soon to be new rider

[BlackT]

I'm looking to get a bike this spring or summer. i'm looking at a honda cbr 600 or a CBR RR600. i've heard from many ppl that the cbr's 600 are great bikes to learn on. I really like the RR though but would that bike be too much for me to learn on??

[inspiron]

Yes. Get yourself a cheap, used 250 or 500 to start with.

Don't fixate on any manufacturer. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, BMW, Harley ... in the end, you need to find a bike that fits you - financially and ergonomically.

[BlackT]

i can get a great deal on a used cbr 600. my brother learned on one. And i also don't plan on keeping the bike long term, max 2-3 summers of riding.Here in canada in order to get ur full lisence u have to take a 3 day coarse.

[MagnumForce]

Hello BlackT,

I've got the F4i while my brother has a '04 RR. While I consider the F4i to be more user friendly than the RR, I wouldn't recommend either for a starting rider just yet. Why not give either a Ninja 500R or GS500F a try, preferably used. Ride one for a full season to develop your riding skills, then upgrade to a CBR. You'll be a better rider for sure. Don't forget to do a search for 'starter bikes' or similar topics, and you'll find that similar advice has already been given. Good luck... time for me to ride.

[BlackT]

hey ezridr1, How much of a difference did u feel with ur F4i and rr, did they feel like completely different bikes?

[MagnumForce]

Just a slight difference for me. Seems like the throttle on the F4i was less twitchy. The handlebars are slightly raised, so I sit just a bit more upright. The RR is made for the race track due to its lighter weight (361 vs. 370 lbs) and upgraded suspension, but the F4i ain't no slouch either.

[BlackT]

oh i know its no slouch, i'm kinda leanin towards the F4i, as for being new rider, i learn things very quickly and i know my limits. not like most of my friends

[MagnumForce]

That's good. If you take a safety minded approach and wear your gear when you ride, you should do just fine. Also recommend a motorcycle safety training course, especially before you buy your bike. One of our members, Night_Wolf, is a certified instructor who also happens to live in Toronto. Consider looking him up. Expect some tough questions from him though.

[azoazc]

Originally Posted by BlackT

oh i know its no slouch, i'm kinda leanin towards the F4i, as for being new rider, i learn things very quickly and i know my limits. not like most of my friends

I would say get a Ninja 500 and get to mosport. Check out www.wnysportriders.org and look at the trackday section. You may still be able to get in on our June 30th trackday. Get that bike and go to the track a few times. Once you can run fast on a 500 you will be able to run anything you want.

[viper94bite]

Originally Posted by BlackT

oh i know its no slouch, i'm kinda leanin towards the F4i, as for being new rider, i learn things very quickly and i know my limits. not like most of my friends

Now where is uncle bob to say "famouse last words"

[blackie1491]

Most of us at a younger age earned a few scars the hard way, because we thought we were diff.

The CBR600 is a great second bike, put your time in on a smaller bike, it will make you a better rider, and your cool image will grow when you find your abilities exceed those on their CBR600's.

[MagnumForce]

Please consider all of the advice given before you commit to buying your bike. We want to make sure you get a right start to motorcycling. Consider the hazards of a bike that can and will exceed your capabilities. Obtain proper education and training. Remember, motorcycling is not a sport to take lightly. It takes a lot of thought and preparation and once you get your bike, a lot of commitment.

[SVZuki]

You will hear 3 lines of wisdom. Heed them
!) Take a MSF class. Do it.
2)Learn on something that you don't care if you drop it, and something smaller than an RR bike. A 500 is good. GS500f or Ninja are great starter bikes.
3)See number one.

[Shea]

^^^Now that you mention it, I never thought I would drop a bike. Had an EX500 as a first street bike. I was trying to turn around in an uphill drive way that was covered in gravel. As if that scenerio couldn't have gotten worse...wait, water would have...anyway, I sure as hell learned my lesson the hard way. Would have rather drop that EX500 than my brand new Buell.

[BlackT]

well still leaning on the 600 but i'm still keepin an open mind i got at least 3-4 months before my decison. thanks for all the input from everyone. and i'll keep on searching these furom and learning more

[MagnumForce]

Hello BlackT. I would like you to meet the gentleman above me, Night_Wolf. He's our resident Canadian instructor based in Toronto. Didn't I tell you he'll ask some tough questions?

Really though, use those 3-4 months you got to make the right decision. Keep in mind that race replica bikes are most likely to get into accidents and are also most likely to get stolen. If you call around for an insurance quote and are shocked by what quote you were given, that is why. Again, please consider one of the 500cc bikes to start with before upgrading to the CBR. It is much easier to develop your riding skills on these bikes. Don't let your friends pressure you into getting a bike that exceeds your skill level. If your friends are truly your friends, they'll look out for your well being and respect your decision.

[azoazc]

If you check out my "home" board that I mentioned above you will find a guy DJeclipse. He rides an oooooooollllddddd FZR400. When the trackdays come that guy SMOKES most of the guys there. Why? Smaller, lighter bikes corner better. Remember this: any retard can wind back the throttle, but it takes skill to ride the turns. Most "real" sportbike riders are way more impressed if you have it in the turns since we all know the above is true.
Also you can take the cash you saved and buy proper gear. If you have a part of your body without leather on it at any speed above 35 you are just silly. Buy good gear. Plus with an older bike you won't be as intimidated when working on it. Learning to keep up your own bike is a skill that is invaluable. Even if you can afford to pay to have things done at the shop doesn't mean a shop will be available.
I had things to do to my bike and didn't have time. So I call the shop and it turns out they didn't have time for a few weeks either. So I was glad I had the skills to do it.
You don't have to listen to us but we do have alot of knowledge here. And no need to impress anyone. If they don't "get" the idea of someone buying a 500cc bike to start on then they are just plain posers.

[Clint]

Good posts, guys.

I was at Batteries Plus today and one of the salesmen had an ad for his CBR600 with 14,000 miles under the counter glass. It listed 'new fork seals'. I said, "Does it have new fork seals because you wheelied it all the time?" He said, "Yeah, that's all these bikes are good for". I said, "Well, you could actually learn to take curves with them". He said, "That was the first year. The second year was for wheelies".

What an ignoramous.

[MagnumForce]

I have just updated my signature. Hope my new and improved sig gets the point across.

[Shea]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

What an ignoramous.

LOL Exactly. Sounds like he knew everything about riding in just a year, or atleast thought he knew. 1 Season of riding is not near enough time to get profficient in riding. There are so many things to learn to do well. Ask someone who thinks they are good to do a 20mph figure 8 with lean and see what they do. Most "guys" will probably drop their bikes. Hell, just ask them to do the circle at that speed.