What size (cc) bike did you start out on? - Page 7

dreaded · 11-19-2008, 06:15 PM

Flawed poll options: 600's

600's should be broken into several categeories. At the very least 600ss and 600.

JoshuaTree · 11-19-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebelung

So for the most part, we all preach "start small!" to new riders, and yet, many of us didn't do this ourselves.

So what size was your first STREET bike (knowing many people started out on dirtbikes)? '89 EX500
Was it an I4 or a Twin? 180 Degree Parallel Twin
Did you have previous experience (i.e. with dirtbikes)? No previous riding experience at all
If you started on something "bigger," do you think it hurt your development as a rider or do you wish you'd started smaller? As I started riding 'later in life' (i.e. as a thirty-something), this was a good beginner's bike for me.

The 'correct' beginner's bike is one that should match your own ability to know your limits, accept them, and stay within them. That said, 'modern' supersports bikes are too sophisticated - they mask basic handling errors, and are too subtle with feedback that you won't recognize as a warning until its too late. If I had started on my old Falco, I know I would have wound up in the hospital on more than one occasion...

Particle Man · 11-19-2008, 09:34 PM

my first few rides were on a POS nameless bike that was less than 100cc. After that, I rode on a 250 for a while and then did the majority of my learning on an old Honda Shadow (smallest one they made

)

R1up0n1 · 11-19-2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

650 Evil Twin, I was fine with it.

me too.

ericr · 11-20-2008, 12:08 AM

I started on the street with a Honda V65 Magna, 1100 V-4

yeah, I shoulda started smaller but I thought I knew how to ride.

In my defense, I started on a Honda Trail 50 when I was 5th or 6th grade, YZ 85, and 125 into my early teens, and was smart enough to not get a street bike while in my 20's. I knew better.

I was 32 when I bought the V65 and yeah, I was mature, but I still had a few close calls on it the first couple months. It was my favorite bike in the 80's when they came out and I found a sweet used one in 98 so I jumped at it. It was a handful at times and after 10 yrs on the street i would never recommend that anyone make a leap like that after not riding anything for so many years. i was smart enough to realize early on i needed to be real careful on that bike and luck played a small part too.

I ride a VTX 1800 now and it's for sale so I can get an FZ1 next

Antwanny · 11-20-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itgirl

i seriously started my street riding on a yamaha YSR50 (doesn't get much smaller than that). i'd be way too embarrassed for that today, but back when i was 17 i thought i was the shit, just because i had a bike. that was followed by 2-250s before the 636. all that and i was still scared as hell the day i took the 636 home.

(i also had the chrome special edition honda Z50 as a kid and a KDX 80 as well, so i have a dirtbike background)

I would kill for a ysr

First ride was a Honda trail 90 then a ttr 125(goat first bike)
________
BMW R75 HISTORY
________
WEED

Krabill · 11-20-2008, 09:55 AM

50cc, 80cc, 125cc, 270cc, 280cc, 650cc. Been riding for almost 30 years and still haven't made it past 650cc's.

Bluestreak · 11-20-2008, 10:42 AM

I put a lot of miles on a Kawi 500R before I upgraded to the 600SS. Best decision I ever made.

Cruzergirl · 11-20-2008, 11:41 AM

V-Star 1100 Silverado. Great bike. Low center. Balanced. Why oh why did I ever sell that bike...

MILK · 11-20-2008, 12:27 PM

250 Honda Rebel. Only other experience was taking the MSF course. I am on the fence as to whether or not I wish I'd started on something bigger. I mean, I WANTED something bigger 2 weeks after buying the thing. Should I have? Probably not... As it was I kept it a year or so then bought the VFR. Worked out ok I suppose!

View Poll Results: What size (cc's) was your first street bike?
125	2	2.22%
250	12	13.33%
500	12	13.33%
600	28	31.11%
650	8	8.89%
750	4	4.44%
800	4	4.44%
900	3	3.33%
1000 or bigger	9	10.00%
Other	8	8.89%
Voters: 90. You may not vote on this poll

11-19-2008, 09:34 PM	#63
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	my first few rides were on a POS nameless bike that was less than 100cc. After that, I rode on a 250 for a while and then did the majority of my learning on an old Honda Shadow (smallest one they made ) __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

11-20-2008, 10:42 AM	#68
Bluestreak What? Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lancaster, PA Moto: Dirt Posts: 578	I put a lot of miles on a Kawi 500R before I upgraded to the 600SS. Best decision I ever made. __________________ Lean till you see sparks. If they are coming from your pegs you are doing good. If they are coming from you tank, you've just gained wisdom... Wisdom usually hurts.

11-19-2008, 06:15 PM	#61
dreaded Unregisturd Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Angels Moto: CBR1k DRZsm Posts: 56	Flawed poll options: 600's 600's should be broken into several categeories. At the very least 600ss and 600.

11-20-2008, 09:55 AM	#67
Krabill WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Moto: 08 WR250R, 12 XTZ1200 Posts: 558	50cc, 80cc, 125cc, 270cc, 280cc, 650cc. Been riding for almost 30 years and still haven't made it past 650cc's.

11-20-2008, 11:41 AM	#69
Cruzergirl Its a good day. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pace, FL Moto: Victory Kingpin Low Posts: 951	V-Star 1100 Silverado. Great bike. Low center. Balanced. Why oh why did I ever sell that bike...

11-20-2008, 12:27 PM	#70
MILK The cows want you dead. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,087	250 Honda Rebel. Only other experience was taking the MSF course. I am on the fence as to whether or not I wish I'd started on something bigger. I mean, I WANTED something bigger 2 weeks after buying the thing. Should I have? Probably not... As it was I kept it a year or so then bought the VFR. Worked out ok I suppose!