Confused and a bit worried

Hi , I am new to motorcycles and have a few questions. I have never riden a motorcycle before but I was told that a 600 would be a good bike to get. However I was also told the complete opposite by just as many people and riders. I am taking a course next week to get my motorccle licence.The only problem is that thebikes at the course are not sport bikes.How different is riding a sport bike from a regualr motorcycle?When I buy my bike I won't get a chance to test it first. I would appreciate any adice I can get.I really want a 600 but I don't want to get myself killed on the way home after buying it.


Edit: I'm not sure how much this matters but I 'm not a very big person. Just 5' 8" 120 lbs.

Hello! Welcome to the forum.
First off, good question. I started riding on a 1981 Yamaha 650 cruiser. I thought it was fast. Then i got my license on it, and bought a 1998 f3 a few months later. The difference in power is just amazing. Rip it up through 3rd gear and your already doing over 100mph in less than 5 or 6 seconds i would say.
I say, do not get a newer bike as your first because you WILL go down, most new sport bike riders go down within the first year of riding, i did and im lucky to live through it, have a few nice scars to remember. But i did not respect the bike and its power.  (im 5'10, 135lbs, so it doesnt take much to get me moving) I rebuilt it and was back riding before the stitches were even out. I havent stopped riding since.
 
If you get a 600 cbr. i recommend an f2,f3,f4, or an early f4i. Theres plenty of parts if you wreck. I wouldnt spend over 4k on your first either. Before you even think about riding, get gear! at least a leather jacket, good gloves, and a helmet. Never even think about getting on your bike without any of the forementioned equipment. It would have saved me from lots of pain and injury.
 
When you get your bike, take it easy there killer. Dont rip on it, not even once. Shift at a low rpm(7kish) And just keep in mind what you are doing and what everyone around you is doing. Drive like everyone is out to get you. NEVER assume they will stop for you, or see you. Pretend you are invisible to everyone else.
 
If you need any more advice, feel free to PM me.
Good Luck, and stay safe out there.

I wasn't planning on buying a new bike.I have assumed that I will drop the bike at some point( I have been told this by many riders). I'm not looking forward to droping the bike or seeing the damage but I guess its something that will probably happen. There are two main reasons fopr me getting the bike.The first is so I can save money(gas).The second  is I live in Daytona Beach and I love bike week. I have always wanted to be a part of it.I'm not planning on stunting or going very fast. I see your about my size which is good because I thought I might be to small to ride.Under 4k sounds about right because my father is cosigning for me and I doubt he would sign for anything above 4. Thanks for the info.

quote:

ORIGINAL: redzintimidator

Hello! Welcome to the forum.
First off, good question. I started riding on a 1981 Yamaha 650 cruiser. I thought it was fast. Then i got my license on it, and bought a 1998 f3 a few months later. The difference in power is just amazing. Rip it up through 3rd gear and your already doing over 100mph in less than 5 or 6 seconds i would say.
I say, do not get a newer bike as your first because you WILL go down, most new sport bike riders go down within the first year of riding, i did and im lucky to live through it, have a few nice scars to remember. But i did not respect the bike and its power.  (im 5'10, 135lbs, so it doesnt take much to get me moving) I rebuilt it and was back riding before the stitches were even out. I havent stopped riding since.

If you get a 600 cbr. i recommend an f2,f3,f4, or an early f4i. Theres plenty of parts if you wreck. I wouldnt spend over 4k on your first either. Before you even think about riding, get gear! at least a leather jacket, good gloves, and a helmet. Never even think about getting on your bike without any of the forementioned equipment. It would have saved me from lots of pain and injury.

When you get your bike, take it easy there killer. Dont rip on it, not even once. Shift at a low rpm(7kish) And just keep in mind what you are doing and what everyone around you is doing. Drive like everyone is out to get you. NEVER assume they will stop for you, or see you. Pretend you are invisible to everyone else.

If you need any more advice, feel free to PM me.
Good Luck, and stay safe out there.

That's a great post Justin :-) ... also as to whether to go for a 600 or something smaller?? .. I think it depends on your self control ..yes a 600 can move at a very respectable pace especially up near the top end it's comparable with a lot of bigger bikes ...but down below at sensible revs say under 6-7K they are a pussy cat and totally user friendly ...
Oh and don't look at the blackside .. coming off a sports bike is not alwasy inevitable ... I have never come off mine in ten years ..  I have had it fall  on me twice though *ouch* ..lol

Jules