One lesson shy from a road test aye? That should explain this whole thread! Hahahahahaha.

I been riding 25 years and learn something different every time I'm out. Some may say, I'm a step shy of a full staircase, but at least I aint one lesson shy of a road test. Hahahahahaha.

 

Wow....one lesson away from a road test, yet you seem to be decades away from understanding an analogy. But with you completely arrogant line of thinking, you should get a brand new bike, and since you seem to think that riding carefully will always prevent an accident, let that be the first thing you think of when you hit the pavement. Because that is what I thought, after I had the notion that my uncle had been riding for over 40 years with out an accident and that I could do the same. Luckily I was going like 5 when I dumped mine, but not everyone IS so lucky. But I am done with this thread, sometimes the only way people learn is the hard way. Good luck kid.

 

CBR 600 as a first bike? Are you kidding me?! These bikes are too fast and aggressive for BEGINNERS. On the other hand, a 250 (unless you're small in stature) is almost a waste of time too. You will QUICKLY outgrow it. Start with a used 600 Shadow, 750 Nighthawk or similar bike. The Shadow sits low and has decent power and the Nighthawk is just a great all-around mid-size bike. Ride your first bike for a year or two to get your feet wet, then upgrade when ready. Unfortunately in your situation, you bought a lemon -- s**t happens.

 

My .01 cents.....do what you want. it's your life. we can't live it for you.

 

true. everyone on here says dont start out on a 600. hell man i started on a 600 and its no big deal. as long as you keep it low it feels just like a 250. just do your research and get exactly what you want and can afford.

many new riders cant buy used bikes because of 1.distance and 2.cost. i was searching for 3 weeks until i could finally find the model i like, in good condition, close enough to pick up with a friend, AND affordable. i bought my used bike 4 days before i was suppose to buy a new bike at the dealership. so yea thats all.

 

awesome post...
i think my personal quote will work perfectly here...
"let the ignorance die with the ignorant".

let's not let someone who's a total newb tell us how it is ok? so let's all keep our panties from bunching up.

BTW...wrenching on a car is NOT like wrenching on a bike...granted parts are similar...they aren't the same. the OP bought a POS and couldn't fix it...even with loads of car experience. if OP was so versed then OP would know that a bike makes much more noises than a car...so had you started up the bike you would've thought...oh it's not right...cause of all the clicks and this and that...cars don't have loud valve chatter like bikes commonly have, etc...

so please...don't assume you know bikes just cause you know cars.

thanks.

 

I am a new rider and agree with a lot of you about start small. but I am also 6.0 tall and 245lbs. My issue is i wanted a bike that i could have for years so i bought a 1000rr. And yes i am taking it easy on it and also I am not an agressive driver. My past few jobs have molded me into being safe as can be(Truck Driver/Bus Driver). What i am getting at is your body size should part of the reason what size bike you buy also. I have had mine for 3 Weeks now. I have put 600 miles on it. I even did Highway driving from Cocoa Beach FL to Orlando only 1 time though. Just be as safe as you can.

The best advice I would tell anyone including myself who is a new rider and even to people who been riding all thier lives is. DON'T DRIVE STUPID AND THINK YOU CAN DO ANYTHING ON A BIKE CAUSE IT ONLY TAKES ONE MISTAKE. And the last thing and the bigest one is. ALWAYS LEAVE YOURSELF AN OUT.

 

the size thing i kinda agree with. if you are 5'4 and havent riden, you may expect to drop a bike a few times while you are getting accustomed to riding.

im 6'3 and feel that i have tons of leverage riding a f4i, i messed around in parking lots for awhile making sure i could do tight low speed maneuvers, i was really suprised how easy it was to handle, but alot of that was due to the somewhat lightwieght nature of the f4i and the balancing levereage i have beeing over 6 foot. When i saw my buddies hop on my bike i got a little wary, since their feet couldnt both touch the ground or would only touch thier tows...for them i knew it would be easy to drop a bike.

when i think of "dropping a bike as a beginner" i think of very low speed turns, stop and go type stuff. And if your on a sportsbike with a race type seating position and you find it hard to balance at low speeds and do not have the "safety net" of being able to place both feet solid on the ground, than i wouldnt recommend getting a brand new bike cuz chances are you may drop it.

 

completely true ive been working on cars my whole life and know them inside and out and even though i know alot about cars when it comes the bikes the parts are similar and i dont assume just cause u do something one way on a car that u do it the same way on a bike its a while different maching, i dont assume that i can fix planes when i can fix cars just because they both operate on the same basic principles but yea just had to respond cause i thought that was a good post.

p.s. i was actually gonna post something about the valve chatter cause i can kinda hear something that sounds like valve noice but i couldnt tell if it was cause im just used to cars and now im basically sitting on the engine lol. so u pretty much answered my question without trying

 

i swear my dad got that "always leave yourself an out" line burned into my brain over the years and when he first tought me how to drive and ive always remembered it and it has saved me countless times so good adivce