Question for you experts

[glock 17]

Ive read the stickies and it says to not start out with a 600 cc bike. Is that to people who have none, or little riding experience? because i have a 250cc dirtbike and have pretty much mastered it.

thanks

[speediva]

It's 2 different worlds: dirt and street. You aren't dodging kids and soccer vans when you go rip through the woods. I still say to start small; nothing bigger than a 6.

[edubarf]

yes even if you have mastered a 250cc dirt bike to jump on a 600 is a big ass difference. Even though you have the riding skills in the dirt there are similarities along with differances, like what you ask? Well since you asked I.E. when you make a turn a dirt bike you shift your weight, as well as on a street bike, but the amount and angle you lean is differant and no feet, well go ahead and lay ur foot on the ground to turn and ill see you in the hospital. .

[speediva]

I forgot about foot-draggin!!! You can spot a dirt rider from a mile away on the street b/c they drag their feet, and most of the time they don't last long b/c they break something... OUCH

[edubarf]

like i said see ya in the hospital

[glock 17]

Originally Posted by saturntangerine

It's 2 different worlds: dirt and street. You aren't dodging kids and soccer vans when you go rip through the woods. I still say to start small; nothing bigger than a 6.

whats a 6?

[Z_Fanatic]

lol, 600, or 599cc motorcycle to be exact.

[glock 17]

why dont they make 2 stroke motorcylces? i wouldnt see the use for just riding but im sure itd be faster for racing?

[flex339]

Well one reason why they don't make 2 strokes is since they don't meet emissions. At least that's my understanding.

[edubarf]

also then you would have to ride around with oil and a measuring cup or stop at places that have that stuff it would be more of a pain than anything

[Z_Fanatic]

Aprilia RS50 is 2-strokes and street legal in some of the states here. But yeah, mainly 2 strokes are "environment-unfriendly."

[porridgewog]

Hey Glock,

I started out on a 600 to do my training in the UK. First bike I bought was a 1000. Think I might have missed out a lot of fun on the 600's as my brother has one and he can keep up everywhere except for the straights. Go for a 6, learn on it, then make the jump to superbike, you will respect it more and hopefully keep it shiny side up longer!

[madbusa2002]

I started on a R6 at the age of 25. Maybe a little more sensible than most youngsters jumping on liter bikes, but also knowing how much self constraint you have with the throttle will lead you to the right choice. Now after 70k miles or so and still riding I think the 600 was a good starting point. Yes I rode dirt as well, but it had been a while. Good luck on whatever you decide to pick up.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by edubarf

yes even if you have mastered a 250cc dirt bike to jump on a 600 is a big ass difference. Even though you have the riding skills in the dirt there are similarities along with differances, like what you ask? Well since you asked I.E. when you make a turn a dirt bike you shift your weight, as well as on a street bike, but the amount and angle you lean is differant and no feet, well go ahead and lay ur foot on the ground to turn and ill see you in the hospital. .

From a technical point of view you are way ahead of the game by having decent off-road riding experience.
ALL my dirt friends who went on to ride street were extremely proficient at it. Riding a street bike at legal speeds is EASY compared to dirt.
However, as tangie says, the danger is the other traffic and learning what to look out for. Gaining experience safely is most important.
As for the bike, IMHO the displacement is less important as getting something thats easy to ride. Dirt riders find the sport bikes riding position to be strange and unfamiliar.
I would say go for a 'standard' bike, and not a true sport bike, to start.

[glock 17]

yea im thinking about the R6, i live in a place with little traffic. the only time there really is traffic is in the morning when everyone is going to school... but ill ride my dads 76 volkwagon truck for that because i wouldnt wanna mess my ride