Sport bikes are not beginner bikes BUT...

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I always thought a 500cc street bike was the best beginner bike. It will keep you interested for a few more years and you don't have to push it as much on the highway to keep up. However that's just my opinion.

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I started out on a gsxr600. MY best friend started out on a zx-6r. My girlfriend started out on an R6.

We are all fine and dandy:

1. be responsible, do not try to be 'cool' and burn off and race people.
2. do not be pressured by other cars/bikes
3. shift gears slowly (Easing in clutch)
4. take turns slower
5. brake well ahead of time
6. take your time starting from a stop/red light
7. get used to moving your bike around manually (pushing it around etc.)
8. don't drink
9. don't ride when you're not feeling up to it
10. wear full gear
11. don't redline it until you're very comfortable, shift at lower rpms

We love our bikes. That being said, there's also absolutely nothing wrong with starting on a 125/250. It's up to you; I do not find my gsxr twitchy at all. I have a very steady throttle hand and it seems to rev up nicely. I believe that most of the accidents caused on supersports have less to do with the 'power' of the bike and more to do with the perception of the rider on the bike. I only found my bike intimidating until I got on it. I also cannot flat foot my bike but this was not a concern after riding it the first time.
 
My 250R is still fun to me, after 1 season, riding Deal's Gap on it, and testing out other bigger bikes. The bigger bikes are fun for sure, and I'll definitely upgrade. But the 250 is still '****-your-pants' kinda fun, just not in a straight line.
 
bottiegirl80 said:
My first bike is 06 Suzuki 500 and I would go bigger but not smaller I would get tired of it.
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this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
 
reciprocity said:
this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
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+1. (not that i'm a superbike rider, but ) I love getting on smaller bikes and being a hooligan.
 
It might take me a couple more years before I have the skill to work a 250, but I'm practicing on it.
I'm not sure which 250 to get though, I'll have to try out some bikes in the meantime.
What are the different models/makes?
 
+1 to this point. I ride an 08 CBR1000RR on the track/street

On the street, that kind of horsepower is useless, 140 in first gear. On the track, its a different story. I actually find a smaller bike way more fun on the street, except on the highway where having loads of horsepower on tap can get you out of sticky situations w/ the dumb cagers.


reciprocity said:
this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
Click to expand...
 
bboySushi said:
I started out on a gsxr600. MY best friend started out on a zx-6r. My girlfriend started out on an R6.

We are all fine and dandy:

1. be responsible, do not try to be 'cool' and burn off and race people.
2. do not be pressured by other cars/bikes
3. shift gears slowly (Easing in clutch)
4. take turns slower
5. brake well ahead of time
6. take your time starting from a stop/red light
7. get used to moving your bike around manually (pushing it around etc.)
8. don't drink
9. don't ride when you're not feeling up to it
10. wear full gear
11. don't redline it until you're very comfortable, shift at lower rpms

We love our bikes. That being said, there's also absolutely nothing wrong with starting on a 125/250. It's up to you; I do not find my gsxr twitchy at all. I have a very steady throttle hand and it seems to rev up nicely. I believe that most of the accidents caused on supersports have less to do with the 'power' of the bike and more to do with the perception of the rider on the bike. I only found my bike intimidating until I got on it. I also cannot flat foot my bike but this was not a concern after riding it the first time.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself!

I'm a newb and currently have a ZX6R, and everytime I ride it I'm getting a little better at it, and I keep pushing it to just outside my comfort zone. I think its all about knowing yourself and having a certain amount of respect for your machine. If your just gonna hit the throttle and go full force everywhere you go then yea, start out on a 125/250.
 
reciprocity said:
this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
Click to expand...

It seems to be a recurring theme. Riders that race either don't ride on the street or if they do prefer smaller displacement bikes to flog the hell out of...you would think this would indicate something to people.
 
Zangief said:
Couldn't have said it better myself!

I'm a newb and currently have a ZX6R, and everytime I ride it I'm getting a little better at it, and I keep pushing it to just outside my comfort zone. I think its all about knowing yourself and having a certain amount of respect for your machine. If your just gonna hit the throttle and go full force everywhere you go then yea, start out on a 125/250.
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Shoot, I didn't realize that that was how I should ride a 250. I'll have to get another and try again. I always thought that 600's were for those who were worried about keeping up, but too lazy to shift. Is that true?
 
Baggsy said:
Shoot, I didn't realize that that was how I should ride a 250. I'll have to get another and try again. I always thought that 600's were for those who were worried about keeping up, but too lazy to shift. Is that true?
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I never said that's how everyone is/does/should ride a 250, I'm just saying that in order to be a successful rider you need to know yourself. If your one of these people that will constantly floor it then starting out on a 250 might be a better idea then starting out on a big bike. The way some people talk about starting out on bigger bikes you'd think it be easier to run into the jungle and try to ride a lion. Last time I checked my ZX6R is capable of going 20 km/h just like a ninja 250 or a cbr 125.
 
reciprocity said:
this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
Click to expand...

Well said. I've been riding 20+ years but am currently having a ton of fun on my 200cc supermoto.
 
reciprocity said:
this is an interesting statement.

it seems that newer riders always feel they will get bored of a "Smaller" bike, whereas a great number of more experienced riders(10+ years of riding) find that riding a smaller bike on the street is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable.

I ride nothing but 170+hp superbikes on the racetrack, but you couldn't pay me to ride one on the street, its just not interesting, but if someone lends me a 125-500cc streetbike, I find myself laughing in my helmet riding it around on the street.
Click to expand...

Well said. I'm also thinking of "downgrading" to a 250cc streetbike. I'm finding that 1000cc+ (yes, even on a Harley) is wasted for the type of riding I do.
 
Sundancekid, let's be truthful here. Is it just ego telling you to buy a 600 as a first bike? Or your buddies telling you to not be a pussy? Trust me, I've read it all on the forums. There's nothing wrong with picking up a 125, a 250 or if you want something more 'full-sized', a GS500 or Ninja 500R. Lots of them around used, cheap, and lots of available parts. Buy one. Make your mistakes on it and get comfortable. Then let ego and vanity take over after a year or two.
 
Zangief said:
I never said that's how everyone is/does/should ride a 250, I'm just saying that in order to be a successful rider you need to know yourself. If your one of these people that will constantly floor it then starting out on a 250 might be a better idea then starting out on a big bike. The way some people talk about starting out on bigger bikes you'd think it be easier to run into the jungle and try to ride a lion. Last time I checked my ZX6R is capable of going 20 km/h just like a ninja 250 or a cbr 125.
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I'm worried about you is all. Pushing it past your comfort zone on the track with someone knowledgeable to guide you is one thing. Doing it on the street is a recipe for disaster. Think of your mama - what will she say?

skip said:
Liter bikes.
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How fast can you go on a 600 before you need to shift? Would you ever need to get out of second gear?
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