is a 600cc motorcycle good for a beginner?

Question

is a 600cc motorcycle good for a beginner?

Answer 1

I'm an 18 year old guy and I started riding when I was 17. I own a CBR 600 (fuel injected), worked for it and bought it myself. With all honesty, I have never dropped it nor have I ever been in an accident. Also, I have never felt that the power was too much for me. Yes, it CAN do 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, BUT that does NOT mean that every time you touch the throttle that you are going to fly down the road at lightning fast speeds!



People that fear 600cc bikes seem to think that if you touch the throttle that it is suddenly going to lose control and fly out from underneath you like some raging bull, this simply is not true! If you are an idiot and show-off then you could easily kill yourself on a 125cc moped, but if you keep your mind about you and have a reasonable capacity to be mature and learn (which from your question it looks like you do) then you should have no problems learning on a 600.



I took the MSF course and passed with 100%; I didn't even miss a single point! What most people don't realize or don't tell others is that 600cc bikes are actually quite tame (and kind of panzies!) below 6000 rpm. 600cc bikes are designed to have a spiking power band that really takes off after you hit 6000 rpm, which in normal every day driving I usually shift around 5000 rpm and if you even push to 6000 rpm you are already moving so it is quite controllable.



If you buy a 250cc bike (like the ninja 250r) then it will just be a complete waste of time and money because you will be tired of it after 2 months. If for some reason you cannot learn on a 600 then you can always get a twin cylinder sport bike like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R which still looks like a super sport but not as much power as a 600cc and won't get boring like a 250cc.



Honestly, it is on a case by case basis. If you are mature and will actually take your time starting out instead of being over-zealous and going full out throttle then you will be fine with a 600cc bike. Some people cannot handle a 600, some people can. It depends on a mix of things such as your ability to adapt and learn, maturity, and confidence. Take a moment to honestly answer this question: "Are you mature and will you honestly take your time to learn?" If the answer is yes then you likely can handle a 600, if the answer is no then you should not be on the road until that answer changes. I suggest you take the MSF course FIRST, see how you do, and then decide what to do after that. If you score well and feel comfortable during the course then you can likely handle a 600.



Good Luck and Happy Riding!

Answer 2

Consider the Kawi 650R Ninga. It is the competetor of the Suzuki SV but is not a V-Twin. In my opinion it is more forward thinking. Introduced to the US in 06 is a great first bike and one in my barn and I have rode for 30 years. The ride is very controlable and power, well , plenty of it. Yes it will do 140 if you have the " nad" , but its not all about that, the bike is very smooth confortable, nimble, brakes on a dime and under $7K. It won the 06 "Crossover" shoot-out when put up against the SV. The other 600's out there are more set up for traditional "sport" bike riding. Kawi put this product out there to attract new riders and old alike to allow consumers to sit up right while having all the technolgy and power of the sport bikes of today.I would not go with the single thumper 650 Suzuki, you will get tired of it and want more later. Good luck with your hunt.

Answer 3

no! 600cc really isnt to brilliant for a beginner... if your starting out, go for somthing small, like a 250cc or 125cc, or maybe a 400cc restricted.



it would give you much more respect once you decide to upgrade.



ignore that **** about how the cc doesnt matter. it really does! if you end up getting a 600cc sport, it will scare you, even worse, you'll crash!



im not having a go! im telling you out of experience. ive seen to many people get a 600cc as a starter bike, and guess what... most of them wrote them off, and got seriously injured!



take my advice.

Answer 4

Riding dirt you have learned to appreciate the torque of a single which gives you wickedly quick acceleration. A four cylinder 600cc sport bike is built for high speeds and gives up everything else. It is not a friendly street machine, not quick off the line, narrow power band, uncomfortable to ride. About the only thing a 600cc bike is good for is riding at 140+ mph. Good for bragging, but not really useful on the streets.



For all around street use it would be hard to beat the DRZ, if not for that nose bleed height. My knee hurts throwing a leg over my 28" high saddle. If I were 45 years younger I would be riding a DRZ400, the dual sport as I ride city and a dual sport ignores minor problems such as rough pavement, pot holes, curbs, center dividers, those laid down telephone poles used to block off parking lots. On better pavement, more highway and twisties, the supermoto version.

Answer 5

beginner, 600cc.



tends to separate the living from the dead, IME.

Answer 6

sport bikes are not for beginners. just because you have ridden dirt bikes does not make you an expert street rider. you are a beginner. sport bikes are not beginner bikes. the suzuki supermoto would be a better choice for you than a 600cc sport bike. insurance will be a lot cheaper for the supermoto. have been riding dirt bikes and street bikes for 43 years

Answer 7

There really isn't a right or wrong bike to start on. People tend to base to much on cc's as a way of gauging speed and power however it is a very generic and flawed perception of the facts, any motorcycle you buy is dangerous if not respected, as far as sport bikes go your average new 600cc weighs under 400lbs and has 120 - 140 horsepower which can be a very dangerous combination for an inexperienced rider. a cruiser of the same size could be upwards of 500 lbs and only 60 - 80 hp but offering more low end torque, it will be easier to control because of the physical disadvantage of weight distribution and riding position it will not provide the high speed and cornering confidence of a sport bike making it not less dangerous but YOU less dangerous and less likely to get carried away. A duel sport bike could be your best or worst choice because you will feel the most comfortable which isn't always a good thing and a dirt bike will react very differently on the street than in the dirt, over confidence can lead to carelessness. the truth is that you are the only common denominator between all of the choices that are before you, so think about what you want and how you will react to your choice then pick a bike and enjoy, your course will teach you what you need to know you just have to apply it.

Answer 8

the DRZ SM sounds like the funnest choice...... supermotos are faster than sport bikes in the twisties......

Answer 9

I hear some states limit the size of the motorcycle for new license requirements, my suggestion is call the dmv first and find out if there is a cc limit when you first get your license, this will save you a lot of spinning your wheels figuring out this or that, find out the requirements with a phone call or look online, first, then take the next step ???good luck ride safe never hit anything with the front tire, ride like you are invisible, and remember pavement is frigging hard, like you would not believe, so be careful, be safe, live to be an old biker, not a memory.

Answer 10

I have Two years experience. I tried to start on a sports bike but could not handle it. The Handling Dynamics is VERY different to dirt bikes. I ride a 250cc naked (Honda VTR). It goes good. 600cc sports bikes have too much power; 0-60mph in 3.0 sec(Newest bikes). Play it safe and go with the DRZ. Its what your used to. Buell Blasts are also good beginner bikes. I like in Australia so bikes above 250cc are expensive due to a small market, so i got a 250. If you wanna get into sports bikes then start on a mid size Suzuki. Try a GS 500 or SV 650. Buy full Gear and ride safe. Always Be careful.