O.K. WhIcH BiKe Is BetTeR?!?

[bender223]

i have the oppertunity to buy (as my first bike) a kawasaki ninja 500r brand spanking new for 5,000 dollars, or i could buy a 2004 kawasaki zzr600 for around 3,800 dollars (with just a little superficial damage). which do you think is the better deal? i realise that i am going to drop my first bike no matter what bike it may be. im not sure on the milage on the zzr600.

[soundmann]

The Ninja 500 retails for 5k new, so I wouldn't exactly call that a deal. I can't help you with the ZZR, though.

[sdtraviesosd]

get the zzr, haha. although i dont like kawasaki, no particular reason tho.... but since the zzr is so cheap with a lil dmg. why not. just my 2 cents

[Captain G Force]

get the zzr, its gonna be more comfortable in the end and be more fun since it is a bigger displacement motor that isnt out of control like the higher strung supersport 600s.

[bender223]

that is a really good point there, the 600 is more appealing to me its just kinda weird. i can get a brand new bike for 5k and a used (not too much) 12 year old bike. i still gotta do some more research, because even tho its a 600 the 500cc might be pushing more power to weight right? because it is lighter by like 100lbs. im not sure, and you guys (and girls) are definatly the experts!:bowdown: (its just that ive heard that the modern 500cc's are the equivalent to the 750cc's of a decade or so ago, again not so sure)

[bender223]

disregard the last comment i made there. lol for some reason i was thinking 1994 when i was writing it. yea i think im gonna go for the '04 zzr600. thanks for the advice! any more advice will still be considered and looked at. thanks!!! :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[sdtraviesosd]

some mileage on the zzr would be nice to see if there is actual value, any pics of the dmg would also help

[mieff]

its just that ive heard that the modern 500cc's are the equivalent to the 750cc's of a decade or so ago

in theory this would be correct, but the ninja 500r has not changed since 1990. plus, the engine on the 500 is a twin while the zzr is an inline 4.

[spewmonkey]

Some damage on your first bike isn't bad as long as it's cosmetic, you'll ad to it and can claim that 'That was there when I bought it' or 'Yeah I did all that......trying to hard I guess' You're going to lay down or otherwise wreck your first bike the point should be to live through it learn from it and get back on. The first bike I wrecked I low sided and was back on before it even stopped sliding...what a rush! Covering your damage with stickers makes your bike FASTER!!

[Crash716]

just remember...no bike no matter the what cc or horsepower is faster than you want it to be, i started out on Supersport 600cc's, my first bike in a long time was a CBR600rr, which although quite fast is a very forgiving bike, don't feel the need to get a very low powered bike, cause you will quickly get over it and find yourself in the market in no time for something that can get out of its own way...

That being said, if you do go with a "sportier" 600 or so read some books, take the MSF course, and get on a track, it's actually a great place to learn if you approach it with the right attitude.

Good luck bro!

[GPTECHMAN]

just remember...no bike no matter the what cc or horsepower is faster than you want it to be, i started out on Supersport 600cc's, my first bike in a long time was a CBR600rr, which although quite fast is a very forgiving bike, don't feel the need to get a very low powered bike, cause you will quickly get over it and find yourself in the market in no time for something that can get out of its own way...

That being said, if you do go with a "sportier" 600 or so read some books, take the MSF course, and get on a track, it's actually a great place to learn if you approach it with the right attitude.

Good luck bro!
I think having an underpowered bike and trying to keep up is fun. It teaches you a lot...you gotta do alot more work to maintain speed. I dont think that you can get bored of them. It actually is scarier riding the piss out of a slower bike than it is at the same speed with a more powerful one. To each his own. Good luck on whatever bike you choose

[peter1sp]

I think having an underpowered bike and trying to keep up is fun. It teaches you a lot...you gotta do alot more work to maintain speed. I dont think that you can get bored of them. It actually is scarier riding the piss out of a slower bike than it is at the same speed with a more powerful one. To each his own. Good luck on whatever bike you choose


True. True... +1 on the exhiliration of riding a slow bike fast. Although I think it's usually because they are lighter and more cheaply sprung.

Oh and the 500 is so doggone fugly with that little thong fairing on it.
If your gonna cover up all the goodies, don't tease, cover them up. Latex Style. Otherwise be comfy with your nudity and go NAKED.

Good luck.

Welcome to the addiction. We're really a 12 step program here, although I am not sure of the order:

1. Looking
2. Touching
3. Riding
4. Buying
5. Riding faster
6. Riding better
7. Riding faster because your better
8. Conning your other friends into the sport
9. Riding
10. Riding
11. Spending all your time thinking, talking, dreaming about bikes.
12. Watching all your paychecks float away blissfully.

[mieff]

Welcome to the addiction. We're really a 12 step program here, although I am not sure of the order:

1. Looking
2. Touching
3. Riding
4. Buying
5. Riding faster
6. Riding better
7. Riding faster because your better
8. Conning your other friends into the sport
9. Riding
10. Riding
11. Spending all your time thinking, talking, dreaming about bikes.
12. Watching all your paychecks float away blissfully.

That sounds about right. :ha:

[bender223]

you all have been very helpfull! i like the diffrent viewpoints and perspectives! awsome. im pretty sure im gonna get the zzr600, but i dont know alot about the bike condition, but the person selling it is actually a msf instructer and she said it would be ok for a noob to ride. so i still gotta go check it out and stuff. and yea stickers are cool and they do make you faster. ive heard that if you put the fabled type R sticker on your motorcycle it will instantly add 25 hp! WOW! lol

[Dissident]

Just rmemeber, there are lots of bikes out there if that doesn't work out, too. I paid $800 for my first bike and sold it for more. The crappier it is, the less you'll care when you drop it....

[bdmmotard]

i'd get neither, and pick up a sv650 naked. I put a list of my preferred beginner bikes here:
http://www.dmvtestbike.com/tips.html

I'm a weirdo though, i went form vintage honda's to modern liter bikes, and now i'm down to 18hp street legal supermoto's. the less hp a bike has the more it can teach you. my 225 goes 85 in 6th, and I don't usually have much trouble keeping up. key is to never brake!

[bender223]

ok i got a better deal from the same lady, its a used 2002 zzr600 with 10k miles, never been down just a little faring damage (very minor) because it was towed and another bike rubbed up against it with the handle bar. for about $3,800. sound like a good deal? and what should i look for, ask before deciding on the bike (other than am i ready for this bike etc.) and what should i expect to be replacing of tuning up? sorry to ask so many questions, and i really appreciate all of your replys!