GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

hey all,
I am teaching my dad to ride and he's loving it. Loving it enough to want to buy a bike himself, only hitch is he wants mine.. He has already dropped it while learning, it happens & he feels horrible and of course is covering the repairs.
So if I go ahead w/ all this, which I wouldn't mind b/c I get a good price for it lol, he wants a beginner bike for the 1st while which makes sense so I'd be getting the upgrade and was wondering what was suggestions you all might have about a 600cc (CBR, GSX, etc.)
Let me know what you all think, thanks for the advice.

I think I get the picture with your Dad's interest, but:

• How much experience do you have?  
• What are your dimensions (age, height, weight)?  
• What do you want out of a bike? (Commuter, Tourer, Recreational, Want to meet law enforcement?)
• How much money do you want to spend?  
• How much expenses can you afford if you buy a sport bike?  
• Is $500-$1000/year insurance too much?[/list:u]These would be good starter questions to answer before I'd recommend any kind of "next bike".  We need your profile. ;)

That of course is totally up to you, it highly depends on what you use the bike for. If I were to upgrade I would want something fast so I would go for a gixxer 750, if I wanted something slow I would get a cbr. :P 600's are a solid bike with lots of capability but stay within Suzuki and Honda they seem to be doing well lately in terms of reliability and customer satisfaction. gixxers in my mind are the most capable, I've seen a gsxr 600 turbocharged that can do wheelies in every gear. You also want something that in your mind is going to be around for 5-10 years and is not gonna end up as another lemon.

Quote from: RedShiftI think I get the picture with your Dad's interest, but:

• How much experience do you have?  
• What are your dimensions (age, height, weight)?  
• What do you want out of a bike? (Commuter, Tourer, Recreational, Want to meet law enforcement?)
• How much money do you want to spend?  
• How much expenses can you afford if you buy a sport bike?  
• Is $500-$1000/year insurance too much?

These would be good starter questions to answer before I'd recommend any kind of "next bike".  We need your profile. ;)

Experience: 18 months ( I know, not much but I have the cash for an upgrade now instead of later.. )
-20 yr old make, 6 foot, 150 lbs
-Looking for mostly recreational w/ law reqs for the most part but I would use it for short commutes when possible.
-I am not sure about american prices but I was looking at 8k Cdn max (approx 6600 american I think) I wouldn't go new though, used for sure.
-Expenses for insurance/gear aren't a huge concern, I take a loan from parentals for that and pay them when I get it.
I knew I'd be upgrading from the GS when I got it, but I didn't think soo soon, but due to the circumstances it makes sense to do it now. The bike I get is going to be a keeper for a while.

In response to RCLZ's post I'd go for the CBR, I like honda's & a 'slow' CBR is plenty fast for me.
Thanks for the advice.

Heck, I'd get a nicer GS.

If you absolutely need something bigger, SV650.

That's in the sport bike world.  Any interest in dualsports?  Standards?  Long trips are just fine on sportbikes, but if you're going to be doing all commuting and trips and no track, consider a standard instead.

For commutes I'd get one of those yamaha cop cruisers with the dashboard and stereo system built in.

Sportbike for sure..

I'd buy a GS500F so dad can keep up with me on the old GS500, and still I had a "sport" bike... I'd wait another year at least before moving up... no harm to be slow...

It's better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.   :cheers:

Get a Ducati Monster 620 or Multistrada 620.  Not a ton of power, but pure sex on wheels in my opinion.  Put carbon pipes on it and let it sing all day, at relatively legal speeds.

The rest of the world can have the 600cc I4 sportbikes, I want a usable city powerband and that sound.

Rant over.  Get pretty much whatever you want, within reason. But use the old GS for a track day or experienced rider course before you do, just because you can!

The Duc is a dry clutch though...

If I had a dry clutch, I'd already need a new one.   :lol:

The Breva has a dry clutch.  On a smooth, even-tempered commuter, it's fine.  :)  Only - if you think GS has trouble going to first from neutral!

Well, "smooth and even-tempered" nowhere near describes my clutching ability...  :oops:

I think I'd kill a dry clutch before I figured out how to work it.

Quote from: rclzIf I were to upgrade I would want something fast so I would go for a gixxer 750, if I wanted something slow I would get a cbr.

hahaha...the bike is only as fast as the rider, slowpoke. :nana:

QuoteExperience: 18 months-20 yr old make, 6 foot, 150 lbs
-Looking for mostly recreational w/ law reqs for the most part but I would use it for short commutes when possible.

I only had 16 months experience before I bought the 600rr so you've got plenty. But given your intended use I think a better bike for you would be a cbr600F4i. Much better ergos and better around town, almost as quick as the 600rr-quicker with the right rider. An even better bike, if you dont need a true sportbike is an sv650! You could do a full fairing on it and have the best of both worlds. This is a superfun bike and a great city bike.

I've been eyeing the SV's for my future upgrade, but to be honest the only firm decision I've made is to get something fuel injected.  If I never have to mess with a carb again it'll be too soon.

If you must get something other than a GS500, I'd suggest you consider one of these fine examples of machinery (in no particular order):

• Suzuki SV650.  A standard with a lot of low-end torque to entertain, perhaps surprise.  The "S" version provides wind protection with more agressive seating.
• Honda CBR600F4i (F4, F3 or similar).  As Pantablo says, this second-tier sportsbike has better ergos than the 600RR flavour.
• Ducati 620 Monster.  As noted, the exotic factor is the draw and the power is slightly less but similar to that of the SV650.
• Yamaha YZF-600R.  Second-tier sportbike - tourer. Similar feeling as the CBR -- may draw Law Enforcement.
• Kawasaki ZZR-600 (or ZX-6E).  Similar to the Yamaha in many ways. [/list:u]
  If you want to do some on-line shopping, have a look at Canada's Bike Trader (http://www.trader.ca/search/searchmenu.asp?categoryid=4&CAT=4).  You can search by region and manufacturer.  There are lots of choices for many of the above in the major markets.
  
  Enjoy the thrill of the hunt.  :cheers:

If your really going for an upgrade id personally go R6. It weighs less than a gs. Thats only if you really feel comfortable upgrading so much cuz they get up and go.

QuoteIf you want to do some on-line shopping, have a look at Canada's Bike Trader. You can search by region and manufacturer. There are lots of choices for many of the above in the major markets.

Also, //www.buysell.com

thx for the info

+1 on the SV...Few around town now with full-fairing kits and they look saweet!!!!  Great rumble too, so you'll stick out from amongst the masses of whining, screaming I4's.