why would anyone want a big bike for starter - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

chrisan · 01-05-2006, 02:23 AM

Is it only me or there are others that were afraid to jump on a big bike, even more buyng one as a first ride.
My first bike after I mooved to the states was bandit 400 and it took me a year and a half before I felt ready to try a 600 althoug a lot of people were telling me to dump the 400 and get faster bike. there was this guy at work with a suzuki 1000 v engine sports bike /I don't know the name of it/ and I would get the chills only by looking at his bike. The bike looked so big and heavy and very, very fast, wich was scary only to imagine, and the idea of trying to handle this kind of bike was out of the question.
Also to clarify, I wasn't new to bikes when I got the bandit, I started riding bikes when I was 11, ,my dad used to have a 50cc two stroke Simson /eastern germany brand/ wich I mastered, then I tryed bigger bikes like CZ 350 two strokes and some others, comming from eastern europe we didn't have anthing good when I was growing up and I was accustomed to ride on the side roads, most of the time dirt where the bikes were sliding crazy.
There were a gap of almost 10 years before I got the Bandit and now the gsxr600 and it felt like I started a new, all the experience riding **** bikes helps a lot of cource but I just couldn't make myself go out and buy a gixxer 1000 right away.
So I wonder how is that possible, that people of this forum spend so much time and energy convincing newbees to start small as to me this is a no brainer. Not natural. As I said; no one could've made me start big, when I was thinking of bying a bike. Big is a handfull, while small is managable for a start.
sorry if the tread is too long just felt like saying it.
cheers

BillyBumbler · 01-05-2006, 02:36 AM

I don't know...I've started off with a M50 (805cc), put on hundreds of miles, and I've had no trouble at all. Heck, I'm having to convince myself to hold off at least a year or two before getting something like a Honda VTX1300. Different strokes for different folks. Course maybe it's easier to ride a 800cc cruiser than an 800cc sport bike? It is much slower.

chrisan · 01-05-2006, 03:31 AM

yeah I guess you're right, a cruiser is like a car somehow, accelerate on the straight then slooooow down and turn- no stress, I don't have problems with that, I tied my neighbor's harley sportster soon after I got my bandit. The thing is that I like cornering and canyon riding and flipping the bike it seems much easier with a small bike to learn the proper technics. I've always wanted to be able to grind my knees down, that's what mesmerized me at first about bikes. so I wanted to be shure that I can learn doing it and stay safe along the way.

MagnumForce · 01-05-2006, 04:09 AM

Before I got my M50, I rode my brother's CBR600RR. Cruisers and sportbikes are two different styles of riding, but I have to say that my 805cc cruiser is a heck of a lot easier to ride than my brother's 600cc sportbike. Heck, my 1200cc Sportster is easier to ride than the CBR with half the displacement. True, the cruiser is slower, but the power is linear and more manageable. I rode my brother's other bike, the ZX-9R, and for some reason, I found it easer to ride than his CBR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisan

there was this guy at work with a suzuki 1000 v engine sports bike /I don't know the name of it/ and I would get the chills only by looking at his bike. The bike looked so big and heavy and very, very fast, wich was scary only to imagine, and the idea of trying to handle this kind of bike was out of the question.

Sounds like a Suzuki TL1000R, nicknamed "the widowmaker." I'd love to have one. Not right now, though.

As mentioned in the past, the Ninja 250R/500R and Suzuki GS500 would make perfect starters for those that want to ride sportbikes. They allow the rider the flexibility to develop his/her riding skills. You can always sell or trade the bike once you get the mileage.

**Clint** · 01-05-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyBumbler

I don't know...I've started off with a M50 (805cc), put on hundreds of miles, and I've had no trouble at all.

Forgive me for chuckling, but the M50 (aside from a fairly heavy wet weight) is no big bike. The Bandit 400 probably outruns it.

I was very intimidated by sportbikes, especially large ones. Even when I bought the Bandit I didn't consider getting a GSXR750, for example. I think it has more to do with the lightning-quick handling and wheelie potential than the acceleration capability.

KSU-Danimal · 01-05-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZridr1

Sounds like a Suzuki TL1000R, nicknamed "the widowmaker." I'd love to have one. Not right now, though.

Or I was thinking it could have been an SV1000.

-danimal

MagnumForce · 01-05-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSU-Danimal

Or I was thinking it could have been an SV1000.

-danimal

Hmm... yeah, that too. Good point.

tlwisner · 01-05-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Forgive me for chuckling, but the M50 (aside from a fairly heavy wet weight) is no big bike. The Bandit 400 probably outruns it.

My next door neighbor has a Bandit 400, it is very fast and I have zero doubt that if I really wanted to race it with my 805cc C50, I would have a rapidly shrinking view of the Bandit 400's rear end.

That said, the Bandit 400 is a smaller bike, and the M50 and C50 are big bikes, they are physically bigger than HD Fatboys and they are roomier bikes than HD Roadkings. M50s and C50s are the smallest displacement big cruisers.

Big and Fast are not the same to me. I do know what you mean Rowdy, my differences are just semantic.

**Louis** · 01-05-2006, 08:30 AM

I started out with a GPz550 and moved to an SV650S. There's no way I'm gonna buy a SV1000S. There's simply no reason for me to do so? Just so I can reach 35 mph or 55 mph faster? yeah right!

Even if I were to eventually go to track, there's no need to have a big liter bike, just ask 'Nut.

Of course, it's pretty hard to compare a sportbike engine size to a cruiser's engine size, the gearing being so different.

tlwisner · 01-05-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

I started out with a GPz550 and moved to an SV650S. There's no way I'm gonna buy a SV1000S. There's simply no reason for me to do so? Just so I can reach 35 mph or 55 mph faster? yeah right!

You need to move up to the 1000. How can your ego take it with a 650? You need 1000cc squid butt jewelry, and it really needs to me a GSXR - not that SV stuff. Then you need some really flashy leathers too for when you're hanging around the biker bar slammin' some brews before you ride.

I learned all about motorcycling from watching the educational videos Torque and Biker Boyz. I do know it all.

MagnumForce · 01-05-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis

Of course, it's pretty hard to compare a sportbike engine size to a cruiser's engine size, the gearing being so different.

In comparing v-twin sportbikes vs. v-twin cruisers, the gearing forms part of the picture. One must also consider the type of final gear used (sportbike = chain, cruiser = belt or shaft) and the motor's compression ratio, which is considerably higher on the sportbikes.

Nut is an individual who knows what he's talking about. I've read some of his posts that rave about the Ninja 250R. They sure speak volumes. My sister has one of those, and believe me, they can fly.

MagnumForce · 01-05-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

I learned all about motorcycling from watching the educational videos Torque and Biker Boyz. I do know it all.

I became an expert rider by watching MotoGP tutorials provided by Valentino Rossi, my favorite rider.

**drgibson** · 01-05-2006, 08:52 AM

I became an Expert by watching "On Any Sunday"

**Trapper** · 01-05-2006, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZridr1

(sportbike = chain, cruiser = belt or shaft)

My cruiser has a chain.

MagnumForce · 01-05-2006, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

My cruiser has a chain.

Yes, I'm aware. I was listing what I thought were the most prevalent drive systems. Heck, BMW's K1200S uber sportbike and K1200R streetfighter use the shaft drive.

**Louis** · 01-05-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

My cruiser has a chain.

Pffrt, poser!

**inspiron** · 01-08-2006, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettencle

male penis syndrome!!! think they need the biggest and best right away!! My 1st 600 katana, love it

My penis is fine, thank you very much.
And the 1400ccm naked bike in the garage was my third bike. The first one was a 50ccm Vespa - I rode it for more than 10 years, and put more than 10,000 miles on it. Then I moved up to a 125ccm V-2, and put about 4,000 miles on that one. At the end of the day, I decided I was putting my life in danger trying to ride a 125ccm bike on the freeway to get to work, so I went shopping for a bike that was big enough for me. I was looking for a bike with low revs - I was tired of having the motor screaming when I was trying to keep up with traffic. My 1400ccm cruises at highway speeds at about 3500rpm, whereas the 125 was screaming at almost 8'000 rpm.

**Clint** · 01-08-2006, 04:50 PM

LOL. Sounds like a good progression for any new rider.

QuacktheDuck · 01-08-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

Where do you live??? The GSX 1400 isn't available in North America and I know a cpl folks who would buy it, if it was

believe he's in switzerland...sure got some scenic nice roads over there.

**inspiron** · 01-09-2006, 02:16 AM

Where do I live?

Location: 47.4493 / 7.76536

Just enter "47.4493, 7.76536" in Google Earth

01-05-2006, 02:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
chrisan Found second gear by accident Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: suzuki bandit 400/ gsxr 600 k4/ gsxr 750 k7 Location: L.A. Posts: 340	why would anyone want a big bike for starter Is it only me or there are others that were afraid to jump on a big bike, even more buyng one as a first ride. My first bike after I mooved to the states was bandit 400 and it took me a year and a half before I felt ready to try a 600 althoug a lot of people were telling me to dump the 400 and get faster bike. there was this guy at work with a suzuki 1000 v engine sports bike /I don't know the name of it/ and I would get the chills only by looking at his bike. The bike looked so big and heavy and very, very fast, wich was scary only to imagine, and the idea of trying to handle this kind of bike was out of the question. Also to clarify, I wasn't new to bikes when I got the bandit, I started riding bikes when I was 11, ,my dad used to have a 50cc two stroke Simson /eastern germany brand/ wich I mastered, then I tryed bigger bikes like CZ 350 two strokes and some others, comming from eastern europe we didn't have anthing good when I was growing up and I was accustomed to ride on the side roads, most of the time dirt where the bikes were sliding crazy. There were a gap of almost 10 years before I got the Bandit and now the gsxr600 and it felt like I started a new, all the experience riding **** bikes helps a lot of cource but I just couldn't make myself go out and buy a gixxer 1000 right away. So I wonder how is that possible, that people of this forum spend so much time and energy convincing newbees to start small as to me this is a no brainer. Not natural. As I said; no one could've made me start big, when I was thinking of bying a bike. Big is a handfull, while small is managable for a start. sorry if the tread is too long just felt like saying it. cheers __________________ gsxr 600 k4 yellow gsxr 750 k7 silver Last edited by chrisan; 01-05-2006 at 02:26 AM.

01-05-2006, 03:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
chrisan Found second gear by accident Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: suzuki bandit 400/ gsxr 600 k4/ gsxr 750 k7 Location: L.A. Posts: 340	yeah I guess you're right, a cruiser is like a car somehow, accelerate on the straight then slooooow down and turn- no stress, I don't have problems with that, I tied my neighbor's harley sportster soon after I got my bandit. The thing is that I like cornering and canyon riding and flipping the bike it seems much easier with a small bike to learn the proper technics. I've always wanted to be able to grind my knees down, that's what mesmerized me at first about bikes. so I wanted to be shure that I can learn doing it and stay safe along the way. __________________ gsxr 600 k4 yellow gsxr 750 k7 silver Last edited by chrisan; 01-05-2006 at 03:42 AM.

01-05-2006, 08:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,655	I started out with a GPz550 and moved to an SV650S. There's no way I'm gonna buy a SV1000S. There's simply no reason for me to do so? Just so I can reach 35 mph or 55 mph faster? yeah right! Even if I were to eventually go to track, there's no need to have a big liter bike, just ask 'Nut. Of course, it's pretty hard to compare a sportbike engine size to a cruiser's engine size, the gearing being so different. __________________ Louis

01-05-2006, 08:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,642	I became an Expert by watching "On Any Sunday" __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

01-09-2006, 02:16 AM	#20 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,939	Where do I live? Location: 47.4493 / 7.76536 Just enter "47.4493, 7.76536" in Google Earth __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

01-05-2006, 02:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
BillyBumbler Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Black Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 268	I don't know...I've started off with a M50 (805cc), put on hundreds of miles, and I've had no trouble at all. Heck, I'm having to convince myself to hold off at least a year or two before getting something like a Honda VTX1300. Different strokes for different folks. Course maybe it's easier to ride a 800cc cruiser than an 800cc sport bike? It is much slower.

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