1st bike opinions

[posnick]

So my son got his bike license. 21....has never road a dirt bike even. Just toys with 4 wheels. Now hes shopping. Wants a Honda CBR 600. Sounds like a lot of power for a new rider. He will be driving on the highway lots as well as in town. He is somewhat reserved on the quads etc so I think he will be on the bike as well. Any comments on the 600 as a first bike?

Cheers

 

[neilsleder]

If he knows throttle control he will be fine! It's a bike that will last him for a long time. He won't need to upgrade next year this way.

 

[DRD]

Lotta bike for a new rider IMO, 100 mph in a short time.

 

[the_real_wild1]

All depends on him and what goes through his brain.

 

[posnick]

He has been reserved on the offroad toys and dosnt go balls to the wall. Im hoping he can control himself on the bike as well. I have rode crotch rockets in the past and remember cat walking at 175 no problem.

 

[arff]

Crotch rockets he will have to be careful. Not the engine size it's more the throttle control.

 

[Bnorth]

I have had a number of friends start on the Ninja 650 before moving to a 600 sportbike. It has sportbike styling but a milder twin cylinder motor. They seem to get two season out of it as new riders before moving up to the sportier 600. Haven't ridden one myself though.

 

[drew562]

It's not the bike that gets you most times. It's lane postion. Or Speeding through green lights and people turning left in front of you. Or stopping in traffic and dip****s skidding up behind you. Another good one is junk on the roads. Keeping your Guard up at all times and quick thinking is required. There is so much more to a bike than being able to ride it. You almost have to be a future teller while in traffic.

 

[Stg2Suby]

Sounds like he has throttle control and common sense so I wouldn't be too concerned about finding a lower powered machine. A riding course for low speed maneuvering and learning to get on the brakes with confidence would be good.

 

[deaner]

My first streetbike was a 600 crotch rocket as well. They are fast if you want them to be, but they arent crazy by any means. Like Drew said, its more about extreme defensive driving than anything to stay safe on a bike. You always have to assume that other people dont see you. Will save your life.

 

[Crazy8]

These are great learner bikes and have the look of a crotch rocket but a 500cc air cooled twin. Only weighs about 300lbs and actually goes pretty good.
And, it's for sale.

 

[fj40]

A CBR 600 has a lot of power for a new rider and not the greatest riding position to get use to the traffic
I would go with a 650 or even a 300 still enough power to get you out of trouble with a more upright riding position
Most new rider get a different bike after 2 year any ways so he will probably move up to something different
Sport bikes don't hold their value very good. Most used 600 have been bagged also check the insurance cost on them compared to the other bikes
My insurance company I have my house and other cars would not even cover my zx14

 

[2010m8]

I started on an Yamaha fz07. Never rode a bike beside the odd dirk bike. Won't have to worry about going to fast as it doesn't to well on top end speed. It's meant for around town and hiway cruising. But if need be will keep up to and crotch rocket until you get above 160. And the they are pretty cheap brand new. Can pick up at brand new one for less then 7k. And insurance is cheaper then super sports.

 

[C of Red]

The folks here who stated it depends on the person are right. All bikes can get you in trouble real quick if you're not responsible. Problem with young folks (myself included back in the day), you are responsible around you're parents but when that young lady you want to impress is there... are you still?

That being said, my first bike was a R1. Sure glad I bought that bike rather than a small one. If I would have bought a R3 I never would have rode it a full season, a R6 I would have made one year. That R1 was awesome, you just need to use your head and respect it a little more than the smaller bikes. If I was doing it again I'd buy the litre bike again but get a beginner track day (area27 in Oliver, or Edmonton) and get used to the bike without having to worry about traffic or gravel.

Its sort of the same argument as buying a young person a new sled. Do you get the 600 or the 800. I believe most folks end up 800. Both can get you in deep sh!t.

 

[nathan#19]

My first bike was a cbr 600. Great starter bike. I shifted at 4 or 5000 rpm the first year and thought it was so easy to ride and almost felt under powered... then I tried going up to 10 or 12,000 rpm.... it scared me and I think I almost slid off the back. Haha. I was told insurance jumps on anything over 600cc.
Find a nice used one and save the depreciation.

 

[Big Jon]

Do a course. Get info on CTEC and go from there.

 

[posnick]

Thx for all tips everyone. Looks like we have narrowed it down to a few bikes. He has already taken the course

 

[TylerG]

Thx for all tips everyone. Looks like we have narrowed it down to a few bikes. He has already taken the course

the real question is, will his dad be getting a bike to follow him around on?

 

[Rene G]

Thx for all tips everyone. Looks like we have narrowed it down to a few bikes. He has already taken the course

What are the finalists?

 

[posnick]

Thought about it but I have better places to spend 10K than on a street bike

the real question is, will his dad be getting a bike to follow him around on?