# Novice Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [August 13, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565 "2013-08-13T10:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mazdaspeed6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mazdaspeed6/32/6297_2.png) [@Mazdaspeed6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mazdaspeed6)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/1 "2013-08-13T10:59:15Z")
I hate asking these questions but I just got my license took the HVCC course and felt real comfortable with most stuff ( my tight slow “U” turns weren’t perfect). I’m now looking at bikes and I am totally lost. People say get a 250, others say go bigger cause you will get bored, some say hey control is up to the rider you could do a 600 if you wanted. Also what’s the riding difference between a 883 -1200 VTwin and a 600 4cyl. I’m just looking for some honest advice.I’d tell you my body type but to me just because Ur a large novice or a skinny novice shouldn’t change the bike size. I’m looking used and leaning towards sport bikes. I’ll tell you I like the Buell Firebolt XB12R and there’s a few locally used. OK enough of my talking can someone give me some basics? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![dc2nick](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dc2nick/32/6289_2.png) [@dc2nick](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dc2nick)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/2 "2013-08-13T12:01:05Z")
Cruisers have a lower center of gravity. Sport bikes are higher. A 600 sport bike will have plenty of power. You won’t get bored. If u like sport bikes, find yourself a nice F4i or zx6r/636. or something along those lines. Perfect starter bikes. ---
**Author:** ![JSEnclosures](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jsenclosures/32/6678_2.png) [@JSEnclosures](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JSEnclosures)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/3 "2013-08-13T12:20:42Z")
topic has been beaten like a dead horse, search ---
**Author:** ![Ilya](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ilya/32/6404_2.png) [@Ilya](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ilya)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/4 "2013-08-14T05:54:58Z")
I have a Ninja 300 and I don’t regret getting it. Do I wish I had some more power sometimes? Sure. But after spending some time on my buddies CBR600, I’m very happy with my purchase. My bike is WAAAYYY more nimble/fun in the twisties. You can make that thing lean over with little to no work. It’s about as fast as your typical 250-275hp V6 car (like my Infiniti). At least, that’s what I feel. Eventually I will upgrade to a 600 (not just for the power - I also have loved the sound of an inline 4 since I was little boy) but for the foreseeable future, my Ninja 300 is more than fine. I’ve got 2,600 miles on it in 5 weeks. I personally wouldn’t get a 250…for the following reasons: 1. The Ninja 250 is not FI IIRC. FI is nice. 2. The CBR250 looks like \*\*\*\* If you want to start small, get the Ninja 300. It’s an AMAZING looking bike and fun/cheap too boot. If I had to pick a 600 though, even though I have always loved the R6’s look, it’d likely be a newer CBR or a ZX6R. ---
**Author:** ![Mazdaspeed6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mazdaspeed6/32/6297_2.png) [@Mazdaspeed6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mazdaspeed6)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2013, 7:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/5 "2013-08-14T07:33:30Z")
Thanks ---
**Author:** ![RocketPunch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rocketpunch/32/6429_2.png) [@RocketPunch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RocketPunch)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/6 "2013-08-14T20:41:54Z")
> [@\*\*\*Official Nyspeed Photo Hunt\*\*\* v.3rd times a charm](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/official-nyspeed-photo-hunt-v-3rd-times-a-charm/53281/45): > > 883 -1200 VTwin and a 600 4cyl. Cruiser twins are designed to have low end grunt, have large torque figures, lower redlines. 600cc i-4’s are tune for hp yields, low torque, high revving. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@Alpine](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/7 "2013-08-14T21:36:11Z")
A 300 is not nimbler in the “twisties.” All in your head. ---
**Author:** ![offroadzj](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/offroadzj/32/6428_2.png) [@offroadzj](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/offroadzj)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/8 "2013-08-15T00:49:58Z")
I’ve seen riders on a 250 make 600s and even 1000s look slow on a track. Stick with a small bike and IF you can max that out go to a 600. And by max it out I don’t mean top speed, I’m talking dragging elbow in a turn and then feel the need for more. Most riders THINK they have maxed out a small bike yet have barely even scratched the surface of what that bike is capable of. Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2 ---
**Author:** ![Ilya](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ilya/32/6404_2.png) [@Ilya](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ilya)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 7:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/9 "2013-08-15T07:58:23Z")
> [@Woo. That McCain. He's a funny one.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/woo-that-mccain-hes-a-funny-one/53295/8): > > A 300 is not nimbler in the “twisties.” All in your head. It absolutely is. That’s one of the main benefits of a small bike. Smaller/thinner tires (removes rotating mass making it easier to lean), lighter weight = far less force needed on the bars to make it lean (goes hand in hand with smaller bike/smaller tire). It’s physics 101. I had to put a lot more force on the 600 to make it go around a traffic circle than I would need on my 300. Fact. I did the same circle back to back (the one near UAlbany/Nano). I’m no pro at riding a bike, but come on…think about it at least. :gtfo OP, the other benefits are lower insurance, better MPG, etc. for smaller bikes like the 300. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@Alpine](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 8:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/10 "2013-08-15T08:45:40Z")
False. It just feels like its easier because it has a Briggs and Stratton for an engine. ---
**Author:** ![Mazdaspeed6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mazdaspeed6/32/6297_2.png) [@Mazdaspeed6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mazdaspeed6)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/11 "2013-08-15T08:47:21Z")
There’s a couple used 300’s on Craig’s list I’m looking at. I like the fact that they are fuell injected and ABS. I also like that they don’t look cheap like the 250’s. I was letting the pride side make decisions instead of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Gundamzeppelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Gundamzeppelin](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gundamzeppelin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/12 "2013-08-15T09:00:40Z")
> [@Woo. That McCain. He's a funny one.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/woo-that-mccain-hes-a-funny-one/53295/10): > > I’ve seen riders on a 250 make 600s and even 1000s look slow on a track. Stick with a small bike and IF you can max that out go to a 600. And by max it out I don’t mean top speed, I’m talking dragging elbow in a turn and then feel the need for more. Most riders THINK they have maxed out a small bike yet have barely even scratched the surface of what that bike is capable of. > > Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2 Truth, it’s all in the rider. I was blowing past GSRX 1k’s and a Ducati 1199R in on the track like they were standing still. It’s all in the rider, also I’ve been on the 250 I can “quick flick” it faster than my R6. I would assume it’s the smaller profile tires that come into play even my scooter when it ran was a quick little turner. ---
**Author:** ![HiSpeed48](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hispeed48/32/6688_2.png) [@HiSpeed48](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HiSpeed48)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/13 "2013-08-15T19:37:44Z")
Saw a Ninja 300 on the highway today and it looked damn good! Just saying. > [@Woo. That McCain. He's a funny one.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/woo-that-mccain-hes-a-funny-one/53295/8): > > A 300 is not nimbler in the “twisties.” All in your head. They are definitely nimbler. Anyone who has ever rode one will tell you they are. They are about 30-80lbs lighter than most 600’s, shorter wheelbase, skinnier tires, less centrifugal force, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ilya](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ilya/32/6404_2.png) [@Ilya](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ilya)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/14 "2013-08-15T20:33:57Z")
It’s a gorgeous bike for sure. That’s why I bought it. I only like ultra modern looking bikes (in the Street/Sport/SS segment). The old 250’s or anything like that, FUGLY. This looks like an R6 mixed with a bit of all of the other bikes. Very happy with my purchase. With the exhaust and the 15t sprocket on the front, it’s a great little bike and I highly recommend it to the OP. I’ve been asked if it’s the new 600 like 8 times…when I tell people it’s a 300 they are shocked. Told one guy today I had a Ninja and he’s like: Him: 1000? Me: No Him: 600? Me: No Him: _dumbfounded look_ Me: 300 Him: Oh wow. That looks awesome for a 300! Go check one out OP! You might not find many 2013’s left, but 2014’s should be right around the corner. ---
**Author:** ![Luna\_Tique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/df705f/32.png) [@Luna\_Tique](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Luna_Tique)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/15 "2013-08-16T16:56:29Z")
> [@Woo. That McCain. He's a funny one.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/woo-that-mccain-hes-a-funny-one/53295/10): > > I’ve seen riders on a 250 make 600s and even 1000s look slow on a track. Stick with a small bike and IF you can max that out go to a 600. And by max it out I don’t mean top speed, I’m talking dragging elbow in a turn and then feel the need for more. Most riders THINK they have maxed out a small bike yet have barely even scratched the surface of what that bike is capable of. > > Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2 ![http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/smilies/i-ZNpMX27/0/O/clapping.gif](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/d/3/d306068d60e24e57ad10d667a0e59c095a746134.gif) Well said and in my opinion very good advise. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@Alpine](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/16 "2013-08-17T14:51:04Z")
Buying a racing bike with a 250cc engine is like buying a Corvette with a 2.2 liter n/a 4 cyl. ---
**Author:** ![GenPatton](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/genpatton/32/6760_2.png) [@GenPatton](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GenPatton)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/17 "2013-08-17T15:11:37Z")
> [@3G iphone UNLOCK now possible.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/3g-iphone-unlock-now-possible/53289/5): > > Buying a racing bike with a 250cc engine is like buying a Corvette with a 2.2 liter n/a 4 cyl. A racing bike is not about straight line speed. There are videos of riders on 250’s beating out liter bikes on the track. The amount of corner speed a lightweight bike can carry is far better than larger bikes… this is why some tracks with a lot of twisties is actually better to have a smaller bike. Cars don’t play any role here. ---
**Author:** ![Alpine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@Alpine](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Alpine)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/18 "2013-08-17T15:24:13Z")
True. 250’s are cheaper, too. They just don’t seem comfortable lol. I had a 600 and a 1000, both Suzukis. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![GenPatton](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/genpatton/32/6760_2.png) [@GenPatton](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GenPatton)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/19 "2013-08-18T06:44:44Z")
> [@On another topic](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/53272/13): > > They just don’t seem comfortable lol. I had a 600 and a 1000, both Suzukis. Never again. Usually they are more comfortable than SS and SBK’s because they are more upright … except … it is _tighter_ so you do feel more cramped on the bike. Plenty of times when I’m riding on the highway thinking to myself, ‘Damn I wish I was on a cruiser right now’ :lol ---
**Author:** ![Ilya](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ilya/32/6404_2.png) [@Ilya](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ilya)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2013, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/novice-question/267565/20 "2013-08-18T21:36:17Z")
I’m 5’11" and I think I fit fine on my 300. No issues feeling too cramped, etc.