I'm about to be 21 and I was given a 2002 GSX-R1000 with 7 miles on it as a gift. I've never rode a street bike before besides the little putting around I did on it in the parking lot here when it was a little warm outside (Winter Season). I was just getting the feel for it just keeping it in idle and turning left and right. I have a few friends 10 years older than I am that have been riding for some time and they are suppose to be taking me out soon once the weather gets warmer and give me some one on one. Since I have received the bike I have been reading and reading allot! Like every other day for 4 hours because I have no idea what to expect and some of the things I read beside all the safety guides and riding tips deals with how I shouldn't have this type of bike and that I'm going to DIE. Not only am I scared like others that haven't ridden a bike but now horrified because of how everyone thinks I need to go back to the Honda 50 I had when I was 12. I just want to learn how to ride on the streets and not kill myself. I have been whimpering to one of my friends that I don't think I'm ready for this because all I have read is about how I'm going to die and he says I will be okay as long as I ride it right. I want to hear it from someone here that has started out on a performance street bike and tell me a good experience. I'm a good driver and i know that realy doesn't matter because I wasn't scared to drive my first car like I am my first bike. I'm thinking that once I learn how to ride it I'm not going to enjoy it because I will think its a ticking time bomb. I need to get some inspiration or I will never learn how to ride my bike.

[ 01-30-2003, 04:21 AM: Message edited by: BeH0LDeR ]

In your situation the best thing you can do is sell the bike. You're not doing yourself any favors keeping it. In inexperienced hands this bike is nearly as dangerous as nitroglycerine.

My advice is to sell the 1000 and buy a smaller bike, go for the GSXR600 if you really want a gixxer, or go for something a little more tame and upright like one of the many good sports tourers out there alot of guys here advise to go with the SV650 I can't vouch for this as I have never ridden one.

Here's my story,
Have been riding for a couple of years now, first bike was a Kwaka ZZR250 had this for about 2 years. Out grew bke could beat friend on ZX9r up local mountain on it.

Decided to upgrade to big sports bike went for Gixxer 1000 as thought would grow out of 600 in year or so and wanted to keep new bike for at least 5 years. Had been riding new bike for three months, riding to work on a Monday morning came to corner riden a thousand times before, lost backend due to to much throttle on cold tires. When tried to recover ended up going over the handle bars in a tank slapper style. When finished sommersoulting and sliding and one operation latter I now have two screws and a stapple in my knee and should be right to play sport again in another month or two, that was May/June last year.

GSXR1000 not a leraners bike.

If my story was not enough my local bike shop had two of it's guys drop 1000's in one week one with compound fracture of the foot.

So while you may not DIE you will fuck yourself up and being inexperianced will just multiply it by a thousand times.

Know of one guy tried what you are thinking of on a tlr1000 he was in a comma for two weeks and has a metal brace around his hips.

O.K.,let me get this straight...Somebody just gives you a 9 second bike capable of 180+mph and you have no experience riding? graemlins/laugh.gif graemlins/laugh.gif This has to be a joke right? graemlins/laugh.gif graemlins/laugh.gif graemlins/laugh.gif graemlins/laugh.gif graemlins/laugh.gif

Okay.. note to self. Sell bike or keep it as decoration in living room.

Can someone tell me their experiances when first riding a bike though. What they thought it would be like and how it realy came to be.

Umm,that was 27yrs ago.I can remember that it was the most exciting feeling that I ever had,and after all these years of riding I don't now how I would manage without it.

and yes this was a gift from a friend that has three GSX-R1000 and couldn't understand getting me anything else. I didn't know that it was that big of a deal till after he showed up with it and I started reading up on motercycle riding. I had always wanted to ride a non-sports bike like a harley when I was a teenager but my parents put this thing in my head through my teen years that motorcycles will kill me. Again, no this is not a joke. Bought and paid for sitting in my house with a 20 year old that is scared thinking about getting on it.

[ 01-30-2003, 05:53 AM: Message edited by: BeH0LDeR ]

I'll give you $500 for it,so you don't kill yourself.Thats worth it,no?

I would still like to learn though thanks. graemlins/thumbup.gif graemlins/thumbup.gif graemlins/thumbup.gif

meaning I get a new bike with the money I sell it for.

[ 01-30-2003, 06:08 AM: Message edited by: BeH0LDeR ]

My current bike (2000 GSX-R 600) was my first street bike, and I can tell ya that even it's power scares me. I have a good amount of dirt bike experience, so I knew how to operate a bike, but there's a huge difference between a Yamaha TT-R250 and a gixxer 600 (obviously). I'm going to assume that your friend will try to talk you out of it if you ask him to give it back to him and have him get you a 600, but if I am wrong, that would be my suggestion. It is SO easy to lift the front end up, on the 1000. My buddy went from a Katana 600 to a GSX-R 1000, and he is simply in awe at how much power it has (he's been riding for 15 years). There was one instance in which he was going 65mph in 3rd gear, opened the throttle wide open to see what it would do, and he couldn't keep the front end down. If there's one specific thing I can suggest to you, it's to be VERY careful how much gas you give it as you exit a corner. It is VERY easy to lift the front end and head off into the ditch (or worse, an oncoming car). And on that note, I am heading to bed...12 hour shift has me very tired. Be safe!!!

[ 01-30-2003, 06:20 AM: Message edited by: Calaphor ]

count me in for 30+ years of dirt, and 22 years of street riding.

The GSXR1000 is one of the most scary things I have ever ridden.

My top scary bikes.....

GSXR7/11 with 140+ hp

KH750 3 cyl 2 stroke 750 - no brakes, no handling, and a light-switch powerband

FZR1000 Turbo - ~200hp

GSXR7/11 with NOS images/icons/wink.gif

original Fireblade (CBR900RR)

Stick a learner on any of those and they might just make it into second gear before their head exploded.

My neighbor bought a 1K as a first bike, he now limps and is missing a few fingers and toes.

Sell it, get something small and disposeable to learn on....

That is a gracious gift, but I wouldnt consider any who gives an unexperienced rider a Gix1k a friend. I just moved from a Duc. Monster 600 to a Gix600, and the thing is scarey fast. Makes the Duc seem like a scooter. I know you dont want to hear it,but sell the Gix1k and get an SV like most have suggested. Depending on learning curve and mileage, wait about a year and get a Gixxer 600. Lastley, even if you dont have a Gix, stay on a board like this, and just read and learn, like you have been. I have learned a lot from here myself. Let us know!! graemlins/thumbup.gif

Wow, I wish I had friends like you have. That is a mighty expensive gift to recieve.

I moved "up" to a gixxer1000 after owning a SV650 for a while (didn't sell the sv, though) and it took me a while to realize that I stopped learning to ride when I got the gixxer. There's so much power that you end up spending more time respecting the throttle than learning to ride the bike.

As for expectations vs. first ride. My first ride was actually pretty easy. I took the MSF class before getting my ride and it really made hopping on back of a new bike pretty simple. That's not to say I was any good, but I at least didn't feel completely out of control.

The big problem when learning to ride is understanding the balance of the bike and all the things that a bike will do below you under different situations (on the front brakes, on the rear brake, on the gas, leaned over, in low traction, in the rain, whatever).

That's the problem with the gixxer1000...you end up concentrating so much on what it's doing on the gas, you're not concentrating as much on everything else you need to learn.

I'm also a recent addition to Gix.com. Bought my 600 last May. I would not advise getting anything more powerful than that. The 600 has ample juice and is far more forgiving than a 1K. And since you're bound to make mistakes while you learn...the decision is a no-brainer.

Thanks peeps... I'm fighting with myself still but I think I know what to do. I was working graveyard last night when I was posting and now I'm at home with four days off ahead and I'm about to put the bike in the back on the truck and head from tyler to lufkin where my friend is and see what he can do for me after he gets off work. I'm just too scared of it and I want to start learning safely.

nudiepix > The bit about concentrating so much on what the gas is doing and not concentrating as much on everything else I need to learn hit home with me.

[ 01-30-2003, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: BeH0LDeR ]

if you die can you leave me whats left of the 1000?? images/icons/tongue.gif j/k please be safe that thing is a fuggin monster!!

Your buddy must have had good intentions in giving that bike to you, and hopefully he'll understand when you bring it back. Hope everything works out and you get hooked up on a Sixxer.

...and since I definitely don't wan't to flame a guy for giving you a bike, I do suggest you stick to your guns if he tries to tell you that you can handle it.

Brolo's right!
if the guy says "listen, you can handle this....just be safe and take it easy"
believe me, you don't need it. sell it and get a six. i believe "fraggle" said it best: just making one mistake as a newbie can hurt you, but on a bike like that the mistakes are amplified 10x. Shit, i could've bought a 1K, but i KNEW that it had more power than i needed or could probably handle.

good that you're scared, i dont mean that in a bad way, but it just shows that you're listening...
so if i were you and really want to learn step by step...id sell the 1000 go for a ninja250 (and if you "really" want a bigger bike, get a ninja500, gs500, an SV650...or an older 600)

the rest of the money should go to MSF classes(if you havent taken it yet), and good gear (helmet, jacket, gloves)

you would probably have some money left over and save that for the next bike in the future.

of course you probably heard this a million times...and to be honest i see a lot of beginers buying bigger bikes just for its "power" and "looks"...i just hope you dont FALL into that catagory.

everyone here has told you what they think...but you will do what you want to do regardless...

I was 21(2 1/2 years ago) when i started and when i first got into bikes...i wanted the nicest, fastest bike. Its a good thing i came across these message boards and set my ass straight.

good luck

(oh yah..i still have my 250 and i ride it as much as my gixxer600...please dont be influenced by BIGGER FASTER NICER)

[ 01-30-2003, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: xride717 ]

Get a SV650 or a Aprilla RS250, great starter bikes and look excellent, many aftermarket products avalible, but before you do get some gear at very least a leather jacket, helmet and gloves, I rode my SV for about 3 years before i went to a race replica, im a much much better rider because of it, good luck

Hey, congrats on the nice gift but you can't start on a gixxer1K. My wife has a gixxer 600 for her first, I wouldn't recommend starting on anything bigger. I have a Katana 750 which makes a real nice first bike IMHO.

I'm sorry my friend, but I'm finding this story a bit hard to believe.

You have a friend who owns 3 GSXR 1000's.

He now has given you one of them with SEVEN miles on it.

You are 21, and have no riding experience.

I believe somebody who has the resources to buy and own 3 different GSXR 1000's will have a bit more sense of responsibility for human life than this...

Your story is a bit too out of sight for me, and am finding it very hard to believe. If I were in Texas, I would drive to your place TODAY, because this is something I have to see to believe.

[ 01-30-2003, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: migz123 ]

hey Migz - fancy a road trip ?

to Texas? images/icons/grin.gif

The first time I rode a bike was when I drove my brand new 02 600 off the dealer's lot. I was 29 and had wanted a bike for over 10 years but I knew that I would not respect it. I know that I did not buy a good first bike but I did it anyways. It will come down to 2 things. Respect and maturity. Respect the bike. The smallest mistake can have severe consequences. My 600 is really more than I should have and I can identify with the comment about respecting the throttle. I could not imagine this on a 1000. The other issue is maturity. If you can HONESTLY say you will not push beyond your limits you might (no guarantees) be fine. If you had a 600, I would say keep it. But knowing how much power my 600 has, I would not want a 1000. Good luck.

Originally posted by Antagonist 5000:
Get a SV650 or a Aprilla RS250, great starter bikes and look excellent, many aftermarket products avalible, but before you do get some gear at very least a leather jacket, helmet and gloves, I rode my SV for about 3 years before i went to a race replica, im a much much better rider because of it, good luck<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">are aprilia rs250's street legal? on the site the picture they have of one doesn't look like it has a headlight.

http://www.apriliausa.com/ridezone/common/models/rs250/rs2503.jpg

turns out that bad boy has a suzuki engine....

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcaprilia/rs250.html

Originally posted by nudiepix:

The big problem when learning to ride is understanding the balance of the bike and all the things that a bike will do below you under different situations (on the front brakes, on the rear brake, on the gas, leaned over, in low traction, in the rain, whatever).

That's the problem with the gixxer1000...you end up concentrating so much on what it's doing on the gas, you're not concentrating as much on everything else you need to learn.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Very well put...

nudiepix > The bit about concentrating so much on what the gas is doing and not concentrating as much on everything else I need to learn hit home with me.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Dude, that is no B/S either. I have been riding since I was 5 on one form of bike or another. I am now 37 and the only bike I ever sold because I realized it was WAY too much for the street was my 2002 Gixxer 1000. These bike are thinly veiled race machines and can get you into trouble so fast you will be wondering what the hell happened. Imagine a machine that will break any speed limit in the country........... in 1st gear. A 750 will too, but the 1000 has the full on capability to put you on your ass before you know it. Some people, I ride with one, have the maturity to do a 1K as a first bike. This guy is also close to 40 and does NOT ride fast. He is basicaly wasting his bike, but he does respect the hell out of it. I found out pretty fast that my 750 does me just fine.

Everyone is right bro, you can't start on a 1000. But you have the right attitude. Since you are afraid to die and are worried about it, then you probably won't. It is the jerkoffs that think they are superman and say, "it can't happen to me" that get hurt. Be afraid of that bike, be very afraid, because if just one day you forget what you are riding that 1K will jump up and bite you in the ass...hard.

BTW, your "friend" that gave you a Gixxer 1k as a gift for first time bike is definately not your friend. You don't need people like that as your friend. Good luck graemlins/thumbup.gif

Send it to me ! Anyway I've been to Tyler and Lufkin alot. Went to school at SW Texas State U in San Marcos.Most my fam is in Austin.I find this story hard to believe but either way get rid of the bike or buy a cemetary plot.Learn on the dirt the lessons are valuable.I think dirt knowledge is even more important than any small street bike experiance.

See i beg to differ with people here. i don't think it's the best learner bike actully you have to be nutts to get it for a first bike but if you can honestly tell yourself go slow. (Never Ever twist that throttle even halfway open) And then you should be ok i think u could do it. but what happens is people get a bike like that feel the power then just get in way over there heads.If you don't want to u won't die on that bike but get careless and it'll be over. Cause my first bike ever is the gix six i got now. granted i can drive or ride anything a gift i got naturally i guess. A six can kill you just as fast as 1000 in the wrong hands it's just as lethal. but 2 weeks after gettin my permit i was ridin my buddys 01 R1 that's souped up like who's your daddy you just have to be carefull.And maybe find someone that will let you get the basics on a dirtbike or smaller bike. but don't sell it just becarefull and don't try ANYTHING STUPID. you'll be fine just my 2 cents

See i beg to differ with people here. i don't think it's the best learner bike actully you have to be nutts to get it for a first bike but if you can honestly tell yourself go slow. (Never Ever twist that throttle even halfway open) And then you should be ok i think u could do it. but what happens is people get a bike like that feel the power then just get in way over there heads.If you don't want to u won't die on that bike but get careless and it'll be over. Cause my first bike ever is the gix six i got now. granted i can drive or ride anything a gift i got naturally i guess. A six can kill you just as fast as 1000 in the wrong hands it's just as lethal. but 2 weeks after gettin my permit i was ridin my buddys 01 R1 that's souped up like who's your daddy you just have to be carefull.And maybe find someone that will let you get the basics on a dirtbike or smaller bike. but don't sell it just becarefull and don't try ANYTHING STUPID. you'll be fine just my 2 cents

He said he would take it back but told me to think about it for awhile and atleast deside after learning to ride a bit. He thinks I can do it and all. I have this guy thats going to let me learn on his 600 if I want.

Whats wrong with my friend giving me a bike? I may not have many friends but the ones I do have aren't shitty. I will get him back for this gift down the road but I think he was just giving me two fold for what I have done for him in the past. Even though it has too much power for me I don't think his intentions are to hurt or kill me. I was just posting this to get some opinions on experences having a big bike as a beginners first. I have recieved alot of good feedback and I'm still thinking if I should get rid of it or let it sit for awhile and just learn on something smaller.

migz123> You are welcome to come down and look. I stay in Tyler, Lufkin and San Augustine so if you are near eithier you can message me so that we can all meet up someplace.

I was wrong about him having three 1000 Gixxers. Only two are his... a 2001 and 2002 1000. He also has a 600 that he is selling or parting out.

Originally posted by gixsixkid02:
See i beg to differ with people here. i don't think it's the best learner bike actully you have to be nutts to get it for a first bike but if you can honestly tell yourself go slow. (Never Ever twist that throttle even halfway open) And then you should be ok i think u could do it. but what happens is people get a bike like that feel the power then just get in way over there heads.If you don't want to u won't die on that bike but get careless and it'll be over. Cause my first bike ever is the gix six i got now. granted i can drive or ride anything a gift i got naturally i guess. A six can kill you just as fast as 1000 in the wrong hands it's just as lethal. but 2 weeks after gettin my permit i was ridin my buddys 01 R1 that's souped up like who's your daddy you just have to be carefull.And maybe find someone that will let you get the basics on a dirtbike or smaller bike. but don't sell it just becarefull and don't try ANYTHING STUPID. you'll be fine just my 2 cents<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You have your head up your ass kid...

Whoa whoa whoa....GET RID OF THE 1k? FUCK THAT!!!

You seem like a pretty mature man and I'd suggest finding a smaller bike to learn to ride on for a while and parking the big Gixxer (not selling it). Soundz like to me your looking to get into the sport of riding and like everyone else said you'd be better off doing it on a smaller bike. Get on a 600 or smaller bike and learn to ride that for a while. After you rack up some miles, experience, and confidence take a go at the 1k. This won't happen over night. Trust me it takes time. You're friend gave the bike to you as a gift so I'm sure you can afford to park it for a while. You'll be kickin' your own ass later on down the road when you've learned to ride, and you're 1k has been sold. images/icons/grin.gif

I think Carnage has got it right. Keep the 1K in the garage and go buy some cheap 500 or 600 that you won't mind throwing around. Enrol in some riding school. Just keep riding, riding and riding till you feel more comfortable and understand how to ride. Give the key of 1K to your mum or dad, 'cause for sure your not going to be able to resist giving it a go. Think carefully about selling it cause that's one of the best bikes around at the moment and you could regret it later. If you can trust yourself not to use the Ik then keep it...if not sell it or give it back.

Oh if your friend has got any more 1Ks that he wants to give away, my address is........ graemlins/laugh.gif

Ok..after seeing more of your posts I am sure you are someone with a head on your shoulders. You understand the dangers and are asking questions. Keep your 1k, but don't EVER forget what you have. Just watch that throttle. All the power of that bike comes from just that little bit of input from you on the throttle. Control that, and you can control whether or not you come home safe. The bike is nice and light, very responsive and will actually help you recover quickly when you make simple mistakes, moreso than if you were on say a heavier and less responsive bike. But abuse the throttle, and you will find out why it is called the Beast. That comes from someone whe actually "owns" one, and just doesn't ride his friends once in a while. Best of luck to you, and I hope we see more of your post down the road, if only to prove yer still alive.

As for your friend, I don't think he is out to hurt or kill you, I just don't honestly think that he though it out before he gave it to you. Wear your gear bro graemlins/thumbup.gif

Dude Listen up...!
Seriously. From someone in a situation very close to yours. I'm 21 so we're about the same age. Last fall I bought a 1995 gsxr 1100.
The short form of the story is the guy got it didnt have much experience either, rode it some let it sit in the garage a lot and finally needed money desperatly bad and needed to sell it. This is where I came in. Always wanted a sportbike. Have just a little dirt bike experience(not much). So I figure I'll never get a deal like this ever again... now or never... and bought it this fall.
ok. keep in mind that I'm not experienced myself just take this for what it's worth. First of all if I had a 02 gsxr 1000 I would not let it go! but that's my ego talking. You may not want to get on it now. but eventually you will, and if you have no investment then keeping it should be a no brainer. But I do have to agree with many of the things that people have been saying on here. That 02 is probably a ton worse than my 95 and thats scary. I feel like I have a pretty good head on my shoulders and it sounds like you do to. Otherwise you wouldn't be on here.
Someone already said it but I feel the need to say it again... don't EVER open the throttle up on that thing.!! not even halfway. IF you've never been on it yet, you can not possibly imagine the power that thing has. As a result your going to spend more time worrying about how much gas your giving it instead of learning the things that you should be learning.
When I first rode mine I hade an expectation of how much power it had and I basicly respected the bike and the throttle 10x more than I probably should have. I just putted around (or as close to putting around as you can get on a gsxr) on a couple side roads around my house where there is no traffic. Honestly I never had the bike above probably 40 or 45mph before I put it away for winter. Even that was probably too fast because like everyone said, one mistake on a big bike like that, is your last.
I'm sure I can respect the bike and eventually ride it right. As for right now, I can't. Understanding what you can't do is more important than understanding what you can do.... Having said that, here's what I'm doing when summer comes. My dad has an old 650 sitting in the garage. It's from the 70's, it's ugly, it's loud, it vibrates like a mofo,it's kick start, and it's slow. but I'll be damned if Im not gonna ride that thing every F'n day till I feel Ive learned enough to get on the gsxr. And then I'll start the learning process all over again.
So basicly what I'm telling you is figure out why you want to ride...

Do you want to look cool?

or do you want to learn to be a serious rider for the rest of you hopefully long life?

IF you want to look cool F' it! Hop on the gsxr and be the coolest squid in town.

If you want to learn to ride right. Do like me and pick up the cheapest, ugliest, slowest piece of shit you can find and learn something useful. Then down the road hop on and learn a few lessens from your gixxer.

And whatever you do, avoid the movie Biker Boys like the Black Death! You don't want to be like one of those kids now who's going out to see that movie, buying a big bike, and riding a wheelie out of the dealers parking lot and into the tree across the street.

Be safe man...

How much is that aprilia 250rs?

I WANT ONE. images/icons/smile.gif I would love to have a 250 to beat on.

A friend gives you a brand new Gix 1K? I definately need more friends like that. And how the hell do you end with three bikes like that all of a sudden. graemlins/icon_wtf.gif Do you go to the track and go: "Oh damn, I forgot my bike - again! Hey, I'll just buy another one..." graemlins/laugh.gif

I just got my '00 600 in august and it is my first bike. But first, I took the MSF rider course and i cant imagine riding without that experience, so no matter what you decide to do, take that course. Im 19 so when i first started doing the whole licensing and training thing i had to deal with all sorts of people telling me i was going to die. People told me that even on a 600 i was getting in over my head. But, i did it anyway. It was scary at first and the power was just right for me. The great thing about a 600 as opposed to a 1000 is there is plenty of power (for the weight) but its all on top so you only have it when you want it... no surprises. While some say a 600 is too big, i would say it is just right (as long as you take it slow).
If i were you i would sell the 1000 buy a 600 and play on that for a little while, like i am. Keep the money for mods, or beer. good luck with the choice.

I just got my '00 600 in august and it is my first bike. But first, I took the MSF rider course and i cant imagine riding without that experience, so no matter what you decide to do, take that course. Im 19 so when i first started doing the whole licensing and training thing i had to deal with all sorts of people telling me i was going to die. People told me that even on a 600 i was getting in over my head. But, i did it anyway. It was scary at first and the power was just right for me. The great thing about a 600 as opposed to a 1000 is there is plenty of power (for the weight) but its all on top so you only have it when you want it... no surprises. While some say a 600 is too big, i would say it is just right (as long as you take it slow).
If i were you i would sell the 1000 buy a 600 and play on that for a little while, like i am. Keep the money for mods, or beer. good luck with the choice.

GSXR1000 for a first bike...you are indeed insane my friend! SELL IT BEFORE YOU DIE.

Tassiegixxer,you wanna elaborate on that images/icons/mad.gif

I diagree with alot of people on this subject.

If you have a decient head on your shoulder and take it easy you will do ok.

You can get hit on a bicycle, and you can pull out infornt of cars on a spree.

If anyone says start out on a piece of shit honda interceptor or a nija 500 tell the to stick it up there ass. Those bikes handle like crap and will get you killed too.

I say, start out in a parking lot and stay on the back roads and off the interstates and busy city streets in the beinning.....

This is one of the topics that really gets me going and I almost never reply to them...I look at it this way if your stupid your going to die on a motorcycle (doesnt matter what kind you have)...if you have a gixxer 1000, oranother liter bike your going to do it quicker graemlins/bannana.gif

I have my asbestos shorts on so flame away graemlins/flipoff.gif

Originally posted by Shingle Monkey:
I diagree with alot of people on this subject.

If you have a decient head on your shoulder and take it easy you will do ok.

You can get hit on a bicycle, and you can pull out infornt of cars on a spree.

If anyone says start out on a piece of shit honda interceptor or a nija 500 tell the to stick it up there ass. Those bikes handle like crap and will get you killed too.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">[Prepare for flameage]
There's a dramatic difference between having a good head on your shoulders and being able to ride well...the difference being a lot of time in the saddle. You can spend your time learning to ride well, or you can spend your time trying to keep your head on your shoulders...

Yes, there are some accidents that are hard to avoid, but we're riding sportbikes, not puttering around in a geo prism. Sportbikes are designed to be pushed hard. You can putz around on pretty much any bike and not go fast, but you're on a sportbike, chances are you're going to try to test your limits. Add that to the fact that a gixxer 1000 will spin the rear pretty much upright and get you to nearly 100mph in first gear.

It's not about the times that you don't see gravel or someone pulls in front of you. Those things happen sometimes, but all the times when you go out to have a go at the twisties and something unexpected happens, like the rear spins up, or you try and keep up with someone that just passed you in the last corner, or any number of scenarios that can come up. It's easy, especially when you're learning and don't have the fine touch you need for more powerful bikes. I bought a gixxer 1000 after about a year on my sv650 and learned less on the 1000 than I did on the 650. I have a 750 streetbike (that I still manage to nearly highside every-so-often), and an R6 for the track...both more than enough bike for my riding.

Well.. its been nice to see all the replys... I'm going to keep the bike for now and ride on a 600 for awhile and just see how things work out.

Wish me luck.

Originally posted by oldgixxer:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by gixsixkid02:
See i beg to differ with people here. i don't think it's the best learner bike actully you have to be nutts to get it for a first bike but if you can honestly tell yourself go slow. (Never Ever twist that throttle even halfway open) And then you should be ok i think u could do it. but what happens is people get a bike like that feel the power then just get in way over there heads.If you don't want to u won't die on that bike but get careless and it'll be over. Cause my first bike ever is the gix six i got now. granted i can drive or ride anything a gift i got naturally i guess. A six can kill you just as fast as 1000 in the wrong hands it's just as lethal. but 2 weeks after gettin my permit i was ridin my buddys 01 R1 that's souped up like who's your daddy you just have to be carefull.And maybe find someone that will let you get the basics on a dirtbike or smaller bike. but don't sell it just becarefull and don't try ANYTHING STUPID. you'll be fine just my 2 cents<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">You have your head up your ass kid...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">At least he is still young and has some time to remove it, unlike you.

The problem with a 1000 for an inexperienced rider is when you think you've got enough experience on it and lose your fear.

If you decide to keep it the olny advice I will give you is, "Be careful and take it slow..." oh and wear ur gear!

Originally posted by dirtytim:
The problem with a 1000 for an inexperienced rider is when you think you've got enough experience on it and lose your fear.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">This is a problem for bikes and cars alike. I drag race as a hobby and I see this type of thing all the time. People putting power adders of one type or another on their cars and not respecting what they have done and promptly loosing control.

Ill freely admit when I started thinking about getting a bike I wanted a GSX-R1000 but the bike guys I meet at the track (cant help but listen to guys who can rip 8 second quarter miles on bikes while keeping the front planted) quickly talked me out of that and now Ive decided to either go with a Katana600 (most likely due to finances) or possibly a GSX600 assuming I can get some saddle time (by some I mean 100+ hours) on something smaller before I actually buy.

I agree with everyone here who says garage the 1k till you get some experiance.

My first bike I ever owned is the bike that I have now a 98 GSXR 600 SRAD, I wanted a bike for 15 years and I was finally able to get one last April, Dont let size fool you a 600 can be just a dangerous in the hands of an idiot as a Busa but the thing you have to take into consideration is this. Are you going to let your EGO write a check that your ass cant cash. I am a fairly big guy and when I first got my bike I was like man this thing is too small for me, Because I was thinking about the displacement. But buy getting the 600 first and learning and taking my time I have become very skilled and confident. I think that maybe in a year or two I will get a 750 but I am in no rush. If you think about it the 600 has more power than you will ever use on the street. If I where you I would Trade the 1000 in on a 600. Take your time and respect the bike and dont try to show off like you are Matt Mladin and you will do just fine. Best word of advice that I ever got was from a friend that races AMA he once told me this while teaching me to ride he said Once you are no longer affraid of that bike or lose respect for it get off and walk away because you are going to hurt yourself or someone else

There is not a time that I go out riding and dont think about what he told me. Whatever you decide please be safe and be around a while longer. If you need anything we are all here to help graemlins/thumbup.gif

[ 02-04-2003, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: Big_J ]

Guys im gonna go against the grain not trying to piss any of you off ok....But I started on a FZ 400 remember those little corner demons hehe , then went to a 93 ZX-7 loved it.This is my opinion only ok dont flame me for it but i have an 01 1000 now and yes it was a little scary at first but you have to remember that bike is only gonna do what you make it do.Meaning if you open it up then you better know what your doing now im totally compfy on mine after about a year i know what to expect in the diff gears and speeds and what not to do unless i want it to..
Maybe with some 1 on 1 with the other riders itll be ok for a new rider just remember what your on and the potential it has even the 600 is a beast when you open it up ive ridden all of them and i love my 1k graemlins/bannana.gif

I must agree with shingle monkey,just lay off the throttle images/icons/tongue.gif

You know what would be cool, if you could tune down the 1000 to like +/-100 HP like the French do, and then in a couple of months/years whatever is the prefered learning curve, bring it back up to the 140+ HP Beast that it is. Because even though it's better to learn on a smaller bike, you still want to look cool.

not sure if this is feasible on a street bike, but just to build on the resrtiction comment, i race auto cross cars with cbr600f3 motors and we run a 20mm intake restrictor. that takes the power down to the 55ish hp range. 20 mm might be a bit small for the 1k, but maybe something along those lines would work.

I had been reading about the power commander and was curious if it was possible to mess with the throttle configuration in this way. I might have read it wrong though.

I hope everything works out for you on the 1k. It would be overkill for me. Be images/icons/cool.gif and graemlins/lsvader.gif

That bike will put you on your ass either letting the back loose or flipping it over. It has A LOT of power and slips and slids and goes straight up in the first three gears! If you can keep the RPM's around 6K, no problems. graemlins/thumbup.gif

????????

Originally posted by BeH0LDeR:
I'm about to be 21 and I was given a 2002 GSX-R1000 with 7 miles on it as a gift. I've never rode a street bike before besides the little putting around I did on it in the parking lot here when it was a little warm outside (Winter Season). I was just getting the feel for it just keeping it in idle and turning left and right. I have a few friends 10 years older than I am that have been riding for some time and they are suppose to be taking me out soon once the weather gets warmer and give me some one on one. Since I have received the bike I have been reading and reading allot! Like every other day for 4 hours because I have no idea what to expect and some of the things I read beside all the safety guides and riding tips deals with how I shouldn't have this type of bike and that I'm going to DIE. Not only am I scared like others that haven't ridden a bike but now horrified because of how everyone thinks I need to go back to the Honda 50 I had when I was 12. I just want to learn how to ride on the streets and not kill myself. I have been whimpering to one of my friends that I don't think I'm ready for this because all I have read is about how I'm going to die and he says I will be okay as long as I ride it right. I want to hear it from someone here that has started out on a performance street bike and tell me a good experience. I'm a good driver and i know that realy doesn't matter because I wasn't scared to drive my first car like I am my first bike. I'm thinking that once I learn how to ride it I'm not going to enjoy it because I will think its a ticking time bomb. I need to get some inspiration or I will never learn how to ride my bike.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

i went from page one to five so forgive me if i missed something.
i have been riding a while dirt and street im 20 and i take my friends 1k out and nobody needs bike like that it is scary fast and things happen really quik on it. get a smaller bike or an SRAD 600 not the bigginer bike of choice around here but better than a 1k

Beholer you should be scared, that goes for any bike that you get on because in truth they can all KILL you. The only thing is that a 1000 can do it a whole lot quicker and when your not expecting it.. You have to ride it keeping that in mind.. You will be okay as long as you dont try and do something above what you are capable of.... Ride your ride do not try and keep up with the leader of the pack...Be safe and Take your time.......

You know what would be cool, if you could tune down the 1000 to like +/-100 HP like the French do, and then in a couple of months/years whatever is the prefered learning curve, bring it back up to the 140+ HP Beast that it is. Because even though it's better to learn on a smaller bike, you still want to look cool.



you can get a PC3 and cut the timming and fuel

Maybe I am being naive, but dont you think you can just go easy and have respect for the bike while learning its quirks and personality? Just my two cents. I used to ride about 6 years ago, had an 86 gsxr 750 with some modifications. I got out of it up until last week. I purchased a 93 1100. I may be in over my head, but I have the utmost respect for the power of the bike.

wow a 1000 is a hellva bike for anyone, much less for someone to learn on. I learned on a CBR900RR of a friends.. thank god he didn't just give it to me, it was his.. and he put me through weeks of driving around the driveway at 5 mph and turning and stopping and starting and weaving and going slow and bleh. It was a learning process.. But if he would have brought it up to my door and said 'here' i know i would have been in trouble... your a GUY, its your NATURE to be stupid. if you make it a day without anything remotly scaring you, the next day you will hop on and take off, thats when people get hurt. I just purchased my first bike.. the first of my own, not the first that i have rode. And i chose the GSXR-600 alstare edition.. It all depends on the rider.. you gotta respect it, but don't try it if your scared of it before you even sit on it. just because your friends can ride it, doesn't mean you can. From what i hear the gsxr 1000 is more of a beast than the cbr900rr's... and that thing would stand up in 3rd gear at a twist of the throttle. Get something smaller, if your friend was a knowledgable rider, he wouldn't have given you that.. if he is smart, he would have gotten a big juicy insurance policy on your before he gave it to you, though. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/plthumbsdown.gif

Wow, this was a rather refreshing thread. Make sure you let us know how the deal turns out! I'd like to hear your reactions to a smaller bike (SV650 or whatever) and see how you feel about it then.
Someone who can accept other people's advice... what's next? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Well if you do decide to keep the bike, please be safe, its not the bike its the rider!! I learned on a yamaha r-1 so I understand how you feel. I rode safe, never hot dogged it. Just be safe and use ya head!

I'm sorry my friend, but I'm finding this story a bit hard to believe.

You have a friend who owns 3 GSXR 1000's.

He now has given you one of them with SEVEN miles on it.

You are 21, and have no riding experience.

I believe somebody who has the resources to buy and own 3 different GSXR 1000's will have a bit more sense of responsibility for human life than this...

Your story is a bit too out of sight for me, and am finding it very hard to believe. If I were in Texas, I would drive to your place TODAY, because this is something I have to see to believe.

[ 01-30-2003, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: migz123 ]

+1 100%

Well if you do decide to keep the bike, please be safe, its not the bike its the rider!! I learned on a yamaha r-1 so I understand how you feel. I rode safe, never hot dogged it. Just be safe and use ya head!

I've seen people start on 1000's...as stated above it depends on your maturity level and who you ride with. Your 21 so I'm going to asume your somewhat responsible for at least asking the question that you did, but because of your age I'm going with the majority and say sell it or give it back to your friend. I don't think he'll appreciate you selling it after he gives it as a gift and you turn a profit...maybe you can give it back to him and tell him to donate a 600 to you :blink:

dont be a puss

Man, I Wish I Had A 1000 , But For Now I'll Stick To My 600. Good Luck

I could not imagine learning how to ride on a K1. I got a GSXR 600 for my first street bike and was able to learn, while making mistakes along the way. You won't have that luxury with a K1. If I had a K1 and made those minor mistakes while on it, I would prob not be here right now. I would sell it and use the money to get a 600. Since you have limited exp with motorcycles I would ride the 600 for a couple of years before jumming on a bigger bike. YOU MIGHT AS WELL STRAP UR ASS TO A MISSILE AND LET EITHER YOUR FRIEND PRESS THE LAUNCH BUTTON OR PRES. BUCH, AS HE HAS EXP IN MISSGUIDING OUR YOUNG! :hammer

Hello,

first of all, welcome to GDC. You will find that people are as helpful as they are sarcastic sometimes :D .

As for you being given a 1K as a learner bike, I can only tell you from my own experience that anything over a 600 is complete and utter overkill for a first bike... I'm telling you this as I have a K4 600 that I bought as my first "real" motorcycle about a year ago, and I'm only now getting to grips with just how much power that thing really has!!:eek Only by keeping a level head and respecting the throttle have I succeeded in learning to ride without ending up in crutches. If I had gone for the 1K, I would have been just another statistic.

So my advice to you: do not ride the 1K before having had at least the following:

MSF course
proper riding lessons from a seasoned and qualified riding instructor, followed by getting your license
a full year (preferably two) of regular riding experience on a smaller capacity motorcycle (this means getting your bike out on an almost daily basis, since you're in Texas I think that the weather won't be a lare issue...)
a full set of gear (whether you buy it or not, it will cost you an arm and a leg, just make sure it's the arm and leg of the monetary kind!)


Really, in my humble opinion, a 600 cannot be used to it's potential on the streets, nevermind a 1K in the hand of an inexperienced rider. And since I seem to detect some common sense in the answers you have given so far, I think your mind already knows what the best decision will be.

Now convice your heart of the same, and get your buddy to buy you a 600 or an SV instead of the 1K.:D If he's a real friend, I'm sure he will be more than willing to listen to your concerns and help you take your first responsible steps in the wonderful world of motorcycling. :thumbup:

(BTW, have you heard the sound of an SV with some carbon fiber cans? I did the other day, :eek :drool: )

greetz

Another vote for starting on something smaller. You'll have much more fun learning to ride on a daily basis if you do. There is a big difference between riding a friend's bike a few times and owning one.

Good luck to you... :)

Put Nitrous and a turbo charger on that bastard and race every bike in sight.

P.S Don't wear a helmet or shoes they only weigh you down........

GSXR1000 for a first bike...you are indeed insane my friend! SELL IT BEFORE YOU DIE.


ya sound like a smart guy???
just DONT DO IT!!! i know what ur thinkin ill be really carefull, that is for a quote normal motorcycle!! ya gotta know whats up on any R bike and the 1000 is the fastest way to get hurt...
just dont do it!!!
i tink a sv650 is a great learnig bike for sumone lookin to ride a gixxer 600 then ride the gix 600 for a few years then maybe try the 1000 ok
god bless!!!!

Do yourself a favor and sell it!

I'm about to be 21 and I was given a 2002 GSX-R1000 with 7 miles on it as a gift. I've never rode a street bike before besides the little putting around I did on it in the parking lot here when it was a little warm outside (Winter Season). I was just getting the feel for it just keeping it in idle and turning left and right. I have a few friends 10 years older than I am that have been riding for some time and they are suppose to be taking me out soon once the weather gets warmer and give me some one on one. Since I have received the bike I have been reading and reading allot! Like every other day for 4 hours because I have no idea what to expect and some of the things I read beside all the safety guides and riding tips deals with how I shouldn't have this type of bike and that I'm going to DIE. Not only am I scared like others that haven't ridden a bike but now horrified because of how everyone thinks I need to go back to the Honda 50 I had when I was 12. I just want to learn how to ride on the streets and not kill myself. I have been whimpering to one of my friends that I don't think I'm ready for this because all I have read is about how I'm going to die and he says I will be okay as long as I ride it right. I want to hear it from someone here that has started out on a performance street bike and tell me a good experience. I'm a good driver and i know that realy doesn't matter because I wasn't scared to drive my first car like I am my first bike. I'm thinking that once I learn how to ride it I'm not going to enjoy it because I will think its a ticking time bomb. I need to get some inspiration or I will never learn how to ride my bike.

[ 01-30-2003, 04:21 AM: Message edited by: BeH0LDeR ]

Keep in mind I haven't read the rest of the posts yet, so if any of this has been covered (and I'm sure it has, at least some of it), then forgive me, but maybe a little re-iteration will be good anyway.

Let me tell you my story...

I started riding dirt bikes and doing MX when I was 11. I rode them for about 5 or 6 years and was pretty damn good if I do say so myself.

One day my wife comes home and tells me that her friends boyfriend is selling his bike and buying a new one. She tells me he said he'd give me a great deal on it, it was in great condition and extremely low milage. I honestly didn't even know if I would be INTERESTED in riding the street, but gave it some thought anyway.

In the end, the deal was too good to pass up. I figured I'd buy the bike, try it out, and if street riding wasn't for me, sell it and make a fair profit off the deal.

I picked it up about 4 days later with my permit squared away and new gear purchased. It was a 1996 GSX-R 1100.

It didn't take me long to figure out I LOVED riding. I rode, and rode some more... I rode a LOT...

Here's the thing... Not ONCE did I ever think the bike was too much for me, not once did I consider that the 1100 meant ANYTHING other than it went "faster" than other bikes.

Now before you go thinking "Ohh okay! A success story!!!", keep reading... :nono

Did I wreck my 1100? Yup... Was it because of a situation occuring because it was too much bike for me? Nope... It was because of idiocracy... I hadn't ate for like 2 days, hadn't slept but maybe 2 hours in 2 days, and wasn't feeling very well either... I passed out on the bike. Not good. STILL this is not a sucess story... Why?

Because I can't BEGIN to tell you the number of times I shit my pants on that bike. I had to knock $500 off when I sold it just because the seat smelled so bad. There were SO many times I could have easily died because of situations that could have been avoided if I had been on a smaller bike. In fact, MANY times the ONLY thing that saved me was my experience on dirt bikes. And don't take that to mean if you have experience with a dirt bike you'll be okay on the street. :nono Not even close to the same, COMPLETELY different riding styles (one of the hardest things for me to learn). Fortunately though, some of the reactions to "critical" situations are the same, plus, if you've never been on two wheels feeling your ass end slide out from under you, the first time it happens to you on a street bike you'll likely do more than just shit your pants.

It's not JUST the engine and the speed... It's everything that is an 'R' bike. The suspension, the oversized brakes (and believe me, BRAKES on an R bike will get you in a heap of trouble a LOT faster than the throttle will), etc...

I have owned/rode other smaller bikes after the 1100, mostly of the 600 line, and I can tell you, if I had it all to do over again I would have CERTAINLY got a 600 to start with and passed on that 1100. To begin with, I wouldn't have had NEARLY as many "ohh shit" moments, and I would have been able to get to an equivelent riding level in HALF the time at least. The smaller bikes are SOOOO much easier and better to learn on.

Another comment, about your buddy telling you you'll be alright if you "ride it right". BULLSHIT... It has nothing to do with riding it right... You can stay out of the throttle, take turns easy, do everything exactly the way you think you should, but the first time someone pulls out in front of you and you grab a big 'ol handfull of 'R' brakes, or instinctively try to turn the wheel left to swerve the the left and end up fighting yourself and going straight instead... Well... Your gonna be in a heap of trouble.

One last comment here.... My '96 GSX-R1100 was MAYBE equivelent to a modern day (say 2000 or later) GSX-R600... Keep that in mind too.

Last but not least, today I ride an '04 1k. As I told someone the other day, I get to use all of about 50% of the capabilities of my bike when I ride on the street, and that's if I'm pushing harder than I should.

Do what you want... And I won't tell you "your gonna die". There are plenty of people out there that have started on a liter bike and lived to tell about it, but there are at LEAST as many, if not more that have NOT.

Riding is one of the most incrediable, rewarding, greatest experiences you'll ever experience in your life. Especially if you ride responsibly, learn to ride RIGHT, and hit some nice twisties. Track days can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life as well. Your justified to be scared, ESPECIALLY with a liter bike under you, but regardless of rather you get rid of it and get something tamer, or decide (against most everyones opinion) to keep it and go with the flow, whatever you do enjoy riding.

My first experience is with the bike I have now. Its a gixxer 750 IM a big guy so I thought that a 600 wouldnt be really enough power once I got used to it, and I was right, I have ridden them since and am glad I chose the 750. I was thinking of going to a 1k but decided against it as a first bike figuring I would kill myself. Ive been down twice, both times I was run off the road, once I wasnt hurt at all, and the second time I broke my left shoulder and my left ankle as well as two fractured ribs. So far I am happy with the 750, I have ridden liter bikes and they are SOOO powerful its a good thing I didnt get one as a starter. If you want a sport bike, like the other guys said, start off with somethin smaller, get a SV or something similar. But no matter what you get, you have to ride carefully or you have a damn good chance to get jacked up no matter what size bike you have.

I started on an gsxr600 so couldnt really tell you much..

This thread is 3 years old.

This thread is 3 years old.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Kinda joke, kinda not, but....if this guy decided to keep the bike, everybody might be posting to a ghost.

But that is a pretty scary though though...why did he stop posting???

Wow. Bad thought. Where is this guy? More than likely prob went with another bike and no longer has a gixxer. 3 years old, who found this thread?

+1 100%
This guy revived it so he could give it a +1 100% ... :lol

This is so god damn funny! I was reading it and all of a sudden someone told me this thing is 3 years old. I laughed my ass off!