A boring 'first bike' thread.
Discussion
black-k1 said:
m9rko said:
BlackPrince said:
You can get a 1000cc as your first bike and its fine.
Completely disagree, unless your taking about a somebody with no interest in sport bikes or going fast buying a 1000cc adventure bike. OP is 27 and has an interest in sport bikes, he says he is sensible and I'm sure he will be. But when you do start picking the pace up (which he will, he's 27 and riding a sport bike), a 600 is far, far more forgiving than a 1000It has been shown on many occasions by many different motorcycle lobby groups that there is NO correlation between accident rates and engine capacity, regardless of the riders experience.
m9rko said:
black-k1 said:
m9rko said:
BlackPrince said:
You can get a 1000cc as your first bike and its fine.
Completely disagree, unless your taking about a somebody with no interest in sport bikes or going fast buying a 1000cc adventure bike. OP is 27 and has an interest in sport bikes, he says he is sensible and I'm sure he will be. But when you do start picking the pace up (which he will, he's 27 and riding a sport bike), a 600 is far, far more forgiving than a 1000It has been shown on many occasions by many different motorcycle lobby groups that there is NO correlation between accident rates and engine capacity, regardless of the riders experience.
In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
I had a CBR600F as my first big bike and I'd say that I think they can be a very good idea providing you have an ounce of sense. The fact that you need to wind on a lot of throttle to make them go warp speed with low torque at low revs, coupled with lightweight makes them very forgiving and easy to ride. You can fumble at low speed, miss gear changes and generally nothing bad happens. On bigger twins, the low revs torque can be a shock, it can be easy to lock wheels and wheelie unintentionally!
As others have said, in spite of the powerful brakes, you still need to be a bit sensible as it is too easy to ride very fast! Three figure speeds come up very quickly and the bike feels very natural at these speeds...Cars simply will not anticipate how fast you're going and pull out in front of you / into you / u-turn on you etc...
As others have said, in spite of the powerful brakes, you still need to be a bit sensible as it is too easy to ride very fast! Three figure speeds come up very quickly and the bike feels very natural at these speeds...Cars simply will not anticipate how fast you're going and pull out in front of you / into you / u-turn on you etc...
black-k1 said:
m9rko said:
black-k1 said:
m9rko said:
BlackPrince said:
You can get a 1000cc as your first bike and its fine.
Completely disagree, unless your taking about a somebody with no interest in sport bikes or going fast buying a 1000cc adventure bike. OP is 27 and has an interest in sport bikes, he says he is sensible and I'm sure he will be. But when you do start picking the pace up (which he will, he's 27 and riding a sport bike), a 600 is far, far more forgiving than a 1000It has been shown on many occasions by many different motorcycle lobby groups that there is NO correlation between accident rates and engine capacity, regardless of the riders experience.
In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
black-k1 said:
And there are many people (some who post on here) who went straight from DAS to a 1000cc sports bike with no issues. I’ve yet to hear from anyone who actually got straight on to a 1000cc bike and then later says it was the wrong thing to do.
In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
New rider here. That bit in bold doesn't sound right at all. The limiting factor is my confidence/roadcraft, not the bike's performance (torque, top speed, etc.). Assume you are right and that 1000cc bikes makes you a better rider quicker than a 600cc bike for the same level of risk; nobody would buy 600cc bikes and insurance would probably be cheaper for 1000cc bikes which is clearly not the case. The 1000cc bike might have more low down torque which might make it easier to ride slowly, but when I'm riding slowly it's because I don't know the road, not because my 600cc bike can't be ridden slowly easily.In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
my first bike at 30 after DAS was a K5 GSXR 600. I loved it an regreted it all at the same time. I was not good enough to ride it, by time I sold it I wanted to keep it (wife hated pillion so I got a Bonnie).
End of day there are bikes aimed at new riders and then there are other bikes. What sort of person are you will you be able to keep calm an sensible etc. Someone on here bought a Panigale as a first bike an later a Desmo far as I am aware they are still alive and fine. They could of course afford the insurance an running costs.
So buy whatever you like test ride some if you can dropped bars on a sports bike will be much different to the bike you do DAS on its the one element I noticed straight away.
Oh an my next bike once I have the pennies saved (2 kids came along post the bonnie so it had to be sold) most likely another GSXR 600
End of day there are bikes aimed at new riders and then there are other bikes. What sort of person are you will you be able to keep calm an sensible etc. Someone on here bought a Panigale as a first bike an later a Desmo far as I am aware they are still alive and fine. They could of course afford the insurance an running costs.
So buy whatever you like test ride some if you can dropped bars on a sports bike will be much different to the bike you do DAS on its the one element I noticed straight away.
Oh an my next bike once I have the pennies saved (2 kids came along post the bonnie so it had to be sold) most likely another GSXR 600
Berz said:
black-k1 said:
And there are many people (some who post on here) who went straight from DAS to a 1000cc sports bike with no issues. I’ve yet to hear from anyone who actually got straight on to a 1000cc bike and then later says it was the wrong thing to do.
In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
New rider here. That bit in bold doesn't sound right at all. The limiting factor is my confidence/roadcraft, not the bike's performance (torque, top speed, etc.). Assume you are right and that 1000cc bikes makes you a better rider quicker than a 600cc bike for the same level of risk; nobody would buy 600cc bikes and insurance would probably be cheaper for 1000cc bikes which is clearly not the case. The 1000cc bike might have more low down torque which might make it easier to ride slowly, but when I'm riding slowly it's because I don't know the road, not because my 600cc bike can't be ridden slowly easily.In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
The cc of the bike definitely does NOT make you a better or worse rider.
Newcomers start to explore more of the bikes capabilities as their own confidence and skill set improves and the amount of performance used will always be limited by the skill/experience of the rider for both 600cc and 1000cc sports bikes.
There is nothing wrong (and lots right) with a 600cc bike as a first bike but, likewise, I’m saying that I don’t think there is anything wrong (and lots right) with a 1000cc sports bike as a first bike. I’m saying that neither is better than the others who are saying that a 600cc bike is a better option.
black-k1 said:
[snip]
I’ve yet to hear from anyone who actually got straight on to a 1000cc bike and then later says it was the wrong thing to do.
C'mon. How many chaps will say "I bought this bike and it was far too much for me"?I’ve yet to hear from anyone who actually got straight on to a 1000cc bike and then later says it was the wrong thing to do.
I'm loving my SV ( predictabo) which has similar torque at ~half the revs and a more relaxed riding position, but I'm about ten years older than the OP.
black-k1 said:
Berz said:
black-k1 said:
And there are many people (some who post on here) who went straight from DAS to a 1000cc sports bike with no issues. I’ve yet to hear from anyone who actually got straight on to a 1000cc bike and then later says it was the wrong thing to do.
In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
New rider here. That bit in bold doesn't sound right at all. The limiting factor is my confidence/roadcraft, not the bike's performance (torque, top speed, etc.). Assume you are right and that 1000cc bikes makes you a better rider quicker than a 600cc bike for the same level of risk; nobody would buy 600cc bikes and insurance would probably be cheaper for 1000cc bikes which is clearly not the case. The 1000cc bike might have more low down torque which might make it easier to ride slowly, but when I'm riding slowly it's because I don't know the road, not because my 600cc bike can't be ridden slowly easily.In general, more low down torque makes bikes easier to ride and easier to ride slowly. I have never met a newbie who gets on any bike (regardless of cc) and does anything other than try and ride it as gently as they possibly can. From there and after a little time, they will start to slowly increase the amount of performance they use and the rate at which they do that will differ according to what the bike is actually capable of.
The cc of the bike definitely does NOT make you a better or worse rider.
Newcomers start to explore more of the bikes capabilities as their own confidence and skill set improves and the amount of performance used will always be limited by the skill/experience of the rider for both 600cc and 1000cc sports bikes.
There is nothing wrong (and lots right) with a 600cc bike as a first bike but, likewise, I’m saying that I don’t think there is anything wrong (and lots right) with a 1000cc sports bike as a first bike. I’m saying that neither is better than the others who are saying that a 600cc bike is a better option.
So yeah, I'm definitely misunderstanding something but now you've cleared it up we're good and I won't labour it
I had a supersport 600 back in '98 when I passed. I rode it like a berk, but thoroughly enjoyed it apart from the two offs that I had within 6 months (one on track, one on the road). I think in the first year, I probably scared myself on every other rideout by approaching a corner too fast, but it was an incredibly enjoyable part of my youth none the less.
I test rode most of the 600s of that era and found the GSXR600 suited me best (nice mix of handling and power), but the R6 felt like the nutter bike of the time.
Finally, they are bloody fast.
Enjoy whichever one you go for!
I test rode most of the 600s of that era and found the GSXR600 suited me best (nice mix of handling and power), but the R6 felt like the nutter bike of the time.
Finally, they are bloody fast.
Enjoy whichever one you go for!
Got my first bike on Saturday.
2002 kawasaki ZX6R A1P 636
I'm 30, had my license a couple years, since having my license ive been begging and boring shots on other bikes.
Only over the last few years did i think i was mature enough to get a bike and not be a complete idiot.
Ive not had alot of miles on it yet but aslong as you can keep your head and treat them with the respect they deserve you should be ok. However i learnt on an unrestricted 1200cc bandit so my 636 feels alot lighter, smoother and easier to ride.
But wtf do i know im a noob myself
2002 kawasaki ZX6R A1P 636
I'm 30, had my license a couple years, since having my license ive been begging and boring shots on other bikes.
Only over the last few years did i think i was mature enough to get a bike and not be a complete idiot.
Ive not had alot of miles on it yet but aslong as you can keep your head and treat them with the respect they deserve you should be ok. However i learnt on an unrestricted 1200cc bandit so my 636 feels alot lighter, smoother and easier to ride.
But wtf do i know im a noob myself
Cezar88 said:
Cheers for your input everyone,all been very helpful. Looking forward to getting it passed and finding the bike for me. Got my heart set on the GSXR or R6 so going to spend some time with both and see what i think. Thanks again
My first bike was a Yamaha XJ6. I enjoyed it, but it did get boring towards the end (had it for three and a half years). I'm currently on a GSXR 600 (2003). I love it. Would I have wanted one as my first bike? Properly not, but thats just me. I'm 6ft 4 and just been to Wales for three days and done nearly 700 miles in that. It was only towards the end I started to ache, but everyone is different. The riding position is rather aggressive and when I first rode it (after buying it stupidly) I did think I made a mistake, but got used to it now.
Do look at insurance before though, my XJ6 was £800 third party fire and theft at 23 when I first passed. At 26 with three years no claims and licence for three years they wanted £1,300 for a GSXR 1000 (reason why I went for the 600 first, that is around £400 a year).
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