hey guys i just got done the msf course. i learned a great deal in just 3 days and feel pretty comfortable on the bike i rode. they had a good assortment of bikes but i rode the honda nighthawk the entire time. now i just have to take my waiver to the dmv to get my m endorsement. i was looking to get a ninja 250 to start but after riding the nighthawk i feel as if i can handle something bigger. maybe like a 600. am i getting in over my head? btw i passed the skills evaluation test w/flying colors besides the u-turn box . thoughts?

 

The 250 is a great choice. If you buy used, you can resell it later on for very close to what you originally paid.

With a 600, you could also learn to ride, but your learning curve will be much steeper. If you choose to go this route, take it easy with the throttle.

Congrats! And good luck!

 

the 600 cc bikes are completely different than the nighthawk 250. The nighthawk 250 makes just shy of 20hp, with the wind. A typical 600 is closer to 100 horsepower. That's 5 times the power from an engine that's just over twice as big. Ninja 250s aren't much more powerful.
Now, i'm of the mentality that people can handle 600s if they're of the right state of mind, and have a somewhat natural ability. But the learning curve on a faster, heavier bike is going to be steeper.
I would say go for like a ninja 500, or something that's going to be light. All of my mistakes were made at slow speeds and ended poorly due to the weight of the bike + my inexperience.

 

Get something with about 70 HP.

My brother's Buell is for sale, it makes a bit more than 70hp[/shameless plug]

Or a SV650

 

I'm taking the MSF right now and love it, so much fun

Some pretty good starter bikes I've been told about/researched are the Ninja 250/500/650r(v-twin made for all types of riders). If you're looking for a 600 a lot of people go with older bikes like cbr600 f2/f3's or yzf600r's...I'd check craigslist and go from there...congrats on passing man

 

get a used/cheap SV650

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Xtian8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get a used/cheap SV650 </TD></TR></TABLE>

I also think that new Kawi Ninja650R would make a cool bike for a newb!

 

I too finished the MSF awhile back and I too had the nighthawk. The bike I picked up in an 01 cbr 600 f4i and I love it. I have the mentality that if you have a good head on your shoulders you can handle a 600 as a first bike. If you are the type that succumbs to peer pressure fairly easily you may want to start smaller. The 600 is FAST, in the first couple weeks I had the bike I wouldn't take it above 8k rpm's. It's been a slow process but I'm definately learning. To me the 250 can give you a false sense of security because you can handle all the 250 has to offer and when you make that leap to the 600 you feel that you are ready to hammer it out when in reality you aren't. I love the 600 because if you need the power you know its there and I know for a fact its going to take a looong time for me to outgrow this bike.

In the end the choice is yours and since I don't personally know you I can't offer insight except for my own personal experience. Get whichever one you want but whatever the decision take it nice and slow because theres no rush when it comes to safety and your life and always always gear up. Congrats on passing the msf, whichever bike you get it will be one hell of an addiction, TRUST ME!

 

yea i kinda had the feeling the nighthawk was giving me that sense of security thats why i was curious if there is really that much a difference in the 250 to 600s in terms of ridability. thanks for all the great advice.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by redteg1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yea i kinda had the feeling the nighthawk was giving me that sense of security thats why i was curious if there is really that much a difference in the 250 to 600s in terms of ridability. thanks for all the great advice. </TD></TR></TABLE>

if u stay out of the powerband on a 600, which means 10k and under ur fine

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Teddy Ruxpin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if u stay out of the powerband on a 600, which means 10k and under ur fine </TD></TR></TABLE>

It sounds ridiculous but it is mostly true. If you short shift the 600 it wont get away from you. It's still no slouch under 8-10k but it revs to 14k so don't worry about the power right off the bat. It took me a couple weeks to even clear 10k and I still haven't made it to redline. It's all about comfort, if you feel nervous then don't push it. Too many people push it too early and dump the bikes. Slow and steady wins this race and you have plenty of time to hit 14k revs.

 

buy a hayabusa