I agree, it’s HARD to resist the temptation, once you get a little comfortable to see what your bike can do. I don’t ride a sportbike, I ride a Suzuki S40 (652cc single cylinder) but it still has quite a bit of power. It’s more forgiving (I *think*, as I’m a fairly new rider) than a sportbike, but can still get you into trouble if you lay too heavily on the throttle.
I keep reading about people thinking that a 500cc sport bike is underpowered and not going to be “enough bike” for them. This excerpt from an article by Chuck Hawkes found here was rather illuminating the first time I read it….
“In the 1960’s and 1970’s, 50cc to 125cc motorcycles were considered “small,” the 150-200cc motorcycles were intermediate, the 250cc to 500cc motorcycles were midsize bikes, and 600cc and larger motorcycles were “big” bikes. Today, a 250cc motorcycle is considered small, and a 600cc motorcycle mid-size. Even a liter bike (1000cc) is no longer considered “big” in a world of 1400-1800cc heavyweight motorcycles. I have read articles in the motorcycle press about the Yamaha V-Star 1100’s, calling them “middleweight” cruisers!”
Now, technology moves on and all and everything is more powerful and faster than it used to be but one constant remains, the amount of trouble you can get into at a given speed on a bike if you crash it. Faster cars have the advantage of better cages and airbags to protect the occupants, on a bike it’s just you and your gear between whatever happens. Basically, everyone should make choices about a first bike that is congruent with their abilities and temperament. If your a novice rider that is apt to go 100 mph then maybe you should make a choice that prohibits your ability to do that. Just buy a bike that fits your skill level and always ride within yourself (as much as you can).
And never forget to think…
~He who laughs last didn’t get the joke…