[bcrdukes]

Just to echo what Charlie and the others have said, I'll throw in my 2 cents regarding the "cc" issue that comes up time and time again. I share the same sentiments as the others.

I started out with a 49cc scooter. Yeah, 49cc. I had no intention of ever getting into motorcycling - ever; thinking of all the dangers and the possibility of dying turned me away from it.

Fast forward 5 years later, my last scooter was a 150cc Vespa PX-150. 150cc of 2-stroke fury. But that didn't satisfy the need for speed. Not only was it a craving for speed but it was more so a safety issue. People in the GVRD are driving much more aggressively than ever. Cars are much more efficient and more people out there are in a rush to get to the next red light. 150cc was not sufficient to keep up with the flow of city traffic.

I finally ponied up to get a bike however, it was a small step up from my 150cc scooter. I picked up a 74 Yamaha RD200 (2-stroke) for a grand and change, rode around for a quick season, maybe 2 months and said, fuck this. I got the 500cc Yamaha SR500 I now have today (single cylinder thumper) and is more than sufficient for city rides and the odd ride here and there on the highway.

Going on the highway, I sometimes wished that I got a 600cc modern sport bike. When you take your course at PRS, they really drill it in to your head that safety and judgement always comes first. Having said that, you will naturally respect your bike and learn very quickly that the environment around you is always a danger.

The motor displacement is not the issue at hand and like the others have said, it is a big misunderstanding, especially with newbies like yourself. This is normal. I've been there and I learned the hard way. Do I regret not buying a 600cc sport bike to start? No. But do I sometimes wish that I did? Yes.

Bottom line - you will learn how to respect your bike and its potential. Worrying about the displacement factor should be the least of your worries now. The people who are telling you 600cc bikes are a death trap either don't know how to ride or have never taken lessons before. I won't speak for the other guys here on the forum but if and when I go on group rides, I will only ride with people who I know have taken lessons from a reputable school (i.e. PRS / Action etc.) I've been on rides with people who have never taken lessons and I learned quickly to never ride with these people ever again. I don't care what size their bikes are - they straight up suck. These are the people you should avoid and not listen to.