What is "too soon" for owning a 1000cc+ motorcycle?

J

jerald

New member
For the exact reason in your opening statement. It doesn't matter. Regardless of what bike you start with you need to be very carefull and learn the motorcycle.

I started riding in the early 70's. I've owned a CBX, VF1000R among others. Those bikes although arguably tops for their day pale in comparison with a 600 today. The people of the mind set start with a smaller displacement bike in the 70's would cringe at the thought of someone starting off on one of these bikes. So today, are 600's too "big" for the beginer? based on the 70's yes, if you are of that mind set.
I say get what you want and then GO EASY. The fact is an idiot can kill themselves on a moped.
 
You can tell people to get a lesser bike, but most won't listen. And to be honest, if you've ridden before, and can control your RT hand, I don't think it's a big deal. I think it's a big deal when a person who has 0 experience, literally has ridden 0 miles, goes out and buys a liter bike.

My first bike since 1998 was a 07 S2R1000. Technically a liter bike, but it had manners. Now I have the 09 848, great bike! I rode the 1198 and thought it was too much power to have fun on. My mind was more on throttle position than actual riding skill. I did not trust myself to handle such a bike. The 848, for me, was the perfect blend of power and handling. The 848 being easier to ride made it a more fun bike to ride. And fun is what I'm all about.

I guess "too soon" is subjective and each person has to determine for themselves what is too soon. Can you handle the power? Do you want to? Do you need the power? Are you responsible enough? What will the bike be used for?
 
i'm selling my 848 this week and picking up either teh 1198/1198s/1098.

it's taken me 11 years of riding 600's to get to this point. i'm sure it's different for everyone. it's not just technically being ready to ride one, it's also being mature enough to as well i think.

with that said, i test rode an 1198 this past weekend at my dealers and fck me that thing was absolutely amazing!

power delivery/torque is everywhere and it's so linear that as long as you are mindful of the bike it's pretty manageable. the stock suspension setup on teh 1198 was no where near annoying as my 848 for some reason. much more comliant, even tho' it's supposed to be the same.
 
I've been to various schools where i asked the same question. The funny thing was that when it came down to talking about 1000 cc bikes, the mood turned somewhat macabre. The guy at the wheelie school was naturally no too amused. And yet, everyone either has one or wants one. I gave my 1098 to a friend for a test ride and he came back with a huge smile on his face. He never rode a 1000 before. I think that the best qualification include a smooth right hand attached to an attentive cyclist. Most buy 600s because of the cost and the dealers scare many away.

I would like to ask if there are any advantages going to a 600 cc supersportbike after getting comfortable with the 1000s.
 
I've only just climbed aboard my new 1198s.

I got there via about 5 months on a Honda VTR 250 (the law says it should be 12 months - oops!), and then a Triumph Daytona 675, which I have ridden for 12 months.

I have a total of about 2 years motorcycle riding experience. Was that enough to go to the 1198? Psychologically it was a small hurdle. Physically the bike was a similar fit to the 675 so i felt quite at home on it quite quickly.

I'm of a more 'mature' age (45+) and I think that plays a factor in my ability to ride the big bike. I love giving the right hand a twist, but temper it with the knowledge that i really don't have a lot of riding experience yet.

Slowly slowly, safely safely. Do the right things, in the right places, at the right times and it should generally work out well.
 
My first bike was a GSX1100G, maybe 2 out of ten road bikes I've owned were less than a litre.
For a little while I had a KLX650, and a GPX750.

What happens depends on how you use your wrist and how much attention you pay to your riding.

Ross
 
IT'S ALIVE.....................IT'S ALIVE...........MWAAHAHA

This thread seems to be thriving well...keep it coming everyone



I like that I like it so much, I'm gonna put it on my email sig Credited to you, Rick1198s
 
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