Possible new member - New to bikes, too

[09Semper]

Hi, guys. I've been lurking about the forums for quite some time now, and gathering information, and I have decided to post. I have just one simple question; Ninja 500R or FZ6? I'm new to bikes over-all, and I'm not overly knowledgeable about them yet, so I come here asking mildly more professional bikers than I. What is the difference in handling, and power? I drive aggresivly, but no stupidly, so I imagine I will also ride the same after I get better at it. Anyone have any opinions? I'm really leaning towards the FZ6, as it will be my first bike, and I'd rather it be a good one that will last a long time. Any advice is awesome, guys. Thanks.

[SirIsaac]

Originally Posted by 09Semper

Hi, guys. I've been lurking about the forums for quite some time now, and gathering information, and I have decided to post. I have just one simple question; Ninja 500R or FZ6? I'm new to bikes over-all, and I'm not overly knowledgeable about them yet, so I come here asking mildly more professional bikers than I. What is the difference in handling, and power? I drive aggresivly, but no stupidly, so I imagine I will also ride the same after I get better at it. Anyone have any opinions? I'm really leaning towards the FZ6, as it will be my first bike, and I'd rather it be a good one that will last a long time. Any advice is awesome, guys. Thanks.

The Ninja 500 looks like a fine bike that would be a good choice for a beginner. I would not be surprised if the FZ6 has twice the horsepower of the 500, and they weigh about the same, so performance-wise there is no comparison. I suspect that the FZ6 will have the edge in handling due to stouter forks and bigger tires, but I can’t say for sure - I don't push my FZ6 to its limits and have never ridden a Ninja 500.

There are those who say that you absolutely, positively should not get an FZ6 or similar performance motorcycle as your first bike. It seems to me that you can probably get yourself in nearly as much trouble on the 500 as the FZ. While the FZ6 is easy to drive fast, it is also easy to drive slow. In the end, you have to decide for yourself if you think you can restrain yourself on the FZ6 until your skills match its performance. If you buy the Ninja, you will likely want to move up in a year or two or three.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by SirIsaac

The Ninja 500 looks like a fine bike that would be a good choice for a beginner. I would not be surprised if the FZ6 has twice the horsepower of the 500, and they weigh about the same, so performance-wise there is no comparison. I suspect that the FZ6 will have the edge in handling due to stouter forks and bigger tires, but I can’t say for sure - I don't push my FZ6 to its limits and have never ridden a Ninja 500.

There are those who say that you absolutely, positively should not get an FZ6 or similar performance motorcycle as your first bike. It seems to me that you can probably get yourself in nearly as much trouble on the 500 as the FZ. While the FZ6 is easy to drive fast, it is also easy to drive slow. In the end, you have to decide for yourself if you think you can restrain yourself on the FZ6 until your skills match its performance. If you buy the Ninja, you will likely want to move up in a year or two or three.

Sounds like good advice to me ++1

[09Semper]

Alright. Well, after starting, and riding them both a bit (Up and down the road infront of the dealer), I have to say the FZ6 is for me. I have this thing about going fast, y'know.. Anyways, I started the Ninja 500, and the damn thing sounded like a lawnmower. Not to mention it had about nothing for low-end torque. And that about sealed it for me, along with the lack of syncrhomesh. Looks like I'll have to learn how to ride easy for a bit.

[Numpty]

Just be carefull out there dude.We all like to ride fast at some point but there is always a time and a place and most would say that would be on the track.Treat the fz with respect and it will respect you cos if you dont it will bite you on the arse.

[CanadianFZ6]

Originally Posted by 09Semper

Alright. Well, after starting, and riding them both a bit (Up and down the road infront of the dealer), I have to say the FZ6 is for me. I have this thing about going fast, y'know.. Anyways, I started the Ninja 500, and the damn thing sounded like a lawnmower. Not to mention it had about nothing for low-end torque. And that about sealed it for me, along with the lack of syncrhomesh. Looks like I'll have to learn how to ride easy for a bit.

So you're a rookie rider and you are going to try and ride fast Looking to wreck as quickly as possibe are ya'? Good idea to ride easy for a bit.... you learn how to ride well first (like take a advanced riding course) before you ride fast. Ok, so humour me now, what is a synchromesh (other than a transmission type found on most standard auto transmissions) as it applies to a motorcycle? Motorcycles have constant mesh transmissions... that's what I always thought.

[Cali rider]

You know, if you are getting in to any new hobby, why not start as cheaply as possible? If you by a smaller used bike to learn on, you won't have to worry about dropping it, the excessive power of a larger engine won't scare you and it will be easy to sell to someone else when you move up.

However, if motorcycling ends up being LESS than you expected, you can still sell the bike and you'll suffer little if any buyers remorse from a big financial loss.