I am 25yrs old, 245lbs and 6'3" tall. I am looking to buy a '90s CBR but am unsure about sizing. I've ridden dirt bikes and 4 wheelers all my life, and have ridden enduro bikes on the road, but want to move into a sport bike. I keep seeing 600s being reccomended to those just starting on sport bikes, but I'm wondering if they will be big enough for a person of my size. Should I look at one of the litre bikes?
Also, I plan to buy something that needs work as I am extremely mechanically inclined, but are there any more major issuesI need to stay away from?
Thanks, Phillip

 

I went from a 600 to a 954 and the sizing felt the same. I am almost 6'2 and 270 lbs and the bike fits ok. You can always get adjustable rear sets to help make the bike fit you better.

 

I'm 6'2" 225 started on a f3, felt good.
Jumped to a 900RR feels great. If and when you decide to get a bike, I got one for you. ( look Below)

 

When I say size, I mean physical size, but also power. How would the power of a 600 compare to a litre for somone my size on their first sportbike?

psycojester, do you mean the one in the picture? Doesn't look like I can afford it.

 

I am 6'3" and 160, and a have had 2 1990's 600's that were great to me. The power in my f2 was good for a first bike for an idiot that was 18, and my f4 has been more than I could as for(got it when I was 20). Now 21, I just bought a 929rr, and I have not had the chance to ride it. The forum will split on this issue!!!! The riders that started on a litre bike and were fine and are "great riders" and the guys that have started on smaller bikes and worked up. I am not taking away from the ones that started on a litre bike, but I will say that it's better to not have the power there when you are not ready for it. Remember that these are opinions and you should take whatever you want from this thread! I would say get a 600 and remember there's room for mods to make it faster if you want, plus for the most part they will be cheaper. You will probably go down at one point or another, and you might as well make it a cheaper bike that you will feel a little less bad about dropping. There are two kinds of riders out there, those that have dumped their bikes and those who are waiting to. Good luck with the search and have fun when you do get a bike!

 

6"1 240lbs i started on a 97 f3 , then a 98 f3 then a 97 900rr then a 00 929rr then a 02 f4i now a 01 929RR. all the bikes have been great feeling but the 929 is probably the best and you can find a decent one for what some people are seeling a f3/f4/f4i

 

I am 6'4 and 310 I had a 954 as my first sportbike. Like you I have ridden all my life on dirt so I would look at a 900rr 929 or 954 as long as you respect the bike it will treat you good.the size from the 600 to the 929 or 954 is not much I have ridden my brother in law07 600 rr and it felt good, little smaller but not bad. I do not know what the size diff off hand is but you can look it up.
For the powerside and that you have riddenbikes for a long time that is why I said the 900 to the 954.

 

600s arent that much smaller then 1000s, a bit narrower because of the smaller engine.

power, 600 should be fine, you can always move up a year or so down the road if you really want alot of raw power.

i am only 5'7", 160lbs but my buddy i ride with is like 230ish and his 99' r6 hauls him around just fine, often faster then he needs to be going.

 

6' 2" 255 (before gear here)..Fit mine just fine..Bike is more than enough to kill me LOL..Best thing is to setup the suspension for your weight and it will handle like a dream..

Far as power the 600 is more than enough,you can only get to the speed limit so fast.

 

Kentucky, check out this thread from our beloved Hurricane forum. You should find a truckload of useful info there:

https://cbrforum.com/m_125249/tm.htm

Hope this helps (can't see how it would hurt)