650cc first time :)

[goodo123]

Well just had my first lesson on a "big" bike, was no where near as aggressive as I thought it would be, I actually found it easier than the 125, everything seems smoother and you don't have to rag it's nuts off to work. One step closer to my own . Anyone thinking about it I'd recommend having a go, all these people who say their too powerful or their unstable etc are talking pants

[silver pigeon 3]

Top stuff mate, i am 2 lessons in with my 3rd on Sat. Module 1 all sorted just waiting on a test date, had my 1st road ride on the 600cc last Saturday and loved every second of it.

Like you i found the bigger bikes so much easier than the 125's on the slow control side of it.

[jason kaye]

I think you'll find it a bit of a difference when you jump off your 33bhp 650 learner bike and swing your leg over a 165bhp litre bike it's all about building your skills up slowly and respecting your bike, they will only go as fast as your wrist will allow ,but don't start thinking "it's all too easy this biking lark" because one mistake on a big bike could well be your last, but enjoy your learning curve, there's nothing like it and always think that other road users are out to get you and keep your wits about you.

ATB Jase.

[Livefast123]

Big bikes are certainly easier to ride than smaller ones, the extra weight make them more stable and the effortless power makes progress a very easy thing to make.

 

Enjoy it but don't get ahead of yourself, it only takes a millisecond for things to go badly wrong. I see it every week.

[Oxon T]

I agree, bigger bikes even feel more planted when you are stopped and moving slowly.

Also it's reassuring having some power there if needed.

Have fun!

[BRNDL]

I bought a 2002 R6 for my first bike.

 

Plenty quick enough and very very good to ride and handle.

[silver pigeon 3]

and always think that other road users are out to get you and keep your wits about you.

 

 

Already had this twice so far! on the CBT a women on her phone decided to try to get up the outside of me at a junction when there was about 4ft of space, and on the last lesson going under a bridge the road narrowed to 1 lane, clearly marked that it was my right of way and a car stopped at the give way sign, as i was passing under the bridge only to then pull off. After speaking to my instructor the car behind me flashed him through and even though i was in a high viz vest and white helmet he must not of seen me. I refrained from any hand gestures

[Essex Keeper]

Got a 2010 r6 in the workshop at the mo fitting new quick shifter and track fairing its a beast

[kernel gadaffi]

Remember, it's always left knee down on left hand corners.

[team tractor]

Never had anything over a 426 of my own . I raced enduro and mx for years but had all my bikes on the road. Try wheel spinning every gear on tarmac :):)

I've played on my mates blade,bandits etc

[Dekers]

My last was a Kawasaki 636 ZX6R. It was violent, aggressive and unforgiving, performance was exhilarating but you had to ride it or it would bite you, just like all the Supersports bikes.

 

Brilliant grin factor, but so too was getting off and thrashing the nuts out of a 125 commuter bike, how forgiving are they!

[wabbitbosher]

My First blast on a 650 was waaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in 1982 "ish" it was an Ex police Triumph saint , i'll Never forget it ( a long story i'll tell my Grand kids)

I still have the old girl and it still makes me feel like a teenager when i ride it

[Marki]

Happy days matey! I remember going from a Suzuki GP100 to a XJ750 in the late 80's. I honestly thought that it was going to kill me. I rode it through rain, wind, ice and snow and loved it.

[-Mongrel-]

My last was a Kawasaki 636 ZX6R. It was violent, aggressive and unforgiving, performance was exhilarating but you had to ride it or it would bite you, just like all the Supersports bikes.

 

 

I do like a Kwacker, it's that do-it-right-or-I-will-bite-your-**** edginess about them.

 

But therein lies the rub. You do a test on a 650 Versys or something similar, and pass. Jump straight on to a smaller engined (so surely slower) R6, Gixer 6 etc, bang the throttle wide open and then try and work out how to put the front wheel back on the tarmac before the next bend!

 

Scared the living daylights outta myself the first few times, then you get used to it and want more...and more. They truly are addictive!!! I reached the pinnacle for me (Fireblade) and had to back off before I killed myself or someone else. Over 100mph in second gear and what, 4 maybe 5 seconds to get there just isn't sane. I scaled back to a tourer, well, a Blackbird anyway.

Edited September 2, 2013 by -Mongrel-

[jason kaye]

I'm currently riding a CBR 1000 RR9 Fireblade and have to have a lot of self restrain every time I ride it , likes been said it's very, very addictive, I've been riding big bikes for a long time now and still have a lot to learn, it's so easy to end up banned, in a hedge bottom or worse. There's a lot of people passing their tests on so called "big bikes" then going out and buy the best bike they can afford usually on a mate's say so and scaring themselves to death and then packing it all in or coming a cropper, just take it easy and learn to ride once you've passed your test.

[Lord Geordie]

I bought an old GPZ400R and did it up. I then decided to take my direct access. I was put on a SR125 and couldn't stand it. I had to do the CBT on it. Then got my mitts on an ER5. More torque and felt a lot better than the SR125. I took my test on my birthday and passes first time. I took the GPZ400R out the next day. I felt fantastic. About 3 month later I lost the bike when I was highsided on a roundabout. Some bint pulled out as I was cornering. I braked to avoid a collision and ended up over the top and came down with a thud.

 

Dusted myself off and a few weeks later bought my GSX600 from Loughbrough. Rode it back in -6 temps and couldn't stand up when I got home. That bike could not half shift. Had a ZXR for a spell but didn't get on with it. It was too rattley for my liking.

 

Hope you get through your test! Treat everyone on the road as an idiot who can't see you!

[Matt_]

I had an sv650 v-twin for my first big bike then a year later chopped that in for a 5eb r6... And yeah totally different ball game!

[krugerandsmith]

Well just had my first lesson on a "big" bike, was no where near as aggressive as I thought it would be, I actually found it easier than the 125, everything seems smoother and you don't have to rag it's nuts off to work. One step closer to my own . Anyone thinking about it I'd recommend having a go, all these people who say their too powerful or their unstable etc are talking pants

 

 

After a lifetime of Motorcycling time has caught up with me. Sold my bike a couple of years ago First bike BSA C11 .... Last one Kawasaki ... ZZR 1100. Enjoy your bike but always be aware of other road users... think well ahead. stay safe.

[Mentalmac]

I went from a 50cc geared bike (Aprillia RS50) which I had at 16 then went from that to a ZXR400 which everyone was all like "You're going tokill yourself" etc... the sad irony is 2 mates who went to 125's instead of doing full licence died on them.

 

Ironically I then bought a rather large V-twin and threw myself off it like a royal numpty by 'snatching' the throttle open one handed! (What a wally?!?!?!) because I wasn't used to the torque.

 

Moral of the story? - respect your machine and it'll look after you.

[jason kaye]

I went from a 50cc geared bike (Aprillia RS50) which I had at 16 then went from that to a ZXR400 which everyone was all like "You're going tokill yourself" etc... the sad irony is 2 mates who went to 125's instead of doing full licence died on them.

 

Ironically I then bought a rather large V-twin and threw myself off it like a royal numpty by 'snatching' the throttle open one handed! (What a wally?!?!?!) because I wasn't used to the torque.

 

Moral of the story? - respect your machine and it'll look after you.

and if you don't it'll kill you.

[old rooster]

and if you don't it'll kill you.

 

A well maintained, properly ridden bike won't kill you, you might get killed by the actions of some other idiot on the road but the bike ain't to blame

 

Lots of things you can do to mitigate against the dangers out there, learn to use your peripheral vision is one high up the list, don't ride a bike you are frightened of, if you get into a corner hotter than you think you can get round it DON'T go for the front brake as it will just stand the bike up and put you in the hedge, go for the corner and the worst case is then a lowside. Ride proper lines when approaching bends to give you maximum visibility, use vanishing points and generally read the road well ahead using all the clues.

 

Don't always assume that braking is the answer in a crisis, I had a near death experience just last week when riding down to the coast. Dual carriageway coming up to a roundabout, both lanes marked for going ahead, the outside lane marked to also go right. I was in the outside lane going ahead, making decent progress, when I glanced a car wing coming at me from the left hand lane as some moron used the inside lane to turn right. I had to stand the bike up a bit, accelerate past then slam it hard over to the left to make the roundabout exit. I was too far committed to change direction and just follow the car round and had I braked the bastid would have had me off for sure. As I barred the bike back in to the left I glanced at the central reservation kerbing and thought "this is going to be close!" I looked away to where I wanted the bike to go and missed the kerb by about 6 inches. Another basic rule...don't target fixate when you see a problem ahead. All this happened in a couple of seconds, as you can imagine, perhaps a less experienced rider would have got away with it but there's a good chance it could have been a disastrous outcome.

 

Loads to learn and all great fun!!!!

 

Keep it shiny side up out there guys!!!!

[Mentalmac]

 

A well maintained, properly ridden bike won't kill you, you might get killed by the actions of some other idiot on the road but the bike ain't to blame

 

Lots of things you can do to mitigate against the dangers out there, learn to use your peripheral vision is one high up the list, don't ride a bike you are frightened of, if you get into a corner hotter than you think you can get round it DON'T go for the front brake as it will just stand the bike up and put you in the hedge, go for the corner and the worst case is then a lowside. Ride proper lines when approaching bends to give you maximum visibility, use vanishing points and generally read the road well ahead using all the clues.

 

Don't always assume that braking is the answer in a crisis, I had a near death experience just last week when riding down to the coast. Dual carriageway coming up to a roundabout, both lanes marked for going ahead, the outside lane marked to also go right. I was in the outside lane going ahead, making decent progress, when I glanced a car wing coming at me from the left hand lane as some moron used the inside lane to turn right. I had to stand the bike up a bit, accelerate past then slam it hard over to the left to make the roundabout exit. I was too far committed to change direction and just follow the car round and had I braked the bastid would have had me off for sure. As I barred the bike back in to the left I glanced at the central reservation kerbing and thought "this is going to be close!" I looked away to where I wanted the bike to go and missed the kerb by about 6 inches. Another basic rule...don't target fixate when you see a problem ahead. All this happened in a couple of seconds, as you can imagine, perhaps a less experienced rider would have got away with it but there's a good chance it could have been a disastrous outcome.

 

Loads to learn and all great fun!!!!

 

Keep it shiny side up out there guys!!!!

+1

Wise words there old rooster. I have many close encounters (commuting to central london from Colchester in Essex 125 miles a day) - some avoided by braking, some by giving it some mega welly. Once ended up thanking my former idiot for teaching myself rolling stoppies when I did one accidentally!