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re: new riders & 600's. kinda long

Shooter said:
A couple of guys came over while I was stopped and said "That's a nice bike... "
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Were they made out of a Mimetic Poly-Alloy? Actually that's a stupid question because if they were, you wouldn't be posting right now :)

Stefan
 
I have no ego so I had no problem starting on a Honda C200T (I think that is what that ugly pos was). Gads it had chrome nerf bars. :laughing :laughing I bought it for $250 bucks and sold it for $200. Well except it had some type of electrical problem so starting it was well a roll of the dice.

Then I got a XR250L that had the smog crap removed, a better pipe and was jetted, $2100. I had that bike for 10 years sold it for $1200. I road it on the street, moto-x track, flat track, fire roads and single tracked. It was really a crappy ride for all those applications but I loved that bike. Sold it so I could by an XR50 for the kids $900, really, it is for the kids.

Stepped up to a KDX200 (H20 2-smoker) $1700, got it dual plated $700, it is much better than the 250 at all of the above. I don't ride it on the street much because people get all offended by the smell and smoke. I need get to a BARF dirt ride one of these days at Hollister or Clear Creek.

I was actually shopping for a more street pleasing dual sport ride when I discovered my 600 sport bike, $8600 OTD. I didn’t take the MSF course because I’ve had my M1 for over 10 years. So I found Star School at T-hill. That two day ride at the track was a life changing experience for me. I’m so happy I have enough disposable income to dump into gear and track days. In the past I wouldn’t have had the money so it is the right bike for me at the right time.

I had a GSXR750 for about year too (helping a friend with $$). Gads that was an awesome bike but I sold it back to my buddy.

I just bought a non running Virago 250, $1500 so if I get it running it should be a fun little in town scooter.

And for Christmas I got ½ of a ttr125 and the other ½ has been promised to me for my birthday. So I might someday end up with a mini-motard bike yet.

So for me it has nothing to do with the size of the bike, the type of the bike, speed or its pose factor. I love to ride and I will ride anything.
:teeth
 
Feanor, as usual very well stated. I agree.

Not sure if your target audience has enough attention span to read the entire verbiage to absorb the concept.

Who is the resident cliff note writer for Feanor's epilogues?

Feanor said:
Any discussion in which a rider dissuades an individual from selecting a certain kind of bike as a "starter bike" is not trying to protect an individual, but in fact simply trying to play the favorable odds in a general sense.

Because the odds are stacked against a new rider on a 600cc supersport or 1000cc superbike, when compared to a more sedate choice, it's prudent to adopt the "road of caution" in dealing with such questions of "what's a good bike to start on"

Though it's been said before, I agree that it's far more helpful for each new rider to look into themselves and at themselves honestly as people and make the determination.

Ask yourself questions like "Do I enjoy the thrill of risk?" "Why do I like the Sportbike over the v-twin naked 650?" "Have I ever experienced being seriously injured/debilitated" "Am I trying to impress someone other than myself?" "Is the motorcycle for Fun? or practical reasons?"

After answering a battery of such questions the overall question makes more sense and becomes more specific and more meaningful than a stranger playing the odds with you.

I would think that someone getting a 1000cc superbike as a first bike because it was powerful, fast and He/She wanted to impress his/her friends, but hated taking risks and was a pansy when it came to experiencing speed and was also DEATHLY afraid of injury, would stand a far better chance of avoiding injury and death than a rider with 20 years riding experience who loved thrills and speed and regularly engaged in activities like base jumping, extreme rafting, and free climbing.

When a person lays into you for wanting a certain kind of bike as a starter (which is not generally accepted as a starter bike) they are not insulting you personally, but merely playing a range of numbers at the roulette wheel because they do not know you and that is their best sweeping chance of safeguarding all riders including you. Very much like a speed limit on the freeway is meant to ensure the probability of safety even though it has been proven that some people are far safer at 100mph than others at 40mph...

Stefan
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GSXRider750 said:
Give me a break! I learned to operate motorcycles on a 125 at the MSF range two weeks before getting my license and hopping on the 750. I practiced in the parking lots and rode around town for a few days, and now I can safely commute wherever I feel like going. Everyone is different, and some people adapt to certain things easier than others. Like I said... I had zero motorcycle riding experience before taking the MSF course, and I am quite comfortable riding the 750 wherever I want to go. Attitude is almost as important as skill, and having a good attitude can protect you when your skill is lacking provided that you ride within your limits.
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Comuting after riding around town a little bit. What are you going to do when that car next to you wants your spot. Or you venture up to a twisty road. :teeth
 
Personally, I'd wait until several mags have had time to do a 600 bike shoot out. Several mags do a good job at discussing strenths and weaknesses of each bike compared to others in the class. Don't get lured by only one but several of these bike to bike comparisons. These reviews will have several things in common and in many cases, things that will be quite contrary. From there, you should be able to make a decision from your head. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and only you know which one you can see yourself riding with with a smile on your face.
 
Hero said:
Personally, I'd wait until several mags have had time to do a 600 bike shoot out. Several mags do a good job at discussing strenths and weaknesses of each bike compared to others in the class. Don't get lured by only one but several of these bike to bike comparisons. These reviews will have several things in common and in many cases, things that will be quite contrary. From there, you should be able to make a decision from your head. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and only you know which one you can see yourself riding with with a smile on your face.
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Not reading the thread FTW!
 
silverbelt said:
What a pussy :laughing

It was actually warmer this morning than it was last week :p
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I ride to work everyday, in my sofa-cycle, which is a lot warmer than the CBR, even in colder weather conditions. :teeth

I wish I were a pussy. :p
 
Jimbo007 said:
The Hyosung 250 Comet looks pretty good. I went and checked them out at SF moto. Some of the welds looked like boogers, but that little aircooled twin should be pretty fun. I think they were asking just over $3k, which would be about the same as the Virago 250 or the Ninja.
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The Hyosung bikes are really cool. They look flashy and have a lot of nice features for the price.
 
It's amazing GSXR750 rider, almost runs into side of hill, and then has the balls to post on this thread like he knows what he's talking about. I guess the truth hurts so he had to post. This is the best post I have read in a long time it's so right on, figures it was penned by an MSF instructor
 
On the 250ex's I've lost the front a few times but was able to pick up the bike easily compared to the bigger bikes. I lost my 05 6rr when the front tucked I tried to pick up the bike with the knee planted but I still ended up with a low side. My point is that the 600s, 750s, 1000s can be VERY bad news for the new rider cuz of the power and the weight. smaller bikes are more "tossable".

just my 2 cents......
 
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GSXRider750 said:
Give me a break! I learned to operate motorcycles on a 125 at the MSF range two weeks before getting my license and hopping on the 750. I practiced in the parking lots and rode around town for a few days, and now I can safely commute wherever I feel like going. Everyone is different, and some people adapt to certain things easier than others. Like I said... I had zero motorcycle riding experience before taking the MSF course, and I am quite comfortable riding the 750 wherever I want to go. Attitude is almost as important as skill, and having a good attitude can protect you when your skill is lacking provided that you ride within your limits.
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I hate to do this to you, as I thought there might be some hope for you, but after reading this magnifcent gem, I hereby crown you "sir-squid-a-lot" you may rise and show your tentacles
 
When they talk about 600CC bikes does this usually account to the newer bikes? I've just started learing on a 91 Ninja 600R and honestly it's a pretty damn good bike I think for starters. It's got just enough oomph to scare ya but that's only if ya peg it. Outside of that, it's pretty tame, slow, stable bike.
 
Recall starting out on a Yamaha 175 that could go all of 55 mph. Recently chasing a 250 down a freeway at 90 mph. 250 is too powerful for beginners :laughing
 
someone lock the thread pls as this may.. ahem will get out of hand soon
 
GSXRider750 said:
Give me a break! I learned to operate motorcycles on a 125 at the MSF range two weeks before getting my license and hopping on the 750. I practiced in the parking lots and rode around town for a few days, and now I can safely commute wherever I feel like going. Everyone is different, and some people adapt to certain things easier than others. Like I said... I had zero motorcycle riding experience before taking the MSF course, and I am quite comfortable riding the 750 wherever I want to go. Attitude is almost as important as skill, and having a good attitude can protect you when your skill is lacking provided that you ride within your limits.
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What your saying isnt that bad, whats bad is that your saying it.
 
Linty said:

A good attitude will make you feel good and perhaps keep you in check, but experience and skills will save your ass when that attitude isn't enough.
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I can definitely appreciate your point of view. I may come off as callous, but it's hard to give my whole state of mind on something without writing a book. Having a good attitude gives a new rider room to pick up experience. A new rider with the wrong attitude will most likely crash. A new rider with a good attitude can pick things up day to day and eventually become an experienced rider with a good attitude. That's the way I see it, anyway...
 
Is this to say in 2016, we'll be recommending that older and more primitive 2006 R6 to newbies seeking for 600cc action?
 
shiryu said:
Is this to say in 2016, we'll be recommending that older and more primitive 2006 R6 to newbies seeking for 600cc action?
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2016 - heck prolly by 2010. :)

The 02 F4i is my first bike when I started riding this September and I think it was Honda's premier Supersport till 2003 and the 600rr. Didnt Nicky Hayden win AMA Supersport on F4is?

:laughing

Anyhow since I'm one of those noobs on a 600 as first bike maybe I'll chime in here - before the lock.

I took MSF with no experience and after passing I borrowed a friends Ninja 250 for an hour of two of additinal prcatice in a huge empty parking lot to experince higher speeds (a whopping 55mph!!!) and practice other basic skills. I was in the market for a Ninja 250 or 500 but I also got reccomendations that an F4i wouldnt be a bad choice either.

I saw a used F4i on craigslist, rode it and i found it very smooth and confidence inspiring since the power isnt very strong below 8K RPM and the brakes, handling, and ergonomics were so much better than the Ninja 250.

From September to the first week of December I've put bout 4,000 miles on it through all types of roads nad conditions nad I'm very happy with this as my first bike. In the intersts of disclosure I did have a 15mph lowside on a tight upward right turn at Lake Berrysessa but from the best I can tell that was poor technique on my part and nothing specifically attribultable to the bike's capabilities.

I've tried to be conservative nad respectuful of the bike as I learn while pushing myself just enough to grow my skills and learn new ones by riding with responsible people, reading some books, asking questions and putting it all into pactice.

Overall. I'm happy with my choice of bike and my experiences with it and I now ride more than I drive.
 
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