FYI, my current Hayabusa(1340cc) is the easiest bike to ride that I have ever owned. A beginner could very well start with a Busa as long as he had the discipline to keep off the throttle until he took a few classes and gained some experience. If a beginner tried to get on the throttle too soon though, that 197hp would likely bite him...hard!
This thread reminds me of something I saw a couple of years ago... I was in the parking lot of my Alma mater (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX) and there were 3 young men and a VERY NICE new 600cc bike... I think it was an R6, but might have been the Honda product of the day (3 years ago, I think now). So, one of the boys owned it and another one was "helping" and the kid on the bike was being coached. Finally they let him go and he goes about 40' and ditches the bike! He did not have a CLUE how to turn or stop the thing! I was dying! What IDIOT thinks it is smart to LEARN to ride on ANY street bike?! OMG! Get off road on a dirt/trail/MX bike for your first SEVERAL YEARS of riding or you are DOOMED to a very painful existence or death! There is no way to learn stuff on the street that you will learn on the dirt (at least not and do it safely)... James
I wish they sold 400cc race reps in the US. They would make a killing on them. I "downgraded" to my RVF400 and love it. I don't get left behind ever unless a really long straight comes up. There are times where I wish I had more power, and in fact, I'll be picking up a bigger bike this year to augment it. But I could just as easily ride the rest of my life on my little 400 and be happy. Then again, I'm a twisties guy, and never pose at Starbucks
I agree.While my first street bike was a 750H2, my first motorcycle was a Honda CL100...I then went to a Suzuki TS185 and TM250 which I raced for several years before getting my first street bike...
My story is probably "dumber". I went out and bought a brand new Harley Davidson Fatboy. I had a buddy drive it back to my house for me. After he left, I started it up and drove around the block twenty times. Had never driven a bike before. 50,000 miles later and no accidents, I love it. But, I always tell people that ask how I got into riding, "Don't do what I did!". Mike
Yeah, those Ducati people don't know anything about V-2 engines in sportbikes.........or any of the V-2 GP 250cc racers that are the fastest cornering bikes on the planet.
Parker, glad to read you are already a big biker... When I don't get the persons resume before and hear they are looking at 600 sport bikes I get a little apprehensive! My doctor friends in the ER call them Donor bikes because most of the best internal organs for transplant come from these young guys who get one as their first motorcycle! James
While a lightweight 400 might be in reality a great sportbike, they have never been a success in the US. The CB-1, FZR400, and Bandit 400 were dismal sales failures. Bikes like that are tough to market. Make them cheap by cutting component quality, and few experienced riders would want one. Put top brakes and suspension on it and they cost the same as a 600, few would choose less power for the same money. IMO the 400's are popular outside the US where there are tiered licensing laws or punitive tariffs on bigger bikes.
I had a HD Fatboy for 12 years...it was a turd in both handling and performance. ~55hp out of 1340cc...But, I did forget to mention that V-twins do make nice air compressors ... http://westslope.craigslist.org/tls/992523646.html
Yeah, yeah....OK. I stand corrected: on the Ducati only. You'd think since I have been riding ducs for 20 years that I might have been a little more careful......
For cost, reliability, and performance you can't go wrong with any of the 4 japanese brands. You could just pick the one that you think looks the best, or is the most comfortable, or you get the best deal on. It's pretty much a no-lose situation. I'd pick up an R6, but would be thrilled with any of them. Personally I'd steer clear of any Ducati, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, et cetera for a *first* bike unless you just absolutely have to have it.
Murdercycle. PS; +1 on a older Ducati. And it wont depreciate like a rice bike. There is always going to be someone faster. Go for class.
I have a 675 and a speed triple....I have had not ONE single problem with either bike....have about 4K miles on each and they have been dead reliable. Why would anyone steer clear of a Triumph? The 675 is a great alternative to the I4 600's IMO. The new street triple R is probably really gonna be a great bike with more forgiving ergos for us older guys.
Wow, you mean that the 55hp HD you owned, didn't take as much maintenance as a 150hp Ducati. My god, that's hard to imagine. As for reliability, the Ducatis I've owned have been very reliable, as well as the Harleys. Darrell.