i plan on getting an r1 when i finish school ,but in the meantime i was wondering on what would be a good beginner's bike.
thanks:finger

'93 CBR 600 F2. That was my 1st real sportbike (Katana's don't count). Rode it for 5 years. Learned everything I needed to know on that bike, the good and the bad.

thanks ill keep that in mind:yesnod do you know what other years the f2 ran until?

my first bike was a scooter :confused:
really it was, then i got a kwacker ex500, then i had a long layoff and got a yammer R6 in '99, now i gots an R1, so you see the progression there? start small and work your way up, any 600cc should suffice, save the 750s and liter bikes for when youre all growed up;)

I'd agree CBR 600's are good bikes..The F2 ran from 91-94 then it became the F3. The F3's got ram air and the newer you go they better the suspension. If you're on a budget the original CBR 600's From 87-90 were also good. I had a 92 F2 it worked great. Good Speed Good handling, reliable as anything and pulled the women in.

Dukes of Hazzard Big Wheel with the optional brake lever in the rear for cool spinouts.:thumbup

My first bike is the 02 R1 i'm picking up on Tuesday. ;)

Alan

ouch

definatly wouldn't recomend an R1 as anyones first ever street bike!!:fact

You might want to order an extra set of body work!:rock

Whoohooo FrameSliders!!!

my first was also a ninja 500, but i outgrew that within 2 months. then i started riding my friend's 929 every now and then, and i just couldn't go back. i've had my 02 r1 for 2 months now and i don't regret any second of buying it sooner than an r6. i do know that i sure as hell would have wrecked if i hadn't had the 500 experience first, though..

Yamaha FZR 600

Look for a bike that it would not really bother you (financially or emotionally) if it fell over or was totaled. Bikes are somewhat disposable. I think it is easier to learn on a sportbike because the controls are responsive to your actions. I would recommend an early to mid 90s 600. If you are going to take any advice: Enroll in the MSF class. It may save your life.

I have a Ninja 500 for sale. It is a great beginner bike. My sister learned on it. If you want to know about it let me know. $3000 or best offer

my first was(and still is) an 88 cbr 600. it was cheap and i would call it a real rocket. i wouldnt go any bigger than 600 4 starters. do stunts on yer first beater to get yer skills up because its not really that big a deal if u lay it down, but if i layed an R1 down i think i would cry 4 real.oh and that guy newz (the guy that is getting an r1 4 his starter bike) he is gonna lay it down coming out of a turn. hes gonna hit the gas before he is straight and either spin out or do a cock eyed wheelie and crash! i can see it happening in my head right now. i hope he doesnt hurt that R1 too bad!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:

My first bike was a 50cc honda, then a 250 honda, later a couple of suzuki GS500 and a Yamaha XJ600 and finally to an R1. I would recommend everybody take a MSF course and wait until you have at least 3 to 5 years of experience before getting something like an R1.
If you just can't wait and need an R1 as your first bike please pick out a matching coffin and will me the salvage rights to your bike.:fact

gogo....

if you are healthy, active, and a quick learner, then the way to go is the YZF600-R. it is a sweet bike and has plenty of beginner's performance. the weight is not bad at all. you should be able to handle it as well.

go to the yamaha website and look it up under sportbikes. it is not a beast like the R1. you may require a few years of riding before hopping on this buckin' bronco.

RIDE SAFE!

-vmr1

I would definitaly have to say that F3 are pretty good started bikes...

600 for sure

i had 98 smoking joe's for first bike and hell first week it felt like im on real rocket, well after 1 month of owing cbr i traded it for my 98 R1. Now, i've had like 5 years riding on the street before ( back home). 50cc, 125cc, 175, 350, 600 and now R1.

This is my first post on this site, so please bear with me (and try not to flame me too bad if this topic has been covered before)...

I'm really considering picking up a '02 Silver R1 in the very near future as basically my first street bike, and was wondering if you guys can offer me any advice one way or another given my related background.

I think the most important thing on my "resume" here is that I've raced motocross for the past 6+ years. I won the New England (NESC) 250cc Amateur Motocross Championship in 2000, and got my AMA Pro license last year.

I worked at one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in New England (Brockton Cycle Center) for about 5 years, meaning that I've seen and heard firsthand what kind of damage an inexperienced rider can do to a bike...and themselves. Along that same train of thought, I just finished grad school last week at WPI and will be getting my masters in fire protection engineering in a few weeks...meaning that I have a pretty good head on my shoulders.

Above I said the R1 was basically my first bike, because the only streetbike I've ever owned myself was a 87 Hurricane 600 salvage bike that I bought cheap, somewhat fixed up, and rode around for a few weeks before selling it for a marginal profit. I also rode my buddy's 98 CBR9 a few times last summer, and felt pretty comfortable all things considered.

And one other thing that is slightly relevant is that my daily driver is a 2000 Ford Lightning (12.9@106.8), meaning that I'm addicted to speed and adrenaline in just about any form (2 wheels, 4 wheels, dirt, pavement or water).

If you're still with me after all of that above, what I'm wondering is:

Do you think I'm insane to want to jump right on an 02 R1, and more importantly, will I atleast survive the summer (jk).

Thanks. Later...

GK

Hey MXRacer,

I wouldn't go a far as calling you 'insane,' but I don't reccommend the R1 as your first sportbike. If I were you I'd start with a 600cc. An R6 or F4 would be ideal. Most would agree here that the R1 can be a handful if you get yourself into a little trouble. It won't be as forgiving as a 600. I'd start small first (not that a 600 is really that small) and work your way up.