Slap Bang In The Middle

[Steve H]

I'm in the middle of my 5 day D.A.S. Course at present and today 'graduated' to the 500 that I hope to take my test on within the next few days.

Initially when I started the course I was a total novice (and still am if truth be known) but starting on the 125 was fine, riding round in circles in a makeshift car park getting used to the feel of a bike, steering, changing gear, braking, etc was quite enjoyable albeit rather nervy once out on the road. The instructor attempts to teach you how to relax and be calm 'cos initially it's a akin to chucking all the controls in a big bowl and attempting to get the right mix and blend that will give you as smooth a ride as possible.

Anyway the point of my post (if there really is one!) is that after riding on the 500 today the difference in power (approximately 5 times more than a 125cc I'm told) is truly incredible. For those 'inexperenced' people that are intent on obtaining a 600cc sports bike (approximately 8-10 times more bhp than a 125cc - same source!) I would say think long and hard about doing so and definately get some test rides prior to purchase to ascertain if you truly really feel comfortable with that sort of power.

As an older(ish!) necomer to biking I've done a lot of research prior to my course and found that the vast majority advise against the sportsbike as a first purchase. To be truthful I took this advice with a pinch of salt and thought that I was far too sensible a bloke to be caught out by the alleged power of a 'Big Bike'. Newbies (apparantly that's what we're called!) take heed and take care these experienced blokes might know a thing or 2

Cheers

SteveH

[Hex]

I owned a 125 for a year before doing my DAS, I honestly found the 500 quite bland.

After passing my test I went out and bought a CBR600 2000 model, ok not exactly a out and out sports bike but a lot more powerful than the 500.

I haven't had any problems tbh, at first of course I had to adjust to the bike but the same can be said of any new vehicle you get on/in (car or bike).

At the end of the day though its down to the individual. A lot of my choice came down to the fact I wanted a bike I wouldn't get board of in a few months.

a lot of your feelings are coming from the point that its all new to you, given a month or so you'll be used to the way a bike works and you may find some of the commuter type 500's a bit bland.

Just something to think about mate.

Hex
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[zaknafien]

Rode an NSR, took my test on a SR and then bought a 600.

The difference in power is amazing but definitely not scary in any way. Just treat it with respect and there's no problem.
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[Akira]

I passed my test a few months ago on a CB500, and I felt just the same as you about the power delivery etc, and bought a CB500 the day I passed my test. Now i'm itching to upgrade, like Hex and Zak said, you soon get used to it. You say yourself you only rode a 500 for the first time today, so I'd say wait until you judge all the options until you've had more time to get used to it. You'd be surprised imo.

[Ste]

Did my CBT on a CG thing, then rode around on an NSR. The went to a 106.9bhp ZX6R without problems. IMHO if you are able to respect the bike and use the power with sense then you should be able to ride any bike. However it is very very effortless to sit at 140 on the motorways

A 500 like you are using at the moment, you will get bored of it quicker, and will not perform nearly as well as a 600 bike. What are you wanting to do with your bike, as that will determine which is the best bike for you.

[Rob]

The BIG difference is that most of the guys on here have ridden their 125's for quite a while before moving up directly to a sportsbike. It can be pretty lethal having only done a 5 day course then moving directly onto a sportsbike.. even though you pass your test in 5 days, nothing can compensate for real world experience which you only get with time unfortunately. So I think it is a wise decision for you not to move directly onto a supersports bike. But hey, sportsbikes aren't the be all and end all of biking - in the real world on the road you can go much quicker and have much more fun on bikes designed for the road not for the track!

Anyway, welcome to the forum - and biking! Ride safely and most importantly - ENJOY IT!!
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[Bendy]

Bingo.

I didn't have any 125 experience. I had the sum total of 3 days experience on geared bikes and a full power licence in my hand.

It was nice to have something a bit more forgiving than a 600 sports for those stupid 'learner' moments (even though you have a licence, you're still a learner!). I spent 9 months on my CB - pretty comparable to a lot of people's 125 phase?

What I would say is not to spend a massive amount of money on your first bike, cos you may get bored or change your mind as to what style of bike you want or whatever. I don't regret owning a CB500, I regret owning a virtually brand new one

[GFK]

I'm doing my 125 test in december.

I don't want a bigger bike just yet - a derestricted NSR will do. I'd kill myself within a week on anything bigger.

[Sparks!]

I rode the CG125 of the training school for about 3 days worth of riding. Boringly slow.

Jumped on my bandit 400 which was flipping fast, but it fell apart after about an hours use so I sold it and bought a decent bike. My ZXR400 which I still have, but am now selling.

It's plenty fast enough for learning on and also in my opinion teaches you to be a much better rider as you've got to really work to keep up with bigger bikes, and then you have to work REALLY hard to get past those bigger bikes

I'm still learning, only been riding since May, would be lieing if I said I was a good rider, because I'm not! But I want rid of my ZXR now, most probably going for a DR350SE trail bike for winter and stunt lunacy as well as an RVF400 (yes both bikes) ready for the summer again and also on dry days.

I personally think that when still learning a sports 400 is plenty fast enough. Most people who jump straight on a full power R6 with no experience will either be a danger to themselves or others or be way too scared to ride the bike anywhere near its limits and just become a bad rider or just a bloody slow one.
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[Steve H]

Thanks for the responses and welcomes everybody.

A couple of days down the line and I realise what some are saying regarding the blandness of the 500 although it still does seem to do more than a good job of making me enjoy the riding experience - 70mph in this sort of weather is just about bearable although a fairing would drastically improve the ease of riding as the gusting wind and buffetting that your body takes gets rather monotonous after a while.

Whilst I don't want this thread to take the turn of so many I've read i.e. 'What bike to get when/if I pass my test?' it's always interesting to read other posters comments as they are very rarely exactly the same.

Thank once again for the comments.

SteveH