Originally Posted by wafflesincars

The main thing, considering these model years, is the sort of thrashyness of the earlier gsxr motor compared with the always accomodating (but not so exhilarating) honda motors. If you go with the GSXR your best bet would be an '03 as to this is the year they made the switch to fuel injection, so you don't get the tempermental powerspikes high in the rev-range, in effect an easier yet still enthralling ride. The honda is always a good bet, especially for a learner bike, the question is how many years, or how well rather, have you ridden a bike? I've had a motorcycle since I was 8 and almost a decade later I still get butterflies everytime I get on it in a corner. I'm partial to the GSXR, and plan on getting either an 03 600 or the 750. The torque on the 750 is amazing, it is the smoothest most confidence inspiring ride for less than 3g's. As for the incumbancy on liter bikes, my buddy has a 2007 Yamaha R1 that dances around anything on the road with a flick of the wrist, there is no snap steer like old liter bikes. The chassis design in new liter bikes is really amazing I seriously doubt that there is much difference between them now-a-days, but I've only had the liberty of riding the R1.
my .02

Originally Posted by blade8r

so umm.. you never started out on a 600?

Originally Posted by junkyard racer

Also, the bike should be only a small part of the cost of your first bike.
Dont be stupid and ride without a helmet/jacket/gloves.

Originally Posted by BLUEHATCH

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
your friend is a ------- moron for riding in a T-shirt.... that's why he ended up with all that road rash...