The dos and don'ts of lowering your bike to fit you.

I found some helpful links on Sport Riders web site and thought I'd like to them to answer some of the questions that get asked often

nice, now maybe we can add some links about n00bs gettting a 600RR as a starter bike.....

quote:

ORIGINAL: rrasco

nice, now maybe we can add some links about n00bs gettting a 600RR as a starter bike.....

+1 - I'll toast to that.

What's wrong w/ getting a 600RR as a starter? I did that in 03 and no problems here.
Still happy w/ it, and didn't go down b/c of too much power...
I want the new 600RR now

i bought a 600 f4i as my starter bike and im doing fine. if you dont respect the bike you shouldnt be on one in the first place no mater what size it is.

quote:

ORIGINAL: jokerschild275

i bought a 600 f4i as my starter bike and im doing fine. if you dont respect the bike you shouldnt be on one in the first place no mater what size it is.

Totally agree! I started out with an R1, simply because i really fell in love with that bike! It was in 1998, so the bike was really advanced compared to the others...

You guys need a 900RR to start off with.....

i started with a 900 rr and i loved it heavy and powerful - you just have to respect whats under you and ride to your limits <--always pushing that is!

people are just haters of the fact that some starter bikes are better than their bikes they ride 4 years into riding m0torcycles

Want to know if a F3 rear shock will fit on a F1?

That was not a bad read.  I'll just leave my bike high and lean over just a bit at stops.

too all the guys/gals that started on a 600+ and had no problems. You are like 1%, the other 99% crashed/died/or are crippled.

And its not hating, its common sense to start small n work you way up. I would almost bet that a rider that started on a 250 n worked his way up to the bike he wanted can out ride 99% of those who started out on a 1k.

i'm not tryin to start an arguement but for most people a 250 is stupid i know for me a 600rr was the perfect starter bike.. i know for some people they might need a 250 but some have more natural riding ability and are more capable of handling the bike, and 1k's where i live are nowhere near as fun to ride as a 600 so i don't think i'll ever step up to the big bikes... .but thats my opinion  i know some of you guys will say something

I started on an F4i and have owned a couple of 600's, 1000's, and a Busa with no problems. I have a friend who started on a Busa (retarded yes) but he's done great. Personally I wouldn't be caught dead on a 250 just my .02

quote:

ORIGINAL: PlayfulGod

too all the guys/gals that started on a 600+ and had no problems. You are like 1%, the other 99% crashed/died/or are crippled.

And its not hating, its common sense to start small n work you way up. I would almost bet that a rider that started on a 250 n worked his way up to the bike he wanted can out ride 99% of those who started out on a 1k.

 
 
lmao...yeah 99% probably have crash but nothing other than that. You make it sound like everyone that's started out on a 600 has been seriously injured or died.....that's not even the case. Yeah crashing is part of learning but nothing more than road rash....and once you do it you know your limits. I personally haven't crashed and i started out on a 600....and honestly i wouldn't recommend anyone start out on anything smaller just because once you move up, u have to get use to a completely different bike.

Well here is my .02 if you feel comfortable riding a smaler bike, ride it. For me I have an 06 1k, my wife just ordered her 08 250r which is going to be a learning bike for her there is nothing wrong with going with smaller ones it just how the comfortable the rider feels. We are not all road racers, some of us just like to get out enjoy the ride so what if we ride smaller bikes just enjoy it.

I started on a 1k cause of my size I would have bought the 600 and before too long I would have wanted a 1k. Also I sat on a 600 and I was not as comfy for me at my size as the 1k. Now my bike did get lowerd a little but that is because I has the bike stretched. When you stretch a bike Almost always you have to lower it a little otherwise it kinda looks like it is bowing up in the middle. After I got it stretched and lowered I have to admit I love the feel of my bike now.

I just purchased an 05 600rr. This will be my first bike. I have not had a chance to ride it, mainly because i live in Michigan. Any tips for a new rider?

I started out on a viper bike and did a double back flip the first time i tried

funny how a lowered bike thread ends up becoming an argument on what bike you started on and why it is or isnt stupid.....

I got my bike(600RR) lowered when I bought it last week (cause it is just not made for 5'2), I just want to comment on how i think it is stupid that Honda did not think about the fact that the thing sits straight up after being lowered 2"!! They delivered it to me, and said, "Hey you should keep that in the garage or not out on a windy day till you get the kickstand cut down." What??  They didn't even know where to send me to to have it done. Luckily my husbands Harley dealership did have some advise, and we got it doen from some guy for $30.
 
Oh, and about starting out on a 600. I felt pretty intimidated until I had it lowered, but I didn't ride it till I did. I feel really good on it coming from a HD Sportster, since it weighed like 7 or 800lbs I believe. I can't wait till the weather gets better, and I can really take her out and ride her!!! Only been able to take her out 3 or 4 times so far. Kinda hard to get out when you have small kids.

The NUMBER ONE reason to start small is to improve your skill level and be safe. Think about it, anybody can go fast on engine alone, say a 600 vs a 250. But if you start small and improve your skill enough to make that 250 keep up with the guy on the 600, once you get ready for the 600 you'll be able to leave squid boy in the dust. Then of course he'll buy a 1000 and when you improve your skill enough on the 600 to stay with the litre bike, and actually buy a 1000, you'll be BY FAR the superior rider. It's just common sense.  Sorry about being off topic but I had to say something... 

quote:

ORIGINAL: matt_m427

The NUMBER ONE reason to start small is to improve your skill level and be safe. Think about it, anybody can go fast on engine alone, say a 600 vs a 250. But if you start small and improve your skill enough to make that 250 keep up with the guy on the 600, once you get ready for the 600 you'll be able to leave squid boy in the dust. Then of course he'll buy a 1000 and when you improve your skill enough on the 600 to stay with the litre bike, and actually buy a 1000, you'll be BY FAR the superior rider. It's just common sense.  Sorry about being off topic but I had to say something... 

It all depends on how you start... in some countries you get your driverslicense with a pack of butter, and in some (Holland for example) you've got a really extensive training ( about 20 hours when you learn fast! ) before you can go to a exam.. and there are two exams..

So everybody here that get their license can do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3PzF2OL1Nc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9Oas4V7cOA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR_baDf6ZFo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlLbL_5SzJU&feature=related

As you can see it involves mad steering, braking, everything you need. When i go over to Belgium (our neighbours on the south), they have the same system as the USA.. i beat _every_ rider in that country in corners _on my old 88 hurricane_

Ontopic:

can they also be highered? 6f 5" (196cm) here..

It seem that some have R1 and 900cc as there first bike. I have one sugggestion why don't we all advise all the new motorbike riders to go out and purchase a hyabusa or a zx14r as their first bike.

i have been riding for years, started young by my dad on 50cc bikes then moved up, yadda yadda yadda. as far as what cc to start at................. that depends on the rider, what they feel comfy with. THATS IT!!!!!! some people have a natural abillity to ride, they could have started with a zx14 and been fine, some have NO ability to ride and need to start out on a 150 scooter! every one has a valid point, but its a point based off of there personal opion! so you are all right and yet all wrong.... deal with it.