Busa a good starter bike? NO! Need your $0.02!!!

360

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Hello all. I'm a newbie to these forums, glad to be apart of the community. I'm a 24 y/o avid motorcycle owner, and glow with pride whenever I'm with my '01 Busa. Unfortunately, I come to you all with a problem that I feel I need to share. A good friend of mine, 18 y/o, recently decided he wants to get a motorcycle. Here's the dilemma: He JUST started riding bikes, and he wants the Busa as his first. Don't get me wrong, he has taken courses at this training facility in Tallahassee and got his endorsement. Nevetheless, I can't get the thought out of his head that a Busa might be a bit much.

He has about a month's experience, not NEARLY enough imho. Don't get me wrong, I mean this kid is an amazing driver. He's driven all sorts of high-end cars (dads a shop owner), and hasn't been in a single accident...hence leading me to believe that he's a relatively safe driver...most importantly, he's a very mature individual. He passed the bike intro course with flying colors. He claims he wants to "try the 1300 for size"...not implying that driving cars has anything to do with riding bikes...just that I believe he's cautious and would remain so with any method of transportation that he so chooses to utilize.

I'm not looking for condescending comments or anything of the sort...I simply would appreciate some advice. I mean, would this bike be ok to get if he rides slow and safe at first? Would this bike be too much power to handle for a beginner? I have my own thoughts, but I greatly value outside opinions from experienced people. Please help me out, any information would be helpful. Thanks a bunch!
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no way dood. The problem with the busa isn't handling the acceleration, it's the experience of knowing how to stop effectively that makes the difference. The busa can easily give someone another 50+mph of speed coming into a turn/end of straight, and without the experience of judgement, that can lead to disaster. Tell him to get a GSXR750, that bike is an awesome bike to learn on. The power is managable, and only turns on at about 9000rpms. It's light, brakes fast, and will scare the sh*t of him if he disrespects it. I had a GSXR750 as my first bike, and when I wanted it to scare me, it certainly did. It was light enough counter my cornering mistakes, the accelerationg was awesome above 9000 rpms, and it brakes perfectly. Tell him to get that bike first, if he feels comfortable beating the hell of a 750, he's ready for the busa.

But as a first bike? that's suicide

Mike
 
It has been said before that a Busa is to much to soon for a newbie! I tend to agree. If your buddy is as responsible a driver as you imply, I believe without the intervention of a friend or family he/she will come to their senses. Don't get me wrong. I understand that people get hurt/killed everyday on motorcycles no matter what the size or their experience. I just feel that one should learn to crawl before they walk, and so on and so forth. Its kind of like drinking! Yea lots of people did it when they were underage, but did they really have what it took to do it responsibly at such an early age? Probably not! With age/experience you gain these what I'll call inhabitions (common sense). I'll stop rambling now, for the record I think your friend should have second thoughts on a Busa as a first bike. Just my two cents!You can lead a horse to water, but whats the point![/QUOTE]
 
I'm not one to stop a person from getting something they want. I was in the same shoes that your friend was in. I purchased the first bike I've ever ridden in March of XX, and then bought a Busa in the first week of May the same year. So to be honest, I've only had about a month experience before buying the Busa. It's all on how mature you are when you ride. As long as he stay responsible while riding, I say why not. If I would have ask for the board advise on buying a Busa with only a month of riding experience, I probably would have ended up with a Yamaha or Honda (I shriver at the thought of that). If he feels he's a responsible person, don't discourage him.

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I really like this topic just because of the fact that I asked the same thing to the board a few days ago. I'm on a similar position when it comes to wanting a Busa as a first bike, of course conditions are different. I give you props for being a good friend and caring about his well being...not everybody does that these days. However, the most you can do is give him a good advise but in the end it will still be his decision and therefore he'll have to deal w/the consequences. As long as you do your part, that's what counts!
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Vanessa
 
. Its kind of like drinking! Yea lots of people did it when they were underage, but did they really have what it took to do it responsibly at such an early age? [/QUOTE]

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 ks-waterbug  I'm not sure this is a good example...

I agree with MuggaX...If that's what he wants that what he should get...If he can afford the insurance and cost of having the bike he should be O.K...I wrecked my zx9r doing crazy stuff and because of that experience I have used better judgement with the Busa...Warn him of it's awesome power and trait's...Also caution him in the areas that members say the response of the Busa suffers...  
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Others have said it...and I agree.

If I had had this bike at 18yo, I wouldn't likely be here today.  I was the one stupid enough to go 125 in my subaru with H rated tires EVERY OTHER DAY on my long commute.  Not smart.

All of us 20 something males have been 18yo males at one point, and we all know that in the battle between brains and testosterone...testosterone always wins.  I honestly think his age is a higher factor than his experience.  A smart 28yo may be able to handle a busa very early because he thinks.

Not to be chauvenistic, but I think it would be different for a female. Women tend to think, and have more patience at an earlier age. This is true of everything. Car racing schools I've attended say that the women start out slower, but often end the classes faster than the men, because of patience, attention span and clear thinking.

Approach it this way...tell him to get something smaller for a year.  That's not long to wait is it?  Then he'll get valuable experience and can then decide whether he even wants a busa.  If he doesn't have the patience to wait a year, he doesn't have the patience to ride a busa.

Having ridden the newer 600's I can tell you they are damn fast.  He'll get his thrills, but be less likely to hurt himself.

Good luck!
 
I would never say it's impossible for someone to start on a 'busa, but it's just not a bike meant for beginners. It's really considered a bike for experts. That being said, if your friend is really level headed, the bike will behave as well as it's operator. The busa can be friendly, however, it only takes one testosterone session to get yourself hurt pretty bad.

Another thing to consider, since I just laid my bike down, is how expensive insurance is going to be and how expensive it is to replace plastic on this bike. If you are a beginner, you are going to drop the bike, hell, I still drop my bikes once in a while and everyone on here will fess up to that as well. The left or right fairing piece on this bike cost over $800 if you buy it retail from your dealer. You can shop around and get better prices but this is just meant to show that sometimes it's a good idea to start on something you won't worry about scratching up and dinging as your first bike.

It's a lot like your first car, you are going to make mistakes and scratch it up, bump it, drop it, etc. If you have something used it certainly doesn't hurt your wallet or your ego as much if you ding it up.

If you do decide to get a 'busa as your first bike, hopefully you're at least a mature and not testosterone driven individual, and you really think the options through before you get it. If you still think it's the bike you want, it's your money, and no one can tell you how to spend it. Just stay level-headed and keep your throttle hand conservative.

Good luck.
 
I would never say it's impossible for someone to start on a 'busa, but it's just not a bike meant for beginners.  It's really considered a bike for experts.  That being said, if your friend is really level headed, the bike will behave as well as it's operator.  The busa can be friendly, however, it only takes one testosterone session to get yourself hurt pretty bad.  

Another thing to consider, since I just laid my bike down, is how expensive insurance is going to be and how expensive it is to replace plastic on this bike.  If you are a beginner, you are going to drop the bike, hell, I still drop my bikes once in a while and everyone on here will fess up to that as well.  The left or right fairing piece on this bike cost over $800 if you buy it retail from your dealer.  You can shop around and get better prices but this is just meant to show that sometimes it's a good idea to start on something you won't worry about scratching up and dinging as your first bike.  

It's a lot like your first car, you are going to make mistakes and scratch it up, bump it, drop it, etc.  If you have something used it certainly doesn't hurt your wallet or your ego as much if you ding it up.  

If you do decide to get a 'busa as your first bike, hopefully you're at least a mature and not testosterone driven individual, and you really think the options through before you get it.  If you still think it's the bike you want, it's your money, and no one can tell you how to spend it.  Just stay level-headed and keep your throttle hand conservative.

Good luck.
Very well put Ben
This bike can get you from yee haw to OH Crap in a hury.  I have X Rays to prove it.  Take it easy and get use to it long before you try to keep up with people you know can out ride you.  It is a painful way to learn that you're not as good as you think you are when you screw up and hit a tree .  The biggest thing is remember you're new and keep a level head.  I still don't think this is the bike to learn on but that's just me.
Welcome to the board, 360
Jim
 
just tell him to buy life insurance so his family isn't financially burdened if something happens.
 
At 51 years old...many many bikes...350's 500's,750's,1000's
Ninja 900, Gsxr1100, Fzr600,concours 1000....the Busa dares me everytime i ride it to twist it up.....it's just that a small patch of sand,oil,gasoline,ice,cold pavment cold tire..will put you on the ground..not to mention the very poor braking if it's raining....gotta use the "brain" or you can "die" very quickly...
Riding a Busa....I personally like this "challenge" Makes it fun to ride...Gotta be mature..sometimes i'm not..iv'e been lucky to but not at gambling..live in Nevada.....Really a awsome bike. Just respect it with all your "heart"..and have fun..
Careful now gang.......that's It..
Ps this summer i put 8000 miles on it..never once a "scary moment"...But "LOT'S of thrills..YEA!!!!!!!!!! Adrenelin Rules!!!
 
The busa was my 1st bike and it is scary. It took me 20 mins. of riding it around D.G.Y's parking lot before I hit the streets. I took the course in 2000 but got my bike last year, no riding exp. but the training course, so it is possible to be a newbie and handle a busa. It'z a great bike but tell him to be careful. All my fall's have been off trying to stunt;my word to the wise is learn the bike and don't watch to many stunt tapes. We watch them for fun and end up trying them.(I may be the only one but the busa is to pretty for all of that.) So just enjoy the bike and please respect it. Also welcome to the site; you'll get hooked! just my 2 cent.

Holla Back
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I don't know a thing about this kid, his personality, or reflexes. He might handle a Busa as well as the best of us in no time. He might well respect the acceleration and take his time learning his limits and the bike's. The Busa might not be a suicidal choice for him. But I honestly can't know that without knowing him.

But, the Busa is an expensive machine. Expensive to buy. Expensive to insure, especially at 18! Very expensive to repair, as many of us can prove. And people drop their first bikes. It just happens as part of the learning process.

For purely monetary reasons get something else first. Something with very little plastic, a mid-sized motor, and get it used if possible. Then learn. Ride it, drop it, get a feel for how a bike behaves out on the streets at speeds above those in the Motorcycle Safety Course.

Once the mind and muscle memory are accustomed to riding, then go out and get that Busa. This might only take a couple of months -- maybe less. You will have lost no more money on that starter bike than you would have spent buying new plastics for the Busa. Almost certainly, you will be ahead of the game financially.

Plus you got a chance to learn on a bike that the thought of dropping didn't keep you up nights.
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Believe me, you'll learn faster if you can concentrate on your riding not the appearance of the bike.
 
In 99' I was 28 y.o. I had ridden a CR80 a few times when I was 14. I rode a GS650 for a few months when I was 16. When I was 21 I bought a ZX6R. I totaled it in a few months. Van took a left against me. In 99' I bought a new ZX-9. To me I had no experience. By the end of that year I could wheelie 2 gears, do stoppies, acquired my CCS race license and an AMA pro told me I was very fast on the track for someone with no experience. Who am I to say that a Busa isn't a good first bike. It is all up to the individual. I just got the Busa and I don't think it is a good first choice. I tell people who want a 600 to get the GSXR750 instead, so they don't need to upgrade later. 2 of my friends purchased a Busa as a first time bike. They are in their late 20's and mature. I really don't think anyone can ride a bike on the street to it's limit. Maybe on the track, but not the street.

That is my .02 cents
 
This question, in all of its forms, cracks me up. To avoid my rant, I'll simply state that if you have to ask, you are not ready. When you are ready, you will know it. I personally would not reccomend any of the supersport bikes as a 1st bike because it is too easy to get over your head real quick. Even the 600's are far and away quicker than most any car on the road.
 
This question, in all of its forms, cracks me up. To avoid my rant, I'll simply state that if you have to ask, you are not ready. When you are ready, you will know it. I personally would not reccomend any of the supersport bikes as a 1st bike because it is too easy to get over your head real quick. Even the 600's are far and away quicker than most any car on the road.
You make a good point. I never asked, I just went and got what I wanted. I guess I knew!
 
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