CBR600RR in my future?

[Jenskp]

I made a deal with my wife that if I made it to 190lbs then stayed under 200 I could buy a motorcycle. At the time I was 238 so I don't believe she thought I would ever get close. I am currently at 205 and losing little more than a pound a week. Needless to say she is getting very nervous. Now I have a one year old boy so I don't plan on doing anything stupid but I do plan on having fun.

I'm thinking about getting one of three bikes a CBR600RR, Interceptor, or a CBR1000RR. I'm leaning to the 600 becasue it's cheaper and I figure it will have plenty of power. This will be my first bike I've only rode friends bikes a couple times.

Any thoughts?

[5S Dude]

I made a deal with my wife that if I made it to 190lbs then stayed under 200 I could buy a motorcycle. At the time I was 238 so I don't believe she thought I would ever get close. I am currently at 205 and losing little more than a pound a week. Needless to say she is getting very nervous. Now I have a one year old boy so I don't plan on doing anything stupid but I do plan on having fun.

I'm thinking about getting one of three bikes a CBR600RR, Interceptor, or a CBR1000RR. I'm leaning to the 600 becasue it's cheaper and I figure it will have plenty of power. This will be my first bike I've only rode friends bikes a couple times.

Any thoughts?

I’m wishing you all the luck in the world Jenskp! Just be really careful out on the pavement and understand that no one driving four wheels can or will see you no matter how bright your clothes or how loud your exhaust. Imagine that you are totally invisible and everyone is out to run you’re a$$ over even though they look right at you, they really mean you no harm. Cindy and I had ridden street bikes a long time until the kids and mortgage took precedence over our love of riding.

My wife made a deal with me two years ago that if I quit smoking I could buy a new dirt bike and after quitting I immediately gained a huge spare tire because everything began to taste good again. I have never struggled with having a weight problem before and lately I’ve thrown around the idea of selling my Ridgeline, dirt-bikes and travel trailer, buying a really expensive street scooter and start smoking again! ROC-On!:cool:
Oh yeah, get the 1000 and you'll never lack for low end torque ever again..........

[RL07Canada]

nice, let me know when you get one so that we can meet up. Stay with 600.

[CBRidgeJockey]

Get good leather gear. Good luck. My nick CBR -idge-Jockey. I ride 600 F4i
:D :D :D

[zroger73]

I had a black/green 2005 Ninja 250 until it was stolen a little over a year ago. It was my first bike in 15 years. Impressive for the price, but I did find that I grew tired of it even before the break-in period was over. I see they have been totally redesigned for the first time in two decades for 2008. More modern styling, a fuel gauge, and improvements to low- and mid-range torque for a little better performance in the city.

Even though I wished for more once I explored the capabilities of the little Ninjette, I'd be willing to spend $3,500 for another one given the recent updates. I'd MUCH rather have a CBR600RR or ZX6R, but as infrequently as I'd ride it and having nobody to ride with around here, I can't justify turning loose of ten grand for what would basically amount to "garage art" or a conversation piece.

[jimmychoi]

The RR is a wonderfully well-rounded bike...I'm a fan of Hondas...I don't think you'll be disappointed as long as you ride for the right reasons....I had a TL1000, and at times I wished I could have gone down to a lighter more limber cycle...

[shovelhd]

If this is your first bike, then a literbike is a very bad idea. It's way more bike than any beginner should have to learn to handle. I'm not up on the latest specs, but recent CB600RR's put down over 110RWHP and weigh less than 425 pounds. That's plenty of bike for anyone unless you have a death wish.

I strongly suggest you find your local Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner rider course. It's cheap, and you learn to handle a bike using someone else's. A lot of insurers will give you a discount if you take the course. If you go on to the second level, you'll get to refine handling techniques on your own bike. These are not racing courses, they are street survival courses. In over 30 years of riding, I've had to use life saving evasive maneuvers dozens of times. I'm talking about jumping curbs, ditching on people's lawns, etc. to avoid a collision with some numbnut inattentive driver. These courses are worth every penny and every minute you spend on them.

Good luck, have fun, and remember, EVERYONE on the road is out to kill you. Never let up.

[zroger73]

Good luck, have fun, and remember, EVERYONE on the road is out to kill you. Never let up.

Amen! "Cagers" often have no regard for motorcyclists. Even if they aren't TRYING to kill you, sometimes they do so simply because they didn't see you. Honestly, riding a motorcycle in traffic scares me to death. No amount of experience, practice, or knowledge on an open vehicle will protect the same way steel, glass, seats belts, and airbags can.

[ericrwalker]

Great bike...I had a '04 and now a '07 CBR600RR. I used to have a CBR900RR and let me tell you I enjoy the 600 much more than the 900. The smaller lighter bikes have almost as much power but are much easier to "man handle".

I am a huge Honda fan and for the streets and track you'll love a 600.

go to www.600rr.net ...it's a great forum and if you want to put a referral down my username is erw43

Here are pics of my history of Honda bikes. Oh you can even see my 2006 that I just sold.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/ericrwalker/ericcbr900a.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/ericrwalker/IMG_0932.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/ericrwalker/IMG_2776.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/ericrwalker/IMG_0324.jpg

[SinisteR1]

Man...how are you losing all that weight. I need to get on your workout system! :D

I'm sure everyone else stated these but here you go again for good measure..

1. Take the MSF course. This can help on insurance and most importantly, your life.
2. Stick with 600cc or less bikes since it is your first bike.
3. Get GOOD gear!
4. Have fun riding. Theres nothing else like it.

Heres my R1...

[Jenskp]

Wow thanks for all the replys. I probably should've mentioned I will be taking a safety course through Germana Community College. It's a 2.5 day course for maybe 200 bucks. I visited the local dealer and sat on the 3 bikes I was interested in. I liked all three but I must say the Interceptor felt the most comfortable, then the 07 1000RR then the 600. I have a little time to think about them but I might be leaning towards the Interceptor but may go with the cheaper more nimble 600.

As for the weight I'm not doing anything special I just realized that my portions were way to large. I also started running on a treadmill and a little weight training.

[D R E W]

Okay honestly...and in my own opinion how about investing into something wiser other than a sports bike? You have a wife and a one year old son. The last thing any wife/son needs is a husband/father with no experience riding a 600cc or a +1000cc sports bike.

Well...if you are dead set on getting a sports bike look into the 2007' or 2008' Honda CBR600RR...riders with the 1000cc bikes are trading their bikes in for the 07' CBR600RR because it's such a good bike. Plus, with your inexperience (inexperience riders are called squids) your not ready for a +1000cc sports bike...heck your not even ready for 600cc bike. Your really should be riding a 250cc bike. Sorry to bust your bubble. Oh yeah, buying a bike isn't the same as buying a car.

Some advice...look into LO Jack at the time of purchase, full insurance coverage especially medical, wheel locks for your new bike, a bike chain to chain your bike to something if you don't have a car garage, also have a lawyer do a last WILL just in case you get yourself killed stuntin like a damn fool on the streets.

Please wear your jacket...if you think it's too hot to wear a jacket then you shouldn't be riding.

Be aware that the MSF is only a safety course. Most MSF have standard bikes with a 250cc motors. You are not going to learn how to ride in 2 and 1/2days. Half of that time is class time. The rest is riding and testing.

Please no stuntin! If your caught by the local law enforcement stuntin and or reckless driving you will be thrown in jail for felony reckless endangerment and your bike will be impounded foreverrrrrrrr!

The difference between a CBR600RR and a CBR1000RR is only a couple of a tenths of a second in the 1/4 mile. No need for a +1000cc bike.

BTW, I have a 2007' Honda CBR600RR. :) ;) :) Good luck! Sorry, just some thoughts for you to think about before making a big investment.

[ninjakris]

I have been in the sportbike scene for a while now and like other people said, keep away from the liter bikes for a first bike. I ride a zx10r(1000cc) and even stock it puts down 158hp at the wheel. thats just too much for a new rider. Stay with a 600 then move up. Also I would recommend getting a used bike first. As much as I hate to say it, most people crash their first bike. The last thing you want to do is mess up a new bike. Good luck and have fun. O, another miscomseption I hear people say all the time is if I get a cruiser it will be safer. It doesn't matter if you are riding a 400lb sportbike or a 900lb goldwing, if somebody hits you with their car, they will win.

[QTip]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but here is my bike...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/Asian_N02/P1280027.jpg

2006 Yamaha R6...

[DoodleBug]

... I'm thinking about getting one of three bikes a CBR600RR, Interceptor, or a CBR1000RR. I'm leaning to the 600 becasue it's cheaper and I figure it will have plenty of power. This will be my first bike I've only rode friends bikes a couple times.

Any thoughts?

Well, as the owner of an Interceptor, you can't go wrong with it. Comfortable for all day riding and plenty of power for a first bike. I agree with the others, and I think it's worth repeating:

no literbikes for your first bike
always wear protective gear
take an MSF class

I also recommend getting a good used bike as your first. If you have the time to ride and love it you can always trade up later to a new one, or more displacement. Good luck in your decision, have fun! :D

[astro-jason]

I've been in the powersports industry for awhile now. Dont take what I say as the gospel, You stated that you never owned a bike.Just rode your friends a few times. Despite what every one will tell you a 600cc ss bike is not one for beginers. They are alot of bike compared to just a few years ago, your talking well over 100 h.p. at the rear wheel "way too much for a beginer". Do yourself a favor and look for a used ninja 250,practice on that for about a year or so. Who knows you may even find out you dont like motorcycles all together, a decent used 250 can be had for anywhere between 1,000~1,500 bucks and not 9,000 to 10,000 dollars for a new 600 ss. Then after a little seat time you can make your decesion.
Once again this is just my opinion, their just like you know what.

-Jason

[shovelhd]

This is what happens when your bike has more power than you have skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gth09KEdkQ

I remember watching this episode, and thinking what an idiot he is. No jacket, no lid, and he's stunting on a tow-back lane that's probably slick with oil. He got away easy.

[RidgeLI]

Forget the bike, hold it over her head for the next few years by not buying it, but threatening to do it, all the while buying options for the Ridge!

RidgeLI

[ericrwalker]

I remember that episode, I laughed so hard and had to call my GF in the room to laugh too. I love how he plays it off like he knows how to ride a bike, just not that one.

At least he took off his shirt right away to show off his body to take the attention away from his stupidity.


This is what happens when your bike has more power than you have skills.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gth09KEdkQ

I remember watching this episode, and thinking what an idiot he is. No jacket, no lid, and he's stunting on a tow-back lane that's probably slick with oil. He got away easy.

[zinger084]

I have a CBR600F3 and it's nice but I orignally wanted a VFR800. I personally would pick the VFR over the RR because you are really leaning over the tank on an RR and it won't be near as comfortable as the VFR. Plus, eventhough it's not as quick I would get the VFR since it's a V4 VTEC and a nice touring bike.

Just my $0.02.

[crimsonaudio]

Okay honestly...and in my own opinion how about investing into something wiser other than a sports bike? You have a wife and a one year old son. The last thing any wife/son needs is a husband/father with no experience riding a 600cc or a +1000cc sports bike.
Agreed - I sold my bike before my first child was born, and while I miss riding, refuse to buy another until the kids are all grown.

I met a man last year who lost his 30 year old son (who left a wife and a newborn son) three days after getting his new crotch-rocket for Christmas.

Sorry to sound preachy, I just think that getting a sportbike for your first bike, with what you have to lose, is a bit much.

[Larr]

Can you afford to insure the bike?I am 47 with no tickets,insurance on my Yamaha R1 was 125 a MONTH!I have 2 cars and 2 other bikes and this was the cheapest.I know younger guys who are paying 200 to 300 a month on there sport bikes..

[zinger084]

After thinking about it, why not just go with an old CBR. My CBR600F3 costs me $42.XX a month and I'm 24 with one ticket when I was 18 through State Farm.

[Jenskp]

I actually just checked on ins. yesterday. Here's what I got for both Progressive and Gieco (aka rip off central) for the year with 100/300/50 coverage and $500 deductables.

Bike-------------Progressive------Gieco
08 600RR--------$859------------$1,895
07 1000RR-------$845------------$2,300
08 Interceptor---$556------------$1,680
06 600RR--------$446------------$1,442

I'm 30 and haven't had a ticket in 4 years. Progressive did give me a multi-policy discount but I don't see it being more than $100 a year.

I told the wife not to worry because besides the life ins. policy if I die in an accident there is an additional policy. Thankfullly her concern for my life over shadows the huge payout, at least as far as I could tell. LOL

[ninjakris]

check out state farm and allstate. I'm 24 with a 2006 kawi zx10r(1000cc) and with state farm I pay $54/m full coverage. Allstate wanted 75/month. I also have one accident and a pretty high speeding ticket on my record.

[ericrwalker]

I was just going to mention that, I pay less than $300 for a year with full coverage for a 2007 CBR600RR.

I used to pay $1600 a year with progressive.

check out state farm and allstate. I'm 24 with a 2006 kawi zx10r(1000cc) and with state farm I pay $54/m full coverage. Allstate wanted 75/month. I also have one accident and a pretty high speeding ticket on my record.

[soultrain]

I made a deal with my wife that if I made it to 190lbs then stayed under 200 I could buy a motorcycle. At the time I was 238 so I don't believe she thought I would ever get close. I am currently at 205 and losing little more than a pound a week. Needless to say she is getting very nervous. Now I have a one year old boy so I don't plan on doing anything stupid but I do plan on having fun.

I'm thinking about getting one of three bikes a CBR600RR, Interceptor, or a CBR1000RR. I'm leaning to the 600 becasue it's cheaper and I figure it will have plenty of power. This will be my first bike I've only rode friends bikes a couple times.

Any thoughts?

The 600RR should be adequate since your a novice...I had a Yamaha Vmax 1200cc and I would never buy anything less than a 1000cc now. I always wanted a honda motorcycle sine i was a kid...I had a Suzuki 80 and it was slow and over heated all the time..my friends cr75 was way faster and sounded cool. Had a Gs550 and it was better but should of got a Interceptor..The Vmax was Awesome, no complaints there...I think my next bike will be a CBR1000RR

[ericrwalker]

If you look at the raw numbers for a 600rr and a 100rr there isn't much difference in them at all.

People who want more than a 600 usually don't know how to ride a 600. My 600rr has a 15,000 RPM redline. I can do 80MPH in first gear....Not that I ever do though. but if you shift between 12K to 15K RPMs you can damn near keep up with a stock 1000rr...and if you are really good you can probably beat a 1000rr in the twistys because they are lighter and easier to handle in the turns.

[Promarkt]

If you look at the raw numbers for a 600rr and a 100rr there isn't much difference in them at all.

I don't know about that. There's a pretty big difference in "raw numbers" between a 600 and a 1000.

To the OP,
You might want to consider a used bike for your first motorcycle. You can save a lot of money on a well cared for 600 and learn on it. After riding it for a year or so, you’ll know your ability and decide where you want to go from there.

[ericrwalker]

Excuse me... What I mean is real world 0-60 times and real world 1/4 mile times.

the 600 is like 10.5 seconds and the 1000 is like 9.8 seconds for the 1/4 mile....is that really going to make a difference for a street rider?

[Promarkt]

I guess it really depends on how you look at it. .7 seconds might not seem like a lot to some but in ¼ time when you’re getting down in the 9s, that’s a big difference. If you had a 10 second car and you wanted to make it a 9 second car, the amount of additional HP you would need to achieve even just a half a second is usually a couple hundred HP (depending on the weight of the car). Same thing with sport bikes, the .7 second difference averages about 50-60 hp on a 400 pound bike. That’s about a 35% increase in power for that .7 seconds. To me, that’s a big difference.

I do think it makes a difference on the street; it’s like comparing a S2000 to an NSX. Things like getting on the freeway, accelerating past a slower car etc… and I’m not talking about wreckless driving, I’m referring to legal activity at legal speeds. The S2000 is going to have to get up in its RPM range because that’s where it starts making its power where as the NSX would do it much easier and at lower RPM instantly. Having the extra torque and HP of a liter bike just makes cruising, leaving from a stop etc…effortless. You generally don’t have to shift nearly as much on a 1000 on the street either. In fact, these are the reasons I actually prefer to cruise around on a 1000 on the street as opposed to a 600. Keep in mind, even a 1000 doesn’t make it’s peak power until you hit about 10-12K RPM. So if you’re just cruising at 3-4k you’re in the 50-60hp RPM range. On a 600, cruising at 3-4K, you’re in the 25-35hp range because 600s generally don’t make peak power until the 13-14K range.

Edit: This doesn't mean I'm suggesting a liter bike for the OP or any beginner.

[ericrwalker]

For the street...unless you are racing (straight line only) and serious about it, I guess you might want to get as many cc's as you can afford then.

[Promarkt]

For the street...unless you are racing (straight line only) and serious about it, I guess you might want to get as many cc's as you can afford then.

Not at all. I’m not saying bigger is better for street riding but I am saying it does make a difference and for an experienced rider it’s sometimes preferred.
Another example….. a cruiser like the Honda VTX makes about 80 hp. The difference is, it makes close to that through most of it’s RPM range of 3-5k which is more than most liter bikes at the same RPM. This is why it’s a good cruiser. Lot’s of people start off on these things. The difference is a liter bike spools up much quicker and will keep on going until you’re in the 160 HP range at 12K and that will get a beginner in trouble in a hurry. Which is why liter bikes are a bad idea for a beginner but for an experience rider that’s just cruising around town, they’re quite nice.

[Zolton]

I don't mean to insult you but here goes....
Are you nuts? :p
You've been on a friends bike a couple of times and your considering those three bike for a first ride?
Wrong.
First off they are all too advanced for a beginner. Your ego is making this decision for you. Sure they look cool but you've probably not spent over half an hour on a sport or super sport bike before. They get uncomfortable real quick. :(
If you like the sport bike look then a 500 ninja is a good choice for a noob. And a used one at that. They are cheap, fun and great little bikes to boot.
A naked Suzuki SV650 is another great choice. Tons of torque, nice looking, comfortable and piles of aftermarket stuff to spiff it up. They sound like Ducatis if you put a pipe on one. :cool:
The VFR is a great bike but pretty advanced. It would be the more comfortable of the choices but I would think twice about it as a first bike.
Get into biking gradually and you will live longer. Seriously dude. :D

[akaxmrxhammer]

+1 on used 600 or a smaller bike. 95% of the people who ride a liter bike can't ride the bike to its full capability. 600 has more than enough power to satisfy the speed demon inside you. sooner or later, everybody crashes. it's just the matter of when and how. to all the riders, ride safe.