1000cc for Beginners? Let’s Talk About That...

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FAQ:

What should my first bike be? A Turbo Hayabusa.

Very funny, no seriously. What should I get? Anything except a Versys 650.

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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:21 Different Bikes for Different Folks
4:58 Don't listen to the peanut gallery
8:51 Starting on a 1000cc bike is not for everyone
10:36 Guidelines & Best Practices
12:57 Take a Rider Safety Course

[andrewkey]

Yam. I'm 61 passed my full UK test in March. 40 years experience driving a manual car and rode a Honda 250 40 years ago. First bike in March was a Triumph Tiger Sport 660 and after 6 months bought a Triumph Street Triple 765R. For me it's been perfect. As a mature rider, I don't want to race or squid. I go fast when it's safe. I know how much it hurts to get hit by a car, which happened riding a cycle, don't wanna do it again. Love the videos.

[RimsaltRon]

Man that dude just posted another video where he's doing 100mph+ pulls, running red lights, trying to race everyone and dropping his bike... went from "i'm taking it easy, i don't know how to shift or lean, this thing is heavy I can't balance on it, I'm going 5 under the speed limit" just a couple weeks ago. I hate to say it, but he's on the squid to sushi path.

[SKChocolate]

Can’t lie that guy popped up in my feed and I’m following him to see how his 1000cc journey is gonna end up

[trenauldo]

First time rider, aged 55. Started this past summer with the MSF course… Picked up a KAWA Z500 SE, and it’s been a great learning machine for me. MSF skills have already saved my butt a few times from clueless car drivers. Have already put 1, 700 miles on it, and I’m thinking of getting a Z900 this spring, and that’ll be the one I keep for several years. Have been loving the learning journey and finally realizing a childhood dream of mine.

[brandonthorpe]

Saw yammies comment on that video and just knew it’d become a video

[Bob-tstu]

when i passed my test i asked the instructor if he thought i should get a smaller cc bike as my first 'big bike' jumping from a 125cc, say a 500cc or 300cc, and his answer surprised me, he said 'ride what you wan't', it's all about how you use the right hand', and as i fancied a 750cc hornet that's what i bought with a few reservations as to if it may have been a bit too much of a jump for me to handle. After the first ride it was obvious there wasn't a bit of it, it was fun and easy to ride. I did spend a year before taking my test to learn the biking craft which taught me a lot and i suppose being in my 60's helped, but id say as long as u aint stupid, go for it, but if you ride stupid you will be an organ donor no matter what the bike. GL

[samuelhashim-jones]

I picked up an MT07 for my first bike at 18 and I’m pretty skinny and standing at 5’9. It fits me so well and it’s pretty torquey and quick enough. Love that machine and it’s really nice to learn how to stay safe on the roads and understand how to hit the twisties and lean into the bends and curves. Gotta have respect for bikes

[DandJAcres]

I fall into your third example. I’m 54 years old on early medical retirement. I have wanted to ride for the last 40 years but always doubted that it would be safe. I watched your videos for months before I made the decision to get my temps. All the MSF courses near me are booked solid until 4/25. I plan to take it then but have already ridden a few thousand miles on the bike I bought.

Your channel made a lot of sense to me about keeping it cheap and sensible for my first bike. I saw the review on the CFMoto 300NK and found a brand new one for just over $2K at a local dealer. They delivered it that day and that evening, I dropped it. The next day I made myself practice for eight hours straight and dropped it a few more times. I chose to ride on dirt and gravel versus the street and am very happy I did. I never dropped the bike again. It’s been a blast.

A few weeks later I bought a second bike at another huge discount. I bought the 650 AdVentura to use on the highway when I go to see my grandkids. I did drop that one but I made an adjustment to the rear brake lever and fixed the height to keep me balanced.

Both bikes are still amazingly fun. I practice hard on the 300 then apply those skills to the 650. Eventually I’ll get a nice sport touring bike, but that’s after the MSF.

Thanks for your channel.

[PeterR]

45 years ago, I bought a Suzuki GS1000S with clip-ons and race fairing. I was 18 and all my older friends told me I would want to upgrade from a smaller bike anyway. I weighed 64kg, totally lacked confidence, and had never before ridden any small or big motorcycle. At that time, there was no motorcycle license needed. I traveled all over Europe with it. It completely changed my life for the better. Never had an accident in the 15 years I rode it. Yes, I would strongly suggest to start with a 300 now. But still; I survived, and had fun!

[jeyson]

Started on a used, lightly dropped, 2024 Ninja 650 about 6 months ago. So far, it’s been absolutely incredible, BUT, I’m a 6’0, athletic guy who did gymnastics for 15 years as a kid, joined the Army, several other things that made me VERY confident that I would be okay on it right off rip. Spent about 3 weeks doing slow speed drills in a parking lot before ever taking it onto the road, used only backroads for a while, etc.

[fritsfelix]

I did my training on a MT-07 and bought one for myself after I got my license. It fits me fine, and it gives my the fun I'm looking for. I took out a few other bikes for a few testrides, faster, bigger, more tech, more grunt and I'm still happy I choose the MT-07 for myself. But everyone is different.

[emmkrit]

I started on a R3, and then my son. Still use it to go around town and short rides. Perfect bike.

[feron]

I started on a hayabusa. I would NEVER recommend it to anyone else. It worked for me because I respected that bike. I knew at any moment it could kill me or someone else. I suggest anyone getting into bikes to start on something low powered to learn. Yammie hits the nail on the head

[snipperman]

My first bike was a R3 at the age of 34, I'm short and have alot of experience riding dirt bikes and farm bikes, now I'm on a R7 but to this day I still wish I had my R3 as well as my R7. The R3 was so much fun and I loved over taking the bigger bikes in the twisties, just really had to ride it hard in the straights but 100% worth it for the fun I had on it and even done track days on the R3. Thanks Yammy for helping me make the decision for the R3 as I watched some of your videos before I brought a bike

[NghtMarx]

I've been riding for 4 seasons now. I started learning from your channel and keep coming back

[levistephens]

It's me. I'm Ted. I was 31, 6'5", 245lbs, moderate dirt bike and extensive manual experience. I went with a Triumph Scrambler 1200 xe and never looked back

[rolandyancydorol]

Please keep doing this man, atleast once every year.
Thank you for your brutally honest video, love it.

[Zergonz]

I started on a 2004 Ducati monster 620. This was last year after 20 hours of lessons and 2 exams. I did just fine but it really just depends on what type of rider you are.

[haydenpayne]

I started riding for the first time last year at 25 years old. I bought a used 2023 Yamaha mt07 because I wanted a bike that I could learn on but want to keep for an extended period of time. I grew up driving manual for a decade and consider myself intelligent and competent for most things. I got my permit and started riding around my neighborhood not going past 30 mph to get a hold of the bike. Confidence came fast and I slowly moved to faster roads. I then took the msf course and passed with flying colors. That was the best summer and I have a strong comfortable relationship with my bike! I tell people as long as you’re not stupid you can start on 600-700 bikes. I know my riding limits and won’t surpass them. I haven’t dropped my bike or ever worried it’s too much! It’s plenty fast but also can be forgiving on little mistakes! I think if you have some experience with manuals or bikes the mt07 could definitely be on the list provided you have common sense!

[emancebo]

Great, responsible and down to earth content. Hopefully you live long enough to buy whatever bike you want, but respect the learning curve and ride safe, just like Yammie said.