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Title says it all. I'm looking at picking up a 600cc sport bike, but I'm looking for some advice from experienced riders. At this point, I'm just going to get a used one (looking to spend $4000) so I can learn how to ride. After that, then I'll look into a new one. But, I have a few questions:

What should I look out for on a used bike?
I know to check oil, battery, tires, chain, and fairings for damage...after that, anything else?

What kind of bike would you recommend?
I was leaning towards a Honda CBR due to popularity and reliability, but I'm also looking at a Kawasaki Ninja...

Now, this will just be a bike for cruising and going to work in the summer. I have NO INTENTION on doing wheelies or other trick riding.

Thanks for the help!

Honestly, you can't go wrong with a CBR600, I currently ride a 91 CBR6 and i've never had even the slightest bit of hassle with it. Might be worth looking at the frame, crankcases, footpegs etc, (all the bits that will take damage if it ends up sliding down the road) Some unscrupulous types will sell a crashed bike as a goodun having replaced only the visibly wrecked stuff, or covered it with replacement plastic, so it's worth having a thorough look at the less visible areas. Don't buy without taking a test ride either, and make it a proper one, not just down the road 500yds and back. Check the steering feels neutral as you ride a straight line, show the thing some curves and make sure the handling isn't compromised etc. Also the state of the bike when you first view it will give you an insight into the way the owner has treated it. Is it clean? (if they can't be bothered to tidy it up to show to a potential buyer what else might they neglect?) Think like a suspicious bastard and you should be ok, and if it sound too good to be true it almost certainly is.

Hope that helps.

Awesome, thanks for the advice!

I'm more of a cruiser guy myself, I prefer the seat position of heavy bikes. But:
I know several guys who own R6s, GSX-Rs, and CBRs strangely no kawasakis. Out of all of them that I've ridden my person favorite was an early 2000's R6. It had good handling at slow and fast speed, plenty of power, and the suspension was pretty gentle. That said all the large manufacturers should please you

You might also take a look at the Suzuki Boulevard S40, granted it's not a sport bike. It's a 650cc single cylinder cruiser (its really more a sports cruiser like older HD sportsters).but its also $5000 ish new so a used bike in the 4000 range should be newer and in better shape. You absolutely will outgrow a 600cc sports bike and sell it, at least with the S40 it's a bike that will last a long time and you can keep in the stable when you get a liter bike. You can add engine guards and similar equipment on a cruiser that will protect the bike from damage better than similar systems on sports bikes, you are absolutely going to lay a bike down, engine guards on cruiser protect you too. Build confidence and drive day to day on this one then move to a liter you'll be happy with for a long time.

Hmmm, something else to look at haha. I've thought cruiser were nice, but not quite my style. I'll check it out though. Thanks!

Go read this, please.


http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/main-lobby/134747-so-you-want-buy-sportbike-your-first-bike-have-questions.html