[ANORXIC'51]

Ok, so I've basically been trying to do things the proper way as far as getting into riding. Buying and reading the books/ dvd, gathering quality gear, signed up for spring time MSF BRC, 95% dead set on a Ninja 250R as a starter...etc, etc.

Couple of kinks in that final part of my plan have come up, as I will be registering for the 2-day session of CSS next year when it visits either Miller Motorsports or Mid-Ohio (zeroing on one of those due to my company having terminals in Salt Lake City-30 min away from Miller, and Columbus-an hour away from Mid-Ohio).

After getting a little bit of seat time on an '09 250R (put in about 2 hrs on a friend's bike) I am confident that I can begin with a larger bike than the 250. Also was able to put in about 30 min worth of low speed drills on an '06 CBR600 without faceplanting or wheelies. Felt comfortable enough to progressively get on the brakes harder/ with counter-weighting to prevent lifting the back wheel on straights using just the front brake. Felt ok turning with a little leaning....no knee downs or hanging off, obviously. Never went quicker than 40 mph, though...as it was my very first time on a 600 with the motor running/ not my bike/ etc. My job as a semi truck driver has me scanning at all times. I do know that scanning ahead and being aware in a cager/ 18 wheeler is completely different than on a bike...I'm just stating the mindset to always do so is ingrained (scan a half mile-mile away depending on situation, periphial vision, following distance to stay out of sticky situations, etc), and won't have to be learned.

My dilemna is this: Based on the CSS schedule for 2009 as well as when I think the roadways will be acceptable to ride after winter in MN, I will be on a beginner bike/ initially learning to ride for all of two months before attending CA Superbike School. It was recommended by one of the rider coaches there to come to the school as soon as possible, and that getting a few miles under my belt so that basic operations of a bike are second nature is all that is really needed. I fully agree with that, as the sooner I get proper/ formal coaching after initially learning to ride, the less amount of bad habits I will have to break on my way to learning proper form/ input skills.

Their school bikes are ZX-6Rs. After talking with a few people (and them subsequently evaluating my psyche/ mindset towards sportbikes), they have stated (with parking lot practice to learn braking/ low-moderate speed handling/ THROTTLE CONTROL characterisitcs) I would be able to start on a 600cc. I don't want to be the guy that can't fully learn techniques because of the school being my first ever time on a supersport. Not fair to the instructors to have to baby me, not fair to other students for holding the class up, and not fair to me for spending the money on the 2-day and not being able to take advantage of all the time available.

Another "plus" is that the Harley Davidson dealership that hosts the Rider's Edge MSF courses is less than 10 minutes away from the house. Clean lot, premarked for drills, easily accessable and always useable. Yes I understand that the most dangerous time for riders is within the first few miles of the trip, so I know focus is needed no matter what I start on...just needs to be that much more intently focused on a capable bike. But regardless of the bike I begin with, I am already aiming at 2+ hrs of various basic low speed/ medium speed street survival drills per day in addition to whatever miles of riding may happen after.

Given the circumstances of my situation, and my eagerness to learn and practice the skills aquired at CSS, is a 600 justified as a beginner for the 2 months between the MSF BRC and the 2-day track school session of CSS?

**Overly-enthusiastic newbie says: R6'S' or used S-DMS'd GSX-R600 (in C-mode) for those 2 months, then actually be able to have the skills to practice + capable bike for local (Brainerd Int'l) track days without having to upgrade.

**Somewhat scared, but rational newbie says: SV650 or bust. People track SV650s and they are quite capable on those.

Basically, my fear is getting a starter bike, going to the school, and aquiring the knowledge of skill sets that I won't be able to fully practice/ hone due to the bike I have....without throwing considerable amount of $$$$ at it. That is where the SV/Ninja 650 vs. R6s/ neutered '08+ GIXXAH as a beginner bike comes into play.

Probably the ONLY situation where the old "but you'll outgrow a 250 in two months arguement" may be valid.

Opinions, please.

Sorry for the long read, the seemingly "all-over-the-farkin-place" style of the post, and for the general lapse in judgement. I just strongly feel I can safely learn the proper skills needed to survive and enjoy the hobby on something larger than the 250R. I just need reinforcement to keep me looking towards the 650-twin class, instead of immediately onto a 600 SS class.

Thanks in advance for any input.

-Christian

 

[jethead]

Just get the 600, you know you want it.

Be careful.

 

[teamcarramrod]

Agreed. You'll be fine.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

You will probably be fine, their are too many variables. Just be careful You have never had one at full throdle in the power band!!!

 

[rockscaler]

theres always a ninja 500 but dont buy these smaller bikes news, you can find them easily for less in good condition. Alot less wreck on the ninja 250/500 than the ss. The biggest limiting factor I find on the 500 when developing skill is not outgrowing power
but the thin tires. Consistent turnin and leaning over moderately is fine, but there is a sharp point where it wants to dropin faster with less effort, a little scary and unexpected towards the limits of lean angle. You may not find this point till your ready to trade up to a sv650 or ninja650 or ss. Good luck.

 

[teedubyaw]

If you are interested in racing/track riding, then without a doubt I would start on the 250.

A smaller bike is going to give you so much more ability to learn on the track. You'll have a lightweight bike that is forgiving. You'll learn from your mistakes without crashing (hopefully), and move to a 600 with shittons of confidence.

Rossi started on a 125cc bike. When Casey Stoner started road racing, he started on a 125. Just about every successful racer started at the bottom and worked their way up.

Will you be fine on a 600? Probably. Will you kick yourself in the ass for not starting on a smaller bike after you start to progress at the track? Yes.

 

[ToastV2]

By you just doing all this research and reading and having all this knowledge, I have no doubt you would do fine on a 600, just don't get a supersport. sv650 would be great.

You've got more common sense/knowledge than a lot of people getting into riding.

 

[boner]

sv

 

[Skaz915]

Dude, just get the 600, just use some common sense when riding thats all, I started on an r6...common sense and knowing wha is going on around you at all times is crucial regardless of what bike you ride

 

[Stick N Move]

Go for the 650r or SV650s. Either would be good practice, and you needed to start practicing yesterday. CSS recommends that you have at least a FULL year of riding before you take the class. Yet you only have 2 months or less? Remember, they arent going to teach you how to ride a motorcycle. They will be teaching you mechanics, positioning, etc. You should have a familiarity with yourself and your riding ability before you take the course. And riding their ZX6R's is another cost that is pretty big. Im not trying to talk you out of the course, just know that you need to get started ASAP. A 250 probably wouldnt be the best option for your situation, but it is always the safest and IMO the way to learn the quickest. You dont NEED to ride their ZX6R's, you CAN ride your own bike. But if your really wanting to get into track aspect I see no reason why a 650 would not be a good option.

 

[ocarlos5]

I say get the 600. I started with an 02 CBR and I had never ridden anything in my life. I took MSF and learned on a 250. I just had a lot of respect for the machine and never grabbed full throttle. The bike will only do what you make it do. You've been on a 600 already, you should be totally good. It's all on you

 

[binx_19]

sv

you need to speak up:


S V

my opinion, save your money from the school, attend something in brainard, alot closer use the $4000 extra you would spend on CSS and buy a decent track 250.

 

[benroe]

get an sv650. When you kick a bunch of 600 ass on that bike you'll be glad you got it. I was kicking 600 ass on my old bonnie america, so I know it can be done!!!

 

[Jim Moore]

Yeah, the SV-650 plan is the best. I've been passed by more SV-650s on the track than I care to admit.

 

[DaleCaliente]

When you kick a bunch of 600 ass on that bike you'll be glad you got it. I

hes not gonna be kickin ass of 600s till he learns a 650, in which case he'll realize what hes missing, and get a 600

sorry

 

[OldSchlPunk]

Hold off a year on the CSS, you'll thank yourself. In the meantime, hit a couple of trackdays at Brainerd with your 250.

Rossi actually started racing 50's. His professional start was on 125's. But those are hardly bikes to compare to a 250 Ninja. The 2-stroke 125's are beasts when they come 'on the pipe' (relatively speaking).

 

[jetblack]

Don't get a 250 for your first bike unless that is really what you want. Get one of the 650 twins, and I guarantee they'll have enough power to hold your attention for a long time.

you need to speak up:


S V

my opinion, save your money from the school, attend something in brainard, alot closer use the $4000 extra you would spend on CSS and buy a decent track 250.

I agree on holding off in the short-term, but he should take the class in the future. I don't know where you got $4000 though. I took Level 1 at Sears Point earlier this year for $650, and that was using their bike, which costs an additional $200.

 

[benroe]

hes not gonna be kickin ass of 600s till he learns a 650, in which case he'll realize what hes missing, and get a 600

sorry

Sorry, but you must as of yet not had your ass kicked by an SV. And its probably not b/c you are using your bike to its limits, you just haven't encountered a rider that knows how to ride one yet. You don't know what you are missing until you ride one of those bikes down a twisty road.

 

[Stick N Move]

Don't get a 250 for your first bike unless that is really what you want. Get one of the 650 twins, and I guarantee they'll have enough power to hold your attention for a long time.






I agree on holding off in the short-term, but he should take the class in the future. I don't know where you got $4000 though. I took Level 1 at Sears Point earlier this year for $650, and that was using their bike, which costs an additional $200.

Its actually about $3500 for everything. $2200 for the school with their ZX6R's and the security deposits for the gear, bike, and equiptment bring it up to about $3,500. But if all goes well you get your deposits back, and if you dont use their ZX6R's its WAY less money. I'd say thats the only way to really go, especially for a newbie. $650 is more of a reasonable price. But I think I would rather have a lot of track days before even getting instruction from keith code.

 

[benroe]

Yeah, you probably won't even know enough to know what he is talking about right now.