i plan on buying my bike soon this year, and i want a 600 to start with, im a beginner, never ridden before. Is this a good move?, i do not want a 250.

 

Yes its fine.

 

To all beginners/newbies asking about getting a new bike...

On a personal note, i think a 600 is too much for someone who has never ridden. Get a GS500.

 

I did my motorcycle license on a ER-6N and bought a ZX6R for my first bike, no problems what so ever.

 

As with all things, it depends on your skill level and ability to learn/adapt. you have to keep in mind that this first bike will not be the only bike you will buy if you are really into riding. So buying your dream bike as a first bike is really not logical.

One main issue with getting a beater for your first bike is that you can trash it and not be upset as you learn the basics of riding, maintenance and survival.

modern 600's are very quick... and while any bloody fool can twist the throttle, what are you going to do when you need to stop or make emergency maneuvers brought on by excess speed? a majority of major new rider accidents are front end collisions or single rider accidents brought on by lack of control... this is less likely an issue on a smaller bike.

 

But you can go fast enough to kill yourself on a 250, just takes longer to get to that speed. Though really its up the rider, if you plan to ride excessive speeds with a bike you're gonna get hurt regardless of your cubes. Alot of accidents happen due to too much cornering speed and drifting into the ditch or to the opposing lane, not really hitting someone from the back in traffic.

Also if we're talking about sudden accidents, like someone backing out from a driveway infront of you, etc then its really a moot point if you're on a 250 or a 600.
However a 600 almost always has better brakes (alot of them even have ABS) than a 250cc, plus wider tires.

 

you don't have a basis for an argument... you completely missed the point.

 

no get 1200

 

LMAO is this a serious post?

By your logic a Dodge Viper would make an excellent first car for a new driver due to the 8 piston brake calipers and 335 wide tires.

New riders on supersport bikes almost always progress in skill at the rate of a gurgling new born. Bikes with that much power are stunningly intimidating when it comes to proper throttle control through turns, understanding a bikes limits, controlling SR's at speed and lean angle, and just general riding position and technique. They are certainly a blast for rookies when they blaze down a straight road and hit 130MPH but they severely hamper a riders learning ability in the curves.

 

Sorry, but I disagree and yes it was a serious post.

As for a viper, imho that would be more like saying a literbike. Now I'm not saying to get a literbike, but a 600 would be more in the lines of maybe a mustang(?), if compared to a car and quite frankly I dont think a mustang is _that_ bad of a beginners car.

When you progress from the 250cc to a 600cc, you're still going to have to "learn" to take the corners differently due to the weight of the bike. Also it doesnt really make sense that you'd somehow not learn to do corners just because your bike goes 130 on the straights and just because your bike goes 130 doesn't mean you have to do it. However I do like to have the oomph on my bike to safely and quickly pass someone on a two lane road, rather than lollygag next to them hoping not to hit someone head on.

Well what was the point? That 600cc are faster than 250's? I cant argue there, but my opinion is that a 600cc isnt too big for a beginner.

 

Considering an R6 can click a 10 second quarter mile virtually as fast as an R1 I'm going to have to say that they are pretty much in the same ballpark speed wise. Protip: THAT'S REALLY ****ING FAST.

Think about that for one second, a STOCK 600cc sportsbike runs a flat out 1/4 mile faster than virtually 98% of production road vehicles, including ACR vipers, Z06 Corvettes and pretty much every Ferrari. Once again, would you put your 16 year old, with a freshly minted license into a Viper ACR and tell them to have a blast tearing through the canyons? i really hope the answer is no.

Being that a Ninja 500 and an R6 carry virtually the same weight your point is a moot one.

No one says you won't learn, you'll just do it MUCH SLOWER in a more dangerous setting. SR's are the hardest thing to get over for any level of rider, and this is compounded 10x for a new rider, and compounded 10x again when your machine puts out 210HP/Liter. Let me remind you again, since you don't seem to be grasping it, an R6 pulls like a freight train at anything above 6,000 RPM, poor throttle control, or worse, snapping the throttle open then closed constantly while going through a turn at a decent speed is enough to break a machine with that much power loose VERY quickly with little warning. Now guess what the biggest error is for new riders learning to take fast corners and sweepers......wait for it....chopping the throttle! This doesn't even get into the nasty habit that new sportbike riders have of leaning way to much of their weight on the bars due to the radical seating and body position of the machine, which also compounds the tendency of headshake due to the extreme rake of a dedicated sportsbike and the riders deathgrip, all of which build to induce SR's and fear into new riders in heavy dollops, which stops them from riding within 75% of their limit, which stops them from learning properly.

Loss of traction and forgiveness for chopping the throttle is much more Lenient and traction loss more predictable on a bike like a Blast or a Ninja 500 than on something like a GSX-R 600. Predicable traction + forgiveness of chassis + Manageable engine power = More rider confidence, enjoyment while riding at speed, and faster advancement of skills, Period.

Just because a 21 year old inherits 100 million dollars doesn't mean he has to spend it either, but we all know what's going to happen 9.7/10 in that situation.

Putting 130HP on tap to a new rider and saying "Well just don't use it OK" is like giving a 10 year old a bowl of sugar, sitting him down to watch "Commando", handing him a loaded M16 while you step out of the room saying "Ok kiddo, just don't go shooting that thing OK!" Both are ignorant of human nature, and both are absolutely stupid.

Besides, if you're only pushing the bike to 5 grand and shifting, even when you go sport riding, what's the ****ing point of even owning the bike in the first place? Having a bike that you can handle, and thus push to ITS and YOUR limits is not only the epitome of motorcycle riding thrills, but also the best way to build your skills for a faster, better equipped machine. If you can't push the bike you have to 75% of it's limits and still feel cool, in control, and confident while doing it, then you've got way to much bike between your legs.

This is a BS excuse. A ninja 500 can outgun a Porsche 964 911 from a standing start AND a 45 MPH roll on. Your logic is akin to catching fish in a bucket with an ICBM.

If you need extra power to squeeze pass someone on the left BEFORE oncoming traffic nails you then you're obviously passing at an incredibly idiotic time, which points more towards the need for an upgrade in riding ability, than an upgrade in HP.

CC doesn't mean **** in the grand aspect of things. A Ninja 600r is far different beast than a ZX-6r. 600cc isn't to much for a confident, level headed beginner, hell I think a BMW F650 would be a blast to learn to ride on, but a ZX-6R with 130HP, a bike that could chase down purpose built Ducati 1198 with the right rider is TO MUCH to learn safely on.

Ces la vi, continue to feed newbies into the machine of having to have the fastest, greatest little machine so they can keep up with their squid buddies, but some of us prefer to keep excited new riders from riding themselves into road pizza before they barely kick off the training wheels.

 

I was going to voice my opinion, but it is the eternal debate. I strongly support all of what Kiwi said.

IMHO, a GS500 or Ninja 500R are good bikes, that will give you lots of fun, take you through the basics, have some ooommmphhh but still somewhat "tame" for a rookie rider. Both bikes are basically the same for the last 20 years, so there is a lot of aftermarket and cheap replacement parts. And they aren't expensive at all.

Also I stand by Schu's point that your first bike is simply that: the first of many. Get something mechanically reliable, don't care too much for looks (chances are high you will drop it), and just go out and ride, ride, ride. Get as many miles under your belt as you can, in all kinds of conditions. Read some riding books. Twist of the wrist are good ones, although more oriented for track/spirited riding. Proficient Motorcycling is also another good one.

Then you can buy the bike you really want. Just my 2 cents.

 

i just bought a 05 zx10r for my first bike....rode dirt bikes all my life but the street bike is a whole different game. I layed it down in 4 days trying to keep up with my friends on the twistys and lucky didnt hurt it much. If we were on dirt bikes id be the head of the pack. Whatever you get just be safe...

 

i started on a brand new '06 R6 with no prior experience. i'm doing ok, i think.

 

get a DRZ 400SM, i promise you i'd be more fun than any 600 around that price range... and it's only as fast as you are.

Unless you just want to look cool and pose around town. Than get a busa, and a life insurance.

 

any bike is only as fast as you are.

 

a 600 is fine for a beginner bike..i started riding in 07 and i got a 600 as my first bike and i did fine and continue to do fine till this day. i took the ryder education class to get the knowledge and basics of ryding. yea it took me some time to get used to the bike and well i can say now the bike is like second nature to me as well as driving my car. so my best advice is to say that dont rush your learning process. be aware of your surroundings while ryding and know your limits. follow this and i think you should do fine...

 

according to ur responses, a 600 is fine. im glad to hear others have 600 as their first bike. I plan on taking the rider course as well, and i will ride safe, im not like these kids here in my town going full throttle on public roads, it is very! dangerous. If i do it will be at a race track. also i stand at 5'5, i never sat on a bike but stood next to one, and i can picture myself it wont be a problem. is there a certain height to ride? THNX!

 

I have been riding all my life,dirt bikes, quads, and bmx. When i got my first 600 i was like dam, they let any one ride this thing??? 600cc bikes are fast *** ****. Unless you have done a lot of 2 wheel riding or any type of high powered dirt bike/atv i would not get a race 600. I know people who cant keep up with me on my stock gs500(28hp) in the turns and they are on there 100 hp r6's. When you can run 12s in the 1/4 with out much practice, you know the bike is fast. I would def go with something more calm, unless you have the self control of keeping your throttle and rpms low for a while.

 

just buy it

 

I see no point to responding to threads like this when people already have their mind made up. They just want other members to pad their egos. Pretty much like most of the internet.

 

thnx for your thoughts and sharing them with me!

 

i just love this question. regardless of the forum. if you have to ask if a 600cc is too much it probably is. honestly it all depends on the rider. i started on a gsxr 750, stepped up to a 954rr and then an RC51 and now ive down graded to an 07 cbr600rr simply because of its trackability and how forgiving it is on the street. HOWEVER dont immediately think that a 250 is too small. aprilia makes a wicked sick 125 gp bike http://www.apriliausa.com/en-US/Mode.../Overview.aspx. and im pretty sure if you look hard enough you can find older honda 250's and suzukis out there...

 

The Aprilia is a 2 stroke bike. Another ball game. The RS250 with some light mods would be running with modern 600...even leaving them behind in the twisties.

 

I agree, but it totally depends on the maturity of the rider. I'm learning on an 06 cbr600rr. In the twisties, I keep it in 4th or 5th so that I have some acceleration but not too much. Even if I mess up and go full throttle, I'm not going to break the back end loose.

Now, would I get this bike for my son when he turns 16....absolutely not. I think before we answer this question for anybody, we should know that person. Not like I would recommend my bike to my dad(57 years old), but with his driving experience and maturity, I know he could handle it. And yes, riding a motorcycle is different than driving a car, but you've got to admit that someone who races is ahead of the game when jumping on a bike.

And to any beginner, take a rider safety course. And to any expert, take a refresher. We all can learn.