Organization: Penn State University
Date: Thursday, 16 Apr 1992 11:49:27 EDT
From: <PAH112@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.racing
Subject: Re: F2 vs GSXR600; New Person needsHelp!
 <18252@oasys.dt.navy.mil>

Hello,

In article <18252@oasys.dt.navy.mil>, sturges@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Richard
Sturges) says:

>In rec.motorcycles.racing, 2frjcocoon@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu writes:
>>What about insurance? I am 19, no tickets, wrecks, DWIs, etc., and want
>>either an F2, or a 600 GSXR. I know it sounds insane to start with either
>>but like I said, I am insane. BTW I don't plan on purchasing it until
>>I've taken the MSF course.

When I started, I bought an 1985 Ninja 600R.  It is not the fastest bike
available, but is plenty fast for me, and handles perfectly.  I pay $225 a
year for liability only.  I have priced new bikes, and feel that they are way
overpriced, and don't offer much more than what I have now.  Unless you can
pay cash for the thing, you'll be paying out the ass for FULL coverage.  I
would suspect around $1000 a year.  Is it really necessary for you to get a new
bike?  There are many good used bikes available.  CBR600 F1, Ninja 600, FZ 600
are a few that come to mind.  Avoid Katanas, as they are too heavy.

>    I applaud your decision to take the MSF course, but let me say this;
>Don't get a fast (or hard to insure) bike right away.  Get a smaller
>bike, maybe a 250 or a 500 (if you are a heavy dude) and ride it for
>at least several thousand miles.  Call your insurance agent to list
>the price differences between various models.  Your going to drop you
>scooter at some point the first year.  Get something reliable.  Don't
>modify it.  With a fast bike (f2, etc) the urge is too great to use
>it and at this point you can't handle it.  Please take no offence, these
>are facts.  We want you to survive your first year :)

I would tend to disagree here.  Like I said, my first(only) bike is my '85
Ninja 600.  I thought about getting a less powerful bike to learn on, but the
thought of buying another bike to replace it didn't impress me.  I made a
strict promise to myself that I would not exceed xx mph, and don't accelerate
at warp 9.5 and lean to 90 degrees.  I learned without incident, and feel that
if you establish a lot of self control, you can learn on a sportbike.  I fact,
I feel that they offer better braking and handling which could be an asset to
you if the need arises.  I would not buy a new bike to learn on.  Who in their
right mind would pay $6000+ for a 600?  I recommend buying a used sportbike.

>>P.S. If anyone has run into the PARENTAL problem and got passed it, please
>>     tell me how.

I too had parental problems.  They thought that I would kill myself on it.  But
I knew that I had enough common sense and self control to survive my "training"
without incident.  I just bought it and that was that.  I got no help
finacially, so I had to work all summer to get it, no co-signing of a loan.
I guess that by working all summer, I wouldn't wreck it the first day I had it
or become negligent with it.  I also didn't have any auto wrecks or offenses
either, and felt that was a good sign of a well educated driver.

If you want, I would like to talk to you over e-mail.  Send to address below.


*******************************************************************************
* Peter Howard                *  " If the speed limit is 55 mph, why does my  *
* DoD# 0924                   *    does my speedometer go to 160 ? "          *
* 1985 Ninja 600              *************************************************
* EMAIL: PAH112@PSUVM.PSU.EDU *  " Slower traffic keep right."                *
*******************************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.racing