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ananga73
Ex-Member
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 Posted - 10/15/2009 : 7:38 AM
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Hi All,
First let me say this is a great website I discovered a couple of weeks ago and I am soaking in the wealth of information here. I am committed, as most folk here to becoming the safest rider I can possibly be.
I am new to the site and wanted to get some feedback from the experienced folk on here about my choice of first sports bikes. Next spring I intend to get a Hayabusa as my first sports bike. I currently own an 09 Suzuki Boulevard M90.
For those who have gone from cruisers to sport bikes, can you share your experience and recommendations? I am a responsible adult and I am not getting the bike to push it to its limits but want a sports bike to complement my cruiser. I have a total of 4000 miles of riding experience so I guess I am a relative newbie.
Regards,
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gdickelman
 Moderator
1161 Posts
[Mentor]
Annandale, VA
USA
Moto Guzzi
California Vintage
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 8:15 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ananga73
Hi All,
First let me say this is a great website I discovered a couple of weeks ago and I am soaking in the wealth of information here. I am committed, as most folk here to becoming the safest rider I can possibly be.
I am new to the site and wanted to get some feedback from the experienced folk on here about my choice of first sports bikes. Next spring I intend to get a Hayabusa as my first sports bike. I currently own an 09 Suzuki Boulevard M90.
For those who have gone from cruisers to sport bikes, can you share your experience and recommendations? I am a responsible adult and I am not getting the bike to push it to its limits but want a sports bike to complement my cruiser. I have a total of 4000 miles of riding experience so I guess I am a relative newbie.
Regards,
I rode a Moto Guzzi 1100 cruiser for about 18,000 miles, took three classes (including one intensive 3-day advanced course with motor officers), and did lots of parking lot practice. I then bought a sports bike (Ducati Multistrada 1100s). I did not take it on the road until I was comfortable in the parking lot, and when I took it on the road I stayed out of traffic and moderated the speed.
The geometric differences and the power train differences are dramatic. Accelerating, braking, turning...all different. It was like starting to learn all over.
I now have about 8,000 miles on the Ducati and 25,000 miles on the Guzzi. I switch off every few days.
The Guzzi is 74HP, 5 speed; the Ducati is 95HP, 6 speed. I do not push the Ducati in terms of speed but rather enjoy its agility and responsiveness. I do a lot of long distance riding on both bikes.
That said, I am wondering why anyone who is not doing track work would need anything over 100HP and with the performance specs of the Hayabusa. Why did you choose this bike?
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ananga73
Ex-Member
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 8:46 AM
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Thank you for your response. To answer your question as to why I am getting the Hayabusa since I am not doing any track work, I guess its because I want a sports bike and that is what appealed to me. An analogy would be why would one get a Toyota Avalon instead of say a Camry. Is the Hayabusa inherently more dangersous than say another sports bike with a 95hp?
Regards, |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
4863 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
Ducati
ST2, 888, + XR650L
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 8:54 AM
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The Hayabusa is not the worst bike you could choose, but there are probably a few better choices. It's heavy, but has plenty of power everywhere. One of its big advantages is that it has great low end power, so it's pretty easy to ride as long as you don't hit the upper rpms or open the throttle very far. I know someone who went from a Kawasaki ZR7 to a Hayabusa and has done just fine. But he's never opened the throttle all the way while riding it.
Is there a reason that you want to stick with Suzuki?
I would highly recommend looking at the various sport touring bikes: like the Honda VFR, Honda ST1300, Yamaha FJR1300, Triumph Sprint ST, Ducati ST3, and whichever BMW falls into that category (F800ST?).
It might also help if you could tell us what type of riding you expect to do with the bike. The reason why I recommend sport touring bikes is because they are good all around motorcycles that do just about everything well. |
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ananga73
Ex-Member
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 9:27 AM
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Scott,
Thank you very much for your response. In reply, I prefer to stick to Suzuki's because it is a brand I like and which attracted me to sports bikes from my youth.
I would say I am not looking into long distance riding, not more than 3 or 4 hours a day over the weekends and mild to moderate twisties.
Regards, |
Edited by - ananga73 on 10/15/2009 9:46 AM |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
4863 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
Ducati
ST2, 888, + XR650L
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 9:59 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ananga73
I would say I am not looking into long distance riding, not more than 3 or 4 hours a day over the weekends and mild to moderate twisties.
I expect that you would probably be better off with an SV650S then. They have enough power for just about anything that you would want to do, the insurance is quite a bit cheaper, and it will be significantly easier for you to learn to ride it as a sport bike.
So, would you consider an SV650S? |
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ananga73
Ex-Member
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 10:17 AM
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Scott,
I will strongly consider the SV650S. Thank you and all the other contributors for your insight.
Regards, |
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greywolf
Advanced Member
508 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AK7
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 11:50 AM
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| A small sportbike is a great complement to a big cruiser. Light weight and agility are the antithesis of a heavy, stable cruiser so you get the biggest span of experience. When I had 5 bikes at once from 1100 down to 175ccs, I found I was spending the most time on middle weights for long trips and a 175cc Can-Am Enduro bike set up like a road racer for around town. A 25hp sport bike weighing under 200lb was great fun but too buzzy to ride for more than an hour or so. The SV650 is over 100lb lighter in weight and over $5000 lighter in wallet than the 'busa. It's also available with ABS brakes. I'd prefer it as a second bike. |
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House_of_Dexter
Standard Member
158 Posts
Richardson, Tx
USA
Kawasaki
2007 Ex-500
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 4:32 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ananga73
Scott,
I will strongly consider the SV650S. Thank you and all the other contributors for your insight.
Regards,
I would second the SV650SF...you can get it with ABS...and for someone with only 4000 miles exp. 195 hp just seems way overboard...though I do understand...because I love the ducati 1198 and would love to have one... |
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The Meromorph
Advanced Member
623 Posts
[Mentor]
White House, TN
USA
BMW
R1100R
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Posted - 10/15/2009 : 10:01 PM
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The issue, as I see it, is twofold.
1) The 'busa, while no longer the fastest sportbike, is still 'explosive' enough to get any inexperienced rider into deadly danger through a single inadvertent mistake.
2) Any 'liter sportbike', at any sane speed on the road (I don't mean just legal speed), is way under utilised. A 600cc or so sportbike, is at least going to be in the upper half of its performance envelope some of the time. For most riders in the twisties (where a sportbike is the most fun), any 600 will be quicker overall point to point, and more enjoyable to ride. You don't even need to look for the 'best' 600. Any lightweight 600cc bike with modest (80 or 90) hp will be easy to ride, and a total blast. |
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Victory
Advanced Member
602 Posts
[Mentor]
Pawcatuck, CT
USA
Victory
10th Anny Vision
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 5:35 AM
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| Myself I would talk with the sport bike riders in your area. They would give you the best bike to buy for riding in your area or at least give you plenty of insight to the roads and conditions that we may not see riding a cruiser. |
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midlife_crisis
Junior Member
61 Posts
Mineral Springs, NC
USA
Yamaha
YZF600R, YZF1000R
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 8:53 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by The Meromorph
The issue, as I see it, is twofold.
1) The 'busa, while no longer the fastest sportbike, is still 'explosive' enough to get any inexperienced rider into deadly danger through a single inadvertent mistake.
2) Any 'liter sportbike', at any sane speed on the road (I don't mean just legal speed), is way under utilised. A 600cc or so sportbike, is at least going to be in the upper half of its performance envelope some of the time. For most riders in the twisties (where a sportbike is the most fun), any 600 will be quicker overall point to point, and more enjoyable to ride. You don't even need to look for the 'best' 600. Any lightweight 600cc bike with modest (80 or 90) hp will be easy to ride, and a total blast.
I agree on both points!
However, on point #2, there are very few - if any - new 600cc sportbikes with 80 - 90 hp. In this case, I believe that "older is better" in the real world; 600cc sportbike design seems to be largely influenced by AMA racing, Speed TV, and the sportbike magazines. Kids see this stuff and believe that the only way to travel is on a new R6 or gsx-R...well over 100 hp, well under 400 pounds wet.
That is not a good combination for anything other than racing or getting in trouble.
I'm biased, but the first 600cc bike with 80 - 90 hp that comes to mind is the Yamaha YZF600R, manufactured unchanged from 1997 - 2007. It has ~87 hp at the wheel, weighs a nice, stable ~470 lbs wet, and provides a comfortable riding position that enables even this old guy to take her out for 500-mile days without pain.
As for the Hayabusa...yeah, it's gotten a bad rap; films like Biker Boyz don't help, and I think Suzuki themselves can shoulder some blame for how the 'Busa is regarded.
Surprisingly, the 'Busa was considered a sport touring bike at its inception; it is very comfortable as far as sportbikes go, and the overpowered engine is running way below top capability at highway speeds, providing a smooth ride. It's heavy, which is a good thing for street riding: very stable in the wind, not as "twitchy" as the new crop of 1000cc (and larger) featherweight sportbikes. But the Meromorph is correct: any machine with that sort of insane power is, at least in terms of error intolerance, more dangerous than many other "tamer" choices.
One important factor for the sportbike rider is your size; although many of my friends who ride YZF600R's are 200 lb+ and 6'+ and are comfortable on their YZF's, there is no doubt that the 'Busa is much more appropriate for large riders. Of course, the SV650 (recommended above) is also extremely comfortable for riders over a wide range of body size; but it, like all semi-naked sportbikes, doesn't have the typical sportbike "look" and if your heart is set on a typical sportbike you might have to look elsewhere.
Absent a compelling reason, however, such as your being an NFL offensive lineman, I'd say that there are better choices than the 'Busa.
quote:
Originally posted by Victory
Myself I would talk with the sport bike riders in your area. They would give you the best bike to buy for riding in your area or at least give you plenty of insight to the roads and conditions that we may not see riding a cruiser.
I would actually be very cautious with that approach. In quite a few years of sportbike riding (street riding at sane and legal street speeds) I have found that the local sportbike riders are usually not a safe source of advice. They are generally obsessed with speed and dragging their knees in turns and, the lighter and more powerful a bike is, the better it is in their opinions. I find my group rides with fellow sportbikers to have become few and far between, as the number of sportbike riders in my acquaintance who understand the fundamental and major difference between track riding and street riding is very small. |
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greywolf
Advanced Member
508 Posts
[Mentor]
Evanston, IL
USA
Suzuki
DL650AK7
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 9:54 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by midlife_crisis
Of course, the SV650 (recommended above) is also extremely comfortable for riders over a wide range of body size; but it, like all semi-naked sportbikes, doesn't have the typical sportbike "look" and if your heart is set on a typical sportbike you might have to look elsewhere.
It depends on which SV650 is chosen. In fact, only the SV650SF is available new any more and it has the look in question.
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midlife_crisis
Junior Member
61 Posts
Mineral Springs, NC
USA
Yamaha
YZF600R, YZF1000R
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 10:10 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by greywolf
quote:
Originally posted by midlife_crisis
Of course, the SV650 (recommended above) is also extremely comfortable for riders over a wide range of body size; but it, like all semi-naked sportbikes, doesn't have the typical sportbike "look" and if your heart is set on a typical sportbike you might have to look elsewhere.
It depends on which SV650 is chosen. In fact, only the SV650SF is available new any more and it has the look in question.
Indeed! Thanks for the correction.  The OP should give that model a serious look.
Also, if he's used to a twin (or other non-inline-4) motor, the SF is even a better choice for him than my beloved YZF600R.  I'm used to the power delivery and the moderate engine braking of the 4's; when I've ridden twins I just haven't liked the feel (such as almost getting thrown across the handlebars when letting off the throttle  ). Perhaps that dynamic works in the other direction too. |
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scottrnelson
Advanced Member
4863 Posts
[Mentor]
Pleasanton, CA
USA
Ducati
ST2, 888, + XR650L
Peer Review:
1
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 11:02 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by midlife_crisis
...when I've ridden twins I just haven't liked the feel. Perhaps that dynamic works in the other direction too.
It definitely works both ways. Ever since I've been riding V-twins, I don't like the feel of a four-cylinder motorcycle. |
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kml
Junior Member
76 Posts
englishtown, nova scotia
Canada
Suzuki
hayabusa
Peer Review:
1
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 8:48 PM
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Cut and paste from Hayabusa.org follows in quotes.
http://www.hayabusa.org/forum/new-o...st-bike.html
"You are new to this board. *You are new to motorcycling. *You are considering buying your first motorcycle or first sport bike. *You are thinking about getting yourself a Hayabusa. *You are wondering if the Hayabusa might be too much bike. *You are considering a Hayabusa for your first bike. *If some of those statements apply to you, then take a few minutes and read this post.
First off, welcome to Hayabusa.Org. *This is, in my opinion, the best Hayabusa dedicated web site out there. *We have a nice community of riders here who share an interest in the worlds fastest stock motorcycle. *Many of the folks here are the most helpful and knowledgeable Hayabusa enthusiasts youre likely to find. *
This is a great place to learn about the Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa. *And it is a good idea to learn about this bike before buying it. *Just about every Busa topic imaginable has been discussed here. *The forums contain answers to a huge range of questions and are a very valuable resource to any prospective owner. *
One of the most common questions asked around here concerns whether or not someone should buy a Hayabusa. *This tends to come up a lot. *There is just something about the Hayabusa that draws people to it. *It is distinctive, relatively uncommon, interesting, and infamous because of its performance and top speed. *Often folks who have begun looking into bikes discover the Busa and fall for it. *If this sounds like you, then what can I say... *Youve got good taste.
However, the Hayabusa isnt a beginners bike. *Im sorry. *It just isnt. *That isnt what many new riders want to hear, especially if the Hayabusa is what really fuels their desire to get a bike. *This leads to disappointment and maybe a little resentment. *I promise you, Im not saying the bike is too good for you or any other elitist crap. *I want more Hayabusa owners and if you love the bike too, then you ought to get one at some point.
There are few bikes worse suited to beginning riders than the Hayabusa. *Learning to ride is a process that involves making mistakes. *Often those mistakes cause a loss of balance which can send the bike down onto its side, especially at low speeds like in the driveway or a parking lot. *As beautiful as all that Busa plastic is, it is also very easy to damage and very expensive to replace. *$600 for one of the side panels. *$400 for a nose. *A simple mistake and a slow drop could cost you $1000 or more to fix.
The legendary power of the Hayabusa is also very attractive and is also dangerous. *This bike will out accelerate any car the average person has even been near. *From a standing start the bike can break most highway speed limits in less than 5 seconds and that is just in first gear! *Second gear can take you to speeds higher than the top speeds of most cars and there are four more gears after that.
Learning how to control that power is vital. *Unintentionally spinning the rear tire can happen very easily. *And unlike a car if the back end gets a little loose on a bike, it can be very hard to regain control which leads to highside crashes. *(When the bike straightens suddenly as the rear tire grabs again, throwing the rider off and in front of the bike.) *It takes throttle control and an instinctive feel for the clutch to harness all that power safely. *A healthy dose of good judgment doesnt hurt either. *And those are not skills that a new rider has automatically. *It takes practice.
That practice is best performed on a bike with a learning curve a little less steep than the Hayabusa. *Some will say that a 600cc super sport, like a Honda CBR600, is a good first bike. *I respectfully disagree. *Those bikes can still break 140 MPH easily and are also covered in lots of expensive plastic like the Hayabusa. *
A far better choice is the Suzuki SV650. *It has plenty of power to scoot down the road and will still out accelerate most cars out there at a stop light. *It has a wide power band, so proper gear selection isnt critical -- a handy trait when you are learning to shift. *It is light and inexpensive. *You can really throw it around under you and correct steering mistakes with a minimum of fuss. *Plus those inevitable low speed drops will not ruin the bike. *With a couple of inexpensive frame sliders installed, the bike will probably survive most falls with no damage at all. *There are a ton of after market goodies available to customize it or squeeze a few more ponies out the motor. *And because they are so popular, it is easy to resell them.
There are other good choices too. *What is boils down to is getting an inexpensive bike with a minimum of plastics. *And please, please take the Basic Rider Course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, if you havent already. *Then ride as much as possible. *Have fun learning a new passion. *Then when you feel like youve got the confidence and skills, go Busa shopping.
Still not convinced? *Then consider the economic angle. *If you are under 25, the insurance on the Busa is going to be killer, more than twice the cost of a SV650. *Every drop, even in the garage will hurt, often to the tune of $600. *Tires are $140 or so. *The rear will need a replacement about every 5000 miles or less. *And the bike itself usually costs more than $10,000 new. *So let's say you get the Busa and finance it with monthly payments and a 10% down payment. *You ride a lot and play with that power some, somehow without getting hurt or crashing. *So two new rear tires in the first year. *Had to get full coverage insurance for the bank. *And there were two unfortunate drops, nothing serious but some fairings and bits had to be replaced. *That first year of ownership cost you $6000 plus gas. *More than the cost of a brand new Suzuki SV650.
Ultimately we buy what we choose to buy. *But the Busa will still be available six months or two years from now. *If you are careful about how you learn to ride and on what, you will be too. *And that Busa will be far more enjoyable and less intimidating if you practiced your basic riding skills on something better suited to it. *
In the meantime, keep coming here and posting and reading. *There are a lot of great folks here and good stories to tell and hear. *Not having a Hayabusa doesnt disqualify you from being a friend or a fellow enthusiast."
Hope it's OK to cut and paste from another site.
cheers
ken |
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gymnast
Moderator
2457 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, Idaho
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster Sport
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Posted - 10/16/2009 : 11:53 PM
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| Ken, you have indeed linked to a source of wise council. |
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House_of_Dexter
Standard Member
158 Posts
Richardson, Tx
USA
Kawasaki
2007 Ex-500
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 10/19/2009 : 11:08 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by kml
Cut and paste from Hayabusa.org follows in quotes.
http://www.hayabusa.org/forum/new-o...st-bike.html
A far better choice is the Suzuki SV650. *It has plenty of power to scoot down the road and will still out accelerate most cars out there at a stop light. *It has a wide power band, so proper gear selection isnt critical -- a handy trait when you are learning to shift. *It is light and inexpensive. *You can really throw it around under you and correct steering mistakes with a minimum of fuss. *Plus those inevitable low speed drops will not ruin the bike. *With a couple of inexpensive frame sliders installed, the bike will probably survive most falls with no damage at all. *There are a ton of after market goodies available to customize it or squeeze a few more ponies out the motor. *And because they are so popular, it is easy to resell them.
Heh...I love that they are recommending the SV650... |
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proney2009
Starting Member
9 Posts
Bluffton, SC
USA
Suzuki
Hayabusa
Peer Review:
1
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Posted - 10/19/2009 : 9:44 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by The Meromorph
The issue, as I see it, is twofold.
1) The 'busa, while no longer the fastest sportbike, is still 'explosive' enough to get any inexperienced rider into deadly danger through a single inadvertent mistake.
2) Any 'liter sportbike', at any sane speed on the road (I don't mean just legal speed), is way under utilised. A 600cc or so sportbike, is at least going to be in the upper half of its performance envelope some of the time. For most riders in the twisties (where a sportbike is the most fun), any 600 will be quicker overall point to point, and more enjoyable to ride. You don't even need to look for the 'best' 600. Any lightweight 600cc bike with modest (80 or 90) hp will be easy to ride, and a total blast.
I"ll chime in here if I can. I ride a 2003 Busa. For my purposes, which is primarily long distance touring, I find it an excellent bike.
On 1), as with any bike, you must spend a lot of time, and I mean a lot, getting your friction zone and throttle control down. Once I first start riding my 'Busa I was having some trouble throttling properly. It took me a little while but the basics will keep you safe: just learn to keep the wrist relaxed and never gun it, and you'll be fine.
It really depends on what you want to use the bike for. One thing I'll say about some of the posts here that seem to suggest otherwise, the advantage of the 'Busa for me is that it is indeed a very powerful machine that is NOT a very heavy bike (why do some of you think it is? Compared to a lightweight sports bike, OK. Compared to just about any cruiser or compared to some of the other sports bikes you listed? Not at all.)
Handing problems with the bike have been near zero in my experience. It flicks great, but it offers a degree of stability that the lighter sport bikes won't. Plus I can load it up with 2 Aerospadas on the rear rack and seat and feel no loss of performance or handling.
On 2), indeed, on the road you'll probably never open up the throttle, however is that really an issue? As you say, there's almost no sportbike out there where you will. Nonetheless, that power is there if you need it, and there have been times when I did.
Anyway, I agree that for a newb the Busa is not the best choice, but for anyone with a decent amount of riding experience and who has a good handle on the essentials of riding safely, it's a fine machine.
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House_of_Dexter
Standard Member
158 Posts
Richardson, Tx
USA
Kawasaki
2007 Ex-500
Peer Review:
Blocked
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Posted - 10/20/2009 : 2:33 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by proney2009
Anyway, I agree that for a newb the Busa is not the best choice, but for anyone with a decent amount of riding experience and who has a good handle on the essentials of riding safely, it's a fine machine.
So is 4000 miles experience enough to handle a Busa? |
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SkootchNC
Senior Member
421 Posts
[Mentor]
raleigh, north carolina
USA
Harley-Davidson
road glide
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Posted - 10/20/2009 : 2:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by House_of_Dexter
quote:
Originally posted by proney2009
Anyway, I agree that for a newb the Busa is not the best choice, but for anyone with a decent amount of riding experience and who has a good handle on the essentials of riding safely, it's a fine machine.
So is 4000 miles experience enough to handle a Busa?
It would rather depend on what those 4000 miles consisted of.
IMO... no 4000 miles is not a lot of experience, but that is 2 months for me.....if could be a year, or more to another |
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