I just got a 1996 cbr 900rr, took it out for a ride for the first time ever today and I must say, it intimadated the hell out of me. Call me a puss in boots if you will, but I only got it up to 50 mph. Its my first bike and I'm thinking that maybe i did start out too big, but i think that as long as i'm careful i'll get the hang of it without killing myself first.

 

I also just looked into the msf ridercourse, and I'll be taking that next month or so, sounds like it'll be fun and definetly worth the time and money spent. :-)

 

Hey, don't feel bad guys, I'm starting on an 08 CBR1000rr.

 

Im new to this forum but I can tell youI started on 1000RR with no problem. I also think that if you injoy riding and and have good judgement it is not a problem. And it's cheeper to start onnow you don't have to eat yourmoney on trade in.But 2000+ dollars isn't worth your life so if your not able to handle it dont buy it.

 

Starting on a small bike is the text book way to learn how to ride well. That's not to say that getting a big bike as a starter won't work; it's just harder. Chances of making a mistake and going down hard, is amplified. I'm sure there's plenty of people who got 300HP cars as their first car. Nothing wrong with that. I think an important thing to ask the beginner rider when they first buy their bike is: "What do you want to achieve?" Some will say, I want to look cool and just be able to ride around town. Some will say, I want to be blazing fast at the track and have good technique. It's obvious which bike you would recommend to which person. I don't see anything wrong with a person getting a 1K bike if all they want to do is ride it to their friends house and be cool or impress that young blond down the street.

 

I have a 600 F3 with no problems and only been riding for about 4 months. i have gone down once but that was only because i hit someloose dirt on theroad. i dont ride like a maniac becuase i respect the bike and know my limits.

 

I started on a 600 f4 this year (no problems so far, and I really enjoy the bike but the first few times the bike did intimidate me). I am 6'4 and 210 lbs....250 bikes all seemed far too small a fit. To tell you the truth after riding my buddies 750 gixxer I almost wish I had started with an even bigger bike (his bike is wider and more comfy). I think as long as your careful a 600 to start is no problem. A 1k? thats probably a different story.

 

my thoughts exactly, why is this a sticky?

 

I bought my son a generic LIFAN LS 200 sportbike to start on. What a frickin joke. Absolute piece of ****. He did lay it down in the yard, no big deal. We sold it for 100.00 loss. Went and looked at Ninja 250's, a couple diff. 04 & 07. My opinion, not much better than the Lifan, & for what people are wanting for the Ninja 250's around here is a joke. 3-3,500 for an 07? His buddy bought a new Hyosung 250 sportbike with a warranty for 4k?????? He dumped that thing twice.
Anyways, i figured why buy a piece of crap 250 when he will outgrow it in 2 weeks, so i bought him a 98 CBR600F3. he has taken the 2 day basic riders course & seems to be doing fine with it. Well of course his buddy couldnt be outdone, so he bought a 97 gsxr 600 & is trying to sell his p.o.s. Hyosung. he will be lucky to get 2k for the thing. He should have started with something better.
I feel start out with whatever suits you as long as you are comfortable with it, be careful, alert & most of all, dont succumb to peer pressure. That will get you every time.

 

i started on a 50cc dirt bike at 5. moved on to an 80cc honda then a 200. i would not want to start on a 600. i rode for years on a small bike. at 13 i got a chance to jump on my dads harley and take that for a ride. what a thrill. when i turned 18 i bought my first real road bike and it was a 600 F3. never had any problems after that. now i have worked my way up the ladder to a busa but will never get rid of my F3.