Start at a 600? or Jump for a 1000

I was wondering what the opinion of you bike experts in here would be. I would like to get a bike, but have been told by some friends who own 600's that they wish they would have just gone for a bigger bike...Good idea? or bad? Is it something that absolutely cannot be handled by a novice? or something a rider could grow into?

Look through the other posts about what size bike to start on. 1000's you'll kill your self in the first week, if you last the first day. 750's same thing mabey you'll last 2 weeks. 600's if they are older their ok, but new, no way. On a new 600 you might not kill yourself if your lucky, but severe injury is more than likely. Look for and early 90's 600 I-4 or used 500, or a 650 V-twin. As far a saving money, I have two retorhical questions to ask. 1. When your dead does if matter if you saved money? 2. How much do you think it costs to be in intensive care?

I pick answer C: start out on a bike that doesnt have a higher hp/weight ratio then a sportcar.

^ I concur. Even though Kansas is as boring road-wise as a Science Lecture, you'll be dead in days on any of the bikes you're thinking of, so don't think. :p

If your friends wish they'd started on 1000cc bikes, then they don't ride their 600s right. I know of people who ride liter bikes who STILL get on a 500 for the handling and performance. Yes, he's a guy, and yes, he has majorly outrun a HAYABUSA on the 500.


START SMALL. End of story.

:werd:

125cc is enough :)

This is what im looking at:
2002 F4i, has a nice yoshimura pipe on it (carbon fiber sleeve), I know the guy, low miles, and hes got some computer thing that you can do tuning with. Hes asking 6500.

Well you could... But remeber you'll drop it. All it takes is stopping on one of those slanty curbs and your on the ground. :mad: An F4 is Ok but only if you've got the money to fix what gets messed up.

Are parts really expensive? I know fairings can be pretty high. I had a friend roll back on his bike with the lock in the wheel and it cracked it in a snap.

When I dropped the R6 I replaced...
A mirror $80
Lower fairing mabey $200
Factory Bar end $25

My prices are apporximate but fairings, mirrors, and engine covers, not to mention pipes are expensive on their own. The aftermaket companys make fairings to but you have to get them painted so $$$.

my plastics are upwards of 450 per piece, upper, lower, fairing, rear

please go read some of the other posts on this forum about other people inquiring about thier first bikes.

its very expensive to replace parts on your motorcycle, which is why insurance companies often decide to total the bike instead of rebuild it. Also why so many people buy their bikes back from insurance company as well to make track bikes, or stunt bikes.

I agree that you should start with a small bike, I am not a real skilled rider but I have rode some and when I ride my buddies zx6r it is more than enough for me. The first bike I ever rode was a Katana 1100 and I almost wrecked it, I was working at a bike shop at the time and everybody encouraged it too much LOL. I am just thankful that nothing bad happened and you should just get the feel of bikes and learn how to ride before you start with 1000 cc bikes. My buddy with the zx6r rode another friends R1 and almost wrecked it, but if he was inexperienced he would have not been able to save it.

Just remember one thing,you can't get on a 1000 and yank the throttle like you can on a 600.Any one who tries to drive a litre bike like a 600 is asking for trouble,i don't care how experienced you are.Just because a bike is capable of doing 180mph doesn't mean you have to.I'd say buy the bike you want,and take it easy.