Could a 1000 cc Sport Bike Really Work for Novices?
Ducati Minor
I was having a lengthy discussion was a buddy of mine, a far more devoted biker than me. Along with a discussion was a mutual acquaintance who discussed her desire to buy a sportbike. She asked me what kind of bike she should buy. I promptly suggested a Ninja 250R as a starter. She expressed her desire for something with more power. My friend quickly replied suggesting a liter-bike.
I was taken back. 1,000 cc for a novice?
The more I thought about it, the more I accepted the idea as possible. I met a kid, around seventeen, who was running around on a ZX-10 as his first bike. The friend I just mentioned quickly outgrew a Yamaha FZ6 and jumped to a FZ1-R1. Maybe I'm too cautious. I recommended to the gal she check out a 500 to 650 cc sport-touring bike. I was still chuckled at over that.
How about it? Is a liter-bike really acceptable for beginners?
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Priller Thriller
For a female rider yes. For a male rider no. Female riders tend to be much more reserved and don't have that whole testosterone thing to deal with. A woman won't be in a hurry to pull wheelies, perform stoppies or feel that every vehicle on the road is trying to race them.
Motorcycle helmet lock
yes i woul agree with you on this one but keep a helmet.
AF
It's not an easy answer. But you know how long you must ride a bike to consider yourself a "bike driver"? At least 15000 kilometers (about 10000 miles).
So, if in this first miles you think you will have the natural talent to drive a big bike like Valentino Rossi or Stoner, go for it!.
Guy Macher
I agree with AF-- if you have Valentino's talent you could handle it. (And you don't!) If I suggested novice drivers learn using a Lambo or a Mack truck, everyone would laugh.
Today's liter bikes are more powerful than top line racing bikes were only 15 years ago. Even 600cc sport bikes are too powerful and that includes the second tier bikes like the Katana.
The Ninja 250 is a fine bike as is the CBR-125.
About the 'females could handle it' comment. Sport bikes have peaky power delivery. I've seen a lot of timid riders sawing and tipping around corners. Add abrupt power changes to this and disaster is as sure as taxes. Not safe at all. And please, no more sexism.
Small bikes are good to learn on and fun to ride. I ride a KLR 650 and its 40 hp is enough to stay with most anyone in the city.
Evert
I've been riding since I was 14, I'm 48 now. Sport bikes are fun, I've riden a few. I would never want to own one. I rode motercross when I was a kid, I have had 500's and 600's and a KZ1000, I have a Harley now. I agree with your first comment, the 250. It's far better to outgrow a bike then to get on a bigger bike that your not prepared for. That is a disaster waiting to happen. One of the past times a motorcycle dealer does is watching new bikes ride away, and a large portion of the inexperienced ones with big bikes right off have accidents immediantly.
It's totally irresponcible to recomend a liter sport bike as a first bike, and a 500 sport bike gearing is akin to a liter crusier bike.
Be smart, start small, learn and live without injuries.
Sandy
Some common mistakes by beginners:
1. Open the throttle, bike surges forward, fear and panic set in, muscles tighten, throttle opens more resulting in more fear, bikes races forward out of control until it hits something to stop it.
2. Hitting bumps, chuckholes, speed bumps can throw your feet off the footpegs allowing the right foot to fall down which pulls the right arm down and opens the throttle more when you are already trying to recover from the foot.
3. Accelerate very fast which closes the gap between the bike and cars ahead at lightspeed. Those drivers are not accustomed to this time space relationship. After seeing you 100 yards behind them from a glance in the rear view mirror, they signal and move into your lane. Now the newbie is bearing down at 100mph on a vehicle traveling 65mph.
4. Rapidly slowing from high rates of speed can result in a stoppie with an inexperienced rider.
5. More powerful bikes can literally rip themselves from your hand grip.
Don't buy a liter bike to learn on. 99.9% of riders on liter bikes cannot utilize all the power and speed they offer. A 600 V-twin will be much funner and safer even if they only go 140mph.
Fred One Smith
I've been riding for 35 years. I started on a 350cc street bike for one year. Then I switched to a 500cc street bike for a couple of years. Then I spent many years riding a 900cc BMW. Now I ride a 250cc Honda Helix. IMHO, it's not the size of the bike, but the maturity and skill level of the operator. I take the MSF course as a refresher once every few years.
superman1234
me and my friend where looking to buy bikes last year and he had never riding one in his life a dirtbike or sports bike and i all ways had so i bought a honda rc51 and he was looking at 1000 cc bikes to i told him to get something smaller a 500 cc or 600cc he dint listen and got a cbr 954 rr he was shaky at best on it at first but hes good on it now and never wrecked it or liad it it down so i quess 2 each hes own
Aitor
Definitly 1000cc for a begineer is too much.
My first bike was a kawa zx6, the next gsxr750, the next gsxr1100w, what a beast.
The feel is indescriptible with a liter bike but not for an inexpert.
Buy a 600 and enjoy.
Anonymous
I am a professional motorcycle racing driver and have had more than a dozen high speed crashes(no bone fractures or serious injury, thanks to safety gear). Now no matter how crazy this sounds, a 150cc to 200cc bike is perfect for beginners, trust me. Anything more than that is calling for trouble.
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motorcycle helmet
Yes i also think 150cc is good size for a beginner but bear in mind this is still a lot of power in in a 150cc for be carefull and wear your safty gears.
Bob Krake
Buying a liter bike as a first bike is out of the question. A new rider should start out on a dirt bike or at least on a 250cc street bike. I have worked in the industry for over 10 years and have seen way to much. You don't need to have the newest, the fastest, or the "coolest" bike on the road. I feel we need to adopt the laws of europe when it comes to motorcycles. You start on a 150cc for a year, take a test and are allowed then to ride 250cc machines. This way by the time you are allowed to ride a liter bike you have four or five years under your belt (you are a better rider). Please, please, please DO NOT buy a GSXR 1000, CBR 1000RR, OR ANY liter bike. A 600cc these days is more than enough power for the street. I would also recommend that any and all riders take a road racing course at your local track. You will become a better and more aware rider, along will losing some of your jitters of someone riding close. If you need power from a 250cc go buy an Aprilia RS250. This is a two stroke GP motorcycle that you will have to do some searching to find. Please remember to spend good money on your safety gear. Spending $800.00 for a helmet is not cheap, but it is cheaper then a new head.
Anonymous
Is your friend Troy Corser? If he isn't (or any of the other World Superbike riders) then he probably didn't outgrow his FZ6. I personally don't know anyone who has fully mastered the bikes they own. Most people will never fully explore the limits of the bike they own, so to say that they are 'outgrowing' the bike is a little ridiculous.
Rick P
For a new rider, you want to minimize risk. Get somethings that handles, but not too quickly (like an SV650). Avoid something that weighs too much to pick up. Avoid bike that are likely to accelerate too quickly (>750cc) or do not have enough acceleration for some conditions (<350cc). Get a bike that has a comfortable riding position and easy visibility (avoid sportbikes with tiny bar-end mirrors).
Within those parameters, adjust for level of coordination/athleticism in other areas, level of confidence, size and weight.
Have new riders take as many safety courses as possible.
Just use as much common sense as possible to get the new rider through the first year or two when many new riders get hurt, die or get scared and quit. Motorcycling is challenging and complicated; don't handicap a new rider with unnecessary challenges.
motorcycle helmet lock
I would say if you feel comfortable with it then you should go for it but if your not then get some ting smaller.
bil
My advice:
I've been on and off bikes since I was 12.
So lets say 10 years of broken up riding experience. Started on a 70cc Road bike in a country where the traffic is probably one of the worst in the world.
Tbh that bike was a handful at that age, yet insanely fun.
Moved up to a 110cc 2 stroke Yamaha and 125cc 4 stroke.
And am currently riding a Honda CBR250rr. The only higher capacity bike I've ridden is a Ducatti Monster 620 which has been de-restricted.
The cbr250 is A LOT slower than the Ducatti. Even though i've been riding the bike for a few months now, the throttle snap in lower gears when going around round abouts or slower speed corners, sometimes catches me off guard. So I couldn't imagine how a complete novice can handle a 1000cc sports bike, which are unforgiving for errors.
I'd recommend you go to a 620 ducatti monster which is a really fast bike (or similar 600, NOT even an R6 or cbr600rr, something less) , however which due to build design is still forgiving to a nubs mistakes. Only do this if you really have the itch for something fast... Otherwise stick to a 250cc sports bike and work your way up.
Anonymous
this is the wrong question.
the question should be:
Are litre-bikes too much for public roads?
The answer is unequivocally yes. Fancy 85mph wheelies? Try revving out 1st gear on your ZX10R. Second gear? Try 120mph.
Litrebikes have about 40-60 more horsepower than what is usable on public roads. They're dangerous and a waste of money in my opinion. Considering one for a novice road rider is suicidal, and you should smack yourself for asking that question.
motorcycle helmet lock
I must say that this guy is right that is a lot of power and if your not that experience you can get injured so play it safe.
bimotarich
Rich
Fukuoka, Japan
Anyone who lacks enough sense and self control to put off the liter bike before learning the ropes on a smaller bike, probably doesn't need to ride a bike at all. Good Sense is VERY important when riding! Be careful out there!