Been thinking about it for a few months and have decided on getting a bike in the next year. What im wanting to get is a 08' Triumph Street Triple 675cc....since im a little new to riding. Planning on riding that for a little while...then going to trade in in for a 08+ Speed Triple....the big brother to the street triple since its got the 1050cc engine.

Just figured I would let people on here know im going to get a bike soon.

Any other riders in here and what bike you got? *or want to get*

If anybody wants me to post pics of the street triple/speed triple i can post a few.

 

I highly suggest taking the riding safety course. It waves the riding portion of the license test and will teach you the basics of riding. Also, it will teach uyou how to properly avoid accidents and what to do in the event of.

If you still like the idea of a motorcycle after the course, then go for it. Most people say start with a used bike because most people went down a few time before really knowing how to ride. I say get a new bike and the one you want. Here is why ... A new bike you have to break-in per the manufacturer's guidelines. This usually consist of 500 miles of riding under 4k rpms, oil and filter change, and then another 500 miles udner 6k rpms.

This forces you to take it easy and not get ahead of yourself. 6th gear at 4k rpms is about 45-50 mph on most 600's. Basically a lot of low speed, city riding. This will sear into your brain how to shift, balance the bike, where to ride in the lane ... all the stuff that you learned in the course. The next 500 miles is 6th gear at 6k rpms which is 65-70mph ... allowing you to get on the highway safely but still not get crazy. Again teaches you the basics of highway riding, avoid blindspots and cars. learn high speed handling.

After that you can work up into the higher rpms. If you do get a new bike, break it in per the guidleines ... these engines are built really tight and a little abuse in the beginning causes problems down the road.

As far as engines size is concerned ... a 600 is all you need. It is safe to say that less than 1% of riders can ride a 600 to the limits of it's capabilities. You will reach yours way before the bike will. 1000cc bikes are fun for about 30 minutes, then you'll be wanting a 600 again. they do not handle as good as 600's, eat way more gas, insurance is higher, prone to throwing the rider off and generally cost more than a fully loaded economy car that gets better gas mileage and has a/c.

I have been riding for almost 4 years and always owned 600s. Several of my friend's have litre bikes and I have riden them several times. Fun in a straight line for bout 30 minutes. Any turns and you'll definitely feel the weight between your legs.
I always put bus-lengths between us in the twisties, usually have to pull over and let them catch up.

Any way, it's up to you ... Don't know why I posted nor how it ended up being a novel. I wanted a litre bike in the beginning as well. I am not going to bother proofing this ... it's late and I've been working on cars all day. Good night

 

I have a 97 Kawasaki Ex 250. It's about as basic as a sport bike gets. It handles very well gets great gas mileage and its a good beginner bike.

Though i have to disagree with part of the statements above. The new sport bikes are way better than their predecessors. The new GSX-R line up with the exception of the hayabusa are very light and have a very short wheel base. They make for one of the best track bikes from the factory for the price. The 600/750 have the same wheel base and the 750 is about 3 lbs heavier (you can make up that difference in going to the restroom ) and the 1000 has a wheel base that is less than 1/2 inch longer than the 600/750 and wieghs less than 20 lbs more than the 750. Technology is amazing

You are right though, most riders only need a 600. Unless they like to ride double alot. Then you need something bigger because a extra human makes the bike feel pretty slow, especially on older 600's. My brother has a 06 gsxr 750 he says its everything he wants in a bike. But since they updated the 1000. He says more power on the same frame can't hurt

 

Yeah i plan on taking the riding safety course....dont want to kill myself.

 

If only the RSVs came in a 600+/-cc form i'd be all over one
I'll settle for an R6 though.

 

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I'd love to get a bike...Dallas drivers' idiocy helps me suppress the urge.

 

I would get a gixxer 600, triumphs are over rated in my opinion. I have an R6 50th anniversary edition. I love it, by far the fastes and lightest in the 600 class. but If its ur first bike I would recommend a gixxer 600 for ur first bike

 

I have an 05 zx10. The Triumphs are sweet looking bikes. I have always liked them.

 

i started on a '97 ninja 250 bought a '07 R6 in oct. im in east texas if u every want to go for a ride

 

So really you only have a problem with the handling comment at the very end. hehe

It's not the gross weight of the bike, as that usually only varies by 10-20 lbs ... what I was referring to is where that weight is located.

 

i dnt think i ever want a bike again. I got took on a deal where this company was supposed to take my bike and pay for it untill they sell it..well they made two payments then dissapeared...the company is viper automotive or startouch recovery out of arlington tx....now im stuck paying for a bike i dnt have and i dnt kno wat to do about it...sux to be young and stupid huh...btw it was a 06 ninja 250..i jst had it for the mpg...great little bike tho

 

insurance?

 

Not all of them are over rated.
Look at a few years back the Motorcycle of the year, you will find the Speed Triple.
I also like the new Tigers 1050.
The issue I have with them, is getting parts for them.
Coming from England takes forever and the Euro rapes the dollar to add insult to injury(from a friend experience).
Gixxers 650 don't impress me, as much as the Honda and the Yamaha, but don't know them much.
I ride a Gixxer 1K Limited Edition Mat Mladin Replica and a CBR Hurricane 1K.