[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath94

That's what I was wondering...don't know much about the newer years as I stopped researching anything newer than '04 when I was looking for a bike a while back. If it were me looking back, I think a level headed person who wants to keep their first bike longer than 4-6 months may be able to ride a 600 sportbike so long as they are patient in waiting for their skill level to improve. Otherwise you end up like me starting on a 500 twin head and quickly outgrowing it, moving on to a 600 Katana and already after a couple months start looking for more bike again...it all depends on the rider...

If you want a bike for long rides and comfort, you probably wouldn't be looking at sportbikes anyway as they are style statements unless you plan on racing them at the track, which I pray a beginner is not attempting here. So if you have the money to buy a bike now just to ride for a little while and are willing to take a cut and upgrade once you outgrow the beginner bike, then I'd say start on the smaller bikes. Otherwise, if you can be patient and ride smart, pick out a bike you will want to keep for a while so you don't lose your ass trying to sell it or get out from under a loan after wrecking it stunting it or something...

i also believe it depends on the person, my first bike is my ZX6R, my buddy's first was a buell xb12R, and another friend's first bike is a newer R6. none of us have had any issues or accidents, yet. then, i have another friend who picked up a used CBR and thought he was the man on it. He has laid the bike down at least 4 times in his first season of riding and it was all doing stupid stuff that should have been common sense not to do, come to think of it he's the only one who didn't do the MSF course so maybe that had something to do with it. IMO he would have laid down a new bike and he would have laid down a used 500. the bike doesn't make as much of a difference as the mentality of the person does.

my main reason for picking up a brand new bike was that i like the comfort of knowing that i have a full warranty and i didn't buy a bike that was potentially not maintained properly or that has hidden problems i don't know about. in all honetsy, a level headed person should be able to start out a 600 as long as they don't think they'll be banging out wheelies and traveling at triple digit speeds with ease. you've gotta know your limitations.