Looking to get a kawasaki as my first : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Donesyboy · 08-26-2008, 02:00 PM

im about to enroll in the MSF classes with my dad because we are both getting bikes pretty soon i was just wondering because i have been reading up alot on different bikes... im kind of a nerd when it comes to information haha but i was looking into getting a ZX6R but i wont know for sure until i sit on it feel everything out but this would be my first bike i would be commuting to college which is like 30-35 miles away i believe

anyone else start with the zx6r or have any advice for me thanks alot guys

freighttrain · 08-26-2008, 02:20 PM

hey man.... welcome to the forum..

so, which school ya gonna be going to?... is the 405 going to be part of your commute?.. just curious... if your gonna be doing the commuting more than the canyons, i'd recommend the 650r.. i know it's not as sporty looking.. but it'll be more comfortable for you, and it's a lot cheaper in price and insurance... the extra cash can go to some cool gear and a slip-on..

my friend bought a black one with the dark red rims... looks nice. and rides really well. good bike to have fun on as well.. go check one out..
my $.02...

Chico311 · 08-26-2008, 09:18 PM

My first bike was an 02 ZX6R and it was great for communting and for riding on the weekends. But there are definitely better options if you are looking for something for gas mileage and saving money. If it's for pleasure also then go for it.

Donesyboy · 08-26-2008, 10:16 PM

i take either the 210 or the 10 to the 57 i go to school in walnut haha but yea gas mileage is a pretty big deciding factor i'm going to find a dealer friday because thats the only day i dont have school haha thanks for your replies
im most likely going to be doing alot of canyons also i live near Azusa Canyon and right on Lytle Creek Canyon i love running my sileighty up there every now and then
right now though i'm thinking of something i can maneuver getting to school
hope to join the family soon = D

Donesyboy · 08-27-2008, 03:41 AM

since im commuting a buddy of mine told me that the 250 wouldnt be such a great idea unless i was just riding for fun around town so right now im considering the zzr600 the 650r and kind of considering the ZX6R

JBearSVT · 08-27-2008, 04:43 AM

I don't know about the 250, although the brand new one is pretty impressive for what it is. The ZZR600 is a VERY comfortable bike, and on the street it's just a tick under the ZX6 for performance. It's essentially the old ZX6. I've never actually ridden a 650R, but if I were looking for a more comfortable alternative to a ZX6 I'd consider a ZZR600 over the 650R myself any day, just from looking at them and knowing the specs.

Donesyboy · 08-29-2008, 02:13 PM

i'm not exactly looking for performance right now i mean it would be nice but im an uber squid so speed for me isnt the thing i just want to get into riding and going up into the canyons (and commuting = /)

freighttrain · 08-29-2008, 02:40 PM

yer decision will probably come down to type of motor...

if you are set on a Kawi... and you feel you want something for the canyons, along with your commute...

zzr600, or 650r... the difference is in the motor... one's a inline four... the others a parallel twin..

if you do plan on the canyons.. i'd agree with jbear.. the zzr600 s the one to look at... most people prefer the in-line four motor anyway...

pic a color... see ya on the crest...

Donesyboy · 08-31-2008, 02:31 AM

actually i picked out a zx6R after going to a few dealers some buddies of mine that go to the same school say that they love commuting with their zx6s and its comfortable enough haha...plus out the door its gonna be 8,095

clarkmanning · 08-31-2008, 03:03 AM

first bike you might consider 2003-2005 yamaha FZ6. They get almost 50 mpg and they are very comfy. They handle extremely well.
unless you are 1 out of 10,000 riders, you are going to drop it....in the driveway, the paerking lot, the gas station.......not necessarily when riding around.

A brand new 6R is a beautiful and fast bike, but it is going to be expensive to fix. You can get your learning done on the FZ, and in a few months buy the new 6R. I bet you can sell the FZ for what you paid for it.

just something to consider

JBearSVT · 08-31-2008, 05:44 AM

Indeed... I would definitely try to find a deal on a used bike for a starter bike, I'm sure glad I didn't start with a brand new one.

SamW · 08-31-2008, 07:42 AM

I pretty much started on my ZX6R, had a 2002 SV650s but ended up trading it the first month I had it. As long as you pass the MSF course with confidence and no problems, you're responsible, and realize that if you twist the throttle too much in a corner you are in fact going to crash-- you will be fine on it.

I'm 5'10 less than 130lbs and it's never felt like too much bike for me, almost dropped it once, had it at about a 60 degree angle at a stand still the first day I had it-- almost the full weight dragging down and I was able to pull it back up.

Anyway, Happy Riding, I'm sure you'll be thrilled with whatever bike you get, narrowing it down to a Kawi is a kick ass start =)!

EDIT:: Listen to the people above me also, BUY USED. You can find an 05+ ZX6R (if that's what you end up looking for) used in decent condition for 5 grand, maybe less. If you buy a brand new bike for you're first one, I guarantee this will happen, and you'll have the same reaction as this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CldMw...&feature=email

Donesyboy · 09-01-2008, 02:15 AM

i told my dad that i wanted used because im gonna drop the bike and we damn sure aren't rich but he keeps insisting on getting the new bike because of some stupid experience we had when i bought a salvaged title MR2 for 2500 so now he's mr hostile and doesn't anything used...i know im gonna have to pay him back too = /

JBearSVT · 09-01-2008, 05:13 AM

See if you can come to a compromise, and get him to look at used bikes at a dealership. Often they were purchased there and serviced there, usually still have relatively low miles, and they're always inspected thoroughly by the shop before being put out for sale. It's (sometimes) more than you'd pay privately, but still cheaper than new and already worn in a bit.

There's a '05 ZX10 at my local shop with under 2500 miles, a PC3 and TwoBros pipe, frame and spool sliders, tank pad, Hot Bodies undertail and after market windscreen for $7500. Not a screaming deal, but if you want to mod it anyway there's some work already done and a lot of money spent. Doesn't look like it's been dropped, but it's got some scuffs here and there so if you took it out and layed it down it wouldn't be the end of the world. And what can you buy new for $7500? Nothing close to this beast.

xxrealmsxx · 09-01-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donesyboy

im about to enroll in the MSF classes with my dad because we are both getting bikes pretty soon i was just wondering because i have been reading up alot on different bikes... im kind of a nerd when it comes to information haha but i was looking into getting a ZX6R but i wont know for sure until i sit on it feel everything out but this would be my first bike i would be commuting to college which is like 30-35 miles away i believe

anyone else start with the zx6r or have any advice for me thanks alot guys

I started with a stock 05 zx6R, any close calls i've had weren't because of the power of the bike but because I wasn't paying attention to the road.

Take the class first and then decide if you think you can handle the speed.

Commuting that far the most important thing will be to be aware on the road not the bike, I would say just get a 250R (72 MPG) if you're just worried about the commute.

edit: If your dad insists on starting new get the 250R and then save up your own money for a ZX6R.

ICEMAN2087 · 09-01-2008, 10:29 AM

i bought my first bike about six months ago... an 07 zx6r... i love it, its got just the right amount of power for me... everyone told me it was to much bike for a beginner but as long as you respect it its great... but check out the insurance on it first, i pay way to much for it but i love my bike and plan on having it for a while... and when you take the msf course make sure you take in as much as you can... being in the military i have to take it and it doubled my riding skill and really gave me a chance to feel out my bike... what ever you decide to get be safe and keep atleast one down

JBearSVT · 09-01-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxrealmsxx

edit: If your dad insists on starting new get the 250R and then save up your own money for a ZX6R.

Agreed. The new 250R is completely redesigned, and it's a million times better bike than the '07 was. AND, it retails for something stupid like $3500, it's a helluva bargain for a brand new bike with a full warranty.

Donesyboy · 09-01-2008, 01:27 PM

i can see why its the number one selling bike haha i got to sit on one that was sold it felt really nice but it felt small like a mini chopper that i have i wish i could have rode on one though too bad i dont know anyone with a 250 = [

every place ive gone to is sold out by the way that HAS to be a good sign

edit:just in case anyone's wondering im not getting a bike until after the MSF course at the end of September I dont want to get my bike until i take it and pass it

JBearSVT · 09-01-2008, 04:03 PM

How tall are you, and what do you weigh?

Donesyboy · 09-01-2008, 11:22 PM

6'0 last i checked 178