My first real street bike was a CBR600 (98 F3) I managed not to kill myself! Having said that I was about 32 when I got licensed and bought the bike. Keep in mind that it is a mid-size bike at best by today's standards and had WAY mor power and ability than I did! I could hit over 50 mp/h in first gear!!
I had a ton of fun on that bike but never really realized that I wasn't learning much. That bike was SO capable I was getting maybe 40% out of it! Now that I am riding my CX500 I actually have become a far better rider! I have had to learn so much more riding that bike. The brakes are less than half as good, it has less than half the power, weighs probably 50% more and handles half as well! I can flog that CX and still be riding (mostly) within the speed limit! In a strange way it's almost more fun...it is DEFINITELY more challenging. I am still not getting 100% out of that CX either!
I do miss that ability to just twist and go though! Hell I hit 190 km/h one time and was still only in 4th gear!!
Dennis
