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Seriously, is it too much bike?

6K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  solo  
#1 ·
You hear all the time that the Japanese liter bikes are too much bike for a beginner. I don't doubt that. But what is it that makes it bad for the beginner? What makes it ok for experienced riders?

Is it squidly riding that makes it unsafe? If a beginner rides sanely and an expert rides at the limit, won't the expert get spanked? A beginner who understands that he is a beginner and that this is a powerful bike would probably be ok. Right? A beginner is more likely to be paying attention and cautious. I've read that more accidents occur during the 3rd year of riding than in the 1st because riders get too confident. The R1 is unforgiving but only when ridden hard.

Basically, is the problem with riding experience or is it simply with the way the bike is ridden?
 
#3 ·
I get what you mean. There are a lot of situations that can be corrected if you have experience. Head shake, coming in to a corner too hot, etc. There is also the temptation to crank the throttle to see what will happen. Its the same bike vs rider question. Is the bike dangerous or is the rider?
 
#4 ·
doesn't riding experience change the way you are riding the bike, SmokeEater?

I think a lot of newbies who pick a "liter bike" as first bike ever, has a very ... I don't know how to put it... but I don't think they're as relaxed on the bike as a rider with a couple of years of experience on other smaller bikes (which are more forgiving and can sometimes be forced out of... 'out-of-control'). They tend to do moves systematically/mechanically instead letting the bike do most of the work.

I NEVER advice a newbie (someone who has never ridden a bike before or has VERY little experience) to get a large bike as the R1. I think that's not the correct way of learning how to ride and be(come) a safe rider.
 
#5 ·
I agree - with big(fast) bikes little problems turn into big problems really fast, too fast for someone who has little or no experience. When those things happen to an experienced rider, he handles it with that experience, and a newbie has to get lucky:error
 
#6 ·
I pretty much agree with everyone. Things happen so fast on big bike you can really get wrapped up in a hurry! When I went to my 96 GSX-R 750 from a 93 ZX-6 I thought I was the man! First ride out however I went to a familiar stretch of twisty road and almost killed myself, twice , due to entering corners wayyyyyyy to hot. I geuss you just don't realize how much acceleration these things have, and unless your really good with your brakes problems may develop.:eek: Just my 2 cents worth however.

P.J.
 
#8 ·
Swedie - I think you are talking about rhythm or flow. Newbies just don't have it. Neither do Harley riders. It definately comes with sport bike experience. When you go to a track and see someone who can really ride. Its not the speed that impresses, its they way they ride; the graceful transitions from corner to corner.

"doesn't riding experience change the way you are riding the bike, SmokeEater?"

For me? Yes, it did. I got into far more trouble on my CB750F. I'm not sure if its experience or simply maturing and realizing your mortality. Maybe its not riding experience but the experiences of seeing people crash enough times. I have friends my age, late thirties, who still get into trouble on their 600's. They just haven't wised up yet. Still squids. With them its not the bike, its the rider. Would they be more dangerous on a R1? Maybe, but you can still do 150 on an F3. I will concede that while torque is fun, it can be your enemy if you don't respect it.

Now, I do think that riding 600's will make you a better rider. All that reving and shifting is a good teacher.
 
#10 ·
As a born again I say..................

Now I would most def recommend a smaller bike to a newb. They just miss out on too much due to the fear factor of the literbikes. And as I myself proved not too long ago , inexpierience can cause a little problem to be a huge problem really quick .


Solidus,
still skerd.
 
#13 ·
Personally i had a ex500 as a first bike, then a cbr600F3, then a cbr900RR, now the R1.

I have several friends who started out on 'liter bikes' , just last season my friend started on a 929. Now for him it wasn't a problem, specifically because he is a cautious person who doesn't push his luck. Me, i'm a dumbass on a bike, if i had initially bought a liter bike, i would now be dead. That i'm sure of.

It all depends on the person.
 
#14 ·
I have to agree with Bjorn.

I started off 2 years ago on a GSXR 750 1989, and I had not one problem with it... The last owner was very fearfull that he just signed over to me a death wish seeing how I was 16 and 145lbs
:lol .

But then again, a good friend of mine who was 23 when he purchased a 92 ZX6 last year comepletely trashed the bike not even a week later becasue he thought his balls were bigger than the bikes... :no

My riding in the first month I was a shivering bitch
:boobies I must say... but that wasnt becasue of the size of the bike ,,, I was shaking in my boots when I was riding the motorcycle safty foundation bikes... and they were only 250 marauders...

It really comes down to willpower in my opinion... if you can handle the size and riding position of the litter bikes then hey go for it.
And of course ,,, if you wack the throttle open prematurely before you ready to handle the shock,,, well the same thing is goin to happen when you get a little too big for your experience in bed with your first lady... your gonna go down in a hurry and there will be most definatly someone really dissipointed in your lack of "Skill"...:lol
Fellaz you know what im talkin bout now!