Beginner rider looking for advice

[Skrilla]

Well I think I am going to bite the bullet this summer and buy a bike. I did own a F4 last year, but it was for money owed, so I sold it before ever using it much at all. I am wondering what kind of bike would be best suited, I am about 6'2 220lbs, so I need something that would fit me, without being ridiculous overpowered.

I am looking to spend under $3500 as this will be something I will ride for a couple seasons then sell. A good friend of mine has promised to hang on to his Tuono until I feel comfortable riding, and then I will be getting that bike. I did look at a Speed 4 at a dealer, but would like some opinions incase there is a better option for me in that price range. I want to make sure it has enough power to be enjoyable, but still beginner friendly, seems the 600 class is popular.

:werd:

[Graham_A_M]

600s are generally good bikes, and most should fit you well. They still have the power to stomp 99% of everything on the road (asides from other similar bikes I mean) yet it wont be SO much power that its overwhelming. What you should do is go down to blackfoot and take a good look at what kind of bikes interest you, and fit you from a size standpoint. Then I'd scour Kijiji and see what you can find thats within your budget.
Tuono's are awesome bikes but I have a hard time believing your friend will let it go for anything thats within your budget.

Too bad you sold that F4I, seems like it would have been a good match for you. Perhaps a bit small size wise though.

Also another thing you have to consider is what kind of riding you plan on doing. I myself have a sportbike; but now that Ratcity raceway is closed Im really starting to regret buying it. For ripping around in the city I wouldn't have anything else but for long rides out into the mountains or any sort of highway riding; the riding position can be brutal, meaning every couple hours you'll want to stop and stretch your legs.

I'd almost suggest a something along the lines of a touring bike. It'll handle decently, yet it has a lot more forgiving of a riding position; and will thus be the best of both worlds. Also, it'll have plenty of power/torque for when you need/want it, but wont be scary either. With sportbikes; you're almost limited to just city riding or short trips unless you dont mind having your ass, knees & wrists being more sore then Richard Simmons' would be on a sunday morning.

I think you have the right idea with a Tuono, or a speed 4, or the more recent speed triple. However the newer ones will be out of your budget unfortunately. So I hope you dont mind buying a bike that is almost 10 years old, or thereabouts.

EDIT: I just noticed you're from Medicine Hat, so I definitely wouldn't get a sportbike if I were you. Forget that Blackfoot cycle comment; thats a Calgary based dealership, and so coming ALL the way over here just to sit on some bikes is a tough pill to swallow. I'd go check out some dealerships over there and see what interests you. I'd consider getting a sporty cruiser or something along those lines. Medicine Hat is a fairly small city, so with a sportbike you'd be limiting yourself in quite a few ways.

[ddduke]

pm me if you're interested in a cheap bike, I have a zx6r i want to unload.

[Skrilla]

Thanks for the info graham....yea the speed 4 is here in the hat. As for the Tuono price is not the issue, i just see my first bike like a first car. Would rather pick up a cheap bike first to learn on for my peace of mind i guess. May seem weird just how I think:dunno:

I really liked how the Triumph felt, just want to see what else is out there. I much prefer the naked street fighter look to the sport bikes like the F4

[Graham_A_M]

Originally posted by Skrilla
Thanks for the info graham....yea the speed 4 is here in the hat. As for the Tuono price is not the issue, i just see my first bike like a first car. Would rather pick up a cheap bike first to learn on for my peace of mind i guess. May seem weird just how I think:dunno:

I really liked how the Triumph felt, just want to see what else is out there. I much prefer the naked street fighter look to the sport bikes like the F4
No probs. :) You may want to look at those Yamaha MT-01's too. They're damn powerful, but not scary unless you ride it as such. I wouldn't mind getting one myself. The V-max's are big heavy bikes, with shitty brakes and even worse handling. Their engines are marvels, but thats where it begins & ends.

If you like the Triumph, may as well go with that. The 2001 and newer Triumph bikes are incredible. I have an '07 Daytona 675 (pics are in the bike gallery section of this site). I just adore it... awesome bike. The pre-01's are a bit iffy. Triumph was re-incarnated in 1992, and it took a short while for them to start making decent bikes again. The sport bikes took a bit longer, everything else though from 1992 on is pretty damn good, from 2001 on, everything is damn good if not awesome.

The Speed 4 will come cheap enough that you wont be overly scared on it, and it'll serve all your needs quite well. Just a bit concerned about highway riding if you ever plan on it, but even so 3 or so hours on it wont be a worry.