Help - husband new rider

Hi,

So my husband is a new rider and is shopping around for a bike. This past weekend he had his heart set on the Suzuki GSXR600. I told a co-worker this and they said it was WAY too much bike for him and would easily get hurt.

Can anyone tell me if this bike would be something he can learn on? Or is my co-worker absolutely right and it would be way too dangerous?

Of course the sales guys don't say anything to him but want him to buy it because of cost.

My husband is a real careful driver and isn't a speedster or wreckless. He's cautious even when snowboarding. He's not very big 5' 5" 145lbs. His friends that have been riding from last summer of course want the bike he wants to get so that makes him want it even more, but they too don't say it will be too much bike for him.

Please any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

If he has no experience, he needs to take a safety course. This will get him on a motorcycle and give him a guage of his ability.

Any motorcycle can hurt or kill you. The ones with more power can do it quicker for sure!

OK, for his friends that think he can handle a rocket... Find out which one is so confident in his ability that they will let him rider their motorcycle. I bet none let him. That may put their opinion in better perspective for you. ;)

He will be taking the motorcycle class for sure.

So it doesn't matter which bike he gets?

I know none of his friends will let him ride and I know that my husband knows that.

But I know my husband thinks that of course he will be inexperienced but in time he will be able to learn and be able to ride such a bike.

I was told this bike is more bike than normal 600's??

Make sure your husband doesn't get caught up in the macho "cockstrong" bull that his buddies are sure to heap on him.

If he's responsible, the 600 won't be too much bike at all, and might even prove to be not enough bike after he gains experience... but if he lets his friends egg him on and he pushes himself too hard to try to prove himself to them before he's capable, he will get hurt, no matter what bike he's on.

No definately I am not worried about him getting sucked into trying to keep up or be all fast if his friends are. He's too much of a 'safe' person. Really.

My only reason for worry is that this guy at my work said that this particular bike is not like a regular 600 and is more comprable to a 1,000.

Should I post in the suzuki forum to see what anyone says?

Thanks again for the replies.

Feel free to post wherever you like. You're likely to get the same advice from the same people however.

The bottom line question is what is your consideration when determining "too much bike". If size is the consideration, then no. It's not too much bike. The GSXR600 is a very light and very nimble bike. If power is the consideration, then you have to ask the question "Is the rider responsible enough to contain the beast". The bike will not just take off and raise hell on it's own. The rider has to make the decision to twist the throttle, dump the clutch, do headstands on the seat... whatever. If you ride responsibly, you won't get hurt due to your own actions. If you are irresponsible, you can get hurt riding on a mini-bike.

It's a strong 600, no doubt. But exercising responsibility will keep it under control.

I am a new rider....very new. I just took the MSF class 2 weeks ago. Before that, my riding time was about 15 minutes 5 years ago on a 125 dirtbike. I was thinking that a 250 would be a great start, but after riding the 250's that we take the test on, I knew I wanted a bigger bike. So I didn't know what I should do. I rode a friends 750 Virago last week, and I knew immediately that I could handle that size. I was concerned that it would be too much before I rode it, but right now I think that it was pretty close to just right. I think I will look for a 750 or smaller, but no way will I go down to a 250.

I went into this with 3 things in mind.
1. Safety
2. Confidence/Experience
3. Safety

I knew from the get go that I was not going to do this unless I have the right gear. Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, etc... I watch very closely the people in my town that ride and I make a mental note as to what they are doing, either safe or unsafe. I watch to see if riders are doing what I was taught in the MSF class. With the exceptions of not wearing a helmet, (not required in my state), most of them are very safe and you can just see that they are extremely obvious of what is going on around them.

As for the confidence/experience, I knew that since I am a new rider, I just wanted something that will be reliable and give me 1. enough power to cruise, and 2. enough power to get me out of a bad situation. That said, all that power is useless without my knowing how to use it.

My wife and I had a discussion the other night. I asked her why she didn't seem to mind my wanting to buy and ride a motorcycle. She said that about 90% of my talking about it has been issues of safety, the other 10% was just how neat a lot of different bikes look. She noticed that I have researched safety gear a lot! She told me that whether in a car or a motorcycle, she can't control other drivers anyway, so that is kind of a non-factor. She knows that I won't do anything dumb, like try to outrun a train or fly down mainstreet at 100mph.

My personal opinion is that as long as safety is the main concern, then it should be fine. A GSX is a lot of bike for sure, but as long as he is aware of that, and makes sure that he doesn't get a big head and macho about it, I don't see why it wouldn't be a good starter. Keep in mind that my .02 is from a beginner standpoint. I have never been on a crotchrocket before, and I don't plan to be. Others on this forum and other forums will give you a better perspective. If you think your husband is a responsible, mature individual, than it shouldn't be a problem.

Thank you again. all your replies have been great.

the conversation I had with my co-worker just had me really worried.
He said that even being a rider for more than 8 years that this bike would be too much bike for him?

I know my husband would be extremely safe. That i was not worried about, i was just worried it would be too much for him to handle.

I have to say I worry about other drivers on the street. I know that you can never control them but if you are tapp'd by a car and you are in a car - you would not be injured. But tapp'd by a car and you are in a motorcycle - you could die!

I have had many other wives and my mother-in-law esp really mad or suprised at me for letting my husband ride a motorcycle. First I don't let him, I think that's wrong. He is respecting me in letting me be part of the decision. But I do fear that they are all right and that I am wrong in agreeing with him that it's okay. I'm very nervous. We have 4 kids so that's a huge reason why!

I have seen new riders get hurt on mopeds. I have seen experienced riders get hurt on small bikes. If his heart is set on a GSXR600 and as you say he is a very safe person, then that is what he should get. You will hear a lot of horror stories from people who would like to see no one on a bike

I really get tired of the I have a friend of a friend who's uncles son got a crotch rocket and launched into outer space and has never been found stories. I am sure that you and your friends know way more people who have been hurt, maimed, or killed in cars than you do on motorcycles.

I really like you philosophy of you and your husband making decisions together, and his not needing your permission to do this. That is what a true marriage is all about.

yeah buying a bike has never been about letting - it was always about money. We just didn't have enough for one.

If I had been a previous rider before we met and he said I couldn't ride and I loved to do it....that would be a nightmare!!

Anyways thanks again.
any other tips I can give my husband - would be appreciated!!

Yes, a new rider buying a new motorcycle is silly IMO. A $500.00 to $1000.00 motorcycle would be better to learn on as far as protecting an investment in the event of scratchs and dings from learning. It won't be a big loss if motorcycling turns out to be a fad later either.

Payments, gear, and riding time can sneak up on a family. Plan ahead so you don't dilute your family or motorcycle experience.

Yes I agree. But you know when Men have their minds set there really is no changing it!!!... unfortunately.

I've advised him time and time again to get a used one but he's not having it.

So he knows that he may scratch and ding his bike up but honestly - i think he only thinks the ONLY way that will happen is if he dropps it and he thinks that will NEVER happen.

Yes I agree. But you know when Men have their minds set there really is no changing it!!!... unfortunately.

I've advised him time and time again to get a used one but he's not having it.

So he knows that he may scratch and ding his bike up but honestly - i think he only thinks the ONLY way that will happen is if he dropps it and he thinks that will NEVER happen.

You are his wife and know him best. I don't even know the guy and I know he is wrong. hehe ;)

He'll probably be fine. Good luck.

What are somethings that happens your first year that can ruin your bike?

That us very subjective. Todays modern motorcycles, if maintained properly, would likely have no problems.

Worst case senario is that you wreck a bike with payments to go that was not insured and ya have to keep paying for nothing.

my coworker keeps stressing to me that I shouldn't let my husband buy this bike. That a kawasaki ninja 600 is fine but not this suzuki. He is like i'm DEAD SERIOUS don't let him get it!! It's scaring me. Why would someone feel that way when all I've been getting here is that it will be fine. What could this person be scared of? He said that its so powerful that he can just twist the throttle too much etc. He says no matter what type of rider he is - it's too much bike and he will hurt himself FOR SURE.

???? Is he over acting?

my coworker keeps stressing to me that I shouldn't let my husband buy this bike. That a kawasaki ninja 600 is fine but not this suzuki. He is like i'm DEAD SERIOUS don't let him get it!! It's scaring me. Why would someone feel that way when all I've been getting here is that it will be fine. What could this person be scared of? He said that its so powerful that he can just twist the throttle too much etc. He says no matter what type of rider he is - it's too much bike and he will hurt himself FOR SURE.

???? Is he over acting?

Almost all of the 600cc class bikes are the same. They are all much faster than the 1000cc class of bikes of 7 or 8 years ago, but your co-worker telling you that a Ninja 600 is better than a Suzuki 600 is just plain nonsense. Granted the GSXR is a handful of bike for a novice, but then again so is the Ninja 600. I have ridden both and while there are subtle differences, they are very equally matched machines.

my coworker keeps stressing to me that I shouldn't let my husband buy this bike. That a kawasaki ninja 600 is fine but not this suzuki. He is like i'm DEAD SERIOUS don't let him get it!! It's scaring me. Why would someone feel that way when all I've been getting here is that it will be fine. What could this person be scared of? He said that its so powerful that he can just twist the throttle too much etc. He says no matter what type of rider he is - it's too much bike and he will hurt himself FOR SURE.

???? Is he over acting?

Sounds like this co-worker is going to be a problem for your husband no matter what you ask him. I'm not going there. My advice is to stop getting advice from male co-workers. I see a conflict of interest there. Your hubby may not appreciate it. ;)

Go to a local dealer and find the group of sixty year old men there that have their bikes and a cup of coffee. They will steer ya right. In fact, I bet they give most of the same common sense advice most have given here.

Yes he can die. Any of us can.

Yes a 600 can be powerful. But common sense can control it.

If you can afford a motorcycle and you want your husband to have fun and you accept he can die in many ways you have no control over, let him ride.

If you can't afford it, don't think he has common sense, and are sure the bike will kill him, tell him no.

There is not alot to consider here, but it seems your co-worker will not let your decision rest until you implement his plan on your husband. (Opps, I went there. ) :p

One more question, do you expect to ride with him?

No I don't EXPECT to ride with him. But maybe in YEARS when he's good I might hop on?? Otherwise it's just for his pleasure!