I am 18, 6' and about 170lbs. I'm wondering if a 600cc bike, cbr or gsx-r, would be a good starting bike

I would not recomend a 600cc + for a beginners bike. I would suggest 250cc-500cc. Spending $10k on a first bike is a bit to much, especially if it accidently gets dropped... even dropped of the stand. It also depends where in the world you are as some laws you are aloud to ride what ever cc you like. Think safety, Alot of beginners freeze and dont turn around a corner cause they are going to quick ( i have seen this happen as i worked in bike dealerships for years) I know its a pain getting something smaller, but its smarter, get ur experience up, then you will know when its time for an upgrade. Just keep in mind a cbr & gsxr's rairings are close to $1500 painted with stickers. play it safe

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE THE ONE MILLIONTH POSTER TO ASK THAT SAME F*CKING QUESTION THIS MONTH! "I don't know anything about motorcycles and am too lame to take the time to read a few magazines! I think that being 18 and in good shape will make me a better rider, and I PROMISE to be careful! Can I get a Gixxer now? Puh-LEEEZE?" Look, Junior, if you think a 500cc sportbike can be "grown out of" quickly, then you've only heard from the ones that have 6" wide chicken strips on their R1's and never lean the thing over. If you can HONESTLY ride an 500cc to the limit, you will be faster than 90% of the StupidBikes worshipping squids on literbikes. It takes more than a pretty face and a happy throttle hand to make you a good rider. It takes TIME and EXPERIENCE, of which you have NONE and will only have a tiny BIT of even after the MSF course.

I think your doing the right thing in taking the classes and I applaud you for that. I started out on a 883 sportster and that bike could move if needed. I think a kawi 500 would fit you good because they are a grand cheaper and lighter to go though the course with. also if your going to be go to school the 500 will save you some money. If all the younger kids starting out would take your approach it would fantastic man best of luck to ya.

Go with what people with experience tell you a smaller bike is best with someone with no experience. I used to race dirtbikes and converted to a streetbike which is still completely different and even with my experience I started small. I am now at an 1100 and waiting for the 1400 kawi to come out so I can upgrade again. Don't worry you'll get there I have more then 6 years streetbikes and over 10 years dirtbke so take from me go slow. I got pins plates and screws from crashes that weren't even my fault but it's part of the game keep that in mind!

Quite simply yes, 600cc's is more than enough to get into trouble. Ha, I meant learn. I'm 5'10" and 300lbs (yup, that's pretty fat) and have been riding a 150 for 2 years as my only ride. I don't own a car at all. The only thing I can't do is hit the freeway. The most important thing to do is to go to an MSF certified training class. You'll learn on 250's and you might find they are enough for you. Plus, they are 1-2 grand cheaper. It's not really the size of the bike but the abilities of the user. Much like other things in life.

!!...600cc...just learn on a 250cc first...for a year at least or so...then spend the money on whatever your heart desires...after u can ride...if u r serious in what u r saying get the 250cc and then move up...

O.K. Not ripping on you at all. Here's the deal. Get a smaller bike. You sound like you are taking all the right steps on I commend you on that. It is much more than a lot of people on bikes can honestly say, myself included. I didn't take a riding course until I had been on the street for years. Not the right way to do things. It taught me a ton and I ride dirt and street bikes. The thing you will find yourself doing is thinking you have complete control when you don't. I'm not saying you aren't responsible, but you will have a tendency to push yourself harder and faster than you should. Things change on the road quick. A factor some people don't think about is other drivers. You haven't had much experience on the road in a car yet. You don't know how to watch other drivers and understand what their intentions are even when they don't signal lane changes, etc. You will think you know what to expect from your bike and you may be right, but you could be wrong. A smaller bike will be easier to correct than a bigger bike. The only way to know what to expect is through experience, which you have none. Look, I know you are going to do what you are going to do. The reason most of the other people are telling you to go smaller is to keep you safer. When you ride, It's not if you go down but when you go down. Anyone answering with riding experience has dropped their bike. Some of us have seen friends killed or seriously injured from laying down their bikes. We have been 18 before and know what it's like. I know the bigger bikes are sexy and cool but you have a whole lifetime ahead of you to ride them. Take it from people who have been there before, go with a small bike for a couple years. You will be a better rider for it.

The best bike for you is one that won't cause you to kill yourself if you make a small mistake. A new 600cc sportbike is the kind of bike that can get you into trouble. Why don't you just get an older bike. Their cheap , just as fun to ride, and when you are ready, you can buy the screamer. How does that guy know you have a pretty face?

Ninja 250EX is way to go for starter. You are going to get yourself killed if you start with a Honda CBR 600CC. Ninja 250EX is more forgiving