Need some help deciding what kind of bike to get!!!

[Drummerman21]

Okay so I have finally made the decision to get a bike. I've wanted one my entire life and now (with the price of gas) it has finally become cost effective.

So the question is what is a good bike for me.
Facts:
1) I have never ridden before but I will take a riders course before making my purchase.

2) Most of my riding will be between 30 minutes and an hour, at freeway speeds.

3) I know I want a sport bike rather than a cruiser.

4) I don't like the appearance of the "naked" (FZ6) style of bike NEARLY as much as the supersport style (R6S).

5) I am willing to make my first purchase an FZ6 IF the general consensus of powers that be (experienced riders) is that my first purchase SHOULD be an FZ6.

......so I would like an R6S. Not because of the power but because of the looks. If there are plastic mods for the FZ6 that make it look more like an R6 then that will definitely be my choice. If not, my choice will depend on gas mileage difference, insurance cost difference, how difficult the R6 will be to ride compared to the FZ6 (keeping in mind that I've never ridden in the "hunched" position before,) and finally depending on the REAL difference of how a long distance ride feels when the two bikes are compared for a short guy such as myself. BTW I'm 5'8".

[Drummerman21]

After doing some pretty quick looking around on this site I have decided that the FZ6 is a VERY sexy machine with the belly pan. I still like the R6S more but it will now be that much easier to talk me on to an FZ6.

[mglowe]

Drummerman21 an R6 is NOT what you need in my opinion according to your level of riding experience.

I would think the Susuki GS500F and Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 500R would be good new rider choices. This according to the list you provided. The FZ6 is in my opinion is a mid level bike, a excellent choice for those with some riding experience.

I can only imagine what hornets nest this thread could open.

[SpacemanSpiff0x0]

As a rider I would put my street experience at novice...but I have a ton of dirt experience. Not everything translates over to the road...so I would suggest riding a bike around (whatever you can get your hands on) for about an hour just to get your comfort level. If you cannot completely relax and are feeling somewhat out of place then your experience may not warrant an FZ-6. There's just a bit too much jumpiness in this bike. A friend of mine just bought an SV-650 and I have never been on a bike that is easier to ride...it is literally effortless.

P.S. The SV still looks pretty sexy too if you ask me.

[mglowe]

Originally Posted by SpacemanSpiff0x0

...There's just a bit too much jumpiness in this bike.

+1

Yes, it does take some work to tame the FZ6.

[Drummerman21]

Originally Posted by SpacemanSpiff0x0

As a rider I would put my street experience at novice...but I have a ton of dirt experience. Not everything translates over to the road...so I would suggest riding a bike around (whatever you can get your hands on) for about an hour just to get your comfort level. If you cannot completely relax and are feeling somewhat out of place then your experience may not warrant an FZ-6. There's just a bit too much jumpiness in this bike. A friend of mine just bought an SV-650 and I have never been on a bike that is easier to ride...it is literally effortless.

P.S. The SV still looks pretty sexy too if you ask me.

I have looked into the SV and decided to go with the FZ because I was told that even though it's rated at 600 it's actually a 599 which puts it in a lower insurance class than the SV.

Please expand on what you said about the FZ being jumpy.....off the line? even with very little throttle? all of the above?

P.S. Thank you mglowe. Honestly I already knew that I'm just stubborn and needed someone to tell me.

[epshaskell]

Hello Mate. This is my first big bike (FZ6 Fazer S2) and still not 100% sure it was the right choice. It's a dream of a bike but a hell of a lot of bike for a complete novice. I did my CBT and rode a 125cc ybr for over a year all year almost to make my mistakes on that rather than the fz6 and trust me you will make mistakes. The clutch is snatchy and the brakes are very strong and there is ALOT of torque high up in the revs. You can easily find yourself doing stupid things! I agree with all the previous comments. Perhaps a Susuki GS500F or Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a better choice. Even better have a 125cc for 3-6 month and learn. Good luck with your choice.

[wick001]

I would definitely NOT recommend the FZ6 as a starter bike. There is way to much power in this machine for a beginner (it basically is a 2002 R6 with no fairing). You will get into trouble, you will get into sticky situations, you’ll probably drop the bike, the bike is just to fast for a novice.

If I were you, I would search your cities Craigslist & Cycletrader. Find a used bike ( Kawasaki Ninja 250 or 500, Suzuki SV650, Buell Blast, etc..) to learn on and ride for few months until you get comfortable. If you drop it oh well, if you scrape it oh well. Don’t go out and spend $7000+ on a new bike with no experience, only to hurt the bike or worse, yourself.

[Drummerman21]

Thank you everyone for your helpful comments.

I thought I had made up my mind on the FZ but because of your comments, find myself questioning that decision.

Before I give in and go for a smaller bike I would like to make one last comment and get some feedback.

I am a very responsible driver and would be so as a rider as well. With the rider training course I was hoping I would get the advice needed to handle such an amazing machine. Maybe not but I was hoping. I am not the type of person who is going to go WOT probably at ANY time on this bike and would do my best to stay in situations within my skill as a rider. With that said I'd like to know if everyone maintains the position that I should start with a 500 because I am new to riding.

Again thank you. Your comments have been very helpful. Even if I do go with another bike I will most likely be back various times to get advice from the members of this site.

[Drummerman21]

Nevermind talking me out of a FZ6. I read some posts on a couple other forums with the exact same response as the one I got here. With that much experience saying no I am in no position to disagree. Although taking some advice recieved here I have looked at the Suzuki GS500F and found it to be a very attractive bike. What does everyone think of that for a starter bike.