Modern bikes (from superbikes on down) have so much safety tech built in that I think you can start on virtually anything you want IF you are cool and disciplined enough to know your limits. It's a big personality thing... some people have the personality to start on a 1k superbike because they are naturally cautious/disciplined and won't push it until they are very comfortable.
Yep. Honestly I love the sound of the MT07 but with the lack of safety and riding modes I was turned off. I could spend like 2k more and get the super mt09
@@KirkKreifels And the MT09 will last you forever in terms of power/acceleration unless you want to routinely go 100+ (after that point, naked bikes become pretty unbearable... I have a speed twin 1200 and it is a nightmare above 100).
I think you make some valid points, but here is my story and thoughts. I learned to drive on a manual car in NYC at age 16. Fast-forward 2 years, and I'm living in Japan and start my riding experience with a simple 50cc scooter. Over the course of the next 2 years, I go from the scooter to a 125cc bike, then a 250cc bike and finally a 400cc bike which was the limit I could ride with the Japanese motorcycle license endorsement I had. Along the way, I had a few minor spills on the 125cc and a pretty unpleasant one on the 250cc, partly because I was wearing flip-flops, shorts and a t-shirt at the time. Since returning to the US and getting my US motorcycle license, some 30 years ago, I have had all sorts of bikes varying in engine size and purpose, including a GSX-R1000 and a ZX10R. With all the safety tech and power modes on modern bikes like the newer MT-09, I think a new rider can safely get one as his/her first bike. However, and this is a big one, I really think buying a used bike as your first bike is the best choice because many new riders will at one point drop their bike or go down (hopefully not at speed) and if that happens on a bike north of $10,000 it would definitely be a bummer. 😀
I have just got back on a street bike again after being stuck on a dirt bike for the last 10 years my last street bike was a 1999 r1 and just picked up a 2018 mt09 and with some quick mods ( bars and levers) I am loving it. Even in stocksh form you can easily jump curbs and speed bumps it will brake the speed limits on demand and yeah if you want to serve up a wheelie just crack the throttle 24000 miles on it and still rippin up the town never misses a beet yamaha killed it with this one and that's comming from a die hard kawasaki mx rider who has been known to claim he bleeds green
'23 XSR900 here. I would agree with you, got my new Baby home.. and chickened out!! I put like 10 miles on it and Woah... Life Modification: I used to ride back in the day, but I knew my skills had faded.. I just did a few mods on it over the next couple months delaying ride day. I decided I couldn't cold turkey it and bought a Chinese KPX250 dual sport. I liked it soo much I put 1000 miles on it just around country roads around here. Got really good again but only after I threw away the dual sport tires (Unstable at any lean) with skinny but same 21/18" tire size. Wow.. Instant stabilty/smoothness.. Parking lot figure 8's returned. I graduated to Big Boy Kick Ass! Confidence First, Power Second. IMO you gotta have a disposable bike to drop 5 times. Dropping my XSR9 would break my heart, and I'd never get good fearing the drop. Dual Sport Chinese are a great choice.. highly recommend the KPX250, $2900 shipped. I now have a SUPERB "Guest Bike" and the confidence to push a Chipped XSR9 with sprockets to boot.
I would say learning or getting back in the saddle on a brand new $$$ bike of over ~80HP you might want to first get your skills into tippy top shape first. Modes help. Dropping a bike, esp with Fairings will keep you from learning skill/traction limits due to repair costs. Most drops are at less that 5 mph.
It is a good 1st bike. I'm a new rider and the 2024 MT-09 is my first bike. I found nothing scary or difficult about it. I feel right at home on it. I've got 600 miles on it now. I started in 'Rain' mode for the first week then switched to 'Street' mode. I keep Lift Control on and I've even used Quick Shift. I prefer using the clutch though because it's more fun.
Thank you for the great video review. This is one of the bikes on my radar to get. My first bike was a CBR 600 F3 and have went through the motorcycle class and got my license. Been a while since I road but I am looking for something more comfortable upright but still has some power. Loving the new 24 MT09 design and want to go with the blacked out look.
Warning, long post ahead. I purposefully got the MT07 as my first ever bike because it didn't have traction control or any other tech, and I didn't want to get a more expensive bike that I'd potentially drop and damage. My first EVER time on a bike was my MSF course a few months before I got the 07 in late 2021. I want to go anywhere in the world and rent a motorcycle and be fine with it -- no quick shifter, no traction control, the only thing I wanted was ABS -- even a professional rider has the potential to lock up tires on a bike in an emergency situation on the street. You have the qualifiers for most any motorcycle having actually been on dirt bikes and a Grom, IMO. My daily driver car is a supposedly fast manual (911 Turbo) and I've been tracking on road courses for 18 years starting with my high revving M3. Conceptually the clutch experience was helpful, and now I have to be sure I unlearn what I do on the bike with the car -- at 8700 miles on the MT07 I mostly clutchless upshift, a potentially $15k mistake in the car lol. As soon as I see them at dealers later this year I'm buying a '24 MT09SP sight unseen and shipping it in (Miami dealers are going to gouge). Then a used Ninja 400 and a full set of leathers to go track at Homestead. Could I have probably been ok starting in an MT09? I'll never know, but I would have a hard time recommending anyone get more than an 07 given the fact that it's done very well for me as a first bike. The only "complaint" for a new rider is it does have a twitchy throttle, even with the 2WDW tune. My friend's Triumph 660 is much more smooth and probably more beginner friendly (though it isn't nearly as fun as the 07). I am thankful for the options we have on the market - nobody has an excuse for not buying a motorcycle that fits their tastes, budget and skill. I can't say the same for rider gear. Our gear selection in the US is ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS. You should do a video on that. Go look at everything on FC-Moto then look at what we have on Revzilla - our selection sucks and what they do have is out of stock. When I do get the 09SP I'll have to ride up so you can check it out :)
Great post, except for this statement-"You have the qualifiers for most any motorcycle having actually been on dirt bikes and a Grom, IMO." I know this is your opinion, and likely what you yourself did, but riding a Grom once or twice does not prepare anyone for a bike over 50hp by any stretch, as they will learn some 2 wheel fundamentals, but will in no way be truly prepared for road riding, and dirtbikes will be a similar situation for fundamentals, but are far removed from the requirements of road riding also. I do agree that some people command the discipline for larger bikes, but inexperience can be a cruel teacher, and disciplined people are fewer and farther between these days.
I remember learning on an old Hayabusa. It was incredibly easy for me and after mastering it in an hour, I found myself wanting a more challenging bike. Then I woke up
My first bike is the 2024 MT-09 that I’ve had for about 5 weeks. Other than the practice I got from an MSF course, I had no experience riding a motorcycle. But I drive a manual transmission car, and I ride a bicycle for exercise regularly. I love this bike! I still have not taken it out of Rain mode yet. At no time since I’ve had this bike have I wished I would have bought a lower powered and lower featured motorcycle instead. The Quick Shifter feature is fantastic. I use it when I’m riding on the twisties. The Quick Shifter plus Rain Mode allows me to confidently change gears either up or down even in the curves very smoothly. However, for now I ride only on twisty roads during the daytime on roads I know. And I’m not going crazy speeds. At some point, I’ll try Street mode. But Rain mode is great for learning.
Wow! Congratulations 👏 I had a hell of a time launching the MT09 from a stop for the first 180 miles or so. I'd kill the engine often no matter how much gas I gave it. I adjusted the clutch cable and that helped, also the bike breaking in more has smoothed things out. Haven't killed it once since 180 miles. Did you have a similar experience?
@@KirkKreifels Yes. I stalled it many times the first couple hundred miles. It still is a bit surprising how much throttle I have to give it when launching in 1st gear.
Bro, I'm the exact same as you. Honestly, you can switch to Street mode. I have yet to try Sport mode though, but i have 600 miles on mine now and most of that was in Street mode. I love this bike and so glad I bypassed those "beginner" bikes. I like the Quick Shift feature but I think I prefer using the clutch more, unless maybe when I'm passing a car then i may just use Quick Shift if necessary.
@@AceGoodheart I use the clutch most of the time. But I find the Quick Shifter to be a really nice tool in the twisty roads because it is much smoother than I can shift myself. This allows me to be confident to change gears even in the middle of turns sometimes.
@@AceGoodheart Update: Today I switched it to Street mode. Love it! But then when I got home I decided to use Custom 1 mode instead. I created a Custom 1 mode with Power level of 2 (same as Street), but I set it with all the other nanny aids on maximum. I’m going to try this setting for a couple weeks and see how I like that. One thing I’ll say about Power level 2 is that in any gear except 2nd, you better hang on if you open the throttle up. Nice!
I've heard such varying advice on the MT-09 it's pretty crazy. From experienced riders who are scared of it to people who think it's a great beginner bike. Best thing to do is ride one and decide for yourself.
The MT-09 for the right person could be a good first bike. I don't think I would recommend it unless I really knew the person asking due to the massive amounts of power. But then I learned to ride on an RD350 , so who am I to talk.
no experienced rider would be scared of an MT09 to me that says they are not that experienced and are full of crap. i have been riding 35 years here in the UK and used to be an advanced motorcycle instructor. riding in the US it a mile of difference to riding in the UK and Europe with our smaller twistier roads over here where you do need a much higher skill level. as an ex advanced instructor over here i wouldnt recommend it as a first bike but with your wider straighter road over there in the US i would say its a fair comment
My first ever bike was a 2007 Gixxer 600, the blue and white configuration! And I never ever rode a street bike before, I simply learned how to use the clutch and shifter! It literally took me about an hour to get comfortable with switching gears up shifting and down shifting as well!! As a general rule, a liter bike isn't a great choice as a first bike for a beginner! A 600cc is perfect to get some experience, then you can go up (if you want) but not necessary
I got an MT-07 -18 as a first bike. Been riding it for two months and 3500km. It doesn’t have any riding modes or cruise control, only ABS. I love riding the thing and I agree that you definitely want some experience in traffic before getting on a bike and know yourself and your behaviour. If you’re a person who chase sports cars and never back down from a challenge, be aware of that and mature enough to back down if it’s not appropriate. In Sweden we can’t get a license for heavy motorcycles until we’re 24 years of age which I think is great. I’d say any motorcycle which is easy to handle is a good beginner bike, the rest is up to you. You can get in trouble with a 500cc as much as a 1000cc.
I don't know why, but I prefer a slightly sub-liter bike over a full liter -- mostly just the MT-09 though. I also like the Triumph 765 RS, the Trident as well but I also love it if a bike is way over a liter, like the Speed Triple 1200 RS.
I think as long as you get some sliders you can start on anything. I think the amount of time it takes to learn to ride is often overstated. I still think it's not a great option because the auto-blipper and the fact that you could mostly daily it without hitting 4th gear is kinda not helpful for getting good. I guess that stuff isn't so important. I'd say cause it has real handlebars the MT09 is at least more reasonable than the boosa XD
As long as it has antilock brakes, lane watch, Lane keep assist, cross traffic alert, parking sensors, Blindspot monitoring, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control then i’ll be fine!😂
These videos have been a huge help for someone looking to get into one of these bikes (Also coming from a grom currently, though i have had big bikes in the past) Thank you for doing such a good job with these, but please stop saying you are "Driving" your motorcycle ;p! I am very interested in the customizable user modes. Any chance you would be willing to make a video going over what everything means and what you would equate the different power levels to be? For instance, I am a returning rider essentially and it would make sense..ish for me to get an mt07. However i want bike to grow into and i want rider aides.. Is there a setting i can choose that essentially gives me mt07 power?
If the guy on the Bussa ever lays it down with a T-shirt on he'll find out about the pain and life-threatening effects of road rash! Since I started riding on my first bike a 71 Yamaha RD350 in 71 I get on a bike I think I can die on this today. Helmit of course gloves, boots and jacket are your tools to enjoy motorcycles safely. P.S. look up counter steering if you haven't used it. Luv your work Kirk
Yeah it hurts me to see him take that risk, but it's his choice. Sadly in FL I see more bikers without helmets than those with. Sadly not many opportunities to countersteer in straight flat Florida
Almost any modern bike could be a first bike. Just leave all the safeties on and put it in rain mode. The problem with this tactic is that you can never feel what the limit is like. So when you finally think you’re skilled enough to ride without the safeties, the first time you open yourself to experiencing the full capabilities of a bike it’s on something that *will* seriously injure or even kill you if you mess up. By starting on a “big” bike you’re neglecting a major portion of your rider education. Also, you’re risking a much more expensive bike in the hands of a novice. So it’s just not wise from either a skill, financial, or safety perspective. Start on something with less than 50 hp. But plan on upgrading to something with 80-120 hp very quickly, like a month or less. Once you’re comfortable on the middleweight, then upgrade to something more powerful if you want. I’ve had bikes with 180 hp, I like 120-150 better.
the rain mode on the mt09 is 50 hp. after 3 weeks he moved on to the street oriented throttle map. There's no point tying up 2-4 grand into a bike you don't have any intention of owning. the mt-09 has the same weight as a honda 500 so you could definitely still find the handling limits on an mt09 in rain mode in the same way you could on a honda. put on some engine guards, drop protective wind deflecting handguards, sliders, and potentially more. Dropping this naked bike will always be cheaper than dropping a Ninja 400 with the plastic fairings.
@avery4528 Not sure about you, but I sold my 2002 Ninja 500 for $300 more than I bought it for simply by playing the seasons (bought in Februarh 2014, sold in May 2014). There is no reason to lose money on a beginner bike unless you wreck it. Tens of thousands of people have already gone through the trouble of buying a new Z400 or R3, or whatever, so take advantage of the fact that they've already eaten the depreciation for you. Something like 20% of motorcyclists have wrecked a bike. There are probably a lot more first bikes than that get wrecked, and a lot of the riders quit. It's much better to lose that money on a 10 year old bike you didn't care about than a new bike you spent a lot on. More importantly, rain mode doesn't just cut peak power. It also deadens the throttle response and makes traction control much more intrusive. Yes, you can find the limits of grip in a tight turn, but you cannot find the performance limits of a 50hp bike using a 120hp bike in rain or A2 mode. So, I repeat my original statement. You can safely begin on an MT-09. But a major portion of your rider education will be neglected. These are high-performance machines, even some of the slow ones. You wouldn't take a GT3 RS to your first track day, you'd take a Miata. On a motorcycle every day has the potential to turn into a track-like day as soon as one person in a Highlander isn't paying attention.
I got rid of my panigale v4= not great for recreational riding around locally, and got rid of my Harley Fat Boy 114 = boring and handles strange with the fat tire in back and thin in the front, and got the 2024 mt09 cyan. It’s not about the cost of the bike, it’s the enjoyment factor.
i ride a mt 125 for 1 year , im scared of buying one and the throttle being too sensitive what is your opinion on it ? im looking too a mt 09 because i can get one limited to 35kw and then unlock it so i cant have it for a long time
I'm going to put my 2cents worth in. I believe that a newbe rider should buy what ever bike he wants "but" he needs to do a lot of thinking about what he is wanting out of it. I've bout a lot of bikes on just looks and was happy with them for 2 to 3 years. Then I see another one that I liked the looks of. On and On and On. Settling down to a bike that you will want for 5 to 8 years is what your goal should be. Sure there is always a bike that looks better, at the moment, but have you got the money to buy a different bike every couple of years? If you like sport bikes and only intend to ride for an hour of seat time, then you can live with it for a long time. I own a ZX4RR which brings me a lot of joy, but I wouldn't want to ride it more then 2 hours. I have another bike designed for that. I feel the ZX4RR is the perfect beginner bike that a new rider will keep a long time. If Kawasaki would now make a modern super naked with that engine, they would sell bunches.
Well, don’t agree a manual transmission car preps you for an MT09 or Busa. It just means you get the concept of shifting with a clutch. There’s so much more to think about. You do you, but I think beginners need experience with smaller displacement for awhile. Like a year or more. Maybe not to the extremes that Europe does it, but under 5-600 cc would be smarter. Yes, things like maturity matter, no blanket statements, but I disagree whole heartedly with the premise of this vid. It’s like saying a Shelby mustang would be a good car for beginners…. If it’s got ABS and traction control. Nope.
I agree with you on that. I grew up using a standard vehicle and when I started riding a bike the shifting is so different because you're using your hands. Even though the concept is the same the experience feels completely new.
0 seconds ago Definitely a much better first bike than my Kawasaki ZX7R was. I can’t believe I’m still here after owning that thing as a new rider. Deleted by accident.
What I wanna know is when are you gonna be able to do a wheelie standing on your seat going 100 miles an hour, that’s what everyone’s here to see! Just kidding don’t be that idiot..lol 🤪🏍️🏍️🏍️😜
Modern bikes (from superbikes on down) have so much safety tech built in that I think you can start on virtually anything you want IF you are cool and disciplined enough to know your limits. It's a big personality thing... some people have the personality to start on a 1k superbike because they are naturally cautious/disciplined and won't push it until they are very comfortable.
Yep. Honestly I love the sound of the MT07 but with the lack of safety and riding modes I was turned off. I could spend like 2k more and get the super mt09
@@KirkKreifels And the MT09 will last you forever in terms of power/acceleration unless you want to routinely go 100+ (after that point, naked bikes become pretty unbearable... I have a speed twin 1200 and it is a nightmare above 100).
Completely agree! My first bike after taking a MSF course was a Ninja 1000.
That k5 engine!
@@KirkKreifelsK5 is a Suzuki engine. Ninja is a Kawasaki.
Oh duh... I was thinking gsxs1000. Now I remember ninja 1000! It would make a great touring bike@@rightwingsafetysquad9872
I think you make some valid points, but here is my story and thoughts. I learned to drive on a manual car in NYC at age 16. Fast-forward 2 years, and I'm living in Japan and start my riding experience with a simple 50cc scooter. Over the course of the next 2 years, I go from the scooter to a 125cc bike, then a 250cc bike and finally a 400cc bike which was the limit I could ride with the Japanese motorcycle license endorsement I had. Along the way, I had a few minor spills on the 125cc and a pretty unpleasant one on the 250cc, partly because I was wearing flip-flops, shorts and a t-shirt at the time. Since returning to the US and getting my US motorcycle license, some 30 years ago, I have had all sorts of bikes varying in engine size and purpose, including a GSX-R1000 and a ZX10R. With all the safety tech and power modes on modern bikes like the newer MT-09, I think a new rider can safely get one as his/her first bike. However, and this is a big one, I really think buying a used bike as your first bike is the best choice because many new riders will at one point drop their bike or go down (hopefully not at speed) and if that happens on a bike north of $10,000 it would definitely be a bummer. 😀
I have just got back on a street bike again after being stuck on a dirt bike for the last 10 years my last street bike was a 1999 r1 and just picked up a 2018 mt09 and with some quick mods ( bars and levers) I am loving it. Even in stocksh form you can easily jump curbs and speed bumps it will brake the speed limits on demand and yeah if you want to serve up a wheelie just crack the throttle 24000 miles on it and still rippin up the town never misses a beet yamaha killed it with this one and that's comming from a die hard kawasaki mx rider who has been known to claim he bleeds green
'23 XSR900 here. I would agree with you, got my new Baby home.. and chickened out!! I put like 10 miles on it and Woah... Life Modification: I used to ride back in the day, but I knew my skills had faded.. I just did a few mods on it over the next couple months delaying ride day. I decided I couldn't cold turkey it and bought a Chinese KPX250 dual sport. I liked it soo much I put 1000 miles on it just around country roads around here. Got really good again but only after I threw away the dual sport tires (Unstable at any lean) with skinny but same 21/18" tire size. Wow.. Instant stabilty/smoothness.. Parking lot figure 8's returned. I graduated to Big Boy Kick Ass! Confidence First, Power Second. IMO you gotta have a disposable bike to drop 5 times. Dropping my XSR9 would break my heart, and I'd never get good fearing the drop. Dual Sport Chinese are a great choice.. highly recommend the KPX250, $2900 shipped. I now have a SUPERB "Guest Bike" and the confidence to push a Chipped XSR9 with sprockets to boot.
I would say learning or getting back in the saddle on a brand new $$$ bike of over ~80HP you might want to first get your skills into tippy top shape first. Modes help. Dropping a bike, esp with Fairings will keep you from learning skill/traction limits due to repair costs. Most drops are at less that 5 mph.
It is a good 1st bike. I'm a new rider and the 2024 MT-09 is my first bike. I found nothing scary or difficult about it. I feel right at home on it. I've got 600 miles on it now. I started in 'Rain' mode for the first week then switched to 'Street' mode. I keep Lift Control on and I've even used Quick Shift. I prefer using the clutch though because it's more fun.
Thank you for the great video review. This is one of the bikes on my radar to get. My first bike was a CBR 600 F3 and have went through the motorcycle class and got my license. Been a while since I road but I am looking for something more comfortable upright but still has some power. Loving the new 24 MT09 design and want to go with the blacked out look.
It's hard to complain about the bike... Wind at highway speeds gets old lol
Warning, long post ahead. I purposefully got the MT07 as my first ever bike because it didn't have traction control or any other tech, and I didn't want to get a more expensive bike that I'd potentially drop and damage. My first EVER time on a bike was my MSF course a few months before I got the 07 in late 2021. I want to go anywhere in the world and rent a motorcycle and be fine with it -- no quick shifter, no traction control, the only thing I wanted was ABS -- even a professional rider has the potential to lock up tires on a bike in an emergency situation on the street. You have the qualifiers for most any motorcycle having actually been on dirt bikes and a Grom, IMO. My daily driver car is a supposedly fast manual (911 Turbo) and I've been tracking on road courses for 18 years starting with my high revving M3. Conceptually the clutch experience was helpful, and now I have to be sure I unlearn what I do on the bike with the car -- at 8700 miles on the MT07 I mostly clutchless upshift, a potentially $15k mistake in the car lol. As soon as I see them at dealers later this year I'm buying a '24 MT09SP sight unseen and shipping it in (Miami dealers are going to gouge). Then a used Ninja 400 and a full set of leathers to go track at Homestead. Could I have probably been ok starting in an MT09? I'll never know, but I would have a hard time recommending anyone get more than an 07 given the fact that it's done very well for me as a first bike. The only "complaint" for a new rider is it does have a twitchy throttle, even with the 2WDW tune. My friend's Triumph 660 is much more smooth and probably more beginner friendly (though it isn't nearly as fun as the 07). I am thankful for the options we have on the market - nobody has an excuse for not buying a motorcycle that fits their tastes, budget and skill. I can't say the same for rider gear. Our gear selection in the US is ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS. You should do a video on that. Go look at everything on FC-Moto then look at what we have on Revzilla - our selection sucks and what they do have is out of stock. When I do get the 09SP I'll have to ride up so you can check it out :)
Great post, except for this statement-"You have the qualifiers for most any motorcycle having actually been on dirt bikes and a Grom, IMO." I know this is your opinion, and likely what you yourself did, but riding a Grom once or twice does not prepare anyone for a bike over 50hp by any stretch, as they will learn some 2 wheel fundamentals, but will in no way be truly prepared for road riding, and dirtbikes will be a similar situation for fundamentals, but are far removed from the requirements of road riding also. I do agree that some people command the discipline for larger bikes, but inexperience can be a cruel teacher, and disciplined people are fewer and farther between these days.
I remember learning on an old Hayabusa. It was incredibly easy for me and after mastering it in an hour, I found myself wanting a more challenging bike. Then I woke up
My first bike is the 2024 MT-09 that I’ve had for about 5 weeks. Other than the practice I got from an MSF course, I had no experience riding a motorcycle.
But I drive a manual transmission car, and I ride a bicycle for exercise regularly.
I love this bike!
I still have not taken it out of Rain mode yet.
At no time since I’ve had this bike have I wished I would have bought a lower powered and lower featured motorcycle instead.
The Quick Shifter feature is fantastic. I use it when I’m riding on the twisties. The Quick Shifter plus Rain Mode allows me to confidently change gears either up or down even in the curves very smoothly. However, for now I ride only on twisty roads during the daytime on roads I know. And I’m not going crazy speeds.
At some point, I’ll try Street mode. But Rain mode is great for learning.
Wow! Congratulations 👏
I had a hell of a time launching the MT09 from a stop for the first 180 miles or so. I'd kill the engine often no matter how much gas I gave it. I adjusted the clutch cable and that helped, also the bike breaking in more has smoothed things out. Haven't killed it once since 180 miles. Did you have a similar experience?
@@KirkKreifels Yes. I stalled it many times the first couple hundred miles. It still is a bit surprising how much throttle I have to give it when launching in 1st gear.
Bro, I'm the exact same as you. Honestly, you can switch to Street mode. I have yet to try Sport mode though, but i have 600 miles on mine now and most of that was in Street mode. I love this bike and so glad I bypassed those "beginner" bikes. I like the Quick Shift feature but I think I prefer using the clutch more, unless maybe when I'm passing a car then i may just use Quick Shift if necessary.
@@AceGoodheart I use the clutch most of the time. But I find the Quick Shifter to be a really nice tool in the twisty roads because it is much smoother than I can shift myself. This allows me to be confident to change gears even in the middle of turns sometimes.
@@AceGoodheart Update: Today I switched it to Street mode. Love it! But then when I got home I decided to use Custom 1 mode instead. I created a Custom 1 mode with Power level of 2 (same as Street), but I set it with all the other nanny aids on maximum. I’m going to try this setting for a couple weeks and see how I like that.
One thing I’ll say about Power level 2 is that in any gear except 2nd, you better hang on if you open the throttle up. Nice!
I've heard such varying advice on the MT-09 it's pretty crazy. From experienced riders who are scared of it to people who think it's a great beginner bike. Best thing to do is ride one and decide for yourself.
The MT-09 for the right person could be a good first bike. I don't think I would recommend it unless I really knew the person asking due to the massive amounts of power.
But then I learned to ride on an RD350 , so who am I to talk.
no experienced rider would be scared of an MT09 to me that says they are not that experienced and are full of crap. i have been riding 35 years here in the UK and used to be an advanced motorcycle instructor. riding in the US it a mile of difference to riding in the UK and Europe with our smaller twistier roads over here where you do need a much higher skill level. as an ex advanced instructor over here i wouldnt recommend it as a first bike but with your wider straighter road over there in the US i would say its a fair comment
@@Carvetii completely agree with you 🇮🇹🇮🇹
My first ever bike was a 2007 Gixxer 600, the blue and white configuration! And I never ever rode a street bike before, I simply learned how to use the clutch and shifter! It literally took me about an hour to get comfortable with switching gears up shifting and down shifting as well!! As a general rule, a liter bike isn't a great choice as a first bike for a beginner! A 600cc is perfect to get some experience, then you can go up (if you want) but not necessary
My first bike was a Yamaha FZ6. Second was a K1200R (both without ABS). Currently on an S1000R M, it's like a space ship.
I got an MT-07 -18 as a first bike. Been riding it for two months and 3500km. It doesn’t have any riding modes or cruise control, only ABS. I love riding the thing and I agree that you definitely want some experience in traffic before getting on a bike and know yourself and your behaviour. If you’re a person who chase sports cars and never back down from a challenge, be aware of that and mature enough to back down if it’s not appropriate. In Sweden we can’t get a license for heavy motorcycles until we’re 24 years of age which I think is great.
I’d say any motorcycle which is easy to handle is a good beginner bike, the rest is up to you. You can get in trouble with a 500cc as much as a 1000cc.
Thanks for sharing from Sweden!
I don't know why, but I prefer a slightly sub-liter bike over a full liter -- mostly just the MT-09 though. I also like the Triumph 765 RS, the Trident as well but I also love it if a bike is way over a liter, like the Speed Triple 1200 RS.
I think as long as you get some sliders you can start on anything. I think the amount of time it takes to learn to ride is often overstated. I still think it's not a great option because the auto-blipper and the fact that you could mostly daily it without hitting 4th gear is kinda not helpful for getting good. I guess that stuff isn't so important. I'd say cause it has real handlebars the MT09 is at least more reasonable than the boosa XD
As long as it has antilock brakes, lane watch, Lane keep assist, cross traffic alert, parking sensors, Blindspot monitoring, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control then i’ll be fine!😂
These videos have been a huge help for someone looking to get into one of these bikes (Also coming from a grom currently, though i have had big bikes in the past) Thank you for doing such a good job with these, but please stop saying you are "Driving" your motorcycle ;p!
I am very interested in the customizable user modes. Any chance you would be willing to make a video going over what everything means and what you would equate the different power levels to be? For instance, I am a returning rider essentially and it would make sense..ish for me to get an mt07. However i want bike to grow into and i want rider aides.. Is there a setting i can choose that essentially gives me mt07 power?
If the guy on the Bussa ever lays it down with a T-shirt on he'll find out about the pain and life-threatening effects of road rash! Since I started riding on my first bike a 71 Yamaha RD350 in 71 I get on a bike I think I can die on this today. Helmit of course gloves, boots and jacket are your tools to enjoy motorcycles safely. P.S. look up counter steering if you haven't used it. Luv your work Kirk
Yeah it hurts me to see him take that risk, but it's his choice. Sadly in FL I see more bikers without helmets than those with.
Sadly not many opportunities to countersteer in straight flat Florida
@@KirkKreifels that's why theirs a Deals Gap Day in your future!
🤞
Almost any modern bike could be a first bike. Just leave all the safeties on and put it in rain mode. The problem with this tactic is that you can never feel what the limit is like. So when you finally think you’re skilled enough to ride without the safeties, the first time you open yourself to experiencing the full capabilities of a bike it’s on something that *will* seriously injure or even kill you if you mess up. By starting on a “big” bike you’re neglecting a major portion of your rider education. Also, you’re risking a much more expensive bike in the hands of a novice. So it’s just not wise from either a skill, financial, or safety perspective.
Start on something with less than 50 hp. But plan on upgrading to something with 80-120 hp very quickly, like a month or less. Once you’re comfortable on the middleweight, then upgrade to something more powerful if you want. I’ve had bikes with 180 hp, I like 120-150 better.
40-50hp is a great place to start.
the rain mode on the mt09 is 50 hp. after 3 weeks he moved on to the street oriented throttle map. There's no point tying up 2-4 grand into a bike you don't have any intention of owning. the mt-09 has the same weight as a honda 500 so you could definitely still find the handling limits on an mt09 in rain mode in the same way you could on a honda. put on some engine guards, drop protective wind deflecting handguards, sliders, and potentially more. Dropping this naked bike will always be cheaper than dropping a Ninja 400 with the plastic fairings.
@avery4528 Not sure about you, but I sold my 2002 Ninja 500 for $300 more than I bought it for simply by playing the seasons (bought in Februarh 2014, sold in May 2014). There is no reason to lose money on a beginner bike unless you wreck it. Tens of thousands of people have already gone through the trouble of buying a new Z400 or R3, or whatever, so take advantage of the fact that they've already eaten the depreciation for you. Something like 20% of motorcyclists have wrecked a bike. There are probably a lot more first bikes than that get wrecked, and a lot of the riders quit. It's much better to lose that money on a 10 year old bike you didn't care about than a new bike you spent a lot on.
More importantly, rain mode doesn't just cut peak power. It also deadens the throttle response and makes traction control much more intrusive. Yes, you can find the limits of grip in a tight turn, but you cannot find the performance limits of a 50hp bike using a 120hp bike in rain or A2 mode.
So, I repeat my original statement. You can safely begin on an MT-09. But a major portion of your rider education will be neglected. These are high-performance machines, even some of the slow ones. You wouldn't take a GT3 RS to your first track day, you'd take a Miata. On a motorcycle every day has the potential to turn into a track-like day as soon as one person in a Highlander isn't paying attention.
I got rid of my panigale v4= not great for recreational riding around locally, and got rid of my Harley Fat Boy 114 = boring and handles strange with the fat tire in back and thin in the front, and got the 2024 mt09 cyan. It’s not about the cost of the bike, it’s the enjoyment factor.
MT09 is the best to do it all bike!
i ride a mt 125 for 1 year , im scared of buying one and the throttle being too sensitive what is your opinion on it ? im looking too a mt 09 because i can get one limited to 35kw and then unlock it so i cant have it for a long time
Apologize if I missed it. What else did you ride/review prior to purchasing the MT-09?
I had a ninja 250 for a year. A Grom about 5 months before getting this. Still have the Grom
@@KirkKreifels Thank you. Please add the Aprilia Tuono 660 to your review list.
I'm going to put my 2cents worth in. I believe that a newbe rider should buy what ever bike he wants "but" he needs to do a lot of thinking about what he is wanting out of it. I've bout a lot of bikes on just looks and was happy with them for 2 to 3 years. Then I see another one that I liked the looks of. On and On and On. Settling down to a bike that you will want for 5 to 8 years is what your goal should be. Sure there is always a bike that looks better, at the moment, but have you got the money to buy a different bike every couple of years? If you like sport bikes and only intend to ride for an hour of seat time, then you can live with it for a long time. I own a ZX4RR which brings me a lot of joy, but I wouldn't want to ride it more then 2 hours. I have another bike designed for that. I feel the ZX4RR is the perfect beginner bike that a new rider will keep a long time. If Kawasaki would now make a modern super naked with that engine, they would sell bunches.
That bike I adore! Wish they were about $2k less
Nahh..there is no regret buying mt09…even v2 version still relevant today. Fun bike
I had a small Honda motorcycle in college and would love to have another but would only consider if I had motorcycle club to ride with.
Well, don’t agree a manual transmission car preps you for an MT09 or Busa. It just means you get the concept of shifting with a clutch. There’s so much more to think about. You do you, but I think beginners need experience with smaller displacement for awhile. Like a year or more. Maybe not to the extremes that Europe does it, but under 5-600 cc would be smarter. Yes, things like maturity matter, no blanket statements, but I disagree whole heartedly with the premise of this vid. It’s like saying a Shelby mustang would be a good car for beginners…. If it’s got ABS and traction control. Nope.
I value your opinion. My thoughts on this "isn't one size fits all".
I agree with you on that. I grew up using a standard vehicle and when I started riding a bike the shifting is so different because you're using your hands. Even though the concept is the same the experience feels completely new.
It sounds really awesome. It’s got a good sound!
Just wait, exhaust coming in
Got the same bike, awesome!
Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉
2024 MT07 it’s brother
On this roads I would drive a car with cruise control? My condolences!
Yeah Florida is boring
at 200 the speed wobbles 😆
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Definitely a much better first bike than my Kawasaki ZX7R was. I can’t believe I’m still here after owning that thing as a new rider.
Deleted by accident.
Loved the zx7r and zx9r... Never got to ride them but true monsters
@@KirkKreifels I had the rare Burgundy Wine color. Beautiful bike! Way too much gusto for me.
Awesome
What I wanna know is when are you gonna be able to do a wheelie standing on your seat going 100 miles an hour, that’s what everyone’s here to see! Just kidding don’t be that idiot..lol 🤪🏍️🏍️🏍️😜
Hahaha
poh poh