First time on a 600cc this weekend..

[latwelve]

Thanks for all the useful gear advice so far on here - really appreciated.

I'm back in the UK for a week or so and booked my theory test last minute to get it out of the way (passed yesterday) which would have been funny if not with 7 years driving experience!

Just got off the phone to the guys I did my CBT with and going on a 600cc for 2 hours on saturday (should be sunny and 6degrees but icy/snow the night before)...

Any advice as my first time on a 600cc and 2nd hour of my life on a motorbike!

Think I'm going to nip to a shop in the morning to try and get a well fitting helmet and boots (got jacket and trousers).

Any thoughts appreciated.

[DrSnoosnoo]

No special tips for a 600. I too went from my CBT to a 500 in 2 hours. You'll just see how capable they are. Bigger engines are easier to ride and a lot more relaxing IMO
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

It's heavier than a 125. It'll be something like an ER6 anyway, not an R6 so you'll be fine.
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[Joncrete Cungle]

Be gentle with the throttle, especially if it is wet / damp. Gentle on the stoppers especially the front. Look ahead and plan your arrival at junctions / roundabouts at the right speed and in the right gear. Observation, observation, observation. Don't forget mirrors and lifesavers. Remember to cancel your indicators after you have turned. All other road users are out to get you, so ride accordingly. If you are smooth, steady and keep your wits about you I am sure you will be just fine.

[tbourner]

I was bricking it getting on a 500 after only having done CBT, but the instructor was really good and took me through it step by step in a car park, really gently on everything, just going forwards and stopping to start with.
But TBH within 5 mins I felt completely comfortable on it and it really was MUCH easier to ride than the 125.
Just be careful, once you're out on the road there is a temptation to twist the throttle a bit once you're rolling in a straight line - just do it gradually and gently!!! Get used to it a bit at a time.
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Trev, now a biker?
Looking for first big bike.

[latwelve]

Thanks guys perfect advice... I wasn't expecting the response of 600s being easier than a 125... why is that just the body position of a larger bike and the quality that comes with a larger engine?


I don't have any worries really other than general antisipation... however I do have a gear question..

My main worry is that I'll pop it down into too lower gear by accident whilst going too fast (even at low speed like going into 2nd for a round about whilst im slightly too fast)... are the gear changes less forgiving on a 600 than a 125 or about the same?


Cheers

[Joncrete Cungle]

If you change down too fast and too hard for the speed you are going you might lock up the back wheel. You tend to have to be giving it beans to do so. If you are smooth and match your gear changes to your speed you will be fine.

[Rogerborg]

[latwelve]

hahaha! sooo excited!

[Fem1]

You will love it

So true about being easier than a 125cc

[DonDino]

+1 to 600cc being easier to ride than 125.

As much as I enjoyed my CBF125, the light weight and thin tyres, along with the very modest power it could give made it feel almost flimsy and easy to topple over... compared to a bigger bike anyway.

All big bikes I've ridden (CBF500, CBF600 and ER6) feel much more solid, more grounded, more steady on the road at low and high speeds, and I don't feel like any little wind gust is going to whisk me 4 lanes over.
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First bike: CBF125, Feb. - Oct. 2012
Currently riding: ER-6N since Oct. 2012

[The Tot]

Survivalist reactions will force you to snatch at the front brake... DON'T. If you haven't been riding for long, you won't know HOW to trail the front brake or appreciate what the front end is going to do. If you're riding around in traffic or town, a bit of back brake will stabilise the bike.

If you know how to blip the throttle on the downshift (much like heeling and toeing in a car) then it will help with the engine braking. I won't even open that can of worms, but I'm sure you can search blipping whilst downshifting on youtube. I did it on my 125 because I followed people doing it on their bigger bikes and just carried it through.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Jersum]

[janner_10]

Nothing to worry about in the slightest - you will enjoy every single moment of it. Wrap up though with many layers, don't want to spoil the day by being bloody freezing cold!
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[Lord Percy]

Heavier engine lowers the centre of gravity so easier to balance, plus greater weight means greater friction on road surface.

Also bigger bikes have gravity fluction immodifiers, which basically means it pulls it to the ground a bit harder. Within the laws of physics it's possible to use a larger engined vehicle as a space ship.

I started motorcycling because I want a cheaper commute to the moon so I can start looking for work there.

[haroman666]

Well pulling away is a different ball game that's for sure...
On 6 you need to redline it and dump the clutch for it to even budge!!
Ahhh I joke obviously

Just expect a heavier but livelier bike. Slow speed maneouvers may seem a tad more difficult. And for god sake don't take it of the stand like you do the 125. I dropped my 400 taking it off the stand cause I was in autopilot thinking it was the same.

I dont understand what is meant by "easier than a 125" though... With my 125 i could full throttle mid-turn and not worry about losing traction, and slow speed and parking was farrrrr easier.
But I do ride mountain bikes a lot so I am used to throwing about a small bike as well as a "big bike".

Good luck!

(Edit for spelling and grammar)
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[U_W v2.0]

you know, that bit "everybody says it but no one believes it"

all you have to do is look at how much easier your 125 is to ride when you have a full tank compared to running it on reserve.

i notice the difference between the two and i gotta say, even though the improvement is minimal, the extra weight does make a noticable difference.

so i can believe a heavier bike = easier and cant wait to see the real difference!
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[Dilyan]

Was at traffic lights yesterday and messing about with mine. After nearly 2 years with my current bike I almost dropped it ... so, weight is something I'd pay particular attention to.
Have lots and lots of fun and beware of the cold weather/slippery roads.
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Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[latwelve]

all sounds great - cant wait to go on it now!

literally only ridden a 125 for 2 hours and thats my biking history so expecting to be surprised

I do race downhill mountain bikes tho so I am used to flicking bikes around but I can appreciate the difference in stability from a 36lb bike to a 45lb bike.

So after hearing your replies you all sound bob on.

[haroman666]

[Efes123]

[latwelve]

[latwelve]

[Themightyimp]

Enjoy the experience.It is awesome when you get on a bigger bike,Everything thing just starts to feel right.
I can still remember my 1st step up from 125 on my DAS course,he had us on an ER5.I was bricking it,until I actually felt the balance of it.He got us to take it off side and put it on centre before we were allowed to ride it around the training ground.Then when we'd got used to how it felt doing that,he got us doing wide curcuits,then brought us in to doing the mod1 stuff.Within 5mins of this,the bike felt so much easier to handle than my old CG125.Then when he was happy that we could control it slowly we hit the Rd.
What an eye opener that was,we just sailed along on open rds,effortlessly.
You will enjoy it,so just chill and go with it.
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1998 Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer
Now turned gay and got a cruiser.

[haroman666]