brand new motorcyclist-might purchase this ninja, what do you guys think?
 

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/1085620000.html


I am going to take a look at that ninja tomorrow night. 11k miles and its a 2000 zx-6r j1. Not sure what the J1 means. Anyway, does it look like a good deal or is that too much for this bike?

Thanks for posting that, now I'm gonna buy it...........Just kiding man! I have way too many bikes already! looks like a good buy so you better jump on it, but check it out really good before making the final deal! Being one owner, as long as he didn't wreck it, it is probably a sound bike.
Oh yeah, welcome to KF dude!

I'm totally nervous! I am taking out a loan to buy this bike. I have never ridden before and I have a friend (triumph 995i rider) who is going to teach me to ride. I hope I am making the right choice as far as a bike. I have been wanting to ride since about 2000 and never had the money. I now have a good job and can justify a 3800 bike. Definitely nervous.

THANKS FOR THE INPUT!

don't do it
 

My Brother - please, please think hard about buying a ZX-6 as a first bike. Especially if you are just learning to ride. This is a killer bike and I mean that more ways than one. I have been riding for a year and have been doing a ton of research on first bike purchases. I ended up buying an 07 Ninja 250 and it has been a ball. I took the MSF first and then purchased the bike. I recommend you do the same. If you think the 250 is only for women and the first time buyer I emplore you to check out www.ninja250.org. You would be surprized a what a 250 can do.

A ZX-6 should be purchased by an experienced rider, which you are not. Look into 250s and 500s first. The more I rode the more I realized I had a lot to learn and my 250 has been very forgiving to newbie mistakes. A ZX-6 will not be so forgiving.

I work at ORD and would be happy to show you my bike. I am a brother of the badge as well.

Write back if you are interested. Be safe.

There's nothing wrong with getting a 600 as a first bike, provided you have a good enough head on your shoulders to keep your wrist out of the throttle. Yes, if you screw up, they will bite a lot harder than a 250 will. They are also a lot more fun. Learning to ride on a 250 would be a better option. However, that doesn't mean that we you can't learn on one. I have a 2008 ZZR600, which is the exact same bike. As you can see by the pictures, that's not really designed to be a beginner bike, and it has a lot of power for a new rider to handle.
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3443...227d1b34_o.jpg
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546...61b35486_o.jpg

take the msf course. its really good

I am going to take the course in May when I get my vacation from work. Untill then I'll probably just ride up and down my block getting use to the controls :)

Welcome to KF firstly
Since everyone is different, it is hard to say yes get that ride or the other. Use your brain and abilities. Good luck

If you buy a 600 SS as your first bike you will, with a little luck, learn to survive on it. What you won't do is learn to ride it properly.

For that, you need a 250 that makes you use all the power band as you gain skill and confidence. Then you have a full set of skills that transfer to a faster bike. If you try to explore the potential of a 600 without first having this skill set you'll die. If you don't start to explore its full potential, you'll never develop the full skill set.

Simple really.

Rob

soooo, it sounds like I should not be getting this bike. Maybe I will explore my options and look for a 250.

Buy a used KLX to learn on.......wait there are no used ones because nobody ever gives this awesome bike up after they get it. But seriously you should get a Dual Sport bike first, learn to ride off road and on road will come naturally. I think everyone should learn off road first, kind of like driving a car with a clutch, you learn that and you're good to go. ;)

welcome to KF

BOUGHT IT! WOOOO! Well kind of. I went and looked at it. It is in good shape and rides fantastic (according to my experienced rider friend). He told me it shifts real smooth, so smooth in fact that he commented that it shifted smoother then his own bike (triumph daytona 955i). Anyway, the owner of this bike said he should receive the title in the next week or two. I told him I would show up with cash when he receives the title and take it home. I cantttttt WAIT!:D

what? title in hand brings the dollars.

Good luck with your bike and remember ATGATT. It stands for All The Gear All The Time. Even when you practice you should wear a helmet, a jacket with CE approved armor in the shoulders, back and elbows, gloves, skid-resistant pants and over the ankle boots. Don't look like a Squid!

Stay safe.

thanks alot Bill! I will be safe. Before I ride I'm going to make sure and go out to buy all the appropriate safety gear. As soon as I get my M license I'll shoot you an e-mail or pm to go for a ride.


Thanks
Adam

I agree take the msf course you won't regret it and they are alot of fun.

Definately take the MSF course. And don't try to learn everything too fast. Chances are, you'll probably dump that bike at least once, so make sure you are well protected.

And wear proper gear, please. Don't be a https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621...cd62efe2_o.gif

what does everyone think of sliders? Are they worth the money??

Thanks
Adam

BUMP! PS I'm not going to drop this baby!!

sliders are a good thing just make sure you don't get the no cut ones. Not to sure if you bike even has these avable or not but make sure you get the ones that bolt directly to frame they'll hold up better in a drop than the no cut ones. and by the way welcome to the site and congrats on the bike.

thanks blue beast for the advice and welcoming me. I'm happy to be here.

bro, i bought my 01 zx7r before i knew how 2 ride it... then a week later i taught myself in my alley and on tha streets at 3 am..AND I NEVER PUT IT DOWN, dont be afraid of tha bike 4 any reason, that just means u shouldnt be on it...idk any1 who bought a 250 for the first bike n didnt wanna up grade by tha end of their first season, im rite up tha interstae from u in killwaukee n its plenty gorgeous women up here ridin r1's and busas, u dont want them seeing u on no 250.. u mite as well be riding in sum biker b!tches side car..

I fail to understand why it is looked down upon for a rider to start with a machine he can handle, and master, vs one you have in which your insurance payment is more than my housing/car and motorcycyle insurance combined. Additionally I would question the individual who is pushing you to buy a bigger bike "cosmetic reasons" vs the individual who is concerned about your riding development and safety. The last thing the cycle community needs is another Squid.

I love my 250 and have no plans of upgrading. Of course I am not in my 20's and don't have to impress anyone like you do.

Ride Safe

chicagochopper55,

congrats on the new purchase and good luck! as long as you take the safety course and ride with experienced riders they can teach you everything you need to know. as a beginning rider you will drop/lay the bike down. i just bought my first bike on march 19, an 07 zzr 600. i have a lil riding experience on small dirt bikes, i dropped my bike the very first night! i was sick, the bike WAS mint. just a few scratches is all. remember that there are two kinds of riders, those who have been down and those going down. just wear the proper gear! have fun! you'll be fine.

I personally think a 600 is the perfect size to learn on assuming you have a good head on your shoulders... Just because a 600 has a lot of power does not mean that you have to use it. Buying a 250 is good to learn on, but I have found that you end up wasting your money because two months down the road you grow out of it.

Yes, a 250 CAN be safer but you can treat a 600 the same as a 250... just don't go throttle happy and keep a good head on your shoulders. I'm not making fun of anyone who has a 250, i mean a bike is a bike go and have fun that is the whole point! (plus they get like, 75 mpg) haha.

I would say go with the 600 and just be careful

I already bought the 600 (zx-6r j1). Haven't even ridden it yet. Weather has been real crappy.

Just finished riding! Got it up to third gear. Not bad for my second day!

practiced some hard braking the other day... first time I slid the back tire a bit but after that I had it down pretty good. Now I need to work up to faster speeds braking hard. I also practiced some slowwww turning and it seemed pretty easy. We will see though.

It just depends on the person. If you got the brains and are riding like you should you will be fine. Way back when I started riding I started on a zx750. Here I still am today. Its just all on you and how much respect you have for the bike.

Stay off your rear brake, unless you use it in conjunction with your front. I'll spare you the geometry/physics lesson.
(However, it DOES help to trail brake just a bit with the rear when you're turning tight in parking lots.)

the front brake is your main braking force...like Jeffzx9 said use the rear in conjuction with...you lock up that rear and start sliding you just lost control of your bike...

Thansk guys. I wassss using it in conjunction with my front brake. I was braking with 70% front and 30% rear. It seemed to be working well. Plus that book called proficient motorcycling written by david hough suggested that I get in the habit of using both brakes at the same time.