Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
^ Should I give him a ride on the back of my 600?
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
You could always ship him off to London, where he'd be forced to ride a scooter his first year after taking the class, then a restricted bike for the second year.
And while I agree that some people are able to handle a liter bike as their first bike, the fact of the matter is not everyone can. As much as I wish I was riding a brand new sportbike (Daytona 675 SE please, gotta keep asking Santa, right?!), I'm glad I am riding the bike I am now. Is it underpowered? Not for anything up to highway speeds. Yet I know that if I blip the throttle wrong in a corner (while learning to blip), my rear end will not be overpowered, lose traction, and me low-side.
Maybe in a year or two of riding my Seca2 and hopefully soon to be FZ600s restoration, I will be ready to upgrade to a modern sportbike. But not now, and I'm 1.5 years into riding (and came from 10 years of road cycling and racing, so I have plenty of 2-wheel skills, just not self-powered).
Another thing to bring up, is that he can always upgrade to a liter bike a month or two down the road if he really feels that is what he needs to enjoy the sport. While its a pain in the neck, he will at least still have feeling in his neck than if he were paralyzed from starting off on a liter bike and making a rookie mistake.
Bored on a 600 what kind of bullshit is that if you learn how to ride a 600 is more then enough. If you read the aritcal I posted it is really a lot more likely to get bored with a liter bike over a 600.
R.I.P. Lahela 10/12/1986-08/01/2008
Want to become a super hero? http://www.donoralliance.org/info-page-1
"I don't fail I just succeed at finding ways that don't work."
Chris Titus
CSC Spelling Bee Champ 2008 and 2009
Why shouldn't he get a 1k? Take a look at this thread from experienced and in-experienced riders:
http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forum...ad.php?t=16303
Most of the close calls here, have nothing to do with the size of the bike.
Take the course.
Wear the gear.
Have respect.
If he's going to die, seems to me is going to do it no matter what he rides.
Like I need your support
I guess the ultimate question we need to know the answer to is "Why does he think a 600 is inadequate compared to a 1000?" I can think of valid answers to that question but to offer useful advice, we need to know his answer. Has he ridden dirt bikes?
Dirk
Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
Live and let live, I say.
Just give him all of the best advise that he's willing to listen to, and encourage him to do some of the things other have mentioned, like getting a quick "passenger moment" on somebody's 600, and see if he'll reevaluate.
Chances-are, is that this is all going to be a futile effort.
~Brandon~
Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory - "Gemma"
MV Agusta F3 800 - "Amy Lou"
Rattan Fat Bear Plus - "Lynda"
(720) 935-6438
I rarely think of motorcycles without a little yearning. They are about moving, and humans, I think, yearn to move – it’s in our cells, in our desires. We quiet our babies with cyclic movement, and we quiet ourselves by going.
Melissa Holbrook Pierson
^ No dirt bikes
I think he sees the 600 as a "small" bike
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
I agree with DT on this one... if your friend's hell bent on killing himself cc's aren't going to matter.
Leave the ego in the garage and your more likely to come home to it.
Personally, I love my 1050... I love doing long distances and when I want power it's there. I don't have to ride at 7K+ rpm all the time. Drop a gear and off I go. I'm not into racing through the canyons or riding track, but if I were to do those things, a 600 would be the only choice. But for long hauls, I wouldn't want anything smaller then what I have now.
Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
Retirement, the kids to leave home, the weather or the economy, that's not living. That's waiting!
Waiting will only leaves us with unrealized dreams and empty wishes.
He's NOT hell bent on killing himself. He's a level-headed individual, I just don't think he understands the huge difference between the two.
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
So, if he's as level headed as you say, then I don't see a problem with letting him get what he wants... which he'll probably do anyways.
In the end, it's the responsibility of the rider to do what's best for them.
I broke my back in high school and have chronic back problems today. I can't ride a 600 due to ergo issues. I made it all of 3 blocks from the dealership on a demo 675 before heading right back. I've never owned a 600 sportbike and I'm still here to talk about it...
Do not put off living the life you dream of. Next year may never come. If we are always waiting for something to change...
Retirement, the kids to leave home, the weather or the economy, that's not living. That's waiting!
Waiting will only leaves us with unrealized dreams and empty wishes.
Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
Probably more related to power...
Every time I tell him how fast my 600 is, he just says "yeah"...
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
^^What's wrong with a smaller bike in his mind? If he's all butthurt worried about being on a smaller bike then ask him why he's not out buying a zx-14? It's bigger than a liter bike! Why is he settling for a liter instead of 1400cc bike? Then use that reasoning to explain to him how dangerous a liter bike can be compared to a 600. Hell if he's still all about it then tell him that he can always sell a 600 and buy a liter. Buy used to start with and if he does get bored, then trade up. It's better than getting in over his head and not having the chance to trade down
[SIGPIC][SIGPIC]
He found a good deal on a 1000, that's why he's interested in it.
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
Although, if he's not going to listen to good advice when buying the bike, then he's probably not listen to it while riding it and he's just gonna end up supplying others with parts if he's not careful
[SIGPIC][SIGPIC]
Dunno what counts as a good deal on a liter, but I'm pretty sure that a 600 is gonna be cheaper 100% of the time
[SIGPIC][SIGPIC]
^ That's what I'm trying to prevent
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
He doesn't sound as level headed as some level headed people I know.
~Brandon~
Aprilia RSV 1000 R Factory - "Gemma"
MV Agusta F3 800 - "Amy Lou"
Rattan Fat Bear Plus - "Lynda"
(720) 935-6438
I rarely think of motorcycles without a little yearning. They are about moving, and humans, I think, yearn to move – it’s in our cells, in our desires. We quiet our babies with cyclic movement, and we quiet ourselves by going.
Melissa Holbrook Pierson
You don't.
"Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007
"It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012
I.B.A. # 14748 124@X - YRMV
That could be a valid reason for wanting a 1000 over a 600. More low-mid range torque, better for 2-up riding as others have mentioned. But it sounds like "I want the fastest bike" and unless he's planning to be on the track, he's already got the wrong mindset IMO. Even on the track I see lots of good riders on 600s spanking mediocre riders on 1000s.
So, from what I'm reading it sounds like he could find himself in over his head. He will do what he wants to do but I would encourage him to get some training, the more the better. That 2-up ride on a track with an experienced racer would be an eye-opening experience for him vis a vis the power of modern 600s.
Dirk
Formerly MRA #211 - High Precision Racing
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self- preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property, and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."
--Thomas Jefferson
Tell him to check the insurance on it before he buys it. I can guarantee that an '01 gsxr 1k is going to cost him at least $200-$300/month for insurance.
Are you willing to let him spin your 6? If so, maybe it'll show him there's nothing small about a 600, it just looks that way from an inflated ego.
'02 RC-51 - Street
'05 Pitster Pro 125 - Pitbike madness
Be polite. Be professional. But be prepared to kill everyone you meet.
"Motorcycles tell us a more useful truth: we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good, but that's no reason not to enjoy every minute of the ride."
~Dave Karlotski
^ I wouldn't let him on my bike until he finishes his MSF course and gets his liscense
Nathaniel
13 DRZ400SM (mine) -- 08 CBR 600RR (wife's) -- 06 GSX-R 600 (sold)I don't always test my code, but when I do, I do it in production.
Most of us have heard it more than once...............
the question from a complete motorcycle newb...........
how big is it?
I've had people ask me that about my GSXR1000. I tell them 1000cc's and they are not impressed. They tell me about their dad/uncle/friend/etc. that has a 1500cc or whatever.
To the uninitiated, with little else to go by, size does matter. Friends/relatives need to educate newbies that are interested in actually riding the bikes. Newbies need help understanding the real differences in bikes and guide them to a bike that best fits the newbie's needs.
After all that, the newbie may buy an R1 anyway but the effort needs to be made by responsible people to help new riders not hurt themselves IMHO.