First bike question....?

I'm 30 years old, 6'3", about 250, and I'm in the market for a sport bike. I've been researching the whole 'motorcycle/sportbike' thing for quite some time now, so I know about every thing I need to do first. I've looked at all kinds of motorcyles and I'm completly set on getting a sportbike style. I know about the proper gear I need to wear, the MSF course I need to take, and the need for a used first bike. I've looked at several first bikes, and have sat on only one, so far. The bike I sat on was a Ninja 500r. To me it felt very small. Is that normal for a 'big' guy? With all the research I've done I've come down to a few used models that I'm seriously considering: the Yamaha Seca II XJ600, the Suzuki GS500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Suzuki SV650, Suzuki Katana 600, and the Kawasaki ZR-7. My question is for any serious sportbike enthusiast. Anyone with personal experience with these models would be helpful. Thanks.|||Whew! Okay, most of the bikes you're looking at are 'sport-commuters'. Don't mean that to sound disparaging- and it isn't- any of there bikes is well fast and a well ridden one could see off many a poser on their big sportsbike.





First, decide whether you want a twin or a four- this neatly cuts the list in half. The Kawa ER500 and Suzuki GS500 are pretty basic bikes with rather old parallel twin cylinder engines: not bad bikes, but not as powerful or sophisticated as the SV- a much more modern design. The Kwak and GS have been dressed up over the years but underneath they are close relations of the late 1980s GS500E and GPZ500S: solid bikes, but be aware.





The Yamaha Seca is a similar revamp of the old XJ600- same provisos, but it's an air-cooled 4: 4s are smoother and more free-revving than twins, but some people don't like the 'buzzy' nature of them, or the need to change gear more often. The Bandit is similar- a new for the 1990s design but using an old engine (GSX600F) and tube frame. The ZR7 is also in this class and is certainly a 'big' bike: you might appreciate the extra punch of the 750 but you will have to show it some respect as a learner. It is a more modern design than the others, SV aside.





Any of these bikes will serve you well and do anything, and cost little to maintain- which is why they still sell them. They are no frills bikes but they are still very capable and you won't have to pay for servicing of expensive gizmos whose benefit you never appreciate.





The SV650 is lighter, faster, and makes more power. It's suspension will be a little better and its frame a LOT stiffer: so when you can ride the others to their limits (which will take a while), the SV would still have more to teach you. But it will need more maintenance, particularly chains. And they're quite small. The ZR7 is quite close in terms of technology and value, but the others are quite old basic designs and you should pay less for them.





Get the one you feel comfortable on, and buy the bike in best condition, with the lowest miles.





Good luck and have fun riding.|||None of those are sportbikes.|||You definitely have the right attitude going into this venture. The MSF course is worth the price of admission. And the gear could save you a lot of road rash later.





But coming from a guy whose 6'2", about 225, I think you should consider something a little larger. You will feel like a giant on a minibike on the 500's. A larger ride may look intimidating at first, but as you become more comfortable riding on highways, in traffic, or wherever, the bigger bike will feel more solid under a big fella.





As far as cc's go, any of the bikes will move you. And any of them could kill someone who rides like an idiot. But as you're experience grows, you may want a bike that can grow with you. For not much more dough, you could go with a Katana 750. And from someone whose first bike was a Katana 750, you will quickly get past the rookie nervousness and still have room to have fun. It weighs more (the better part of 500 lbs) so it feels solid under you. But not too heavy to handle. The ZR-7 would also be another bike that you could grow into.





As long as you remember to respect the power (and it doesn't take anything close to Busa power to throw you) and don't rush you're learning curve, you'll enjoy years of riding fun.