first bike zxr 400 or better?

[zx-?r]

Hey there,

pretty new to the world of bikes so if i get something wrong feel free to correct me, to cut a long story short i got a ride on the back of a gsx-r 600 recently and have now decided that i NEED a bike.

I'm 21 and have been driving for 4 years now so my all round awareness is pretty good but i don't know how much that'll help me on a bike. i'd like to pass my test relatively quickly but intensive courses are pretty pricey. how easy is it to pick up & how many hours roughly are needed?

also, for my first bike i was thinking along the lines of a zxr400 as i've heard that they are good bikes to begin with, however, i cant stop thinking about a zx-6r as i think they look stunning and have had excellent reivews. i've read on other forums about people younger than me getting much more powerfull bikes (R1 for example) which seems stupid, i know that i'm still going to be learning long after i pass my test but would a 600 be ok?

I'm from aberdeen and with the highlands on my doorstep (almost) I can't wait to get going, although it'll probably be next summer by the time i manage that.

finally any recommendations for insurance companies would be appreciated, have tried a few already.

any help with any of this would be hugely appreciated, cheers.

[Bendy]

I did a three day intensive with Eric @ Biketec in Aberdeen and that was enough given my years of car experience. Intensives might seem expensive but sod that, you'll have a licence!

A 600 would be okay but maybe not the best choice for a beginner, a few months on something cheap and cheerful like a commuter 500 will stand you in good stead (in my opinion). Say you sorted your DAS out for the end of September, end of October, get a 'boring' bike to slither about on through the winter then come springtime you'll be better prepared for your zx6 and those highland twisties.

Insurance is just one of those things, you gotta get MCN and phone every single company listed. What works for one doesn't work for another so it's hard to make recommendations.

[JodieWodie]

I did the long route and did 1-2 lessons weekly for a fixed price (you pay a lump sum..and they train you up to pass level).
I do not drive a car (currently having lessons now), and it took me about 12 weeks of lessons to pass my test.
I am a quick learner and I had my own bike too...I was proud that I passed first time in only 3 months

Everyone wants to pass a test quickly..I WANT my car licence !!

If you can afford an Int Course, then do it..if not, plod along with weeklies. It may not take you that long as you drive a car. But everyone differs.
I see you want to be going for next Summer !! Well, go for the weeklies then. You will probably pass by Christmas.

I wouldn't get a 400..you will tire of it very quickly.
How about a nice GS500E.
I did lessons on that and it was sturdy, and quick, but manageable.
Also bounces well when dropped

Insurance, yes, call everyone !!
We have differing quotes for my FZR ranging from £800-£280 !!
Trust me...they try and bleed you dryyyyyyyyyyyyy

Good luck,

J xx
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

[Jrod]

[Bendy]

But if it's a stopgap, learn the ropes bike, he'd probably be selling it before he's bored anyway.

[craigs23]

Get a 400 - you'll learn a lot about handling a motorcycle/road awareness/positioning/forward planning/etc, plus in the right hands, they are quick enough to embarrass riders of much larger machinery. You won't have the straight line ability which will make you appreciate/learn the finer details of motorcycle control - keeping momentum and cornering ability.

And they're so much fun trying as well as you have to use them properly to make any real progress. However, their limits are still in excess of the public road (or in my eye, just about right) - Isle of Man racers average around 110mph around the Mountain Course. When I get even somewhere near to that limit, I'll know it'll be time to 'upgrade' (though that's not going to happen any time soon). They've also got a knack of making 90mph feel like 150, which is good for your licence (mine's spotless), plus not fast enough to get you into serious trouble.

And they're so much more fun than any 500cc plodder - quite literally a miniature sportsbike - with all the noise/appeal/pedigree to go with them.