Learning motorcycle..get big or small?

[popsjumper 2]

OK, I've decided to buy a motorcycle and learn to ride it.

I was thinking buy small, say 250cc, to learn on.

My brother, who happens to ride a BossHoss 502 with the nitrous kit, says get a big one, say 750 to 1100, to start with because I would soon tire of the small one and would want to get a bigger one within a month or two which means more $$$.

So....start small and buy bigger later or just go with a bigger one in the first place?

(I hear a little voice telling me that this is going to be a bad move either way)

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[leroydb 0]

600 class...

edit to add: 600 at most...

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[Squeak 17]

Cubic Centimtre (CC) is not the way to go (IMHO) since you lot dont have a mandated CC rating (we do) you are beter of looking for a midsized bike with Lower end horsepower NOT a CBR600RR
A CB750 would not be a bad place to start.(the newer ones not the old Bol D'ors)

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[wingnut 0]

it alldepends, i started on and rode my 250 ninja for about 3 years, i tell you what, i pushed it to what it could do (er, what i could do) when i was in germany and it was plenty fast enough for me (toped out at 115mph on the autobahn) so a 250 sport bike will even get you enough speeding tickets here in the states,( and still get up to 80 withought thinkng) but a 600 is a nice size and a bigger bike (than a 250) does ride better, but reay unless you are like 300 lbs, is there really a need to get anything bigger that a 600? even with a 600 you can smoke almost any car on the road and most lileley it was way more potential than you will actually ever learn it ride with, ( i took my cousin's 600 out once andi wasused to ridingmy boke,si i was excelrating like normal and looked down and was doing 100 before i could even think about switching into 4th gear and that was withought trying to go fast,if i had a bike now i'd problyloose my liscence for speeding, that's why i loved germany when i lived there) and a side thought, bike insurance goes up normally as you increase the size ofthe engine... i payed 75 bucks a year for my 250 when i had it and i was 18 at the time...

______________________________________
"i have no reader's digest version"

[BIGUN 1,483]

Motorcycles are dangerous....

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[leroydb 0]

Quote

Motorcycles are dangerous....

so is sex...

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[RfukfreeflyingW 0]

It depends what ur looking at. sport or crusier. I'm assuming crusier. If that is correct there is no problem looking at up to an 800. but I would recommend a 650, 600, 750 or an 883 if u go harley. they are pretty much the exact same, just depends on the make u get. I sell Yamaha bikes here in tally, and I would recommend the 650. 1100 is a bit big to get one right off the bat. and it's not so much the horsepower, but the weight of the bike is harder to control with no experience.

If ur going sport bike I would say a 600, nothing more. 600's give plenty of high end power, and some versatility at the low end to allow you to learn. Yamaha has a 600R and FZ6 that would be a great start for sport. you could do an R6 but I prob wouldnt recommend it unless u really just liked the look of it. good luck, and ride safe

----
-God, you are the perfect amount of dumb...

[Gravitymaster 0]

Depends somewhat on you height and weight. If you are pretty big, I'm not sure whether a 600cc bike is going to suit you for long, especially if you plan on carrying a passenger (chicks dig bikes). I would suggest purchasing a used bike since this is your first one. That way you can get some riding experience and when you drop it (which you will do) it's not as big a deal as if you drop a new one. Get on some of the motorcycle newsgroups and ask some of the folks there. Many of them have been riding for a long time and can help you avoid certain model years.

Are you planning on taking the motorcycle safety course? I would highly recommend it before you purchase a bike. The instructors there are very experienced and can help you find the right bike for your first one. Most of all stay safe.

[flyingferret 0]

A lot of info (and arguing) here: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=1601737#1601737

In short summary, I ride an HD FatBoy, it was my first street bike, and I highly recommend buying a bigger bike to start with. Not quite a bosshoss though...yeeesh.
In the cruiser world, the equation between CCs and ridability is very different than the sport bike world. Imagine it like buying a diesel car vs. buying a turbocharged sport car. The torque and power is all different.
I would not buy a cruiser under 750, due the power availability when you need it. Additionally, a balanced heavy bike will ride much smooth than a lighter bike with a lighter/higher center of gravity.
Additionally, a wide front tire makes a HUGE difference. Not for everyone, but you will find a ride much less correction and more directional stability.

Read the thread above if you like, and PM if you want. You are gonna get a bazillion answers based pretty much on what the post author rides.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[goose491 0]

What will your wing loading be?

...er... I mean... umh.. How large a lad are you? hehee.

I'm in the "buying my first bike soon" boat too. I would agree with not getting a 250 dude.... 250??! Please.

But 1100!??!!?! Not a first bike my friend. 500 - 600 cc max. Think 750 if you are an above average sized guy and only if that. Go sit on a few, walk & roll 'em a bit. You may conclude that it's a whole lot of bike. That's what I've come to conclude.

You'll save quite a lot of money in your first couple years if you are smart about your choices. In fact, let your insurance premium help you decide what to get. If you grow tired of it in a year or two, sell it and put the insurance savings into buying that new whatever it is you know you want now that you know much more about bikes. Another suggestion, if you are just learning now, get a used bike that you don't mind dropping once or twice

Good luck and keep us posted.

Nick

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[Thanatos340 1]

Forget the 250!!

Start with atleast a 500 or preferably a 750 if you plan on driving on any Public Road.

Better yet, Just pick up an old Sportster and be done.

And BTW.. Your Brothers Bike is the most unbelievable piece of OVERKILL I Have ever seen. I LOVE that Bike!!

[Stumpy 284]

I agree with the other posters here on the aspect of Sports vs Cruiser. If you are talking cruiser, its probably ok to go bigger than a 600, but if you are talking sportsbike almost definitely not (with the exception of some V-Twins)

A 1000cc cruiser will likely be heavy and you will drop it turning it in the road, a 1000 cc sportbike will be light, manouverable and likely spit you over the highside at 160mph and kill you as well as scaring you shi*less every day.

I agree with the other poster, for good first bikes, look at Fz6 (Fazer) Hornet, SV650, bandit that kind of thing, whether you want to end up cruising or sportbiking, they will teach you the skills and not be too unmanageable.

Good luck!

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[flyingferret 0]

The thing that gets overlooked in this debate so often is inertia and momentum. If you are not a current, please understand coming from a rider that sitting on a bike in a dealer and thinking it feels like a lot of bike means NOTHING, except how much weight you have to pick up if it goes down.
The physics of a bike in motion are completely different, a contriibuting factor to why I recommend 750+ Besides in the US market it is hard to get a cruiser under 750, I think... Anyway, I would recommend taking the safety course before making the purchasing decisions. Then tests rides if you can swing them. There are just so many factors that you will understand better while the bike is moving. Dealer showroom is a good place to see if it is comfortable, but it is kinda like looking at a canopy in hung up in a loft, it will only tell you so much.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[skybytch 273]

Quote

I would agree with not getting a 250 dude...

Whassamatta with a 250? That's what my first bike was. Was fast enough to keep me happy, short enough that both feet could be on the ground and better yet was light enough that I could pick it up myself when I dropped it.

Screw the sport or cruiser bikes. Get an enduro (dual sport - street and dirt).

[Icon134 0]

Quote

My brother, who happens to ride a BossHoss 502 with the nitrous kit, says get a big one, say 750 to 1100, to start with because I would soon tire of the small one and would want to get a bigger one within a month or two which means more $$$.

I think you should just ride your brothers BossHoss cause that things just downright cool.

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[Darius11 12]

If you have zero riding experience. Get a cheep used 250 CC. Brand new there like 3-4K.
1000CC are out of the questions for some one with no experience. It is the equivalent of me jumping a VX70.
Trust me on a 1000CC you will not be used to how fast you will hit 100MPH.
600 would be the Max and I don’t recommend it. Most Schools start people on 250CC.


Good luck whatever you decide.


and don;t forget everyone on the road is trying to kill you when your on a bike. Headsup

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[flyingferret 0]

You guys are unbelievable. Was your first car a yugo? Did you buy the same kind of car you used in driver's ed? The MSF course is to teach you to ride. Your first bike is to 'grow' with. No growing on a 250cc.
I went to the MSF course with a guy that had already picked a bike. He thought he was all set and knew everything. 3 weeks after the course he traded in the bike. The course changes everything. Take it and then pick.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[skinnyshrek 0]

Brandon, your reccomending a sport 600 for the first bike. Are you a fuckin idiot? If anything, knowing andy, look at a hondow shadow or maybe an intruder. I myself have a CBR 600 f4i andy and believe me you don't want a crotch rocket in any 600 class. I'll be riding mine up soon i'll let you have a ride

http://www.skydivethefarm.com

do you realize that when you critisize people you dont know over the internet, you become part of a growing society of twats? ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

[Conundrum 1]

People seem to think that they need all this power under them when really, I'd put money on it that you wouldn't even push a 600 to it's full potential. It's the latest and greatest trend to get the biggest and fastest bikes out right now which are, but not limited to: the GSX-R 1000, the RC51 and CBR 954. I don't know if it's because it's the cool thing to do or what, regardless, it's not very smart. The average life of a GSX-R is 31 days (statistic I read somewhere). The new 600's are extremely powerful bikes.

I'd recommend starting out on an older CBR F2 or F3. Mid 90's . 600cc bike, but it's cheap and you won't lose your live savings to fix it when you drop it, and you will; every rider does eventually. You can pick them up relatively cheap all over the place.

edit: Of course, if you want a cruiser type bike, ignore what I just said.

[Darius11 12]

The average car doesn’t go 0-60 in less than 3 sec.

I learned on dirt bikes started riding them when I was 15-16. And just moved up from an XR100 tp 125-250 and so on and so on

I missed where he said he is going to take a riding course.
If he is then your right take the course then choose what you want- I still would not get a 1000CC unless I have a seasons experience of riding at the least.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[flyingferret 0]

This really only applies to sport bikes. And I would mostly agree with you, except who really makes a common bike under 600? I know plenty of people that start with an r6 and do fine.
Just be careful guys...you are trying to accident proof a hobby. You can't with skydiving or motorcycle riding. Just be safe. It is not like the bike is going magically over power you. Just be cautious with your riding style and where you ride for the first 6 months. That will do a lot more to prolong your life than buying a little bike. The key to riding is knowledge and attitude.

And again, lets determine if he wants a cruiser or a sport bike, shall we?

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[flyingferret 0]

Well, I am biased but I see your point. However my first street bike was a 1435cc Harley Twin. And 20K miles later I am still alive, and I will outride the hell out of 750, and not because of the CC difference, but because of bike handling.

But everyone is comparing apples to oranges, that is my point. I would feel more leary putting a new rider on a 125cc or 250cc dirt bike than a 1000 cruiser. It is all about torque and weight. What are the chances you will slip a clutch and wheely the 125? I think we have all done it. Do you have any idea how you could wheely a Harley....you have to REALLY work at it. Stability is the key and a bigger bike gives it. Between a 750 and say a 1200, if things go truly bad, you are not keeping either of them up, the only difference is more weight to pick up. However, with the right weight and balance, the 1200 might be a hold better handling at speed than a smaller bike.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[kansasskydiver 0]

Wow I'm really amazed at how many people are encouraging him to get a big bike as a first bike... If you're NEVER riden before, get a small bike you you don't mind dumping once or twice. Ride it around your yard or block, take the motorcycle safety course, get some time under your belt, riding a motocycle is a lot more dangerous than you think.
Why do I stick to this? Cause I was an idiot and my first bike was a 700cc and it didn't last me all summer before I totalled it and spent 5 hours in the ER getting road-rash cleaned off my left side. Another close friend, same thing, never riden before, bought a 600, lasted for maybe less than a month before she skid in on a highway then rolled through the gravel shoulder. Another friend, 700 or so, dumped it within a month or two, even after taking the safety course...

You need prior experience, dirtbikes, something. Stability, reaction times etc. Yeah you might be able to ride it and shift and what not, but what're you gonna do when you hit some sand or someone pulls out infront of you, or merges lanes and doesn't see you? Then it's totally different.

I think telling some to buy a large bike as their first bike is like telling a student to go ahead and jump on a stiletto. Yeah you can argue they might be fine, but then they get cut off on final and turn low.

Dude I'd stick to a dirt bike or something small for now, learn how to ride it, dump it, put yourself in some situtations where you're uncomfortable and have to recover, THEN go to something bigger

just my .02cents worth and I have the scares to prove it's a bad idea

<--- See look, pink dolphins DO exist!

[flyingferret 0]

Quote

get a small bike you you don't mind dumping once or twice

Like you buy a car you don't mind wrecking? How about learning not to dump it?

Quote

Cause I was an idiot and my first bike was a 700cc

Nothing personal, I like you. But I think your judgement was more suspect than the 700.

Quote

You need prior experience, dirtbikes, something.

Yep, an MSF course. Did you have one before wrecking the bikes you listed?

Quote

what're you gonna do when you hit some sand or someone pulls out infront of you, or merges lanes and doesn't see you

Exactly. What are you gonna do on a 250cc scooter? Evade? I think not.

Quote

I think telling some to buy a large bike as their first bike is like telling a student to go ahead and jump on a stiletto

NO, it is NOT. Advising them to buy a R1 would be like that. Advising them to buy a 750+ cruiser would be like a Sabre 2. Sport bike vs. cruiser is analogous to the wing form factor (square, semi, full-ellip) Engine size is analogous to the size. The form factor is at least as big a factor in the decision.

To the original poster, I say again, you are gonna get eleventy billion responses based mainly on what people ride. The single biggest factor again, is sport or cruiser. If you want a cruiser then ignore all the people ranting about sport bikes. Almost everyone in this thread that is describing death defying riding experiences is doing so with memories of a large CCs sport bike. There is a night and day difference between them. And quite frankly, if 95% of your experience is on a sport bike, you really have not business describing our a cruiser rides. Likewise, I have very little experience with a sport bike, and will tell you that I would not start not advise more than a 600 for a new rider, and maybe a 500 if you could get it.

--
All the flaming and trolls of wreck dot with a pretty GUI.

[justinb138 0]

Quote

The average car doesn’t go 0-60 in less than 3 sec.

I remember seeing a test in a bike magazine a few years ago between a GSX-R1000 and a Corvette Z06. IIRC, the bike made it to 100mph and back to a stop before the car even made it to 100mph.