I want to get my first bike. I want a fairly powerful crotch rocket. I liked the looks of the Buell Firebolt xb12r and the triump daytona. I recently found out though that these bikes get absolutely no respect on the street. Whats a good bike to start with that I wont get **** for riding?
First Bike
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I agree...who gives a rats behind what other people think? But more importantly...a "fairly powerful crotch rocket" is not the best choice for a new rider. Don't run right out and buy the latest, greatest, most powerful street bike out there. Get something a bit more sedate to learn on. Look for a used standard/naked sportbike. Something in the 600-800cc range. Put a couple thousand miles on it, at least. Then after you've mastered that (yeah, whatever that means) move on to something larger and more powerful. Many of the young guys who don't "respect" a Buell or Triumph or whatever because it isn't powerful enough are the same guys who buy a Hayabusa or Gixxer as their first bike, and then smash it up because it's too much bike for them. No offense to anyone owning a 'Busa or Gixxer...I'm just saying that, for the most part, they're too powerful for beginners.
That's just my opinion.
Tim
That's just my opinion.
Tim
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4,389 Posts
I never really much cared what others thought of my bike. Right now I have a 500 and I like it. I also own an old Honda CB750F that I like. My last bike was an 1100 and I liked it. I say screw what other people think and get what you feel comfortable riding.
I totally agree with Bullzaye, I'm glad I worked my way up from a Honda 50 Super Sport. Of course that was in 1966. Now I ride a Yamaha XS1100. You need to learn how to ride before you move up to the more powerful bikes or, and excuse my bluntness, you could end up as a grease spot on the highway.
Buell's are cool looking and original but they have that crappy sportster air cooled motor that only revs to like 7k. Daytona's are bad ass and may be too much bike to start on if you have no experience on a bike. Do you have dirt experience? If you do then I would start on a ninja 500. If you don't buy a dirt bike first and enjoy for a bit. Hell, you can even get a dual sport and play on the street a little.
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1,186 Posts
Same here. I'm riding a Ninja 650r and having the time of my life. It's quick enough for me and handles like a dream. Who cares what other people think. Ride what you like...
G
Guest
·People are going to bust your balls no matter what you ride, so get what you need while you're learning, then get what you like when your skills are ready for it.
You don't get respect from what you ride, you earn it by who you are.
Now for the practical advice, get a 5-600 cc standard to start with, Bandit, Seca II, etc. It's a good bike that won't kill you but you'll enjoy riding.
You don't get respect from what you ride, you earn it by who you are.
Now for the practical advice, get a 5-600 cc standard to start with, Bandit, Seca II, etc. It's a good bike that won't kill you but you'll enjoy riding.
G
Guest
·and if you buy a naked bike you'll save on the insurance which would be redonkulous for a newbie on a full on sport bike, smaller engine size will help you out there too, definatly something in the 250-650cc range. My bike, the first! is a cb650sc ive heard its a little demon of a 650 so im kinda scared of getting it running just to drop it 30 feet after it gets going hahaha
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23 Posts
I totally agree with Bullzaye. Also, smaller cc does not always mean slower... I am an ex road racer and I could turn faster laps on my FZR400 than I could on my GSXR750.
The EX500 is a good starter if you want that styling. Anything bigger than a 600 and you will be getting more than you can handle as a 1st bike (it can be done, but should it be done is a different question).
Wear the right gear and live to ride another day.
The EX500 is a good starter if you want that styling. Anything bigger than a 600 and you will be getting more than you can handle as a 1st bike (it can be done, but should it be done is a different question).
Wear the right gear and live to ride another day.
G
Guest
·also, dont get something with "r" in the name that means its made for "racing" and will be a lot quicker than something of the same cc just without the "r"
G
Guest
·I thought it meant double the insurance cost.The R suffix means 10 more MPH
Hey, how fast you go depends on how much you twist with your right hand. If you have a big powerful bike and don't twist hard, you won't go any faster than if you had a pipsqueek bike with no power. I know the tendancy for a new biker is to go like heck, but if you use your head, you won't. So, why waste the money continually trading in smaller bikes for larger ones? If you buy the big one, you'll get used to riding it if you're careful. I say go get the big one!
A 16 year old on a 100hp bike will use 100 hp and the statistics prove that. As a police officer I see it all of the time and it literally makes me sick.
No body said you have to buy numerous smaller bikes, just one to learn on. I can't tell you how many people I know who never move up to the 1000+cc bikes because the learn that a 750 goes plenty fast and they feel more comfortable on it.
No body said you have to buy numerous smaller bikes, just one to learn on. I can't tell you how many people I know who never move up to the 1000+cc bikes because the learn that a 750 goes plenty fast and they feel more comfortable on it.
I guess you guys are right, because I was young once, and I did that. My wife was 7 months pregnant behind me when I had my X-6 250 Suzuki. The guy next to me at the stop light had a Honda 450, and I just couldn't resist. With her on the back, it was pretty light in front. I twisted as hard as I could, and about a block later, I realized the front wheel had left the ground and stayed up until I let off again. It scared the pideedle out of me, and after that, I was very cautious. Your point is well taken - I had forgotten! (Incidentally, I left him in the dust!)
G
Guest
·At 16 I had a Yamaha AT3 that was good for maybe 55-60 downhill with a good tailwind. Even though it wasn't fast on the street, in the woods I still rode it faster than I should have, it's the second part of being young and stupid.
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