LS4 Performance - Off Topic: some sportbike ?'s

anybody know much about sportbikes/crotchrockets (which ever you prefer) i have been wanting one for about 2-3 years know. well i came across a a guy with a 2006 GSXR-1000, who is selling for $6200. we are working out a trade for my 94' SS (which bluebooks $6300 in good condition.) am i making a mistake doing this,? i have dirtbike experience and im not worried about starting out on this bike. is the 06' GSXR's a nice bike? any input would be awesome!!

If it isn't stretched, just be careful man. My buddy's R1 (Yamaha's Liter bike) would come up at full throttle in the first two gears. Maybe third too, I forget. He has since stretched it with blocks and it is MUCH safer. I've had three different 600's and they have all been plenty for me. But to each their own.

If it has low miles and is clean, it's not too bad. But I thought that is a little high myself.

If it isn't stretched, just be careful man. My buddy's R1 (Yamaha's Liter bike) would come up at full throttle in the first two gears. Maybe third too, I forget. He has since stretched it with blocks and it is MUCH safer. I've had three different 600's and they have all been plenty for me. But to each their own.

If it has low miles and is clean, it's not too bad. But I thought that is a little high myself.

yeah if i was paying cash for one i would get a 600, but this guy said he'd wok out a trade for my imp, also what is high mileage for a bike??

Totally depends. My '95 Zx6r only has 16,000 on it, which is low low for its age. But I'd say less than 6 or 8k for that year would be ok.

And BTW, don't get me wrong by what I first said. Liter bikes are safe if you know what you are doing, they're just WICKED fast compared to 600's or most likely any car you've driven.

Totally depends. My '95 Zx6r only has 16,000 on it, which is low low for its age. But I'd say less than 6 or 8k for that year would be ok.
the bike has 9k miles on it.
And BTW, don't get me wrong by what I first said. Liter bikes are safe if you know what you are doing, they're just WICKED fast compared to 600's or most likely any car you've driven.

yeah fastest thing i have ever driven by a long shot!!!!!

Don't start with a liter. Period.

I rode a used SV650 for a year and a half before I picked up my R6. It was cheap, great to learn on, and easier to ride since the bike has some low end torque. It is also a naked, and when I layed it down twice, the bike was fine and I rode it home both times. Frame sliders help.

Basically there's three things that will mess your day up on a bike if you never ridden before:

1. Throttle Control. Bikes respond differently to throttle inputs in turns that dirtbikes and cars. Most people ride with too much rigidity in their arms due to the seating position of a supersport. Jerky throttle inputs will kill you, no pun intended.

2. Brake Control. I can't stress enough the importance of learning how to brake a motorcycle properly. I see 70% of new riders come to the entrance to the turn too hot or with not on the brakes, then panic mid turn and just eat it. The concept of being on two wheels instead of four includes that under braking, the bike will right itself. So even if you nail the steering angle/line into the turn, any brake input besides a skillfull flick of the rear brakes (trail braking is a pretty advanced skill) will put you on the pavement.

3. Other People. It's not about a lack of riding skill on your part. The truth is a lot of people wont see you when you are riding. It's a scary reality but it forces you to be defensive 24/7. I am confident that I possess the skill to ride out of most situations, but other people's mistakes or poor habits are amplified ten fold when you are on a bike. There's no safety net on a bike.

Obviously I don't want to preach to you because I'm just a kid too, but I've seen too many friends go down because:

A. They bought a bike beyond their riding ability.
B. They can't control said bike beyond their ability.
C. A stupid California driver ruined their day and they couldn't do anything about it.

Go out and get a used bike, under 600cu and not a 4 cylinder super sport. Sure a gixxer1000 will put a smile on your face, but at the end of the day you won't be riding it well...it's too much bike for a new street rider.

...and hopefully I don't have to say anything about gear. I ride in a full one piece leather ANYTIME I take the bike out, there's no compromises. I like my skin.

Good advice, Nacho! I myself have an '09 Kawi Ninja 650R/EX650. I have ridden and owned larger faster bikes but this one is a great compromise between comfort (no clip-ons) and performance. It does a lot of thing well but nothing great.

i totally get what you guys are saying and completely agree, If i do get this bike thru trade, it will probably not even see road miles unless its on the road at my parents (dead country road) until mid next summer when i am confident, the local shop here offers some really good riding classes which i will take. but i am cash limited so if i can get something thru trade would be awesome, ive been trying to sell this impala but havent had any luck with that, but we'll see what happens,. thanks guys for the input!!!!

be careful cause if you mess up you wont get a second chance

Good advice, Nacho! I myself have an '09 Kawi Ninja 650R/EX650. I have ridden and owned larger faster bikes but this one is a great compromise between comfort (no clip-ons) and performance. It does a lot of thing well but nothing great.
Thanks man. How do you like that Kawi? I want a ZX10 in green pretty badly.
i totally get what you guys are saying and completely agree, If i do get this bike thru trade, it will probably not even see road miles unless its on the road at my parents (dead country road) until mid next summer when i am confident, the local shop here offers some really good riding classes which i will take. but i am cash limited so if i can get something thru trade would be awesome, ive been trying to sell this impala but havent had any luck with that, but we'll see what happens,. thanks guys for the input!!!!

One thing I definitely forgot to add.

Take and MSF course and thank me later.

Thanks man. How do you like that Kawi? I want a ZX10 in green pretty badly.I like it a lot. It's just a parallel twin, good low end torque but it doesn't have that top end pull like a 600 SS, and runs out of breath at about 10k, it's down at least 30 hp from those but that's fine with me. The riding position is very upright and not all hunched over, I could ride it all day.

anybody know much about sportbikes/crotchrockets (which ever you prefer) i have been wanting one for about 2-3 years know. well i came across a a guy with a 2006 GSXR-1000, who is selling for $6200. we are working out a trade for my 94' SS (which bluebooks $6300 in good condition.) am i making a mistake doing this,? i have dirtbike experience and im not worried about starting out on this bike. is the 06' GSXR's a nice bike? any input would be awesome!!


Ok son, here's the scoop. There's not many things I know much about in this world, but cars are one... Hence the reason I'm on this site. The only thing I know as well, or better, as cars is bikes. I'm 40 and have been riding sportbikes since I've been 19. I am currently on my 14th bike I've owned in my 21 years of riding... (And not from crashing and ruining them... Just trading to different things I like throughout the years, just to clarify....:D) Of the 14 I've had, 7 have been "big bore" (900-1000cc) literbikes. I only give this background to let you know I'm someone with some riding experience.

Anywho, I know the Gixxr 1000 quite well. The bike I owned before the CBR 1000 Repsol I have now was a GSX-R 1000; a 2002 model. The big Gixxr is a PHENOMINAL bike!!! Fairly comfortable for a "hard edged" sportbike, good predictable power, GREAT TORQUE and tons of it, and handles very well. The 2006 you are looking at is the 3rd generation of the Gixxr 1000 so it has lost some weight over previous models, has newer styling, and has a new "revamped" motor that is up on power some even over the '02 I had. Sportrider Mag loved the '05/'06 Gixxr 1000 in it's yearly Literbike Shootout those two years and nothing was really close in comparision... It really is a great bike.

Now, is it the right bike for you for a first street bike??? My usual answer to this question for a first time rider is no... Like many here say, it is usually too much motor for a first bike. Things on 1000cc bikes can happen quite fast and furious!!!!! Now, that being said, this answer of "no" I'm giving is usually being given to guys in their late teens/early 20's who haven't really grown up yet and still have alot of kid in them. Now, I don't know your age... But if you are a bit older, or at least a younger person with a "mature" outlook on things and some self-control, there is nothing that says that a 1000cc bike can't be your first bike.

Now, yes, a 1000cc bike takes TONS of self-control of that right wrist!!!!!!! But if you can, the big bikes become somewhat easier to ride than the 600cc bikes in this aspect. The 600's don't really make power until quite a ways up in the powerband, usually 7-8K or after.. This means spinning the motor up and many times grabbing a gear or two (or three), before things start to happen. On a 1000, having that 30-35 lbs of torque over a 600 means you have power on demand in pretty much whatever gear you are in... Just twist the throttle a bit and you've got acceleraton almost instantly. Acceleration to get you out of a jam, get you around traffic, whatever..... Having that extra power/torque there is SOOOO nice once you get used to it, but it does take some getting used to... And one has to definately respect a 160hp machine that weighs 420lbs.....

Anyway, enough on that... Sorry to ramble a bit..... You will have to decide yourself if you feel comfortable with a 1000 as a first bike. I think more of what your post was about was to ask if the '06 Gixxr was a good bike. If this paticular unit has been well taken care of, the '06 1000 is a great bike. It would actually be in my top 10 of bikes that I would own. Loved the '06 color scheme and styling!!!! Just look the bike over real well, check it out mechanically, and try get as much of it's history from the current owner. Just like any other vehicle you would buy... And if you do decide to trade for it, just get ready to learn LOTS AND LOTS of right wrist self-control!!!!!!!!:thumb:

GSX-R 1000 is my dream bike:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrXG1sv7dQA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjcAeECvXy0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc2I6rHGVdA&NR=1

But just like Nacho and Gulf said, waaaaay too much bike for a beginner - you WILL have an accident. It's like getting a ZR-1 right after you get your driver's license.

Nothing is wrong with buying the bike, but again like Nacho said get a used small bike and learn to ride it first.

But then again, how can I tell you that a 1000cc bike is too much for you when I currently have a broken foot from my 600? Lol. My bike doesn't come up on throttle only, but it certainly will stand up with use of the clutch. And it most definitely will go over with too much throttle. Have fun and be safe bro :)

ok so thank you guys a ton!! for all the insight and info. i dont wanna quote it all but thanks i really appreciate it!!!. so i went and looked at the bike yesterday afternnon, the thing is mint condition, with exception of couple rock chips in the front but very well taken care of, he is the first owner and has been riding for 10+ years. Ok so what i have decided to do is try and sell/trade my impala for a 600, but if i cant do that in a month or so and he hasnt sold the gixxer than i might take the trade for the gixxer. i am pretty iffy with the idea of starting on a 1000 but i have about 5 years of riding 125's and 250's but then sold them when i got my GF prego, so i have some confidence with throttle control but still am iffy about the whole thing, but thanks again you guys!!!

If it's that mint I vote just trade him. Just take it easy starting out, you'll pick up on the basics of the Liter bike quickly.

heres some crappy cell pics i snapped.

Once I finish building up my Camaro I'm buying a GSX-R 1000 :)