Classic CBR 600 as first bike?

[CrankyCraig]

I'd still echo the advice of others, that you're probably better off starting out on something that isn't a sports bike for a little while. You'll still have a ton of fun, and you can still opt for something with sporty intentions. Don't feel that you have to ride something entirely devoid of excitement for 10 years before progressing to said sports bike. A few thousand miles would be fine, then you'll be no less fine on just about anything.

I'm a big proponent of an old cheap bike. Ride it in any conditions, to any place, completely care free, not worrying that it's left exposed to the elements, not concerned whether it will be there when you get back, not being afraid to learn how it's put together, not shedding a single tear when you're looking up he road at it lying on it's side and not loosing a single penny when you sell what's left of it.

Edited by CrankyCraig on Saturday 22 June 15:41

[Stu-nph26]

CrankyCraig said:

I'd still echo the advice of others, that you're probably better off starting out on something that isn't a sports bike for a little while. You'll still have a ton of fun, and you can still opt for something with sporty intentions. Don't feel that you have to ride something entirely devoid of excitement for 10 years before progressing to said sports bike. A few thousand miles would be fine, then you'll be no less fine on just about anything.

I'm a bit proponent of an old cheap bike. Ride it in any conditions, to any place, completely care free, not worrying that it's left exposed to the elements, not concerned whether it will be there when you get back, not being afraid to learn how it's put together, not shedding a single tear when you're looking up he road at it lying on it's side and not loosing a single penny when you sell what's left of it.

I have my CBT tomorrow so I should have a better idea then. I am leaning towards an old CBR or even a naked bike like a Hornet or something in line with the advice of others.

[Stu-nph26]

What’s about a GSXR 600 will that be suitable like a CBR?

Seen this on Facebook marketplace. (Sorry can’t upload pics on mobile)

I am selling my Suzuki GSXR 600 K1, the bike is immaculate and open to any viewing, it rides fantastic on all roads, it sounds great with race cam on, but I’ve also got the standard exhaust if that’s not for you. It comes with the rear seat, original tool kit, all books and 10 months MOT, recently serviced and detailed. The bikes only got 32,000 miles on the clock and still feels brand new! First to see will buy! The perfect toy for the summer, great for first time riders and experienced riders.

May swap for more of a sit up bike, what have you got? 07393110391 Read Less

[Zakalwe]

Gixxers are good, but to be honest you won’t have a clue about what’s “good” or “bad” until you’ve got some riding under your belt. It’ll take a few months to get your licence anyway now summer’s coming, by which time all these bikes on the market probably won’t be there any more. Get those test out the way then start looking!

[Sa Calobra]

Stu-nph26 said:

What’s about a GSXR 600 will that be suitable like a CBR?

Seen this on Facebook marketplace. (Sorry can’t upload pics on mobile)

I am selling my Suzuki GSXR 600 K1, the bike is immaculate and open to any viewing, it rides fantastic on all roads, it sounds great with race cam on, but I’ve also got the standard exhaust if that’s not for you. It comes with the rear seat, original tool kit, all books and 10 months MOT, recently serviced and detailed. The bikes only got 32,000 miles on the clock and still feels brand new! First to see will buy! The perfect toy for the summer, great for first time riders and experienced riders.

May swap for more of a sit up bike, what have you got? 07393110391 Read Less

How much is that and where?

[Stu-nph26]

Sa Calobra said:

How much is that and where?

1850 is up north about 10 miles away from me

[Stu-nph26]

Zakalwe said:

Gixxers are good, but to be honest you won’t have a clue about what’s “good” or “bad” until you’ve got some riding under your belt. It’ll take a few months to get your licence anyway now summer’s coming, by which time all these bikes on the market probably won’t be there any more. Get those test out the way then start looking!

Good point but it’s nice to get an idea. I’m hoping to get it done quicker than that they offer a 5 day course.

[Zakalwe]

Hopefully you can, it’ll depend on the test centre availability though - this is peak season for booking tests. See what the school says about it

[Zakalwe]

Oh also, compared to the CBR that gixxer 600 should be harder to handle, bit more aggressive position and an engine that wants to scream. CBR will be easier to ride at slower speeds

[Stu-nph26]

Completed my CBT yesterday without any issues. If I'm honest it was harder than I expected. The bike itself a Honda 125 which was about 15 years old was truly terrible. It was tiny and I felt cramped to death riding it but other than that it was ok. Having never ridden a geared bike before I had a little bit of difficulty with the clutch but managed to get it sussed.

Manoeuvres were pretty straight forward, the figure of 8 probably being the most challenging but I wouldn't say it was difficult. Had a couple of moments riding on the road when I struggled a little with the clutch on a hill start but nothing major.

The instruction and the place were great but I do feel a little bit underwhelmed by it all. Maybe it's just the bike but I didn't enjoy it half as much as I had expected I would. I'm going to book in for my next lesson and see if I enjoy it any more on a bigger bike if I don't not sure I'll bother getting a bike which is a real turnaround.

[8IKERDAVE]

Stu-nph26 said:

Completed my CBT yesterday without any issues. If I'm honest it was harder than I expected. The bike itself a Honda 125 which was about 15 years old was truly terrible. It was tiny and I felt cramped to death riding it but other than that it was ok. Having never ridden a geared bike before I had a little bit of difficulty with the clutch but managed to get it sussed.

Manoeuvres were pretty straight forward, the figure of 8 probably being the most challenging but I wouldn't say it was difficult. Had a couple of moments riding on the road when I struggled a little with the clutch on a hill start but nothing major.

The instruction and the place were great but I do feel a little bit underwhelmed by it all. Maybe it's just the bike but I didn't enjoy it half as much as I had expected I would. I'm going to book in for my next lesson and see if I enjoy it any more on a bigger bike if I don't not sure I'll bother getting a bike which is a real turnaround.

In all honesty riding a shagged 125 in CBT conditions is not a true representation of riding. On a bike you like, a nice flowing A-road with the sun blazing will give you a better understanding. You will have been focused on learning the technique whilst being barked at by an instructor - it's hardly a stress free ride. Don't give up just yet, the bigger bike will be a step in the right direction albeit still with very different conditions than you will be licensed to enjoy if you carry on with it.

[Google [bot]]

Reading between the lines it sounds to me like you’ve had your confidence knocked a bit so you didn’t feel in the moment.

[Scobblelotcher]

I didn’t enjoy my CBT either nor did I enjoy the week of lessons for mod 1+2 , for me it all clicked when I’d ridden on my own for a few weeks and then I really ‘got’ it and started enjoying the riding!

Stick with it now you’re here, it will always be a useful life skill if nothing else. It made me a better car driver as well!

[Ho Lee Kau]

Stu-nph26 said:

Ho Lee Kau said:

I concur.
I ride Daytona 675 in traffic, it is absolutely brilliant
Back pain? Maybe beginning of season, just need to ride more and it's gone.

Love the look of a Daytona I think that might be a bit too much for a new rider.

I was “green” when I bought mine new, I did it before I had my license, three months into riding my first bike ever (cbr600f4i).
I would not consider it an absolute beginner bike, because of its aggressive sporty sitting position, sharp steering and pretty strong output, but not undoable with respect, bikes’ advantages being lightness and very tractable engine with exemplary smooth throttle response (in particular on/off, which is great for confidence in corners).

[Stu-nph26]

Google [bot] said:

Reading between the lines it sounds to me like you’ve had your confidence knocked a bit so you didn’t feel in the moment.

I think that's a big part of it.

[Stu-nph26]

Scobblelotcher said:

I didn’t enjoy my CBT either nor did I enjoy the week of lessons for mod 1+2 , for me it all clicked when I’d ridden on my own for a few weeks and then I really ‘got’ it and started enjoying the riding!

Stick with it now you’re here, it will always be a useful life skill if nothing else. It made me a better car driver as well!

Good point I think you're right I'm not going to give up now. It did half temp me to get a cheap 125 and start to use it to build up some more confidence and time on a bike.

[Stu-nph26]

8IKERDAVE said:

In all honesty riding a shagged 125 in CBT conditions is not a true representation of riding. On a bike you like, a nice flowing A-road with the sun blazing will give you a better understanding. You will have been focused on learning the technique whilst being barked at by an instructor - it's hardly a stress free ride. Don't give up just yet, the bigger bike will be a step in the right direction albeit still with very different conditions than you will be licensed to enjoy if you carry on with it.

Some great feedback here cheers guys. I'm not giving up I just hope I enjoy the bigger bike more. Saying that I never really enjoyed learning to drive until I what let loose on my own.

[Zakalwe]

Riding a 125 isn’t much fun, they’re st to be honest, useless for being on the road unless you’ve no other choice. Especially on your CBT when you’re too busy concentrating on how it all works to enjoy the ride. Bigger bikes are much easier to ride once you’ve got the knack of the controls - which doesn’t take too long tbh - and you link up a few corners or pin it from the lights with your instructor egging you on to get up to speed, that 125 will feel a long way away

[Krikkit]

Zakalwe said:

Riding a 125 isn’t much fun, they’re st to be honest, useless for being on the road unless you’ve no other choice. Especially on your CBT when you’re too busy concentrating on how it all works to enjoy the ride. Bigger bikes are much easier to ride once you’ve got the knack of the controls - which doesn’t take too long tbh - and you link up a few corners or pin it from the lights with your instructor egging you on to get up to speed, that 125 will feel a long way away

Indeed, as nunpuncher put it a few weeks ago:

nunpuncher said:

If you've never ridden a motorbike before then taking in the whole alien sequence of flicking switches, looking about, controlling things with both hands and feet while balancing on a wobbly (usually fked) 125 wearing a sensory deprivation device on your head is no easy task. As you can see, plenty of other people on here seem to have struggled with it at first.

[sjtscott]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I was looking at Steely F3s as a EU import as my first bike after passing (pre-direct access) at the tail end of 1996. Sadly Kawasaki got my attention with their 0% deal and capped £275 FComp insurance for a brand new 1997 ZX-6RF3 So I got an even better bike instead lol
I did wonder what the hell I'd done for the first couple of weeks after picking it up but I don't regret it for a second! 17.5kmiles in 3.5 years didn't drop/crash it either during that time.
Ironically I ended up with a 2003 F4i some 8 years later to replace an ageing 1999 R6, that bike was bought as a replacement as my GSXR600K3 got nicked. I did have a nice run of Sports 600s until 2008.