I have always wanted to have a bike , my car is almost paid for so I thougt why not . The problem is I have no experience at all and I have been looking for a cheap starter bike so I can practice before I get a used Yamaha R6 or gsx 600. I have not been able to find any cheap motorcycles and I dont want to buy a 250cc because eventually I will get bored of it . So the question is, has anybody started with a 600 and up ?

 

In WA, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has classes for beginners and even supplies the bikes. It is a 3 day course and at the end of the course, you get the endorsement if you pass. Check with your State MSF.

 

http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=MD




.

 

its all in how you ride...you could start on a hayabusa as long as you respect the power of the bike. Any sport bike produced these days is going to produce a substancial amount of power, You can start on a 600, but you may soon want to move to a larger bike. I started on a Ninja ZX-7R and just took it easy as I grew more comfortable.

Your size is another factor with a sport bike. The 600's are kinda smallish if your a bigger guy. I'm 6' 250lbs and I attempted to ride my friends R6, it felt like a toy under me and actually felt too awkward for me to ride comfortably. Just go see what feels best to you

 

Thanks for the info . I already register for the msf . I ll be takin the class next month .

 

good. Just be real careful on a bike. A 600 will get you in trouble plenty fast. After you take the Course, try to find an experienced rider to spend some time with you, A couple month ago, I rode with my group in Montana. We had a friend of a friend come out to join us. Man, first corner we go fast in, she bores out in the corner and into the oncoming lane. I was behind her and once I saw that happen, I gave her plenty of room. She got real lucky that day but I do not think she truly realized it.

 

+1 for taking the course.

I'm curious however of your comment that you may tire of a 250 cc. I've been riding since since I was twelve and some of the most enjoyable bikes I've had have been of smaller displacement. A friend of mine who has been riding for over thirty years and is one of the most competent and gifted riders I've ever known has plans on purchasing a 250R for regular use.

Take the course and learn as much as you can, but don't overlook or ignore bikes of smaller displacement or styles. Any bike can be enjoyable.

Terry

 

I used to teach the MSF here in Mass.

First rule is, of course, respect the motorcycle. A 125 can kill you if you're an idiot on it, and a 600 will kill you even faster. The 125s they have at the course will give you a good idea of their power and you can assess your comfort level.

I started on a 400 and I rode it for 2 years. Taught me everything about riding and respecting the bike and the road. It's a whole different experience than being in a car. You have to be 1000x more careful.

A 600 is a good starter bike as long as you're careful, as mentioned. My old CBR600 would lift the front wheel with minimal effort. However, the 600 got old for me fast since I had already been riding for so long.

Any of the major manufacturers will do fine. Just be careful, keep your eyes open at all times, and for god's sake, wear a helmet and gear all the time. Wear your leather even if it's 95 out, or get one of those mesh summer riding jackets.

Remember, SIPDE!!!

 

There are other ways to read the above, but I think it's suicide for a 20-something year old to buy a liter bike instead of changing seats and handlebars on a smaller bike starting out. The average 27 year-old has more frequent "testosterone moments" than are prudent for a brand new rider to have on an insanely powerful and vulnerable vehicle, and nobody "needs" more than a 4-banger 600 - it'll out-accelerate and corner 99% of cars on the road.

The conservative approach would be a 250 Ninja - cheap, easy to resell, fast enough for commutes on the highway and acceleration thrills, but hard to accidently let it fly. The next most conservative would be a 600-ish twin like a Ducati Monster. Once you start looking at 4-cyl bikes, I think a newbie is in over his head, both power and money-wise.

Just my perspective, but I ride a cruiser and have been on two wheels since before I was on 4. Oh, and my neighbor (pushing 40, stay-home wife and 2 little kids) just low-sided his sportbike on the way home from work and is laid up for a few weeks thanks to a little too much confidence (riding 2 years) and gravel from a landscaping truck.

 

My husband started on a suzuki TL1000, it was a nice bike but had a lot of power for a beginner. He is also a big guy so he looked stupid on a 600. He got a hell of a deal on the TL1000 though that is why he bought it.

Anyway he just sold the TL and bought an 08 Hayabusa HE LOVES IT!!

 

I started on a 600 and rode that for a year then moved up to a 1200.

Like stated above.. You HAVE to respect the bike and the power beneith you.

The course will teach you a whole lot of things you would not even think about. Highely recommended.

 

in RI we are required to take the MSF course and receive out endorsement before we can even get a licenses. i've ridden dirt bikes before but this course helped me out a ton, definitely worth it. however i don't have a bike currently but am actively searching. as for a starter bike i'm looking for a used older 600. something not to heavy with some pretty good power. be safe and respect the bike.

 

I am not sure how MSF works as far as giving you an endorsement. Does that mean once oyu pass, you can go out and ride a Hayabusa legally? If so, I think there is something wrong. I will date myself and say I know in the old (olden) days, if you take a m/c test on a sub 500cc bike, you are only licensed to ride a sub 500cc bike....

 

Like others have said. MSF first, bike second.

As far as a 600cc bike is concerned...and we are talking sport bike here not cruiser.....

Sure you can "learn" on a 600 and be fine, treat it with ease and respect the power....the problem lies with the rider. If you get "cocky" as a new rider (and we all get that urge to twist the throttle) you will be in a helluva lot more trouble on a 600 than say a 250.

Please ride within your limits. ALWAYS wear full gear.

 

Yep. Ride safe.

<<- hard to see links are to wrecked late model high powered bikes for sale

 

As a motorcycle rider and seeing all the accidents with 600CC. I strongly suggest you start on a 250/500. Stay away from those 600CC's u mentioned. Even if they are old, they still throw you with you do a mistake

 

I started on a brand new '07 GSX-R600. I trucked it home and parked it until I took the MSF course. I bought all kinds of gear, from head to toe, even before I bought the bike.

The instructors told me at MSF that I was a natural. I was dragging pegs on the first day even though I had no experience on bikes. I passed both the written test and the ride test with flying colors.

Less than an hour after the class was over, I wrecked in an S-curve. I was lucky to be unhurt.

Novices have no business on a modern super sport race replica bikes. I am telling you this from experience. I've always thought that I have good motor skills. I was always one of the fastest and the best drivers among my peers. Today, I am one of the better riders in my peers. Looking back, I was dragging knee at the track less than two months after I got into the sport. My advanced and racer friends were astonished at the progress.

However, that came with several accidents, almost all from inexperience and mistakes that could've otherwise been saved from an accident if the bike were more forgiving.

Start off on a smaller bike that is more forgiving and you will live and enjoy the sport. Start off on a modern super sport bike, and the chances of bad things happening increase exponentially. It is very simple - race replica bikes do not tolerate mistakes. They are not built for that.

Whatever you choose to ride, WEAR GEAR. Gear saves lives. Trust me on this and buy gear, and wear it. If it's too hot for gear, then it's too hot to ride.

 

you get a certification for passing both the writen and driving piece of it. for my state u need that certification to get your permit which all you have to do is hold it for 30 days the get the endorsement on your license. there is no other way i nmy state to get your license.

iknow for mass you take a simple quiz online and you get your permit then licenses however you have to pay 270 for it. i'm going to make out only paying 150 and having the certification for taking the MSF course.

as others have stated wear gear i know the importance of this because i have seen many people go down and those wearing there gear came out of it with minimal injuries.

 

I love how people think 600cc bikes are "slow" starter bikes when they 1st start to ride

Reality is *any* modern sport bike has really no purpose being on the street other than to exercise your right to freedom. To drive legally you have to basically idle around a crotch rocket and use only 1st and 2nd gear (3-8k rpms; out side of the power band). And of course all males in their early 20's can exercise this type of self control

Start on a 250cc bike...

Lets see... with a professional rider...a 2008 Yamaha R6 can run low 10's in the 1/4 mile (some have managed 9.99!)

Yup that seems like a beginner bike to me... lol

Would you teach your 15 year old kid to drive using your 10 second 1000+hp hot rod?

A newer 600cc bike is too much bike to start on to really learn how to ride; sure you can buy a 600cc bike and feel it out but it's just not a good idea. And you'll slow down your learning curve a ton. You'll find guys who learned to ride on 600cc+ bikes are missing a lot of basic fundamentals. Over compensating turning/leaning, horrible throttle control, bad shifting, too much rear brake. With a 250cc bike you can ride it hard and learn proper balance a lot faster... you'll be a better rider.

Definitely take a safety course, and if your in Cali go to one of the motorcycle racing schools and learn to ride at the track. They can quickly teach you how to ride at the racecourse; there's a bunch of performance classes you can sign up for.

Why do newbie crotch rocket riders even start these threads? Everyone who's a seasoned rider (10+ years) will tell them to start on a 250cc, but they never listen anyway...

And with that point made I'm done in here... keep it rubber side down and safe riding!

 

out here you don't even need a license to ride, with a permit you just can't ride at night or on the freeway!!!

 

everyone in their momma has told me to start on a 250.

i got an 09 monster 696. i have to admit i have had a couple close calls, but they have all been low speed (less than 10mph) which i think is the hardest anyways.

if you must get a sportbike or crotchrocket at least get one that is light weight. personally i would never start on a modern day crotch rocket. maybe one from the mid to late 90s, but not the ones today. they run circles around almost anything on the road.

 

There's a saying "it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." Slow on a modern 600 lasts all the way up to around 100 mph. How often do you think you'll get there on the street? If the answer is anything more than extremely rarely, you should not be on any bike at all.

A fantastic starter bike, IMO is a FZR-400. They are light (do not underestimate this factor) and offer superb handling a braking. I would very strongly suggest buying anything brand new as your chances of going down in your first year of riding are very good. If you go with something like a 90's CBR or FZR, parts are plentiful and relatively cheap. Bikes from the late 90's onward are a quantum leap in performance from those a few years older. They are very, very easy to get yourself into big trouble with.

It cannot be said enough, get yourself all the gear. Boots meant for riding, pants (leather preferably), a riding jacket, riding gloves and above all else, a *new* helmet that fits right. Expect to spend a minimum of $500 on your gear. There are tons of great deals on used gear to be had but helmets should always be bought new. You'll want to buy from a store where you can try it on too as different brands fit different heads. It should be good and tight.

Good luck and keep it sticky side down.

 

I blame the bike makers. There are amazing 250/400/500/650 CC bikes we don't get here. Yamaha will be bringing they Ninja 250 fighter soon to the America's. Hopefully the other makers follow.

 

Is Yamaha going to beat up Kawasaki and steal it from them? Lol. But yeah, there are a bunch of nice sub 600 cc bikes that we don't get here because of the small penis syndrome so pervasive in our society. Aprila has some sweet offerings if you want to spend the money though.

 

I started on a CBR600F2 and had no problems. Don't let people try to talk you into a little bike you don't want. If you are a truly responsible person and have a healthy respect for the bike, you will be fine. Now if you want to start out on a new Gixxer 1000 then you might be an idiot.....

 

Me too, I rode it for five years without incident... It was relatively comfortable for me (I'm 6'1"), and plenty fast. I spent many years prior in the saddle of a bicycle, that might have helped me keep my eyes open for idiot cagers.

When I can buy a bike again (a couple more years when the job is more stable) I'll be looking for a used F3. It's the same frame as the F2 but slightly more power and revised suspension. I bet you could get a nice one for <$3k, they were the best selling bike for many years and there are a lot of them out there.

LukeaTron's pick, the FZR-400, is also an excellent choice, but IIRC they are fairly rare.

Oh, and yeah, don't buy new. You might drop it when you're getting used to it. Even worse somebody will knock it over (mine was knocked over three times, never a note from the perp)... regardless be sure to have collision insurance because the plastic parts are UNBELIEVABLY expensive.

 

+1 for MSF courses, and for always wearing a Snell-approved helmet and leather gear.

Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are increasing at a time when virtually every other accident statistic is going down.




Chilling Statistics for Motorcycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (a division of the United States Department of Transportation), in the calendar year 2006, 4,810 people died in motorcycle crashes. This number was up over 5% from those killed in 2005 (4,576). The number of those killed in 2006 were at their highest levels since 1981. Additionally, according to the statistics maintained by the NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities have increased every year for the past consecutive 9 years.

Of course, there are more motorcycle riders on the road now than ever before. With rising costs of gasoline, this is expected to increase. Nonetheless, statistics indicate that motorcycle riders were, at least, 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006 per vehicle mile traveled and 8 times more likely to be seriously injured. The fatality rate for motorcycle riders in 2006 was 5 ½ times the fatality rate for occupants of passenger cars. In 2006, motorcycle riders accounted for 11% of all traffic fatalities, 13% of all occupant fatalities and 4% of all occupants injured.

Regrettably, of all fatally injured motorcycle riders, 27% had blood alcohol levels of .08% or higher in 2006. Thus, many of the fatalities reported by the NHTSA involved alleged contributory negligence by the motorcycle rider. Nonetheless, in the vast majority of cases, there was no alcohol involved and yet the fatality statistics continued to rise from the previous years. These statistics prove that motorcycle riders must be extremely careful, more so than passenger drivers. In the event of a collision, one driver has protection (airbags, seatbelts, car crashworthiness, etc.), the other has none other than a helmet. Defensive driving and heightened safety consciousness therefore are the best things a rider can do to protect themselves

 

I used to reccommend starting on a 600 (such as I did), but I've since changed my mind, especially for modern 600s that put down the hp and torque that older 1000s used to put down. I'm on my 2nd bike, and decided to stick with a 600 (for a lot of reasons which could be another topic).

The choice is yours. You'll read all of this stuff, but once you see the 600 you want caution may take a back seat to emotion. Try your best to make the right choice and good luck.

 

I just want to have one for fun , you wont see me doing wheelies or any of that nonsense . My brain tells me I should get some experience on a 250 first but I went to look at one today , they were selling it for about 900. It was a good bike but I am 6.1 feet 240 pounds , I kind of felt a little silly , then again the bike had everything I would need to gain some experience .

 

But if your feeling silly at least your alive. I can't tell you how many people I've seen in my step-brothers group of friends start in the 600 or higher for first bike. Quite a few have wrecked them. Amazingly they are still alive but the last 2 have the luck of the devil to have walked away the way they do.

Think of it this way it's one season on a bike you feel silly about but at least you'll have that much more experience to keep yourself alive the following year.