Should You Start On A 600cc? Wrong Question

[ZBrazil]

I've seen this question or something similar a ton from beginners on here as well as outside of this forum. CC's aren't everything and shouldn't be used as the sole gauge for what motorcycle you should start on.

I created a video summarizing the best beginner bikes in my opinion and how you shouldn't only rely on CC's. In fact most of the bikes on the top 5 list below are 600 or above. Let me know if you have questions


Top 5 BEST BEGINNER MOTORCYCLES...BUDGET FRIENDLY!

 

[BlakShadow]

One of my MSF instructors actually recommended 500-650cc for a first bike. He said you can start on a 250, but after 6 months of riding you'll outgrow it and be looking for a 500-650 anyway, so why not start on one? You don't have to use all of its power, and you'll grow into it. My first bike was an '82 Suzuki GS650L, and I'm still alive.

 

[JoshAFJ]

I started on a 650 and I didn't die haha

In all honesty though I tend to agree. I feel like people will get bored of a 250 really fast. Unless it's a supermoto.

 

[lupin]

I started on a 250 because it was the law back then.

Now you can have up to a 650 here, as you have to be on it for 3 years before you progress to the next level.

 

[JoshAFJ]

I started on a 250 because it was the law back then.

Now you can have up to a 650 here, as you have to be on it for 3 years before you progress to the next level.

It's mind boggling for me that other countries have restrictions like that. I know so many people over here who just go all out and get insane bikes to start out with. I think it's a bad idea, but I think that 500-650 range is the sweet spot. I might have been upset if I had to start with a 250....I'm a big dude that thing couldn't lug me around well haha

 

[Marbro_za]

I believe that if you start on a 250, or smaller you are going to crash
You have to keep up so much momentum, that you start taking chances, Jumping stop's, traffic lights etc.

I started on a 600 and i managed to almost survive

 

[SighBored]

If the beginner can find a used 250 that's cheap, they can start with that, and let it go once they are ready to get something bigger, if it's not prohibited by law, I would not suggest anyone to get a 250 to start with, unless that is what they wish to do.

 

[BehindBars]

First bike I rode was a 660, great fun. Smallest bike I've ridden was a 500, personally wouldn't bother with anything smaller, I like having the power there if/when I need it. Plus I do a lot of country riding, wind is awful and I'd get blown all over with a smaller, lighter bike

 

[F4celess]

Regular Car Reviews has a bit on this topic. First 45 secs

And I completely agree on this, American rider training does not prepare you for a 600 sportsbike. They are faster than you think and way faster than what you can handle.

 

[BlakShadow]

This is true, but a 600 sportbike and the 1982 Suzuki GS650L I started on are completely different bikes. The sportbike is much lighter, more powerful, and a ton faster. My GS650L was large enough for me to not be cramped like I would be on a Rebel but not too big to handle. It was heavy and not nearly as powerful as a modern sportbike, which kept me slow enough to be safe. But it was also fast enough to be safe on any of my local roads, including highways.

So I don't think displacement is the end-all be-all of what a good first bike should be. We got my wife a Suzuki Savage, which is a 650 thumper. It's even slower than my GS650L was, but still fast enough, plus light and easy to handle. It's physically too small for me to ride comfortably for any length of time, but it's the perfect size for her.

 

[MotoMisc]

Started on a 1000cc =)

 

[ZBrazil]

Regular Car Reviews has a bit on this topic. First 45 secs

And I completely agree on this, American rider training does not prepare you for a 600 sportsbike. They are faster than you think and way faster than what you can handle.

I agree, new riders shouldn't be starting on a 600 supersport but I prefer a 600 twin bike over a 250 or 300.

 

[F4celess]

Started on a 1000cc =)

Assuming you received a bit more than just an MSF course.

I agree, new riders shouldn't be starting on a 600 supersport but I prefer a 600 twin bike over a 250 or 300.

Tru dat. Look at the hp/torque figures, not the CC. An R6 has 120hp. An FZ6, which has an R6 derived engine has 77hp.

So when people ask, I say "Between 60 and 100hp", not just 600 something.

 

[MotoMisc]

Assuming you received a bit more than just an MSF course.


Tru dat. Look at the hp/torque figures, not the CC. An R6 has 120hp. An FZ6, which has an R6 derived engine has 77hp.

So when people ask, I say "Between 60 and 100hp", not just 600 something.

No, only riding I have done befor that 1000cc was 10hours one summer on a 250cc dirtbike One thing people need to have is respect for the power and learn it progressivly I still can't ride to the max, but having plenty of fun on it =) riding my 600cc stuntbike more, think its more fun to play around at 5-30mph then 100mph

 

[BlakShadow]

I know people who have purchased new Harleys as their first bike. It's certainly NOT what I would recommend, but some of these people have never wrecked, so good for them. And when it comes to cruisers, a large displacement V-twin generally gives you more torque than horsepower. Plus cruisers tend to be heavy, so they don't get up and go as quickly as similar motors in smaller bikes.

 

[F4celess]

No, only riding I have done befor that 1000cc was 10hours one summer on a 250cc dirtbike One thing people need to have is respect for the power and learn it progressivly I still can't ride to the max, but having plenty of fun on it =) riding my 600cc stuntbike more, think its more fun to play around at 5-30mph then 100mph

I mean, you being in Sweden I assumed you needed the class A license, which demands as many lessons as for me. Which sets you up to ride anything. I still would stay away from a 1000cc sportsbike as a first bike.

That said, a 90's literbike is todays 600 performancewise.

 

[MotoMisc]

I mean, you being in Sweden I assumed you needed the class A license, which demands as many lessons as for me. Which sets you up to ride anything. I still would stay away from a 1000cc sportsbike as a first bike.

That said, a 90's literbike is todays 600 performancewise.

Oh, no we have for getting the "A" license that is the highest you need age 24.. but otherwise its the same as the other licenses.
1 theory test, 1 theory course taken, 1 day of talking and having some things from the theory lesson shown in practice.
then 1 slow manouver test, 2 break tests and 1 fast course then show that you can drive in traffic my license with 6 courses i needed since i wanted to borrow a bike from a school for the slow manouver test I paid around 1.000$ =)

 

[F4celess]

Oh, no we have for getting the "A" license that is the highest you need age 24.. but otherwise its the same as the other licenses.
1 theory test, 1 theory course taken, 1 day of talking and having some things from the theory lesson shown in practice.
then 1 slow manouver test, 2 break tests and 1 fast course then show that you can drive in traffic my license with 6 courses i needed since i wanted to borrow a bike from a school for the slow manouver test I paid around 1.000$ =)

Yeah that's the same, + whatever lessons you need to perform all of those tasks. Norway is always expensive though so I had to dish out 2k.

 

[MotoMisc]

Yeah that's the same, + whatever lessons you need to perform all of those tasks. Norway is always expensive though so I had to dish out 2k.

Oh you're from norway haha didnt realise that befor, must have missed the flag below your avatar
Yeah, sweden and norway are expensive for license

 

[DanielJ]

I've jumped on a 600cc ZX6R Supersport, straight after passing my full bike license.

....but its fine, its an older ZX6R, its performance has probably degraded on par with a 125cc anyway!