Is 750cc too much for a beginner?

[asianfury]

Hi I just registered on this a few minutes ago cause i've always been interested in riding but i dont' know a damn thing... Today i went down to look at bikes and the dealer said i should go with a 600 cc bike but i hear different answers from a lot of people... i'm thinking about the Yamaha R6-S but some people said that was too "wussy" of a bike so i should go with 750 cc but i heard that's too much for me. I aim at getting one within the next couple months so i need advice from the pro's. I'm 22 and weigh 170 lbs. Since i dont' know bikes and i also like style and speed... what would you suggest be a good start? My aim is for the 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa.... if i rode everyday for a couple hours... what's a ball park idea of how long it would take to become good enough to ride something that powerful? I know it's on the individual but I'm a fast learner. Any personal stories would help too... sorry for the long write up.
Thank you

[Maico Shark]

I'm not familiar with the model you refer to, or with the reasons you want to ride. In general, a 100cc will carry a person of your size at 60 miles per hour and get about 100 miles per gallon. A 250cc will take you 120 mph and get about 60 mpg. Just as in automobiles... the larger the engine size, the more power and speed... but also more weight and less economy.

So it all depends on you. If fuel economy and weight are not important factors and you are concerned with being called "wussey" then you should certainly choose a bike larger than 750cc. Most choices are a compromise.

[asianfury]

Has nothing to do with me being called a wussy.... i was just curious if for my weight at 5'8 .. would something above 600cc be too much for a beginner. I refered to the wussy comment cause someone told me above 600cc for a beginner is too advanced but other people tell me otherwise. Either way i think i'm gonna go for the new 2006 600cc models... maybe a Ninja. But either way thanks for the reply... helps a little but i guess i just have to ride and find out for myself.

[Maico Shark]

Well you do as seems right to you but I'm telling you now, sure as hell you're going to drop that bike. That's the biggest problem with a new rider... that is laying the bike down. My advice, start out with something used, and size, per se, don't matter. First bike I ever rode was an old 40's model Harley 74 with a side shifter and it drove sweet and easy. It's the stopping at lights, starting out, putting down the kickstand (or forgetting to put it up) and slow manuevers that will put the bike down. Especially rain on freaking railroad tracks... you'll go down like a sack of potatoes. You still haven't said why or where you'll be riding. Do your first couple thousand miles on scenic backroads at leisurely speed. Learn to balance, to lean into turns, to use the front and rear brakes in concert, to shift up and down at the proper speeds & RPM's. Get to know your bike and gain skill BEFORE confronting high-speed interstates and congested urban traffic.

Do this and motorcycling will be a refreshing way to travel that will remain a part of your life for a long time to come. Good luck and post a photo of your bike when you get it. -Rick

[markshimala]

I just bought a used 2002 Suzuki GSX-R600 and I have never ridden before. I have always loved bikes and I am not concerned about racing anytime soon. I just want to ride. I have sat on a GSXR600 before and it feels fine for me, although I am very tall. Anyway, I plan to take the motorcycle safety foundation course BEFORE I ride my bike at all. With this in mind, do you guys feel that I would be able to ride this bike without problems?

Like I said, I do not want to do any kind of racing at the moment, maybe later down the road once I am no longer a novice but for the time being it will be just for the pleasure of riding.

Thanks

[CB750F]

Well I'll tell you this,any 600cc 4 cylinder sport bike made in the last 10 years will break any posted speed limit in the country in second gear no sweat with a 200 pound adult on them (trust me on this because i have done it). Any of them will break 150MPH under the right conditions fairly easy (I did not do this but they will).It will do 0 to 60 RFN (right f'n now) and run 11's in the 1/4 mile. A 600cc sport bike has more capabilities than most riders,as in it can generally go faster,handle better, and stop faster than 99% of the riders out there even can make the bike do,me included in the 99%. There's only about 1% of the riders in the world that can tell the differences between the bikes just by riding them. I would say your friends read way too many sport bike mags and the R-6 or a 600 Ninja is far from a "wussy" bike. With common sense though a 600cc sport bike is a good bike for anyone who wants one.

You mentioned a Haybusa,they will do close to 190MPH,have in excess of, if I remember right, 150 rear wheel horsepower. That's alot of power out of a 478 pound machine! Thats a bone-stock-right-out-the-crate machine. Plus you would pay astronomical insurance rates if you could get it insured. Your going to pay high rates just for a 600cc sport bike but a 1300cc one would be real real high and they might not insure it to a person who have never ridden before or has very little time with a motorcycle licence.Too much liability and risk because it's a guarenteed claim that they will have to pay out.


A 600 is plenty for a beginner and you won't get bored with it's performance even after you learn to ride. Hell I been riding for close to 20 years on both dirt and street and there is no way I would get bored with a 600 sport bike's performance. Be careful on it and you'll do ok.Taking the MSFC program is probably the best bet.

[bigbroda1]

Hey, I've been riding for about a 1 1/2 year. I've got an '03 Gixxer600 and I absolutely love it. I too had never been on a bike before but I wanted one for some time. But, I also wanted to wait until I had reached my 30's and could really handle the responsibilities of riding safely. Well, as luck would have it, the first time i went out with a group a few months ago, I dropped it flying around a curve trying to keep up with bigger bikes with much more experience (hence my thread for '06 mirrors fitting an '03). I just got my bike back after 2 months and went out with some people from the same group yesterday, I learned my lesson from the first fall and brought up the rear the entire time.
Point of the story....doesnt matter what your friends tell you are "wussy" bikes, a 600 can be as mean as a 'busa if you dont respect it's power. They aren't going to be the ones with an ass full of gravel. My advice to you is to get a used 600, put in A LOT of seat time then when YOU are comfortable (not your friends) go up to something a little bigger.

[Uesque]

My advice to you is to get a used 600, put in A LOT of seat time then when YOU are comfortable (not your friends) go up to something a little bigger.


It's not how fast you learn, it's how much experience you have. Modern sportbike 600's can get you into trouble way too fast as a beginner. Stick with an FZ6 or it's predecessor the XJ600 or a Bandit or Katana. If you really want to ride, those will suit your needs perfectly. If you're more concerned about image, find a hobby that won't kill you for getting into it for the wrong reasons. Nobody needs the Busa unless you're into drag racing.

[Ninja500R]

I'll have to agree with most of the other posters.

Get a used Ninja 500r or something similar and ride the HECK out of it. After you log tons of hours on it, get the bike you really want. The trickiest part for a beginner is turning (fast or slow) and throttle control. On the supersport bikes (Zxr's, gixers, etc) those 2 elements can get you into big trouble.

Fcuk what other say regarding image. It's YOUR life dammit. Besides, I know soo many beginner riders on Ninja 500's that can outride more experienced ssport riders since these machines are that much more easier to manipulate.
----
Rubber side down..

Ninja500r.info

[bigbroda1]

Fcuk what other say regarding image. It's YOUR life dammit.

Nicely Put!!

[BurningWater96]

Hey I have a 05 gixxer 750 and I've only been riding for a couple of months. I have to admit that I haven't touched another bike but the 750 isn't that hard to control. Im 200 pounds 5'11 and the bike feels great. Forget what others think, It all depends on your ability. As a beginner you can get a 1000cc or a 100cc it doesn't matter any bike can get you hurt. I say get w/e you want but take a rider course prior to purchasing, and continue on with classes on ur bike. If your from CAL there is a foundation called Motorcycle Safety Foundation and they have courses for beginners and experienced riders ( and these courses save money on insurance).

[gammaqueen]

I started on a brand new 1200 CC harley Sportster. I put engine guards on it, dropped it 3 times, never hurt the bike or myself because I was almost at a stand still when I dropped it. I bought the bike, had my Husband ride it home, took the class, (barely passed) practiced a few days in the driveway, ventured to the subdivision across the street for about a week, then hit the highway. I practiced a few hours each day. It took me about a month to get totally comfortable on the bike where I would ride it anywhere.

[Capt.]

Hi I just registered on this a few minutes ago cause i've always been interested in riding but i dont' know a damn thing... Today i went down to look at bikes and the dealer said i should go with a 600 cc bike but i hear different answers from a lot of people... i'm thinking about the Yamaha R6-S but some people said that was too "wussy" of a bike so i should go with 750 cc but i heard that's too much for me. I aim at getting one within the next couple months so i need advice from the pro's. I'm 22 and weigh 170 lbs. Since i dont' know bikes and i also like style and speed... what would you suggest be a good start? My aim is for the 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa.... if i rode everyday for a couple hours... what's a ball park idea of how long it would take to become good enough to ride something that powerful? I know it's on the individual but I'm a fast learner. Any personal stories would help too... sorry for the long write up.
Thank you
These good people here are tellin it to ya straight...take the course and aim for the 2010 Hayabusa.

[rickymoto]

I recently saw this cool site they have 07 Harley's and more, you can post your bike on there and everthing I think you guys should check it out its tight!

its a .com

motorcycleforum.com

[AdrenalineRider]

I'm not familiar with the model you refer to, or with the reasons you want to ride. In general, a 100cc will carry a person of your size at 60 miles per hour and get about 100 miles per gallon. A 250cc will take you 120 mph and get about 60 mpg. Just as in automobiles... the larger the engine size, the more power and speed... but also more weight and less economy.

So it all depends on you. If fuel economy and weight are not important factors and you are concerned with being called "wussey" then you should certainly choose a bike larger than 750cc. Most choices are a compromise.


Rightly said....

In India, you would find a zillion 100cc bikes ... and hand full of 250cc + bikes...

People here want more mileage of a bike ....

a Tipical 100cc Indian bike would give arround about 100kmpl ie: 250-270 miles per gallon.... now thats a kick ass ride... for Indians.... more over the bikes would do 45- 60 mph

The big bikes such as KAWA ZX14R does almost 200 mph and gives arround 8kmpl ... which is very expensive for a normal Indian to go for...

[rickymoto]

I recently saw a video of a race between a ZX 14 and a Hayabusa it was a really close race but personally I like the ZX more because it seems to handle much better on turns and windy roads. For those who dont know what the ZX 14 07 bike looks like or any info on it you should check out this link.

motorcycleconnect

[AdrenalineRider]

I recently saw a video of a race between a ZX 14 and a Hayabusa it was a really close race but personally I like the ZX more because it seems to handle much better on turns and windy roads. For those who dont know what the ZX 14 07 bike looks like or any info on it you should check out this link.

motorcycleconnect


ZX 14 07 looks Hot man ... one heck of a look it has...

[adrian]

My first bike was a brand new literbike; if I could do it over again I would probably do it the same. ;)

[grinster24]

If you care about friends calling you a wussy just buy the hyabusa now and see how fast you end up in the hospital...start out small, buy the 600 and enjoy it for a year or two, then upgrade when comfortable.

[Psychobiology]

600cc or less.

[gregair13]

i am in the same boat as you pretty much. today i sat on a bunch of bikes ranging from 500-750cc. my personal thoughts is that 750 would be too much bike. you can go just as fast on a 600 and have less chance of pulling a wheelie when you dont want to.

[NextLevel]

When comparing a 600 to a 750, I would have to say it is all about throttle control.

Take the gsxr (2007) 600 and 750 as an example. Virtually the same bikes, one of course has more power. So have respect, knowledge, and training/practice and you should have no problem getting a 750.

Now talking about the busa.. The gsxr 600 and 750 weigh in around 375ish(forget exact number) while the busa weighs in at around 100lbs more.

Just cause you can ride, doesn't mean you won't ever drop the bike, a lot of people drop the pushing the bike, pulling in/out of a spot, forgetting to put up/down the kickstand, or stopping at stop signs/red lights, so 100lbs more of weight will make a big difference when you are trying to stop it(if you can) from dropping

But at the same time, I know girls that weigh no more then 150(probably less just overestimating) driving a busa..

I would recommend getting the 750 over the 600, it will be a higher learning curve, but you will probably be grateful once you "master" riding.

[RouslanK]

Exactly! Throttle control and, really important (IMHO), the clutch control. No matter how much power you got - 50hp or 200hp - you can instantaneously cut that power to the wheel off with the clutch lever.
I know there is a BIG difference between sport bikes and cruisers, but I started out on a 2002 H-D Sportster XL1200Sport (just a hyped-up Sportster 1200), and once I learned the controls, it was nice and easy. I later on rode a friend's appr. 700cc Japanese cruiser, and it felt really lacking in power. I guess it's whatever you're comfortable with. So, go for what feels right, just remember to take it easy at first.