Suitable and Unsuitable 1st Big Bikes

[gpchristo]

mine was and still is my gpz500 excellent ride a comfortable amount of power not thrown at you all at once

[karl-essex]

Why would you say r6 or zx-r are unsuitable. I have been riding nsr125 for 2 years just passed dac and was looking at these two bikes. I'm in my 30's not into top end speed and driving fast. Seen too many accidents. So would you say they are not suitable for me and for what reason?

[qwakers]

because they're like driving a Ferrari Enzo after passing you're test, only 2x faster.

[ulster exile]

Would a MT-03 be considered unsuitable?  I realise the general opinion of this site is that it isn't brilliant as a bike, but as a first bike is it ok?  Not a sports bike, 660cc...

[zaksv650s]

Would a MT-03 be considered unsuitable?  I realise the general opinion of this site is that it isn't brilliant as a bike, but as a first bike is it ok?  Not a sports bike, 660cc...

isnt that the single outta the xt if so it'll be quite manageable if thats the case strange bike though bit oddball.

[ulster exile]

isnt that the single outta the xt if so it'll be quite manageable if thats the case strange bike though bit oddball.

Sorry, I'm probably being a bit dense here, but not sure what you mean?

[zaksv650s]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-XT660X--R-2004-current/?&R=EPI-228 i think the engines outta this so should be a pretty manageable bit of kit.

[zaksv650s]

infact there's the review for it http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/YAMAHA-MT-03-2006--current/?&R=EPI-254

[ulster exile]

Cheers mate, reading it now!

[Snaggle]

Well im gonna buck the trend and say ... BUY what you want !!  now what other people think you should buy !!

Newer modern sportsbikes are safer handle better brake better have more modern tyres and safer than alot of budget or older bikes .

Tbh i think if yer confident and take proper training i see no problem with buying any of the sport 600's or even 1000cc bikes . .

At the end of the day the throttle goes both ways and there only as fast as you make them go . 

Now im not saying some new young rider with just his cbt/das under him should pop out and buy a R1 etc but with the right training it should n0t be an issue to buy something bigger .
To many people are frightned by bigger bikes and there often safer and easier to ride than some of the smaller bikes .

Im sure i will get flamed but thats my opinion and i think if yer safe and responsible and take proper training the choice is yours !

Snaggle 

[motobiker]

Well im gonna buck the trend and say ... BUY what you want !!  now what other people think you should buy !!

Newer modern sportsbikes are safer handle better brake better have more modern tyres and safer than alot of budget or older bikes .

Tbh i think if yer confident and take proper training i see no problem with buying any of the sport 600's or even 1000cc bikes . .

At the end of the day the throttle goes both ways and there only as fast as you make them go . 

Now im not saying some new young rider with just his cbt/das under him should pop out and buy a R1 etc but with the right training it should n0t be an issue to buy something bigger .
To many people are frightned by bigger bikes and there often safer and easier to ride than some of the smaller bikes .

Im sure i will get flamed but thats my opinion and i think if yer safe and responsible and take proper training the choice is yours !

Snaggle 

thats what I said way back in the dark ages of this thread.. I certainly dont consider myself arrogant enough to say to a COMPLETE STRANGER - that bike is wrong for you!!

its just plain nonsense.

A very good friend of mine passed his test on a CG125 then went out and bought a brand new R6 - took extra training. has done numerous track days and has had an absolute ball... not long back from a 4,000 mile jaunt to Hungary and back.

if he had read this thread... would he have bought the R6? who knows??? it wouldn't have been much of an encouragement - would it.

[Skynet-T800]

I would like to get myself an R6 when I pass.

The main reason apart from the looks of them is I dont want to be buying another bike after a year or 2 I want something I can enjoy longer without the old I wish it had a bit more of something, weather it be brakes or handling or whatever.

Im not a crazy die nutter, so the power wont be a problem for me, my instructor will train me on how to use the R6 also which will be great.

If you respect the road and machine the only other worry is the other users of the road!!

[Philie]

I was wondering what you guys think of the the little 250 ninja? Any good for a first bike?

[qwakers]

excellent in fact.

[Paxovasa]

I think it will be a great first big (ish) bike

[malccy]

For a first bike after passing DAS which bike with fairings would be best - sorry if repeating whats already been asked.

[richierambler]

Took my CBT then DAS within a short space of time and picked up a fully faired FZ6 Fazer straight away.  Great choice as a first bike in my opinion, and she is a looker.

That said, after a month or so of regular riding and commuting about 1000 miles, I could see how people become quickly used to the power of bikes like this and want something bigger.  I would be perfectly comfortable on a much larger and more powerful machine already and will be hunting for a FZ1 or VFR800 before too long.

[pete1982]

Took my CBT then DAS within a short space of time and picked up a fully faired FZ6 Fazer straight away.  Great choice as a first bike in my opinion, and she is a looker.

That said, after a month or so of regular riding and commuting about 1000 miles, I could see how people become quickly used to the power of bikes like this and want something bigger.  I would be perfectly comfortable on a much larger and more powerful machine already and will be hunting for a FZ1 or VFR800 before too long.

i got a 600 bandit for my first bike and thats exactly how i feel, as soon as i got on the motorway i wished i had fairing, now im used to the power and would like something more sporty to have fun on, still cant ride for sh*t tho lol

[doughboy_og]

What about the ZXR750? It seems to be right between the line most of you draw for suitable and unsuitable.

[pete1982]

ive only got about 6 months riding xp n im bored with the bandit already so ive just bort an 02 plate ninja, i think that will last me a couple of years b4 getting an r1

[Paxovasa]

ive only got about 6 months riding xp n im bored with the bandit already so ive just bort an 02 plate ninja, i think that will last me a couple of years b4 getting an r1

Bored with a bandit you must not be riding it properly

[Loopy_lis]

Soooo useful especially as im starting out!!
Thanks!!!!

[mikeyp]

Im not a crazy die nutter, so the power wont be a problem for me, my instructor will train me on how to use the R6 also which will be great.

If you respect the road and machine the only other worry is the other users of the road!!

You fail to recognise that EVERYONE makes mistakes in their first couple of years in riding a bike. Therefore, what you need is 1) A bike that is less likely to punish you for making a mistake (i.e. those on the SUITABLE list,) and 2) A bike that is cheap to repair. You also seem to be rejecting the forum members' combined experience of hundreds of years riding in favour of your own opinion which from your post is limited to not having passed the test.

I haven't yet dropped a bike in 5 years of riding [touch wood], but that is more because on the bikes I have ridden (started with 100cc, then 250cc, now 800cc) the mistakes I have made have been forgiven as they have not had 140+ bhp at the rear wheel or the precision required by an R6 for example.

[pete1982]

i must admit the bandit is a good learning tool and i know that the mistakes i have made on the bandit i got away with and now riding the ninja i will not b so lucky, u never stop learning no matter how many years u ride and every bike is different, so all i would say really is buy the bike u want n not wot others think u should ride.
my dad has tried to make me get a tourer coz he`s got a goldwing but im not into cruising im into weekend fun so i got the ninja.
anyway Ive not been riding long so take no notice of me

[Skynet-T800]

You fail to recognise that EVERYONE makes mistakes in their first couple of years in riding a bike. Therefore, what you need is 1) A bike that is less likely to punish you for making a mistake (i.e. those on the SUITABLE list,) and 2) A bike that is cheap to repair. You also seem to be rejecting the forum members' combined experience of hundreds of years riding in favour of your own opinion which from your post is limited to not having passed the test.

I haven't yet dropped a bike in 5 years of riding [touch wood], but that is more because on the bikes I have ridden (started with 100cc, then 250cc, now 800cc) the mistakes I have made have been forgiven as they have not had 140+ bhp at the rear wheel or the precision required by an R6 for example.

I understand that people make mistakes, and that we all learn at different levels. I'm happy with my bike and the progress i'm making on it, the throttle/power is what you make it. I like that fact that the power comes in when your already at the legal limit which makes it imo not so bad in general riding form.

Would I recommend it to a newbie? somebody my age 31? yes with no worries

Past my test last year btw.

[Grumble]

SV650s user friendly first bike, can still be a proper tool in more experienced hands.
Just to throw something different into the pot, Sachs 800 Roadster, a bit different, cheap to buy, Suzuki engine so any parts needed should be readily available. IMHO I reckon the softer power delivery of V twins (exotica excepted)make them ideal first 'proper' bikes.
But at the end of the day I would go with what several folk have already said, go and sit on a few, even go to a few bike meets and talk to a few owners.
Whatever you decide upon, good luck and ride safe.

[forsheda]

 Excellent Post, I have seen  first hand how many novice bikers get sucked into buying racing bikes, 900cc+ as their first big bike. One I knew did CBT Monday, Das Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday. Passed DAS Friday and bought 1000cc bike Saturday.Madness. I have a Suzuki bandit 600. It is an excellent first bike,very forgiving to novices especially if you forget what gear your in. As with all things you only get experience by actually doing the time and using the first couple of years after passing DAS as a severe leaning curve.

[Knight30]

my first big bike,which i still have was my vt500,easiest thing i ever drove,not the quickest,enough power to plod along with,shaft driven so no fear of unwanted front wheel hopping,doesn't have enough torque to lift it anyway,in saying that my cb750 should definitely be in the suitable list,easy to handle,plenty of power,and won't get away from you easily,with the right tyres corners quite easily too,even for a heavy steel tube framed bike

[PaulW21781]

Very useful thread

Well my 2 cents...   I got a Bandit 1200 for my first bike (even though it's not really recommended) but its more a me-size bike.  It's brilliant!

I've been riding a CG125 for 14 months prior to getting the bandit, and its a completely different kettle of fish, I've done about 1k miles on it now, and still going.  Had a slight hoo-haa earlier today doing an emergency stop due to some old loon pulling out right in front of me, back end fish tailed a bit but I kept it under control.

I'd agree though, if you're new to riding (ie, CBT followed directly by DAS) then the 600 would be a better bike, but I don't regret jumping on the bigger brother of the 600.  Very good bike, handles well, and still quite forgiving for any little mistakes you may make!

[DoktorMandrake]

In my opinion, if you want to learn to ride a sports bike and you're short enough to ride one then the 400 greys are wicked for a first bike.