I'm a beginning rider. I recently took the BRC so question, what type of bike did y'all start on when u were a beginner rider? I want to get the CBR-600 but Idk if I should go down to a 300 for my 1st bike
If you're a sensible human being like a James May or Clorox a 919/600 will work just fine. If you're personality is more like Jeremy Clarkson stay with a 300.
I started on a Ninja 250. Had it for like a month before I moved on to the F4i. I would highly recommend starting on something smaller, less powerful, less fast.
No matter what you settle on buying, no matter how fast or slow it is, keep this one word in your head every time you you turn the key "RESPECT". You'll be fine, have fun!
I learned to ride in the dirt, and for years I recommended anyone who asked to ride a dual sport or motard style bike -light weight, good brakes, quick motor at lower speeds, great riding position for visibility and bounces nicely.
If you have your head about you any bike with good brakes and a riding position that allows you to see the road around you easily will work.
I agree with the advice you are getting here - safe riding is a state of mind. Defense is the word of the day. Don't be afraid to use motor to avoid or get away from people. And as Elsa says "Let it go". There is no place for pride, road rage, or aggression while riding on the street.
Don't worry about outgrowing a bike. That too is a state of mind.
I learned to ride in the dirt, and for years I recommended anyone who asked to ride a dual sport or motard style bike -light weight, good brakes, quick motor at lower speeds, great riding position for visibility and bounces nicely.
I started doing the same, and think anyone that wants to ride on the road should spend a few hours(or years for that matter) on dirt... The lessons learned are invaluable, and falling in the dirt going 15mph because you turned too fast or grabbed the brake too hard is much more forgiving than doing the same on the street... I rode on dirt and in the woods for 3 or 4 years before I ever road on the rode and there's been at least a few times that the knowledge gained from that riding has kept me on two wheels on the road.
I started riding on dirt, a Honda XR75. Moved up to bigger dirt bikes, 100's, 125's & 250's until I was old enough to get a license then my first street bike was a 1982 Honda Nighthawk 750 (CB750SC).
first bike I rode was a 72 dt175 rode dirt for about 3 months while I restored a cl175 that was a 71. rode that thing for a few months (5000 miles) yea it was nice to be school and restore a bike on someone else's dime then just ride the piss outa it. then I bought MY first bike which was a 1990 Yamaha radian. I say you learn way more on those bikes then you could ever learn using a 600rr as a first bike.... IMHO
The New Kawasaki 300 Ninja is very sweet.
So are the New Honda 500 twins. My neighbor has one and it is very nice.
Either size/configuration bike is going to take you through the learning phases well.
Rode a Honda XR80 around my back yard as a kid, rode my dad's Suzuki 650 by starting off a cinder block when I was 12, then got my 919 at 22ish. The dirt bike was the best riding training I ever got. My wife started from scratch on a CB500F and never once dropped it all through the learning process and we rode all over hilly areas (I was so proud and glad I didn't have to pay for repairs lol)
I'd say if you have previous dirt bike experience or anything like that you could go straight for the CBR, if not, I would go for the cheapest thing you can find to learn on because you will likely want to upgrade to a larger CC once you are comfortable after a year or so. SV650, CB500F, something like that?
I started on an XR80 too, and then on to my dads 650... :laugh: then he asked me if I wanted to take his katana 1100 for a spin one day when I was around 15... Man, was I hooked after that...
I started on a 1983 KZ440. That little guy saw around 10k in 18 months while I learned the ropes before moving to a 919.
I can't stress this enough: a middleweight super sport is not a good first bike. Start with something small, light, and low on power. You want to keep up with traffic, but not blow by it like it isn't moving.The Ninja 250/300 is fine, so are the Honda 500s.
I started on a rebel 250. It was a little small but the island speed limit was 25 anyways, and there wasn't really enough room to get going too fast; well, there was one road, but I only got to go down that one once, and I managed to flog the 250 up to a screaming 65 mph.
My first big bike was a 919, and I'm not a crazy person by any stretch of the imagination so it was perfect for me.
Hey. I am also new to Sportbike riding. Been years since ridden any bike but I recently purchased an older CBR 600. The group I ride with includes riders of all ages and skill levels. Those that are more seasoned......including some with racing history.....have all said the CBR 600 is a great starter bike and will help in developing skills. Just thought I would share.
And to echo the other riders......u do gain a lot of skill on dirt bikes. I had a Kawasaki 90 as a kid and spent many hours tearing up the woods. I quickly learned it wasn't a toy and if I didn't respect it......well, let's just say it made me realize how much I didn't know. As kids will do, I pushed the limits more than once. Luckily it was forgiving and let me walk......or limp.....away. The balance skills u gain on dirt are a big plus on the street. I still have to stop myself from putting my foot on the ground in a turn when on the street.
Those that are more seasoned......including some with racing history.....have all said the CBR 600 is a great starter bike and will help in developing skills. Just thought I would share.
I have never, ever heard someone with real riding experience, including track/racing suggest, that a CBR600 is a good starter bike. Now, I know it's possible to have one as a starter bike and not kill yourself or smash it to bits, but why provide the easy temptation? Starting small is advised by every experienced rider I've spoken with on the topic.
Started in the dirt on a 1979 Honda XL100. Then didn't ride for many years. For my 33rd birthday, I took the safety course and bought a 2013 Honda CB500f (used). Just traded it in on a 2007 Honda 919. Slow and steady was my approach.
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