The Monster is the naked Duc. The smaller engined ones (620) are good beginner bikes if you can fit on one - they are tiny.

Ron.

 

The problem with the rider training courses - at least the ones they offer in California - is that they use 125cc cruisers or dual-duty rust machines from the 80's.

The price of the course is literally nothing in comparison to the knowledge you gain in terms of riding correctly and safely. Some insurance companies will even give you a discount if you've taken the course. Even more if you take the advanced course. Plus, the best place to crash and fall is during those administered practice lessons.

Like any street machine, once you get a taste of 250cc, 400cc, and 500cc, you'll want to get onto a 600cc, and eventually want 1000cc power and then maybe even more. Just keep in mind that even a 600cc machine has 0-60 times rivaling that of 10 and 12 cylinder exotic sports cars.

Expect to spend at least $600 on a full set of gear - helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, boots - and wear it every time you go riding. I've lowsided on a rainy freeway sweep at 45mph with hardly a bruise thanks to the gear. Of course, my gloves were torn, jacket and helmet were scuffed, and *** was falling out of my ripped pants - but at least my skin never made contact with the road.

 

mv

 

I think that MV Agusta F4-AGO might cost more than my 8.

 

It did

 

I have a 1984 Honda Magna V35 with about 10K. It needs a bit of work to get it back on the road. I wanna ride so bad, but I know my tendencies towards speeding. As much as I wanna ride, I don't wanna die or be maimed--sheit, I have a wife and lots of responsibilities. I have been paying insurance for about a year and I am not sure what to do as far as learning about riding the vehicle or even fixing it so I can have the opportunity. I know after I feel comfy with it I will get a high end Yamaha or Suzuki sportbike. It is a conundrum and its not really a matter of advice, but personal introspection. I know at some point every rider touches earth and that scares the crapola outta me, but lord, IMO the motorcycle is the ultimate vehicle to connect with road.

 

Check this for opinions/pics of member's bikes.

Good luck!

https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/motorcycles-4561/

 

an R1 as a starter? Don't do that to yourself. Maybe you meant R6 as that is the 600. Get aquainted with the riding position first as you might hate it. I'm probably trading mine up for a FJR1300 soon.

 

Yep, meant an R6, I'm crazy but not crazy enough to even consider anything above 600cc for my first sportbike. :p

 

Upgrading from a 600 to a 1000 felt like going from Civic DX to Supra TT... Given some time, the little devil on your shoulder will start to whisper in your ear "get the 1000...get the 1000..." Regardless of how fast the 600 is right out of the box, once you taste the 1000 you'll never go back.