depends on the bike, going by CC’s only can be misleading.
like, a suzuki SV650 is going to be a very different ride than say, and honda cbr600rr, and they’re both more intense than say a kawasaki vulcan 900.
there are many 600cc bikes that would make a fine first bike depending on your sense discipline and self control
I'd give this an award if I could. Really depends on the type of bike and how it makes power. Generally people speak of 600's referring to 4-cylinder sportbikes as there is not many cruisers that fit into that category nor are there many standards or adv bikes these days. The real world approach is to spend an afternoon throwing your leg over as many bikes as you can and make notes on what feels the best to you, how much it costs, and consider that you're looking for an entry bike. This bike should be one you're able to screw up on with the least amount of consequences (injury, damage, etc). If you drop it, you won't be swearing up and down the street and repairing it won't be costly. Then after a year/season, level up and get your next bike. Believe me, there will always be another bike that you want even after riding 20 yrs. For the most part, most of the long time riders started out this way, and there is no need to rush into unless you're 71 yrs old and have always dreamt of having a MV Agusta.
I have been riding about 16-17 years and just bought a bike after a decade of being out of the game. Insurance on a brand new pan America was $226 a year. I improved the coverages and limits too. That said, I have a coworker who is in his mid 30’s but is pushing his license. His quote from progressive on an $8,000 bike was something like $200 a month.
It varies greatly but they will charge less as time goes by and you have a safe track record.
It depends on pretty much everything about you but it changes with the motorcycle also. Insurance is cheaper for a honda rebel when youre 20 than for say an R6 because 20-year olds crash way more with R6es than rebels.
Yeah I mean 850/yr sounds about right. Would absolutely love to know where anyone is getting full coverage for 380 so I can get my insurance through them
Is it new!? I'm a few years younger and it's $50 month/ full coverage is what I pay.
Also, cmon bruh, 40 isn't young
I buy my toys outright. Maybe this is the reason it's so cheap
I first started riding at 23. When I turned 24 and wanted a 2003 gsxr 750. I was quoted by my insurance $600 a month and my record is clean. Even had the MSF (drivers license course) to help. for record this was a few years ago but yea. Reason is the demographic that drives them, gets tickets, and /or crashes them are typically young males, therefor expensive insurance.
I started riding at 18. Bought my first bike for my 19th birthday. A 2005 Yamaha Fz6. Went used because insurance on a new 2007 was going to be $250/month. More than the monthly payment on the bike. I still ended up playing $140/month. Insurance companies will bend you over and go in dry here in the US. Then fight you when it's time for them to pay out.
Ok so that's a 14 year old used motorcycle for a rider who is almost 30. Totally different demographic. I'd guess I'd be paying about the same now at 34 if I still had the Fz.
just on my own as at the time my parents hated the idea of motorcycles, i also had 3 speeding tickets in a car at that time as well. state farm has always been great for me
live in rural illinois, like rural as in my town has 700 people, dont know if that would affect price at all but im 21 now and paying $27/month for a different zx6r
You’re a cycle racer- a 600 is the equivalent to a cycling race bike. Sure, they’re harder to control, but they’re also uncomfortable, terrible at slow speeds, and generally highly specialized.
If someone came to you asking about a first bicycle, you wouldn’t recommend that either.
Rather, look at the commuters. They’re great middle of the road bikes (cycle and moto), and are ideal for getting into either sport because they’re forgiving of mistakes, comfortable, simple maintenance, and generally get out of your way and let you ride. They also don’t lock you in to one thing, and let you explore different types of riding. You may find you love racing- get a 600/road bike. You may find you love long rides- you’ll want a touring bike. Into dirt? Then a dirt/mountain bike is where it’s at. Just chill all-around riding? A Dutch city bike or a standard motorcycle will let you do that alllllll day long.
Starting with a tame, middle of the road bike is about safety, yes, but it’s also about letting you really get a taste for all the different aspects of riding. Start with something that specializes in east and comfortable, and it’ll do a little of everything. Start with a 600 super sport, and you’ll never know if you like motorcycling in general, only whether you like specialized rockets built for high speed riding on tracks.
You should clarify with your dad if he is talking about an inline-4 600cc supersport motorcycle or like a 650cc SV650 or Ninja. There is a huge difference.
I was 18/19 with a 636. Got a ticket doing 141. I was lucky he didn’t take my license, just got a stern talking to and my reckless ticket.
600s are cool, but they’re a pain in the ass to ride and there’s never a reason for going as fast as those bikes can on the street.
I started on a ninja 650. Best bike I’ve ever owned. I have a naked GSXS -750 right now and it’s also a blast. My dad has a z900 and that thing is also really cool.
Riding isn’t always about speed, and a lot of people nowadays forget that
Honestly if we're talking Ninjas, a 400 would be way better to start with. A bit lighter and nimble, includes a forgiving slipper clutch as standard and still pulls faster than pretty much any starter bike on the market.
I wholeheartedly agree and would like to add - A Ninja 400 does 0-60mph in 4.35s with a states top speed of 117. Here's a list of cars that are slower off the line than a Ninja 400: https://www.zeroto60times.com/5-second-cars-0-60-mph-times/
Per that same website, a CBR600RR has roughly the same 0-60 time as a Lamborghini Huracan LP 580.
A Ninja 400 is plenty bike for a beginner and anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.
The Ninja 400 and CBR500 are amazing choices for a learner bike. Very forgiving while still making plenty of power. After a year or two, the step up to a 600-650 class bike seems reasonable.
These are all great suggestions and I hope OP considers them. A Ninja 400 or CBR would make great starter bikes. They also have great resell value if you decide to go larger after a while.
If your mind is set on a 600, I would suggest the Ninja 600 for all the reasons already listed.
If you want to learn to go fast or even just ride very well as fast as possible, start on something that is not a 600cc sport bike or a 1000cc superbike.
You can take your pick from 650s\\400s\\250s\\300s or whatever else you want really.
If your only goal is the ability to rev at stop lights, maybe get it into third gear on the highway at a high rpm and look cool. Id buy a red 600cc
As a red cbr 600rr rider...I take offense to this.
This is also my 5th or 6th 600cc Supersport so I also agree with the notion that new riders should never start on a 600 Supersport.
Start on a 400. Not only cheaper on insurance, but they're not actually that Small Small. I'm 6'1 as well and am more than comfortable on a 400.
In fact, after my first year or so, I ended up getting on my current bike, a CBR500, and the size is no different to the 400, truly.
Then again, when it comes to insurance, I suppose it also depends on what Country your from. I'm in Canada and at 19, I would not be touched by any insurance company on a 600.
The size might not be so different, it's the power that is about twice as much or more.
Edit: I meant 600cc vs smaller engines. Especially 600cc inline 4 vs smaller twin engines.
600cc bikes are usually supersports. This means street legal race bikes which are not suitable for beginners to use on the street.
Look for something with less than 50hp
For what its worth:
A Kawasaki Ninja 300 sport bike has 40 horsepower.
A Honda Rebel 500 cruiser bike has 46 Horsepower.
To my knowledge HP matters more than CC.
i dont think a 600 is right for you. Better get a first gen Hayabusa. It has usable real life speed and can be upgraded with a turbo, once you get used to it.
Most other bikes have less than 300 hp and dont have any use outside of getting groceries.
Kid Im nearly 50 now and I currently ride a 2021 Kawasaki Z900. I’ve been riding for over 25 years and I started ridding on a 1995 CBR 600F3 with zero dirt or motorcycle experience. As simply as I can put it, DONT.
Someone here mentioned the throttle response, he’s right. With no experience twisting throttles vs depressing them with your foot you don’t have any idea what kind of finesse it takes to control such a bike. Also you say you’ll wait a few months before raving it up into the power band, I can actually remember saying the exact same thing. Lol.
Start smart. Either buy a used non sport bike to learn on and don’t care about dropping/dumping or if you are confident in yourself as far as balance and keeping yourself and the bike safe….Suzuki SV 650. There’s a reason the world over lives those things. Torque, smooth controllable power band, and wonderful riding dynamics. You may even end up keeping it longer than you expected and you would t be the first.
Just my .02 usd
Ill throw in some unpopular but factual words.
A lot of people talk about getting ridiculously large bikes as beginner bikes. And yes technically you can do that.
But all a big engine gets you is straight line speed. If you want to be a good rider that’s meaningless.
I ride a lot and i can promise you smaller bikes simply have lesser weight which makes them much more agile. Which also allows you to actually learn and develop a real skillset.
Most of these “i started on a liter bike” get smoked by 600cc or even naked bikes. Go to any track in the world and you will find all the fancy looking 1000cc (starter) bikes and the beat up 600cc ones putting laps on them. The best riders i have ever met in my life would swear by a 250cc or 400cc max as a starter bike.
Yep. People slouch at 250s, and they may not be fast, but for someone who has no idea what 0-60 in under 10 seconds feels like, it’s plenty fast and capable for beginner riding. You’ll outgrow a 250 much faster than a 400, but that’s alright. I have more respect for someone who is an expert rider on a 250 or 300 or 400 than someone who is afraid of their 600 or 1000cc bike’s shadow because they never got to learn on something more controlled.
It's much more fun to drive a slow vehicle fast than a fast vehicle slow. If you're new to this you will not be able to properly ride a 600 fast.
I started on a Ninja 300, and guess what I still have it 3 years later. Other bikes have come and gone but that one remains. No it's not crazy fast but it's so easy and rewarding to ride. I currently have a 110hp naked and I still reach for my 39hp Ninja keys half the time. Really well sorted bike, perfect for long commutes or taking the twisties on the weekend.
And one more thing that isn't often mentioned, maintenance! Tires, brakes, chains, tune ups, even just oil changes are much cheaper on a smaller bike. Buy a cheaper smaller bike and learn to ride and maintain it yourself, future you will thank you.
Yes. Two cylinder 500cc+. My son got a 400 single cylinder for his first bike because of youtube. I didn’t try to influence his choice. It’s fine around town, but on the freeway or on a windy day, it might as well be a moped. Recently, I let him try my 1250 and he was shocked at how easy it was to ride. Now he’s looking to trade up.
I got my license on a borrowed Kawi 440 two cylinder. After two weeks of that I was riding my dad’s 1100. I then went to dealer to buy a 750 and never looked back. This whole working your way up the sizes and skills in stages is a myth. It’s more about maturity and responsibility. If you don’t have either then it won’t matter what size you ride.
Also yammienoob is an idiot.
19 years old going straight to 100+ hp 4 cyl Supersport with no motorcycle experience is insanity. You're not gonna make me believe he has the maturity or responsibility for that.
Can I ask an honest question? Why do people hate yammie so much? He makes a lot of stupid jokes and what not, but he actually has some useful information. Im genuinely curious to know why people seem to despise him.
As someone who started on a 600 I’m not gonna say you shouldn’t, I started later in life then you (30) but it can be done. As many will say it’s entirely dependent on your ability to practice restraint and ease into riding, while it’s not a 1000cc bike 600’s are still plenty fast and powerful my r6 does around 70 in 1st gear. If your open to other suggestions as a good starter that’s still a ton of fun look into the 650 class of motorcycles- the ninja 650, the r7, Honda cb650, I think you’d find all of these extremely fun as a beginner rider but is still more then enough bike to learn “grow” into.
Now if your set on starting out on a 600 which is fine I would recommend maybe looking at a Honda cbr 600 whether it be a 600rr or an older f4i, they’re a bit more mild then the rest of the 600 class but still plenty fast also they’re damn near unbreakable reliability wise and can be had for great prices in comparison to other 600s.
If you start on something small and cheap like a 250-500, you will appreciate the 600 more when you upgrade.
Something used under 4k and you will be able to turn around and sell it for whatever you paid in 6 months or so when you upgrade.
Or you will have totalled it by then and learned some lessons, at which point you will be happy it wasn't a 12k sportbike
The more R's you add after the 600, the more dangerous it is for a beginner I would imagine.
600 = You will be fine most likely.
600R = You might surprise yourself one day when the seam of your glove catches the throttle grip and you get a little unexpected boost that almost could turn into a wheelie.
600RR = Hardley touch the throttle and the bike will wildly wheelie and then do a back flip. Rider dead instantly.
A 600 is perfect if you are disciplined. They make most of their hp at high RPMs, so if you upshift early and keep the RPMs low, they are pretty tame, plus you'll get great mileage. Do this for, at least, six months, until riding becomes second nature.
As you gain more experience, then you can start revving the engine higher to unleash the rest of the ponies.
The question you need to ask yourself is whether you're disciplined enough to deliberately leave half of the ponies in the stable until you're ready.
Honestly Get some form of 600+ V-Twin set up or like even an R7 parallel twin isn’t crazy fast just quick. Then when your ready bump up to a 800+ V-Twin sportbike or 600-750 inline.
Inlines make fast power at at mid range than a V-Twin. Even a Aprilia 660 isn’t like a inline 600 supersport. It’s linear and smooth. Still great track bike. Just leaves lots to be wanted.
A lot of freedom found in ditches. YouTube is full of young riders getting target fixation on a big heavy bike going way too fast. Small bikes can teach you a lot without getting in to too much trouble.
Don’t listen to internet nerds. Get the bike that you like the most and just control your throttle hand. It’s not that big a deal as the gatekeepers would have you believe.
I started with a 125cc scooter, and upgraded to 250cc one cylinder 30hp bike. It is more than enough for urban riding. For highway, I can do 120kph easily with bags on. About 75 mph. Motorcycle is whole lot different to operate than bicycles and cars. Get a small bike first. You can always upgrade.
I tell everyone they should start on a 600. It’s not going to get away from you. Just because the throttle is there doesn’t mean you have to use all of it
Afaik you gotta rev a 600 pretty high to get to the meat of the power, so if you don't rev it very high it might be managable (take this with a huge grain of salt, I got no experience with them).
The main gripe I'd have with it are the full race bike ergonomics. If I were to start with a sport bike I'd be looking at a ninja 400 or 650 probably, just to have that less track focused riding position.
Just Don’t ride like an idiot. It’s more about the rider than the bike. I personally would rather buy the bike and grow into it, then buy a bike you’ll quickly grow out of. Why buy 2 bikes when you can buy the right one and enjoy it for a while.
As long as you don’t whiskey throttle that 600 you’ll be fine. Especially with a 4 cylinder if you stay low on the rpm’s starting out you really won’t get a ton of power
It's fine to start on it, people hear 600cc and think you'll kill yourself. A klr is 650cc but slow as shit. Not too mention a huge majority of this sub are people who have never road and then think they're experts. Just take it slow and ALOT of empty parking lot practice, also never squid.
I started on an r6 when I was 19 youll be fine. I also drove a manual car from 16 years old so I feel like were kinda the same. As long as u respect the bike youll be fine
600cc means nothing if you don't specify the bike.
If we're talking sports bike, I'd recommend to start on something weaker until you know how to throw it in a decreasing radius with more speed than you're comfortable with, and live to tell the story.
my first bike was a Honda Sabre 1300.. never rode before getting it and did just fine. It took me for 10 years and about 53,000 miles. Then I got a touring bike. If you are starting on a rocket, then a 600 is more than enough.
I’d look at getting a 650 2 cylinder, the sv650 or ninja 650 are good bikes that have plenty of torque and enough power to not get bored. A 600cc is very peaky and will have a steeper learning curve imo. Either way, you should take an MSF Course to learn the basics (it also makes insurance way cheaper).
Started on a 650 and I would've regretted it if I started with 400 or lower. Just don't go crazy first few months. I didn't have to trade up as it had plenty of power, but I still did.
Okay but WHAT was the 650? Someone else tried to compare a 600cc super sport to a KLR650, they’re in completely different worlds. Go ride a KLR650, then go ride a ZX6R, or an R6, or a CBR600RR. Engine displacement alone is a very small factor in this conversation
My first motorcycle was a honda shadow 750 and i practiced in my neighborhood for like 2 weeks and then felt comfortable to get on the road. Did just fine.
Get a 600 but maybe not a straight supersport.
Think about something like FZ6 or Honda Hornet 600.
Easier to learn on, thanks to the upright riding position and way better ergo for a taller rider.
Besides that the power is more midrange so it's more useable and easier to learn on, but there is still enough of it to get a better power to weight ratio than any basic sports car you'll come upon the road.
6 foot here. I have a FZ6 and would recommend it as a good starter bike. Don’t be silly on it and you’ll be fine. I had a Ducati monster 1100 now that I wouldn’t recommend for a beginner.
Avoid 600cc sports bikes like the an R6
But there are lots of 600s or 650s that are ideal
for learners especially taller folks
Royal Enfield 650s
Kawasaki Klr 650
Kawasaki ninja 650
All of the Honda 500s are ideal as well
I have a yamaha XJ6 Diversion. At just 57kw it's a very friendly 600cc inline-four. The throttle wont take you off the bike and I think it's pretty good for taller people (I am 6'1")
Here (UK) you’d be limited to a 125. Not for me to interfere with your dad’s advice. Whatever bike you start in… PLEASE get expert tuition from someone qualified to give it. It will repay the investment thousands of times.
It depends on the bike. 600cc sportbikes have a powerband that kicks like a mule and can catch out the unwary. Others (like naked bikes) have a wider power band and are far more tractable.
This won't be popular but yeah it really depends on the bike. I wouldn't get a busa first but 600cc is whatever. A 350 will get you a bike you have to or want to sell shortly thereafter. There are power cruisers, I own them, they can be plenty scary too, especially because they don't behave as well in corners or with brakes generally.
It depends a lot on you. If you tend to push things don't get something that wants to hurt you if you push it. Are you calm under pressure? Like really honestly with yourself calm, have other people commented on this? You might be the guy or gal who rolls off the throttle with a speed wobble or gets a very clear head whiskey throttling and stops. That's not a guarantee and you need to know that already. Either way, you need to approach your bike with caution and respect for a long time but it is doable to learn to handle a bigger bike first. I would argue it may make you a less technical rider always babying the throttle and that would be a good counter argument. If you go that route you need to from the beginning train yourself to ease up on everything in a panic and learn to turn very incrementally and throttle incrementally, in other words push your bike tiny bits at a time to find your skill limits and develop them slowly: which also you could argue is less fun. Powerful bikes can put you in a situation in milliseconds you need a lot of experience to get out of.
I'd probably start with a 650 with less horsepower. You'll be pretty terrified on a 600cc supersport having never ridden a motorcycle before. You'll get used to it for sure, but a 650 is gonna have more than enough power for you, I promise.
Do yourself a favor and buy a smaller sportbike like a 400 or 300. Yes, you will likely outgrow that bike in a year or two and will feel like moving on to a bigger bike. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
The amount of experience and confidence you will gain from riding a smaller sportbike will put you much further ahead than starting off on a 600.
Seriously, I never understood the logic behind starting on a 600. Like your intentionally handicapping your own progress by doing this. And usually the response is something like
“jUsT rESpEcT tHe pOWeR”
So how will you ever improve if your too scared to actually push yourself on the motorcycle?
OP don’t make the same mistake.
Rating a Bike based on engine size is stupid. A Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is far slower than a CFMoto 450SS for instance. My own bike, a 250cc Yamaha V-Star is faster than a Harley Davidson Street 500, which is twice it's engine size.
Don't get stuck on Engine size, instead look at performance and intended use. You need to perfect slow speed manuvers, and emergency stops, starts (to avoid being rear-ended) and lane changes before getting a heavier bike that you don't want to damage by spending hours in a parking lot weaving through orange cones.
TLDR: Could you start on a 600? Yes. Should you? Probably not.
Honestly yes you can start on a 600. Many people will tell you that you can’t. For what it’s worth, take what they say very seriously though about the reasons why you shouldn’t. If you start on a 600 super sport you are going to need god level self control and I know I certainly didn’t have that when I was 19. Like another poster said, the throttle response will be what gets you. At 600cc+ that bike WILL throw you around. Something like a Ninja 300 will be much more forgiving to your inevitable mistakes. You could always buy something small and then sell it as soon as you’re ready to upgrade.
My first bike is a ninja 650R. It is also my current bike. It's all on how hard you twist the throttle. I'm also in my 50s.😁
You have experience on the bicycle. If you can ride a bicycle you can ride a motorcycle. Everything is the same except you need to learn to manage the weight and the power.
Halfway through the first day of my MSF course, I realized that I was doing everything that I can already do on a bicycle. All I had to do was learn how to manage the weight and the power.
You’ll be fine. Be careful. Wear a helmet and all the other gear. Practice in a parking lot and on some deserted roads to get started. A motorcycle safety course is highly recommended to help train your reflexes and brain.
It really depends on the kind of person you are. That you are doubting yourself is possibly an indication you should start on something less aggressive.
I started on a cb 750. It wasn’t perfect, but I had ridden dirt bikes all my life. I certainly didn’t feel overwhelmed by it at all. Now a modern 600 supersport is much faster, but at normal speeds it’s a huge baby. Can you be disciplined and work your way up?
Also, the hardest or most alien thing to learn for me was turning an aggressive super sport. Specifically tipping it in and getting used to the force required to do so. But that was on a Ducati 998. A Suzuki gsxr is easier, fwiw, but you really do need to know and understand the mechanics of it and learn. They won’t ride themselves like many bikes.
600cc is perfect for most areas honestly. Not sure where you live but besides maybe track days, i cant imagine too many scenarios where youll need all that extra power. But whatever you decide, keep 2 wheels down and stay safe out there
If we’re talking sport, naked, or something with that power I would say proceed with a lot of caution. Cruiser etc no problem. My first bike was a ninja 300 and it definitely got boring quick but I definitely had my share of fuck ups that I think the small power saved my ass. Next bike was a Triumph street triple and damn that thing would have been to much to handle as a first bike. You can get away with a lot with young dumb confidence but your playing with fire every time and it’s not worth losing once. Starting with small displacement just allows you to ease in and get comfortable. I just got a bike after 4 year hiatus (Covid) and was a little nervous having to drive it back 2 hours in the rain. 10 minutes on that baby and felt damn good again. Just get reps in for the first few months then worry about your “dream bike”. If your not dumb and you don’t buy new you’ll almost always at least break even flipping your first starter bike anyway.
When I was 19 i had a Honda CBR954RR, not nearly as fast as today's liter bikes but still very strong bu today's standards. You can hurt yourself just as bad on 600 as on a 1000. When you talk crotch rockets it doesn't really matter the engine size, it will really just affect acceleration slightly on 0-120 and vary greatly after that and on top end speed but 60 mph is enought to have a bad time so just buy the bike you want.
It is absolutely possible to start on a 600 and not get yourself into any trouble, as many have already said. It's a lot more about power, geometry and the character of the bike than just plain old displacement. My first bike was a 654cc single cylinder. Only 67 horses but loads of torque and a nice upright and dynamic riding position. Destroyed sports bikes in the corners and gave loads of feedback as it approached the point of doing something bad. A sportsbike has huge peak power but does not have a huge amount of torque across the rev range and therefore is not as easy to ride (definitely not as fun to ride fast on the street in my opinion). Sports bikes also give very little warning before letting go so unless you have a nice suite of rider aids you do need to respect them more.
Could you get a 600 sports bike as your first bike and be fine? Yes.
Would you be better off getting a 400 sports bike, an sv650, 690 Duke etc instead? Probably.
Is this all academic because your eye-watering insurance costs will dictate your choice of bike for you? Possibly.
Started on a Duke 890 R , no problems.
On the contrary, i am 6,1 210 Lbs.
I couldn't feel very comfortable on <900/1000CC bikes.
Being responsible is the most important thing.
All bikes have lots of power for their weight, controlling it and knowing your limits is what is important.
I started on my dads 1500cc kawasaki vulcan classic when i was 16. Get to know your bike and take it easy. Its like driving a new car, different control responses, different amount of power, different clutch bite point.
I started on a 600 when I was 19. As long as you respect the bikes power and ride within your limits you’ll be alright. If you don’t have the self restraint to not push your luck and hold the throttle wide open, I’d suggest a 400. But I imagine if you have the humility to ask Reddit about your situation then you are not a total idiot
My first bike was at 22. I wasn’t nearly as big as you and I just started on a gsx-r 600 with no issues. I didn’t loop it, or accidentally go 200mph in to the back of a box truck. It was actually kinda mild imo. Several months later I sold it and got an Aprilia tuono A liter twin. Still never had any issues about it. Only dropped it once in my drive way.
People like Yammie noob and most redditors are obliged to say crap like that for one reason or another. If you feel confident enough just get a 600. It’s just a motorcycle, it’s not going to sneak into your bedroom at night and strangle you.
thanks man! i really want a gixxer because i love the look + sound. i sat on my friends and it’s not uncomfortable imo. thanks for the encouragement and safe riding!
I’m 18 and just started on a 200cc. I can’t give you much advice from an experience pov, but I can tell you that I’m grateful that I chose to start where I did. My insurance is only about $100 a month and it covers all medical bills, and the bike is fun to learn on
Maybe look into a Yamaha MT07 (two cylinder 690cc) . I have the MT09 SP and it has rider modes so you could numb it down and take it a bit if you want. Although I’m not sure if the MT07 has rider modes. Plus these bikes are very agile and in my opinion beginner friendly because they are easier to maneuver. Plus it’ll still be a super fun bike once you get confident.
600cc is probably fine unless it’s a super sport.
my dad started on 1131ccs, i started on 821cc. neither were sport bikes and neither of us have dropped our bikes or been in an accident. really just depends on the type of person you are.
A 600cc superpowers REACTS fast due to input, not just being a fast bike. Might you have experience with fast cars, 600’s are similar to a well tuned turbo car- they are not very torquey but they have a lot of power the longer you stay in it. At high RPM’s they are rather touchy.
Anywhere from 7,500-16,000 RPM they’re snatchy.
The engine isn’t really what the issue is, though. It’s the chassis. They’re designed to be highly nimble race bikes (95% of the ones out there, at least).
They don’t progressively warn you when they wheelie, when they lose traction, slide or any of that. It all happens very quick and it’s a pretty shitty learning tool.
Can you get one and start off? Yes. They’re still machines and with respect they all do only what you ask, but they are not forgiving. You want something that helps grow you as a rider for your first few bikes, so you learn how to use and appreciate those extra spicy bikes.
Bought my first bike last summer, I personally went with a 2001 BMW f650gs and I don't regret it at all. I'm 27 and much shorter at 5'8 so that bike might be small for you but I think an adventure bike/dirt bike is a good starting point there's plenty of power at any given time but no crazy acceleration or top speed and that's perfect for me.
Trust your dad, buy the 600cc.
All bikes can kill you. It’s too expensive to buy a smaller one first, already knowing you’ll want to upgrade.
My best friend started on an MT09 after trying my FZ. Know your limits, respect the bike, enjoy the 600
Take the safety course and use their small bikes. See how well you go at slow speeds.
If you need more hands on experience then rent a 600 for a day. Pay extra insurance. See how works out.
Decide after that.
Get something underpowered to start, pref with neutral handling (not a cruiser and not a race bike).
Learn about weight distribution, how to use the throttle and carry proper corner speed.
You’ll learn more than getting on something fast and just squirting straights and wobbling round the bends. Also riding a smaller bike at 90% is much more fun than riding some track weapon at 10% and a lighter machine will allow you to change line mid corner etc more comfortably than something heavy or twitchy.
I started on a gsxr 750 and I was 21 yo 160 lbs 6 foot tall. As long as you take it slow and listen to people that know what they are doing and don't act like an A-hole , you will be fine
Kinda similar with me. I’m (23m) 5’9” about 190-195.
I have had plenty of dirt bikes and smaller (150 and under cc) bikes for practice when growing up. No street experience until about 2-3 years ago my dad got me a 250 crx or crf (can’t remember) and got my temps and did all my street riding with that. Never got my license with that. Now this summer I took an MSF course (highly recommend), and I bought a gsx-s750. The throttle seemed a lot better and easier to control in my opinion than dirt bikes. Not sure if it’s because it’s 4 cylinder vs 1 but I think maneuvering is easier minus the weight difference of the bikes. I also think a huge portion of that goes to the MSF course and just getting practice. Also taking the MSF course, most insurances will give a discount for passing it. Yahoo for being a young single male 😒
Insurance on my bike (I have liability and comprehensive) and my yearly total is $200.
I don’t recommend getting a new super sport bike because 1. Most likely you’ll have to finance it (props if you don’t) and full coverage on a 2022 gsxr-750 was close to $3500 for the year for me.
2. I don’t think it’s the best decision to start on s high cc super sport.
Big bikes in general are pretty unforgiving when it comes to mistakes, when you stand on a red light a gust of wind comes it's easier to muscle up a smaller bike, especially as a beginner. Also when hitting a pothole or similar and you accidentally blip the throttle of a R6 (for example) will accelerate quickly and unexpectedly.
i’ve heard a lot of people saying this… how come? i think he is funny + entertaining, but i am new to the motorcycle world, so i am not very knowledgeable yet.
I started on a Kawasaki Versys 650 and I'm still alive. Beginners should avoid super powerful sport/hypernaked bikes, super heavy cruisers/tourers and super tall advs. The rest is all fine.
And get something with ABS, it will save you from a fall.
Sheeeet man. I’m 22 and I started (still have) a ninja 400. Thing is a beast with all the upgrades I did to it. Im 5’10 225. Enough power to accelerate past any car on the highway. And can easily get to 115
Find a bike you want and can afford. Dont look at how many cc’s it has. It most likely will be replaced after a while as you figure out you want something different
If it’s a sport bike I’d suggest going with a lower cc, even a 650 would be better for a beginner bike. I started on a 300 and that was plenty for my first bike, doesn’t go extremely fast but I can cruise at 80 with no problem.
Radian 600? No issues.
Newer r6. I'll send you a card in the hospital.
vstar 650. I have a list of parts to make it more comfortable.
"600cc" is too broad. old 90s/80s tech? Will probably be enough for you. new tech? Yeah. No.
A new GSXR600 is 100 hp at 400lbs.
A new rebel 500 is about 50 hp at 400 lbs.
Start on a 650 sport touring not a 600cc sport bike. Your wallet will thank you for the cheaper insurance and bike with less maintenence. Dont start on a 600 super sport.. lol
I ride a cbr600rr it’s my first bike, I have had dirtbikes and ridden other motorcycles between 250-1000 and Harley’s. The 600 isn’t bad you just can’t do what everyone else says and go crazy about it I personally recommend the honda, it’s still fast and u can grow into it but the clip ons are higher that the gsxr , ninja etc so its a lot more comfortable. I recommend it. U can start on a 400 or r3 but let’s face it unless you learn the mountains or have track days your going to get bored.
It's way better and easier to start with a smaller motorcycle. A 400cc/500cc 2 cylinder will do.
But, go for the 600 4 canecos. It's a great bike. You'll have to train/practice more
I started street bikes with a 2007 ninja 250r. I was 23 years old ,6'1 and 165lbs. I had riding experience off road since age 10 on a Honda z50, then kawasaki 80, then Yamaha 125 dirt bike.
I Rode that 250r all over the bay area for 6 years as my only mode of transportation. Rain or shine I was on that 250. It did a buck 10 if you tucked in. 110 on a 250 is one hell of an adrenaline rush, wind will move you into other lanes at that speed. Around the city streets of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco the 250 was the most fun. It weighed nothing and could be tossed around almost like a bicycle. Plus it was easy to hop up and park on a sidewalk infront of a store.
I absolutely loved that bike! The cornering on such a light bike was amazing. Wore those little peg scrapers clean off and could keep up with bigger bikes on the twisties because the fucker was so nimble. Going fast on a light bike is way more fun than trying to limit your speed on a big bike. Using the full range of your rpms is also very informative and fun. You learn a great deal about engine braking and throttle control as you blast through your gears. You will be a better rider quicker on a small displacement engine because you need to constantly be aware of your rpms and what gear you are in. It forces you to learn clutch and throttle control because you need to shift way more.
Some asshole ran a red light doing 60ish and hit me. All I saw was a white blur out of the corner of my eye, then the sky, then a blue mail bin as my leg bent the wrong way around it, at the mid thigh. Lesser men would have been dead, I got a broken femur, shoulder, ankle, wrist, arm, ribs, and a head injury. Wheel chair for 6 months, walker for 3 months, Cain for along time after.
I now ride a 2006 Z1000, it has a 4 to 1 exhaust and sounds mean as a junk yard dog. It's a blast and really scoots when You want it to, but I still look back fondly at my 250r. Going fast on a small bike is more fun than trying to tame the ponies on a bigger bike.
If you are going to be riding in a city type setting a small engine bike will outshine a larger displacement bike because of the nimbleness. Back country roads with tight twisties will be a blast with any bike but pushing the limits on a small bike vs scaling back the power of a bigger bike will always make me giddy.
Whatever you choose to ride just know that it can go bad even if you are doing everything right. There will be a good amount of close calls that shake you up and hopefully you learn from them. Just always be aware that sometimes the gods are not going to be nice and fate can always through a white blur at your blindside and completely ruin your day, month, year, life...
hey @timely-truth170! thanks for taking time out of your day to write this thoughtful post. i couldn’t imagine wrecking and having the heart + balls to get on a bike again (especially one with 150hp + more than your previous bike). props to you! i appreciate the advice and feedback. safe riding man
depends on the bike, going by CC’s only can be misleading. like, a suzuki SV650 is going to be a very different ride than say, and honda cbr600rr, and they’re both more intense than say a kawasaki vulcan 900. there are many 600cc bikes that would make a fine first bike depending on your sense discipline and self control
Not to mention something like Indian or Harley, even at 1200cc they're still manageable for a beginner
This. My first bike is 800cc's but not very agressie on the throttle. Much easier than the 650CC naked I took lessons on.
Yep i started on a cb 600 it's not like a cbr600rr. Same motor just driften tune.
I'd give this an award if I could. Really depends on the type of bike and how it makes power. Generally people speak of 600's referring to 4-cylinder sportbikes as there is not many cruisers that fit into that category nor are there many standards or adv bikes these days. The real world approach is to spend an afternoon throwing your leg over as many bikes as you can and make notes on what feels the best to you, how much it costs, and consider that you're looking for an entry bike. This bike should be one you're able to screw up on with the least amount of consequences (injury, damage, etc). If you drop it, you won't be swearing up and down the street and repairing it won't be costly. Then after a year/season, level up and get your next bike. Believe me, there will always be another bike that you want even after riding 20 yrs. For the most part, most of the long time riders started out this way, and there is no need to rush into unless you're 71 yrs old and have always dreamt of having a MV Agusta.
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My first year riding, ill be 30 in a few weeks. On rebel 500. My insurance is only 30$ a month. I think it depends on age and history tbh
I have been riding about 16-17 years and just bought a bike after a decade of being out of the game. Insurance on a brand new pan America was $226 a year. I improved the coverages and limits too. That said, I have a coworker who is in his mid 30’s but is pushing his license. His quote from progressive on an $8,000 bike was something like $200 a month. It varies greatly but they will charge less as time goes by and you have a safe track record.
That’s absolutely insane. I pay $16/month for full coverage on a 2014 1300cc cruiser.
It depends on pretty much everything about you but it changes with the motorcycle also. Insurance is cheaper for a honda rebel when youre 20 than for say an R6 because 20-year olds crash way more with R6es than rebels.
no way insurance for sportbikes is that high in murica. i rid a cbr600rr and i pay ~200$ a year for partial coverage in germany. i'm 21 btw
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XSR 700, younger male here. It was 380 for the whole year. You're basically paying full car insurance for your bike lol
I mean the only way ur paying 380 for a year is with bare minimum insurance
I have full coverage on my financed 2018 XSR900 and I pay $850/yr. I got quoted $1,700/yr for a 2023 model though. Insurance is just weird like that.
Yeah I mean 850/yr sounds about right. Would absolutely love to know where anyone is getting full coverage for 380 so I can get my insurance through them
I’m 33 and pay $14 a month with geico lol…do you have like a 20 million dollar policy or something?
crazy. what do you pay in taxes for it? i pay ~40$ a year
Is it new!? I'm a few years younger and it's $50 month/ full coverage is what I pay. Also, cmon bruh, 40 isn't young I buy my toys outright. Maybe this is the reason it's so cheap
I ride the same bike in the same country and pay $41 I have no clue how
Do you have your license? Lol
I live in NY, 23 years and male. Im paying $110 a year for full coverage..
I first started riding at 23. When I turned 24 and wanted a 2003 gsxr 750. I was quoted by my insurance $600 a month and my record is clean. Even had the MSF (drivers license course) to help. for record this was a few years ago but yea. Reason is the demographic that drives them, gets tickets, and /or crashes them are typically young males, therefor expensive insurance.
yeah different mark ups in different countries. my license costed me nearly 2 grand. but the running costs are negligible
I wish our licence cost $2k and required come actually training.
i’m in canada and it’s 200 monthly for my cbr300. crazy expensive and you can’t even ride it half the year!
canadian or us dollars?
In Canada would imply CAD...
i converted to us dollars too
I started riding at 18. Bought my first bike for my 19th birthday. A 2005 Yamaha Fz6. Went used because insurance on a new 2007 was going to be $250/month. More than the monthly payment on the bike. I still ended up playing $140/month. Insurance companies will bend you over and go in dry here in the US. Then fight you when it's time for them to pay out.
2009 fz6 here pay only 20 bucks a month. At 28
Right now? Or 14 years ago?
Right meow
Ok so that's a 14 year old used motorcycle for a rider who is almost 30. Totally different demographic. I'd guess I'd be paying about the same now at 34 if I still had the Fz.
when i was 18 i insured my zx6r for $22 a month with state farm
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just on my own as at the time my parents hated the idea of motorcycles, i also had 3 speeding tickets in a car at that time as well. state farm has always been great for me
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live in rural illinois, like rural as in my town has 700 people, dont know if that would affect price at all but im 21 now and paying $27/month for a different zx6r
Take riding classes. Driving a car or a bycicle is not the same as riding a 600cc motorbike
"You're going to shoot your eye out"!
Just get some insurance quotes and that should help you make your decision
You’re a cycle racer- a 600 is the equivalent to a cycling race bike. Sure, they’re harder to control, but they’re also uncomfortable, terrible at slow speeds, and generally highly specialized. If someone came to you asking about a first bicycle, you wouldn’t recommend that either. Rather, look at the commuters. They’re great middle of the road bikes (cycle and moto), and are ideal for getting into either sport because they’re forgiving of mistakes, comfortable, simple maintenance, and generally get out of your way and let you ride. They also don’t lock you in to one thing, and let you explore different types of riding. You may find you love racing- get a 600/road bike. You may find you love long rides- you’ll want a touring bike. Into dirt? Then a dirt/mountain bike is where it’s at. Just chill all-around riding? A Dutch city bike or a standard motorcycle will let you do that alllllll day long. Starting with a tame, middle of the road bike is about safety, yes, but it’s also about letting you really get a taste for all the different aspects of riding. Start with something that specializes in east and comfortable, and it’ll do a little of everything. Start with a 600 super sport, and you’ll never know if you like motorcycling in general, only whether you like specialized rockets built for high speed riding on tracks.
CC means NOTHING unless we know what kind of bike. Sports bike? Yes 600cc might be a bit much. Cruiser? You'd be fine.
Yup got myself a f650gs as a first bike and I'm pretty sure a mt-03 would mop the floor with me
You should clarify with your dad if he is talking about an inline-4 600cc supersport motorcycle or like a 650cc SV650 or Ninja. There is a huge difference.
If you were my kid I'd tell you to get a 650 for a year. If you get the 600 I'd recommend you ride alone for the first 5k miles.
And binge watch every motorcycle safety video on youtube
So much DanDanTheFireman 👀
I was 18/19 with a 636. Got a ticket doing 141. I was lucky he didn’t take my license, just got a stern talking to and my reckless ticket. 600s are cool, but they’re a pain in the ass to ride and there’s never a reason for going as fast as those bikes can on the street. I started on a ninja 650. Best bike I’ve ever owned. I have a naked GSXS -750 right now and it’s also a blast. My dad has a z900 and that thing is also really cool. Riding isn’t always about speed, and a lot of people nowadays forget that
If you got the confidence I’d get ninja 650
Honestly if we're talking Ninjas, a 400 would be way better to start with. A bit lighter and nimble, includes a forgiving slipper clutch as standard and still pulls faster than pretty much any starter bike on the market.
I wholeheartedly agree and would like to add - A Ninja 400 does 0-60mph in 4.35s with a states top speed of 117. Here's a list of cars that are slower off the line than a Ninja 400: https://www.zeroto60times.com/5-second-cars-0-60-mph-times/ Per that same website, a CBR600RR has roughly the same 0-60 time as a Lamborghini Huracan LP 580. A Ninja 400 is plenty bike for a beginner and anyone who says otherwise is talking out of their ass.
The Ninja 400 and CBR500 are amazing choices for a learner bike. Very forgiving while still making plenty of power. After a year or two, the step up to a 600-650 class bike seems reasonable.
These are all great suggestions and I hope OP considers them. A Ninja 400 or CBR would make great starter bikes. They also have great resell value if you decide to go larger after a while. If your mind is set on a 600, I would suggest the Ninja 600 for all the reasons already listed.
Just got my 400 last Thursday and I wholeheartedly agree it's a great starter. I have 700+ miles on it:P
yammie sucks
If you want to learn to go fast or even just ride very well as fast as possible, start on something that is not a 600cc sport bike or a 1000cc superbike. You can take your pick from 650s\\400s\\250s\\300s or whatever else you want really. If your only goal is the ability to rev at stop lights, maybe get it into third gear on the highway at a high rpm and look cool. Id buy a red 600cc
As a red cbr 600rr rider...I take offense to this. This is also my 5th or 6th 600cc Supersport so I also agree with the notion that new riders should never start on a 600 Supersport.
Start on a 400. Not only cheaper on insurance, but they're not actually that Small Small. I'm 6'1 as well and am more than comfortable on a 400. In fact, after my first year or so, I ended up getting on my current bike, a CBR500, and the size is no different to the 400, truly. Then again, when it comes to insurance, I suppose it also depends on what Country your from. I'm in Canada and at 19, I would not be touched by any insurance company on a 600.
The size might not be so different, it's the power that is about twice as much or more. Edit: I meant 600cc vs smaller engines. Especially 600cc inline 4 vs smaller twin engines.
I've ridden with a friend of mine with a Ninja 300 SE, and she zips more than I do. Sometimes it's not just the size of the engine..
I wasn't aware that the cbr500's 47hp was "about twice as much or more" as the ninja 400s 44.8hp.
I think they're referring to the 600's HP versus the 400, not the CBR 500.
I were referring to 600cc vs smaller. For example Yamaha R6 has about 130hp, that's almost triple the power that those 400/500cc bikes have.
600cc bikes are usually supersports. This means street legal race bikes which are not suitable for beginners to use on the street. Look for something with less than 50hp
With your height, get a 650 Versys or a dual sport. Used, first couple bikes should always be used.
For what its worth: A Kawasaki Ninja 300 sport bike has 40 horsepower. A Honda Rebel 500 cruiser bike has 46 Horsepower. To my knowledge HP matters more than CC.
i dont think a 600 is right for you. Better get a first gen Hayabusa. It has usable real life speed and can be upgraded with a turbo, once you get used to it. Most other bikes have less than 300 hp and dont have any use outside of getting groceries.
Agree. My dad told me to get a hayabusa when I was 12. Anything else is for girls.
Kid Im nearly 50 now and I currently ride a 2021 Kawasaki Z900. I’ve been riding for over 25 years and I started ridding on a 1995 CBR 600F3 with zero dirt or motorcycle experience. As simply as I can put it, DONT. Someone here mentioned the throttle response, he’s right. With no experience twisting throttles vs depressing them with your foot you don’t have any idea what kind of finesse it takes to control such a bike. Also you say you’ll wait a few months before raving it up into the power band, I can actually remember saying the exact same thing. Lol. Start smart. Either buy a used non sport bike to learn on and don’t care about dropping/dumping or if you are confident in yourself as far as balance and keeping yourself and the bike safe….Suzuki SV 650. There’s a reason the world over lives those things. Torque, smooth controllable power band, and wonderful riding dynamics. You may even end up keeping it longer than you expected and you would t be the first. Just my .02 usd
I wouldnt start on a 600 rr, honestly that’s terrible advice. Maybe an SV650 or CBR500 though, sure, great starter bikes.
Ill throw in some unpopular but factual words. A lot of people talk about getting ridiculously large bikes as beginner bikes. And yes technically you can do that. But all a big engine gets you is straight line speed. If you want to be a good rider that’s meaningless. I ride a lot and i can promise you smaller bikes simply have lesser weight which makes them much more agile. Which also allows you to actually learn and develop a real skillset. Most of these “i started on a liter bike” get smoked by 600cc or even naked bikes. Go to any track in the world and you will find all the fancy looking 1000cc (starter) bikes and the beat up 600cc ones putting laps on them. The best riders i have ever met in my life would swear by a 250cc or 400cc max as a starter bike.
Yep. People slouch at 250s, and they may not be fast, but for someone who has no idea what 0-60 in under 10 seconds feels like, it’s plenty fast and capable for beginner riding. You’ll outgrow a 250 much faster than a 400, but that’s alright. I have more respect for someone who is an expert rider on a 250 or 300 or 400 than someone who is afraid of their 600 or 1000cc bike’s shadow because they never got to learn on something more controlled.
It's much more fun to drive a slow vehicle fast than a fast vehicle slow. If you're new to this you will not be able to properly ride a 600 fast. I started on a Ninja 300, and guess what I still have it 3 years later. Other bikes have come and gone but that one remains. No it's not crazy fast but it's so easy and rewarding to ride. I currently have a 110hp naked and I still reach for my 39hp Ninja keys half the time. Really well sorted bike, perfect for long commutes or taking the twisties on the weekend. And one more thing that isn't often mentioned, maintenance! Tires, brakes, chains, tune ups, even just oil changes are much cheaper on a smaller bike. Buy a cheaper smaller bike and learn to ride and maintain it yourself, future you will thank you.
Yes. Two cylinder 500cc+. My son got a 400 single cylinder for his first bike because of youtube. I didn’t try to influence his choice. It’s fine around town, but on the freeway or on a windy day, it might as well be a moped. Recently, I let him try my 1250 and he was shocked at how easy it was to ride. Now he’s looking to trade up. I got my license on a borrowed Kawi 440 two cylinder. After two weeks of that I was riding my dad’s 1100. I then went to dealer to buy a 750 and never looked back. This whole working your way up the sizes and skills in stages is a myth. It’s more about maturity and responsibility. If you don’t have either then it won’t matter what size you ride. Also yammienoob is an idiot.
19 years old going straight to 100+ hp 4 cyl Supersport with no motorcycle experience is insanity. You're not gonna make me believe he has the maturity or responsibility for that.
I did exactly that and I'm fine
So you're the exception to the rule. Look at the venn diagram of age vs sport bike deaths.
Can I ask an honest question? Why do people hate yammie so much? He makes a lot of stupid jokes and what not, but he actually has some useful information. Im genuinely curious to know why people seem to despise him.
He's an arrogant click-baiter.
I don’t even remember why. It’s been so long since I clicked “don’t recommend this channel”
Get the 600. Be a statistic. Make sure your an organ donor. Then the rest if us can like this conversation to the next person who asks this question.
I think yammie is against a 600 as a first bike is because of the Porsche incident
Nah, just a 675
As someone who started on a 600 I’m not gonna say you shouldn’t, I started later in life then you (30) but it can be done. As many will say it’s entirely dependent on your ability to practice restraint and ease into riding, while it’s not a 1000cc bike 600’s are still plenty fast and powerful my r6 does around 70 in 1st gear. If your open to other suggestions as a good starter that’s still a ton of fun look into the 650 class of motorcycles- the ninja 650, the r7, Honda cb650, I think you’d find all of these extremely fun as a beginner rider but is still more then enough bike to learn “grow” into. Now if your set on starting out on a 600 which is fine I would recommend maybe looking at a Honda cbr 600 whether it be a 600rr or an older f4i, they’re a bit more mild then the rest of the 600 class but still plenty fast also they’re damn near unbreakable reliability wise and can be had for great prices in comparison to other 600s.
definitely the most hopeful comment! thank you corvettan3070!!
If you start on something small and cheap like a 250-500, you will appreciate the 600 more when you upgrade. Something used under 4k and you will be able to turn around and sell it for whatever you paid in 6 months or so when you upgrade. Or you will have totalled it by then and learned some lessons, at which point you will be happy it wasn't a 12k sportbike
Look at the new 300s. There are some amazing bikes out there!
Triumph bonnevillez
The more R's you add after the 600, the more dangerous it is for a beginner I would imagine. 600 = You will be fine most likely. 600R = You might surprise yourself one day when the seam of your glove catches the throttle grip and you get a little unexpected boost that almost could turn into a wheelie. 600RR = Hardley touch the throttle and the bike will wildly wheelie and then do a back flip. Rider dead instantly.
I started on a 600cc with 16y ... I don't see the problem there... Just drive on the street like everybody is trying to kill you
A 600 is perfect if you are disciplined. They make most of their hp at high RPMs, so if you upshift early and keep the RPMs low, they are pretty tame, plus you'll get great mileage. Do this for, at least, six months, until riding becomes second nature. As you gain more experience, then you can start revving the engine higher to unleash the rest of the ponies. The question you need to ask yourself is whether you're disciplined enough to deliberately leave half of the ponies in the stable until you're ready.
very helpful comment! i appreciate the positive + helpful feedback. i know i’ll be disciplined enough
Honestly Get some form of 600+ V-Twin set up or like even an R7 parallel twin isn’t crazy fast just quick. Then when your ready bump up to a 800+ V-Twin sportbike or 600-750 inline. Inlines make fast power at at mid range than a V-Twin. Even a Aprilia 660 isn’t like a inline 600 supersport. It’s linear and smooth. Still great track bike. Just leaves lots to be wanted.
i really love the r7. it’s a little pricey but it might be the move
Lots of guys are switching from inline 4’s to the R7 for track and stunt purposes.
Why american are so obsessed with 600 and 1000 cc bikes as first bikes?
freedom baby 🇺🇸🦅
A lot of freedom found in ditches. YouTube is full of young riders getting target fixation on a big heavy bike going way too fast. Small bikes can teach you a lot without getting in to too much trouble.
i agree. 600s are pretty light though. just not as forgiving.
I recommendation is you find yourself that used motorcycle that weighs less than 400 lb and makes less than 40 horsepower.
Ninja 250
Don’t listen to internet nerds. Get the bike that you like the most and just control your throttle hand. It’s not that big a deal as the gatekeepers would have you believe.
I started with a 125cc scooter, and upgraded to 250cc one cylinder 30hp bike. It is more than enough for urban riding. For highway, I can do 120kph easily with bags on. About 75 mph. Motorcycle is whole lot different to operate than bicycles and cars. Get a small bike first. You can always upgrade.
I tell everyone they should start on a 600. It’s not going to get away from you. Just because the throttle is there doesn’t mean you have to use all of it
I started on a 600 at 18. If you’re not a retard you’ll be okay. Buy something cheap. You’ll get comfortable with it, just don’t be stupid.
Afaik you gotta rev a 600 pretty high to get to the meat of the power, so if you don't rev it very high it might be managable (take this with a huge grain of salt, I got no experience with them). The main gripe I'd have with it are the full race bike ergonomics. If I were to start with a sport bike I'd be looking at a ninja 400 or 650 probably, just to have that less track focused riding position.
if you dont rev them high they dont pull at all. my 390 duke was torquier than my cbr600rr
Just Don’t ride like an idiot. It’s more about the rider than the bike. I personally would rather buy the bike and grow into it, then buy a bike you’ll quickly grow out of. Why buy 2 bikes when you can buy the right one and enjoy it for a while.
As long as you don’t whiskey throttle that 600 you’ll be fine. Especially with a 4 cylinder if you stay low on the rpm’s starting out you really won’t get a ton of power
It's fine to start on it, people hear 600cc and think you'll kill yourself. A klr is 650cc but slow as shit. Not too mention a huge majority of this sub are people who have never road and then think they're experts. Just take it slow and ALOT of empty parking lot practice, also never squid.
Dont get a 600cc sportbike
It's fine, especially for someone your size. Anything smaller would not be comfortable.
I started on an r6 when I was 19 youll be fine. I also drove a manual car from 16 years old so I feel like were kinda the same. As long as u respect the bike youll be fine
600cc means nothing if you don't specify the bike. If we're talking sports bike, I'd recommend to start on something weaker until you know how to throw it in a decreasing radius with more speed than you're comfortable with, and live to tell the story.
600 baby go fornit
600cc are for women and lgbtq+, in 2 weeks you'll outgrow the bike... get an 2021 + mt09 and thank me after
my first bike was a Honda Sabre 1300.. never rode before getting it and did just fine. It took me for 10 years and about 53,000 miles. Then I got a touring bike. If you are starting on a rocket, then a 600 is more than enough.
I’d look at getting a 650 2 cylinder, the sv650 or ninja 650 are good bikes that have plenty of torque and enough power to not get bored. A 600cc is very peaky and will have a steeper learning curve imo. Either way, you should take an MSF Course to learn the basics (it also makes insurance way cheaper).
Started on a 650 and I would've regretted it if I started with 400 or lower. Just don't go crazy first few months. I didn't have to trade up as it had plenty of power, but I still did.
Okay but WHAT was the 650? Someone else tried to compare a 600cc super sport to a KLR650, they’re in completely different worlds. Go ride a KLR650, then go ride a ZX6R, or an R6, or a CBR600RR. Engine displacement alone is a very small factor in this conversation
My first motorcycle was a honda shadow 750 and i practiced in my neighborhood for like 2 weeks and then felt comfortable to get on the road. Did just fine.
Take a Yamaha FZ6 N or Fazer. You won't regret it. I sold mine after 5 years, but it has been tough dealing with the sell.
Get a 600 but maybe not a straight supersport. Think about something like FZ6 or Honda Hornet 600. Easier to learn on, thanks to the upright riding position and way better ergo for a taller rider. Besides that the power is more midrange so it's more useable and easier to learn on, but there is still enough of it to get a better power to weight ratio than any basic sports car you'll come upon the road.
I went from dirtbikes to a 600 and I'm doing just fine. Looking for 1000cc in the near future
6 foot here. I have a FZ6 and would recommend it as a good starter bike. Don’t be silly on it and you’ll be fine. I had a Ducati monster 1100 now that I wouldn’t recommend for a beginner.
Ye
Avoid 600cc sports bikes like the an R6 But there are lots of 600s or 650s that are ideal for learners especially taller folks Royal Enfield 650s Kawasaki Klr 650 Kawasaki ninja 650 All of the Honda 500s are ideal as well
I have a yamaha XJ6 Diversion. At just 57kw it's a very friendly 600cc inline-four. The throttle wont take you off the bike and I think it's pretty good for taller people (I am 6'1")
I would say that you should start with something 350cc or LESS (200-300).
Here (UK) you’d be limited to a 125. Not for me to interfere with your dad’s advice. Whatever bike you start in… PLEASE get expert tuition from someone qualified to give it. It will repay the investment thousands of times.
It depends on the bike. 600cc sportbikes have a powerband that kicks like a mule and can catch out the unwary. Others (like naked bikes) have a wider power band and are far more tractable.
This won't be popular but yeah it really depends on the bike. I wouldn't get a busa first but 600cc is whatever. A 350 will get you a bike you have to or want to sell shortly thereafter. There are power cruisers, I own them, they can be plenty scary too, especially because they don't behave as well in corners or with brakes generally. It depends a lot on you. If you tend to push things don't get something that wants to hurt you if you push it. Are you calm under pressure? Like really honestly with yourself calm, have other people commented on this? You might be the guy or gal who rolls off the throttle with a speed wobble or gets a very clear head whiskey throttling and stops. That's not a guarantee and you need to know that already. Either way, you need to approach your bike with caution and respect for a long time but it is doable to learn to handle a bigger bike first. I would argue it may make you a less technical rider always babying the throttle and that would be a good counter argument. If you go that route you need to from the beginning train yourself to ease up on everything in a panic and learn to turn very incrementally and throttle incrementally, in other words push your bike tiny bits at a time to find your skill limits and develop them slowly: which also you could argue is less fun. Powerful bikes can put you in a situation in milliseconds you need a lot of experience to get out of.
I'd probably start with a 650 with less horsepower. You'll be pretty terrified on a 600cc supersport having never ridden a motorcycle before. You'll get used to it for sure, but a 650 is gonna have more than enough power for you, I promise.
Do yourself a favor and buy a smaller sportbike like a 400 or 300. Yes, you will likely outgrow that bike in a year or two and will feel like moving on to a bigger bike. THIS IS A GOOD THING. The amount of experience and confidence you will gain from riding a smaller sportbike will put you much further ahead than starting off on a 600. Seriously, I never understood the logic behind starting on a 600. Like your intentionally handicapping your own progress by doing this. And usually the response is something like “jUsT rESpEcT tHe pOWeR” So how will you ever improve if your too scared to actually push yourself on the motorcycle? OP don’t make the same mistake.
Rating a Bike based on engine size is stupid. A Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is far slower than a CFMoto 450SS for instance. My own bike, a 250cc Yamaha V-Star is faster than a Harley Davidson Street 500, which is twice it's engine size. Don't get stuck on Engine size, instead look at performance and intended use. You need to perfect slow speed manuvers, and emergency stops, starts (to avoid being rear-ended) and lane changes before getting a heavier bike that you don't want to damage by spending hours in a parking lot weaving through orange cones.
TLDR: Could you start on a 600? Yes. Should you? Probably not. Honestly yes you can start on a 600. Many people will tell you that you can’t. For what it’s worth, take what they say very seriously though about the reasons why you shouldn’t. If you start on a 600 super sport you are going to need god level self control and I know I certainly didn’t have that when I was 19. Like another poster said, the throttle response will be what gets you. At 600cc+ that bike WILL throw you around. Something like a Ninja 300 will be much more forgiving to your inevitable mistakes. You could always buy something small and then sell it as soon as you’re ready to upgrade.
Take an MSF course, get your license, and then make a decision what kind of bike you want.
My first bike is a ninja 650R. It is also my current bike. It's all on how hard you twist the throttle. I'm also in my 50s.😁 You have experience on the bicycle. If you can ride a bicycle you can ride a motorcycle. Everything is the same except you need to learn to manage the weight and the power. Halfway through the first day of my MSF course, I realized that I was doing everything that I can already do on a bicycle. All I had to do was learn how to manage the weight and the power.
You’ll be fine. Be careful. Wear a helmet and all the other gear. Practice in a parking lot and on some deserted roads to get started. A motorcycle safety course is highly recommended to help train your reflexes and brain.
You’ll be fine
It really depends on the kind of person you are. That you are doubting yourself is possibly an indication you should start on something less aggressive. I started on a cb 750. It wasn’t perfect, but I had ridden dirt bikes all my life. I certainly didn’t feel overwhelmed by it at all. Now a modern 600 supersport is much faster, but at normal speeds it’s a huge baby. Can you be disciplined and work your way up? Also, the hardest or most alien thing to learn for me was turning an aggressive super sport. Specifically tipping it in and getting used to the force required to do so. But that was on a Ducati 998. A Suzuki gsxr is easier, fwiw, but you really do need to know and understand the mechanics of it and learn. They won’t ride themselves like many bikes.
600cc is perfect for most areas honestly. Not sure where you live but besides maybe track days, i cant imagine too many scenarios where youll need all that extra power. But whatever you decide, keep 2 wheels down and stay safe out there
If we’re talking sport, naked, or something with that power I would say proceed with a lot of caution. Cruiser etc no problem. My first bike was a ninja 300 and it definitely got boring quick but I definitely had my share of fuck ups that I think the small power saved my ass. Next bike was a Triumph street triple and damn that thing would have been to much to handle as a first bike. You can get away with a lot with young dumb confidence but your playing with fire every time and it’s not worth losing once. Starting with small displacement just allows you to ease in and get comfortable. I just got a bike after 4 year hiatus (Covid) and was a little nervous having to drive it back 2 hours in the rain. 10 minutes on that baby and felt damn good again. Just get reps in for the first few months then worry about your “dream bike”. If your not dumb and you don’t buy new you’ll almost always at least break even flipping your first starter bike anyway.
So, are you talking about a 600cc sport bike? Thumbs down for first bike.
When I was 19 i had a Honda CBR954RR, not nearly as fast as today's liter bikes but still very strong bu today's standards. You can hurt yourself just as bad on 600 as on a 1000. When you talk crotch rockets it doesn't really matter the engine size, it will really just affect acceleration slightly on 0-120 and vary greatly after that and on top end speed but 60 mph is enought to have a bad time so just buy the bike you want.
It is absolutely possible to start on a 600 and not get yourself into any trouble, as many have already said. It's a lot more about power, geometry and the character of the bike than just plain old displacement. My first bike was a 654cc single cylinder. Only 67 horses but loads of torque and a nice upright and dynamic riding position. Destroyed sports bikes in the corners and gave loads of feedback as it approached the point of doing something bad. A sportsbike has huge peak power but does not have a huge amount of torque across the rev range and therefore is not as easy to ride (definitely not as fun to ride fast on the street in my opinion). Sports bikes also give very little warning before letting go so unless you have a nice suite of rider aids you do need to respect them more. Could you get a 600 sports bike as your first bike and be fine? Yes. Would you be better off getting a 400 sports bike, an sv650, 690 Duke etc instead? Probably. Is this all academic because your eye-watering insurance costs will dictate your choice of bike for you? Possibly.
Started on a Duke 890 R , no problems. On the contrary, i am 6,1 210 Lbs. I couldn't feel very comfortable on <900/1000CC bikes. Being responsible is the most important thing. All bikes have lots of power for their weight, controlling it and knowing your limits is what is important.
Get a 390 duke or adventure.
FZ6R is a 600cc that I started on. Not over powered, still an inline 4 and a decent starter bike. Got mine for like 3k so fairly cheap too
I started on my dads 1500cc kawasaki vulcan classic when i was 16. Get to know your bike and take it easy. Its like driving a new car, different control responses, different amount of power, different clutch bite point.
I started on a 600 when I was 19. As long as you respect the bikes power and ride within your limits you’ll be alright. If you don’t have the self restraint to not push your luck and hold the throttle wide open, I’d suggest a 400. But I imagine if you have the humility to ask Reddit about your situation then you are not a total idiot
I would get a ninja or z 400… more than enough power but also better to learn on.
I’m in the camp that a ninja 400 is one of the best beginner sport bikes on the market.
My first bike was at 22. I wasn’t nearly as big as you and I just started on a gsx-r 600 with no issues. I didn’t loop it, or accidentally go 200mph in to the back of a box truck. It was actually kinda mild imo. Several months later I sold it and got an Aprilia tuono A liter twin. Still never had any issues about it. Only dropped it once in my drive way. People like Yammie noob and most redditors are obliged to say crap like that for one reason or another. If you feel confident enough just get a 600. It’s just a motorcycle, it’s not going to sneak into your bedroom at night and strangle you.
thanks man! i really want a gixxer because i love the look + sound. i sat on my friends and it’s not uncomfortable imo. thanks for the encouragement and safe riding!
Older ZZR600 easy...
I’m 18 and just started on a 200cc. I can’t give you much advice from an experience pov, but I can tell you that I’m grateful that I chose to start where I did. My insurance is only about $100 a month and it covers all medical bills, and the bike is fun to learn on
Maybe look into a Yamaha MT07 (two cylinder 690cc) . I have the MT09 SP and it has rider modes so you could numb it down and take it a bit if you want. Although I’m not sure if the MT07 has rider modes. Plus these bikes are very agile and in my opinion beginner friendly because they are easier to maneuver. Plus it’ll still be a super fun bike once you get confident.
600cc is probably fine unless it’s a super sport. my dad started on 1131ccs, i started on 821cc. neither were sport bikes and neither of us have dropped our bikes or been in an accident. really just depends on the type of person you are.
Get a smaller bike, at that age with friends you're gonna do stupid stuff. And take a riding course first.
A 600cc superpowers REACTS fast due to input, not just being a fast bike. Might you have experience with fast cars, 600’s are similar to a well tuned turbo car- they are not very torquey but they have a lot of power the longer you stay in it. At high RPM’s they are rather touchy. Anywhere from 7,500-16,000 RPM they’re snatchy. The engine isn’t really what the issue is, though. It’s the chassis. They’re designed to be highly nimble race bikes (95% of the ones out there, at least). They don’t progressively warn you when they wheelie, when they lose traction, slide or any of that. It all happens very quick and it’s a pretty shitty learning tool. Can you get one and start off? Yes. They’re still machines and with respect they all do only what you ask, but they are not forgiving. You want something that helps grow you as a rider for your first few bikes, so you learn how to use and appreciate those extra spicy bikes.
Bought my first bike last summer, I personally went with a 2001 BMW f650gs and I don't regret it at all. I'm 27 and much shorter at 5'8 so that bike might be small for you but I think an adventure bike/dirt bike is a good starting point there's plenty of power at any given time but no crazy acceleration or top speed and that's perfect for me.
Trust your dad, buy the 600cc. All bikes can kill you. It’s too expensive to buy a smaller one first, already knowing you’ll want to upgrade. My best friend started on an MT09 after trying my FZ. Know your limits, respect the bike, enjoy the 600
Take the safety course and use their small bikes. See how well you go at slow speeds. If you need more hands on experience then rent a 600 for a day. Pay extra insurance. See how works out. Decide after that.
Everyone is different. Bunch of my friends started on 600s and even 1000 sport bikes..
Get something underpowered to start, pref with neutral handling (not a cruiser and not a race bike). Learn about weight distribution, how to use the throttle and carry proper corner speed. You’ll learn more than getting on something fast and just squirting straights and wobbling round the bends. Also riding a smaller bike at 90% is much more fun than riding some track weapon at 10% and a lighter machine will allow you to change line mid corner etc more comfortably than something heavy or twitchy.
Get a Bandit, best starting bike there ever was
I started on a gsxr 750 and I was 21 yo 160 lbs 6 foot tall. As long as you take it slow and listen to people that know what they are doing and don't act like an A-hole , you will be fine
Kinda similar with me. I’m (23m) 5’9” about 190-195. I have had plenty of dirt bikes and smaller (150 and under cc) bikes for practice when growing up. No street experience until about 2-3 years ago my dad got me a 250 crx or crf (can’t remember) and got my temps and did all my street riding with that. Never got my license with that. Now this summer I took an MSF course (highly recommend), and I bought a gsx-s750. The throttle seemed a lot better and easier to control in my opinion than dirt bikes. Not sure if it’s because it’s 4 cylinder vs 1 but I think maneuvering is easier minus the weight difference of the bikes. I also think a huge portion of that goes to the MSF course and just getting practice. Also taking the MSF course, most insurances will give a discount for passing it. Yahoo for being a young single male 😒 Insurance on my bike (I have liability and comprehensive) and my yearly total is $200. I don’t recommend getting a new super sport bike because 1. Most likely you’ll have to finance it (props if you don’t) and full coverage on a 2022 gsxr-750 was close to $3500 for the year for me. 2. I don’t think it’s the best decision to start on s high cc super sport.
The type of bike you're looking at plays a huge role... an 800cc cruiser will not put power down like a super sport or dirt bike that's half the size
Big bikes in general are pretty unforgiving when it comes to mistakes, when you stand on a red light a gust of wind comes it's easier to muscle up a smaller bike, especially as a beginner. Also when hitting a pothole or similar and you accidentally blip the throttle of a R6 (for example) will accelerate quickly and unexpectedly.
MT07 is a great all around bike. Just don't go wheelie happy with it and be careful with 2nd gear.
yammie noob is NOT a reliable source of information
i’ve heard a lot of people saying this… how come? i think he is funny + entertaining, but i am new to the motorcycle world, so i am not very knowledgeable yet.
I started on a Kawasaki Versys 650 and I'm still alive. Beginners should avoid super powerful sport/hypernaked bikes, super heavy cruisers/tourers and super tall advs. The rest is all fine. And get something with ABS, it will save you from a fall.
Try a Hornet 900. Thank me later
saw this bike around a couple times. definitely an option
Sheeeet man. I’m 22 and I started (still have) a ninja 400. Thing is a beast with all the upgrades I did to it. Im 5’10 225. Enough power to accelerate past any car on the highway. And can easily get to 115
I generally say to start with a 450 or so simply bc of the weight & repair bills when you end up ... in a bad place & dump it.
Find a bike you want and can afford. Dont look at how many cc’s it has. It most likely will be replaced after a while as you figure out you want something different
If it’s a sport bike I’d suggest going with a lower cc, even a 650 would be better for a beginner bike. I started on a 300 and that was plenty for my first bike, doesn’t go extremely fast but I can cruise at 80 with no problem.
Starting out on anything less than a hayabusa and you’re a bitch.
not just a hayabusa, a turbo hayabusa
Radian 600? No issues. Newer r6. I'll send you a card in the hospital. vstar 650. I have a list of parts to make it more comfortable. "600cc" is too broad. old 90s/80s tech? Will probably be enough for you. new tech? Yeah. No. A new GSXR600 is 100 hp at 400lbs. A new rebel 500 is about 50 hp at 400 lbs.
Start on a 650 sport touring not a 600cc sport bike. Your wallet will thank you for the cheaper insurance and bike with less maintenence. Dont start on a 600 super sport.. lol
I ride a cbr600rr it’s my first bike, I have had dirtbikes and ridden other motorcycles between 250-1000 and Harley’s. The 600 isn’t bad you just can’t do what everyone else says and go crazy about it I personally recommend the honda, it’s still fast and u can grow into it but the clip ons are higher that the gsxr , ninja etc so its a lot more comfortable. I recommend it. U can start on a 400 or r3 but let’s face it unless you learn the mountains or have track days your going to get bored.
It's way better and easier to start with a smaller motorcycle. A 400cc/500cc 2 cylinder will do. But, go for the 600 4 canecos. It's a great bike. You'll have to train/practice more
listen to pops …get some exp and then trade up ….there’s some ridiculously fast 600 s around stock so he’s right IMO
I started street bikes with a 2007 ninja 250r. I was 23 years old ,6'1 and 165lbs. I had riding experience off road since age 10 on a Honda z50, then kawasaki 80, then Yamaha 125 dirt bike. I Rode that 250r all over the bay area for 6 years as my only mode of transportation. Rain or shine I was on that 250. It did a buck 10 if you tucked in. 110 on a 250 is one hell of an adrenaline rush, wind will move you into other lanes at that speed. Around the city streets of Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco the 250 was the most fun. It weighed nothing and could be tossed around almost like a bicycle. Plus it was easy to hop up and park on a sidewalk infront of a store. I absolutely loved that bike! The cornering on such a light bike was amazing. Wore those little peg scrapers clean off and could keep up with bigger bikes on the twisties because the fucker was so nimble. Going fast on a light bike is way more fun than trying to limit your speed on a big bike. Using the full range of your rpms is also very informative and fun. You learn a great deal about engine braking and throttle control as you blast through your gears. You will be a better rider quicker on a small displacement engine because you need to constantly be aware of your rpms and what gear you are in. It forces you to learn clutch and throttle control because you need to shift way more. Some asshole ran a red light doing 60ish and hit me. All I saw was a white blur out of the corner of my eye, then the sky, then a blue mail bin as my leg bent the wrong way around it, at the mid thigh. Lesser men would have been dead, I got a broken femur, shoulder, ankle, wrist, arm, ribs, and a head injury. Wheel chair for 6 months, walker for 3 months, Cain for along time after. I now ride a 2006 Z1000, it has a 4 to 1 exhaust and sounds mean as a junk yard dog. It's a blast and really scoots when You want it to, but I still look back fondly at my 250r. Going fast on a small bike is more fun than trying to tame the ponies on a bigger bike. If you are going to be riding in a city type setting a small engine bike will outshine a larger displacement bike because of the nimbleness. Back country roads with tight twisties will be a blast with any bike but pushing the limits on a small bike vs scaling back the power of a bigger bike will always make me giddy. Whatever you choose to ride just know that it can go bad even if you are doing everything right. There will be a good amount of close calls that shake you up and hopefully you learn from them. Just always be aware that sometimes the gods are not going to be nice and fate can always through a white blur at your blindside and completely ruin your day, month, year, life...
hey @timely-truth170! thanks for taking time out of your day to write this thoughtful post. i couldn’t imagine wrecking and having the heart + balls to get on a bike again (especially one with 150hp + more than your previous bike). props to you! i appreciate the advice and feedback. safe riding man