Which is safer to ride as a first bike?

Ducati Forum

Help Support Ducati Forum:

SPJ said:
I'm beginning to wonder if there is someone out there, creating usernames and posting these first bike posts for a laugh....

In the event you are serious and you intend to ride, get a smaller bike and learn the basics, buy a bigger bike later and be sensible in the first few years.

About a week ago I followed a guy on a CBR600. He was all over the place and I suspect had just passed his test. Could barely touch the ground, no clutch control and clearly had low confidence. Add in a Panigale and he'd have been through the first hedge he'd come to.
Click to expand...

Since when is touching the ground considered safe? Just like the other guy talking about being "good", you guys come off to me as trying to say that, if you can't ride how you would on a track, you aren't good/are a danger to others.

I feel like its just human nature but the art of puffing oneself up in order to feel better/superior to others doing the same thing really is evident here in the motorcycle community. You get it in video games a lot and I feel like the people who ride motorcycles think of themselves as some kind of superhero's like they are special or somehow extremely skilled for doing something that well, lets be honest, anyone who gets into an accident on a bike deserves a darwin award. Its one of the most dangerous things you can do.

Perfect example of that is the guys who laugh at someone who hasn't use up their "chicken strips". I would imagine diving that deep into a corner in most cases is unnecessary, but people do it anyway either to prove their own abilities to others or themselves, and almost everyone likes to try and elevate themselves above others, as the guy who I originally had a dialog with used a generic diss/putdown like squid in just his second post.

I do not doubt that you guys are right, it would certainly be better for a new rider to start on a smaller bike, and I may do just that. I was thinking of just the base 1299 panigale, I don't see spending an extra 5-6k on a bike I'd never bring to a track. But a used 250 or 300 for a summer, why not? You guys are right, and no, I'm not looking for validation.

I was looking for different opinions on things etc. Obviously everyone has a different story and usually, when people do things a certain way and it works for them, people are quick to say "no you should do it this way" because they have no experience trying it some other way.

My friend with the Busa is probably a better rider than at least some of you here, regardless of how you started or what bike you first rode, in the dirt or tarmac, etc etc.

At the end of the day, I still have not even ridden a motorcycle, I'm 25, I don't have a huge ego, and I like to do things only for myself, and I don't try to impress people. This summer or next, once I actually have saved enough to put a down payment on a bike I like, I will try one of those motorcycle classes where they give you a bike and they teach you etc.

Maybe I won't even like riding, who knows. Maybe I'll feel not so confident and get a small bike or maybe I'll feel great and get the 1299. Who knows.

Cheers :D
 
outhouse said:
Can it save some dude when he flies into a corner to hot and blows that double yellow?
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter what type of motorcycle you are on if that happens. You obviously didn't read or fully compehend what I was I trying to get across. Try again.
 
SecretlyaFish said:
Since when is touching the ground considered safe? Just like the other guy talking about being "good", you guys come off to me as trying to say that, if you can't ride how you would on a track, you aren't good/are a danger to others.

I feel like its just human nature but the art of puffing oneself up in order to feel better/superior to others doing the same thing really is evident here in the motorcycle community. You get it in video games a lot and I feel like the people who ride motorcycles think of themselves as some kind of superhero's like they are special or somehow extremely skilled for doing something that well, lets be honest, anyone who gets into an accident on a bike deserves a darwin award. Its one of the most dangerous things you can do.

Perfect example of that is the guys who laugh at someone who hasn't use up their "chicken strips". I would imagine diving that deep into a corner in most cases is unnecessary, but people do it anyway either to prove their own abilities to others or themselves, and almost everyone likes to try and elevate themselves above others, as the guy who I originally had a dialog with used a generic diss/putdown like squid in just his second post.

I do not doubt that you guys are right, it would certainly be better for a new rider to start on a smaller bike, and I may do just that. I was thinking of just the base 1299 panigale, I don't see spending an extra 5-6k on a bike I'd never bring to a track. But a used 250 or 300 for a summer, why not? You guys are right, and no, I'm not looking for validation.

I was looking for different opinions on things etc. Obviously everyone has a different story and usually, when people do things a certain way and it works for them, people are quick to say "no you should do it this way" because they have no experience trying it some other way.

My friend with the Busa is probably a better rider than at least some of you here, regardless of how you started or what bike you first rode, in the dirt or tarmac, etc etc.

At the end of the day, I still have not even ridden a motorcycle, I'm 25, I don't have a huge ego, and I like to do things only for myself, and I don't try to impress people. This summer or next, once I actually have saved enough to put a down payment on a bike I like, I will try one of those motorcycle classes where they give you a bike and they teach you etc.

Maybe I won't even like riding, who knows. Maybe I'll feel not so confident and get a small bike or maybe I'll feel great and get the 1299. Who knows.

Cheers :D
Click to expand...

You posted asking questions...you have answers/opinions.... so ... you can read them in the spirit in which they were posted...or you can ignore them totally your choice...but I do not think you can realistically expect anyone to support the idea of a litre bike as your 1st bike....its ludicrous to expect any rational person to say "that's a great idea"" Be safe out there and please think about this...seriously...
 
SecretlyaFish said:
Since when is touching the ground considered safe? Just like the other guy talking about being "good", you guys come off to me as trying to say that, if you can't ride how you would on a track, you aren't good/are a danger to others.

I feel like its just human nature but the art of puffing oneself up in order to feel better/superior to others doing the same thing really is evident here in the motorcycle community. You get it in video games a lot and I feel like the people who ride motorcycles think of themselves as some kind of superhero's like they are special or somehow extremely skilled for doing something that well, lets be honest, anyone who gets into an accident on a bike deserves a darwin award. Its one of the most dangerous things you can do.

Perfect example of that is the guys who laugh at someone who hasn't use up their "chicken strips". I would imagine diving that deep into a corner in most cases is unnecessary, but people do it anyway either to prove their own abilities to others or themselves, and almost everyone likes to try and elevate themselves above others, as the guy who I originally had a dialog with used a generic diss/putdown like squid in just his second post.

I do not doubt that you guys are right, it would certainly be better for a new rider to start on a smaller bike, and I may do just that. I was thinking of just the base 1299 panigale, I don't see spending an extra 5-6k on a bike I'd never bring to a track. But a used 250 or 300 for a summer, why not? You guys are right, and no, I'm not looking for validation.

I was looking for different opinions on things etc. Obviously everyone has a different story and usually, when people do things a certain way and it works for them, people are quick to say "no you should do it this way" because they have no experience trying it some other way.

My friend with the Busa is probably a better rider than at least some of you here, regardless of how you started or what bike you first rode, in the dirt or tarmac, etc etc.

At the end of the day, I still have not even ridden a motorcycle, I'm 25, I don't have a huge ego, and I like to do things only for myself, and I don't try to impress people. This summer or next, once I actually have saved enough to put a down payment on a bike I like, I will try one of those motorcycle classes where they give you a bike and they teach you etc.

Maybe I won't even like riding, who knows. Maybe I'll feel not so confident and get a small bike or maybe I'll feel great and get the 1299. Who knows.

Cheers :D
Click to expand...

Who the .... knows . Obviously no one here .
 
SecretlyaFish said:
Aw, don't be hostile. If you still feel like that I can direct you to the tampon aisle. I know an alternative viewpoint is hard for most people to deal with :)
Click to expand...

Dude...really???? You are the one being somewhat of an agent provocatuer here... Please just accept the opinions...or not;)
 
Stw said:
You posted asking questions...you have answers/opinions.... so ... you can read them in the spirit in which they were posted...or you can ignore them totally your choice...but I do not think you can realistically expect anyone to support the idea of a litre bike as your 1st bike....its ludicrous to expect any rational person to say "that's a great idea"" Be safe out there and please think about this...seriously...
Click to expand...

I fully understand, and I appreciate your opinion. I was at least hoping someone would be more open minded, and not so passive aggressive as some people have been here.

People talk here about correcting mistakes etc. How many mistakes can one make on a motorcycle before their time is up? Wouldn't it be better to not have the mistake in the first place entirely. If you had a motorcycle that could essentially eliminate almost all rider error from the equation, wouldn't that be best?

Riding a motorcycle is like Steve Irwin learning to wrestle crocodiles and figure out how their behavior works. How many mistakes can Steve afford to make before he is killed?

Some people say its good to have certain skills as to be able to swerve out of the way of an accident etc. I remember my friends dad telling us to NEVER buy a motorcycle with abs. But that's old news. New ABS can outstop anyone manually inputting it. So all of a sudden, one guy might not need to swerve and risk himself even more, he can simply hit the brakes as hard as he can and come to a stop 25 feet before the next guy who doesn't have it. And he doesn't have to worry about flying over the bars either.
 
SecretlyaFish said:
Doesn't matter what type of motorcycle you are on if that happens. You obviously didn't read or fully compehend what I was I trying to get across. Try again.
Click to expand...

But you might have the IQ of a fence post if you think you will blow as many corners on a 250 as a 9s 1/4 mile bike.

Its you that doesn't understand quite a bit here.
 
JDBeretta said:
This thread is a waste of cyber space. That poor, poor data.
Click to expand...



I have seen crowbars with a higher IQ then the intellect it takes to think this would make a good first bike.

Sad thing is OP acts like this is the first time we have debated this nonsense.


Its the same for a 600 CC sportbike forum, same crap another day
 
Last edited:
Riding a bike is all about fun.

Riding a 200hp bike with no experience that you are terrified of will do nothing for your skill levels and isnt fun.

Buy a small bike, thrash the .... off it and develop your riding skills then get the bike of your dreams. Besides less chance of reducing your life expectancy, you will have a lot more fun, both on the small bike and on the bigger bike when you are ready for it.
 
We get this kind of threads once every two weeks it seems.
Having said that, I do think 899 would be within the realm of ok-choices when it comes to learning to ride, if such rider insists on having to look cool in the process. Especially for our american friends.

Down here in NZ you are mandated to start with something more humbling (using power-to-weight ration) for the first 2 years, for obvious reasons. But I agree, ABS etc would make a bike safer to learn on (than the same one without). But they do not make a space shuttle + mission control team a good plane to learn to fly.
 
I really don't care less what someone buys to be honest . For anyone starting get a DRZ 400 .
 
SecretlyaFish said:
Since when is touching the ground considered safe? Just like the other guy talking about being "good", you guys come off to me as trying to say that, if you can't ride how you would on a track, you aren't good/are a danger to others.

I feel like its just human nature but the art of puffing oneself up in order to feel better/superior to others doing the same thing really is evident here in the motorcycle community. You get it in video games a lot and I feel like the people who ride motorcycles think of themselves as some kind of superhero's like they are special or somehow extremely skilled for doing something that well, lets be honest, anyone who gets into an accident on a bike deserves a darwin award. Its one of the most dangerous things you can do.

Perfect example of that is the guys who laugh at someone who hasn't use up their "chicken strips". I would imagine diving that deep into a corner in most cases is unnecessary, but people do it anyway either to prove their own abilities to others or themselves, and almost everyone likes to try and elevate themselves above others, as the guy who I originally had a dialog with used a generic diss/putdown like squid in just his second post.

I do not doubt that you guys are right, it would certainly be better for a new rider to start on a smaller bike, and I may do just that. I was thinking of just the base 1299 panigale, I don't see spending an extra 5-6k on a bike I'd never bring to a track. But a used 250 or 300 for a summer, why not? You guys are right, and no, I'm not looking for validation.

I was looking for different opinions on things etc. Obviously everyone has a different story and usually, when people do things a certain way and it works for them, people are quick to say "no you should do it this way" because they have no experience trying it some other way.

My friend with the Busa is probably a better rider than at least some of you here, regardless of how you started or what bike you first rode, in the dirt or tarmac, etc etc.

At the end of the day, I still have not even ridden a motorcycle, I'm 25, I don't have a huge ego, and I like to do things only for myself, and I don't try to impress people. This summer or next, once I actually have saved enough to put a down payment on a bike I like, I will try one of those motorcycle classes where they give you a bike and they teach you etc.

Maybe I won't even like riding, who knows. Maybe I'll feel not so confident and get a small bike or maybe I'll feel great and get the 1299. Who knows.

Cheers :D
Click to expand...

You misunderstand me. When I said 'he could barely touch the ground' I was talking about his feet when he came to a stop. The point being this person bought a bike that clearly wasn't suitable for them, they also had no feel or experience with the controls. I'd wager my mortgage this guy was going to touch his head down long before his knee.

Do you think we all have a superiority complex? Or could it just be that most of us have been biking for a while and realise the pitfalls of having a Panigale (indeed any Superbike) as your first machine?
 
All those bikes you mentioned are perfectly safe if you ride them slow.

They're only dangerous because someone got carried away and exceeded their skill level. An 1199 can exceed the skill level of 90% the people here in just a second or two. (if that)

Yes, the electronics help. A lot. But not if you over cooked a turn, or just plain don't "get it" yet.

So I ride my 1199 like a poser. Slowly learnig and increasing my skill. Enjoying relaxed track days in the novice group. When I want to push my limits, I ride my DRZ400s in the dirt. Dirt riding will teach you not to flinch when the bike slides or jumps around. Do it. A nice street legal DRZ400S cost less than a spare 1199 fuel tank. Sorry, but Ducati SBK's shouldn't ever be someones only bike. Maybe a Monster or other Ducati, but not the SBK's.

Anyone that makes fun of my Chicken strips is a FOOL. There is NO safe practical way to get all of my tire on the ground anywhere on the street. Blind turns and dirty roads. That's just the way it is. And the tires wear square so quick that by the time you get to your scheduled track day, the rear needs replaced anyways. That tire won't have chicken strips, but any tire that doesn't get spooned on before a track day surely will.

The people that chest bump nonsense about Chicken Strips and which bike has 1 more horsepower than the other are the people you need to stay away from. F them. Experienced riders don't bench race and run their mouths. They ride. Eventually you'll be able to spot them easy. Avoid the perpetual squids.

(Perpetual Squids=Squids that never grow up, 40 year old squids with 20 years experience that can get owned by any newb with 1 track class under their belts. Just go to Deals Gap for those. They're the same braggarts that refuse to go to a track day, because they know, deep down, that they're going to get owned by a 16 year old .... on an SV. Their fragile little limp EGO's can't handle that. Pathetic.)

I can't ride like the fast guys yet. But I can cross "Ride a real Ducati SBK on a world class permanent road course." of my bucket list. Most people don't get to experience that. And my ego isn't going to get hurt by a 16 year old .... passing me and showing me all the fast lines on the track.
 
Last edited:
I spent some time racing an XR100 supermoto as a grown adult. I learned more doing that than riding any of my other bikes. It had about 6hp. I also have an XR650R built to 60hp at the rear wheel. The track we raced on had 10 turns in 0.8 miles. My lap times on the XR100 were only 1.5 seconds a lap slower than the bike with 10x more power.
 

Similar threads

S
New forum member, building my final bike.
Replies
7
Views
354
baggerman
B
J
Panigale V2 Pops and backfires with Arrow Exhaust Slip
Replies
5
Views
269
Forewarned
Forewarned
B
Overwhelmed by all the tune options - Need help please
2 3
Replies
55
Views
764
SirJAG
S
Steven31371
Highly modified V4S versus KTM RC 8C
2 3
Replies
50
Views
2K
baggerman
B
Vicati
For Sale Panigale 1299s and Panigale 959 Full bolt ons
Replies
11
Views
465
Vicati
Vicati

Register CTA

Register on Ducati Forum! This sidebar will go away, and you will see fewer ads.

Recent Discussions

Recent Discussions

Back
Top