Only my two cents worth, but I just cannot understand anyone who would decide its going to be a long term wise idea to step into biking on a 500+cc bike (this is not solely directed at the OP; but also my thoughts about the other posters who ask about this on the forum).
Not unlike my childhood friend who was given a Lotus as an 18th birthday present.. suprisingly, he wrapped it around a tree a week later. Thankfully, he was relatively uninjured.
Biking isn't just about roadsense, its the actual physical handling of two wheels. A bike is simply an engine - with two wheels and a seat on top... It seems to me that to be presumptious and assume the larger, more powerful engine under your command will be safe in your hands - displays a lack of respect for the power and capability within that engine
your opinions please
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Henriettaah
- Elite
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- Location: Sheffield, UK
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Lion_Lady
- Legendary 1500
- Posts: 1885
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:44 am
- Real Name: Pam
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 24
- My Motorcycle: 2013 BMW R1200R 90th Anniversary
- Location: Lynchburg, VA
Its the discussions like this on the Newbies forum that make me less and less inclined to visit and participate here.
Have a look on ebay or the newspaper and you see dozens of wrecked brand new or near new Z6CBRGSXRs up for parting out. "left side only" etc. Another reason the insurance is astronomical on those bikes.
Yeah, its possible to start out on a race replica "if you're careful and respect the bike." Thing is, until you learn the body english to fully control a motorcycle, you put yourself and others at risk by starting out on a powerful bike. Its just stupid.
Even fighter pilots start out on single engine propeller planes, mastering the basics of flight before they ever climb inside a real jet fighter.
P
From the "Newbies" Forum that I moderate after another returning rider asked about the R6:
"Speaking of too comfortable too soon. My neighbor just totaled his R6. Seems he was following his G/F home late the other evening. Pulled the front wheel up and had to drop it because traffic slowed or something like that. Well, when he came down he went into a severe head shake which caused him to goose the throttle. Had to lay the bike down to keep from slamming into the back of his own vehicle. Slid underneath the SUV, totalled the bike pretty much I guess, but only put a small dent in the SUV. Only got some scratches and bruising himself, lucky I guess. He's been on the bike for around 9 mos or so. I don't have "all" the details of what happened, but it didn't sound good at any rate.
POint is, this bike will kick yer butt if given the chance. PLease, ride safe and like was previously mentioned ATGATT."
Have a look on ebay or the newspaper and you see dozens of wrecked brand new or near new Z6CBRGSXRs up for parting out. "left side only" etc. Another reason the insurance is astronomical on those bikes.
Yeah, its possible to start out on a race replica "if you're careful and respect the bike." Thing is, until you learn the body english to fully control a motorcycle, you put yourself and others at risk by starting out on a powerful bike. Its just stupid.
Even fighter pilots start out on single engine propeller planes, mastering the basics of flight before they ever climb inside a real jet fighter.
P
From the "Newbies" Forum that I moderate after another returning rider asked about the R6:
"Speaking of too comfortable too soon. My neighbor just totaled his R6. Seems he was following his G/F home late the other evening. Pulled the front wheel up and had to drop it because traffic slowed or something like that. Well, when he came down he went into a severe head shake which caused him to goose the throttle. Had to lay the bike down to keep from slamming into the back of his own vehicle. Slid underneath the SUV, totalled the bike pretty much I guess, but only put a small dent in the SUV. Only got some scratches and bruising himself, lucky I guess. He's been on the bike for around 9 mos or so. I don't have "all" the details of what happened, but it didn't sound good at any rate.
POint is, this bike will kick yer butt if given the chance. PLease, ride safe and like was previously mentioned ATGATT."
Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity - Alice Paul
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swatter555
- Legendary 300
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- Location: Saint Louis,MO
Well, you asked for advice, your getting it. At the same time, your old enough to make your own decisions. If you want a supersport 600, you will have to accept that it is simply more dangerous to learn on(prolly a good degree more dangerous). After you learn how to ride, you will likely want to switch bikes anyway, getting a bike that more closely fits your style. Take it easy, there is plenty of time!
On top of that, you really wont utilize what those bikes of capable of for a long time, period. If you do manage to push the bike close to its limits while you are learning, your a damn fool and your pre-approved for your visit heaven. Learning is not a two week process. Learning to ride profiecently is an on-going process that takes years. I have been riding for 4 months or so, and let me tell you... Im not even close to pushing the limits of my 72hp SV650S. I ride canyon roads and such, but my skill doesnt allow me to find the limits of my bike. I take riding very seriously and have read several books about proficient riding and still practice in parking lots an hour or two a week. Unless you have serious self disregard, you will find the process of learning to be slow, it just takes time. Ooops, sorry for the rant.
Anyway, Im all for peps getting whatever bike they want, within limits of course. As far as supersport 600s, I find it hard to see the appeal. They are fast and agile, but uncomfortable as hell. Comfort is a severely under-rated among sport bikers. Even peps who take there 600s to canyons have to stop every 20 minutes because their nuts are numb and bums are sore(not to mention your arms). Especially for a first bike, dont get a supersport because you just wont need it. Do your butt a favor!
If you dont want to start on a 500, I can sympathize. Just expand your horizons a bit. Consider an SV650S, a new Ninja650R, or maybe an FZ6. If you refuse to get a "newb" bike, still try and stay in the sensible range. On the outer ranges of acceptability would be a YZF600R, a ZZR600, or maybe a pre-2000 supersport.
On top of all of that, dont be a squid! Wear full gear all the time, maybe minus leather pants. Good luck and be safe.
On top of that, you really wont utilize what those bikes of capable of for a long time, period. If you do manage to push the bike close to its limits while you are learning, your a damn fool and your pre-approved for your visit heaven. Learning is not a two week process. Learning to ride profiecently is an on-going process that takes years. I have been riding for 4 months or so, and let me tell you... Im not even close to pushing the limits of my 72hp SV650S. I ride canyon roads and such, but my skill doesnt allow me to find the limits of my bike. I take riding very seriously and have read several books about proficient riding and still practice in parking lots an hour or two a week. Unless you have serious self disregard, you will find the process of learning to be slow, it just takes time. Ooops, sorry for the rant.
Anyway, Im all for peps getting whatever bike they want, within limits of course. As far as supersport 600s, I find it hard to see the appeal. They are fast and agile, but uncomfortable as hell. Comfort is a severely under-rated among sport bikers. Even peps who take there 600s to canyons have to stop every 20 minutes because their nuts are numb and bums are sore(not to mention your arms). Especially for a first bike, dont get a supersport because you just wont need it. Do your butt a favor!
If you dont want to start on a 500, I can sympathize. Just expand your horizons a bit. Consider an SV650S, a new Ninja650R, or maybe an FZ6. If you refuse to get a "newb" bike, still try and stay in the sensible range. On the outer ranges of acceptability would be a YZF600R, a ZZR600, or maybe a pre-2000 supersport.
On top of all of that, dont be a squid! Wear full gear all the time, maybe minus leather pants. Good luck and be safe.