Bike options advice needed.

[David88vert]

I have a 1 liter. I have been riding for years. There is no need for anything bigger than a 600 - on the streets. Period. If you get on a track with a 600 and a 1000 that are both stock, you will log almost identical times - if you know how to ride. There is no one on this forum that can outgrow a modern 600 on the street. You are fooling yourself if you think you can.

It really doesn't matter how powerful the bike is. It's all about the rider's skill level. A good rider on a SV650 can easily leave a ok rider on a 1K on the track. Where the power of the 1 liter has an advantage is on the interstate and dragstrips. Concentrate on getting your riding skill level up, and it won't matter what you are on.

BTW - Learning throttle control while leaned over in a sharp turn in the mtns is MUCH easier on a 600 than on a 1 liter. The additional torque will make the tire break lose easier. Plus 1 liters are harder on the tires. Plan to spend more money on tires - they need increased grip.

[lightspeed]

Although there is never-ending discussion about what CC is acceptable for a starter bike, I will have to state my opinion again. I think that its very possible to learn to ride on a 600cc or bigger bike, given that you exercise proper control of it while learning. Although I had previous MX riding experience, I started on a CBR600f4, and I went to a gsxr750 then to a hyabusa within a year. The bike only goes as quickly as you make it. I agree a 1000cc+ bike is going to be harder to control, but I am still a firm believer in saving the money and buying as big of a bike as you want, as long as you work into it. The reality is that a modern 600 is more than enough bike for anyone on the street, but thats not what matters in the end. What matters is having a bike that you enjoy to ride (for whatever reason...including "curb appeal.") So, if you want a 600 or bigger to start, I dont see any issue with it personally.
I could also effectively argue that not having enough bike is just as dangerous, especially in a place like Atlanta where everyone drives 80 MPH. I remember borrowing my buddies ninja 250 one day and riding on I85. I was more concerned with getting run-over than anything else. Sometimes you need to be able to accelerate out of danger.

[Tarzanman]

I could also effectively argue that not having enough bike is just as dangerous, especially in a place like Atlanta where everyone drives 80 MPH. I remember borrowing my buddies ninja 250 one day and riding on I85. I was more concerned with getting run-over than anything else. Sometimes you need to be able to accelerate out of danger.

In my opinion, a 250cc bike has no place in the fast lane on an Atlanta highway (though I know people who will argue otherwise). However, a GS500 / EX500 is just fine for commuting...however your argument is partly moot. Of the (stock) cars on the road, only a Corvette (or faster) will out-accelerate a 250cc bike in low gear.

The problem (as you large-cc-starter-bike-proponents routinely ignore) isn't whether its possibe to learn on a big bike.... the issue is learning safely without killing/maiming oneself. A 600cc/1000cc is not a safe way to learn. You cannot be competent about riding or the learning process of riding and believe modern 600+cc bikes are suitable for beginners. A new rider should give themselves as much leeway as possible to correct new-rider mistakes. Sportbikes are unforgiving. Only narrowly experienced/skilled riders with 3-inch chicken strips on their rear tire fail to grasp this fact.

Your experience can't apply to the OP. You had moderate (at least) experience on a motorcycle and did not have to familiarize yourself with the controls on the bike, feel of riding, and the behavior of the motorcycle all at the same time when you got a street bike.