Why sportbikes aren't beginner bikes - Page 4 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

tricker · 06-19-2009, 11:44 AM

oh but zx-14... you shall be mine!.... in 4 or 5 years

**Clint** · 06-19-2009, 02:12 PM

The thread title is the article title, out of respect for the author.

kerrtapp · 07-08-2009, 01:53 AM

How about a 250cc sport as your first bike?

**inspiron** · 07-08-2009, 02:57 AM

A 250ccm sport bike (e.g. Kawasaki Ninja 250) can't really be considered as a real sports bike. It looks like one, but the performance numbers tell a different story. Riding a 250ccm bike is a good place to start, and if the look and feel of the bike appeal to you, then enjoy!

Modern "sports" bikes are 600ccm or larger, and often have close to 100 horsepower. A 250ccm bike will probably only put out about 35 horsepower - enough to move you quickly (and be a real kick in the pants to ride), but not enough to launch you into orbit like one of the "big boys".

wookie · 07-09-2009, 01:31 AM

I think these guys will disagree

RaceBikeRentals.com | Kawasaki Ninja 250R 250 Race Racebike Trackday Rentals WSMC Willow Springs Raceway

Davecm203 · 07-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

A 250ccm sport bike (e.g. Kawasaki Ninja 250) can't really be considered as a real sports bike. It looks like one, but the performance numbers tell a different story. Riding a 250ccm bike is a good place to start, and if the look and feel of the bike appeal to you, then enjoy!

Modern "sports" bikes are 600ccm or larger, and often have close to 100 horsepower. A 250ccm bike will probably only put out about 35 horsepower - enough to move you quickly (and be a real kick in the pants to ride), but not enough to launch you into orbit like one of the "big boys".

The 250 Ninja is a real sports bike. It just has a 250 instead of a 600 or 1000. What makes it a good beginer bike is just it's smaller size, weight, and horsepower.

**intimid8er** · 07-09-2009, 04:46 PM

Granted...this is how I rock a Ninja 250....

I still have no shame throwing my leg over one.

HAMMERPETE · 07-09-2009, 11:02 PM

Anytime I have the hankering for a sport bike I watch a motogp race.
The speed wobble, the lifting out of a corner, the wobble under heavy braking; all this refreshes my memory that I am not that type of rider.
I could be but call it wisodm or just fear of hitting the pavement again that leaves me with my cruiser.
My V-twin has enough torque and hp to get me to 0-60 in under 3 seconds.
Why tempt fate. I look at a bike to have equal power to weight and braking ability. Mine actually leans to be a bit heavy but it has the brakes to back that up.
I have been tempted by the 1200 Harley sport and the Iron Duke.
That voice in my head says NO! I listen to that voice more now than ever.

Davecm203 · 07-10-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HAMMERPETE

Anytime I have the hankering for a sport bike I watch a motogp race.
The speed wobble, the lifting out of a corner, the wobble under heavy braking; all this refreshes my memory that I am not that type of rider.
I could be but call it wisodm or just fear of hitting the pavement again that leaves me with my cruiser.
My V-twin has enough torque and hp to get me to 0-60 in under 3 seconds.
Why tempt fate. I look at a bike to have equal power to weight and braking ability. Mine actually leans to be a bit heavy but it has the brakes to back that up.
I have been tempted by the 1200 Harley sport and the Iron Duke.
That voice in my head says NO! I listen to that voice more now than ever.

A stock Hammer would be closer to 4 sec 0-60. Not that one sec is really noticable in real life.

You really can't get an idea what it is like to ride a sportbike by watching MotoGP. Those guys are not human and they are riding bikes that put out over 200 hp. They are also pushing the bikes to the limit. A limit that very far beyond the capiblities of an average person. But, there is nothing like hitting the apex while leaned way over, rolling on the gas, and nailing the throttle as it starts to stand up a little as it rockets you to the next corner. But, even ridding very agressively like that, there is rarely any shake and not much wobble as long as the bike is set up properly.

HAMMERPETE · 07-14-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davecm203

A stock Hammer would be closer to 4 sec 0-60. Not that one sec is really noticable in real life.

You really can't get an idea what it is like to ride a sportbike by watching MotoGP. Those guys are not human and they are riding bikes that put out over 200 hp. They are also pushing the bikes to the limit. A limit that very far beyond the capiblities of an average person. But, there is nothing like hitting the apex while leaned way over, rolling on the gas, and nailing the throttle as it starts to stand up a little as it rockets you to the next corner. But, even ridding very agressively like that, there is rarely any shake and not much wobble as long as the bike is set up properly.

Dave ..
My Hammer is not stock.
And Yes I get the picture.

**87gsxrnut** · 07-15-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

But, even ridding very agressively like that, there is rarely any shake and not much wobble as long as the bike is set up properly.

Watch the Isle of Man sometime.

- Nut

Davecm203 · 07-15-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87gsxrnut

Watch the Isle of Man sometime.

- Nut

OMG!! I have two DVD's of Isle of Man. Those guys are absolutely NUTS!! They will jump hills, run inches form stone walls at over 100mph,... They are crazy.

When I posted that, it was more in reference to us mortals ridding at more sane speeds.

**87gsxrnut** · 07-15-2009, 11:38 PM

Thinking about heading out there in the next couple of years.

- Nut

06-19-2009, 02:12 PM	#62 (permalink)
Clint Gainfully employed Join Date: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 1200 S Location: St. Cloud, MN, USA Posts: 20,057	The thread title is the article title, out of respect for the author. __________________ 'Busa shock, Racetech forks, Holeshot stage 1 & pipe, Hella headlights, CBRXX clipons, Givi bags, Zumo 550, Conti Road Attacks \| Symtec grip heat Arai Signet GTR \| Joe Rocket Meteor boots, Alter Ego pants, jacket \| Alpinestars SP-1 gloves \| Hanes boxer-briefs Gems for motorcyclists

07-08-2009, 02:57 AM	#64 (permalink)
inspiron Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 13,017	A 250ccm sport bike (e.g. Kawasaki Ninja 250) can't really be considered as a real sports bike. It looks like one, but the performance numbers tell a different story. Riding a 250ccm bike is a good place to start, and if the look and feel of the bike appeal to you, then enjoy! Modern "sports" bikes are 600ccm or larger, and often have close to 100 horsepower. A 250ccm bike will probably only put out about 35 horsepower - enough to move you quickly (and be a real kick in the pants to ride), but not enough to launch you into orbit like one of the "big boys". __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

07-09-2009, 01:31 AM	#65 (permalink)
wookie Fifth gear streak Join Date: Apr 2005 Bike: '05 SV650S; '05 GSX-R600;'04 749S Location: 20 Miles East of LA Posts: 1,382	I think these guys will disagree RaceBikeRentals.com \| Kawasaki Ninja 250R 250 Race Racebike Trackday Rentals WSMC Willow Springs Raceway __________________ "Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pigs love it." "Don't argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." "The Universe is a contest between engineers making things idiot-proof and God making bigger idiots. So far, God is winning by a wide margin."

07-09-2009, 04:46 PM	#67 (permalink)
intimid8er Beer. Nature's Unstoppable Force. Join Date: May 2005 Bike: '06 XB12X Location: 30 41'47.99" N 83 11'26.54" W Hold My Beer Posts: 11,809	Granted...this is how I rock a Ninja 250.... I still have no shame throwing my leg over one. __________________ Song Pick of the Week Wolfmother - New Moon Rising

07-09-2009, 11:02 PM	#68 (permalink)
HAMMERPETE Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Join Date: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 HAMMER Location: SOCAL %%%%%ES Posts: 3,506	Anytime I have the hankering for a sport bike I watch a motogp race. The speed wobble, the lifting out of a corner, the wobble under heavy braking; all this refreshes my memory that I am not that type of rider. I could be but call it wisodm or just fear of hitting the pavement again that leaves me with my cruiser. My V-twin has enough torque and hp to get me to 0-60 in under 3 seconds. Why tempt fate. I look at a bike to have equal power to weight and braking ability. Mine actually leans to be a bit heavy but it has the brakes to back that up. I have been tempted by the 1200 Harley sport and the Iron Duke. That voice in my head says NO! I listen to that voice more now than ever. __________________ Music pick of the Week(Timbo started it) Rare Earth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZsppOw2Mxk "There's not a whole lot ways this can go right" - Johnny Knoxsville "I did something in a previous life that must have been spectacularly good, because I'm getting paid in this life just magnificently, more than one would dare imagine or hope for." - RIP George Carlin. Life's Journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, But rather to skid in side ways, totally worn out shouting HOLYSHI$T What A RIDE!!

06-19-2009, 11:44 AM	#61 (permalink)
tricker M-J Lifetime Achievement Award Join Date: May 2007 Bike: 2004 kawasaki zzr 600 Location: rochester, minnesota Posts: 7,038	oh but zx-14... you shall be mine!.... in 4 or 5 years

07-08-2009, 01:53 AM	#63 (permalink)
kerrtapp Where Am I ? Join Date: Jul 2009 Bike: Hopin end of year this will be filled! :) Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 45	How about a 250cc sport as your first bike?

07-15-2009, 11:38 PM	#73 (permalink)
87gsxrnut Ho Dog Join Date: Dec 2003 Bike: 867-5309 Location: Terror Lake Posts: 4,403	Thinking about heading out there in the next couple of years. - Nut __________________ Person or person's unknown.

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