Thinking of starting on a 600cc+ bike? look inside...

[ASCI_Blue]

Nice arguement. Glad they're 100% invalid since not everyone is stupid. Sure maybe I'm lucky or maybe I've just got a brain but I started on a 600 and have yet to have anything bad happen while on the road. Maybe it's those pesky extra two brain cells. Who knows.

[The Duke]

Im another nameless newbie to bikes, and was looking at some 600's (zzr600, f4i), but i think i will try something a little easier to handle. Im a big guy at 6'5, 315 ( i know, my fat ass is going to the gym) so a 500 will probably be too small, but ill give it a try anyway when i go bike shopping. Im also thinking of looking at a Kawasaki KLR650. Its one of those "dual sport" or whatever bikes that are supposed to be wasy to ride. Plus its cheaper than the SV650 which i have also heard recommended for larger beginners. And if i get something better later on it kinda has that quasi dirt bike look.

[WISPER]

Awsome, couldn't agree more. I started on a vtr 250k intercepter, and its more then enough bike to haul anyone around. My dad rode it and he's 6' 1". Powerfull enough to get you in trouble pretty quick. Thanks for posting that from BB.

[rynosims]

Originally Posted by The Duke

Im another nameless newbie to bikes, and was looking at some 600's (zzr600, f4i), but i think i will try something a little easier to handle. Im a big guy at 6'5, 315 ( i know, my fat ass is going to the gym) so a 500 will probably be too small, but ill give it a try anyway when i go bike shopping. Im also thinking of looking at a Kawasaki KLR650. Its one of those "dual sport" or whatever bikes that are supposed to be wasy to ride. Plus its cheaper than the SV650 which i have also heard recommended for larger beginners. And if i get something better later on it kinda has that quasi dirt bike look.

Duke, have you checked on the FZ6 at all from Yamaha? Start shopping around for insurance first with a few bike models in mind, and as a newbie, you might be surprised at the costs between different companies, espically if you have any tickets or accidents in the last 3 years at all. I bought my FZ6 a little over 1 1/2 months ago, and this is my first bike ever, and I love it. This bike will not bore me, that's for sure. It has enough power to keep up with a lot of other bikes and traffic, but won't kill your back and wrists like a R6 or R1. I think it's an awesome beginners bike. Also, look into the MSF Safety course. Not only can you learn valuable information, it might save you some $$$ on your insurance. Whatever you decide on, happy hunting and enjoy the ride!

[ejworthen]

A friend of mine told me he needed a liter bike because the 600's where too small. He thought bigger guys looked silly on such small bikes. I had to explain to him that most 600's are physically the same size as liter bikes. Well he didn't listen and went out and bought a 959RR. He was doing wheelies and going over 100 MPH the first week he was riding. He has ridden before but it was many years ago. I sure hope the guy doesn't kill himself or someone else. I told him to take the MSF since he would have his licence at the end of the class. I don't think he has any plans to since he has been telling people he can renew his permit every year for three years.

This being said, I haven't ridden for over 10 years and just recently bought a 600cc Yamaha FZ6. I am now 35 years old and believe I have a different outlook then when I was in my early twenties. When your young you think your invincible and I think that contributes to the problem. Having a fast bike just makes things worse. I really think there are people who are more then capable of having a 600cc sportbike for their first bike. Hopefully I am one of them. Only time will tell. I probably should have bought something different but I didn't. I can only be cautious and use my head. As someone mentioned, an enduro is probably an excellent bike for a beginner. I think its up to the individual. Unfortunately some people make very bad decisions.

[cartoon14]

Opionions are like *&^%holes their everywhere and all smell bad, but with that said...If you've never ridden anything you should start out small and work up, sportbikes, however can be very forgiving if riden with your brain insted of you ego. I've been on bikes for over 20 years and started out on a 850 Commando (some of you guys are too young to remember Norton's) I now ride a Buell 12R Firebolt, I see a lot of people ride way over their heads adn some just get lucky...some are not so fortunate. If you use your head and ride within you r abilities, slowly and alertly the sportbike (any of them, Honda, Suzi, Kawa, etc) with its engineered ability to handle, brake and accelerate will teach you as you ride, be ginger with the throttle and speed and learn what makes it tick, this will make you a better rider and give you many years of enjoyment behind the bars (handlebars that is).

[RACER X]

sportbikes forgiving.........lol

thats why alot of newer sportbikes have dampers built in , cuz they're so forgiving...........

starting w/ a smaller less hp, less steering geometry, less brakes bike will teach them the basics.......

people don't start racing formula 1 cars, they start using go karts, moto gp champs don't start on 1000cc's they start w/ 50cc's........

[nate4CBRs]

Do you consider riding a Katana 750 for my first ever 100 miles on a bike, and moving to a CBR 600RR right away, as "starting on a 600?" Cause now that I am on it, I would not go back to the 750 for anything.

[RACER X]

does it matter? 100mi is nothing, we ride 20mi. on avg, in a parking lot on a msf weekend.

[jim schmidt]

Originally Posted by RACER X

sportbikes forgiving.........lol

thats why alot of newer sportbikes have dampers built in , cuz they're so forgiving...........

starting w/ a smaller less hp, less steering geometry, less brakes bike will teach them the basics.......

people don't start racing formula 1 cars, they start using go karts, moto gp champs don't start on 1000cc's they start w/ 50cc's........

What did you start on?

[BaltimoreMan]

wow this helped me a lot. i've been thinking of getting a 250r, made me a little more educated.

[BlackClouds]

Hello all! This is my first post. I loved the article; however, I wish I would have read it earlier in the winter. I've never touched a bike in my life before until this December when I found a '97 Yamaha FZR 600 for $2,000, did a little research saying it was a pretty tame reliable 600. It has a couple scratches; the clutch is tight, 13,000 miles.

I'm 20 years old... I've been driving a Porsche 924 for the last 4.5 years... It's touchy you sneeze and you can be 3 lanes over or in a field if you aren't watching out. I got on the bike after I had picked it up and started it up just sitting on it you know that it's built to be driven and driven to its full potential. "BIKES ARE NOT CARS"... I haven't even gotten to ride it yet because I don't have gear and there is no way in hell I'm getting on that thing without leather wrapped around me and a good helmet... I'm not afraid of a lot when it comes to driving or track racing, but the bike is a completely different story. Our Ohio MSF class filled up the first week they were available and I couldn't sign up for it because I didn't have a permit or a day to run home and take the permit test due to exam week here at college, not good...

After hearing that many people who start on a 600 don't tell their story when asked kind of makes me a little nervous... They should at least share their experience with incoming riders to give them an idea of what they are facing. Cause I'd like to know and I'm about to find out.

The plan to learn to ride is to take it VERY simple, full high quality safety gear, my cousin who has been riding bikes for a very long time agreed to help me get the basics down, and I'll spend evenings practicing at the airport behind the hangers in the flat short grass or on the paved taxi when no ones back there. I'm an extremely patient, fast learning, adaptable driver and I usually consider things way ahead of time. The basic idea behind shifting ect isn't the problem it's actually doing it that creates issues. It's not going to be easy, but I will learn safely one way or another without getting hurt or damaging the bike.

What it comes down to... is DON'T BE STUPID

My best friend will be starting on a 500, so we'll be using the buddy system while we're on the road, I'll simply stay behind him at all times and keep assured distance and stay way off the throttle. The idea is to be in as much safety as possible, not being stupid and not exceeding skill/speed limitations while still having fun riding together and learning from each others experiences until we feel that we're decently proficient riders; which could be a couple seasons.

So, in a few months, I'll have a good story for ya and we can then shine some light on the starting on a 600 "thing." I hope to get to know some of you here on the boards! .

[nate4CBRs]

If 100 miles on a Katana count, I started on a 750 Katana...but I have a new 600RR that is awesome. I am not stupid, I am not blown away by its power, I watch for all gravel on the corners, I go the speed of traffic, the craziest thing I do is split lanes.

It is the maturity of the rider. There is nothing to fear on your 600. Just make sure you are taught by a responsible rider (mine had over 15 years sport bike experience, is always geared up, and taught in baby steps) and that you FOLLOW the advice and ride responsibly.

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by nate4CBRs

It is the maturity of the rider. There is nothing to fear on your 600. Just make sure you are taught by a responsible rider (mine had over 15 years sport bike experience, is always geared up, and taught in baby steps) and that you FOLLOW the advice and ride responsibly.

90% of motorcycle deaths are peeps taught by friends and family...........

[nate4CBRs]

Originally Posted by RACER X

90% of motorcycle deaths are peeps taught by friends and family...........

Gotta be a 10% somewhere.

I don't plan on killing myself anytime soon.