What would be a good first sportbike?

Question

I have seen a lot of these questions before but none specific to myself or recent. so first off let me explain a little about my self. im 20yrs old, 6ft and about 250lbs (ever changing). ive always wanted a sport bike since i was a little kid, and finally decided to do something about it and get my license. im currently enrolling in a class given through my DMV to learn how to ride and proper safety. by no means am i going about this in a cocky matter since im kinda doing it on my own and have no one personal to get advice or practice with. also ive been doing a LOT of research so im not doing this blindly.
primarily i would be using a bike to get around as my primary vehicle. but living in NJ there is that winter downtime i wouldn't ride. also i live in a rather densely populated area, but also i have a 50 mile commute to college that i make every few weeks on a major highway so im not just in a city area. so this is something that i have considered.
now for bikes. ive fallen in love with the 2000 model of the kawasaki ZX6R. but ive heard mixed things about them. between its a wonderful first bike to its too powerful and everything in bet tween i understand that as a 600cc its defiantly powerful bike but being a bigger guy who wouldn't disrespect it (aka ride it before i practiced/ go 150mph and break laws) wondering if i would be biting off more then i can chew.
i heard mixed things about the Ninja 250. but i feel that it might be too low powered for me to have fun and for what i need it for. yeah wonderful to learn on but i would feel that i would want to upgrade in a few months.
keeping in mind that between the class, gear,insurance and anything else i would want to spend money on im hoping to only spend between 2 and 3k (so im looking at used)
im defiantly a fan of Honda's (CBR) and Kawasaki's (zx6r)
so back to the Original question. What would you suggest as a good first sport bike that i would keep for a long time (3 or more years). considering that i want more power then less.

Answer 1

If you must start on a sport bike, getting your first 250 Ninja appears to be a ripe of passage. Just get a cheap used one that runs good, and by the time you have thrashed the heck out of it, you'll be ready for the CBR600.

Answer 2

I got a buddy who is 6'4, 285ish and rides a Ninja 250 daily. It has all he power he needs. He keeps up on rides and even takes it on trips. One day he might upgrade but he says for now it is all the bike he needs. I think he has had the same bike for a few years. Plus parts for a 250 are hella cheap compared to fairings for a CBR or ZX6. Be smart about it. I only write this as an encouragement to not dismiss a smaller bike because of what you may have heard or think. Go check out some Ninja 250 forums and ask around.



Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

Hey, I knew a guy called Nick--bought a new 600cc sport-bike, and wheelied it into a chain-link fence (in a parking lot!) when things got "a little out of hand". Totalled the bike, and broke his arm, which meant that he couldn't work for 2 months.

The Ninja 250 has performance equal to, or better than, the majority of cars. Tops out at close to 100 mph. Does a 15.3 second 1/4 mile. Zero to 60 in 6.9 seconds. Buying a 600cc sport-bike and trying to "grow into" it is what the Nick I knew was trying to do. He doesn't ride anymore--can't afford what insurance companies would charge him for a "second try".

Answer 4

I second what Candid Chris said: A used standard or dual sport bike is perfect for beginners. For many reasons I don't feel like getting into, but I think you would enjoy the bike more. I am concerned about your statement about not going 150 mph or breaking laws, but wanting a 600 sport bike. That is the kind of riding they are made for, and anything less is abusive and disrespectful towards the bike. That is kind of like buying a pro street drag car and gelding it by using it to buy groceries. I respectfully ask you to reconsider getting a 600 sport bike until you are ready to go 150 mph.

Answer 5

Take and finish the safety course.

I know you want a sports-bike but as a beginner to the street even a little Ninja is not what I would recommend. Look for a used standard or dual-sport for a starter bike, they give a heads-up seating position and that is what you really need to start, heads-up! Crouched over is a racing style and you're not ready to race quite yet. You need to see as much as possible to help in your survival.

Answer 6

And we have another candidate for a posthumous Darwin Award.



A Sport Bike is essentially a street legal racing bike. Getting a Sport Bike for your first motorcycle is like getting a Formula 1 race car for your first car. A very bad idea. Any decent Sport Bike can go from zero to deadly faster than you can say "Oh Sh**!".



The last thing a complete beginner like you should be concerned about is speed.



Always remember - On a motorcycle stupid hurts.



And a beginner on a Sport Bike is stupid.