What is a good starter crotch rocket?

Question

When will i find the best time to get one and what do you recommend? A 250 or should i just go to a 600? GXSR any good?

Answer 1

A good starter crotch rocket is one that won't rip your ankle off if you make a mistake, and won't cost you a fortune in repairs.

Not everybody makes mistakes when they're learning. And not every mistake will cost you a limb. In fact, most usually just cost you a couple hundred dollars in replacement fairings and blinkers. But some do. And if you're on a bike that's too aggressive for you...you might lose an ankle...or a thumb...you get the picture.

Ok, enough of the scared-straight bs. You can learn on a 1200cc bike if you're careful enough, smart enough, and disciplined enough. Keep in mind, though, crotch rockets are crotch rockets for one reason...they're aggressive. Even on a 600cc, the high-revving in-line 4 cylinder engines are paired up with really precise clutches to give you really responsive and powerful control. Add in there humongous brakes designed to stop 600 lbs on a dime, and you've got lots of "control." Twitchy is another way to put it, except it's like a twitchy rhinoceros, not a twitchy poodle; be careful with that. If you let that clutch slip a few mm further than you meant to...you're going to lurch forward with some ferocious intent. Different engine configurations are less twitchy, like a v-twin. And standard bikes have more forgiving clutch plates. Some sport-touring models also have a less sport-oriented clutch, which is more forgiving, like the old Katana's.

You sound like you're dead set against getting a standard or cruiser model though. That's alright. It just means you have to be a little more careful when learning. So...as for engine size...well, it depends a little on where you're starting from, and how capable you are. The 250's are awesome to learn on and can be killer track bikes cuz you can *really* whip those things around. But they're kind of tough to tolerate on the highway, just bcs they're engines are absolutely going nuts at highway speeds. I've found 500cc's like the Ninja EX 500 to be a nice in-between starter bike, and you can find alot of them used, which is nice bcs you'll probably lay it down once or twice. (In fact...lay your bike down a few times, gently, just to practice picking the thing up by yourself and get a feeling for the weight of it). Plus, the clutch on the EX-500 is really a pretty forgiving clutch for a sport bike.

600cc's is nice mostly because it'll take a long time to really grow out of a 600cc bike. 600cc crotch rockets are damn powerful machines, can hold their own against liter bikes in most real-life situations, and even kick some liter-bike-butt in the twisties bcs their more agile. But here are some situations where I wouldn't go for a 600+cc bike as a starter bike. If you've never even been on a scooter or moped, and you're less than, say, 150 lbs, and shorter than, say, 5'-7" or have an inseam length less than, say...28" I'd say you're better off on something smaller. Seriously, what I'd do is go to a dealer and get on an R1, or a GSX-R...whatever you want. And then lean the bike over about 15~20 degrees. Can you hold it up easily? If you can't...think about something a little smaller.

Also, if you're...well...dumb...I'd say you better start off smaller. What do I mean by dumb? Ever do something like what you see in a Jack-*** movie? Yeah, you know who you are. If you have every intent to do stoppies and wheelies or you want to have friends take pics of you scrapin' kneepucks around corners within the first month of owning a bike...basically If you're a monkey with apposable thumbs, then yes, you'll hurt yourself less with a smaller engine. Learning how to ride on a sport bike is a little like learning to fly in a jet fighter...it can be done, but you're not making it easy on yourself, and the margin of error is slim.

Keep in mind also one last thing...it costs a lot less money to learn on a used piece of crud than a nice shiney bike. And the resale value of a used starter bike is always pretty good bcs hey...everybody's got to learn on something.

G'luck...and ride smart!

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a "starter crotch rocket." If you don't know how to ride a motorcycle, a supersport motorcycle will be too much for you to handle.

I'm not talking about, "Hey, I know how to ride a bicycle and can twist a throttle!" That is NOT how to ride one, and until your brain internalizes all the coordination required to ride smoothly, a GSX-R or similar bike will take you WAY beyond your comfort level and ability before you can blink.

That's when you hit that patch of gravel, or the moron on the cell phone turns out in front of you. There is no arguing with physics, and despite what you might think you are NOT "special" when it comes to this level of motorcycle. Follow the link below to see people that thought they were invincible and knew how to ride.

Take some good advice and go for a smaller bike, like a GS500 or Ninja 500R; something that won't get away from you too fast that you can drop repeatedly without feeling too bad (or DYING). You want your first bike, not your last, am I right?

Answer 3

Crotch Rocket Motorcycle

Answer 4

Most people will disagree with me on what type of bike to get, but first get the term crotch rocket out of your head!!! It's called a sports bike. Don't waste your time on anything lower then a 600cc, because you'll get tired of it and then you'll be back to where ever you bought it from trying to get a better, faster bike! The first bike I rode was my friends Yamaha r6 (600cc) and I was scared of the power and 25mph felt like I was flying. I learned how to ride when I was able to ride! The next year I got my own which was a 06 Suzuki GSXR-600 (600cc) and I had to get used to the bike, because every bike is different and I had no problems with my GSXR! As long as your not a ******* IDIOT you do fine on a 600cc bike! A little tip if you are scared of the power, stay scared! It'll keep you safe. You'll pay more attention to everything around you and you won't fly around at high speeds!

Answer 5

I had a Honda 919 (CB 900 F4) also known as the Hornet outside the USA. They make a smaller version called the 599. It is light, nimble and full of performance. My 900cc has the old CBR motor from a few years ago with different cams to bring a "street fighter" mid range.

I would also wait to see what KTM is going to do with the Super Duke. It looks awesome. They are evolving into a heck of a brand. They are making their way into the street market. If you think they aren't going to be fast then you have thought wrong. The KTM Adventurer (dual sport Dakkar Rally Bike) runs in the 11 second quarter mile and tops out at 140 mph. Imagine what their full bore street bike will do. The fit and finish on a KTM is second to none (even Honda). High quality Austrian made, but yet affordable.

Answer 6

Have you got a full licence? If so, it all depends how what kind of riding you want to do. If you fancy a sports bike then a 500 or 600 would completely satisfy you. I wouldn't even think about anything bigger! The difference between one sports bike and another is mainly down to personal preference i.e looks, riding position etc. It's only after you've been riding for a while that you'll know what feels best for you. There is no right or wrong really.

If you've got a sensible head on your shoulders then I'd go for a 600 as it'll only go as fast as you make it, but if you go for a 500, you can't make it go any faster than it already does. Make sense?

Answer 7

Depends on your size. If you are under 150 a 250 will do just fine. Over 200 then a 500 should be your first. After that go for it. I had a 125 HP Honda way back in the stone age. It did 11.4 Sec 1/4 mile @ 119 MPH and 155 top speed. I had it three years and nearly killed myself. The helmet saved me. Be careful. If you want to race, go to a track. They are all over the place and cost very little. Drag strips usually charge $15.00 for a Friday evening of racing and many strips now have motocross tracks in their complex. That is the way to go. No, positively no street racing!!!!!

Answer 8

i have a 250 as my starter bike. the kawi ninja. it was very good for learning to ride i recommend anyone to go with that route, but you do grow out of it pretty fast after you feel very comfortable with riding a motorcycle. so if u don't mind learning on a safer bike THEN switching to a 600 its gonna be a good start.

Answer 9

you sound really...well...dumb calling them crotch rockets. If you're going to start riding you need to stop calling them that right now. They're sportbikes or streetbikes. Only non-riders call them crotchrockets.

Get an older CBR600F2 or F3

Answer 10

I had the chance to test a couple of bikes when I started riding and honestly, for a first bike I found Kawasaki Ninja 250cc to be one of the best bikes around for someone looking to learn. As for going forward, after you get used to this one, think for a 500cc one, see a couple here http://www.crotchrocketguide.com/500cc-motorcycles/