Why do people suggest new bikers start with a bike with lower engine displacement?

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Dd

*Before anyone makes any assumptions, I am not looking to explain why I want a more powerful bike as my first. I haven't even taken a class yet; I've just been doing some reading to educate myself on the proper way to get into biking. I am not really considering any kind of bike until I take a class and see if I even enjoy riding, but I am leaning towards a small, light, low powered used bike to practice on first.

Virtually everything I have read has said first time bikers should stick to small, light bikes with lower cc. I've heard from a few people it depends on the person but the vast majority of the literature I've got my hands on has said its an accident waiting to happen because the bike is too "powerful" but they never elaborate on what they mean by "powerful". I understand that smaller and lighter bikes handle more easily in terms of making turns, but what exactly do they mean by "power"? Is it speed? Acceleration? Both?

I have gathered that bigger bikes tend to accelerate faster, and the logic is that if a beginner is on one of these more powerful bikes and accidentally accelerates too quickly, they could panic and lose control. Whereas if they were on a bike that accelerates slower, they would be able to recover more easily. Is that the concern, or am I misunderstanding something?

Other people who say it depends on the rider seem to believe that so long as the rider isn't trying to intentionally race or show off on the road they will be fine with a more powerful bike. Am I correctly understanding their argument?

Thanks for any clarification. One thing that stinks about books is you can't ask a question if the author isn't clear enough in their explanation.
@Candid That's exactly what I do not understand. What exactly do you mean by "limit"? I understand how physically larger and physically heavier bikes are harder to turn, so that makes sense. But can you explain why engine displacement matters? Hope that makes more sense, thanks

Answer
All the above good answers have there points. but I would like to add:

A larger displacement bike presents more opportunities for disaster. These potential disasters are overcome by acquired recovery skills. Either I've become more skilled or more mellowed out with age but; in my past I didn't come back from a ride on a 1,000cc sport bike without a recovery . (Now I can't recall a recent recovery.)

When I take the wife's 250 Ninja out to fill up the tank, charge battery, transit, etc. I in my memory have never had the power to break traction forcing my recovery skills into use. (that may just be fair weather or chance?) Years ago I gained recovery skills on a even smaller dirt bike but it required a wet surface.

Now I have experienced rides that I really don't care to repeat; being caught in the rain up in mountains and having to choose between going as fast as I can vs. deteriorating sunlight, being caught in snow and recovering, add loose debris on surfaces catching me by surprise and slipping and recovering. Throttle control and instinctive reactions must be correct! A larger bike has a wide window of error that isn't even present in a smaller displacement motorbike.

So what choice are you going to have for your introduction to a sport bike? A large displacement bike that will require finely honed skills to prevent or to recover from any slight speed or throttle error? Or will you choose to learn on a milder bike that will but rarely does present these issues that require fast correct responses to prevent a complete disaster?

I don't care how careful, cautious, mature,or responsible you are or call yourself you will place yourself in these situations that will require recovery skills. Wouldn't you prefer to experience them on the outside of the riding envelope instead of at every corner you enter too fast , apply too much throttle too early,or unseen surface debris on a turn with excessive throttle and need recovery skills to prevent a disaster?

Can I replace my bikelight dynamo with a battery?

Ricardo

I only want to change the power source, not the setup! I don't want to buy those clip-on bike lights. I like the old style look of my bike and want to keep it that way! Any ideas?

Answer
I put together a rechargeable set-up 15 years ago, before good clip-ons became available. The lamp was 6V, so I got a hobby store to put together some 6V battery packs (like the ones used to power remote control cars). I used the same connection clips as are used in the toy cars - from memory these gave one or two problems but were very easy to fix. I'd still be using it if my headlight hadn't developed a mystery blackout problem that was most easily solved by replacing it with a clip-on system. If you're anywhere near Melbourne, Australia and want my batteries and charger (and/or a Union headlight with a mystery blackout problem), drop me a line.

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Title Post: Why do people suggest new bikers start with a bike with lower engine displacement?
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