I'm thinking about picking up a sport bike to keep the miles off the S since I drive it about 400 miles a week. Anyone know where to start looking at sport bikes? Right now I don't have a motorcycle license so I will need to get that. How hard is it to get and what all is involved in getting it? My budget is no more than $4000. I was thinking about an R6 or a gxer (sp?) I like Bens bike a lot. Any help would be awesome!

Thanks,
Jeff

 

Riding a sport bike in Phoenix is asking to be killed.

It isn't your riding ability, it is the idiot in the other lane that will kill you.

 

I agree I was all about getting a bike last month I'd rather not die is scary enough driving the S around this city let alone a motorcycle why didn't you get a job closer to where you live

 

Or why dont you live closer to your job??? 400 miles is a lot!

 

To answer your question - sport bikes are fast. Sounds great and all, but you REALLY need to make sure that's what you want before you commit yourself by buying one. Supersport bikes are unforgiving and if you make an error (i should rephrase that - not if you make an error, WHEN you make an error), you can easily find yourself on the pavement, and with the traffic and drivers around here that's not a good idea. i think ben said he has a zx10r. you have a deathwish if you try to start on a liter bike. don't start bigger than 600, and even then, a lot of people will tell you that's too much.

As for getting your license - you can go to the dmv and get one by passing the the tests (including a skills test), but if you're smart, you'll take a licensed safety course. They'll teach you stuff that can save your life on the road, when you finish it (assuming you don't screw up terribly) they'll hand you your license when it's over, and most major insurance companies will lower your rates if you've completed one.

 

also, and i feel the need to point this out in a post of its own, for the love of God please wear a helmet at all times.

 

Im going to +1 on what everyone has said here. I have about 25k miles on the bike and a couple of track days so I have a few insights that might help. Its not a matter of if but when. I realize this everytime i get on and ride and I have done some dumb things. I got on a freeway on ramp the other night doing 30 starting out by the time I was entering the freeway the speedo said 145. I wasnt even trying to get on it. I didnt realize how fast i was going bcause i was tired and not paying attention. These are the type of things that you dont worry about in most cars.

IF gas mileage is your concern you can get an old civic for 4 grand that has A/C which you will want for the next 4 months. I am about to put my bike away for the summer because its getting too hot to ride.

If you really want to get a bike, then there are some things to consider. Most people say to take the MSF course, I would like to agree. I have never taken the MSF Course I was signed up to take it then I wrecked my first bike a week before.(once again, not if but when.) But it will be helpful knowledge. I have even had some friends take the course and then come out not wanting a bike.
Size of bikes- Everyone is going to say get a 600cc or smaller. And I would agree for the most part. There are some vtwins out there that I think are excluded from this rule, namely the sv1000s, honda superhawk/vtr1000, and speed triple. You and I are bigger guys and lets be honest we look like circus bears on 600s. You might consider one of those to start out on. They will have a little more tq then a 600 but the horsepower is the same. They are also a little more friendly in town off the line. You dont have to rev them as high to start out.
Anyway pm me with any questions and I will tell you what i think as i have ridden most newer sport bikes.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I know I will be a great rider bit there are a lot of people here that don't know how to drive.

 

dude 400 miles is a lot on a bike if you've never ridden one be forewarned. Your back will not be happy with you.

 

I work in surgery, I had a guy who went to school at the motorcycle school, he came out if the parking after school then a guy talking on his phone smashed into him. I helped repair his pelvis fractures and hip fractures. The next day doctors found a small bleed in his head, he went back for surgery, removed a piece of his skull, stopped the bleed then put it back. The next day, plastic surgeons repair his facial fractures. A week later, while still in the hospital, doctors noticed he had swelling around his right kidney which cause severe pain and non-functioning kidney,which we had to insert a stent from his kidney to his bladder. What really got me was, he was more scared on his kidney surgery than the others. He told me he was extremely embarrassed to have others see him cry! He swore that he would never get on a bike again.
I tell you this story because, with bike...unlike any other accident, you fracture and destroy every part of your body. Most people who come in from a bike accident, are permanent residents of that hospital for at least a month.
My advice, drive motorcycles outside the city not in it. Buy an old civic or some other reliable car for $4000.