Hello Everyone Need a First Bike, Got an Opinion

2003 Honda RC51 RVT1000R3, OR, 2003 Honda CBR 600 RR.  I'M 5'10" AND WEIGH 200 LBS. Never have ridden a bike.  Want to learn, but don't want something too small that I will have to sell in a couple months for the right bike.  
    Is the RC51 a huge bike, too big maybe to begin with, I'm afraid? I figure the CBR 600 will be enough bike but that V TWIN of the RC51 is just too cool.  This is my first post so please be gentle.....Thanks, Dallas      

Please read the "New Riders Please Read This" sticky, paying special attention to points 4 and 5.

Also moving this to the New Rider section where it belongs.  

A CBR 600 is too much bike for a first-time street rider in my opinion, unless you have extensive experience on a 250cc 2-stroke/400cc 4-stroke dirtbike.  Basically, you'll be the equivalent of a first-time driver learning in a Ferrari.  I'd go with a much cheaper, less potent bike that still looks cool if that is important to you.  A 2000-2005 Suzuki Katana 600 can be had for around $2000, as well as plenty of others: Ninja 500, SV650, GS500F, etc... .  Those bikes are better to learn on and are still relatively fast and sexy.  

Agreed stick with bikes that Fuhrer recommended especially the EX500, SV650 and GS500 are great beginner bikes.  

The slower your first bike the better rider you will be in 4-5 years.

(Not that any bike is slow, just some are alot quicker/faster than others are.)  

I agree with getting a decent bike that you can keep for years. I don't think getting a "beginner" bike is feasible economically because, once you outgrow your beginner bike, you might have trouble selling it and you definitely won't get enough for it to cover your losses. Here's what I suggest.

Get a naked/standard bike, one with a 1000cc engine.  Most standards are overlooked by many and they really don't sell well in the US but these bikes provide FOUR things that are ideal for a beginning sport biker.

#1-Most naked/standard bikes have easy ergonomics that make them comfortable, therefore, easier to handle than a more aggressive riding position, like the Suzuki GSX-R1000.  The Suzuki is one of the top sportbikes out there but the ergos are VERY aggressive and you should have decent experience before getting this bike, or any other "race-ready" sportbike.  Standards are way more comfortable and practicing good maneuvering on them will make you a good rider in no time!

#2-Most naked/standard bikes have power to spare!  I own a 2004 Yamaha FZ1.  I wanted the power of a sport bike but without the back-aches!  Lo, and behold, the FZ1 gave that to me.  Not to mention, most standards' engines are based on some sport bikes.  The FZ1's chassis is based on the racier R1. I like to brag that my FZ1 has the same 0-60 time as a Porsche Carrera, which is 0-60 in 2.9 seconds!  But, at the same time, you can just cruise, if you'd like.  

#3-Most naked/standard bikes are cheaper than decked out sport bikes.

#4-Naked/standard bikes are as the name states-NAKED! What does this mean to you? Well, being a beginning biker, you are VERY likely to fall at least once! If you fall on a naked standard, the scratches are barely noticeable. If you fall on a CBR600 or any sportbike that has a lot of fairings, the damage might be more than you can handle. If the plastic is intact, it will scratch, which is sooooo depressing!

A couple of great standard bikes are the Yamaha FZ1, the Kawasaki Z1000, the Aprilia Tuono, Ducati Monster.

If you are into sport bikes, then I would recommend a super-standard bike with around 1000cc.  This kind of engine will give you more power than your average bike but in a package that will help you become a better rider.


NOTENOTENOTE!!!!!

On a personal note, I think that the best defense for a beginning biker is taking the Motorcyclist Safety Foundation RiderCourse.  This course is an EXCELLENT way to learn how to ride.  The class gets accolades from EVERYBODY.  Before taking the class, I was looking for other classes, some a bit cheaper but i am SOOOOOooooo glad I took the class.  The class taught me all the real-world skills I needed to be a good motorcyclist.  The class also teaches things you don't normally get from a regular riding class, like how to avoid certain obstacles, After taking this class, you can probably go and buy the motorcycle of your dreams and you'll have the skill sets necessary to handle it!  As with anything, a class is only as great as you are a student...  But definitely take the class and you won't regret it.  

if i had to choose between the two hondas, take the ridercorse, then buy the RC51!  

^^^^^^^
The above advice is terrible.

Did you read the link that kento provided? here's a snippet:
:
Getting ANY modern 600cc supersport bike for a first ride is a bad idea (far, far, far worse is a 1000cc bike for a first ride.) In fact, it may be nothing more than an expensive form of suicide.

 

I agree here the Naked Standards are to much bike for a beginning rider.

I have owned the 1200 Bandit S and the 1250 Bandit S.  Both were great all around bikes.

And All bikes have power to spare.

Please read the link provided above.

One analagy is:

You don't want the first gun you shoot to be a .50 cal rifle.
More like a .22 or a .22 Mag.

Good luck on your decision and remember any and all motorcycles only go as fast as you tell them to.  But none of them stop as fast as you want them to.  

A Naked/Standard can be a good first bike, but you don't need or want a liter-class Anything for a learning bike.

Look at some of the older standard 600s and 650s - Bandit 600, SV650, FZ6, etc...

My Bandit 600 is a great bike for a new rider after the first 100 miles.  

ditto this