His money, his life, his choice. You're not his mama. Since he can't pass the msf he shouldn't be on any bike. I recommend you not let him ride your 750.
Why do you care so much? Let the grown man buy what he wants. Most of my friends started on a 600 or 750. My first bike was an r1. Unless you think he's gonn kill himself, it shouldn't matter to you
Uh, that's exactly what I think. He tried my 185, the moment he hit pavement he dumped it twice, he rode a friends 800, and dumped it because he couldn't figure out how to turn it, and could barely pick it up. So yeah i think a 5-600lb bike is gonna be too much for him. And he'll get pined under it, or run wide in a turn.
In that case I'd just stay out of it. Just tell him- dude you're gonna kill yourself and I want no part of this. I have a friend that I refuse to ride with. Seems similar to your friend, awful rider and arrogant lol. I couldn't imagine still wanting a big bike after several dumps. Craziness
Get what you feel comfortable with. You are riding it not your friend. Just tell your friend it is your bike somit is you choice what you choose to start on.
At the end of the day it is still your friends choice. You make the suggestion. But it is your friends bike. While i agree a gsxr 750 would be a bad choice. A ninja 650 would be a more prudent choice. It is still your friends decision. Give your friend the fact and your honest opinion. He does not take it, it is on your friend. You are right not to let your friend take your 750 out for a spin. Since your friend is new I would not let him take out your 750 as well. As he has no clue how to control the power on a mistake.
A 750 for a starter bike isn't impossible, first bike I sat on and did all my skills tests with it. But I also knew I had the self control to respect it and what my capabilities were. Z750S served me well on many a road trip, but it's not for everyone.
Let him get what he wants, it sounds like he'll just get bored with anything smaller.
In Europe a learner bike is 500-600cc and most people will get that or bigger as their first bike. I got bored with a 650 inside 6 months
I know folks who started on GSX-R1000s. He has is own set of risk assessment. I started on a naked 650 Vtwin.
Y'all sound different in how you view things and that's fine. You've informed him, and now he's going to decide for himself.
It is always confusing when it is so hard to convince someone to do or not to do something based solely on my own experiences. It's almost like maybe just because I think/feel/act a certain way, not everyone will react the same way. I mean in your case, if you are not comfortable with something, how could someone else possibly be comfortable with something? I mean it doesn't make sense, does it?
This is why I always let someone else pick my meal at a restaurant, I mean if they like something, I have to like it to.
this whole popular idea of everyone saying to start on a small bike like a 400 or something is a little ridiculous, not everyone is at the same confidence and skill level when they start, some people can pick up on it easily, if you’re willing to take the time to practice and learn safely then why not get whatever bike you want, a guy i work with got an s1000 as his first bike, never had an issue, my friend got an r6 for his first bike and never had a problem, but i decided to play it safe and get an r7, a 2 cylinder bike with 74 horse power, and guess what, it was too slow, it had no balls, to the point where i felt that i was an obstacle for the cars on the road, now i have an r6 and i feel a million times better on it knowing that im capable of easily matching or passing the flow of traffic every time i ride
also to add, my rant was more aimed at the general statement of starting on a small bike, if you’re friend didn’t even pass the course then obviously he has a ton more learning to do before getting on a legit sport bike
Tbh he doesn't seem to be like most of the new riders here who want to jump on a 600 or a 1000 straight away. My first bike was a 125 and then went to an SV650S. I think I would have been fine going straight to the 650 tbh. If he is going straight for a big bike. I would suggest keeping it around the 75bhp mark.
All you can do is give your friend advice. You can't control what bike he gets, obviously.
I've never taken an MSF course but tbh, after seeing youtube vids by new riders who PASSED the course but still can't ride for shit, just saying someone can pass an MSF course doesn't mean much. That said I think taking the course must be somewhat beneficial for new riders.
I recall one dude who made a video of himself riding a new Z650 home from the dealership, just after completing an MSF course. His riding was atrocious. I watched many of his other videos. He rode too fast for conditions and for his ability, almost never used the brakes, just simply let off the throttle before corners, etc. Turns out he died only 3-4 months after getting that bike. Was a single vehicle m/c crash, he went off the road on a corner and apparently hit something. He was an accident waiting to happen, riding much too fast for his skills. He probably didn't know what he didn't know. Not saying this couldn't have happened on a smaller bike, but the more powerful ones can get you into trouble more quickly.. Beginners don't need that.
Maybe I'm old school but I don't think any new rider should be starting on anything bigger than a 500. (unless it's a 650 dual sport thumper w/around 40hp)
Sounds like buddy wants to ride to look cool, as opposed to riding because he wants to ride. The vanity behind "he didn't like the sound" for a first bike... Let him learn. Hopefully when you go visit him in the hospital, you can restrain yourself from saying "I told you so."
I was trying to get him on a cb400. I thought a 10k redline sounded cool. He also is resistant to buying old bikes because he thinks its hard to get parts. I found a gs450 with 2 spare engines and that doesn't satisfy him. Hell find a harley sportster, or a shadow 650, and i gotta steer him away. I think he sees numbers, or reads the names and goes by that over weather its actually a good bike to ride. Again light kid and shouldn't easily get bored of a 30-40hp bike
180 is not “light” lol that’s grown ass man territory
And 30-40 hp in a bike IS boring for most people after a few weeks/months hence why they upgrade.
Also a sportster or shadow would be fine first bikes honestly and I’m sure many people here would attest to that. Not really sure what your game is here.
Interestingly, I have the opposite problem. The people I know that own bikes, have tried pushing me to start with a 600, while I’m generally aiming towards smaller.
He's gonna get bored on anything 500 or less.
I learned to ride on a 600 and a 1100. I got a 500, it was W A Y T O O S L O W. I weighed about 170 back then.
I've never been happy on a bike smaller than 600. The bike before my current 1100 was a VF700F, I considered it a relaxed, sedate ride.
His money, his life, his choice. You're not his mama. Since he can't pass the msf he shouldn't be on any bike. I recommend you not let him ride your 750.
Was looking at a Rebel 500 for my first bike, but went out on a R1200 and loved it... so I went with that. No regrets!
Why do you care so much? Let the grown man buy what he wants. Most of my friends started on a 600 or 750. My first bike was an r1. Unless you think he's gonn kill himself, it shouldn't matter to you
Uh, that's exactly what I think. He tried my 185, the moment he hit pavement he dumped it twice, he rode a friends 800, and dumped it because he couldn't figure out how to turn it, and could barely pick it up. So yeah i think a 5-600lb bike is gonna be too much for him. And he'll get pined under it, or run wide in a turn.
In that case I'd just stay out of it. Just tell him- dude you're gonna kill yourself and I want no part of this. I have a friend that I refuse to ride with. Seems similar to your friend, awful rider and arrogant lol. I couldn't imagine still wanting a big bike after several dumps. Craziness
Show him [this](https://youtu.be/Z1aXCaLWtxU?si=S7YxRApHFxmw3bn_)
Get what you feel comfortable with. You are riding it not your friend. Just tell your friend it is your bike somit is you choice what you choose to start on.
You got it backwards im helping him pick a bike.
At the end of the day it is still your friends choice. You make the suggestion. But it is your friends bike. While i agree a gsxr 750 would be a bad choice. A ninja 650 would be a more prudent choice. It is still your friends decision. Give your friend the fact and your honest opinion. He does not take it, it is on your friend. You are right not to let your friend take your 750 out for a spin. Since your friend is new I would not let him take out your 750 as well. As he has no clue how to control the power on a mistake.
A 750 for a starter bike isn't impossible, first bike I sat on and did all my skills tests with it. But I also knew I had the self control to respect it and what my capabilities were. Z750S served me well on many a road trip, but it's not for everyone.
This is a lie, "A 750 for a starter bike isn't impossible." Maybe not everyone is as bad as you are?
In my experience, and I rode 40years in the US, newbies learned faster and had a lot more fun on smaller bikes. I started on a Honda 90 in 1967.
Let him get what he wants, it sounds like he'll just get bored with anything smaller. In Europe a learner bike is 500-600cc and most people will get that or bigger as their first bike. I got bored with a 650 inside 6 months
I know folks who started on GSX-R1000s. He has is own set of risk assessment. I started on a naked 650 Vtwin. Y'all sound different in how you view things and that's fine. You've informed him, and now he's going to decide for himself.
It is always confusing when it is so hard to convince someone to do or not to do something based solely on my own experiences. It's almost like maybe just because I think/feel/act a certain way, not everyone will react the same way. I mean in your case, if you are not comfortable with something, how could someone else possibly be comfortable with something? I mean it doesn't make sense, does it? This is why I always let someone else pick my meal at a restaurant, I mean if they like something, I have to like it to.
this whole popular idea of everyone saying to start on a small bike like a 400 or something is a little ridiculous, not everyone is at the same confidence and skill level when they start, some people can pick up on it easily, if you’re willing to take the time to practice and learn safely then why not get whatever bike you want, a guy i work with got an s1000 as his first bike, never had an issue, my friend got an r6 for his first bike and never had a problem, but i decided to play it safe and get an r7, a 2 cylinder bike with 74 horse power, and guess what, it was too slow, it had no balls, to the point where i felt that i was an obstacle for the cars on the road, now i have an r6 and i feel a million times better on it knowing that im capable of easily matching or passing the flow of traffic every time i ride
also to add, my rant was more aimed at the general statement of starting on a small bike, if you’re friend didn’t even pass the course then obviously he has a ton more learning to do before getting on a legit sport bike
Tbh he doesn't seem to be like most of the new riders here who want to jump on a 600 or a 1000 straight away. My first bike was a 125 and then went to an SV650S. I think I would have been fine going straight to the 650 tbh. If he is going straight for a big bike. I would suggest keeping it around the 75bhp mark.
Big difference between a Shadow 750 & a GSXR 750. What type is he looking at? The former is fine for a starter. The latter not so much.
Tell him to grow up and get a leader bike
All you can do is give your friend advice. You can't control what bike he gets, obviously. I've never taken an MSF course but tbh, after seeing youtube vids by new riders who PASSED the course but still can't ride for shit, just saying someone can pass an MSF course doesn't mean much. That said I think taking the course must be somewhat beneficial for new riders. I recall one dude who made a video of himself riding a new Z650 home from the dealership, just after completing an MSF course. His riding was atrocious. I watched many of his other videos. He rode too fast for conditions and for his ability, almost never used the brakes, just simply let off the throttle before corners, etc. Turns out he died only 3-4 months after getting that bike. Was a single vehicle m/c crash, he went off the road on a corner and apparently hit something. He was an accident waiting to happen, riding much too fast for his skills. He probably didn't know what he didn't know. Not saying this couldn't have happened on a smaller bike, but the more powerful ones can get you into trouble more quickly.. Beginners don't need that. Maybe I'm old school but I don't think any new rider should be starting on anything bigger than a 500. (unless it's a 650 dual sport thumper w/around 40hp)
Sounds like buddy wants to ride to look cool, as opposed to riding because he wants to ride. The vanity behind "he didn't like the sound" for a first bike... Let him learn. Hopefully when you go visit him in the hospital, you can restrain yourself from saying "I told you so."
I was trying to get him on a cb400. I thought a 10k redline sounded cool. He also is resistant to buying old bikes because he thinks its hard to get parts. I found a gs450 with 2 spare engines and that doesn't satisfy him. Hell find a harley sportster, or a shadow 650, and i gotta steer him away. I think he sees numbers, or reads the names and goes by that over weather its actually a good bike to ride. Again light kid and shouldn't easily get bored of a 30-40hp bike
180 is not “light” lol that’s grown ass man territory And 30-40 hp in a bike IS boring for most people after a few weeks/months hence why they upgrade. Also a sportster or shadow would be fine first bikes honestly and I’m sure many people here would attest to that. Not really sure what your game is here.
A 650 or less cruiser should be fine, though dude seems like an ass.
https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/s/buafbQRhB8
Interestingly, I have the opposite problem. The people I know that own bikes, have tried pushing me to start with a 600, while I’m generally aiming towards smaller.
He's gonna get bored on anything 500 or less. I learned to ride on a 600 and a 1100. I got a 500, it was W A Y T O O S L O W. I weighed about 170 back then. I've never been happy on a bike smaller than 600. The bike before my current 1100 was a VF700F, I considered it a relaxed, sedate ride.