636 Ninja????

[onlythebest21]

what is your opinon on the 636 Ninja? i'm thinking about buying me one but i just can't decide... this is gonna be my first bike and i don't want to go to big but not to small... i thought this would be a good place to start... what do you think? :boobs

[doc_rock]

not a good first bike. Light and twitchy, and an R model. Read the stickies in this thread to see what I would reccommend for a first bike. You're going to lay it down, you're going to tear it up, don't buy a new one.

[Mªrkº]

Agreed

You will lay it down eventually. I learned that the hard way.

[Arkie Redneck]

The 636 is a VERY fast bike for the 600s. It has all kinds of little quirks that an experienced rider can deal with but it is no sort of beginners bike, and it will try to kill you if you don't know how to control it. I am not going to tell you to buy a used bike, doc and i have argued this at length and we both know where the other stands. I bought a used bike for my first only because it was a good deal, now I couldn't be happier about it, I love my bike and I know that it has more power than I need. Get something more controlable and more forgiving, the 636 from what I understand from people that own them, does not forgive.How old are you? Yes that makes a diference. I can see from your screen name that you want the best of probably everything, I used to be the same way, but in this case the best is to swallow your pride and get something with less power and a little heavier(not a lot) Get a 600 but look at the YZF600R(not the R6)Triumph TT600, older model honda F3, Kawasaki Ninja ZX6E or ZZR600(same bike) Or Suzuki Katana 600. Or if you would be willing the EX500 ninja is probably the best beginner bike of them all. PLEASE, do not go out and get the fastest thing out there, I am tired of seeing people die on motorcycles. Before you buy a bike set aside at least a thousand dollars for Gear, it is ok to be wearing a 2000 dollar getup on your body to protect it and riding a 500 dollar bike. ALWAYS wear a helmet, riding jacket(complete with back elbow and shoulder pads) and jeans at a minimum, I don't care how hot it is outside, there is no use in dieing so you can look cool and be a little more comfortable. DO NOT THINK "I WILL NOT WRECK OR LAY THE BIKE DOWN" you will and if you get back on it, sooner or later it will happen again, Have I done either of those yet? you ask, No but I accepted the fact that it WILL happen eventually, the day I first threw a leg over a bike. I hope you take this info to heart, I have seen a lot of threads on this site lately about people getting dead or messed up on a bike, I really don't want to see any more.

[onlythebest21]

to answer some questions i'm gonna be 22. and i own 2 dirt bikes and a 4-wheeler so i was just curious if that would be a factor in it? i've been rideing dirt bikes since i was like 15 and i never had the money to get a real bike that's why i waited so long. thanks for your info :)

[1966chevy]

I grew up on dirt bikes and four wheelers and I can honestly tell you there is a pretty big difference. My first street bike was an old ZX7. It was not a good choice. Dropped it the first day I had it. Now I think some motorcycle experience is better than none but the street is a different monster than the dirt.

Modern sportbikes such as the 636 are SUPER sensitive to rider input. The slightest screw up on your part can lead to a disaster. Go with the EX500 IMO. It'll have plenty of power and it looks good to boot. Just my .02$.

[Arkie Redneck]

66 I am sure you are seeing the same thing from the RR(super sensitive to rider input) Honestly my TT was really not the best choice for my first bike, it to can be very sensitive(yet not as sensitive as the newer supersport 600s) and thank god it is forgiving enough that I haven't put it down, It has taken a lot of restraint to keep from over riding my limits, the bike is far beyond what I am capable of doing even after nine months and over 7000 miles. Get less power you will learn more about riding. I almost put mine down tonight due to cold tires, slick pavement, and a heavy accelerator hand. Just remember NEVER panick, that is what saved me.

[1966chevy]

Yep..definitely

[okaive]

If this is your frist bike, get a used cheap one and get the handling sown from it. Don't waste great money on something new to find out that that was not the one that you were looking for.

[doc_rock]

I H-A-T-E Kawasakis, but.......

The EX500 is the best beginners bike on the market. My first was an EX, I know a lot of other people who had an EX as a first, and they are the best you can imagine. Unless you're a little tiny thing, then the EX250 would be better, but between those two bikes, there is a wealth of knowledge to be had. The 500 will run a respectable enough speed, fast enough to get you a ticket, and can teach you things about riding that will cost you a lot of money on a bigger bike.

[Arkie Redneck]

Screw it, go out and get a Gixxer 1000, that bike will TEACH you some stuff, for example, what goes on behind the scenes in the ER, how to loop a motorcycle101, 101 ways to kill yourself on a bike and make it look like an accident, Millions of lessons to be learned daily on the gixxer 1k. Or you could listen to us and live, with a bike that still goes after you get up from your fall off.

[jmac R6]

wat is the difference between the 500r and the ex500....r they the same exact bike with just 2 names???

[doc_rock]

Fairings and probably factory offered colors. I believe the EX500R is offered with a full fairing, where the EX500 has a half fairing. engine wise, and everythign else, they are identical.

[jmac R6]

ahhhhhh.....i c... yea iv seen pics of the half fairing..dont like it that much
thanx for clearing up sum confusion :thumbsup