Thanks for all the tips guys. I've heard the "you'll get bored with a small displacement bike real fast" argument numerous times from riders, but to me I always felt that part of why they said that was because they were already somewhat experienced and rolling on higher powered stuff. For me, I'm a n00b man. Even learning how to drive fast around a track, you learn much quicker with a light and sprightly Miata than you do with say a 400hp Corvette, so I'd assume that rule applies two fold when you're rolling on something without doors that requires more of your body to control.

In any case, keep the advice coming. I'm def planning on taking a class (thanks Jermz for the when and where) but I'm so n00b at this that ANY advice is welcome advice.

 

MSF class and a 600, afterr the class you should be comfortable with wateva happens, I have been riding off and on since I was 15 years old, I took a class 2 years ago with a bro that just got a bike.....no matter how many years you ride you learn something from the classes. with that said, how you use the bike is up to you! be safe!!! oh yeah, I'm Samoan so the 600 I started on lasted a year til I sold it for a ZX900R and last year I got a CBR1000RR.....WOOHOOOOOOO!

 

I know middle-aged guys with bad knees and backs that will run circles around 1000cc bikes, on their sub-500cc bikes. Trust me, there's nothing more satisfying than blowing by supersports on an "underpowered" bike. Sure, they'll hand you your *** in the straights, but anyone can twist a throttle.

 

that was true before the liter class bikes lost weight...

 

Start off with a motorcycle safety/training course... That way, you can get a feel of whats like to ride a motorcycle and leter decide on the size of bike you want. Coz, some people are just not meant to go on 2wheels.

I started out on a 01' 900SS ducati and then 06 Ninja 636...
600cc is good for starter coz its more forgiving

 

Don't forget about the rotational inertia of larger pistons. You'll be fighting more to lean a 1000cc bike than a 600cc bike or below. Also, it's worth noting that most experienced riders are still faster around a track on a 600 than a 1000.

 

seems like everybody says get a smaller bike and a lot of people are saying get a bigger bike, so if i was you i would say get a 750. a stock 750 is perfect and when you want more power just add a exhaust and a power commander. thats wha i have in my bike and it has a lot of power. i never pull the throttle all the way because the front tire keeps lifting off the ground. but please dont get anything smaller! shoots when you get your bike we can do one G35 guys motorcycle cruise.

 

i agree with jermz, definatly take the class first, see if you like even riding (which i know you will!). however, my when my friend took the class, he couldn't even balance on the bike, and he had to drop the course. i'm very very happy with my bike, CBR 600RR, however, starting with a small 250 would have been good too, the 600's power does still scare me sometimes, and i don't think you'll get bored with the smaller engine, if you do, just down shift and crank on the throttle (and go flying on your @ss).

definatly, go to ALL the dealerships, and just still on them all, i found that kawasaki's sit very very aggressivly, yamaha's sit very aggressivly, gixxers the same, and the honda was the most comfortable (for me). Yet, after riding for a while now, i sit on the others they don't feel that bad.

Anyone know where i can find a 1098R to sit on???

 

You can find one in my dreams......

 

haha..fricka...you never called me up for ride. We're riding tomorrow around 730-800 in the evening. If you like..call me. You too Keola!

As for a bike..600/750 is good enough. the gixxer 750 is a good all around bike. At the track...I could work a lot of guys that rode 1000cc bikes with smaller bikes...hell, me on my 250cc race bike will eat up most riders on 1000cc for lunch. The 1000cc bikes is a fun bike but, it's more than enough. Just keep in mind...age, experience (licensed), and engine size play a bike role in your insurance - so I hope you have a clean driving record; and it's advisable to to with state farm if you want insurance...that catch is, that you need some kind of policy to take advantage of the motorcycle discounts, and dont skip out on full coverage...I know too many people who have had their bike stolen and they only had liability. If you buy a new bike...you have no choice but get full coverage, unless you paid it in full. A good thing to have is get the dealership GAP Insurance. - Back to the bikes...it's all about preference. You really dont need us to tell you what bike you should get. Get what you want and be happy with it.

Take Jerms advice, and take the classes. It is a MUST that you take the class. All my skills were made on the dirt tracks of Kahuku and at the old HRP...I never owned a street bike till I was 21 and could afford one. All my old bikes are old 2nd hand race bikes and dirt bikes. Not until I took the class so I could get my Lic. because I was about to get my first street bike, did it do away with all my bad habits and accelerated me in the races and practice sessions. Most importantly for a new rider, it will start you off the right way...and the MSF classes could indeed save your life in a panic situation.

For mods, hit up Ted at RevTek. Although modding and tuning bikes are easy...he's the most accessible with a wealth of information. I only deal with Ted. If you wanna join the bandwagon...I've been quarelling with the idea of drag racing...to me, it's nothing but a standing start at the races. So...I'm going to try my hand at drag racing (since there's nothing on Oahu) in Hilo, in May with the rest of the RevTek crew. And a friend of mines is selling his Stretched, strapped and, lowered 10R with all the bells and whistles for a nice price...who knows?

Good luck in all your endevours, Hope to see you out there with the rest of the motorcycling brotherhood.

 

I raced my 250cc one last time before a forced retirement, because the race track closed in 06, and went up against a few 10R's and late model G1kR's...some of them extensively modded. I could keep up with the extremely modded ones. The guys on the showroom factory bikes couldnt touch me. I lacked speed in the straights but, I made it up in the turns. Though, I did have a little bit of a harder time up against the smaller 600cc bikes in the open classes. That's where I had to take the tire warmers off the 636.

 

You woulda enjoyed my buddy on his 85cc two-stroke at Streets of Willow. Trounced in the straights, but ate everyone alive in the turns. You'd watch ten bikes pass him on the front straight, and he'd catch half of em in the first turn.

 

I would have loved to try out the streets of willow in one of these.


I'm just waiting on the day kawasaki makes a 450 single street motard so I can butcher it into one of these and take it on the street.

 

Come on over! While you're at it, get a 50cc two-banger or a SuMo and hit up Grange kart track. It's always a good time.

By the way, TZ250...I'm jealous...... Almost picked up a CA plated RGV250 earlier this year.

 

I started on an R6. I would sell you mine but you're in Hawai'i. Its in really good condition and low miles and I'm selling her cheeeeeeeeeeeap.

600cc isn't bad. The R6's are really torquey though with the throttle. Just remember to RESPECT the power of the bike, and don't do anything stupid. A bike weighs 350 lbs and has 120 HP. That means relatively speaking it has 5 times the power of a G35 and ONLY TWO wheels.