What size (cc) bike did you start out on?

neebelung · 03-20-2008, 08:57 AM

So for the most part, we all preach "start small!" to new riders, and yet, many of us didn't do this ourselves.

So what size was your first STREET bike (knowing many people started out on dirtbikes)?
Was it an I4 or a Twin?
Did you have previous experience (i.e. with dirtbikes)?
If you started on something "bigger," do you think it hurt your development as a rider or do you wish you'd started smaller?

Trip · 03-20-2008, 09:00 AM

650 Evil Twin, I was fine with it.

itgirl · 03-20-2008, 09:05 AM

i seriously started my street riding on a yamaha YSR50 (doesn't get much smaller than that). i'd be way too embarrassed for that today, but back when i was 17 i thought i was the shit, just because i had a bike. that was followed by 2-250s before the 636. all that and i was still scared as hell the day i took the 636 home.

(i also had the chrome special edition honda Z50 as a kid and a KDX 80 as well, so i have a dirtbike background)

Mule · 03-20-2008, 09:07 AM

984 v-twin.....

i probably could have started off with a 600 or 750, the Buell's low-end torque is what surprised me...Specially after coming off the MSF course where you ride an underpowered-souless-250.....

i had my buell for a little over 24 hours when i decided to get it out on the expressway here in Miami. Not a great idea, but i survived the expressway and managed to crash coming out of my office parking lot. I broke my ankle and had to shelve the bike for almost 3 months. I had a lot of time to think about my mistakes and also do some quality reading on riding.

Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track.

neebelung · 03-20-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mule

Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track.

I haven't yet read Total Control, but definitely agree on Proficient Motorcycling.

ZXHOOLIGAN · 03-20-2008, 09:19 AM

Started on a Honda Super 90 in 1965 at age 13. That was too big according to the law at that time. You were limited to 5bhp until you were 16, and the 90 had 9bhp!!! What a beast!

Beefcake Morris · 03-20-2008, 09:24 AM

05 honda F4i

OneSickPsycho · 03-20-2008, 09:29 AM

500 Ninja FTW!... unless you count the 50cc Yamaha Zinger when I was 4 or the 75cc XR and XL Honda's I had from 8-13...

LaFemmes · 03-20-2008, 10:09 AM

I started on a 250 Kawi for two years.
Jumped onto a 98 Kawi ZX9R for two seasons ( Loved that bike).
Had a GSXR 6 for two seasons as well.
I now have a Yami 6 in the garage.

papapoi · 03-20-2008, 10:23 AM

78 Yamaha xs1100
now ride 06 SV650

View Poll Results: What size (cc's) was your first street bike?
125	2	2.22%
250	12	13.33%
500	12	13.33%
600	28	31.11%
650	8	8.89%
750	4	4.44%
800	4	4.44%
900	3	3.33%
1000 or bigger	9	10.00%
Other	8	8.89%
Voters: 90. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-2008, 08:57 AM	#1
neebelung Ornery, scandalous & evil Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Moto: 2004 Scarlet R1 Posts: 5,962	What size (cc) bike did you start out on? So for the most part, we all preach "start small!" to new riders, and yet, many of us didn't do this ourselves. So what size was your first STREET bike (knowing many people started out on dirtbikes)? Was it an I4 or a Twin? Did you have previous experience (i.e. with dirtbikes)? If you started on something "bigger," do you think it hurt your development as a rider or do you wish you'd started smaller? Last edited by neebelung; 03-20-2008 at 09:46 AM..

03-20-2008, 09:07 AM	#4
Mule Snidely Whiplash Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami, Florida Moto: 05 xb9sx Posts: 236	984 v-twin..... i probably could have started off with a 600 or 750, the Buell's low-end torque is what surprised me...Specially after coming off the MSF course where you ride an underpowered-souless-250..... i had my buell for a little over 24 hours when i decided to get it out on the expressway here in Miami. Not a great idea, but i survived the expressway and managed to crash coming out of my office parking lot. I broke my ankle and had to shelve the bike for almost 3 months. I had a lot of time to think about my mistakes and also do some quality reading on riding. Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track. __________________

03-20-2008, 09:19 AM	#6
ZXHOOLIGAN Squid Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sebring, Florida Moto: Agressive, back road riding. Posts: 37	Started on a Honda Super 90 in 1965 at age 13. That was too big according to the law at that time. You were limited to 5bhp until you were 16, and the 90 had 9bhp!!! What a beast! __________________ Clueless and happy! Current rides: '08 ZX 10R '08 CBR 1000RR '06 Gix 1000 '08 Boulevard M109R LE '10 BMW S1000RR

03-20-2008, 10:23 AM	#10
papapoi Lost Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 178	78 Yamaha xs1100 now ride 06 SV650 __________________

03-20-2008, 09:24 AM	#7
Beefcake Morris Trailer Queen Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jacksonville Moto: 2008 All black GSXR 1000 Posts: 54	05 honda F4i

03-20-2008, 09:29 AM	#8
OneSickPsycho Ride Like an Asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: nothing... Posts: 11,254	500 Ninja FTW!... unless you count the 50cc Yamaha Zinger when I was 4 or the 75cc XR and XL Honda's I had from 8-13...