Explain what the difference is between a "beginner bike" and a "real bike"? What makes each one what it is?
Here I thought it was the rider who made the bike and not vice-versa.

This is my interpretation.

A beginner bike is something you learn to ride on. It may be slightly too small for you to give you confidence, not necessarily one you'll ride for a long time. A real bike is one that's going to last you a lot longer, be properly set up for you (suspension etc etc) and may not have the power characteristics suitable to someone getting used to throttle control.

My TTR is a beginner bike. My KDX isn't for someone my size. I'm happy to let learners try out the 125 but will think long & hard about letting them ride the 200 - it depends on their height, mainly. Some folk will be on a beginner bike for a couple of years & perfectly happy, others will want something else soon after - that depends on the rider. Basically, a beginner bike has to be user-friendly, not peaky or a monster.

It is the rider who makes the bike (hence I'm happy on the 125 lol), but it can be the bike that puts the rider off riding again. No matter what bike you put me on, I'll not be any good. I may have more confidence with smaller bikes, but I'll never be a world champion. The 200 I bought off a top rider who'd won a national title on it, ya think that's possible for me? Ya betcha it ain't Definitely rider, not bike.

If you'd put Bbbom on her CR500 as her first ever bike, do you think she'd still be riding now? I guess once she got out of traction she might be keen to give it another go hehehehe

I hope that helps & am curious what others think.

Sometimes a picture says 1000 words... This is what happens when somebody of questionable skill tries to ride Bbbom's NON-beginner bike; LOL! I think you can see the problems with it right away....

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LOL That is a sight. Its O.k. as long as you had someone to catch you when you stopped!

I think that a beginer bike is something that is easy to ride and inspires confidence. It does not nessecarly have to be too small for you or underpowered as long as it makes smooth power and you can reach the ground on it relitively easy.. My DR350 was a great intro to the sport for me. It has grown with me and still has enough "gitty up" to make me smile. The beginer bike should help you see the charactoristics that you want in a bike and if you realy want to presue this hobbie or not.

A real bike is a bike that has the suspension and power charactoristics that you like. More customized to your tastes after you figure out what you want in bike.

Simple, a beginner bike is any bike under 500cc's!!

CJ, you are sooooo wrong, that isn't a picture of someone with questionable skill, just questionable sanity! Those of us that have witnessed your skill don't question it but dang, you make my bike look HUGE!!

Wish I had a pic of my skeleton race next to my bike, now THAT exemplifies questionable skill or maybe just questionable judgement!

You're wrong too Dan, no need to catch her - she just pulls up, pulls in the clutch and hops off of it - scared the heck out of me because I was afraid that if she tipped over the bike would smash her!!

I agree with your definition though. My beginner bike was a KLX300. What works as a "real bike" for some is a "beginner bike" for others.

The KDX is a great example - it can be beginner friendly but it is also a bike that many very talented riders prefer. All depends on what you like. I'm not sure if I would have liked the CR from the getgo or not. I know I got comments that my KLX was too big of a bike when I started riding. Guess moving to the CR500 alleviated THAT concern with the people that I used to ride with but then I don't ride with them anymore. Don't tell anyone but I think the CR is MUCH easier to ride than the KLX was.

The best riders can ride just about any bike fast and look good doing it. Most folks, however, need to find the right bike for them to realize their full potential. The true beginners bikes typically have fewer high-end components on them and are lower on the performance scale. For instance: drum brakes vs. disc, air-cooled vs. liquid-cooled engine, non-adjustable vs. fully adjustable suspension, fixed exhaust porting vs. power-valved engine (2-strokes only), single overhead vs. dual overhead cam (4-strokes only), steel gas tank vs. plastic tank, steel shifter & rear brake pedal vs. aluminumcomponents . The beginner bikes have a specific target market of riders, those who don't want to spend a great deal of money on a sport or motorcycle they may ultimately not like and will undoubtably crash the heck out of.

Once you are comfortable riding, have reached a reasonable level of competency and have decided you really do want to be a dirt biker, then it may make sense for you to move up to a "real" motorcycle. It's simply a matter of personal preference, desire, ability and cash flow.

Hey, that means my bike IS a beginner's bike!!!

You said it, not me! That big pink sled would certainly turn me into a beginner (at least for awhile) I think. If you're up for a "real" bike, mine goes on the auction block this fall, it's time for a new Katoom as soon as the 2005's are out.

-Lori

Ooo great idea Bbbom, you should buy the KTM!

Zero it, Bbbom rode my bike for a couple days when I left it up at their place and said she liked it. Unfortunately it's not as comfy to sit on as her pink girly bike is!!

No problem - with a little upholstery work we can make it real comfy. In fact, I think I better get on that project right away. Yesterday I got talked into doing a bunch of nasty moguls on my snowboard. Ended up bouncing down several on my butt. A little extra cushion would be pretty good right now!