High Speed Pass at the Coveted Isle of Man Senior TT Race
When I educate potential new riders that are considering getting into motorcycling I like to outline how professional riders get started in their respective disciplines. Although very few of you will probably ever consider racing, the principles from this story are sure to help you. Age is irrelevant here, and whether you are 16 or 65 you can learn a lot from the choices and progression the professionals make.
Racers competing in any discipline of motorcycling typically start out at a young age. They begin on bikes that are forgiving and match their ability level. These beginning bikes are where basic skills are learned. As they grow up they progress to more powerful bikes that allow them to grow their skill set. For an aspiring dirt racer starting at the age of six they may go from a 50cc, to a 65cc, to an 85cc, to a 100cc, to a 125cc, to a 250cc, and finally to a 450cc bike. The same applies to road racers who commonly start out on a 125cc, progress to a 250cc, to a 600cc, and finally to a 1000cc race bike. The progression is gradual and allows the rider to develop their skills fully before transitioning up to the next level...
Racers competing in any discipline of motorcycling typically start out at a young age. They begin on bikes that are forgiving and match their ability level. These beginning bikes are where basic skills are learned. As they grow up they progress to more powerful bikes that allow them to grow their skill set. For an aspiring dirt racer starting at the age of six they may go from a 50cc, to a 65cc, to an 85cc, to a 100cc, to a 125cc, to a 250cc, and finally to a 450cc bike. The same applies to road racers who commonly start out on a 125cc, progress to a 250cc, to a 600cc, and finally to a 1000cc race bike. The progression is gradual and allows the rider to develop their skills fully before transitioning up to the next level...
As a new rider do you think it is wise to start on the most powerful bike before learning the basics? Definitely not. I made a smart choice when I got my first street bike, but made dumb choice when I got my first dirt bike. I thought with some street experience I could manage a 500cc two-stroke dirt bike. I bought the bike as a pile of parts and only paid a few hundred dollars, so it definitely was a financially driven decision, and unfortunately not a well informed one. As a result from this first dirt bike purchase, I have been downsizing my bike ever since. I now ride a 250cc two-stroke after going through the 500cc bike and a 450cc bike.
I have ridden bikes for over eight years. My level of experience has allowed me to be paid to test ride bikes, evaluate engines, and race in the majority of motorcycling disciplines including road racing, hare scrambles, trials, endurance racing, speed trials, and ice racing. With that experience comes hard earned wisdom. I can say without a doubt that even after all my experience riding I am still not a good enough rider to fully unleash the potential of a 600cc or 1000cc sportbike. The same can be said for my ability to expertly control a 450cc motocross bike on an MX track or through a tightly wooded hare scramble race. The only place I’m starting to feel truly comfortable and competitive on a 450cc MX bike is ice riding, where the power can be tailored for the longer straights.
Everyone progresses at a different rate and some of you will probably argue that after eight years you could definitely master a 600cc or 1000cc bike, which could be true under very specific circumstances. Achieving that level of riding skill on that powerful of a machine would require consistent unrelenting focus and an awful lot of intense track time. Regardless, if you are just starting out, use my mistake as a lesson. You should buy a bike you can handle and love to ride, not the fastest or most powerful one.
Some of you reading this might have had your heart set on picking up a 600cc or 1000cc sportbike. I want to assure you that you can have just as much fun on a less powerful machine. I have always found that riding less powerful bikes to their full potential whether on the street, track, or trail has always put a bigger smile on my face then timidly trying to control the power of a superbike. The joy that can be felt when you expertly rail a corner on a bike you have full control of is second to none.
Take a lesson from the professional riders out there and consider starting out on a bike that matches your ability level, then as your skill set grows move up to a more powerful bike incrementally. Trust me, you will find the world of motorcycling way more fun and much safer if you do so!
Are you considering getting into motorcycling? Do you have a question you want help answering? Leave a comment and I’ll steer you in the right direction!
Some of you reading this might have had your heart set on picking up a 600cc or 1000cc sportbike. I want to assure you that you can have just as much fun on a less powerful machine. I have always found that riding less powerful bikes to their full potential whether on the street, track, or trail has always put a bigger smile on my face then timidly trying to control the power of a superbike. The joy that can be felt when you expertly rail a corner on a bike you have full control of is second to none.
Take a lesson from the professional riders out there and consider starting out on a bike that matches your ability level, then as your skill set grows move up to a more powerful bike incrementally. Trust me, you will find the world of motorcycling way more fun and much safer if you do so!
Are you considering getting into motorcycling? Do you have a question you want help answering? Leave a comment and I’ll steer you in the right direction!
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