Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Yes...lots of people. There are also people that started on a 250 and are now dead.

Funny thing is...you'll get lots of stories from people who successfully started on bigger bikes. You wont get anyone admitting they started on a big bike and failed. Why? Because 1) They will probably be embarassed, 2) Probably don't ride anymore and therefore 3) Wouldn't be on this site.

If you want to start on a big-engined bike, then do it. You don't need a few people on some random internet forum giving you an excuse.

Well, its ideal to start on a smaller bike to get down the foundations of riding. BUT, that's all subjective. Many people will start on a 600cc bike and never get hurt, others won't be able to get it out of the dealership parking lot without dropping it.

If you want the 600cc, get it. My bro started out on a 750cc Nighthawk and he's not dead. He also didnt take the MSF when he first got his bike, and he also was hit a few times by large trucks.

Looks like the f%&CKr took all my luck.

CNF2002 wrote:Yes...lots of people. There are also people that started on a 250 and are now dead.

Funny thing is...you'll get lots of stories from people who successfully started on bigger bikes. You wont get anyone admitting they started on a big bike and failed. Why? Because 1) They will probably be embarassed, 2) Probably don't ride anymore and therefore 3) Wouldn't be on this site.

I couldn't have put it better myself! Believe me... I took 10 minutes trying before I gave up on my post and read yours!

The only thing I could add is that if you like the look of modern sport bikes, but want a bike that will work with a beginning rider instead of against them...
Check out some other bikes like the
Hyosung GT650R

Or

Kawasaki Ninja 650r

since we are in the same performance catagory...

Suzuki Sv650... (non-faired version) SV650S (half-faired version)

In the 500 CC catagory... the one that looks the most like a modern street bike...

Suzuki 500f

Or what I have now, the Kawasaki Ninja 500r (ex500)

You won't get very objective responses if you ask for only the ones that support what you're looking for.

Yeah I did it. I bought a 1200cc, 650lb bike with 130hp as my first bike. I ride it every day, and all I did was take the learning process slow and ride as conservatively as possible.

I wouldn't recommend this course of action or point a person away from it. I knew what I wanted and got it.

asiantay wrote: If you want the 600cc, get it. My bro started out on a 750cc Nighthawk and he's not dead. He also didnt take the MSF when he first got his bike, and he also was hit a few times by large trucks.

Nighthawk is a V-twin cruiser, which is well within 800cc recommendation for cruisers. 600cc sport bikes are I4s which is a totally different beast. Honda CBR600RR probably has more than double the power of Honda Nighthawk 750.

I started on a KZ750 that I got for $500. Doesn't really compare to current 600cc and up bikes these but was still too big bike to start on IMO. But hey, the price was right and I'd always wanted to ride. I had the bike for a few years and never dumped it. I do however, remember the day when I looked down after a few months ofriding and, to my surprise, was doing triple digits without knowing it.

I think the key is whether or not you trust your self-control. relfexes and coordination. When you get in a tight spot, are you going to grab a handful of front brake? Do you know what happens if you give it too much throttle? Do you have the patience to get a couple thousand miles under your belt before you start actually using the bike to anywhere near it's potential?

Alhtough I agree with most of what's posted on these boards that the wise approach is to start a bit smaller and work your way up,you're an adult and can do what you want. Good luck with whatever you buy and if you do kill yourself, try not to take anyone else with you.

ninja79 wrote:
Nighthawk is a V-twin cruiser, which is well within 800cc recommendation for cruisers. 600cc sport bikes are I4s which is a totally different beast. Honda CBR600RR probably has more than double the power of Honda Nighthawk 750.

Actually the CB750 Nighthawk is a DOHC inline 4, but it only puts out about 70hp, which is pretty tame for a newb. I wouldn't call it a cruiser either.. a mix between sport bike and cruiser....err.. "standard bike"

Heres some more info on the CB750 Nighthawk

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/motorcyc ... hthawk.htm

I hear they are great, and almost bought one myself.

I really think you should look into the ninja 650!

Edit: (forgot to post the url )