For the BEGINNER BIKER

[m4lu6]

... great story followed by horrible story...

Ohhhh, $*@*. That is awful. Sounds like you have the same bike as Sev, er, "Had" the same bike as Sev.

About the $$$ gear? ABSOLUTELY. What's the point of it if one isn't wearing it?

[Sev]

For the record the Honda 599 uses the 1998 model CBR600 engine. However it has been retuned, with smaller carbs and a reworked ignition sequence to have more power "down low" on the rev scale. Unlike its older supersport brother, you don't run into the BAM power at 9000 rpm, rather it is relatively smooth the whole way though.

You've also got a much shorter wheelbase and similar rake when you compare it to a CBR. This basically means it turns easier... and is tougher to keep it going straight when something knocks the front wheel outta whack. Sounds like that might have been part of your problem.

It's a great bike though, I wish it'd sold better in North America, all the parts I want to order for it come from the UK and shipping is like getting stabbed in the gut.

I'm glad to hear you're still riding, and hopefully taking it easy. I trust you're healing well, breaks, especially to the kneecaps are remarkably painful and take a long time to heal. I don't evny you, but I do support you. Hang in there.

As far as the new riders who think they can handle a CBR or Gixxer or anything else. You may think so, but something can go wrong crazy fast on one of those. Ask m4lu6 about the written off Yammy 600 he saw with 43 miles on it...

[m4lu6]

34 miles. 34. tragic.

I just back from a 30 mile cruise to tampa. they had a mcdonalds over there I heard was good

tasty milkshake type thing.

[Seetrout]

You've also got a much shorter wheelbase and similar rake when you compare it to a CBR. This basically means it turns easier... and is tougher to keep it going straight when something knocks the front wheel outta whack. Sounds like that might have been part of your problem.

It was about 15 feet of asphalt repair that set up a wobble. I almost had it when the last "bump" snapped the handlebars to the right stop.

I'm glad to hear you're still riding, and hopefully taking it easy.

Very easy! I was still scared of the bike when I wrecked it. Now I,m gunshy too. I,ve never been brave enough to peg the throttle in 1st gear. I'm too old for that wheelie stuff. This bike 20 years ago - I'd be dead by now. I was bullet proof back then.

breaks, especially to the kneecaps are remarkably painful and take a long time to heal.

Uhhh, YUP. Morphine is my friend.

As far as the new riders who think they can handle a CBR or Gixxer or anything else. You may think so, but something can go wrong crazy fast on one of those.

Uhhh, YUP!! 599's not quite a CBR, but it's not far off. Didn't know what I had till it was mine. Now that it's mine I'm not giving it back. By the time you realize something's wrong it's probably too late to do anything about it but hang on and pray. (As you're sailing off through the air "Dear GOD, please don't let it hurt too much!")

About the $$$ gear? ABSOLUTELY. What's the point of it if one isn't wearing it?

AMEN! Buy the gear. Wear the gear. It's a hassle, but when you wreck, you will be much happier than if you didn't. The voice of experience. (Wish I had been wearing riding pants with knee pads).

[Sev]

Take things slow and before you know it you'll be scraping pegs and leaving rubber all over the road. Okay I'm exagerating, but you'll work your way back up there.

My dump wasn't as bad as yours was, but I feel pretty invincible again Hyperbole for the win.

[m4lu6]

Take things slow and before you know it you'll be scraping pegs and leaving rubber all over the road. Okay I'm exagerating, but you'll work your way back up there.

My 0-mph dump that dinged my tank? well... Ding King(tm) actually bloody works. It came in the mail last night, I used it as directed, and shazam. Perfection.

[doright]

I just got my bike at the end of Aug. And before geting a 03' Yamaha R6 I have never rode other then taken the MSF course. Now being the type of person that reads all the instructions before operating anything. I did alot of research to make sure that the R6 was just what I wanted. I came here read all the beginner rides stuff asked alot of questions. Many people said that I shouldn't buy that bike because it is too fast, because it is too much bike for a first timer, then I have also talked to many people that said that is will be ok an even 600 hundred was too small or that I would tire of it real quickly.
I have to say this, first what ever type of bike you might get it takes self confidence and that (for me) you must respect the bike and what can happen if you don't.
No I follow the beginners guide to riding also step by step. But in only a couple of weeks time I was on the road getting more and more confideance with each ride. Yeah I stalled at stop lights, I made almost all the mistakes that were spoken about in the write up. Because I did my research I feel that I was prepared, if I didn't I know if I would still be riding.
But my point here is that if you have really feel that you can do it and have the confideance you can do it then you will. An with that you don't have to start with a small bike, but I wouldn't go over 750cc. I am not saying I am an expert but I am saying that it can be done as long as you do it right.

[Sev]

So this guy jumped out of the wnidow on the 20th story of a building. About the time he reached the 3rd floor he said, "hey, this isn't so bad."

No offense, but jsut because you're doing well now doesn't mean you will be tomorrow.

[flynrider]

Doright,

How can you have so much confidence in being able to do something you haven't done before?

Forgive me, but having three months of riding under your belt means you've barely scratched the surface.

The reason smaller bikes are recommended has nothing to do with confidence, or irresponsibility, or any of that stuff that people seem to take so personally. It's very simply that beginning riders tend to make mistakes. A lot of mistakes (been there, done that, paid the hospital bills). A machine that is overly large or powerful will exacerbate those mistakes. It's not that a person can't control the machine under normal benign riding conditions. It's that time when something unexpected happens that the power (or even the touchy brakes if you're on a sportbike) can get out of control in the blink of an eye. If you're riding something reasonably tame, you have a much better chance of regaining control before things get out of hand. When you have enough experience that your response to unusual situations becomes both correct and instinctive, that's when the high performance bike ceases to be a great risk.

Over the summer I helped out two noobs that crashed their brand new high-powered rides on the street (two seperate accidents). In both cases something unexpected happened and their bikes responded to their inexperienced, hamfisted conmmands and left them on the ground. In both cases it's extremely unlikely that they would have lost control on a more reasonably powered bike.

[backdraft]

Hi
I am new to the bike world(no experience), and am currently looking for my first bike. I am looking for something in a cruiser style. I have a line on a 1100 V Star but am worried the bike is going to be to heavy for me. I am a tall rider 6'5" 230LBs so any of the smaller bikes (500-650cc) don't feel comfortable when I sit on them. I will be taking a MSF course in the spring. Any input would be appreciated