Ok im 18 years old and I have very little riding experience. Ive ridden an older honda 250 once for about 3 hours and a 1999 R1 (I know big jump) for about an hour. Is getting a bike really that dangerous? Ive been thinking about buying one of the newer 600's. I definately respect motorcycles and would take a safety course. But is this enough to be safe? How many guys do you know that have been seriously injured and were making an effort to ride safely? I know a lot of it has to do with your skill and comfort on a bike but if I start slow and don't push anything would I be ok? Thanks for the help.

 

you went from a 250 to an R1, DAMN. well since you seem to almost have a total of 4 hours riding. I wouldnt recommend the R1 as a purchase. As you said a 600 would be good. As far as comfort on the bike goes, go to the local dealer and sit on a bunch of bikes. Find the one that feels right! The skill you'll get from riding more and more, just dont go ***** out at first. oh and to avoid the serious injury part wear a helmet, jacket, and some good gloves(not some Fox racing dirt bike gloves!) and ys start slow! take the course!

 

If you are not joking then lets continue! The R1 is a complete bstad of a bike that i cant think that most people can use at anything like its potential, and jumping from a 250 hmmmm.
Getting a bike is not dangerous at all, its when you let either red mist or loose the belief that everything on the road will in fact do you harm that is the danger. I have seen two people die on bikes, and one of them with about 10years experience. You are right to respect them but you must realise its not only your input skilled or not that has an effect on whether or not you go sliding down the road. Sounds like you are at least thinking about the dangers which is the first thing though, and as long as dont go out and buy the latest toy and try to cane it everywhere you might be fine. Just use your common sense, listen to the people who recommend training rather than nitrous oxide and carbon fucxing mirrors and you will have fun. Rest assured you will fall off, we all do!!, see the post on <need help on choosing a high end race bike> its all been said there

 

I broke my arm making a right turn (and t-boning a cage). Two weeks and three surgeries later they fixed the arm. I've also been knocked off the bike by a driver who didn't know how close he got. A lot of motorcycle accidents are a result of stupidity on the rider's part. Don't pull stupid **** on public roads.

 

If you are looking for your own starter bike, I would suggest a used 600. The CBR's are a nice bike to start with. I just bought a 01 F4i. It by far is the easiest bike to ride. Very comfortable! My first bike was a 97 GSXR 600. I did not like how for I had to lean over to ride the bike. The gixxers and r6's have a real race stance. Better on the track than the cbr's and zx-6r's, but the other way around on the street.
Check out motorcycle.com for some comparison tests between the bikes. Most sport bike mags will have some sort of 600cc shootout every year.

Good luck. Drop me a line if you have any other questions.

James

 

San Antonio
I've been riding for two years. The first month I had my bike (R6) I met a crew with 1's and 6's just met the guys....good bunch...anyway one of the guys (turned 19 a week before on an R1) allowed me to watch him fly about 30 yards and his bike about 40-50 yards....broke his neck on impact and died. His situation was similar...he had the bike for a week (b-day gift from daddy...must be nice) he had just moved up from a 500. Anyway I can tell 7 other stories that I SAW WITH MY EYES! 2 died, 1 is parapalegic, 4 stiil have road rash.
be careful man.

 

its been 5 years since i wrecked a honda cb400. luckily, i am 100% except for a slight numb spot on my thigh from the front brake resivoir on the handlebars. yeah, i went over the handlebars at about 35mph. most of the scars from the exhaust burns are my leg are gone.

I havent ridden from then until i got my new bike 6 weeks ago. i have had a couple close calls already...losing control or some jackass pulling in front of me. damn this is a friggin dangerous hobby.

ride safe guys.

 

I've had a bike for over 13 years now (at say 3-4k per year, that's over 50k....and that's on the low side), and I've yet to go down hard....as I knock on wood. When I ride I'm 110% tuned in to what's going on around we and I know my limits. You can get just as screwed up going down at 30 MPH as you can at 100 MPH. One final point........good body armor. I don't care if it's 90 out, I never leave home without it (one of the side deals I have with my wife....who hates the fact that I have a bike.......is that I won't ride without it)!!!!