I have been humbled...

[rubix777]

That's great you are able to learn on such a huge bike. I know if I started on a 600cc bike I wouldn't be able to learn all I did and am continuing to learn on my ninja 250r. Besides, I think my physiology is better suited for a small bike. I'm 5'5" and 120 lbs and when I sit on a CBR F4i, I'm on my toes with shoes on unless plant only one foot down. Even then I can only get the ball of my left foot to touch down.

I have many times though about upgrading to a ZX-6R, but I still have a lot more cornering and entrance speed skills to learn before I should move up, especially if those corners are in succession.

With the ninja 250, I can flatfoot both feet which allows me to back up. On the F4i.. I have to get off and use the grab bar and left handle grip to move it.

Just recently I had an itch for upgrading to a ninja 500R.., but I think I need maybe 2k more miles of riding. (I currently have 500 miles of experience)

[jeffcoslacker]

Wow. I weigh nearly three times what you do. Your bike's shocks would probably explode if I sat on it

I tried to ride a friend's GSXR-750..definitely NOT a fat man's bike

[aussieidiot]

i tend to think people should start on smaller powered bikes due to the ability to accelerate quickly is so much more controllable. as i've said before, crack open the throttle on a 250 and the best you cound do is a 14-15 sec quarter, do the same on a liter and your in 10-12 sec mark (sports bike figures)

that said physical size certainly comes into it. being 6' 4" and around 220lbs (bloody yank measurements) i need a larger bike. me on my 954 (130hp and 415lbs wet) is going to be quicker than a Blackbird CBR1100XX with more horse power but more weight too. compare that to a 1998 Yamaha YZF1000 Thunderace and the yamaha will feel like a space hopper, slow and spongy. all have big power but the handling and weight vary heaps.

when people say that their starting on a liter bike, i think of how i learnt and how long it took me to control myself and the bike, and i get scared. i have to remember that some people have the ability to NOT fully open the throttle every time as well as ride older less powerful bikes. some people will be capable of learning on and riding a liter bike but will they ever master it if they have never ridden a smaller bike to its full limits or their own limits?

[Masonovsky!]

i think that starting on a liter bike is a good way to learn if you don't mind pain.