165 mile ride. Trust me i have done plenty of them.

Andy
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) instructor
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No racerep will be comfortable for 164mi, shannon is right, but there are pleanty of sporty bikes that will do it fine. My CBR1100XX is one, but it is a bit heavy and powerful for a noob.

Look into the GS500F. It is similar to the Ninja 500, but better in everyway.
It is comfortable, handles decently, has enough power for hiway work, looks nice, and is very cheap.
Buy used, pay cash
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