I was also looking at the MT03 and kawasaki z400, I know you said no chinese but CFMOTO NK300 looks cool and is also cheaper around 4000$, the others are 6000$. Beginner here, i will start school in a week or so. I drove a long time ago a 50 cc bike but is nothing compared to these. What I'm asking is, what will be your pick between these? :D
@@affent1522I'm sure he meant random chinese knockoffs from non-reputable companies. Even Yammie loves CFMOTO hahahaha those are serious bang for your buck
I went from a CBR 600 f4i to a Kawi 636. 18 years later I am still rocking a 636 and never been down. You can learn on a 600, but it can also kill you. So if you do, the best advice I got was "as soon as you feel comfortable slow down."
I feel this I started on my 2014 zx6r mind you I had rode plenty grew up with dirtbikes and shit cruisers ect just the first sport bike anyone can start on this if they respect it
Im a beginner, starting on a 600cc. You are very right about the willpower, but that alone isnt enough of a reason to outright avoid the bikes as a beginner. A beginner can make the same bad decisions as someone thats been riding for 10 years. At the end of the day, i just have to be a mature adult riding my 120 hp death machine. Its the person, just like everything else
I started with a Grom…so much fun! Then a Yami XT250 I still own, then a Moto Guzzi V7 still own and lastly a 49cc Vespa which is a bit of a project. I often think I should have started with a Rebel 500. More recently I thought I’d like to try a Ninja 400… but I’m afraid I’ll become a hoodlum with one 😂🤣. Seems like a bigger Grom to me and that might be trouble!
Literally juat had to talk someone out of selling their car for an S1000RR as their first bike. We also live in Colorado where it snows 6 months out of the year. So it was stupid x2
@@coolmojito keeping it in rain mode is stupid all it does is limit the throttle response sensitivity so if you learn the bike on rain mode and then go to normal mode instead you'll have to relearn your throttle response and learn to control it all over again if you get a s1000rr for your first bike like I am don't use rain mode the whole time like a gsxr squid would if you let them ride one
My "first bike" after 34 years is a 2022 Indian Chief. It's the only reason I even have a bike. After three months of parking lot practice, I grew into it. A few more months and I was comfortable at highway speeds. Just over a year now. I still and will always practice in parking lots. Planning on attending an intermediate level course in Spring of 2024.
On Saturday I bought a new 2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 for $6150 OTD. I freaking love it, and your channel played no small part of my decision making process. Thanks Yammie!
@@SkippyTheBeerCan check the 2024 ,it has so many upgrades unlike yamaha r3 sadly ,they changed alot on new husqy,bunch of new features and it ain't much more expnsive,research into it abit,me personally don't like new dashboard,the old vintage one looked great imo ,but the rest is sweet,lower seat hight,higher ground clearance,bigger tank for like 3.5l ,just amazing all the quality of life improvements :)
Very many years ago, I bought my first motorcycle for $40. A flathead Harley with suicide clutch. Restored it and rode it for two years. Then sold it for $400. Some 30 bikes later best advice I can give is: Don't buy a bike you can't lift when you've dropped it. Because you will.
I started on a cbr650r. I knew if I started on a 400 I'd want to upgrade within a year. 650 was perfect for me, not a ton of power but plenty as a beginner.
@@itz_x_salvation395 I'm 21 so my insurance is crazy high. If I got a 2017 R3 it's $4300cad 😐 checked this bike just because I was curious, it's $10000 without collision coverage
@@mototoe Expensive as F! As a new rider, I called many, many, many insurance companies and brokers and those who didn't literally cut me off as I said CBR, said I won't like their quote, usually at >>>$4000 per year! I luckily found one that charged $1,700.
So I started on my grandad’s 97 VFR 750. I got a grom just to dork around and yes I agree it’s sketchy around traffic, it’s actually been handy to learn trail braking, rev match downshifting, and other such techniques like uturns while dragging the rear break. Its squishy forgiveness can be dangerous when translating the skills to a bigger bike, but as long as you keep practicing and paying attention to how the bike reacts…when it doesn’t nose dive when downshifting as an example, you can get a good idea of if you’re ready to try it on a bigger bike, granted to still use caution so you won’t yeet yourself over the bars…but for a general rough experiment and practice going through the motions, the grom actually was nice as a secondary bike and learning tool. Would I advise it for an only beginning bike? No. Hard no. It can’t even get out of its own way. But I’m glad to practice on that and not fear possible drops rather than trying to learn immediately on my grand dad’s bike and destroying it.
And if you're me you realize that even at almost 58yrs old you still prefer the riding position of a sport bike over your $20,000 Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Ducati Monster 1200 and find yourself having way more fun on your R7. 🤘😎🏍
I completely understand the part about starting on 600's and why it may not be a good idea. However, it is very doable. I was 18 when I bought my GSXR600 as my first bike and damn it is so much fun. It definitely can be dangerous if you don't respect it or don't have the maturity to ride within your limit, but as someone who just commutes to school, work or hangouts with friends, a 600 is a blast and honestly has been a great bike to learn on for me. It absolutely depends on the individual and the maturity you can show when twisting the throttle.
Heeey, I'm also considering buying a bike like that, but I was concerned about my back. I'm 6'5 so isn't the constant leaning forward not bothering you and do you think it might cause back problems for me if I use it to commute to work everyday? I love the aggresive look of the bikes but I thought maybe a standard bike might be more comfortable since you're in an upright position then. Sorry for the lengthy question lol
@@Overhemd The constant leaning forward is a little compromising, I'm 5'8 and I can definitely feel my back on longer trips. If you do like the aggressive look and are worried about comfort, I would say the GSXR is 100% the way to go. I've since sold my GSXR and got a 2023 Ninja ZX-6R and there is a surprising difference in comfort between the two, the GSXR being more comfortable (Just got done with a long trip with the Ninja). It may be much different for you since you're almost a foot taller than I am lol. I also commute with my bike for the most part and I've never really had an issue with positioning/ back pain for those rides. I guess it depends how long your commute is though. If you're really set on super sport though I'd say a GSXR is the way to go.
I started (still have it, but due for a new something or other, lot's of choices) on a new 2010 Ninja 650 (Yammie's favourite bike by the way 😂 ). When purchased, I was in my early 40's and still enjoy speed but wise enough to stay relatively close to the speed limits and I was well over 200 lbs at the time. Now at 190 the bike is more fun. It took a little bit to get used to be so "exposed" on the roads more than the power, but I found that keeping within one's comfort zone and building your skills you may be fine to ride whatever you want. By contrast, the most powerful bike I've ridden since getting my license 13 years ago was a 2023 MT-10 with a flashed ECU putting down about 165 hp at the wheel. C R A Z Y bike but oh so fun. Just a never ending supply of torque! You typically run out of road before you ever run out of power/torque. Unless you're talking 150 mph highway runs, so I've heard. ;-) That bike is NOT for beginners IMO. I'm sure some would be fine, but that's a specific type of person with a disciplined mindset. My 2 cents if it's of value to someone.
Im a beginner, starting on a 600cc. It's a z650 to be precise, brand new. I know, it's better to get a second hand, but having a brand new vehicule was a dream. I'm 40 and I'm tired to have second hand vehicules, so I made the mistake. Plus, in my country starting on a 600cc is not that bad because beginner can't drive with more than 47hp for 2 years and brands sells them restrained. In my point of view it may be akward to have only 47hp, but when I'll get the full power, the progression will be easier because I know the bike.
With the 125cc it depends where you live. Here in Germany you can ride one with 16 and living a more in the south it's practical for learning. The power is in most cases enough to get you around corners and over every hill. You learn some cornering techniques, low speed handling and so on. I bought myself a GSX 750 AE from 2002 after my time as an 125cc rider and I love that thing.
Just got my license and first bike...and broke the 7th rule on price with my brand new RS 660 but I''m so happy I did. It is perfect for me. Maybe it's not the right thing to do for everyone, but I got to try a few different styles in my rider training and also did a day rental at a motocross track...and did tons of research. A special thanks to Yammie for covering the Aprilia in depth and all of the other amusing and inspiring content!
I got the Tuono 660 as my first bike. The Tuono and RS 660s are great first bike despite what Yammie says. True that they might be a little expensive for some riders but if you’re more mature with more coin to spend on a first bike they’re perfect. I’ve got 3k miles on mine and I’m ready for a power upgrade
I almost congratulated you but SIR! Sir!.. Sir! That's 2023 Zx6R money... I understand that the RS 660 is a great bike but that's supersport money... Idk bruh, I'm happy you out here shinin' but damn bruhss.. thats TWO full ninja 400s + slip-ons
@@NSDG813 I think if any new rider can resist the temptation of the speeds of a ZX6R it would make a great 1st bike as well. Especially with the new electronic riders modes like Rain that keep the power down. Let’s be honest though, there’s something really special about the Italian bikes even if the Jap bikes are less expensive
@@NSDG813 The 2023s are expensive but I got a deal on new a 2022. Also, I'm 61 so the ergos suited me better than a totally committed supersport. I did consider a used Ninja 400 but 2x ponies/torx plus the safety aspects of better suspension, brakes and electronics is what made me choose the RS. Btw...is there some reason you are misgendering me?
Here is my trouble. This dude makes videos about how to start in the dangerous hobby of two-wheel speed. The issue is it is currently snowing outside my house. I don't know why I keep watching these videos, I just keep looking outside and seeing snow
I started researching last winter. It is brutal but now you have time to come to an understanding of what bikes are on your list and gear. Use the time to research and be ready!
I started on a grom and I had no trouble upgrading at all. I think the grom showed me that no matter how fast the bike is, you will still get into sticky situations and that made me respect bigger bikes even more. I went from a grom to a ninja 400 with 0 issues and then to an mt07 with 0 issues. I should mention that I grew up riding dirtbikes and rode something with two wheels everyday of my childhood life
I found a low mileage 2013 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for about 4 grand. It was a great re-starter bike. Fuel injection. Low seat. Easy to ride with enough power but not crazy. 9:10
I got a Thurxton 900 as my first bike. Hella happy that it was a pre-built Cafe racer and I get to spend loads of time riding her and not wrenching. A little powerful though, I do catch myself going faster than need be at times as a beginner rider 😅
Good choice. I had a 900 Street Twin to start for about 1.5 years. Just upgraded to the Thruxton RS. Definitely a manageable bike in Rain or Road mode, even for a beginner. I don’t use the sport mode but it’s got plenty of torque down low for riding around town.
I have a ktm duke 390 as my first and a 1980 cb400. I use the cb400 for wrenching and learning on and the ktm for actually riding. Love both and it’s all thanks to you Yam.
I started on my mom’s old 09’ Suzuki Gladius SFV650 645cc, but I’d been riding dirtbikes for years. My soon to be brother in law just bought a 2019 Yamaha mt07 and doesn’t even have his license yet 😂. I took him for a ride on mine and he loved it and got a 655cc off the rip
My first street bike - after riding dirt bikes for several years - was a Honda 919. It was perfect. Not too heavy, not too powerful, neutral handling, and dead reliable. Wish I still had it.
Got my first bike (Rebel 500) at the beginning of this summer. Lady at the dealership also recommended the Kawasaki Vulcan. Sat on the bike and said NO. Didn't feel good, like the rebel did. My friends are interested in getting bikes after hearing me gush about how fun it is. I would have (past tense) recommended a Grom for price/ease reasons, but i never thought about the transition. Going to a real big boy bike after something like a Grom or Navi, as you said, would be such a huge step. They'd effectively have to go from Grom>beginner bike rather than beginner>intermediate.
Lol i was the opposite. Didnt like how i felt on the rebel but sat on a Vulcan s and it fit me like a glove. Definitely gonna add one as my 2nd or 3rd bike
@@Aj.oh7 I'm a small dude (5'5") so most bikes have a seating position too high for me to be comfortable. The Rebel is a small bike and i fit it perfectly. I feel taller people would probably look/feel awkward on a bike that size. The dealership lady said that a big (6'5"ish) guy wanted the rebel i was eyeing but declined after she took a picture of him on the bike and showed him.
Just got a 690 smc r as first bike. Definitely not the smartest decision i have ever made. Definitely 100% worth it as long as you are mature, respect the machine and acknowledge your own skill level.
Im currently on my starter motorcycle, a 1987 Rebel 450. Mostly original, 12k miles on it. Honestly its much easier than what i thought it was gonna be with me weighing in at 115Lbs.
My first bike was a BMW R1200C, and I loved it! It had decent power, was comfortable, it felt light with that amazing low center of gravity, everyone liked it since it wasn’t the average cruiser, the sound of the stock exhaust was nice and not annoying at all, it was reliable as a wood burning stove and the BMW dealer was also great when the time for servicing it came.
I learned on a 1976 kz400. My first motorcycle that I rode on a regular basis was a 1971 cb175. My second bike was a 1976 Honda Goldwing with a fairing and bags. I used one of the bags as a cooler for longer rides with my friends and the other held gear like a heavier jacket and rain coat. I learned how to wheelie on that Goldwing.
I started on a ktm 1190 adventure r (brand new). Rode it a couple months, struggling the entire time, paranoid about dropping it. After i realized how tall the bike was and how high the center of gravity is, i decided to get a "trainer". Then I got a used cheap bmw f650CS "scarver" to drop and make mistakes with. There is no better "trainer" beginner bike in the world! Seriously, it is forgiving. I had to step back to the 650 and kept the 1190 until i was comfortable on the beater bmw 650. Learning on the f650CS was way easier then on the 1190 adventure r.
My wife wanted to get a panigale v2 as her 1st bike. But I discouraged her from it, so she went for a ninja 400. Very happy she listened because she’s now scared of using it at high speed after she dropped it a few times.
I started on a GSX 600f from 1994 for 450 bucks. Invested 1.000 dollars and enjoyed the hell out of that machine. The only difference is that most people in the Netherlands are over the age of 25 when starting to ride, we are more likely to control the inner squid demon.
I recently bought a brand new Vespa. I almost burst to tears riding it home from the dealer, I said 'what did I do? All this money...' This is not for me. A month later, I think it's growing into me. Part of the reason was probably the fact I never rode a bike before.
I can't disagree more on the 125cc bikes. They are excelent beginner bikes. Here in germany you start to learn riding on these as a 16 year old with the A1 license. With 18 you can get bigger bikes if you get your A2 licence and after that wih 20 you can drive them unrestricted with the A license
I was riding 125 2 stroke dirt bikes (so essentially any 250 4 stroke) when I was 10 years old. They're good for kids. They are not fast and powerful. By the time I was ready to get my first street bike, anything less than 1000cc was a no go.
I started on a 600 and I've been riding for little over a year now. A 600 is perfectly fine to start on. The only caveat is you need to know what kind of person you are. Obviously if you're an adrenaline junkie maybe don't do that. If you can respect the throttle and ride within your limits, its been an amazing experience for me because as I got better at riding I never got bored or felt like I needed to upgrade. Beyond that, you could always choose a 600 thats relatively linear like a Honda CBR. You just need to know yourself.
I’m an adrenaline junkie but high speed cornering is the love of my life so I know I have to take time to learn the machine so I can get bigger payoff later down the road. Delayed gratification is how I view it
You’ve only been riding a year…… Motorcycle accident happens at low speeds too. It’s takes no skill to ride a super sport in a straight line. Hell, I’ve seen a bike go down a road without a driver for several hundred meters until the eventual loss of momentum took over. That ego will come back to bite you. It’s why you see videos of people crashing their bikes because, they finally need to perform an emergency action. Things like hamfisting the front brake and tossing themselves over. Smaller bikes don’t have the short throttle or the whiplash causing brakes that Super Sports do, and most riders do not take the time to drill and become familiar with the bike to grasp what’s going to happen if they squeeze or twist too hard. The point of a smaller bike is to learn with something that won’t punish the rider for simple mistakes.
Just got my first bike. I’m 28 years old. 2016 triumph street triple 675. Prefect beginner plus bike. Already riding it around my house and haven’t taken the MSF course yet…I feel like I am gonna wake up and it will all be a dream. Hope not..love this bike!! Ps. I take msf in a week but Yammie…u got me piddling around the house successfully 🤙🏾
It also totally depends on you as a person. I got a CBR 650 as a first bike. the weight was a surprise, but the throttle was very relaxed to me, having experienced a dualsport as a teenager. My buddy on the other hand, a cruiser rider, thought the bike was super light, but almost killed himself as soon as he touched the throttle. So it's all about the mindset you have going in to riding as well. Always be aware of your own feelings towards a bike VS the reality of what it is.
The first bike I rode on the street was my mom’s 650 Vulcan S. After that I would ride anything my parents had available: a street triple, Moto Guzzi California, Fz-10 (before it was the MT-10), an older model ninja 1000, and even a heavily modded Vmax. All this from when I got my motorcycle license at 17 to now at 26. My first official bike is a 2020 GSX-S 750, and I love that thing. Now my first official
I'll be getting a ninja 650 krt for my first bike, amazing sport/touring design and i wont burn out 6th gear going highway speed over 500 miles a week to work on the 400cc
For comfort reasons I recommend a 4 cylinder. The ZX bikes have about the same speed. The downside is that they burn more gas and oil and are harder to fix. The upside is they sound a lot nicer according to me and every one older than 35
My first big girl bike was a 2013 suzuki gw 250. I'm 5'3, was perfect. "Graduated" to a harley street rod 750 and have to say the ergonomics of my street bike are way more comfortable! Next bike will Def be a newer street bike in the 400-600cc range. ❤ But... will forever love my Honda supercub (125cc) for around town 😏🛵✌️.
Future new biker here. I started with a Honda XL 125. Sold after two years for the embarrassing lack of power. Bought a Dominator: sold for vibrations. Now, at 31 with some savings, I'm finally getting my "uphill-wont-frighten-me-anymore" bike. Kawasaki ER-6, BMW F800 or Suzuki Bandit. Ready to fear the bike for the first time!
I got a 2013 CB1100 for my first bike. Definitely think it hampered me a bit because it took me a long time to feel comfortable. However, years later it’s still my only bike and I ride pretty regularly. Would definitely not recommend, I think it only worked out for me because I’m 6’4” and 250lb and in my late 30s 😅
30’s is probably the best age to start riding street tbh. Insurance rates are far lower, even for complete beginners, and you’ve probably got a lot of road experience under your belt to draw upon, making it easier to focus upon learning to ride.
Last year I got a 2000 Yamaha VStar 650. One owner. Garage kept. 7800 miles. Cobra exhaust. Other than tires and oil change, it’s been rock solid. Not the fastest, but it’s fun using the whole tachometer and I can still cruise at highway speeds. Best $2500 I’ve spent.
Thanks for your advice on this topic! I just got my bike license and most of my lessons were on a MT-07. I enjoyed riding it but I don't like the way it looks, so I think I might get a Suzuki SV650 instead. But either way, here in central Europe, bike season is pretty much over so I'll wait until next spring and then I'll try out different bikes at the local dealerships.
Greetings from central Europe also :) Try yamaha xsr 700. I've spent some time on suzuki sv650 and I find its seat very uncomfortable (buttsore after hour and a half or so). Made my choise on XSR700, and I am very satisfied after 20kkm. Power delivery and numbers are almost identical as SV650
@@rasalom36 Thanks for the tip! I'll keep the XSR 700 in mind. It's got the same engine as the MT-07 so that'll already feel kind of familiar when I try it. But I'll also try other options to see which one fits me the best.
@@TomHenksYT Both are great bikes but yeah definitely sit on one. I thought I wanted a certain Honda so bad until I threw a leg over one in the showroom and found the seat height to be incredibly too short for my shape.
I havent ridden in over 8 years, got myself a Ducat Diavel 1200 2015 model, what a stressful ride home, but got the hang of her now after a few months of riding. Did a 1000km trip this past weekend too. hehe. Enjoying your videos here form South Africa
A Moto Guzzi V50 II as a first bike: perfect ! Reliable, not too expensive, not too much power but enought to feel comfortable on the highway, relaxed sitting on it.
Got myself a 2007 Hyosung GT250r couple days ago, my friend who fixes up cars and bikes is teaching me to fix and clean it up, was definitely a great buy
I have a 2022 Honda Trail and 1981 Kawasaki LTD 440. Both completely stock. It’s a great combination and all the boxes are checked! Bought them both outright over the last few years and still didn’t spend as much as I would have for a 10K bike.
I just got my first bike, a 1999 Yamaha VSTAR 650 custom and I love it. I may be lucky because the previous owner was meticulous about maintaining it and also put a lot of money into new V&H exhaust, new paint, new chrome, carbs, and all that, but it looks and runs like brand new and I find that it fits me perfectly; physically, as well as style
Just wanna start by saying your videos have helped me a lot as a beginner. My “first” bike was a 30 year old Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 that I spent all winter and a stupid amount of money fixing just to yeet it into the side of the house my first time pulling it out of the garage. I figured “I rode a dirt bike once and I can drive a manual. What else is there to know?” Well, five years and a lot more maturity later, I decided on a 20 year old 883 sporty with service records, got a couple buddies to teach me how to ride, and won’t take it on the road without being parking lot confident.
I learned and passed my driving license on Yamaha XJ6 (that's EU version of FZ6R) with 600ccm and 78HP. It's a detuned R6 engine and really it's not that scarry, considered R6 had like 130HP. The biggest difficulty is weight, but you learn step by step how to handle it, taking corners bit faster every time. You can now buy Yamaha MT-07, which is lighter, produces a bit above 70HP but have lot of low-end torque, so it may be also difficult to ride.
I started out on a Honda monkey. And had absolutely no problem going to an Indian scout with 100 horsepower. I took the monkey on highways and all different kinds of roads. Rode it for a year and then got on the scout and it was a very smooth transition. That's just me I don't know about other people.
@@TBA32 Amen dude! I'm glad to see someone prove people wrong when they say people can't learn on a grom or a monkey than go to a much faster and bigger bike.
My first motorcycle was a Yamaha FZ6R. Probably a little too powerful for some but it worked out well for me and taught me how to handle a heavier bike at 465lbs wet.
Thing 2: This is exactly the way I believe everyone should start riding. Trial by fire. If you don't make it, you don't ride. My first motorcycle was a $200 1980 XS650. It didn't run. The carbs were garbage, the throttle cables were garage hacked from three universal choke cables, the tires were both older than me... It was a pile of garbage. For another $300 or so I made it a daily rideable bike, over the course of almost two years. Absolutely worth it. I'd do it again, and others should as well.
I started on a 07 r6. It is doable for a beginner, its just takes longer to learn the basics like slow maneuver turns, hard braking, and throttle control, etc. Everytime I ride it I always get tempted to rev it out and hear that scream! lol Respect the bike and dont push your limits. Ride your own ride and keep learning to improve your skills.
My first bike was a gsxr 600, and I completely agree. I was one of those guys who got hooked on speed. Thankfully, I'm still alive, but boy, am I addicted to that feeling.
Any mid-size trials bike (Sherco, Beta, Gas Gas, etc.) is perfect for the first year experience. You must learn so much that it benefits for the rest of your motorcycling life. Also a pretty light dirt bike or even a dual-sport like DRZ400 or CRL300 might be a perfect choice since light off-road teaches a lot in terms of proper control and balance.
I bought a Yamaha XSR 700 two months ago. I start my motorcycle course on Friday. It’s been so difficult looking at the bike for two months not being able to ride it but I had to buy it as it was a 21 Reg with 420 miles on it and I got it for £4700. Fair to say it was worth the argument with the wife.
Best beginner's bike= Honda Grom, Kawasaki z125, KTM Duke 200 , Honda Rebel 300 , Cb300R , Suzuki Gsx250r. A Ninja 400 I consider a great second bike. Anything that can go over 100 miles per hour it's NOT a beginner's bike.
A friend of mine jumped from 150cc to 600cc. Dude has lack of self control and big ego to flex. He broke some bones and became handicapped for life in high speed accident, bike also got destroyed. I jumped to R1 from CBR250R, but the power was just too much. Sold it after over a year. I only love the sound tbh lol
Just started at age 54 after being off bikes since my twenties. I went for a used Yamaha FZ6R . It has aggressive look but the ride is vey comfortable and I feel very much in control.
I have two of these saved on marketplace. I really like the idea of having a little power under me with a nice look, but not the normal 120ish hp of a 4cyl 600. I’m between this or an mt07
Years ago, Honda 400 twin, then Honda 500-4, didn't ride for 25 years, then Ducati 800 monster for two years, now KTM Superduke 1290 GT. Love this bike.
I rode a CBR300 for first year. Despite the rubbish everyone heaps on the CBR300 I loved that bike so much. Did 25,000kms in first 12 months. Loved every minute. Then moved to Honda CB400. Loved it even more. Now have 2018 CBR650f and looove it. Next bike will be GSXR750. I'm 4 years into riding. One of my mates rides a Yami Virago 250 and he's been riding it for 8 years. Loves it. Most bikes are pretty awesome. That feeling on the road ... there's nothing I've found that compares.
2 years ago, I bought an '18 Yamaha V Star 250 in Raven black Metallic, 50 years outta the saddle. Added the padded sissy bar/luggage rack, Dual Track Moto Horns and a few other little things.326lbs wet stock, now about 335-340lbs. With 21-23HP (Rebel 250 about 16-18HP), it's torquey and nimble. Got about 6K in it so far. Which is great for me, having learned knee draggin' from King Kenny when he invented it in the 70's. So, anyway, I had a second hip replacement June '23 and spent the next year adding/swapping parts, oil, filters, etc. Till this past June when I had gotten enough balance back to practice in earnest once more. I'm lovin' it, especially when I automatically have those TT Moments. Some call it a sport cruiser, and I'm tending to agree at 68.
I started out with a Ducati Malaguti 50cc and then upgraded to a Yamaha XJ6 but tuned down to 125cc. Worked great for me, allowed me to get a feel for motorcycles, then get used to heavier stuff and now I'm changing to an R6 but open.
My history and plans for motorcycles: Started on a Beta 50rr. Got a fantic xmf 125 a year later. Been redlining that on every road for the past 1.5 years. Getting an aprilia rs 457 next year. And 2 years after that I will get my dream bike, BMW R12 Nine T
Learn how to ride and fall on a dirt bike. Get a 4 stroke CRF125 and ride on the dirt. Go round and round and round on the dirt. Then move to a CR125 2 stroke. Go round and round and round. Then a 250 and then a 400-500 2 stroke. This will take a few years. Once you are good at dirt biking, then move to the street.
In my opinion, a smaller displacement UJM is the perfect beginner bike. Mine was a Suzuki 550E from 1982, and it was fairly well bulletproof. It was super easy to work on, super easy to ride, and it never left me stranded, except, of course, when I ran out of gas. Duh! It had plenty of power for a beginner, able to cruise at highway speeds, got 60 miles per gallon so long as I didn't goose it, and it was light enough to be nimble on turns and quick off the line. It had enough grunt down low for stop and go city traffic, while traveling down back country roads was a little bit of heaven. Everything I learned about riding, braking, turning and safety, translated to the larger displacement bikes in the future. As far as I am concerned, you couldn't ask for more from a beginner bike.
I like how you said “do not start on a 600cc SPORT bike” emphasis on the “sport”. I started on a ninja 650 which is considered a sport touring and it is arguably the perfect starter bike. Definitely doesn’t have the guts of a R6 but your not going to get bored compared to a 250-300
Started with a BMW F900XR and upgraded to a R1250RS after 5000. Both bikes were chosen under the premise, that my wife can ride more or less comfortable with me (she joined only after I got comfortable with the bike myself, so after the first oil swap). It was not the easiest choice for a beginner, but the XR is still very agile and not completely nuts with the HP, so it worked out just fine for me.
New to riding since august of 2023. Got a 2017 Ducati monster 797 for 7k and absolutely love it! It’s super easy for me to handle and I’m extremely comfortable on it. Riding position is great as well!
Did you know I'm giving away a Yamaha MT03...? That's actually a good beginner bike 👀 go to yammienoob.co because time is running out!
Every knows a jump bike is the best bike...if you ain't jumping the Grand Canyon on your first ride, are you even trained?
Never rode a motorcycle in my life ran into you videos because my phone spying on about taking some lesson. Throw me a ninja 400
I was also looking at the MT03 and kawasaki z400, I know you said no chinese but CFMOTO NK300 looks cool and is also cheaper around 4000$, the others are 6000$. Beginner here, i will start school in a week or so. I drove a long time ago a 50 cc bike but is nothing compared to these. What I'm asking is, what will be your pick between these? :D
@@affent1522I'm sure he meant random chinese knockoffs from non-reputable companies. Even Yammie loves CFMOTO hahahaha those are serious bang for your buck
@@affent1522 i would pick the duke 390. faster than mt03. better looking than the kawasaki.
Moral of the story - Buy a BMW S1000r
😂
Edit: Buy a Gsxr1000r
@@joelschram14edit: buy a Kawasaki H2
Agreed, but added another R 🥳
@@PCgamer474and m
I went from a CBR 600 f4i to a Kawi 636. 18 years later I am still rocking a 636 and never been down.
You can learn on a 600, but it can also kill you. So if you do, the best advice I got was "as soon as you feel comfortable slow down."
when i started taking lessons on the road my bike was 600cc i also had too do exam on a 600 to get my license whitout limits
I started on a 636, but I would never recommend one to a beginner. My advice it always the same: nothing with more than 500ccs or two cylinders.
got too comfortable on a 600 and crashed last friday, thankfully nothing broken. those words will be engrained into my head from now on haha
@@mmaritz glad you're OK.
I feel this I started on my 2014 zx6r mind you I had rode plenty grew up with dirtbikes and shit cruisers ect just the first sport bike anyone can start on this if they respect it
Im a beginner, starting on a 600cc.
You are very right about the willpower, but that alone isnt enough of a reason to outright avoid the bikes as a beginner.
A beginner can make the same bad decisions as someone thats been riding for 10 years. At the end of the day, i just have to be a mature adult riding my 120 hp death machine.
Its the person, just like everything else
So it’s not the ride… it’s the rider!
Honestly I'm looking at 600s cuz I love how they sound.. speed absolutely terrifies me=
@@killerfreddie223 would strongly advise not buying a 600 then.
@@KaySpde howcome?
I started with a Grom…so much fun! Then a Yami XT250 I still own, then a Moto Guzzi V7 still own and lastly a 49cc Vespa which is a bit of a project. I often think I should have started with a Rebel 500. More recently I thought I’d like to try a Ninja 400… but I’m afraid I’ll become a hoodlum with one 😂🤣. Seems like a bigger Grom to me and that might be trouble!
Literally juat had to talk someone out of selling their car for an S1000RR as their first bike. We also live in Colorado where it snows 6 months out of the year. So it was stupid x2
LMAO Does he have ADHD by any chance
I mean... it has Rain Mode, so he should be almost ok
Honda Transalp paint it all black or all white, and there ya go.
It's fine. Get a seasonal or wfh job and outsource all your grocery shopping to delivereasy during the winter 😂
@@coolmojito keeping it in rain mode is stupid all it does is limit the throttle response sensitivity so if you learn the bike on rain mode and then go to normal mode instead you'll have to relearn your throttle response and learn to control it all over again if you get a s1000rr for your first bike like I am don't use rain mode the whole time like a gsxr squid would
if you let them ride one
My "first bike" after 34 years is a 2022 Indian Chief. It's the only reason I even have a bike. After three months of parking lot practice, I grew into it. A few more months and I was comfortable at highway speeds. Just over a year now. I still and will always practice in parking lots. Planning on attending an intermediate level course in Spring of 2024.
On Saturday I bought a new 2023 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 for $6150 OTD. I freaking love it, and your channel played no small part of my decision making process. Thanks Yammie!
How do you still like it? I plan to get one in April.
@@SkippyTheBeerCan check the 2024 ,it has so many upgrades unlike yamaha r3 sadly ,they changed alot on new husqy,bunch of new features and it ain't much more expnsive,research into it abit,me personally don't like new dashboard,the old vintage one looked great imo ,but the rest is sweet,lower seat hight,higher ground clearance,bigger tank for like 3.5l ,just amazing all the quality of life improvements :)
Probably leaking oil
Video Idea: put a normal bicycle on the dyno and see how many horses a singular person can output
Yes I would actually love to see that
Less than 1 hp, and not for long...
So you want to see people on a spin bike doing a watt test?
It's been done. Pro cyclists use a crank that measures output in watts. After translation, top cyclists make about 3/10 of 1 hp.
@@williamnewkirk6316whaaat? Really?
I woulda thought a pro would be running at least 2 full Hp lmao
Very many years ago, I bought my first motorcycle for $40. A flathead Harley with suicide clutch. Restored it and rode it for two years. Then sold it for $400. Some 30 bikes later best advice I can give is: Don't buy a bike you can't lift when you've dropped it. Because you will.
I started on a cbr650r. I knew if I started on a 400 I'd want to upgrade within a year. 650 was perfect for me, not a ton of power but plenty as a beginner.
100%. That's exactly what I started on a year ago and why the 500 was not a good idea, let alone the 400..!
hows the insurance for a 650?
@@mototoe cheap as hell, I pay 350 a year.
@@itz_x_salvation395 I'm 21 so my insurance is crazy high. If I got a 2017 R3 it's $4300cad 😐 checked this bike just because I was curious, it's $10000 without collision coverage
@@mototoe Expensive as F! As a new rider, I called many, many, many insurance companies and brokers and those who didn't literally cut me off as I said CBR, said I won't like their quote, usually at >>>$4000 per year! I luckily found one that charged $1,700.
So I started on my grandad’s 97 VFR 750. I got a grom just to dork around and yes I agree it’s sketchy around traffic, it’s actually been handy to learn trail braking, rev match downshifting, and other such techniques like uturns while dragging the rear break. Its squishy forgiveness can be dangerous when translating the skills to a bigger bike, but as long as you keep practicing and paying attention to how the bike reacts…when it doesn’t nose dive when downshifting as an example, you can get a good idea of if you’re ready to try it on a bigger bike, granted to still use caution so you won’t yeet yourself over the bars…but for a general rough experiment and practice going through the motions, the grom actually was nice as a secondary bike and learning tool. Would I advise it for an only beginning bike? No. Hard no. It can’t even get out of its own way. But I’m glad to practice on that and not fear possible drops rather than trying to learn immediately on my grand dad’s bike and destroying it.
I agree I learned on a grom and had no problem handling my Honda hornet after. Also helps you really gotta climb rpms on that bike
And if you're me you realize that even at almost 58yrs old you still prefer the riding position of a sport bike over your $20,000 Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Ducati Monster 1200 and find yourself having way more fun on your R7. 🤘😎🏍
I completely understand the part about starting on 600's and why it may not be a good idea. However, it is very doable. I was 18 when I bought my GSXR600 as my first bike and damn it is so much fun. It definitely can be dangerous if you don't respect it or don't have the maturity to ride within your limit, but as someone who just commutes to school, work or hangouts with friends, a 600 is a blast and honestly has been a great bike to learn on for me. It absolutely depends on the individual and the maturity you can show when twisting the throttle.
Heeey, I'm also considering buying a bike like that, but I was concerned about my back. I'm 6'5 so isn't the constant leaning forward not bothering you and do you think it might cause back problems for me if I use it to commute to work everyday? I love the aggresive look of the bikes but I thought maybe a standard bike might be more comfortable since you're in an upright position then.
Sorry for the lengthy question lol
@@Overhemd The constant leaning forward is a little compromising, I'm 5'8 and I can definitely feel my back on longer trips. If you do like the aggressive look and are worried about comfort, I would say the GSXR is 100% the way to go. I've since sold my GSXR and got a 2023 Ninja ZX-6R and there is a surprising difference in comfort between the two, the GSXR being more comfortable (Just got done with a long trip with the Ninja). It may be much different for you since you're almost a foot taller than I am lol. I also commute with my bike for the most part and I've never really had an issue with positioning/ back pain for those rides. I guess it depends how long your commute is though. If you're really set on super sport though I'd say a GSXR is the way to go.
@@Overhemddude I got one yesterday. All I'm going say is I'm 5'9 , if you are well over 6 feet your back is going to kill
Just passed my msf class this past weekend (getting my new M mark tomorrow at the dmv) and plan on buying a RE interceptor late winter.
I started (still have it, but due for a new something or other, lot's of choices) on a new 2010 Ninja 650 (Yammie's favourite bike by the way 😂 ). When purchased, I was in my early 40's and still enjoy speed but wise enough to stay relatively close to the speed limits and I was well over 200 lbs at the time. Now at 190 the bike is more fun. It took a little bit to get used to be so "exposed" on the roads more than the power, but I found that keeping within one's comfort zone and building your skills you may be fine to ride whatever you want.
By contrast, the most powerful bike I've ridden since getting my license 13 years ago was a 2023 MT-10 with a flashed ECU putting down about 165 hp at the wheel. C R A Z Y bike but oh so fun. Just a never ending supply of torque! You typically run out of road before you ever run out of power/torque. Unless you're talking 150 mph highway runs, so I've heard. ;-) That bike is NOT for beginners IMO. I'm sure some would be fine, but that's a specific type of person with a disciplined mindset.
My 2 cents if it's of value to someone.
hes not talking about 650s hes talking about zx6r, cbr600rr etc
Im a beginner, starting on a 600cc.
It's a z650 to be precise, brand new. I know, it's better to get a second hand, but having a brand new vehicule was a dream. I'm 40 and I'm tired to have second hand vehicules, so I made the mistake. Plus, in my country starting on a 600cc is not that bad because beginner can't drive with more than 47hp for 2 years and brands sells them restrained. In my point of view it may be akward to have only 47hp, but when I'll get the full power, the progression will be easier because I know the bike.
Z650 is not a 600 in the supersport sense. But good bike
@@allen7800 Yeah the 600s Yammie is talking about are the super sport types.
The 650s are a separate category that are basically made for new riders.
With the 125cc it depends where you live. Here in Germany you can ride one with 16 and living a more in the south it's practical for learning. The power is in most cases enough to get you around corners and over every hill. You learn some cornering techniques, low speed handling and so on.
I bought myself a GSX 750 AE from 2002 after my time as an 125cc rider and I love that thing.
My first bike was a Yamaha v star 650 and I felt that it was a good first bike. Affordable, decent low end torque, reliable, tons of parts
Agreed. I started on a vstar too. It's a great beginner bike.
I went the Honda route and started on a shadow VLX 600, now I have a shadow Sabre 1100.
Just got my license and first bike...and broke the 7th rule on price with my brand new RS 660 but I''m so happy I did. It is perfect for me. Maybe it's not the right thing to do for everyone, but I got to try a few different styles in my rider training and also did a day rental at a motocross track...and did tons of research. A special thanks to Yammie for covering the Aprilia in depth and all of the other amusing and inspiring content!
Nice bike! I think he was talking more about the 600cc super sport bikes
Cbr600rr zx6r and r6. They are a little more track oriented.
I got the Tuono 660 as my first bike. The Tuono and RS 660s are great first bike despite what Yammie says. True that they might be a little expensive for some riders but if you’re more mature with more coin to spend on a first bike they’re perfect. I’ve got 3k miles on mine and I’m ready for a power upgrade
I almost congratulated you but SIR! Sir!.. Sir! That's 2023 Zx6R money... I understand that the RS 660 is a great bike but that's supersport money... Idk bruh, I'm happy you out here shinin' but damn bruhss.. thats TWO full ninja 400s + slip-ons
@@NSDG813 I think if any new rider can resist the temptation of the speeds of a ZX6R it would make a great 1st bike as well. Especially with the new electronic riders modes like Rain that keep the power down. Let’s be honest though, there’s something really special about the Italian bikes even if the Jap bikes are less expensive
@@NSDG813 The 2023s are expensive but I got a deal on new a 2022. Also, I'm 61 so the ergos suited me better than a totally committed supersport. I did consider a used Ninja 400 but 2x ponies/torx plus the safety aspects of better suspension, brakes and electronics is what made me choose the RS. Btw...is there some reason you are misgendering me?
Here is my trouble. This dude makes videos about how to start in the dangerous hobby of two-wheel speed. The issue is it is currently snowing outside my house. I don't know why I keep watching these videos, I just keep looking outside and seeing snow
I started researching last winter. It is brutal but now you have time to come to an understanding of what bikes are on your list and gear. Use the time to research and be ready!
Where are you that it's already snowing?
Patience is a virtue, both in selecting the tight machine, and on the roads.
Keep watching and by the spring you’ll have your mind set on a bike
Move.
I started on a grom and I had no trouble upgrading at all. I think the grom showed me that no matter how fast the bike is, you will still get into sticky situations and that made me respect bigger bikes even more. I went from a grom to a ninja 400 with 0 issues and then to an mt07 with 0 issues. I should mention that I grew up riding dirtbikes and rode something with two wheels everyday of my childhood life
and then there is me who wants to start with an MT-07 who only rode 125cc before:D
I found a low mileage 2013 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 for about 4 grand. It was a great re-starter bike. Fuel injection. Low seat. Easy to ride with enough power but not crazy. 9:10
I got a Thurxton 900 as my first bike. Hella happy that it was a pre-built Cafe racer and I get to spend loads of time riding her and not wrenching. A little powerful though, I do catch myself going faster than need be at times as a beginner rider 😅
Good choice. I had a 900 Street Twin to start for about 1.5 years. Just upgraded to the Thruxton RS. Definitely a manageable bike in Rain or Road mode, even for a beginner. I don’t use the sport mode but it’s got plenty of torque down low for riding around town.
I have a ktm duke 390 as my first and a 1980 cb400. I use the cb400 for wrenching and learning on and the ktm for actually riding. Love both and it’s all thanks to you Yam.
I started on my mom’s old 09’ Suzuki Gladius SFV650 645cc, but I’d been riding dirtbikes for years. My soon to be brother in law just bought a 2019 Yamaha mt07 and doesn’t even have his license yet 😂. I took him for a ride on mine and he loved it and got a 655cc off the rip
I started with a Honda Shadow VXL 600 and it is heavy but it rides so nice for an old 1997 and its been great for learning.
My sons first bike when he got his license at 16 was a klx250s. He now has a cfmoto450ss and its a great upgrade but not to crazy.
I got a Honda CB500F as my first bike and I love it :)
My first street bike - after riding dirt bikes for several years - was a Honda 919. It was perfect. Not too heavy, not too powerful, neutral handling, and dead reliable. Wish I still had it.
Got my first bike (Rebel 500) at the beginning of this summer. Lady at the dealership also recommended the Kawasaki Vulcan. Sat on the bike and said NO. Didn't feel good, like the rebel did.
My friends are interested in getting bikes after hearing me gush about how fun it is. I would have (past tense) recommended a Grom for price/ease reasons, but i never thought about the transition. Going to a real big boy bike after something like a Grom or Navi, as you said, would be such a huge step. They'd effectively have to go from Grom>beginner bike rather than beginner>intermediate.
The Rebel 500 is a fantastic first bike.
Lol i was the opposite. Didnt like how i felt on the rebel but sat on a Vulcan s and it fit me like a glove. Definitely gonna add one as my 2nd or 3rd bike
@@Aj.oh7 I'm a small dude (5'5") so most bikes have a seating position too high for me to be comfortable. The Rebel is a small bike and i fit it perfectly. I feel taller people would probably look/feel awkward on a bike that size.
The dealership lady said that a big (6'5"ish) guy wanted the rebel i was eyeing but declined after she took a picture of him on the bike and showed him.
@@cyborgsariel7806can confirm. I like the rebel but I fit way better on Vulcan 650 or sport bikes at 6'3
I got a Vulcan love it. The seat is trash need to upgrade
Just got a 690 smc r as first bike. Definitely not the smartest decision i have ever made. Definitely 100% worth it as long as you are mature, respect the machine and acknowledge your own skill level.
Im currently on my starter motorcycle, a 1987 Rebel 450. Mostly original, 12k miles on it. Honestly its much easier than what i thought it was gonna be with me weighing in at 115Lbs.
Yeah same I got a Cfmoto 450 and weigh the same
My first bike was a BMW R1200C, and I loved it! It had decent power, was comfortable, it felt light with that amazing low center of gravity, everyone liked it since it wasn’t the average cruiser, the sound of the stock exhaust was nice and not annoying at all, it was reliable as a wood burning stove and the BMW dealer was also great when the time for servicing it came.
I don’t care bro I’ve never rode a motorbike before but I’m 100% confident that my first bike is going to be a 2024 NINJA 650 KRT EDITION ABS 😎
I learned on a 1976 kz400. My first motorcycle that I rode on a regular basis was a 1971 cb175. My second bike was a 1976 Honda Goldwing with a fairing and bags. I used one of the bags as a cooler for longer rides with my friends and the other held gear like a heavier jacket and rain coat. I learned how to wheelie on that Goldwing.
I started on a ktm 1190 adventure r (brand new). Rode it a couple months, struggling the entire time, paranoid about dropping it. After i realized how tall the bike was and how high the center of gravity is, i decided to get a "trainer". Then I got a used cheap bmw f650CS "scarver" to drop and make mistakes with. There is no better "trainer" beginner bike in the world! Seriously, it is forgiving. I had to step back to the 650 and kept the 1190 until i was comfortable on the beater bmw 650. Learning on the f650CS was way easier then on the 1190 adventure r.
My wife wanted to get a panigale v2 as her 1st bike. But I discouraged her from it, so she went for a ninja 400. Very happy she listened because she’s now scared of using it at high speed after she dropped it a few times.
I started on a GSX 600f from 1994 for 450 bucks. Invested 1.000 dollars and enjoyed the hell out of that machine. The only difference is that most people in the Netherlands are over the age of 25 when starting to ride, we are more likely to control the inner squid demon.
this, and im 31 >.>
I recently bought a brand new Vespa. I almost burst to tears riding it home from the dealer, I said 'what did I do? All this money...' This is not for me. A month later, I think it's growing into me. Part of the reason was probably the fact I never rode a bike before.
I can't disagree more on the 125cc bikes. They are excelent beginner bikes. Here in germany you start to learn riding on these as a 16 year old with the A1 license. With 18 you can get bigger bikes if you get your A2 licence and after that wih 20 you can drive them unrestricted with the A license
He was talking about in the US.
I agree yours but this video is talking about USA
lots of long straight road so they perfer some power horse
I was riding 125 2 stroke dirt bikes (so essentially any 250 4 stroke) when I was 10 years old. They're good for kids. They are not fast and powerful. By the time I was ready to get my first street bike, anything less than 1000cc was a no go.
As a brand new baby rider with my 82 CB900C, I can confirm she's crispy and I've put a lot of work in but I love driving it 😂
I started on a 600 and I've been riding for little over a year now. A 600 is perfectly fine to start on. The only caveat is you need to know what kind of person you are. Obviously if you're an adrenaline junkie maybe don't do that. If you can respect the throttle and ride within your limits, its been an amazing experience for me because as I got better at riding I never got bored or felt like I needed to upgrade.
Beyond that, you could always choose a 600 thats relatively linear like a Honda CBR. You just need to know yourself.
I’m an adrenaline junkie but high speed cornering is the love of my life so I know I have to take time to learn the machine so I can get bigger payoff later down the road. Delayed gratification is how I view it
You’ve only been riding a year…… Motorcycle accident happens at low speeds too. It’s takes no skill to ride a super sport in a straight line. Hell, I’ve seen a bike go down a road without a driver for several hundred meters until the eventual loss of momentum took over. That ego will come back to bite you. It’s why you see videos of people crashing their bikes because, they finally need to perform an emergency action. Things like hamfisting the front brake and tossing themselves over.
Smaller bikes don’t have the short throttle or the whiplash causing brakes that Super Sports do, and most riders do not take the time to drill and become familiar with the bike to grasp what’s going to happen if they squeeze or twist too hard. The point of a smaller bike is to learn with something that won’t punish the rider for simple mistakes.
Just got my first bike. I’m 28 years old. 2016 triumph street triple 675. Prefect beginner plus bike. Already riding it around my house and haven’t taken the MSF course yet…I feel like I am gonna wake up and it will all be a dream. Hope not..love this bike!!
Ps. I take msf in a week but Yammie…u got me piddling around the house successfully 🤙🏾
It also totally depends on you as a person. I got a CBR 650 as a first bike. the weight was a surprise, but the throttle was very relaxed to me, having experienced a dualsport as a teenager. My buddy on the other hand, a cruiser rider, thought the bike was super light, but almost killed himself as soon as he touched the throttle. So it's all about the mindset you have going in to riding as well. Always be aware of your own feelings towards a bike VS the reality of what it is.
that's weird..i ride the cb650r as well and i find the throttle super smooth and tame down low...even my old rebel 500 felt more torquey down low...
Yeah I find it very relaxed. i dont understand how my buddy almost flipped it first try @@aritradas7154
Seeing the video,
My first bike, a 1994 Honda NTV650 still own it(my dad bought it new) never let either of us down in nearly 30 years💪
I always recommend people learn offroad. This builds a skillset with lower risk. Isn't this how most of us learned as kids?
The first bike I rode on the street was my mom’s 650 Vulcan S. After that I would ride anything my parents had available: a street triple, Moto Guzzi California, Fz-10 (before it was the MT-10), an older model ninja 1000, and even a heavily modded Vmax. All this from when I got my motorcycle license at 17 to now at 26.
My first official bike is a 2020 GSX-S 750, and I love that thing.
Now my first official
Sounds like you grew up in an awesome family!
I'll be getting a ninja 650 krt for my first bike, amazing sport/touring design and i wont burn out 6th gear going highway speed over 500 miles a week to work on the 400cc
I daily a 400 on highway unless you are going 90+mph for 3+ hrs the engine will be fine
For comfort reasons I recommend a 4 cylinder. The ZX bikes have about the same speed. The downside is that they burn more gas and oil and are harder to fix. The upside is they sound a lot nicer according to me and every one older than 35
Bought my first bike last year. 86 750 intruder for 1700 cad running. Just changed oil and threw on some mirrors n a fender. Crazy bang for buck
My first big girl bike was a 2013 suzuki gw 250. I'm 5'3, was perfect. "Graduated" to a harley street rod 750 and have to say the ergonomics of my street bike are way more comfortable! Next bike will Def be a newer street bike in the 400-600cc range. ❤ But... will forever love my Honda supercub (125cc) for around town 😏🛵✌️.
Future new biker here. I started with a Honda XL 125. Sold after two years for the embarrassing lack of power. Bought a Dominator: sold for vibrations. Now, at 31 with some savings, I'm finally getting my "uphill-wont-frighten-me-anymore" bike. Kawasaki ER-6, BMW F800 or Suzuki Bandit. Ready to fear the bike for the first time!
I got a 2013 CB1100 for my first bike. Definitely think it hampered me a bit because it took me a long time to feel comfortable. However, years later it’s still my only bike and I ride pretty regularly. Would definitely not recommend, I think it only worked out for me because I’m 6’4” and 250lb and in my late 30s 😅
30’s is probably the best age to start riding street tbh. Insurance rates are far lower, even for complete beginners, and you’ve probably got a lot of road experience under your belt to draw upon, making it easier to focus upon learning to ride.
That was my first street bike.
Last year I got a 2000 Yamaha VStar 650. One owner. Garage kept. 7800 miles. Cobra exhaust. Other than tires and oil change, it’s been rock solid. Not the fastest, but it’s fun using the whole tachometer and I can still cruise at highway speeds. Best $2500 I’ve spent.
Thanks for your advice on this topic! I just got my bike license and most of my lessons were on a MT-07. I enjoyed riding it but I don't like the way it looks, so I think I might get a Suzuki SV650 instead. But either way, here in central Europe, bike season is pretty much over so I'll wait until next spring and then I'll try out different bikes at the local dealerships.
Greetings from central Europe also :) Try yamaha xsr 700. I've spent some time on suzuki sv650 and I find its seat very uncomfortable (buttsore after hour and a half or so). Made my choise on XSR700, and I am very satisfied after 20kkm. Power delivery and numbers are almost identical as SV650
@@rasalom36 Thanks for the tip! I'll keep the XSR 700 in mind. It's got the same engine as the MT-07 so that'll already feel kind of familiar when I try it. But I'll also try other options to see which one fits me the best.
@@TomHenksYT Both are great bikes but yeah definitely sit on one. I thought I wanted a certain Honda so bad until I threw a leg over one in the showroom and found the seat height to be incredibly too short for my shape.
Sv650❤
I havent ridden in over 8 years, got myself a Ducat Diavel 1200 2015 model, what a stressful ride home, but got the hang of her now after a few months of riding. Did a 1000km trip this past weekend too. hehe. Enjoying your videos here form South Africa
I've grown to hate the ai videos.
Are you calling Yammie Noob an AI?
When I saw the 600 section, my first immediate thought was, “ah ok, A 600 is a bad idea, but a 1000 or even 1400 sports bike is just perfect.
but the ninja H2R.... NEEDS ME
A Moto Guzzi V50 II as a first bike: perfect ! Reliable, not too expensive, not too much power but enought to feel comfortable on the highway, relaxed sitting on it.
Got myself a 2007 Hyosung GT250r couple days ago, my friend who fixes up cars and bikes is teaching me to fix and clean it up, was definitely a great buy
I have a 2022 Honda Trail and 1981 Kawasaki LTD 440. Both completely stock. It’s a great combination and all the boxes are checked! Bought them both outright over the last few years and still didn’t spend as much as I would have for a 10K bike.
I started on a new 2021 Honda Rebel and moved up to a CB650R this year. No regrets! 😊
I just got my first bike, a 1999 Yamaha VSTAR 650 custom and I love it. I may be lucky because the previous owner was meticulous about maintaining it and also put a lot of money into new V&H exhaust, new paint, new chrome, carbs, and all that, but it looks and runs like brand new and I find that it fits me perfectly; physically, as well as style
I just got a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan bobbed out with 500cc 7k miles for 800 bucks and it’s exactly what I wanted for my first bike. Clean asf
Got it, instead of starting on a 600cc I went with a H2, thanks for the advice🙏🏼
Just wanna start by saying your videos have helped me a lot as a beginner. My “first” bike was a 30 year old Honda Shadow Spirit 1100 that I spent all winter and a stupid amount of money fixing just to yeet it into the side of the house my first time pulling it out of the garage. I figured “I rode a dirt bike once and I can drive a manual. What else is there to know?” Well, five years and a lot more maturity later, I decided on a 20 year old 883 sporty with service records, got a couple buddies to teach me how to ride, and won’t take it on the road without being parking lot confident.
I learned and passed my driving license on Yamaha XJ6 (that's EU version of FZ6R) with 600ccm and 78HP. It's a detuned R6 engine and really it's not that scarry, considered R6 had like 130HP. The biggest difficulty is weight, but you learn step by step how to handle it, taking corners bit faster every time. You can now buy Yamaha MT-07, which is lighter, produces a bit above 70HP but have lot of low-end torque, so it may be also difficult to ride.
My first bike was a sv650. Completely worth it.
I started out on a Honda monkey. And had absolutely no problem going to an Indian scout with 100 horsepower. I took the monkey on highways and all different kinds of roads. Rode it for a year and then got on the scout and it was a very smooth transition. That's just me I don't know about other people.
I agree I started with a Grom and now I have a mt-07 easy transition
@@TBA32 Amen dude! I'm glad to see someone prove people wrong when they say people can't learn on a grom or a monkey than go to a much faster and bigger bike.
The mini bikes spoiled me, when I get on other bikes now it's like riding a bus... I want that turn rate on a bike that's fast...😁
My first motorcycle was a Yamaha FZ6R. Probably a little too powerful for some but it worked out well for me and taught me how to handle a heavier bike at 465lbs wet.
I started on a 636 and I never regretted it. Never had issues. I was just aware and took it slow for a while
New rider here just bought a Yamaha vstar 650 2013 model, so far loving it, no regrets!
Thing 2:
This is exactly the way I believe everyone should start riding. Trial by fire. If you don't make it, you don't ride.
My first motorcycle was a $200 1980 XS650. It didn't run. The carbs were garbage, the throttle cables were garage hacked from three universal choke cables, the tires were both older than me... It was a pile of garbage.
For another $300 or so I made it a daily rideable bike, over the course of almost two years. Absolutely worth it. I'd do it again, and others should as well.
I started on a 07 r6.
It is doable for a beginner, its just takes longer to learn the basics like slow maneuver turns, hard braking, and throttle control, etc.
Everytime I ride it I always get tempted to rev it out and hear that scream! lol
Respect the bike and dont push your limits.
Ride your own ride and keep learning to improve your skills.
My first bike was a gsxr 600, and I completely agree. I was one of those guys who got hooked on speed. Thankfully, I'm still alive, but boy, am I addicted to that feeling.
Any mid-size trials bike (Sherco, Beta, Gas Gas, etc.) is perfect for the first year experience. You must learn so much that it benefits for the rest of your motorcycling life. Also a pretty light dirt bike or even a dual-sport like DRZ400 or CRL300 might be a perfect choice since light off-road teaches a lot in terms of proper control and balance.
23yr new rider here, got a kawasaki versys 300. Ironically put 300 miles on it before i upgraded to my vulcan 900❤its got them white walls too🙏🏾😎
Its a 2023 vulcan 900 custom new i should clarify, brand new not an old one
i recently got my motor license, learned it on a cb650r from the driving school, amazing bike!
I bought a Yamaha XSR 700 two months ago. I start my motorcycle course on Friday. It’s been so difficult looking at the bike for two months not being able to ride it but I had to buy it as it was a 21 Reg with 420 miles on it and I got it for £4700. Fair to say it was worth the argument with the wife.
I started on the old CBR 600 F2 of my dad. I love it. You can drive it in 6th at 30 mph no problem.
I started on a 600cc Katana, I think it was pretty user friendly. I regret having sold it, I loved that bike.
Best beginner's bike= Honda Grom, Kawasaki z125, KTM Duke 200 , Honda Rebel 300 , Cb300R , Suzuki Gsx250r. A Ninja 400 I consider a great second bike. Anything that can go over 100 miles per hour it's NOT a beginner's bike.
A friend of mine jumped from 150cc to 600cc. Dude has lack of self control and big ego to flex. He broke some bones and became handicapped for life in high speed accident, bike also got destroyed. I jumped to R1 from CBR250R, but the power was just too much. Sold it after over a year. I only love the sound tbh lol
Just started at age 54 after being off bikes since my twenties. I went for a used Yamaha FZ6R . It has aggressive look but the ride is vey comfortable and I feel very much in control.
I have two of these saved on marketplace. I really like the idea of having a little power under me with a nice look, but not the normal 120ish hp of a 4cyl 600. I’m between this or an mt07
My first bike was a 2016 Kawasaki Z800. Took it slow, respected the power - no problem at all.
Years ago, Honda 400 twin, then Honda 500-4, didn't ride for 25 years, then Ducati 800 monster for two years, now KTM Superduke 1290 GT. Love this bike.
I rode a CBR300 for first year. Despite the rubbish everyone heaps on the CBR300 I loved that bike so much. Did 25,000kms in first 12 months. Loved every minute. Then moved to Honda CB400. Loved it even more. Now have 2018 CBR650f and looove it. Next bike will be GSXR750. I'm 4 years into riding. One of my mates rides a Yami Virago 250 and he's been riding it for 8 years. Loves it. Most bikes are pretty awesome. That feeling on the road ... there's nothing I've found that compares.
2 years ago, I bought an '18 Yamaha V Star 250 in Raven black Metallic, 50 years outta the saddle. Added the padded sissy bar/luggage rack, Dual Track Moto Horns and a few other little things.326lbs wet stock, now about 335-340lbs. With 21-23HP (Rebel 250 about 16-18HP), it's torquey and nimble. Got about 6K in it so far. Which is great for me, having learned knee draggin' from King Kenny when he invented it in the 70's. So, anyway, I had a second hip replacement June '23 and spent the next year adding/swapping parts, oil, filters, etc. Till this past June when I had gotten enough balance back to practice in earnest once more. I'm lovin' it, especially when I automatically have those TT Moments. Some call it a sport cruiser, and I'm tending to agree at 68.
I started out with a Ducati Malaguti 50cc and then upgraded to a Yamaha XJ6 but tuned down to 125cc. Worked great for me, allowed me to get a feel for motorcycles, then get used to heavier stuff and now I'm changing to an R6 but open.
My history and plans for motorcycles: Started on a Beta 50rr. Got a fantic xmf 125 a year later. Been redlining that on every road for the past 1.5 years. Getting an aprilia rs 457 next year. And 2 years after that I will get my dream bike, BMW R12 Nine T
Good video. I started on a zxr400. The next one was a zx6r and the difference is massive.
I haven't done my IBT yet but Yammie's word sounds like something I would recall when I'm laying on the hospital bed one day.
Can confirm on the vintage UJM. I loved my '77 GS750 but it was just a constant source of heartbreak.
Learn how to ride and fall on a dirt bike. Get a 4 stroke CRF125 and ride on the dirt. Go round and round and round on the dirt. Then move to a CR125 2 stroke. Go round and round and round. Then a 250 and then a 400-500 2 stroke. This will take a few years. Once you are good at dirt biking, then move to the street.
If you are older, right wrist control can make any bike a decent first bike… nah, forget that, the hp is too enticing and too unforgiving
In my opinion, a smaller displacement UJM is the perfect beginner bike. Mine was a Suzuki 550E from 1982, and it was fairly well bulletproof. It was super easy to work on, super easy to ride, and it never left me stranded, except, of course, when I ran out of gas. Duh! It had plenty of power for a beginner, able to cruise at highway speeds, got 60 miles per gallon so long as I didn't goose it, and it was light enough to be nimble on turns and quick off the line. It had enough grunt down low for stop and go city traffic, while traveling down back country roads was a little bit of heaven. Everything I learned about riding, braking, turning and safety, translated to the larger displacement bikes in the future. As far as I am concerned, you couldn't ask for more from a beginner bike.
CBR600RR 2008 paid 4k
Bottom end really manageable but he’s right…you get a taste of 9k plus rpm and you’re hooked
I like how you said “do not start on a 600cc SPORT bike” emphasis on the “sport”. I started on a ninja 650 which is considered a sport touring and it is arguably the perfect starter bike. Definitely doesn’t have the guts of a R6 but your not going to get bored compared to a 250-300
Started with a BMW F900XR and upgraded to a R1250RS after 5000.
Both bikes were chosen under the premise, that my wife can ride more or less comfortable with me (she joined only after I got comfortable with the bike myself, so after the first oil swap).
It was not the easiest choice for a beginner, but the XR is still very agile and not completely nuts with the HP, so it worked out just fine for me.
New to riding since august of 2023. Got a 2017 Ducati monster 797 for 7k and absolutely love it! It’s super easy for me to handle and I’m extremely comfortable on it. Riding position is great as well!