FRS/BRZ vs Honda CBR 600rr
 

Ok so there is alot of variables that can throw this conversation in the complete opposite direction but I want opinion.

Mechanically these vehicles cant be compared.

So since my absence I've been considering picking up a bike vs the twins for my 22 birthday in July. Now, this would be my first bike, and I'm young. So from what i hear from riders is that for one a 600rr for a first bike is a bad idea. i've sat on the bike, and for my body its bloody perfect. I have no previous rider experience but a dirt bike here and there. I plan on racing and taking quite a few professional courses. I fell in love with the twins because naturally Im a car guy and have had quite a bit of experience with faster cars FE: Maserati gran turismo, Infiniti G37S, Shelby mustang at 415HP, EVO X, subaru STI... With those vehicles I was very comfortable and never got out of control. Everyone thinks I'll be crazy with a bike or a FRS but i've had enough fun in the previous cars to know where enough is enough and the stakes at hand.

The Honda CBR is a new experience, but the twins is a new DD that I dont have to make any sacrifices for. I would garage the bike during winter and rainy days which means I will keep the corolla as my DD. Finances are not an issue. Ofcourse death is the biggest factor, but thats part of the thrill for me. What do you guys think? Interested in your opinions.

I would love a bike. The problem is there are far too many idiots on the road. That's my take on it. Now, if you want to take it to the track and go for rides on roads that generally aren't used often, I can understand.

Call me what you will, as long as I still have little children I'm staying in a cage. Besides that, I'd rather have a DD that I constantly enjoy, rather than a utility that is boring and a toy I can only use a couple times a week, if that.

Definitely take the rider's courses though. That's the best first step.

I have a 2012 zx6 and 2012 wrx.

Bikes are fun. Dangerous yes, but fun. Definitely would need to keep a car for a DD- which your corolla would do just fine.

A 600 isn't a terrible idea for a first bike but it isn't the wisest decision. It comes down to being smart an mature and realizing the amount of power that bike has. If you have some sort of riding experience and you can be smart and aware of what you're doing, a 600 should be no issue. Especially the cbr which is, in my opinion, the most tame of all the 600s.

Just depends if you would rather have a blast cruising on a bike, or whipping around a car

I would get the bike. I drove a BRZ again today after now having my WRX for over 6 months and I still like it... But I still feel like the car is missing something.

Riding in general is fun and the acceleration gets your blood pumping quick on those bikes

A hardcore sportbike is a *terrible* idea for a street bike, for a beginner or expert. They're GREAT track bikes, but for 99% of street riding, the ergos are just WRONG. Get a real-world bike instead. Ninja 300R, SFV650 (or, better, used SV650), Ninja 650, CBR500R, CB500F, all these will be MUCH more enjoyable in the real world than a repli-racer. Unless you're just in it for the pose value like the vast majority of U.S. riders...

Actually, based on this, I say don't get a bike. Or a car. Pretty much stay off any roads I might be on. Thanks.

I started riding 70 years ago when my dad made me a home made scooter with a Briggs Stratton engine in it. I quit riding 4 years ago when I was involved in my first accident on the street that was caused by a bicyclist. During the in between years I rode just about every kind of motorcycle made. Also during that time I was a MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) instructor. The best advice I can give you is be sure and take a basic riding course. The biggest mistake most riders make is they come away from that course thinking they're now qualified motorcyclist. They're not. They're people who have been taught only the very basics of riding and now must spend the rest of their riding lives practicing, practicing and practicing some more to become continually more proficient in riding. The second best advice I can give you is to buy an older used bike because you're going to drop your bike and it hurts more when the bike is a beauty. Also after you've had some saddle time you will have a better idea of what kind of bike you actually want. There are so many variables out there that for someone with no experience it's a hard decision to make. Finally it's up to your level of maturity as to whether you live or not. Good luck.

A friend of mine has the following from his favorite road bike:

2 lbs of titanium hardware
Railroad track scars up both arms
A giant burn on his leg from the exhaust
A giant scar on his neck
The knowledge that he bled For so damned long in the OR that he had his whole blood volume replaced 3x.

Why? Someone backed out of their blind driveway without looking.

Crumple zones are your friend, man. And people are driving around completely unaware. Save yourself, get the 86.

Depends how much you wanna ride man. I have an 07 Honda Shadow Spirit and a 13 FR-S. I obviously drive the car alot more but when you are on a bike its a whole new ball game. Just gotta decide if you are willing to pay for something that will be sitting in the garage for months on end :)

Depends on what you're looking for, if you want a DD, then stick to the twins. Dailying a bike is a huge pain in the ass, especially if its your only vehicle. I ended up selling my CBR after picking up my FR-S because I wasn't riding it enough and it was just sitting in my garage. With that being said, if you're still eyeing the 600RR, I would shoot for an earlier model, 07+ to save you some money. Never buy a new bike as your first bike, mainly because you WILL drop it. It's not a matter of if, but simply when. You could save yourself about 5 grand on getting a used RR, which could then go into a downpayment for one of the twins, win/win situation!

I can't get a street bike. Why? I like going fast too much. I'd be dead inside a week if I strapped myself to one and got on a long highway stretch. Also, it would ruin my perception of speed as it relates to driving fast cars. I know I'd find myself wanting hundreds more horsepower in my cars to make up for the deficiency in speed from the motorcycle.

It worries me that you think the potential for death is thrilling. I'm a thrill-seeker just as much as the next guy, but you sound like I did when I was 21, doing stupid shit in cars that could have gotten me or others hurt. That sort of careless nature is what can get yourself killed, and when you get to be 25 or 26, you'll realize how bad of an idea it all was.

I strongly suggest the riding course as others have mentioned, and starting off with a used bike that isn't fast; not even a little bit fast. Then work your way up. You could get a bike cheap enough that would allow you to get the FR-S at the same time, so that's food for thought.

I agree with a lot of the comments here. I would not buy a new bike as a first bike. I dont think any of the "real" sport bikes are a good first bike either (CBR, etc).

I dont own a bike anymore, but have had several along the way. CB750SS, Bandit600, VTR1000, CBR929.

I would get something that you dont mind getting dropped on the ground a few times. Not, that you plan for that to happen. But, I have seen new riders do some odd things, even at slow speeds, and they end up putting the bike on its side. I waited about 30 years to do someting stupid on a bike (the 929), I am glad I am here today.

If you do decide to get a bike take a MSF course. It is well worth the money. and, you will be a better rider after taking it.

If you plan to ride on public roads, go for the twins instead. I used to try to outdo myself diving through corners faster and faster on backroads (in a place where a rider died weekly) on my sportbike. Everytime I survived through it I questioned how long I could cheat death. I'd been down twice thankfully only at low speeds (the 2nd time trying to do tight circles in a parking lot). I resolved that I wasn't cautious enough a rider. Anyone who claims they are a careful rider is kind of an oxymoron because arguably riding a bike on public roads is inherently not careful relative to other ways you can enjoy being on the road. I replaced my bike with an MR2 Spyder. But at least I got the allure of riding out of my system. Maybe that's what you need to do. Then when you realize whether or not you can live with it, the best candidate to replace it with is the twins.

The thing I liked about bikes is how you are symbiotically melded with the machine where you sit on top of it but need to keep your legs tensely hugged around it to be fitted to it and have fun. The twins offer their own form of symbiotic meld and I don't think it is any less fun... big differences are you sit into it and the car and controls wrap themselves around so you are always married into it plus it's worlds safer.

600rr for first bike? BAD idea.

You will have more fun on a dual sport mc.
I've have ridden and raced motorcycles on and off road for more than thirty years. I am also a paramedic. I have many surgical scars, permanent pavement scars, have destroyed several helmets while wearing them, and witnessed many traumatizing and deadly accidents (lost too many friends).
If you ride, you will fall. If you ride fast, you will fall faster. If you fall, you will get hurt. Pavement is hard. If you haven't been in a car accident, you will. You only get one life. These are the facts. Sorry to be so direct.

My advice: Wear all the gear, all the time. Take a safety course, at least once. They should be required. Be kind and courteous to other drivers at all times.

Any of the 600R bikes are a bad choice for a new rider, theyre designed for experienced riders who know what they are doing. This is why their steering, throttle and brake inputs are so sensitive. A new rider will have numerous "oh shit" moments and grab a fistfull of brake, or too much throttle and it will end badly.
Get a used bike that is not race oriented, you will likely drop your first one anyway or you may find out bikes just arn't your thing so you will save some money.
Also never take advice from the guy who says his first bike was an R1 and he was fine with it from the first day. Bikes take alot of skill and experience to ride well and safely.