Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum banner

First bike question, need opinions!

1K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  ZedExMuse 
#1 ·
Hi all, new to the forums! I have a choice to make, and I’d like some input.
I’m a tall, heavy guy looking for a first bike. I’m 6’2” at 290.
I have a Choice between a 2006 zx6r ora newer ninja 300.

From all I’ve heard, I should be okay with a 600, even a 300. I’m not looking for track days or doing stunts or anything. Just around town and some highway occasionally.

Would it be better to wait for a newer, better suited for a beginner bike? or just go with the older zx?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#3 ·
Winter is a great time to shop. Particularly if you have enough mechanical knowledge to discern a good dirty bike, from junk.

Always a good idea to know what common maintenance parts cost..... Tires, chains and sprockets, batteries, filters, to name a few. Do not expect anything you look at to have had all scheduled maintenance performed, without documented proof.
 
#5 ·
I've only lived in the Hampton Roads area for a year (Norfolk and VA Beach), but I couldn't imagine riding a bike anywhere around here. Way too many people, way too many crazy stupid drivers, and too much rain. Never had a car accident until I moved out here, and within about 8 months I got rear ended on I-264. I've been riding motorcycles since 2010 but no way I'll get a street bike while I'm living here. I'll stick to track days and racing for now. Much more fun and a lot less chance of idiots hitting me.
 
#6 ·
I actually live I Williamsburg, still gets crazy here during tourist season. But there’s some pretty good back roads to ride on.

I’m buying a bike from a dealership, mostly because I’d like to avoid a lot of wrench time. I’ve been through that with a Honda Sabre I got a few years ago. Plus I live in an apartment, they probably wouldn’t be thrilled with me doing a bunch of work in a coveted parking spot XD.

I’ve pretty much talked myself into a 300, I’m going to the dealership tomorrow to look at them.

I am worried that they won’t deliver the bike to me. That’s a long drive from va beach to Williamsburg for a first ride.... ugh


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
Dealers tend to be expensive on used bikes. You can find a lot of nice bikes in really good shape from private owners on craigslist that won't require any wrenching, aside from regular maintenance at some point. Ninja 300s are going for pretty cheap now that the 400 is out and lots of people are selling their 300s.

Yeah I could see how going from VA beach to Williamsburg on a first ride would be a bit sketchy lol I remember my first ever ride after the MSF course. I had about a 20-minute drive across town, in Lincoln NE, on a weekend. Traffic was very light, so no issues, but my heart was beating pretty fast the whole way lol It was also the first time going over 20 mph on a bike, and part of the route was to take a highway going about 65 or so. It was a bit nerve-wrecking. You'll have to deal with a LOT more traffic, and a bridge-tunnel.
 
#9 ·
To address the unavoidable discussion of "outgrowing your bike" and "time to upgrade" that will ensue in one months time, go to the track for a reality check :D. Also, consider most track riders and racers absolutely love small bikes for a reason, it's one of the best training tools and, like you always hear, it really is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride a fast bike slow.

Check out Josh Herrin on this small Ohvale 190cc "superbike". Observe at the lean angle and screeching of his tires as pushes it to it's full potential.

 
#11 ·
I suggest the 400 or the 650 Twin. The 400 is essentially a 300 reamed out to 400 cid. The 650 in one form or another since the dinosaurs roamed about.

One doesn't want to think about problems with a new(-ish) bike, but there are an enormous amount of spares for the 650. I also think for a 'bigger guy' the torque-over 650 might be more up your alley.

The 650 has been raced all the way back to when it was the EX500. And has always been a darling for racers/go fast-y canyon riders. So again there are a kagillian spares/hop up parts for it

Opinions are like noses, everyone has one.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top