YZF 600 as a starter?

[Sev]

noone can ever justify Why they seem to think they Need [insert bike] as their first bike. they all swear they will take it easy on the bike, making all of its performance a waste. it seems they just see it and think 'wow that looks cool' and thats the decision maker right there. you cant in any way make the opinion 'my choice is better than the recomendations becasue...' youve never rode before so you have no idea how the bike works or handles in any way to form an opinion.

basing a bike purchase on how it looks and no thing else is just stupid im sorry. to go against 1000s of people that actually Ride these machines, some devoting their lifes to them. it makes no sense to think that your making the right choice when you have zero ground to stand on. most will just stick their nose in the air ignore all advice and never come back. then go buy their bike and wreck it. very few people go against the advice and buy a [insert bike] and live to tell about it. when they do manage to live its usually always obvious they are poor riders because of what they learned on. noone ever wants to think ahead about that. sure you may 'take it easy' and live. but so what your on a high performance machine bogging the engine down while learning the worste habbits that you will never break. all because you had to have [insert bike] for some reason you cant explain to anyone.



/rant

We don't agree often, but I really like what you've said here. The most common argument for getting a bike like this, is "I don't want to look like a newb." But you would on a bike like that the first time out. Shaky and tippy, and crashy. Poor guy.

[iwannadie]

We don't agree often, but I really like what you've said here. The most common argument for getting a bike like this, is "I don't want to look like a newb." But you would on a bike like that the first time out. Shaky and tippy, and crashy. Poor guy.

exactly.

someone on a little 250 dragging the pegs around a turn doesnt look like a noob. compared to someone sitting at a stop light on a crotch rocket as traffic zooms by. while they fumble trying to restart their fancy bike they just stalled out. or how cool will the crotch rocket look with half the fairing missing caused from a stand still drop. the cost of new plastics are a fortune! having busted plastics on your dream bike you just financed for 60 months is just ....

[NorthernPete]

while they fumble trying to restart their fancy bike they just stalled out. or how cool will the crotch rocket look with half the fairing missing caused from a stand still drop.

This is exactly what happened to my friend with the R1, stalled it and dropped it at the light, just scratched the plastics up a bit though. allready gottena speeding ticket on it as well. *sigh* I guess he like paying insurance.

[Dennis27]

I've only been visiting this site for a short time now but it seems like once a week theres somone asking advise on a starter bike. Isnt there a starter bike forum?

[Sev]

Yes there is, there's also a list of suggested starter bikes. The problem is people think that these threads either don't exist, and don't bother to look OR they think that they don't apply to them.

In this case Nurider posted this question in both the new biker forum and the regular forum... I suspect in the hopes that he would get different answers. I'm surprised he didn't ask in the experienced bikers forum.

If new riders are so intent on asking opinions about the bike that they want. But actually want confirmation of their choice why not just ask something like this:

I really like the Suzuki Hayabusa, what does everyone think of it??

We aren't going to recomend something like that to a newb no matter how often or HOW you ask. So why say you're a newb if all you want is us to say, "go get it"?

[Dennis27]

I'm thinking about getting a rocket bike ..Basically its an F-14 Engine with two wheels and handle bars with an ignition button... I've never even touched a motorcycle before...you change gears with the right hand thingy right? In any case just wanted a couple opinions.

[NorthernPete]

zoom zoom! you stop by draggin your feet eh?

[vega44]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


when do you want to die???

[Mag7C]

It's already been said, but a high cc bike won't make you look cool. As a new biker you have no clutch control skills in low speed traffic, which is not your fault but is a skill to be learned. With a large bike you'll look like you're riding a bronco, and this definitely won't teach you anything. The bike will be heavy and wobbly. The laws of physics don't care how careful or reserved you are with the bike. You'll look like a fool. And you can make up excuses to all your friends why they can't ride on the back. Fun!
So if it's image you're after, that's the image you'll find.

If it's personal satisfaction that you're after (the best reason to ride!), you won't be satisfied with a large bike. You'll have a machine that's extremely stressful to ride instead of relaxing or thrilling. No good having a bike you don't like.

And please don't think these posts are insulting your abilities or just a bunch of old guys ranting (I'm 17). I've seen people who ride as described above, and it's actually kind of embarassing to watch. It's been proven that starting on a smaller motorcycle makes for a better rider. We just want you to be able to enjoy riding for a long time instead of having it end up a bad experience.

So a wise thing to do would be look around for a used smaller engine bike to learn the basics on. After a few months of riding you'll be both mentally confident and physically ready to get the 600 or 650 or whatever it is you want.

Good luck!

[NuRida]

In this case Nurider posted this question in both the new biker forum and the regular forum... I suspect in the hopes that he would get different answers. I'm surprised he didn't ask in the experienced bikers forum.

If new riders are so intent on asking opinions about the bike that they want. But actually want confirmation of their choice why not just ask something like this:

I really like the Suzuki Hayabusa, what does everyone think of it??

We aren't going to recomend something like that to a newb no matter how often or HOW you ask. So why say you're a newb if all you want is us to say, "go get it"?

SIMMER DOWN!!! i just ask a question, why is everyone getting all pissy with me and calling me an idiot, relax, i just wanted some opinions, thats all, geez!!!