http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Found this looking for some other stuff here (http://www.joe250.com/ride/firstbike.htm). Full site link here. (http://www.joe250.com/)

"Sounds contradictory, but allow me to explain. If your first bike is one of the faster ones on the market (which currently would mean about any 600cc sportbike or larger), you will rarely be forced to push yourself to get much performance out of the bike. With that much power on tap, you can simply twist the throttle and away you go. Getting a bike to accelerate is about the easiest thing you can do. Braking, shifting, and cornering require more skill, more knowledge, and a lot more practice.

When the inexperienced rider on a big bike goes riding with friends on a twisty back road or even on a racetrack, he will find himself struggling to keep up. Usually, he will rely on the bike's power. He's going fast, but he is using a tiny fraction of the bike's performance and he can be a very lazy rider. Not good.

Starting on a small bike forces the rider to extract all the performance out of the bike. To do this, a rider must become skilled. Plus, starting small increases your margin for error. The first rider will be going far faster on the straights with his more powerful bike. But at the end of that straight is a corner waiting. Some serious braking and a quick transition to hard cornering is required. Just a slight miscalculation can mean an accident and at these speeds accidents are more likely to be serious ones."

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif I agree with the guy. But then, my first street bike was a Bridgestone 200.

100% true!!!

Yeah tell me about it, I went to a 1k after 6 months of riding experience. I'm still playing catch-up to stay with the more skilled riders

In queensland australia your limited to a 250 for one year before you can transistion to a larger capacity bike. Makes 250's so damn expensive as everyone's has to go through them.

Pushing a CBRR 250 as hard as you can through the twisties is damn fun keeping up with the 600's. They blow you away on straight road every time. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Hammer4 always says a good thing about newbies and the Race Replica bikes.
It is much more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to take a fast bike slow (or something along those lines)


I totally agree myself too

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif

blazin said:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif



Anyone calling BS on this is a -> http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif

Or someone who bought a GSXR, R6, R1, F4i ect as thier first bike http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Agreed on that theory. Heck, that page should be required reading for any n00b to bikes. He makes it sound OK to not want a big, bad gix1K as a first bike. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Bookmarked that site to see what else he's got to say when I get some more spare time.
Thanks for the link. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

I started out on a GS550, which was a little heavier than I would've liked, but it served me well for many years. I think I can safely say I took it to its and my limits chasing bigger bikes. Ummm, still have it, actually, but I think I'm gonna sell it off in the spring. I'm really happy to not have a fuggin' 16" front wheel any more. Too responsive.

Rob

Jon T. Flesh said:
Hammer4 always says a good thing about newbies and the Race Replica bikes.
It is much more fun to ride a slow bike fast than it is to take a fast bike slow (or something along those lines)


I totally agree myself too



You got it right..... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I totally agree! I started on a ex250 and rode that thing for about 6k miles. Then I got my gixxer and I just loved the increased power but I hated how hard was it to handle.

PowerFiend said:

blazin said:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif



Anyone calling BS on this is a -> http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif



100% right bro..

its absolutely true. thats why i dont understand why some people start racing with a liter bike.

Plus, on a "slower" bike, you can put more concentration into handling the bike, instead of constantly worrying about the throttle.

Have to totally agree. I bought my first bike really on accident. An SV650. And I worked it really hard for a few months. I actually was riding it to it's limits for me. I'm a big guy and when you weight as much and are as tall as I am there's only so much you can do without becoming dangerous.

So my second bike was my GSXR 600 and I have a lot more margin with what I can do on it because of it's phenominally better suspension compared to a 650.

With that said; this summer I was blowing all my buddies away on their bigger bikes. My one friend has been riding a long long time and has an '03 1000 and I was able to get 1/4 mile on him within a few miles on the twisty roads. Why? Because I had to work my ass off on my SV to keep up with all my buds on their 750's. But I learned, and I'm a much better rider because of it.

To tell you the truth, I seriously doubt I'll ever own a liter bike. I think that if I ever do it will be a long ways down the road. My 600 is so damn much fun to ride. It takes work. It takes skill and proper gear selection for the road you're on. It's just awesome to ride and beat those bigger bikes with it. And you get much love and props from the dudes with the bigger bikes. They look at you with serious respect and that's awesome. If I was on a 1000 they'd just assume it was the bike doing all the work.

Shawn

Have to totally agree. I bought my first bike really on accident. An SV650. And I worked it really hard for a few months. I actually was riding it to it's limits for me. I'm a big guy and when you weight as much and are as tall as I am there's only so much you can do without becoming dangerous.

So my second bike was my GSXR 600 and I have a lot more margin with what I can do on it because of it's phenominally better suspension compared to a 650.

With that said; this summer I was blowing all my buddies away on their bigger bikes. My one friend has been riding a long long time and has an '03 1000 and I was able to get 1/4 mile on him within a few miles on the twisty roads. Why? Because I had to work my ass off on my SV to keep up with all my buds on their 750's. But I learned, and I'm a much better rider because of it.

To tell you the truth, I seriously doubt I'll ever own a liter bike. I think that if I ever do it will be a long ways down the road. My 600 is so damn much fun to ride. It takes work. It takes skill and proper gear selection for the road you're on. It's just awesome to ride and beat those bigger bikes with it. And you get much love and props from the dudes with the bigger bikes. They look at you with serious respect and that's awesome. If I was on a 1000 they'd just assume it was the bike doing all the work.

Shawn

Have to totally agree. I bought my first bike really on accident. An SV650. And I worked it really hard for a few months. I actually was riding it to it's limits for me. I'm a big guy and when you weight as much and are as tall as I am there's only so much you can do without becoming dangerous.

So my second bike was my GSXR 600 and I have a lot more margin with what I can do on it because of it's phenominally better suspension compared to a 650.

With that said; this summer I was blowing all my buddies away on their bigger bikes. My one friend has been riding a long long time and has an '03 1000 and I was able to get 1/4 mile on him within a few miles on the twisty roads. Why? Because I had to work my ass off on my SV to keep up with all my buds on their 750's. But I learned, and I'm a much better rider because of it.

To tell you the truth, I seriously doubt I'll ever own a liter bike. I think that if I ever do it will be a long ways down the road. My 600 is so damn much fun to ride. It takes work. It takes skill and proper gear selection for the road you're on. It's just awesome to ride and beat those bigger bikes with it. And you get much love and props from the dudes with the bigger bikes. They look at you with serious respect and that's awesome. If I was on a 1000 they'd just assume it was the bike doing all the work.

Shawn

Have to totally agree. I bought my first bike really on accident. An SV650. And I worked it really hard for a few months. I actually was riding it to it's limits for me. I'm a big guy and when you weight as much and are as tall as I am there's only so much you can do without becoming dangerous.

So my second bike was my GSXR 600 and I have a lot more margin with what I can do on it because of it's phenominally better suspension compared to a 650.

With that said; this summer I was blowing all my buddies away on their bigger bikes. My one friend has been riding a long long time and has an '03 1000 and I was able to get 1/4 mile on him within a few miles on the twisty roads. Why? Because I had to work my ass off on my SV to keep up with all my buds on their 750's. But I learned, and I'm a much better rider because of it.

To tell you the truth, I seriously doubt I'll ever own a liter bike. I think that if I ever do it will be a long ways down the road. My 600 is so damn much fun to ride. It takes work. It takes skill and proper gear selection for the road you're on. It's just awesome to ride and beat those bigger bikes with it. And you get much love and props from the dudes with the bigger bikes. They look at you with serious respect and that's awesome. If I was on a 1000 they'd just assume it was the bike doing all the work.

Shawn

Sorry about the multiple posts. Gixxer.com was fucking up......

My applogies.

Gixxilla said:
Sorry about the multiple posts. Gixxer.com was fucking up......

My applogies.



Sure....we've heard that 1 before..... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Good reading thanks! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif

I totally agree. You'd be hard pressed to get a http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif to believe it though. Allthough I'd had several bikes before the first bike that I really started to push it on and run around with others was a CX500. That was the heaviest, worst handling, most underpowered piece of shit I ever had (except the bike prvious to it, a HD). My friends all had lighter, faster, better handling bikes so I had to learn how to ride to keep up. It is actually quite satisfying being able to outrun people on bigger, better MC and watch them squirm. It also pays off in the long run since you don't have to get the latest & greatest superbike in order to hang with everyone. Hence my 919, fast enough to keep the good riders honest and cheap enough to buy and insure that you don't have to worry about it. I think Flesh said it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow, and that's exactly right. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PowerFiend said:

blazin said:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif



Anyone calling BS on this is a -> http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/squid.gif

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif




that deserves another http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bitchslap.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bash.gif

if you start on a big bike its gonna take you a loooooooooooooooooong time to get smooth safe and fast. It doesnt take a genius to work that out. Most people who start on big bikes adopt the point and squirt style of riding which is dangerous as hell on twisty public roads.

i miss my rgv 250

You know, I really hate to say this but I miss my 86 rebel 250. I think it had something like 18 horsepower but man, I could take any city corner at like 60Kph and grind the peg mounts every time.

Its a baby bike, it weebles and wobbles but wont fall down, and you can ride the piss ouf of it everywhere.

Damn I miss my GPZ250. That thing wasn;t too bad but handled so ordinary I didn't get any experience from riding it round corners. I agree though which is why I've sold up the gixxer750 for something a little more handling focused as opposed to horsepower.

I still have my CB200 which I learned to ride on. I got it in November. I just got my 600 today, I still really like my 200, I can push that thing to its 60mph top speed any time of the day.

I have dropped it a couple times, but when you have a 200 dollar bike it's not really a big deal (once from leaning into a corner and rolling onto the throttle right on a patch of sand and once from trying to ride through slush and it slipped from under me).

I'm really worrying if I'm skilled enough to keep my 600 up, I think I'm going to practice on the 200 for a while.

screaming600 said:
I still have my CB200 which I learned to ride on. I got it in November. I just got my 600 today, I still really like my 200, I can push that thing to its 60mph top speed any time of the day.

I have dropped it a couple times, but when you have a 200 dollar bike it's not really a big deal (once from leaning into a corner and rolling onto the throttle right on a patch of sand and once from trying to ride through slush and it slipped from under me).

I'm really worrying if I'm skilled enough to keep my 600 up, I think I'm going to practice on the 200 for a while.

Good idea... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

I've always been a firm believe in starting small. I've even decided to take my own advice, but in the dirt, not street. I've been riding street for nearly 20 years, raced a few years, and feel I've worked my way up to a 1000. But I have almost no experience in the dirt. I have a DRZ400S dual sport that I have all tricked out for the dirt, and it's a friggin blast on fire/loggin roads and such, but when it comes to real dirt riding, like nasty single track trails and such, it's too much for me. To big/heavy and too much power for me. I spend too much attention just trying to control the bike and worry about not falling (it's tall and heavy) and not on just riding fast. So I'm gonna sell it and get something more user-friendly like a CRF230F. Much lighter, much lower seat height, with enough power to be fun but not so much that it wheelies and/or roosts everwhere, like my DRZ does.

So even a veteran street rider (and power addict) such as myself can see the benefit of going slow to go fast. I'm looking forward to tearing it up on that 230. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

i have always agreed with this especially if you think about the bikes we were riding 10 or 15 years ago, not only were they slower but heavier and didn't handle, for someone coming off something like that getting on a new bike would be able to throw it around like nothing and not be worried about corner speed as well since the newer bike would be more stable.

Heyabuza said:
I've always been a firm believe in starting small.



Damn, that's the same thing my ex wife said http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.

Guess we should get all new riders on Harleys then... Nothing like an underpowered, heavy bike to start new riders on... It should be "smaller" not slower http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bash.gif

Screw starting slow, start in the dirt. Learn clutch and throttle control in the loose stuff http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Only bad thing about dirt riding is braking... can't use the rear on the street like you do in the dirt. Can start some bad habits, especially for those who do not know how to recover from a skidding rear.

I do agree with you, though, riding on the dirt is a little different than riding on the street. You wouldn't go from riding on the dirt exclusively to buying a gixxer thou as your first street bike.
Personally, my first street bike was an 00' F4 and it was great because it was a more forgiving bike. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a first bike for everyone because some people really can't judge what is prudent street riding when they first start out. Which is why something like a Kawi ex-500 is great because, although you can kill yourself on such a bike, it is less likely and will give you more confidence as a rider because you can thrash the hell out it without sh**ting your pants.

Yes yes yes.....exactly why I can't wait till I've got my lil 400 on the street. Only one more mirror, registration and inspection standing in my way right now.....and the cash to get all that done!!!

I have to aggre with you Jon T. My first bike is a GIXXER 1K. When I ride wit hthe fellas I'm usually the slowest M-F in the group, but Damn it's so much fun! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif

100% true in my oppinion... I definetly felt faster on my 750 motor than the 1k... and I'm sure I was too!

queensland australia your limited to a 250 for one year before you can transistion to a larger capacity bike. Makes 250's so damn expensive as everyone's has to go through them.

Pushing a CBRR 250 as hard as you can through the twisties is damn fun keeping up with the 600's. They blow you away on straight road every time."




i like that alot. i wish they would do it here in the US as well

absolutely true, I cut my teeth on a 95 suz katana 6. I think it is becuase you can push the machine and get away with it. lots of people assume because the engine is a 600, the bike is for beginners. the engine is the easiest part of the bike to control. steering angle, super stiff frames, brick wall brakes, stiff suspension all add up to a beautiful handling machine, but one that will not forgive mistakes. besides, a good rider will tear up ANY bike with less of a rider in anything other than a straight line.

My first bike at 16 i'm 46 now was a Yamaha FS1E Sports Moped

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/spatz1/fs1e-2.jpg

Not sure its a proper motorcycle but I learnt a lot on it had to it was only 50cc

Next up was what was to me at the time an awesome bit of kit
and my first of many Suzuki's a new 1977 GT250
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/spatz1/1977_GT250_600.jpg

Now this bike was endowed with crap brakes an elastic frame and cycle tyres but would scream to around a ton , getting the lines right on this was a must as it would get seriously out of shape very quickly in corners modern sports bikes would laugh at even with a numpty pilot on board.

Hopefully though riding all these low poor handling types of bike has meant
I deserve to ride my current bike which is to me any way totally f...g awesome.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/spatz1/stevegixxerk5005.jpg

Steve

100% Agreed, my first bike was a Ninja 250 for a year as a full time rider, I beat the shit out of that bike, top speed was like 109mph, as hard as I drove it, it never gave me any problems. Made me a better rideer, always maxing it out.

I started on a kawi 250r, then after a year of that: sv650s, then after another year: gix 750.

I have no regrets about starting small and moving up. Probably saved my hide a few times as well. Ride safe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQF6L4qvAsE&mode=related&search=

I won't disagree. But, it could also be...

-- natural ability
-- willingness to take risks and push the envelope
-- good coaching
-- opportunities to learn from peers
-- rider attitude (study, study, study, practice, practice, practice)
-- engineering and setup help
-- lots of cash to experiment with quality equipment
-- having enough money to replace/repair broken bikes

You show me a rider who's never crashed, and I'll show you one who does not take big chances. Learn slower. No broken bones. May just be a better rider in 5 years than the guy who crashed 3 times. It's hard to learn on crutches.

Whey you learn to skate (inline or ice), you know you are going to fall. Put on your elbow pads, knee pads, helmet and whatever... and go for it. You can't do that on a sport bike. :nono

By the logic of the original post, the best drivers in F1 must've learned on a 1966 VW beetle with one spark plug missing. :) ;)

Yeah tell me about it, I went to a 1k after 6 months of riding experience. I'm still playing catch-up to stay with the more skilled riders

Werd. I noticed the same thing.

many friends bought ninja 250's as their first. they all thought they were hot shit and got R1's, R6's etc etc. they all ate shit because they were too confident. i started off on a '96 gsxr 750. respected the throttle, and now have a k6 750. i still ride. those guys? no way.

I started out on a kawi 250 ex and i will tell you if I started on a 750 like I ride now I would probably be dead now and they are right I had to work that thing for all it was worth to ride with the big boyz

My first was a ninja 250 and I upgraded the sh*t out of that thing b4 I got a 600. Even still I had people eat shit on their 600's trying to keep up with me and the 250. I actually still have the thing and I love it. Its my girlfriends ride now, but I ride it when she's not looking

First bike was a ninja 250 then after about a year and a half or more of riding i went to a ninja 600. now i'm on a gsxr 600. couldn't agree with this post more

"The slower your first bike, the faster you'll be." I believe in this statement through, and through. I started out on a '99 GS500E. That thing was the definition of underpowered. I had a blast riding that thing to the max. I only wish those who started too big, could have experienced the same. IMO there is no better way to learn how to ride. The rest, easy, comfort, of knowing that if you drop it... It didn't cost you an arm, and a leg to buy it. Everyone should have a starter bike in their garage. It's just so much fun to take out, and thrash. Plus you can teach others to ride. Increasing the amount of riders for the weekend.:cheers

i started wit a k4 1000 and i wish i got somethin smaller because my boys got 600 and i cant hang with them until the straights

I know I'm gunna get alot of slack for this but...

If you wanna really be a skilled rider, start on the dirt. You can't go wrong. Accidents are rarely fatal, and you learn how to fall and how to control your bike in the worst situations (traffic excluded, obviously lol)

Now that I am 26, most of my and my friends ride both street and dirt. People that went from Dirt to Street made a pretty solid transition, but I can't say the same thing about the guys that did it the other way around.

Some of the worst skilled riders I have ever met in my life learned on the street. (Sorry!)

PS - I know I am not a pro, and I haven't been riding on the road very long (only like a year). I'm sure there is lots to be learned from alot of you...but my opinion is street riders are less skilled than offroad riders.

:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQF6L4qvAsE&mode=related&search=

I won't disagree. But, it could also be...

-- natural ability
-- willingness to take risks and push the envelope
-- good coaching
-- opportunities to learn from peers
-- rider attitude (study, study, study, practice, practice, practice)
-- engineering and setup help
-- lots of cash to experiment with quality equipment
-- having enough money to replace/repair broken bikes

You show me a rider who's never crashed, and I'll show you one who does not take big chances. Learn slower. No broken bones. May just be a better rider in 5 years than the guy who crashed 3 times. It's hard to learn on crutches.

Whey you learn to skate (inline or ice), you know you are going to fall. Put on your elbow pads, knee pads, helmet and whatever... and go for it. You can't do that on a sport bike. :nono

By the logic of the original post, the best drivers in F1 must've learned on a 1966 VW beetle with one spark plug missing. :) ;)

You make a very good point too! So what you are saying is the best riders are rich :)

Haha, but in terms of this thread, most posts are pretty valid. I learned on a 4stroke 250 and I rode it haaard, jumped it farther and higher than most of my friends (my poor fork seals!). Learning on a 2 stroke CR250 would have been ALOT more difficult. When you are tryin to learn how to control a bike the last thing you need is the tail sliding out on you in every corner. I wouldnt say a fast bike makes you slower than your experienced buddies, I would just say the learning curve will be different.

disagree./...
i did wreck mine though i ride way better now

i miss my rgv 250

Couldnt agree more, i really miss my RGV250 aswell. Best thing since sliced bread, well apart from my current bike :D but ive done the 125, 250, 400, 600 thing, so im not bad, just outta practise now :sad

i am going to have to agree on this one....

Or someone who bought a GSXR, R6, R1, F4i ect as thier first bike http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Theres nothing wrong with that. I've had my bike for 2 years now (never even rode), granted ya its not a long time, but I take things slow (at times) to soak up the skills on a bike that I'll have for a long time. I know my limits seeing that I've gone 110 mph on it and let off the gas for two reasons, 1. I was coming up on a car and 2. About to go around a corner where I didnt feel like wiping out. In my point of view, its better to spend $6k-$8k on a bike vs a bike that you really dont want (say $3k-$4k?) plus another $6k-$8k that you would spend for a bike that you do want.

I've been riding my first bike for a year now, an '06 Ninja 500. I was torn between the Ninja 250 and 500 as my first like and my Kawasaki dealer had one of each used. In the end I went with the 500 because I felt like the 250 didn't fit me as well and felt that I could ride the 500 without having to wring it's neck to flow well in traffic. Looking at them side by side the 500 was more aesthetically pleasing. I've been really happy with the 500 and it was a very easy and smooth transition from the bikes I rode in the MSF basic rider course. I feared that the 500 would feel uncontrollably fast compared to the 125 and 250 cruisers used in the class, but that wasn't the case. I immediately felt comfortable on the 500.

Now I'm getting the aching to buy a new GSXR600 though I should probably practice on the 500 another year. I want to own at least one supersport 600. I love the red and white color scheme and ergonomically the gsxr600 feels the most comfortable when sitting on the bike at the dealer. On the Ninja ZX6R, I can't even see the top of the gages without being in nearly a full tuck. I'm waiting to see what the new CBR600 feels like ergonomically and for the 2007 supersport comparisons to start coming out. It's going to be between the GSXR600 and the CBR600RR

It's going to be between the GSXR600 and the CBR600RR

One of my co-workers has a CBR and he said he'd never own another one. He doesnt like the powerband range I suppose. He also thinks that the GSXR is the most comfortable and has less aggressive sitting position which is better for your body. Nothing like getting off the bike being hunched over and hurtin tryin to straighten your back out after a 3 hour ride :lol

++ rep for the OG poster.

i think i am going to sell mine and downgrade. :-/

I started off when I was 13 on a Yamaha 50 razz loved that thing. There wasn’t a turn in the town that I couldn’t take at max speed (28). Then when I was 17 I got a ktm 520 supermoto bike always full throttle. Then I had to sell it because I just couldn’t keep the front tire on the ground in town. Then I got a 04 r6 that I rode with 2 other r6s and a 650 sv. As you would figure there was always Competition on who can be fastest in the turns and who’s the best stunner. Now that I have my 1000 for some reason when we hit the turns I like riding in the back (still just as fast as everyone else), and I stopped pushing my self to do more stunts. All in all the 1000 turned me into a lot safer rider.

this is why ppl on a sv650 can stab the shiet out of a 1k bike :) but in the sportbike culture, everyone's mentality is usually psshh i can handle a 1k bike, besides, it looks hawt!

Hey I agree with the statement but I just bought my first bike and its a gixxer 750, so i just have to take it easy on it. Of course I have a bigger chance to eat it but I think that if people have the gray matter to take it slow they will be ok.

I agree! slower first bike = greater rider

I was gonna get 1K. But I'll be good wih 600 for now. Couldn't agree more. I should post more and get this sqid rating off.:cheers

i totally agree most new riders who get that 1000 never reach the riding potential of it...

i totally agree, never thought of it like that

Definitely a great site...I just read everything motorcycle-related he had to offer. What...? I like to learn! :cheers

Theres nothing wrong with that. I've had my bike for 2 years now (never even rode), granted ya its not a long time, but I take things slow (at times) to soak up the skills on a bike that I'll have for a long time. I know my limits seeing that I've gone 110 mph on it and let off the gas for two reasons, 1. I was coming up on a car and 2. About to go around a corner where I didnt feel like wiping out. In my point of view, its better to spend $6k-$8k on a bike vs a bike that you really dont want (say $3k-$4k?) plus another $6k-$8k that you would spend for a bike that you do want.

I'm scheduled to take my MSF course in a month and wanted to pick up a bike some time after that - I'm hoping to get a deal towards year end. Looking @ a GSXR600 but after reading this thread I began to wonder if I should start on a 250cc :scratch

I was thinking of doing what you did. I'd rather spend the extra $ for a bike I really want :D and know I will take my time learning with versus spending $4k then having to deal with trading it in for the one I want and spending more. Now I'm a bit discouraged though. :(

I'm scheduled to take my MSF course in a month and wanted to pick up a bike some time after that - I'm hoping to get a deal towards year end. Looking @ a GSXR600 but after reading this thread I began to wonder if I should start on a 250cc :scratch

Though I have to agree with most of the people in here, I have to point out the obvious question of cause and effect.

I wonder if in many cases the reason the riders who started with smaller bikes are better riders is that they've got better self control and respect for the vehicle, and are willing to take the time to learn. (which is why they chose a smaller bike)

A lot of the guys who start out on litre bikes are the ones who really just want to be the fastest, and don't realize that it takes a lot of time to learn the skills. They buy a really fast bike, but don't have the skill to ride it safely, so they either: A) Pile it up, and give up riding, or B) Ride slow on corners, and crank it in a straight line.

After learning those kind of habits, it will take a while to unlearn them.

I think if a rider has the right mindset, the bike they start on doesn't really matter.

If you really want to get yourself a 600, and figure you can handle it responibly, go for it. If you're the overly competitive type who always wants to be in the lead, you're going to be better off learning on something slow.

Now, that being said, I hopped on a friend's fzr 250 for the first time today, and quite enjoyed it. No way it would keep up with my 750 in a race, but who really cares. I had just as much fun throwing it around in the corners.

I guess what I'm saying is don't feel like you have to start on a 250 if you don't want to, but don't automatically assume that the 250 is a disposable "starter" bike, either. You may really like it.

-Nick

Big ups to Arx... I bought a gsxr600(k3) for my first bike. Ive been ridding for about 7mnths, and started off by taking the MSF course. I really wanted to now the fundamentals of the bike, where to be and not to be on the road. This class has saved my life several times. Dont worry about the guy next to you on the (mighty)Busa, R1, or zx14. I bet you can beat him in the corner on your 600. Just take the time and learn, Itll pay off in the long run.

have you seen the new gsxr 1000 with the different mode it is pretty close to having 3 bikes in one.

Big ups to Arx... I bought a gsxr600(k3) for my first bike. Ive been ridding for about 7mnths, and started off by taking the MSF course. I really wanted to now the fundamentals of the bike, where to be and not to be on the road. This class has saved my life several times. Dont worry about the guy next to you on the (mighty)Busa, R1, or zx14. I bet you can beat him in the corner on your 600. Just take the time and learn, Itll pay off in the long run.

Thanks for the feedback (Arx & 007coupe). Yeah I definetly have respect for the machine, that's why Im making sure to take the MSF course first to learn the basics. I'm not one for racing, I just want to enjoy the ride on a gorgeous machine.

Funny thing is, a lot of people on here suggest starting small but a couple of people I spoke to said a 750 is good (I think they're a little nuts) and I went to check out a dealer and the salesman said "No, what you need is a Busa, everything else is garbage". :piss Damn salesman, I just walked away from that place.

I guess I'll just wait and see how I do at the MSF course to make a decision. Sorry I jumped off topic guys.

I'm scheduled to take my MSF course in a month and wanted to pick up a bike some time after that - I'm hoping to get a deal towards year end. Looking @ a GSXR600 but after reading this thread I began to wonder if I should start on a 250cc :scratch

I was thinking of doing what you did. I'd rather spend the extra $ for a bike I really want :D and know I will take my time learning with versus spending $4k then having to deal with trading it in for the one I want and spending more. Now I'm a bit discouraged though. :(

DO NOT GET A 250!!!!!!

get a 600 for your first bike, you will thank me later. my first bike (over 10 years ago) was a Ninja 500R. A month after i bought the 500, i bought a Yamaha R1 from a buddy for $3000. I know, i got a sweet buddy deal. and about a year ago, i got my GSXR 600. i suggest you "collect" bikes, if you have the means. i rode the 500 after i bought the 1000. i actually rode it a lot more than the 1000 because i felt more comfortable on it, but i like knowing that i had a 1000 in the garage if i wanted it, and many times, i did. what i mean by collecting bikes, is if you buy one bike, dont get rid of it for another. i keep all my bikes. i bought my R1 in 2000, and rode it and my 500 a lot for awhile. then i put the 500 in the garage and rode the 1000 all the time expect for a few occasions when i was teaching someone to ride, then i would bust out the 500, and when i met my wife, i used the 500 for her, and later gave it to her. then in 06 i found my 04 GSXR 600 on ebay for $3400 with 7K miles (another awesome find). the moral of my story is, go with what you feel comfortable with, only you know your skill and level of common sense. use your brain when you ride, and you wont get hurt. and always wear your gear. i am done rambling now, lol.:punk

I know I'm gunna get alot of slack for this but...

If you wanna really be a skilled rider, start on the dirt. You can't go wrong. Accidents are rarely fatal, and you learn how to fall and how to control your bike in the worst situations (traffic excluded, obviously lol)

Now that I am 26, most of my and my friends ride both street and dirt. People that went from Dirt to Street made a pretty solid transition, but I can't say the same thing about the guys that did it the other way around.

Some of the worst skilled riders I have ever met in my life learned on the street. (Sorry!)

PS - I know I am not a pro, and I haven't been riding on the road very long (only like a year). I'm sure there is lots to be learned from alot of you...but my opinion is street riders are less skilled than offroad riders.

:)



I agree with you on the Learn on Dirt. True. I believed this statement when I found myself turning from a stop at an intersection and gasing it too much while leaned over... the rear tire spun and out swung the rear end... my dirt experience/reaction time allowed me to turn my bars and steady the throttle and straighten the bike up and ride off like nothing happened. During the situation, didn't lose my cool, didn't panic, and Didn't let off the throttle (would have ended up in the rear grabbing traction and highsiding me into traffic/trafic light pole) More experience can be gained from the dirt in an easier/more forgiving/safer speed than you can learn on the road with variable factors (traffic, oil slicks, debris.. etc)

(this is my 2cents )I also agree with the small displacement bike to learn on. As a rider learns, he/she encounters situations that force the rider to act in a split second that could end in life or death.

Ninja 250.. my first street bike... loved it... still have it.. now its a show bike. I still ride it and love it.


I keep it for numerous reasons... but the biggest grin comes to my face when riding the dragons tail at deals gap and the 600's that were following me couldn't keep up enough to pass...

I tell you, its not the bike... any functioning sport bike will do exactly as you, the rider tells it to do. So the limiting factor of the bike is the rider, not the bike itself.


I like this discussion and how this thread has developed.


:cheers



Just be safe out there

I'm very happy to see people discussing what I wrote about a new rider's first motorcycle choice. I made a bunch of changes to my website recently and in the process all the URLs have changed. Here is the new link. Also, I've gone back and revised a lot of the content. The gist of the message is the same but hopefully my writing skills have improved since I first wrote the guide back in 2002.

http://www.joe250.com/motorcycles/ridersguide/firstmotorcycle/firstmotorcycle.html

Joe

Couldn't agree more. My first street bike was a katana got it off of my neighbor for cheap and rode the piss out of it for 4 years. Now I'm on my 1k and can ride circles around 90% of the people that ride in my city all thanks to my sled.

Best thing about starting on a slow bike and then stepping up to a faster one is that old roads are new again. Straigths are shorter and curves give you that first time rush.

I'm very happy to see people discussing what I wrote about a new rider's first motorcycle choice. I made a bunch of changes to my website recently and in the process all the URLs have changed. Here is the new link. Also, I've gone back and revised a lot of the content. The gist of the message is the same but hopefully my writing skills have improved since I first wrote the guide back in 2002.

http://www.joe250.com/motorcycles/ridersguide/firstmotorcycle/firstmotorcycle.html

Joe

Great guide :thumbup

Finally glad people are starting to realise this fact. It was told too me the same way in 1991 by the numberone plateholder in Poenix,AZ. at the time (Stu morrison).

He said more so relative to roadracing,but he put it like this, a guy that starts off on a big bike can become good and get fast, but the guy who starts on a slower/smaller bike will learn to minipulate it more too its potential and once he moves to the bigger bike
he will never top out on learning, never stop learning and always beable to dig out more from his/her ability rather than the counting on the bike.

have you seen the new gsxr 1000 with the different mode it is pretty close to having 3 bikes in one.

No, its nothing like having 3 bikes.:nono

my first bike was a 1993 honda nighthawk 250. i rode that bike for 9 yrs before i got my gsxr 750. and my brother rode that bike for 2-3 years before building his harley. i think it should be mandated that you ride a smaller bike before you moveon to a bigger more powerful bike. a local kid that i personaly knew who was 19 yrs old, went out and got his first bike and 2 weeks later parked it in the frontyard of the local mcdonalds. his first was a 2006 gsxr 1000. does anyone see a prob with the rider experience and the bike performance combination?

i would have to agree! i started out on a buell 500 HA and now im on a 750, given its only 2 years later but im beating 30 year old riders on 1k's through the turns!!!! =)

there might be something true in it
I started out on a retarded '86 GSX-R 750 limited to 34HP and had to catch up with my buddies riding 1100s

hi
i been thinking of getting a bike.
reading all of everyones' advices, i think it will benefit me more to get a smaller bike first.
so i have been looking at smaller bikes, and i have come down to the kawasaki ninja 250r.
The black one looks real nice and clean.
then i will upgrade to a gsxr750.
maybe after a year with the 250.
unless anybody has any other advices.
thanks

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Found this looking for some other stuff here (http://www.joe250.com/ride/firstbike.htm). Full site link here. (http://www.joe250.com/)

"Sounds contradictory, but allow me to explain. If your first bike is one of the faster ones on the market (which currently would mean about any 600cc sportbike or larger), you will rarely be forced to push yourself to get much performance out of the bike. With that much power on tap, you can simply twist the throttle and away you go. Getting a bike to accelerate is about the easiest thing you can do. Braking, shifting, and cornering require more skill, more knowledge, and a lot more practice.

When the inexperienced rider on a big bike goes riding with friends on a twisty back road or even on a racetrack, he will find himself struggling to keep up. Usually, he will rely on the bike's power. He's going fast, but he is using a tiny fraction of the bike's performance and he can be a very lazy rider. Not good.

Starting on a small bike forces the rider to extract all the performance out of the bike. To do this, a rider must become skilled. Plus, starting small increases your margin for error. The first rider will be going far faster on the straights with his more powerful bike. But at the end of that straight is a corner waiting. Some serious braking and a quick transition to hard cornering is required. Just a slight miscalculation can mean an accident and at these speeds accidents are more likely to be serious ones."

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif I agree with the guy. But then, my first street bike was a Bridgestone 200.

This is absolutly correct I met the #1 plate holder in Arizona in 1992 Stu Morrison and became friends. He had explained this to me in the same manner but specificlly speaking of racing. At the time ccs in that region would only allow a novice to go no bigger than a 750cc.

What the hell is a Bridgstone 200? My first was way too big Vfr 700.

i know that this may be way off the topic, but im new to the site and looking for some advice. i got a 07 gsxr 750 and her names katies she soo fun got some things done as far as looks but im a lil lost on what to get for her to add some more horsepower if anyone could give me some tips on what to get and what to add that would make it faster its pretty fast now but more is better thanks for all your time to help me and if theres anything i can do let me know

jeremy

It seems like everyone here went the Kawasaki route at first (with the exception of Mad Hatter). I too rode a 2005 GS500F for two seasons and just recently picked up a 2006 GSX-R600.
Don't forget about the GS! Thing was cool, man.
This thing satisfied all of the vanity urges and was still conducive to learning - even made all of the usual 'zuki engine noise and looked quite a bit like a super sport to the untrained eye. It's a big part of how I got hooked on Suzuki in general.

Heck yes, start small and learn how to turn and shift! I chased 600s for a long time on that thing. I felt a little sad when I traded it in...

Damn it!!, I keep getting pulled by people I know. I read on various forums such as this one to start off small, then graduate to a larger bike, then on the other hand I have people who are telling me that I will regret getting a 250 or the like. I was considering picking up the 08 Kawi 250 b/c it will be a lot kinder to my wallet than any other "starter" bike. Im so confused now. I really want to learn...but I still think I will get the 250. I just dont have a lot of money to spend on a 250 & then upgrade to a larger bike. What to do!!!, lol

Damn it!!, I keep getting pulled by people I know. I read on various forums such as this one to start off small, then graduate to a larger bike, then on the other hand I have people who are telling me that I will regret getting a 250 or the like. I was considering picking up the 08 Kawi 250 b/c it will be a lot kinder to my wallet than any other "starter" bike. Im so confused now. I really want to learn...but I still think I will get the 250. I just dont have a lot of money to spend on a 250 & then upgrade to a larger bike. What to do!!!, lol

You shouldn't be surprised. People have different opinions. People come to the same answer from different directions.

You have to take a look at yourself. I've seen CBR125R's for sale with less than 100 kilometers on it. If you are 200 lbs or more, you are not going to be happy on a 250.

Start with a bike you can control **and** won't out grow in 30 days.

You shouldn't be surprised. People have different opinions. People come to the same answer from different directions.

You have to take a look at yourself. I've seen CBR125R's for sale with less than 100 kilometers on it. If you are 200 lbs or more, you are not going to be happy on a 250.

Start with a bike you can control **and** won't out grow in 30 days.

Yea, A LOT of people are saying that I'll get bored of the 250, so I think I'll save and get either GS500f or the SV650...maybe after a season or two I can get a 600 R bike...but, damn I love GSXR's. Cant wait until I become excelent @ riding and properly hone my skills & technique, so I can get one.

Things to remember don't do anything that exceeds your experience and no-how. Now my first bike was a 2001 GSXR 750 I've been riding it for about three seasons I learned at my own pace so I think all of the ideas here are good ones it's more of what you think you can learn to handle and what you want spend over the next couple of years:scared

I tend to agree with the original post only because I'm a Postie here in Australia where we ride the Honda CT110, and with the time they give us to perform our job makes for some paid track days. We have to ring it's neck and push these AG bikes to their limits and I'll tell ya it's helped my real bike riding skills plenty.

so get the kawi 500, its a nice bike and still just the right size to start.

I'm glad I started with a slow bike. If I didn't like to drag race, I would still be on a 600cc, but here is the ladder of bikes I went up. I think the new 1k's are to much bike for most riders who are trying to ride the bike to it's potential around the track or back road, myself included.

91 Katana 600
95 cbr F2 600
05 GSXR 600
01 R1
08 Gsxr 1k

How long did u take before you switched bikes? Once, I get my 600, Im going to stay with her for atleast 3-5 seasons ( god willing ) I plan on starting on a 08 250, suzuki 500, or an SV650...

How long did u take before you switched bikes? Once, I get my 600, Im going to stay with her for atleast 3-5 seasons ( god willing ) I plan on starting on a 08 250, suzuki 500, or an SV650...

I started on dirt bikes and 3-wheelers when I was 10, then I was on 600's from 17 to 23. I had a season or two off in that time period.

Im lookin to get a k7 or k8 600...and practice on one of the other bikes I mentioned

Yea, A LOT of people are saying that I'll get bored of the 250, so I think I'll save and get either GS500f or the SV650...maybe after a season or two I can get a 600 R bike...but, damn I love GSXR's. Cant wait until I become excelent @ riding and properly hone my skills & technique, so I can get one.

This is an excellent idea. I followed the same logic - get the 500 - small enough so that a pothole-induced twist of the right wrist won't throw you out of control, but not so small that you'll totally get smoked in traffic or feel like you'll fly apart on the highway. Plus it's pretty nimble and gets great gas mileage. I almost kept mine for a commuter, but couldn't afford to.

remember something even if you decide on getting the 250 they have great resale value they usually see about 4-5 owners before they blow up or sadly totaled

I say, BS, (bike sputters). You put someone on a fast bike and they know the speed sensation and you are not there yet with a slow bike sticking your neck out. So, give me the fastest nasty ride and I will train that squid to beat year azz. OK, so on a slow bike too... It's day rider and if he/she learned on a fast bike out of day gate... Dare is no other step you keep swapping rides to get to where the (faster)squid is now at lighting speeds, (much faster learning curve than you).

Moped Mentality is fine.... He has his say... I say what day fuk eyes want and see things a little different than some.

Just my opinion and I respect all the good and agreeable views. If you agree, so busy bee it. I'd be busy with some real speed... You on the other hand are peddling azz fastazz you can.... LOL, WOTever!

Bring IT!

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif

+1

:offtopic

:banghead

I say, BS, (bike sputters). You put someone on a fast bike and they know the speed sensation and you are not there yet with a slow bike sticking your neck out. So, give me the fastest nasty ride and I will train that squid to beat year azz. OK, so on a slow bike too... It's day rider and if he/she learned on a fast bike out of day gate... Dare is no other step you keep swapping rides to get to where the (faster)squid is now at lighting speeds, (much faster learning curve than you).

Moped Mentality is fine.... He has his say... I say what day fuk eyes want and see things a little different than some.

Just my opinion and I respect all the good and agreeable views. If you agree, so busy bee it. I'd be busy with some real speed... You on the other hand are peddling azz fastazz you can.... LOL, WOTever!

Bring IT!

you know...
i agree with this guy
as long as you've got the balls, someone to teach you and the money, starting on a 600cc+ bike is way better for learning.
flame away, old timers

you know...
i agree with this guy
as long as you've got the balls, someone to teach you and the money, starting on a 600cc+ bike is way better for learning.
flame away, old timers

Actually I think he was trying to say that starting smaller was better, either that or he was trying to explain how nitrous works.... to tell you the truth I couldn't make sense out of that post to save my life:lol

yeah... i tried to read it, didn't work, so i just took it to mean whatever i wanted to :lol

Actually I think he was trying to say that starting smaller was better, either that or he was trying to explain how nitrous works.... to tell you the truth I couldn't make sense out of that post to save my life:lol


I'm glad I wasn't the only one clueless to what was type there.

Let me ask you this. How can dante nail what I said and Andy, what I meant was; is that if you start out with the fastest bike and not hit the throttle where you over extend your ability, WOT (wide open throttle) is the difference between crashing on a small bike or a big bike? You had to learn out of the box on a faster larger bike or small bike either way.
It is like starting someone out on DOS, then warm them up to Win95/98 so you can learn XP/Longhorn, (original name)? No. I believe you can sit someone down and learn Vista, Linux, Apple right off the bat.
Therefore, I believe you can learn on a Busa or 14 (two of the world's fastest production bikes today), sit dare azz down on one and day will be just as skilled rather than rotating in and out of bikes just to sit on the one they wanted all along > The faster bike.

WOT eye sea is you trying to have that new rider be known on a first name basis at the DMV.

Dante will fill you in...:scratch :burnout :cheers

This theory is only true to a certain extent.

Yes, A smaller bike has much more room for error then a sport bike and is more giving. This will allow more room to grow and learn the BASICS of a bike without serious consequences but at the same time the two bikes behave VERY differently.

For example if your first bike happens to be a ninja 500 the riding position, the turning/handling characteristics, Braking & the amount of power are totally different. You still are not totally comfortable with the way a GSXR behaves at the twist of the throttle compared to the Ninja 500. The riding skill you think you have after getting off the the 500 is almost more dangerous then going in with less confidence.

the lesser bike can benefit you in knowing the basics of operating a bike and how to be safe while riding down the road/interstate (which is something everybody should master before jumping on a "R" bike or an equivalent) but it can harm you as well. A GSXR handles differently, the seating position is way different and the way the bikes handle certain scenarios are different. Point being you still are not used to almost double the horsepower and advanced handling characteristics.

I'm not telling somebody to jump right on a 600cc sport bike and figure it out as you go but I am saying being on a lesser bike sometimes can be over- rated and can only get you so far.

this is from personal experience.

Thats should say the more track days the faster you will be.

I like having a small margin of error...thats why i got a 98 gixxer 6. it makes me pay attention to detail, and focus on what im doing. I know it sounds crazy, but its the way uncle sam made me, a small error and you could be killed. with that being said I know I must pay attention to detail while riding

It is like you have to train me at base 3whatever Microsoft is now win95/98/XPee on me bay bee.
So say I am green and do not know the basics to the computer. I am green first thing Vista? I start out with VistaBoosay 1300 world's fast test ride right out of the showroom floor.
You gonna teach the guy html when all you have to do is throttle up the same clicks as win95 is the same throttle app.

YOu get me off of Vista and I try that little win98? Pea on data... Let's try that starter pull cord Win95cc and pop wheel eazy like what you want me to do wit diss thing?

You have got to be kidding me if you cannot see speed is relative. If you could bye nothing butt a Boo Say... And now tell me you would not figure out that slight touch is/ Use is not red dee to ride? Sheet.... You can ride as a human propel to work at 200 plus? Well, I doubt it you steady speed to work with your face moving back and forth and your brain is, "Jell in'... Ah no, I don't think so. But see. You have that speed nailed and your ability as a human is never questioned about what you can and cannot do traveling fast in the air.

And you know the argument is... "Speed does not kill.' 'Impact does if one needs to stop in a hurry."