1,000cc sport bike too big to start on?
I'm buying a 1998 Honda vtr 1000f and I'm wondering if that's too big to start out on, I think I'll be fine. It's a VTwin. I'm a bigger guy, 6 foot 220 pounds. Some people say it's too big others say it won't really matter
It doesn't really matter, if you are an idiot, you can kill yourself on a 600 without half trying. Big bikes tend to make people careful.
Yes it is - the statistics are against your success - do miracles happen - sure - but you would be better off starting on an 1100cc Vtwin cruiser some cc- have the power half the WTF moments for a beginner.
Just won't progress as fast as a rider who learns and works their way up to a liter bike.
Learning how to not crash a liter bike isn't as fun as learning how to push the limits of a smaller bike IMO.
It will take years to even use a percentage of the bikes potential.
Read this
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/80-06-07-gsx-r600-750/151947-form-equals-function-sportbikes-not-beginner-bikes.html
You should be ok. Don't go over 4000rpm to start with. The VTR is a gentle beast to ride and you don't have to wring its neck to get the torque. You will see what I mean after the first ride.
Two things you MUST check for are
Have the cam chain tensioners been changed to manuals? This is important as the factory automatic ones have a habit of failing, losing the tension on the cam chain and allowing it to jump teeth on the cams. This is very bad as the piston will hit the valves and bend them (expensive fix!)
Also, the regulator/rectifier on the 98/99 models were very small in size and could not dissipate the heat generated when the engine is running. They would fail and can take out a lot of other electrical components along the way. 2000 and onward models had a much larger R/R.
The 98 tanks are listed as 16 litres but you will be flat out fitting 13 litres in them. VTRs are thirsty beasts so be prepared to spend a lot of time refueling. They are fitted with 48mm carbs which were the biggest ever made by Honda.
There are a couple of good Facebook groups that will help you out as well as the Superhawk forum in the US
https://www.facebook.com/...210361341/ (Australia)
https://www.facebook.com/...9/?fref=ts (Europe)
You will love the VTR. They are old school tech and the list of modifications that can be done to them is as long as your arm.
Start on a 250 rental, then rent a 550 before you make the big jump into purchasing.
You did not mention it, but many locations require a Drivers License to have a Motorcycle enforcement.
Insurance will be quite a lot for anything over 550 or so.
A vtr1000, or "superhawk" is not a very good beginner bike. Although it has around 100hp, it has almost the same in torque, which means the front tire gets very light, very quickly. The reason these bikes are not considered beginner bikes is because the margin of error is very small because it is so powerful. On this bike 1/6th too much throttle and you will have the front wheel in the air.
I have a buddy who started on a superhawk and was fine. It should be noted he did die while riding it, but that was years after buying and several riding courses and 10 s of thousands of miles of riding.
Be sane, and you will be ok, just be mindful of the throttle and the power.
I would recommend a suzuki sv650 first, it is much more agreeable for newer riders.
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