Gixxer advice

Plus, another advantage of getting a naked bike as a first bike is if you do bin it, they're much cheaper to repair as you don't have the cost of fairing, which can run into £1000's depending on damage. And as Wyvern971 just said, you can get to very fast speeds with out noticing on a fully faired bike, where as on a naked bike, you'll be getting hit by winds, and it's quite noticeable, not that it stops me of course, only on private roads though ;)
 
I had a 99 Gixxer 6 as my first bike after my DAS...

It could easily kill you, it could easily be dropped etc, but as long as you are cautious and have a healthy respect for your own life, then it's quite a nice bike as a first bike, nice and docile below 10KRPM, with excellent handling/brakes..

Over and above peoples checklist, I'd add
1. Check it's not an import that doesn't have carb heaters, in winter, the carbs need to be 'warmed' or it runs like a dog..
2. Head bearings
3. Check fork seals/rear shock for leaks
4. Check accelerator cable for being a bit sticky
5. Check rear swing arm bushes etc..

the 1999/2000 models had a few minor improvements and less garish paint schemes..
 
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To answer a few questions, I wouldn't be happy keeping a smaller learner bike and wouldn't want the hassle of having to sell it a few months down the line.

I've decided I like these because they look nice, being quite beefy are supposedly good for tall people and they've also been recommended quite a lot of BCF.

This won't technically be the first time I've been let loose on a bike. I used to do a fair amount of motocross riding on farm tracks a few years ago. Obviously this is completely different to a KX125 but it's still some experience on two wheels.

I have been looking at naked bikes and they do appeal. Sort of more relaxed riding style and as Ghosteh said, less to go wrong if they're dropped. I'll see how this one is tonight first though.

Riding it is obviously a problem. My Mums fella who's coming up with me has a license but doesn't ride any more. I'll see what the guy selling it is like and watch him on it, maybe try and go pillion and take it from there. He does sound very genuine on the phone, in his 40s, just bought an RSV, nice area etc...

I think that's everything, thanks for all the words of wisdom. :)
 
Demon said:
I had a 99 Gixxer 6 as my first bike after my DAS...

It could easily kill you, it could easily be dropped etc, but as long as you are cautious and have a healthy respect for your own life, then it's quite a nice bike as a first bike, nice and docile below 10KRPM, with excellent handling/brakes..

Over and above peoples checklist, I'd add
1. Check it's not an import that doesn't have carb heaters, in winter, the carbs need to be 'warmed' or it runs like a dog..
2. Head bearings
3. Check fork seals/rear shock for leaks
4. Check accelerator cable for being a bit sticky
5. Check rear swing arm bushes etc..

the 1999/2000 models had a few minor improvements and less garish paint schemes..
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How do I check if it's an import. V5?
 
My first bike after doing DAS was an almost identical 2000 GSXR 600.

Its a really good bike, and I'd recommend it. As said above, below 10k its nice and docile and you wont notice much difference from the 500cc bikes you do your DAS on. It has a lovely stable feel with a very low centre of mavity and for a big bloke, you get plenty of wind protection. The main difference occurs between 10k and 14k which is where the fireworks happen in the engine.

I rode mine for a year as a daily commuter without any issues, until some old bint decided to pull out in front of me.

My only words of advice. Watch your motorway speed. Its so easy to cruise up to ridiculous speeds on it and feel like you're barely moving. I got pulled at 116 and to be honest I'd only just tickled it. I regularly went up to 140's and 150's on it, and I still had other bikes shoot past me. :eek:

Learned my lesson now though. Can't afford another ban. Plus the Versys barely breaks a ton, and the Baja will barely hit motorway speed :p
 
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Bug One said:
My first bike after doing DAS was an almost identical 2000 GSXR 600.

Its a really good bike, and I'd recommend it. As said above, below 10k its nice and docile and you wont notice much difference from the 500cc bikes you do your DAS on. It has a lovely stable feel with a very low centre of mavity and for a big bloke, you get plenty of wind protection. The main difference occurs between 10k and 14k which is where the fireworks happen in the engine.

I rode mine for a year as a daily commuter without any issues, until some old bint decided to pull out in front of me.

My only words of advice. Watch your motorway speed. Its so easy to cruise up to ridiculous speeds on it and feel like you're barely moving. I got pulled at 116 and to be honest I'd only just tickled it. I regularly went up to 140's and 150's on it, and I still had other bikes shoot past me. :eek:

Learned my lesson now though. Can't afford another ban. Plus the Versys barely breaks a ton, and the Baja will barely hit motorway speed :p
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Yeah I remember reading your thread when you were caught. :( Obvioulsy something to be careful off and probably one of my main concerns other than coming off the thing.
 
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Fireskull said:
Eh Why not? i was 20 when I got my 2004 GSXR 750!.
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No idea.

I tried 3 different insurance brokers. I tried also for a 2005 ZX-6R and a 2005 CBR600RR.

All 3 would not give me quote on any of these. Possibly due to living in Northern Ireland and having no claims for the bike so far and having 3 points for speeding in the car about a 6months ago!

Bit bummed as I thought the bike looked great for £4000 and I am wanting something with a bit more flair than the Fazer!
 
Rossmac said:
No idea.

I tried 3 different insurance brokers. I tried also for a 2005 ZX-6R and a 2005 CBR600RR.

All 3 would not give me quote on any of these. Possibly due to living in Northern Ireland and having no claims for the bike so far and having 3 points for speeding in the car about a 6months ago!

Bit bummed as I thought the bike looked great for £4000 and I am wanting something with a bit more flair than the Fazer!
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Ah ok just read your from N Ireland, makes sense now mate, crap huh :(
 
A GSX-R 600 was my first bike.

As for it being too fast - rubbish. The bike is as fast as the rider takes it.

As for the likelyhood of the new rider having an off within six months as someone popsted - rubbish. The bike is as safe as any other bike. It's the rider not the bike.

The newer Gixxers are easy bikes to ride. They really kick in at the high revs, 12k +, but it's all very gentle and controlled.

I can't recomment them enough.
get it. Enjoy it. But just be SENSIBLE!
 
Well I've just got back a few pennies lighter. :D

It looked 'mint' and sounds brilliant. Agreed on £1700. Can't wait to get the test done and dusted now!
 
Alex*TLR said:
Good man! Just get your test done ASAP and remmy no matter how hot it is Gear up all the time!
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Wise words. I was travelling back from Wolverhampton last week with my girlfriend on the M62 when some idiot on a gixxer flew past us at 80+ mph wearing shorts, vest, trainers and helmet. The mind boggles.
 
Congrats on your purchase. :)

I still would never buy something I couldn't test myself - ok I've ridden a gixxer 600 before, but they all feel slightly different with how well they've been looked after, fettled with etc...

But it's your money and certainly looks good.

Enjoy it and good luck with your test. :)
 
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