New Bike

Whats up all,

Ok, so i've read a TON of posts on forums saying that 600r bikes are horrible for your first bike due to the fact that they have extremely sensitive handling and throttle control. I understand how that can be dangerous for a first timer on a bike, but i just dont see how if I take it very slow and work my way up in speeds i couldn't handle it. I realize that most people feel a young bike driver will want to test their bike and i agree, however i feel that if a person is smart and values their life, they can refrain from that. So if i get a yamaha R6 (maybe 05' or 06') to start with and learn slowly and carefully is it still a horrible idea to get a superbike as my first? Im not a c ocky young a sshole who wants to impress, i just want a bike that looks better and feels better than a ninja650/gs650 for me personally. I want to buy what i want with my money, but if its automatically suicide please give me a good reason why. Also i really dont want to have to worry about selling and buying a new one after i "get used to riding".. Please give me more input.

You could go out and buy a 600 cc Supersport bike and you might be able to handle it, but really why take the chance. They truly are purpose built racing machines with turn signals strapped on.

It would be similar to learning how to drive in a Formula 1 car or learning how to fly in an F-18, not a very good idea.

When people are new and encounter new situations they sometimes panic and either hit the brake too hard or gas it, on something like a Ninja 650 panic braking won't necessarily mean a crash but if you panic brake or gas it on a 600 cc bike and you don't have much experience under your belt it is almost guaranteed you will lose it.

I'm 18 so I know just how you feel, my first bike was a gs500 and really for a first bike that's all you need, you get the f model it'l still look cool and sound nice and will still out accelerate any cage out there on the street, after a year or two when you've built up a tiny bit of experience and confidence on a bike then if you still want to should you start looking to upgrade.

im in the same boat.. i also want a 600 for a starter.. my rommate has a 1000 and everyone iknow has started out with a 600.. i too am in the mindset that i dont wanna buy something crappy now until im "used to riding" then sell and buy again.. i catch onto things really fast and personally dont think its a bad idea.. but then again i dont have that much experience either

consider the fact that you will most likely lay the bike on its side at least once or twice when your learning to ride. Do you really wanna hurt a pretty bike?

What makes bikes other than a 600cc bike crappy? For my purposes, actually, supersports are crappy... I don't feel like having my bike overheat all the time, and I enjoy getting twice the mileage of some sport bikes.

The firm desire for a supersport, and unwillingness to explore other options, displays immaturity. They are bad beginner bikes because they are made with only expert riders in mind. Beginners are not supposed to ride them, and since they are designed only for experts, everything about them is beyond the ability of any beginner. It doesn't matter how fast your bike is, you as a beginner are not fast, nor can you corner well, nor can you stop well, nor can you launch well or do anything, and starting on a supersport is going to hinder your ability to learn because when you make mistakes on a supersport, you crash.

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151947

It doesn't matter what bike you ride if you don't know how to ride it. You can have the coolest bike in the world... but that doesn't make you cool.

im in the same boat.. i also want a 600 for a starter.. my rommate has a 1000 and everyone iknow has started out with a 600.. i too am in the mindset that i dont wanna buy something crappy now until im "used to riding" then sell and buy again.. i catch onto things really fast and personally dont think its a bad idea.. but then again i dont have that much experience either

A GS 500 is NOT a crappy bike, it will still out accelerate almost all of the cars on the road and can go plenty f******* fast, however it would also be a good beginner bike and if you get the f version it will look just like a sportbike.

and ya a "beginner" bike can stunt just fine(once again to prove they aren't crappy bikes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MGelSYavwQ

I started out on a GS 500 and really the only reason I upgraded this year is because my old one broke (clutch went boom)

basically

start on a ninja 500, 650 or a gs 500 or sv 650, they will go pretty damn fast and unless your buddies are professionals that also happen to drive like maniacs on the road you will have no problems whatsoever with keeping up with them.

oh yes, insurance on the above mentioned bikes will also be a hell of a lot cheaper than a gixxer.

If you still are gonna be stubborn and insist on a 600 cc sportbike I wish you the best of luck and hope you have fun (we won't hate you for getting it, all we are trying to do is help keep new people from picking something bigger than they should start with, when learning to shoot you don't start with a Barrett M107 just like you shouldn't start with a big high powered race bike) I would recommend the ZZR 600, it's the closest thing to a beginner friendly 600 cc sportbike there is I think

The reason we're against new riders getting 600+cc supersport bikes is most of them are kids, and you know how hotheaded they are, also inexperienced riders who thought they should get one because of the reasons in the link Schneiderman posted. If you really know yourself like what you posted I'd say no problem (but don't be overconfident). My first bike is a 600 too, however it's just sport, not supersport (98hp vs 120hp).

Remember this: riding on the street is not just about controlling the bike, it's also about looking out for traffic.

I understand how that can be dangerous for a first timer on a bike, but i just dont see how if I take it very slow and work my way up in speeds i couldn't handle it.

Ah, but the real question is, in the heat of the moment, adrenaline pumping, and the thrill of the roaring engine, could you really resist the temptation to twist that throttle just a *little* more? Be honest with yourself.

My vote would be that, if you are seriously looking for a supersport to start out with, then you couldn't. Because thats why you want one, right? To go fast?

Now, if you actually can resist that temptation, then there's really nothing to worry about other than the panic situations already mentioned. However, can you REALLY be sure that you wouldn't be tempted? Odds are, unless you've driven sports cars, you've never been in command of such a high powered vehicle, and therefore you can't really judge whether or not you'd be responsible enough.

Also, by posting this question, it seems to me like you are trying to validate a point of view that you know yourself to be wrong, but are just trying to convince yourself otherwise.