gotta ask (Busa Good First Bike?)

[brandocommando29]

Hey canidream?, I was in the same situation as yourself when I got my busa, which was about 2 weeks ago.

about me:

-I'm 22.
-5'7 and 150lbs
-I've had a lot of mountain biking experience.
-I took the MSF course, and before that I have had a little experience riding motorcross bikes and have ridden my friends supermoto once.
-I drive a manual transmission car daily, and have been lucky enough to drive some very powerful cars in the past(camaro ss, challenger r/t, corvette, carrera turbo s)
-I know how cars/motorcycles work and the physics of them.
-I like to think I am very mature for my age.

Even though I got a busa as my first bike, I would pretty much never recommend one as a first bike, but my dad talked me into it by saying I would get tired of a 600cc bike very quickly(at first I was looking for an sv650, then after my dad talked to me I thought I wanted an sv1000, then I found out about the TL1000R and just about bought one but the guy sold it before I could get it, then finally ended up a happy K2 busa owner). Ride one first to make sure you actually want this bike, because it is WAY heavier than a gixxer 1000. I must say that from what I heard I thought the busa was going to be some untameable beast that only the most experienced of riders belong on, then when I finally rode one I found it to be a very easy bike to manage in terms of power and handling. If you do end up getting one I would just say respect the throttle and it will be a great bike to you. Good luck and happy searching!

 

[puddingtang960]

hey i was told by alot of people to start with a 600. but alot of people told me to get what i wanted and it want go any faster than u want (throttle control). i am 400lbs also and never rode a bike and the busa stole my heart when i sat on it. riding it for a year now. loooooooovvvvvveeeee it.

 

[puddingtang960]

get what u want to ride if u get something u dont want u will not enjoy it.

 

[Busa&Coal]

im 22. might wanna check into the insurance rates around you. mine is 186/month and thats with my grandmothers name on the title.

thank god for good jobs.

 

[longbeachoutlaw]

Hey CID welcome to the board, I have got to ride a GSXR600 and it was fun I have rode mini bikes and mopeds, Now I was 44 when I got my busa for a birthday present Keep in mind I had not rode in a long time and when I came to this site alot of people called me an idiot,fool,dumb azz well you get the picture for because I got a busa as my first bike. But let me tell you I am now 48 I still have my BUSA !!! I have not went down knock on wood (hey where is my rabbit's foot) just joking had NO TICKETS despite what people said about me. BUT !!!! I am not going to say the urge is not there but I know better Just be safe watch out around you and ENJOY THE RIDE BRO, ENJOY THE RIDE. Play your game don't speed or do stupid things and you will do just fine.

Ride on !!!
"Z"

 

[DIRTY-JERZ]

Hey just joined today got my BUSA a month ago. Used this forum to answer the same question before purchase. Come to find out wasnt really askin jus wanted somebody to tell me it wood be o.k. If u have it in your mind to get one youre gonna get one nobody is gonna be able to talk you out of it. Yes its my first bike and I told myself im mature wont be a fool blah blah blah. Have ridden bikes before but that doesnt count when it comes to purchasing a BUSA. Dont regret my decision I LOVE MY BUSA been babying the hell out of it slow speed riding around the neighborhood. Hit the highway a cupla times not for the feint of heart. Been in c-mode now im in b-mode. Noticeable difference but the mode aint keeping that idiot on the cell phone from pulling out in traffic in front of you. Would a smaller bike have been a betta choice not sure can get wiped on a six the same way. All i can say is its not to be played with. If youre trying to keep up with friends or trying to show off it wont be pretty. Motorcycle safety course highly recommended. All i can say is it really depends on the individual.Theres guys and gals on here that have been riding for years/decades and will tell you its the dumbest thing you can eva do. Did I listen? No. But I know me, I had to have it and ive been taking my time with it and you/I wont know a thing till a real emergency situation pops up. Bike handles well weight seems to go away once its in motion. Im a BIG DUDE 6' 4" 275 jus couldnt see myself on anything else. Which according to the veterens on here is also some real dumb logic. Starting to ramble so ima end with this everybody cant make it their first bike and nobody should. Damn the BUSA has made me philosophical.lmao

 

[yellowdog99]

I was in a similar situation when i was talked out of a R1 or R6 for a Kawasaki Z1000. I had ridden bikes since i was like 6 - YZ-80 and on and on from there. I didn't know a lot about newer bikes and the dealer talked me in to it.

So i got it... and knew in a week that i didn't like the naked look. I wanted an R1. Again, the dealer tried to talk me in to an R6. Too much power they said. Well, you can kill yourself on any of the 3 bikes.. it's all about how you ride it. So i got the R1 and loved it.

My teaching moment happened when i decided to take it out here (in Florida) at 2am one night to ride on some open roads. I got too aggressive... went straight in a big turn and ended up in a front lawn barely missing a mailbox but hitting it with my leg. Didn't dump the bike.. but learned a lesson. Learn how to drive around the corners just by riding a lot. And power is relative. I'd rather have it and not use it than not have it and eventually want it.

So i soon realized the R1 was uncomfortable and started looking at sport touring bikes and the Hayabusa. The Hayabusa was gorgeous to me - but i assumed it was going to be as uncomfortable as my R1. Nope. It was like going from a Hyundai Accent (small tiny car) to a Lincoln Towncar. I felt like it was so much more comfortable, less twitchy, and more controllable in the corners. I love this bike.

As long as you are careful and know your limits you'll be ok. Practice your craziness on on ramps to highways or straightaways and maybe even do a track day or two to get used to cornering faster. ...but it can be a nice 1st bike. If an R1 was mine (which it really was because i rode the Kawasaki like 200 miles) then you can do it i'm sure.

R1 (sold) and new Busa

 

[busa1975]

My first bike was a Busa. I never rode a bike before I got the Busa. Just know your limits and respect the bike.

 

[Quiksilver]

The first two bike I rode I dropped. First was about 10mph and the second was abou 2 mph in wet grass(I know). After that I've been fortunate to not drop or crash. My first bike was a 01 600r that made maybe 90hp rode that for about three years. Current bike is a 02 hayabusa turbo bike made 280hp. The difference in acceleration is incredible. I think starting off on a smaller bike would be wise, but there have been people that chose the busa for a beginner bike and have had no issues. I would suggest taking a safety course before getting a bike especially with a bike that has 190bhp. Good luck let is know which way you go.

 

[Firecapt92]

These bike are to much for anyone. I nicknamed my bike "The Rattlesnake" for a reason. The feelings that I have for this bike is somewhere between respect and fear!!!!!


It is ABSOLUTELY NOT a beginners bike. Start with a 600 then 750 then 1000 and then maybe a 1300

Be safe

 

[dadofthree]

These bike are to much for anyone. I nicknamed my bike "The Rattlesnake" for a reason. The feelings that I have for this bike is somewhere between respect and fear!!!!!


It is ABSOLUTELY NOT a beginners bike. Start with a 600 then 750 then 1000 and then maybe a 1300

Be safe

to the oRg

I guess I started out easy, I started with a Gen I

 

[BusaXSE]

By no means is it a beginner bike, but what bike is?? You can die on a 250. Hell you can die on a moped or scooter. You have to know your limits. Yes its hard to gauge if your not used to the kind of power that a Busa produces. All in all you have to know yourself. If your the kind of guy/chick that pushes the limits in most things that you do, and you don't have any self-control then stay away from "Any" sportbike. I knew going in I absolutely had to take it slow, wear my protective equipment ALL the time regardless of weather, and simply ride. I lurked on here for a while, and ofcourse saw the opinions of the vets. Ironically I agree under "normal" conditions it might not be wise as a first bike, but only if you can't keep the right wrist under control. Yes, a million other things can go wrong....Traffic, Stalling, Other Cars, Weather Conditions, Etc....but again, those are situations that can happen on any bike regardless of cc's. I'm currently in a situation that I could afford to buy one brand new right out the box, so I got it. I also bought a GSX-R750. I'm average size, 6'0" 205lbs, and I honestly like the feel of the Busa over the 750. However, I have to get my suspension done on the 750, then I will post a thread and make a comparison. Both are my first bikes, and both are also completely different bikes. Before the purchase I lurked on here then took the MSF course.....By far the best decision made, and at the end of the day I feel will make all the difference in staying "up right", lol. Anyway thats my 2 cents.

 

[Great White North EH]

These bike are to much for anyone. I nicknamed my bike "The Rattlesnake" for a reason. The feelings that I have for this bike is somewhere between respect and fear!!!!!


It is ABSOLUTELY NOT a beginners bike. Start with a 600 then 750 then 1000 and then maybe a 1300

Be safe

I agree with you. The Busa is a FANTASTIC BIKE but it requires an accomplished rider. I don't mean to sound like an elitist, but seriously, this is NOT a beginners bike. I Have about 30 years of experience in the saddle and the Busa still requires all my attention to pilot properly. If you ride a Busa RESPECT her, or don't at your own peril.

 

[OHHSHH]

In the end the conclusion seems to be that even though the Busa is not a beginners bike, neither is a 600, 750, or 1000. Unless you are ridding a 250 you're over doing it and with that being said it's all about the maturity of the rider.

It's a bad choice for a first bike but level heads prevail. For those who don't feel like reading all 15 pages, not a single person who has owned a busa as their first bike has had issues and in most cases due to their mindset of not thinking they are "qualified" to ride such a bike due to x amount of years seem to have had less accidents than the typical "experienced" rider.

Use common sense and enjoy yourself. The majority of accidents happen from bike owners pushing the limits beyond their skill set. Maybe it's a good thing to always have that respect for the bike you ride to keep you out of trouble?

 

[The_HighwayMan]

I bought a Busa as my first bike but I'm not suggesting everybody do the same. I'm 6'5 and comfortably over 300lbs. I read every post on here before I purchased my bike a year ago and I'll say this; if you can fit on a smaller bike comfortably get the smaller bike. One post stood out to me as the reason for me particular as the last nail for "ME" to purchase the busa as a first bike. At first the post listed all the reasons why it's a bad decision as a first bike but went on to say if you are mature and possibly the size of a professional offensive lineman, then go for it. I played at a level pretty close to professional football, I'm mature, and I took it upon myself to go further than the MSF course and took more advanced riding classes that got me to push the bike to the limit and bring it right back. This isn't a bike to mess with, but she's something really special.

 

[juanpot]

My old man was an old school rider and gave me the best advice regarding getting a bike....he said "Son get the biggest fastest bike you can afford, they don't do 200mph by themselves". My mother protested and wanted to know why he would tell me that and he replied by saying "I need him to be scared of the machine, and I mean really scared, cos that way we know he will stay alive". Respect the steel and you will be just fine!

 

[mattymatt716]

And.... 12 years later, the thread continues.

That must speak pretty highly of my first sport bike (also the Busa).

Now where's Gen3?

 

[Nzbusa1999]

Very old post but here is my opinion. Yes you can. I'm a newborn rider I should say. Been riding for just 5 years 2 years on yzf r125, 3years on cbr 250 then jump into a Busa a few more months ago. I felt fear and adrenaline at the same time when I first ride it. If you want it you can ride it. It can be done even by a first time rider.

 

[justinreagin]

Respecting the power is a big thing. It's also not a small machine to maneuver. Personally, I started out on a modified sportster than was putting out about 90 ponies, which is a lot compared to the 60ish a stock one put out. Just the same, this is a whole different animal. Other have posted that no matter the size, it doesn't protect you against the people on their damned phones. They're right. However, if you whack the throttle on this (and you KNOW you will), it will get you in trouble a whole lot faster than a small bore bike. It's a helluva lot of muscle for a beginner. To make it short, can it be done? Yes, would I recommend it for my son when/if he starts riding for a first one? Not a chance.

 

[SoG47]

Juanpot love the post! I as well am a true Busa first biker. I just got my 14 leftover a couple weeks ago. First brand new anything I've ever owned in vehicles. ..... love it! I've had previous riding experience here and there. Largest bike I had ridden was my dad's 1100 Yamaha special. Had to many friends that outgrew there 600s to fast. Didn't like the feel of the open road on a 600 cruiser I ridden. So I went with my first love of a bike. The busa. I've wanted one for about 12 years. Finally the wife gave me the green light and I found a red 14 leftover at a good price. My insurance is only 800 and change full coverage. But I'm 34 too. A lot of respect for the bike. Very heavy and powerful. I took the msa a while back and was only on in our class to ace both written and riding. Want to take the advanced. Want to lighten the bike up a bit for better corner ability. Wouldn't trade it for anything.