What size (cc) bike did you start out on?

[neebelung]

So for the most part, we all preach "start small!" to new riders, and yet, many of us didn't do this ourselves.

So what size was your first STREET bike (knowing many people started out on dirtbikes)?
Was it an I4 or a Twin?
Did you have previous experience (i.e. with dirtbikes)?
If you started on something "bigger," do you think it hurt your development as a rider or do you wish you'd started smaller?

[Trip]

650 Evil Twin, I was fine with it.

[Mule]

984 v-twin.....

i probably could have started off with a 600 or 750, the Buell's low-end torque is what surprised me...Specially after coming off the MSF course where you ride an underpowered-souless-250.....

i had my buell for a little over 24 hours when i decided to get it out on the expressway here in Miami. Not a great idea, but i survived the expressway and managed to crash coming out of my office parking lot. I broke my ankle and had to shelve the bike for almost 3 months. I had a lot of time to think about my mistakes and also do some quality reading on riding.

Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Mule

Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track.

I haven't yet read Total Control, but definitely agree on Proficient Motorcycling.

[ZXHOOLIGAN]

Started on a Honda Super 90 in 1965 at age 13. That was too big according to the law at that time. You were limited to 5bhp until you were 16, and the 90 had 9bhp!!! What a beast!

[Beefcake Morris]

05 honda F4i

[LaFemmes]

I started on a 250 Kawi for two years.
Jumped onto a 98 Kawi ZX9R for two seasons ( Loved that bike).
Had a GSXR 6 for two seasons as well.
I now have a Yami 6 in the garage.

[R1up0n1]

Originally Posted by Trip

650 Evil Twin, I was fine with it.

me too.

[ericr]

I started on the street with a Honda V65 Magna, 1100 V-4 yeah, I shoulda started smaller but I thought I knew how to ride.

In my defense, I started on a Honda Trail 50 when I was 5th or 6th grade, YZ 85, and 125 into my early teens, and was smart enough to not get a street bike while in my 20's. I knew better.

I was 32 when I bought the V65 and yeah, I was mature, but I still had a few close calls on it the first couple months. It was my favorite bike in the 80's when they came out and I found a sweet used one in 98 so I jumped at it. It was a handful at times and after 10 yrs on the street i would never recommend that anyone make a leap like that after not riding anything for so many years. i was smart enough to realize early on i needed to be real careful on that bike and luck played a small part too.

I ride a VTX 1800 now and it's for sale so I can get an FZ1 next

[itgirl]

i seriously started my street riding on a yamaha YSR50 (doesn't get much smaller than that). i'd be way too embarrassed for that today, but back when i was 17 i thought i was the shit, just because i had a bike. that was followed by 2-250s before the 636. all that and i was still scared as hell the day i took the 636 home.


(i also had the chrome special edition honda Z50 as a kid and a KDX 80 as well, so i have a dirtbike background)