Motorcycle.com

southernbelle · 10-11-2011, 12:13 PM

I am about to take the written test for a motorcycle license this week. I have been looking at bikes and I really love the style of the CBR600RR and the R6. I know these are pretty powerful bikes but I know several people that started out on these bikes. I drive a 5 speed Mustang so I at least have that learning curve out of the way. I'm an athletic female for the most part but don't want an extremely heavy bike. What motorcycle would be good for someone like me to start out on?

The Spaceman · 10-11-2011, 12:18 PM

Nobody here is going to endorse a CBR600RR or R6 for a noob.
If you want a sportbike and feel a 250 isn't going to cut it, try an SV 650 or a Ninja 500.

pushrod · 10-11-2011, 02:04 PM

"I drive a 5 speed Mustang so I at least have that learning curve out of the way."

Wait just a bit longer. As Yoda would say, 'Learn, you must'. You'll soon find out that a 5-speed 'Stang and a motorcycle have almost nothing in common, other than they both burn gasoline, require oil changes, and need the proper amount of air in their tires.

"Athletic" doesn't help much. You are not going to pick up a 400+ pound bike when it starts to fall. Few people can. Just get the heck out of the way, then pick it up when it quits moving.

Kinda like a big buddy of mine years back that liked tequila. A lot.

Anyhow, to (sort of) answer your question, I'd suggest you pack a lunch, and pull up the 'New Rider' thread. It's only 500 posts or so. Oodles and gobs of good information there. On bikes and gear.

Welcome to the site!

trenttheuncatchable · 10-11-2011, 02:26 PM

Read the New Rider sticky. Take the MSF BRC course.

A good bike to start out on is a used Ninja 250. Ride that for at least six months, and then sell it and get something else. It isn't what you want to hear, but it's the best advice you'll get.

seruzawa · 10-11-2011, 07:12 PM

While MOST people who start out on a CBR600 survive the process the fact remains (and insurance rates bear this out) the survival rate is much lower than starting out on a KLX250.

And styling is not that important. You might spend a big pile of money on a CBR and decide you hate it. Start out on something smaller and used and get a year's experience. You might decide you'd prefer a Ducati696 or an Adventure tourer.

My point is you probably really don't know what you want yet. Experience will tell you.

10-11-2011, 12:13 PM	#1
southernbelle Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: OH Posts: 1	First Motorcycle I am about to take the written test for a motorcycle license this week. I have been looking at bikes and I really love the style of the CBR600RR and the R6. I know these are pretty powerful bikes but I know several people that started out on these bikes. I drive a 5 speed Mustang so I at least have that learning curve out of the way. I'm an athletic female for the most part but don't want an extremely heavy bike. What motorcycle would be good for someone like me to start out on?

10-11-2011, 12:18 PM	#2
The Spaceman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,352	Nobody here is going to endorse a CBR600RR or R6 for a noob. If you want a sportbike and feel a 250 isn't going to cut it, try an SV 650 or a Ninja 500. __________________ The Texas DOT has announced that: "Traffic accidents are caused by skid marks." The state DOT researchers found and documented a near-100% correlation between traffic accidents and skid marks. "Wherever we find these cars colliding," he explained, "we also find these skid marks."

10-11-2011, 02:04 PM	#3
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	"I drive a 5 speed Mustang so I at least have that learning curve out of the way." Wait just a bit longer. As Yoda would say, 'Learn, you must'. You'll soon find out that a 5-speed 'Stang and a motorcycle have almost nothing in common, other than they both burn gasoline, require oil changes, and need the proper amount of air in their tires. "Athletic" doesn't help much. You are not going to pick up a 400+ pound bike when it starts to fall. Few people can. Just get the heck out of the way, then pick it up when it quits moving. Kinda like a big buddy of mine years back that liked tequila. A lot. Anyhow, to (sort of) answer your question, I'd suggest you pack a lunch, and pull up the 'New Rider' thread. It's only 500 posts or so. Oodles and gobs of good information there. On bikes and gear. Welcome to the site! __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

10-11-2011, 07:12 PM	#5
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	While MOST people who start out on a CBR600 survive the process the fact remains (and insurance rates bear this out) the survival rate is much lower than starting out on a KLX250. And styling is not that important. You might spend a big pile of money on a CBR and decide you hate it. Start out on something smaller and used and get a year's experience. You might decide you'd prefer a Ducati696 or an Adventure tourer. My point is you probably really don't know what you want yet. Experience will tell you. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

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10-11-2011, 02:26 PM	#4
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 834	Read the New Rider sticky. Take the MSF BRC course. A good bike to start out on is a used Ninja 250. Ride that for at least six months, and then sell it and get something else. It isn't what you want to hear, but it's the best advice you'll get.