I just participated in a motorcycle rider safety course with my wife who will be a first time rider. I would never let her on a motorcycle without first taking the course. It even allowed me to brush up on my skills. IT IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME. Statistics show that your four times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident (that's dead, game over, the life snuffed out of you) if you do not take the rider safety course. In Florida, you're 7 times more likely to die from head trauma over someone who's taken the course (helmets are not a requirement here). The organ donor waiting list isn't very long here in Florida. No kidding.

No experienced rider (internet jockeys don't count) will tell you it's ok to start out on a liter bike or any other of the more recent superbikes (GSXR-750, 600, 1000, R6,CBR600RR, etc...) . It isn't ok and never will be until they come with an "idot" button that prevents you from killing yourself. Just because "you" started out on a liter bike doesn't make it ok. I'm glad those that did start out on one are still alive. There are more who started that way but they can't speak up. They're dead or no longer have fingers to type because they weren't wearing gloves when the bike high sided and threw them over the front of the bike. It's fun having the asphalt rip the flesh off your fingers.

Whoever reads these posts, just remember the internet can be the largest source of disinformation you're likely to come across. Do yourself a favor and just take the rider safety course. With the information you gain from that course, do what's best for you, your bodily safety and for your family and friends. Not what's best for your ego or someone else's uninvested sensibility. And wear your gear. It'll save your life. If my short rant isn't enough, head over to the R1 forum at http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/forum...p?s=&forumid=2 for the general forum. Register and post how you'd like to purchase an R1 or even a GSXR-750 as your first bike. Or just do a search on the topic.

 

Please take it from me. Ive been riding forever and have been doing numerous trackdays. Go and pick up a Suzuki SV 650. You cant go wrong. It will satisfy the newbie to the most experienced of riders. TRUST ME. A new street rider will never use an 1/8 of the potential of the bikes ability.

 

Safety course is number one! Plus you get that insurance discount...And for the 500cc below first time believers thats bs....I've ridden dirt bikes all my life first street bike was a TL1000R big fat thumper twin....Its all about throttle control, understanding your machine; and a good safety course with good instructors will teach you that. I took the safety course and learned a ton about road bikes....But all in all an SV650 will be prolly your best choice for beginner/learner bike...Fun to ride plus the mods for them are endless!

 

I second the SV650. I got an 05 sv650s in Sept as my first road bike and love it. I grew up on dirt bikes so learning to ride the bike was easy. However, riding in traffic is not a "natural" thing and takes practice and patience. I also second the safety course, or hooking up with an experienced rider and doing parking lot practice sessions.

Regarding the 600's, I trade-off once in a while with my friend who has an 05 R6, and now that I am comfortable on a street bike, I love the power delivery of the 600's on an open backroad. That bike starts pulling hard where my bike runs out of revs. Very fun!

Oh yeah, by used.

 

+1 on buying use. and +1 on the 600. as for brand well im a suzuki man. but the gsxr's and yamahas are all geared a bit aggressive for a beginer. the hondas seem to be the most rider friendly and geared a bit more relaxed. that would be my 2cents

 

I am selling my 04 cbr 1000RR! its in the for sale section!

 

I just can't get rid of my SV650S. It was the first bike I got out of a MSF course. After a TL1000S (modded), and a GSXR750, the SV650 keeps me smiling on the street.

Some of my very best friends that ride liter bikes for touring have gotten and taken hold of the SV650 as a track tool. Less weight + V-Twin = faster cornering time for less.

Good Luck,

~j.

 

sv650 is a great starter bike and beyond. I started on a 2001 GSXR 1k and I am still here to talk about it! It is all about self control and knowing your limits. TAKE A RIDER SAFETY COURSE!!!!!!!!

 

I started on a 99' CBR600 F4. I think that a 600 is more than enough to learn on. Alot of guys call them ***** bikes, but for a beginner their fairy quick. Learn to ride and handle the bike, get used to it. Then look at moving onto something bigger.

 

I started off with a 1000 but not the normal one like a R1 or GSXR but a suzuki TL1000R. Alot heavier/wider than most 4 cyclinders so you can romp on it in first gear and not have to worry about the front coming up. Never had less than a 1000 until I bought a 05 Kawasaki 600RR for 2600 bucks. It's to have something different during the week. So 2 bikes, 1 EVO= too many choices and not enough of me to go around.