600cc Bikes unforgiving when Beginner Riders Make a Mistake?

[Novaz3]

Alright I have heard so many ppl in this forum say a 600cc bike is nothing for a beginner and that when you make a mistake with a 600cc bike its unforgiving. I know what that statement means but i would like someone to give examples of mistakes they made either with there 600cc or less. Also at one time or another werent the 500cc bikes considered non newbie bikes??? why is it that a newb shouldnt ride a 600cc bike if they take there time learning to ride???? Also what expierence will you learn from riding a 500cc that you couldnt learn riding a 600cc bike??? even if you master a 500cc bike and gain expierence when you upgrade to a 600cc bike thats more power anyway so the learning process begins all over again right????

[bat4255]

If you have never ridden before here is what Might happen

The weight: I does thake getting used to handleing 350-600 Lbs.

Throttle Response: More powerful bikes Can (not always), throw you back when opening up the throttle. Espically 1/4 turn racing throttles. Some higher horsepower machines have a very narrow power band, and may come on quicker that you expect. I think a wider power band is better for learning, so you have a greater range for shifting with no suprises.

Intimidation: If your on a substancial machine, you will be "goated" into racing, or driving the twisties to fast before your ready.

My son started on a GSX-R 600 and did OK(has 6,500 miles on now).

That wasen't my 1st choice for him, but he is 26 yrs old and knows mechanics pretty well.

Once you learn the basics, you only have 2 things to get used to Power and balance.

[04gsxr600]

I know you've probably heard it a thousands times, but it comes down to knowing your limits, if you do, you'll be fine. if not, then you'll be sorry. My 600 is my first bike. and it only took me a few minutes to get the feel for it and ride confidently and safe. Some people are different though. I know even if i had gotten a liter bike (which i really didn't want anyways) i would have had the exact same approach. I've learned the hard way to appreciate the potential of powerful machines.

[Memphis]

Just be aware. Once you get a rocket between your legs. The cautious perception of riding goes out the window and the curiousity of how quick it is jumps into play and I know you may thinking that I am not like that. I am going to respect the bike, But I think everyone hear will agree with me, who ever got a streetbike as a first or even second and so on, thought cautious and after and hour or so, had the itch to open her up a little. Just by opening her up a little will jump you to 60+mph on a open 35 zone.

Just a far warning. You wont agree and think just like I and all the others did, " I am not going to be crazy, I am going to be real slow and gentle" believe me I will bet $ that within 2 hours of drive time, you will rip the throttle open in a few gear. And thats where these mistakes develope and the fast speeds.

[prekarious1]

to a beginner they can be twitchy. Do you really want to trust YOUR life to something that you not only can't handle and just don't feel right to you? Any input you give to the machine is gonna be exactly what it does. You twist half throttle, thats what your gonna get. Just keep in mind that half is still more than vast majority of people are expecting when they do this so the bike loops on them. If you go into a slight lean but give just a bit extra initially, you are going to be over much further than you would expect to be and unless you are already used to the feeling of being leaned far over on a sport bike you would be very likely to touch the brakes. Big Mistake. We don't suggest that people start off with smaller bikes just so we can feel better about ourselves, we do it because we actually don't like seeing people become red stains on the same streets that we ride on. I don't know your age but we have all seen what happens when some parents can't say no to their kids so daddy goes out and buys them the best thing out at the time. Then the kids dies and my insurance goes up because of ignorance. If you truly want to enjoy the sport, you have to start small and work your way up.

"off rant"

[98G]

quote="Novaz3"]Alright I have heard so many ppl in this forum say a 600cc bike is nothing for a beginner

///Depends on which 600. Seca II 600? Ideal. SV650? ok. Katana 600? Quite a bit and represents the absolute maximum most guys on the board would condone. Personally, the katana 600 is what my girlfriend will have in a couple of months. I like it and look forward to riding it some.


why is it that a newb shouldnt ride a 600cc bike if they take there time learning to ride????

//A GSXR 600 is less than optimal as a first bike due to the twitchiness of the controls. Example: you hit a bump and goose the accellerator by mistake, and find your front wheel in the air. You grab brakes hard, and land with front wheel locked. Over you go, to the detriment of yourself and your bike.

//I won't go so far as to say that the power is the culprit (but most here will). It's the manner in which the power is delivered. 1/4 turn race accellerators are less than optimal when combined with lack of experience.

//I looked at the SV650 the other day while shopping for a bike for my gf. If I were buying a first bike today, I'd have a hard time choosing anything else. Light, thin, good riding position.

98G

[Uncle Bob]

Just because some people start on 600's and don't kill themselves doens't mean they are good riders. Just means they've been lucku enough not to have a situation that exceeds their capabilities so far.

Average bike on the road has less than 50 hp so why does anybody need 100hp or more especially to start with.

These supersportbikes are a very small percentage of the bikes on the road under 10% I believe, yet are involved in over 50% of accidents. Accidents involving supersportbikes also a much higher percentage of injuries and fatalities.

I've seen too many involontary wheelies ending with injuries and damage to bike and others. Lowsides and highsides caused by tomuch brake being applied and then not corrected correctly.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Novaz3

Alright I have heard so many ppl in this forum say a 600cc bike is nothing for a beginner and that when you make a mistake with a 600cc bike its unforgiving. I know what that statement means but i would like someone to give examples of mistakes they made either with there 600cc or less. Also at one time or another werent the 500cc bikes considered non newbie bikes??? why is it that a newb shouldnt ride a 600cc bike if they take there time learning to ride???? Also what expierence will you learn from riding a 500cc that you couldnt learn riding a 600cc bike??? even if you master a 500cc bike and gain expierence when you upgrade to a 600cc bike thats more power anyway so the learning process begins all over again right????

Take an MSF class so you can have a little riding experience on which to base your choices. (if you are old enough to drive) It seems that riding looks pretty darn easy to people who haven't tried it.