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New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
I recently sold my 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, and bought a 2008 Honda CBR600RR. I know that after getting to know the 250R it helped me learn the basics. But it really is meant to be a beginner's bike. To pass a car, I had to go full throttle to do it in ample amount of time. Not so with the RR. I don't have to downshift at all. I can pass a car in about 2-2.5 seconds if I want to. That's changing lanes, throttle, and changing back. Squidly I know, but it's possible.
Starting out
I have only put 250 miles on the RR, but I can tell you. It's a much easier bike to ride. The 250R was a no frills bike. This one is a totally different beast. With the 250, at highway speeds (70 MPH), I had to do 10,000 RPM, and that really makes your hands numb after 15 minutes of riding. The buzziness is terrible on the handlebars. Not so with the 600. I also learned real quick, some tips to riding the 600. If you are nervous about losing the bike accelerating out of a corner, just make sure your in a higher gear. For instance, it's a 40mph turn, you come out of the turn in 5th, not 2nd, and it is easier to learn the handling of the suspension, rather than worrying about the bike scaring you. When starting out, don't let the engine rev over 5k rpm, until you adjust to the jump in power. Oh hey, the foot pegs are BEHIND your legs now!!
Performance.
The 600RR has 3 times more power than the 250R, and 3 times more torque! You think you can handle that much just starting out? I thought I could, but I went with the 250R first anyway. Boy am I glad I did! If I jumped on the 600RR as my first bike, I wouldn't be typing right now. If you accelerate hard (Wide Open), it will feel like your face is peeling off! It WILL wheelie with you in 2nd gear, 3rd gear, and 4th gear, if you try. The engine is smooth, it doesn't try and quit while idling (ah fuel injection!). I also did a test. Sitting still in Neutral, I blip revved the engine to 9k RPM. From 1500 RPM to 9k back to 1500, was less than 2 seconds. It's that quick to rev.
You can compare the engine to a volcano. It rumbles and makes noise at low rpm's. At 5k rpm, it's just starting to erupt with some magma coming out, then at 7k rpm it explodes with power like Mt. St. Helen's! I' can't imagine what a 1000 can do.
This bike is faster 0-60 (2.9 seconds)than a Corvette ZR1, a Porsche 911 twin turbo, Ferrari F50, Mercedes McLaren, and you want a beginner to get on this thing? Quarter mile is 10.5s with an experienced rider.
The brakes on this thing is fantastic. They will throw you over the bars if you aren't careful.
I can say, without equivocation, that THIS IS NOT A BIKE THAT A BEGINNER SHOULD BE CONSIDERING! Let alone riding! Need me to say it again? I have thought about it, and actually, it's a bike “I” shouldn't have gotten, but this will be the last bike I buy.
Some short stories I've picked up with the 600RR.
I rode my sister on it, and I hit the throttle briefly, the force ripped her helmet up past her chin, and she couldn't see. She tried to pull it back down and almost fell off, because she couldn't hold on with only one hand!
I went on a joy ride to Cumberland Falls. Awesome twisties for like 14 miles. On the way there, I going a little fast (ok, 56, in a 45) and a decreasing corner came up, oh crap moment! I hit the brakes, the rearend wobbled a little (light rear), and prayed. It stuck!!! It stuck VERY well. So well, it didn't even feel edgy. I would be over the guardrail with the 250 (stock tires).
On the way back from Cumberland Falls, there are 2 roads that merge, but you have to stop. I stopped, couldn't see a thing. I made a decision, hit it and go. I took a breath, exhaled. Took off. Before I could breathe in and exhale again I was doing 102mph, with 2 gear changes! Now, is that a bike for beginners? NO!!
The point is...Do not buy a 600 for your first bike. EVER! So what, other people are pointing and laughing at your 250. Is the 600 sexy? Yes. Is the 600 fast? Absolutely, too fast for street. Your time will come. You will also be alive. In my personal opinion, no one NEEDS any faster than a 600 supersport. 0-60 in 2.9, 165 top speed. Who needs faster on the street? I'm not bashing the 1000 riders. I got mad respect for them since riding my 600. I never knew how much power to expect until I got on this bike. I am so glad I didn't buy a 1000 for my 2nd bike.
But I wouldn't say thats the last bike you'll ever buy! You might even want to go up in displacement someday, even though it seems nuts now. For my 3rd bike, the SV1000 is starting to look and sound (twins sound sexy) appealing. Keep in mind the SV1000 is much more street friendly than that RR of yours, despite its large displacement.
Plus saying its the last bike you'll ever buy is kinda jinxing yourself... given the dangers of riding and all
I did the same jump and you are right on except that coming out of a turn at 40 in 5th. First gear is the only way to go man, J/k. I don't know if its me because I have an rr but your description sounds to appealing to be a warning for new riders. Maybe i just love those things that make it dangerous to much.
I've also been thinking about switching to an F4i or a 600rr, so I just wanted to follow up a bit:
1.) When did you buy your first bike?
2.) Knowing what you now know, is this a bike you'd recommend to someone with your experience? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
I've also been thinking about switching to an F4i or a 600rr, so I just wanted to follow up a bit:
1.) When did you buy your first bike?
2.) Knowing what you now know, is this a bike you'd recommend to someone with your experience? Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
Thanks.
I started riding in June of 2007, I bought my Ninja 250R on June 5th, 2007. I put 3225 miles on it. Not sure if anyone else should move up that quick, but I learn fast at everything. I should have bought maybe a an FZ6.
Yeah, I wish I had started riding at 21! not 36, LOL!
Personally I wouldn't recommend this 600RR until the 3rd bike. 250, FZ6, then 600RR. It's not forgiving at all. I've stalled it twice at a red light, because I am afraid if I rev it too high, I will pop a wheelie and throw it.
Those stories are meant to show how unforgiving this bike is.
Last edited by Shamrock627 : 04-11-2008 at 12:23 AM.
I say that, because by the time this bike is paid off, I will be on oxygen. I have Cystic Fibrosis.
Wow, it's funny (not haha) how you really don't know much about people on these boards sometimes.....
I had a friend in high school with CF. His doctors always told him he'd be dead by 21. He always refused to accept that. He lived until just short of his 42nd birthday and rode his Goldwing until about 3 weeks before he died.
Hope your doctors are wrong also.
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Originally Posted by G Blaze
haha this is awesome... probably the only addiction support group i have seen that supports the addiction...lmao...
For as dumb as you are, even you will remember this. - Lee Ving/ Fear
I hate people...............they hate me! - The Anti-Nowhere League
There's a time to live and a time to die,
I smoke Elvis Presley's toenails when I wanna get high! - The Butthole Surfers
I go Beltway blitzin' on my mad mofo musclebike WFO. Its a true choice, a god-like experience if you will. The thought that I could buy the farm in a spectacular fireball...................well, that gives me a stiffie! Tesco Vee/The Meatmen
I went from a GS500F to a ZX6R just recently and I felt the exact same way. Really glad I started on the 500 because SS's are nuts haha, it's a lot of fun, but it's only fun as long as you're alive to enjoy it, so start small then you can go big later.
My review of transition from 250R to 600RR (LONG)
