[Gsx-R]

Hi guys im new here. Its great that we bikers can all talk and give it eachother help out. Ive been reading alot here about ppl. saying to start with something really low power. Im soon getting a bike. Soon I will be doing and MSF course to for just the basics. 15 HOURS ON A BIKE...I CANT WAIT. Anyways im getting off topic. I know that this is a suzuki forum but, would a 1996 Kawasaki ZX6R too powerful for a newb? I take all opinions into mind. Also, though i hear everyone is saying start with something weak then get bigger i may have a problem. I dont want to spend my cash on a smaller bike and grow out of it quickly and then have to by a new one. Could guys give me some advice?

 

[bat4255]

Too many years ago (1970) The guys I hung around, all in our late teens, would ride 300cc - 500cc Japanese Bikes, big back then. We thought we were pretty good, Riding dirt trails (cow trailing) and racing on home made moto-cross tracks, etc. Well a cousin of one of our friends had a beat up honda 90 street bike. We went to a flat track and raced, and he kicked the crap out of us. We were impressed, to say the least. We had the power but didn't know what to do with it. HE DID.

A few good reasons to go bigger, long distance touring (better ride and storage), riding 2 up, nice to have the power, heaver for windy situations, etc.

If speed is the only reason, its the Wrong one, unless your on the track. Get good, real good, learning to ride well, always wins over just going fast.
Learn balance, when to push it and when not to. Take a MSF Course, and if you feel the need for speed, go to a track you can run on and get lessons from a pro. Then when you can kick a 900's ass on your 500 its all smiles.
I know guys on mega scooters that can out ride a lot of sport bike riders.

 

[bat4255]

This was posted elsware but still might help

If you have never ridden before here is what Might happen

The weight: I does take getting used to handleing 350-600 Lbs.

Throttle Response: More powerful bikes Can (not always), throw you back when opening up the throttle. Espically 1/4 turn racing throttles. Some higher horsepower machines have a very narrow power band, and may come on quicker that you expect. I think a wider power band is better for learning, so you have a greater range for shifting with no suprises.

Intimidation: If your on a substancial machine, you will be "goated" into racing, or driving the twisties to fast befor your ready.

Once you learn the basics, you only have 2 things to get used to Power and balance.

 

[Guest]

In my opinion, the bikes available to learn on today just aren't SMALL enough. When I learned to ride, I and most of my friends started on 50cc to 125cc street or dirt bikes. We moved up as we could afford bigger bikes, usually within a year or so. Very few of us got badly hurt, and most of us were better riders as a result.

Locally, there are a few pretty good younger riders on sport bikes. But I haven't found any yet who could beat me and my SCOOTER in the twisties. 'Course, there are very few willing to give it a go. :wink: