YZF 600 as a starter?

[High_Side]

Question from the peanut gallery: How many people commenting on the dangers of 600cc sportbikes have ever ridden one??????

[Toyuzu]

Question from the peanut gallery: How many people commenting on the dangers of 600cc sportbikes have ever ridden one??????

I've ridden several. I currently own a very old one. Can I have some peanuts?

[ZooTech]

I started on a Ninja 250, hence the avatar, and I almost died countless times. I assure you none of them were my fault. I got 100% on the MSF riding course and the written test, I obeyed all the traffic laws, etc. But I can't tell you how many times a guy in a Suburban on his cell phone almost killed me. I bought a decent condition "little" starter bike and had a blast with it. I don't know about yall, but I think 107MPH was fast enough for me on that bike, much less any bike.

There ya go...a "starter" bike that will do 107mph. Safe, huh? I'll tell ya what's safe...a bike with enough weight to it to NOT be blown off the interstate by an 18-wheeler. Even my 500+ pound NightHawk 700SC was subject to being blown around pretty easily. Who here feels charitable sending a bunch of newbies out on a feather-weight bike just so they can feel that much better about their "accomplishment" at riding something >1 liter?

Question from the peanut gallery: How many people commenting on the dangers of 600cc sportbikes have ever ridden one??????

I have.

[-Holiday]

hmm, interesting thread. I read the entire thing. Here's a few thoughts:

- A Vespa does have a hand operated clutch

- Whats the point of asking peoples opinions about something if you wont listen to them if they differ from yours? You've already made up your mind. Just go do whatever it was you decided upon

- Aside from cost, why do you think all MSF courses teach thier students to ride on 125-250 cc standard, cruiser style bikes? Hmmm. Because they're the best thing to learn on.

- Someone mentioned waisting time and money learning on a beater bike. Have these people looked at the market today? Go buy a 250cc NInja, put 5k miles on it, and sell it for what you paid for it. If you can't do this, you're doing something wrong.

- Once again, if you're more interested in your image then being safe, dont ride motorcycles. Especially if you think crotch rockets are the coolest thing on earth

- Dont assume just because someone you know know learned to ride on a 1000cc bike that is it the safest thing to do. Its about MINIMIZING risk. and any way you paint the picture, a 125cc bike IS safer OVERALL then a 1000cc bike if USED PROPERLY. That means you dont take a 125cc bike on the highway . Why would you want a beginner riding on the highway anyway?

with all that said...what did i learn on? A 78 500 CC inline 4 Honda. Was it the best choice? No, but I was lucky and didnt get hurt. But why bank on luck when you have a choice to go a statistically safer route?


Either way, see ya on the rode. Hope its on your bike and not on the ground next to it.

[ZooTech]

- Aside from cost, why do you think all MSF courses teach thier students to ride on 125-250 cc standard, cruiser style bikes? Hmmm. Because they're the best thing to learn on.

A) They're cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and easy to work on

B) Because so many people are of the mindset that a 250cc bike is the only way to go when learning to ride (like it's a frickin' law or something) and so they'll all likely end up buying the same bike they rode during the MSF course

C) Because it's a safe bet that a NightHawk 250 (or similar 250) will be small enough for all the class members to ride (some folks have short legs so you can't keep a stable full of taller bikes and risk excluding someone)

Besides, how many people even take the MSF course? If you've never been on a bike or been near them it's probably a good place to start, but I never took it and neither did anyone I ride with. I went right out and bought my CX500 and rode it home. My buddy, who was a bit more reluctant and intimidated, bought a used 250cc 4-stroke dirt bike for $300 and rode it around the back pasture for a couple months. Once comfortable, he bought an '81 Honda GL500 and now rides a Harley.

Different people are different, that's all I'm trying to say. If I am to understand this theory correctly, than I would be forced to admit that I did it the wrong way. But how do you argue with results? I have my license and am on my third bike, a 1600cc cruiser. I don't regret skipping over the whole 250cc thing because had I purchased one I would have been bored with it within a week. I actually rode a co-worker's NightHawk 250 after my CX500 blew up (he was selling it on eBay) and I felt like I should be riding it around in a circus or something, and I'm not a very big guy (5'10" / 220lbs). That is not to say the 250cc bikes are not for anyone, because I'm sure there are people out there who are small in stature and/or plan to use the bike to buzz around a busy city or something. In fact, one of my co-workers is about 5'4" tall and he used to have a lowered Ninja 250 and now rides a 50cc 2-stroke Aprilia because it's one of the only bikes he can reach the ground on.

I also have a really hard time understanding everyone's quick dismissal of Rider Magazine's (and two other publications) assessment of the Suzuki SV650 as the quintessential "Perfect Beginner's Bike". These guys are supposedly the "experts" on all things motorcycle related, and they have never condoned the purchase of a 250cc bike to learn on unless financial or physical limitations dictate, and even then they have stated in the past that it would be better to purchase a 10-year-old 600cc bike than a brand new 250cc for the same price.

Bottom line: Would I recommend a Yamaha R1 for a beginner? No. So would I recommend a Ninja (or other) 250? Only under extreme circumstances, and certainly not as a rule like most of you seem to.

[Dennis27]

My girlfriend thinks she's gonna start out on an R6. Thinks is the key word here. She'll be learning on 250's at the local community college. Just the other day she told me that you change gears with the throttle and the gas is the right brake. I'll miss her.

[-Holiday]

I personally didnt say learning on a 250cc bike is the ONLY choice, i just believe its the safest one. Sure, everyone knows people who learned on larger bikes (myself included) but its still not the SAFEST route to take.

When suggesting a starter bike to the general public, having no input into that persons mechanical/riding ability, wouldnt you suggest the safest choice?

Also:

A) They're cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and easy to work on

in my state the bikes are donated from local dealers, used for several thousand miles, then sent back. I'm sure cost is a factor in repair, since these bikes tend to get dropped, but I can guarantee you they could just as easily have a fleet of 500s. They dont because they dont want newbs on a 500.

B) Because so many people are of the mindset that a 250cc bike is the only way to go when learning to ride (like it's a frickin' law or something) and so they'll all likely end up buying the same bike they rode during the MSF course

As i've mentioned its not the only way. Its probably the SAFEST way though. But really, in my opinion, if you decide to go learn on a 500cc, go ahead. Just keep in mind you're taking more of a chance. Its your life, your decision. But you ask me what the best bike to learn on is and im still going to say a 250cc bike.

C) Because it's a safe bet that a NightHawk 250 (or similar 250) will be small enough for all the class members to ride (some folks have short legs so you can't keep a stable full of taller bikes and risk excluding someone)

this is true, but low engine displacement doesnt have anything to do with seat height. Thats why some MSF courses have 200cc dirt bikes for the taller riders to learn on. The course could have 500 cc bikes with a similiar seat height, but they dont because these bikes arent as safe to learn on.

[NuRida]

ok, i started this post to get some feedback on buying a 600cc starter, and i am listening to all the facts and taking them into consideration ( contrary to what many of you are saying about me, that im simply trying to justify my purchase....btw i HAVE NOT bought any bike yet ) and i will admit both sides are making valid arguments and i am looking into 500cc starters as well. GS500F , etc. that being said, i have noticed a couple things in the auto traders....most of the perfect starter bikes have only 1500 kms or less(sometimes with 3 owners) that tells me a couple things...1- these people outgrew these bikes very fast, 2- they are primarily ridden by women with a smaller and weaker stature...3- they get boring fast...... now, i do realize that these are "better" bikes to learn on then the 600cc for many reasons,, however i would like a bike that i can enjoy and ride for a few years at least , and not have to worry about selling it in a few months, that is why i suggested a CBR or YZF, i have also considered 250 and 500cc starters.... i can understand telling a 16 yr old punk kid who thinks he is going to race his friends the next day not to buy a 600, however i think i am able to start higher... any more CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is appreciated, thanks

[-Holiday]

why not take your local MSF course then decide from there? At that point you'll at least know what you're up against, and be able to better guage whats going to work for you.
If you're intent on getting a 500cc or higher bike, at least take the course so you have some background to go on first.

That would be my two cents in your situation.

ok, i started this post to get some feedback on buying a 600cc starter, and i am listening to all the facts and taking them into consideration ( contrary to what many of you are saying about me, that im simply trying to justify my purchase....btw i HAVE NOT bought any bike yet ) and i will admit both sides are making valid arguments and i am looking into 500cc starters as well. GS500F , etc. that being said, i have noticed a couple things in the auto traders....most of the perfect starter bikes have only 1500 kms or less(sometimes with 3 owners) that tells me a couple things...1- these people outgrew these bikes very fast, 2- they are primarily ridden by women with a smaller and weaker stature...3- they get boring fast...... now, i do realize that these are "better" bikes to learn on then the 600cc for many reasons,, however i would like a bike that i can enjoy and ride for a few years at least , and not have to worry about selling it in a few months, that is why i suggested a CBR or YZF, i have also considered 250 and 500cc starters.... i can understand telling a 16 yr old punk kid who thinks he is going to race his friends the next day not to buy a 600, however i think i am able to start higher... any more CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is appreciated, thanks

[mswarrior]

It is true that some new riders have the mental design, and mechanical aptitude to handle a 600 CC sportbike as a first ride, but as an experienced rider I strongly suspect those people are in the minority.

Very good point, I myself rode a Honda 125XL for 1 month way back when I was 17 yrs old and from there bought a 1986 FJ1200. I was prepared for the resposibility and what the bike had to offer in all respects. And believe me you need to respect the power these things have. If you don't you'll end up with a damaged bike, hurt or worse.

With all the different views seen in this thread you have to keep in mind that they are individual opinions from peoples own experience good or bad. Do not be insulted by what they say, they are trying to help.

My