What size (cc) bike did you start out on?
 

So for the most part, we all preach "start small!" to new riders, and yet, many of us didn't do this ourselves.

So what size was your first STREET bike (knowing many people started out on dirtbikes)?
Was it an I4 or a Twin?
Did you have previous experience (i.e. with dirtbikes)?
If you started on something "bigger," do you think it hurt your development as a rider or do you wish you'd started smaller?

650 Evil Twin, I was fine with it.

i seriously started my street riding on a yamaha YSR50 (doesn't get much smaller than that). i'd be way too embarrassed for that today, but back when i was 17 i thought i was the shit, just because i had a bike. that was followed by 2-250s before the 636. all that and i was still scared as hell the day i took the 636 home.


(i also had the chrome special edition honda Z50 as a kid and a KDX 80 as well, so i have a dirtbike background)

984 v-twin.....

i probably could have started off with a 600 or 750, the Buell's low-end torque is what surprised me...Specially after coming off the MSF course where you ride an underpowered-souless-250.....

i had my buell for a little over 24 hours when i decided to get it out on the expressway here in Miami. Not a great idea, but i survived the expressway and managed to crash coming out of my office parking lot. I broke my ankle and had to shelve the bike for almost 3 months. I had a lot of time to think about my mistakes and also do some quality reading on riding.

Total Control and Proficient Motorcycling were 2 really good books with a lot of useful information that i have been able to apply to both the street and track.

I haven't yet read Total Control, but definitely agree on Proficient Motorcycling.

Started on a Honda Super 90 in 1965 at age 13. That was too big according to the law at that time. You were limited to 5bhp until you were 16, and the 90 had 9bhp!!! What a beast!

05 honda F4i

500 Ninja FTW!... unless you count the 50cc Yamaha Zinger when I was 4 or the 75cc XR and XL Honda's I had from 8-13...

78 Yamaha xs1100
now ride 06 SV650