NEW RIDERS PLEASE READ THIS - updated

started off small, bought a cbr125, lived in a rural area and the lack of horsepower almost got me killed, but i did learn how to use the gears as I was constantly gearing down  to maintain my speed, any head wind or hill caused my rpms to drop and had to get off and push.LOL perfect bike for the city. bought a 2007 cbr600rr and love it. This bike is a rocket and should be treated with the utmost RESPECT.  

hi all i am looking to buy a sports bike but am still undecided. i'm 6 foot 2 and weigh over 14 stone and have had people tell me that i would probably be uncomfortable on a 600. i also had my uncle whos an experience rider tell me that if i take it slow then theres no reason i cant buy a 1000cc cbr. which also is another problem as i live in mauritius theres not much choice of bikes. the cbr 600 is only a few hundred pounds less then the 1000cc which is why i've been considering it. my real problem is will i be uncomfortable on a 600? and as most people say theres not much difference between a 600 and a 1000 i thought y not buy a 1000?? also i should say i don't want to kill myself but want don't want to make the wrong decision when buying a bike of this power!!  

As a 5'11", 195lb rider, I have never been uncomfortable on any 500+ motorcycle and rarely on 250cc bikes. In case you have not read the OP, supersport or liter bike + new rider = DEAD RIDER.

If possible, try to find a used 500 or 600 with a less torquey engine. As a new rider, my std I4 Bandit 600 was almost but not quite too much bike. Looking back on my newbie goofs, I'm fairly certain a GSXR or CBR would have put me in the hospital. If I was lucky.  

lyslhc:
hi all i am looking to buy a sports bike but am still undecided. i'm 6 foot 2 and weigh over 14 stone and have had people tell me that i would probably be uncomfortable on a 600. i also had my uncle whos an experience rider tell me that if i take it slow then theres no reason i cant buy a 1000cc cbr. which also is another problem as i live in mauritius theres not much choice of bikes. the cbr 600 is only a few hundred pounds less then the 1000cc which is why i've been considering it. my real problem is will i be uncomfortable on a 600? and as most people say theres not much difference between a 600 and a 1000 i thought y not buy a 1000?? also i should say i don't want to kill myself but want don't want to make the wrong decision when buying a bike of this power!!

The power in a 1000 is just too much to properly learn on, and really it is no fun for a new rider.  600's are sooo much more user friendly than 1000's.  TRUST ME a modern 600 will have a ton of power!  You will have a ball learning as you use the lower 60% of the rev range, gaining confidence and experience, then as you get better and more experienced, you can start to explore the upper 40% of the rev range and NEVER get tired of it.  Plus, you'll save a lot of money on a 600 vs. a 1000, insurance will be less, etc. etc.  Also, have you sat on a modern 1000?  They are always regarded as 'sized like a 600'.  The main dif is the engine, not the roominess.

Seriously, don't jump right to a 1000 just to impress others.  Get a good 600, take lots of lessons on how to be a great rider, and just enjoy!  When you are at the point that you can ride the freakin' wheels off a modern 600, and going full throttle from idle to redline in the first 4 gears bores you, THEN get a 1000.  

Thanks for this post. Definitely useful for a newbie that's never touched a bike whose "friends" are suggesting an R6.

I'm considering a ninja 250 to start after I go through the rider courses. Just not sure though, afraid that it'll struggle in wind with my 5'11/220lbs but there doesn't seem to be a lot of choices sub 600 in a small-ish city.  

You might try looking at the Kawasaki Ninja 650R rather than the 250R for your height and size. Although it is a "650", it's a twin-cylinder with more hospitable manners and easier character than a full supersport such as a 600.  

I'm new to riding.  Taking MSF course, anyway.  I was given a 1988 Katana GSX600F which Im fixing up.  Will this be too much bike to start with?  

As long as you can comfortably put your feet on the ground, you should be fine. The Katana 600 used '80s technology, so its performance isn't too much for the beginner.  

GREAT Thread for newbs, and also experienced riders.  It's great to be refreshed on how to answer some of these questions.  

It brought up a lot of memories of the early days on my Suzuki Bandit 600...  a real dog, but a great learner.  I have many years experience now and read this and thought...perfect description of the early days...dropping the bike at 5 MPH!   Making the mistake of letting someone else drop my bike at 5 MP!! (never let anyone ride your ride-unless you can live with them injured or killed, OR can accept the repair bill or lawsuit.  Sad to say!!)  

First street ride, then first highway ride, first huge wind gusts, first terror of highway ride next to a semi-truck..  First FREEZING, awful ride, cold, wet, wondering why this is supposed to be fun.  

Anyway, I now ride a CBR 1000, and have for a while, and recently got the 2010 model--YEAH!  and have to say, thankfully my experience, state of mind, skill, maturity, patience, and all the things mentioned as 'traps' for newbs..gives me a bit of confidence..  but still doesn't buy me any insurance if I'm going to be stupid, complacent, or careless..

ride sober, don't ride exhausted, ride defensively, ride within your limits (which CLEARLY DEFINED by this thread--also INCLUDES THE TYPE OF BIKE YOU CHOOSE, ride to enjoy, not to prove something.. stay away from cars, out of blindspots. Use gear, horns, helmet, common sense. And for me, this is just a START!  A good rider NEVER forgets, nor does he feel that has he arrogantly mastered for all time, riding the mean streets.. the best advice I could give.. be patient..learn what 'safe' means, then master safe habits, go a bit slower than you might think, and have fun.

Riding any bike on the street is a risky proposition, inherent with some unavoidable dangers. All we can do is minimize risk..  

What a great post this is, I have a 500cc and was willing to get 1000 cc but after reading this post I'll not purchase 1000cc until I am perfect in riding. thanks my friend, you saved so much lives here. Keep it up!  
Thanks,
Mathew Stevens
http://www.motorcycleandbiker.com/
http://accessories.motorcycleandbiker.com/

This letter is by far the best I have read concerning the advantages of learning on a smaller machine.

A few months ago, my wife informed me that she was interested in learning to ride a motorcycle.

We began to discuss what type of riding she was interested in. When I met Suzanne she had never been on a motorcycle as a passenger or a rider.

I ride sport bikes, so it was natural for her to move in that direction because she likes the handling and overall performance of this type of motorcycle.

I have to admit, I was somewhat concerned for her safety and did not want her to be overwhelmed with a motorcycle that she would not be comfortable with. Luckily, she felt the same way and I was quite relieved when she stated that she wanted a small displacement motorcycle to start with.

We began to shop around for the right bike for Suzanne. We decided on a 2009 250R Ninja.

She has completed the MSF Basic Rider Course and has three of months of riding experience. She has stated more than once that she is so glad that she did not choose a larger displacement motorcycle.

I can't get her off of this motorcycle. She absolutely loves it and I must admit, I love it too. What? A 250 Ninja? Damn right.

Most of my friends give me flack about riding a 250 but when push comes to shove and I pull away from them in the turns on a smaller bike, they look puzzled.

Remember, it's not the size of the bike, it's the skill of the rider.

Don't give in to peer pressure. It is not worth risking serious injuries or even worse, death because you think, or your friends think, that a smaller motorcycle is too small. Learn on a small bike, get your skills in order and then step up if you feel it is necessary.

Finally, in the words of Kieth Code "A 250 motorcycle is more than adequate for street riding. I cannot agree more.

Michael  

My advice for all new Sport Bike riders has to be the Kawa Ninja 250R.
Forget all that "I wanna be cool like the big boys" and take it one step at a time.
I am 50 years old and started riding at age 4 and made the step upwards from there and learned along the way.
Without the basics you will DIE!
I currently own and ride a 08 Kawa Ninja ZX10R and it is not for the timid. It is outstanding in every manner but you must respect it's abilitys and know how to avoid getting killed and this takes years of riding and learning.
Hell, I may even buy a 250R just for the fun of it.

Consider taking a pro riding course but please stay away from the 600s and up as while you may feel confident and in control, you will freeze up and die.
Good luck and welcome-Mark from Nevada  

good advice mate cheers! but question would the suzuki600 bandit be a good first bike to learn on really like this bike?????????  

I just got my 2004 SV1000s today after not riding for about 20 years. Now I read this blog and everyone is advising against such a big bike for re-learning the ropes of riding. According to a few sites and reviews the SV1000 is a easy and forgiving bike to ride because of good low to mid torque ( the reason why i bought it) so there's no need to crank it and slip the clutch on pull away and to crank it through the gears. I bought it and what's done is done. Ï'm planning on getting to know the bike well statically, taking it slow, avoid busy streets and routes and be carefull when i do take it out for the first couple of months. My main idea is long distance touring with my buds and not daily commuting and getting tangled up in traffic.

Any advice from the experienced riders on the blog will be greatly appreciated.  

i am good on a clutch b/c i street raced (Cars) for a while, i grew up riding dirtbikes (since age 7) and i have driven crotch rockets before. The R6 did not particularly pose a problem for me, although i didn't attempt to drive it over 95 on the interstate. My goal is to eventually gain possession of an R1, but I am well aware that I am nowhere near ready for that yet. I am still a beginner, and all my riding has been done illegally, but do you think it would be acceptable for someone who is 5'10", 185 lbs., 3% body fat (im in very good advanced enough to even come close to using such a bike to its full potential, however I am not scared of the bike and am perfectly capable of handling it. I probably have somewhere between 50-100 hours on sports bikes. I intend to purchase a bike of my own soon and would like to know if, in your opinion, it would be acceptable for me to purchase something like an R6. I am capable of navigating in traffic and aware of the air streams around trucks etc etc. I just want to know if you think i would be wise to purchase a smaller bike than I have ridden previously, and then continue moving up? Or would I be o.k. continuing my by and large unskilled learning curve on an R6 or something of that nature?