YAMAHA XSR900 as your FIRST BIKE | BEGINNER BIKE?

[@degutube]

Interesting post, and yes nuance is key here too. Where I live there are not too many responsible young men on the road, but if you are responsible you could be ok. I’ve been riding on and off for 20 years, I commute regularly and I did have this bike … but I ended up trading it as it wasn’t quite right for me (it’s ok I did well in the deal). I used to say to a mate “this bike is as dangerous as it is safe”, as it has heaps of tech. Totally agree you can ride it comfortably at low speeds, but I found in more powerful rider modes gearing up you would quickly get over speed limits (I live in a speed camera heavy city). The quickshifter is great but I did become reliant on it after a while (you should probably know how to up and down shift confidently first before using one if you want to ride other bikes). It is reasonably light and low to ground but that turning circle is tight! Better know how to take on tight roundabouts 😅 Also the clutch does have a bit of a kick, so if you’re not used to that can take some getting used to. I would also say you need to learn how to use TFT and rider function too; it can be busy and your eyes should be on the road ahead and not spending too much time looking down. The LEDs gave great visibility, especially the rear brake. Cheers

[@ridewithKY]

Good information and will absolutely be helpful to anyone who reads your comment. I really like your quote there about the bike being as dangerous as it is safe. Great way to put it and I will start using that saying. I think it all goes back to your statement about nuance. Many like to speak in absolutes and with a subject as complicated as choosing a first motorcycle, speaking in absolutes is just not wise. Cheers and thank you again for sharing.

[@kylealvis]

As a beginner on a 23 XSR900, I ride around mostly in power 4 just cruising around town (edit: I’m mostly in power 2 now after 2k miles). Yes it’s fun to occasionally put it in 2 and crack her open for a second, but how fast you go from 30 to 70 is nuts, anything over about 70 feels sketchy and discouraging to go any faster (edit: after some miles 70 is fine, occasional hits to 100 is fun but nothing more, on a track of course). I bought the bike for the looks and sound, and because I got a deal on a bike that had been sitting at the dealership for a year ($10.5k OTD). Only experience before this bike was 800 miles on an SV650. My insurance for the XSR is $450/year 50/100/50 $500 deductible (26yo). I wouldn’t recommend it for people I know wouldn’t be able to have the self control.

[@ridewithKY]

Great way to put it. And there’s nuance here. For some folks such as yourself, the 30-70 mph acceleration on these bikes is “nuts”. For others, it won’t be. It’s all just dependent on the individual. These XSR’s are about as fast as a quick car. However, if you’ve never experienced something like that it will be a new and uncomfortable sensation for you. The important thing here is you know what your limitations are and are acting responsibly with those known limitations. From your comment I can tell you are a responsible individual and because of that, will enjoy riding motorcycles for a long time. Cheers.

[@culinarypilot1957]

Xsr900 has been my first bike. 17k kms so far, couldn't have gotten a better bike.

[@rvndyr]

I’m about to go take some courses to buy this bike as my first bike. I have a lot of self control. I want this bike for the looks and sound. Ima buy this bike lol I want to see more beginners on this bike before buying though

[@kylealvis]

@@rvndyr put it in power mode 4 and you’ll be alright, there’s enough restrictions in the tune for emissions and with power mode 4 it’ll be a comfortable sport cruiser with room to grow. I’ll be tuning the emissions stuff out this winter for even more excitement. I have only ever power wheelied intentionally, it comes with a great computer and great tires. If you got the money say send it. Power mode 4 was a tad slower than my SV650 (70 hp) starter bike.

[@ridewithKY]

@rvndyr you will be just fine. As @kylealvis mentioned, use the electronics as an aid. Don’t rely on it, but use it as a tool. Even in the lowest power mode, if you are doing something dumb, then bad things will happen. Make good decisions and you’ll be all good! Ride safe. 👊🏽.

[@AnalogRider201]

I bought my XSR900 for FUN recreational use but I'm finding it is quickly becoming my daily form of transportation. You're correct the XSR900 is the perfect middle ground between a low CC and high CC motorcycle. I don't see myself getting bored of it or need to upgrade anytime in the far future.

[@ridewithKY]

Awesome! Glad you are enjoying that XSR safely. Hope it does fully become your daily form of transportation so you can put as miles as you can on it. Thanks for sharing. 👊🏽.

[@bille.334]

Bought an XSR 900 for my first bike. It's been a blast. It was a bit scary at first. But now I'm completely comfortable in it after about 10k miles. I have a lot of driving experience, racing cars on road courses, drag racing, shifter karts, dirt bikes ect... If you are responsible and know your limits, I say go for it.

[@ridewithKY]

Fantastic. Glad you have throughly enjoyed your XSR. Appreciate you sharing. Ride safe. 👊🏽.

[@rafaelbondoc2312]

It's always gonna be a toss up. I'm a new rider and my xsr900 and I first started riding it in rain mode which felt just as slow as the MSF bikes. After one ride I switched to mode 3 and the next day I went to mode 2 and after two months I was comfortable enough to ride in mode 1 which is my everyday mode now. I completely agree with your opinion on the cost/loss of buying a begginer/small cc bike and trading it in and that's what lead to my purchase. Great vid

[@ridewithKY]

Right on! Thank you for sharing and glad it worked out for you. Notice how there hasn’t been anybody in the comments who started on a larger bike and regrets it? Larger bikes aren’t for everybody to start on, but small 250-400cc bikes are also not for everybody to start on either. Individual decision based on many factors besides just “seat time”. Thanks again for sharing something helpful. Ride safe. 👊🏽.

[@minimumeffortenthusiast8242]

I watched a Yammie review on this motorcycle and in it he said it wasn't a beginner bike, but later in that same video said it had all the technology and you could effectively "detune" the bike via the different bike modes, so that made me think to myself "can't I just ride it on the most tame settings with all the traction and ABS assists while I learn my way around riding? I'm glad I found this video, like you said I feel like if I got anything with less power I'd be wanting to upgrade within 6 months of riding it, and I'm not into reselling things, I like to take my time watching reviews and researching before I make a purchase, that way I'm certain it'll be a long lasting purchase or in some cases a purchase that'll stay with me forever as I've done before. This video is very valuable to me and I really appreciate that you made it. I think this bike is perfect from all points in my eyes, I'd do the same mods that are on this one as well, clipons, seat and license plate relocation, then maybe an exhaust. I don't think it needs anything else. Thanks!

[@ridewithKY]

Yammie is a very knowledgeable guy in this segment. However, the term "beginner bike" is totally arbitrary. A beginner bike for one person is not going to be a beginner bike for another. Somebody who is 6'4" and 330 lbs wouldn't start on the same bike as someone who is 4'11" and 120 lbs. You can absolutely use the bikes different settings as an aid, however, I would caution against relying on the modes totally. If you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine. When it comes to "beginner bikes" (whatever that actually means), the rider is often removed from the equation and the bike itself is automatically to blame if there is a new rider involved in a collision on anything but a 400cc or smaller motorcycle. I'm glad the video was helpful to you. In no way am I trying to tell people what they should do. I just provide personal experiences and let the audience decide what's best for them. When you go to motorcycle dealers, you ALWAYS see used 400cc motorcycles with hardly any miles on them sitting there for sale. Kinda tells you what you need to know right there. Regardless of the bike you choose, if you make good decisions while riding, you'll have a long riding career. If you do dumb stuff on ANY. motorcycle, you will be in for a world of hurt. Take care, thanks for the support.

[@thedragon1322]

@@ridewithKYI’m so glad to see someone bring up the size of the rider. I’m a tall guy that just can’t be comfortable on a lot of smaller displacement bikes and sport bikes even less. Bikes like the xsr and gsxs allow more room to be comfortable, with higher quality components and current tech. It all comes down to one word you bring up consistently which is responsible. That’s the key to any bike and level of experience imho.

[@ridewithKY]

@thedragon1322 Appreciate you chiming in and sharing. Glad you didn’t let people talk you out of what you really wanted. If a person can’t be trusted to be responsible on a 600, then riding a 400 isn’t going to save them. An unsafe rider is an unsafe rider. Cheers man, take care.

[@thedragon1322]

@@ridewithKY absolutely. When it comes to riding, it's all about personal responsibility and riding your own ride. I just like to get out and enjoy

[@wyvern4588]

I'm in my 30's and been riding for 5 months, I just got an XSR900. The bike is super easy to ride, and easy to ride relaxed, HOWEVER, it is disgustingly powerful. Basically, if you are responsible and ignore the devil on your shoulder, it's a fine first bike (with proper training prior). If you cannot resist being stupid, it will hastily kill you.

[@tonyjones629]

thank you for the words of wisdom........

[@wesleyjones6163]

I started out on this same bike. I had previous experience with bikes and atv's. Took the MSF course and the bike has been excellent.

[@ridewithKY]

Ride safe. Glad you are enjoying your XSR.

[@andersbirch1265]

I got the xsr900 gen2 as my beginner bike, startet in ride mode 4, and worked my way up til mode 1 along riding 6.000 miles - and doing instructor guided trackdays. Best decision ever to buy the xsr900 straight away.

[@ridewithKY]

Awesome to hear that! Keep enjoying that XSR and glad you are keeping the speed for the track.

[@jibarrastl]

Do you have a video of your mods to the XSR?? Looks and sounds amazing!

[@ridewithKY]

I have some other XSR videos but not specifically that points to each and every modification. Thank you for the compliment!

[@msromike123]

Wise for your age man. I like the engineer mindset.

[@ridewithKY]

Appreciate it, thank you! I try to take an approach that is data based and logic based rather than parroting what others say. Take care man.

[@rexsr900]

I wish I would have watched this video a month ago. I bought a Svartpilen 401 as my first street bike - coming off of a 5 year break after several years of casual dirt/trail riding. I was worried about having something too big right from the start. That, and my wife wasn’t (still isn’t) keen on having something bigger.. After about 2/3 days, all my hesitations & worries were gone, and I felt immediately comfortable. I quickly got to the point where I (mostly) knew what I was doing again. I’ve had my Svart almost exactly 30 days and have put just over 1,000 miles on it. While I’m still enjoying it, and it’s peppy flickable nature, I’m already wishing I had something in the 650-900 range. I consider myself to be fairly responsible - buying my first street bike at age 36 after all. Am a husband and dad. Not out here to go crazy. But I do enjoy some acceleration and twisties outside of town. And it just seems like an XSR900 (or CB650R) would be better for me, at this point - even just a month in. Now to make that decision: do I let the dealership (2hrs away) touch my bike for that first service, or just DIY it. I mean, I already changed the coolant and fixed my thermostat - something that the dealer should have been able to suggest over the phone, but couldn’t.. Didn’t give me much confidence. Thx for making these vids dude. Keep it up. 👍🏼

[@ridewithKY]

Your experience is a common one. Any motorcycle dealership who sells a wide array of bikes in any kind of moderate volume will tell you your situation happens often. However, there’s nothing wrong with you wanting to be extra cautious. At the time you made the decision that you thought was best for yourself and your family, nothing wrong with that. I had a Vitpilen 401 for a while, not as a first bike but I did have one just to commute on. For my type of riding and for where I live, it just doesn’t have enough power. I was at full throttle quite often just doing mundane tasks in traffic. Those svartpilens are very easy to service on your own if you want to save a few bucks. Cheers man, take care and ride safe. Thank you so much for the support!

[@GreggsonWong]

This is the very reason I got a MT-09 as a 1st bike and have not regretted it since. The 1st year I was riding at 85% of max all the time. Caught myself going 80 in a 25 mph zone in heavy 5pm traffic lane splitting, told myself to sloooow the f down. Used cruise the freeway 120+ all the time. I watched krudplug for gruesome motorcycle accident videos, have made me re-think my riding. Man, you would believe how common it is for riders heads w/ helmets flies off their body in an accident. Plus, having a “Don’t Fxxx Die” sticker on my windscreen, because almost happened 3 different times. After 3+ years I have chilled a lot, ride bout 50-60%. Wouldn’t mind getting a Ducati Hypermotard 698. As I just want to blast under 80 (20-60 sweet zone) and lift the front wheel/drift the rear, especially outta corners.💯

[@rexsr900]

@@GreggsonWongThanks for sharing your experience! I picked up an XSR900 this week. And it puts a gigantic smile on my face - similar to the first few days/weeks on the Svartpilen 401. Have been progressing through the ride modes & getting comfortable again. Crazy how different the two bikes ride.. And yeah, I’m glad I’m fairly responsible. Keeps me safer than I would’ve been in my 20s. I don’t think I was responsible enough back then to own a bike like this. But now, I feel “relatively” confident & safe on it.

[@kekecnakvadrat]

Its my dream bike, but i bought xsr 125 for start. I learn something new every ride.

[@ridewithKY]

That’s great man! nothing wrong with starting on a 125 either. Ride safe!

[@admireinspire]

Great points all around. I came from an r1 and I love this bike more. With full mods and a tune I'm neck and neck with my buddy's gsx s1000 and that bike should have 20 more hp. I love the looks and out the box it's set up really firm which gives me confidence yet the suspension is still good on bumps. Like you, I've changed handlebars to near clip on height and I really am able to ride longer with less weight on the seat alone. 1 year 0 complaints.

[@ridewithKY]

Awesome man. Glad you’ve enjoyed your XSR up to this point. They really are great bikes that don’t need a lot to really take to the next level. I believe you hanging with your buddy’s GSXS1000. These CP3 engines are strong. Ride safe man. 👊🏽.

[@costofexpansebrain8025]

Just put it into mode 4. The only bad thing is being a beginner you may drop it. And that sucks.

[@ridewithKY]

That's certainly a risk. However, these XSR's are pretty light and the seat height is low so that helps quite a bit.

[@seanx9]

What seat is that? Looks clean and much better than the original

[@ridewithKY]

It’s a KELPI custom moto seat.

[@therulerzigzagzig]

I got my license 3 weeks ago and picked up my XSR 900 I love it. I started on D-Mode 3 just to get to know it better, but last week i tested drive mode 1 haha it scared the shit out of me but it was fun as hell. But yeah I changed it to 3 again.

[@ridewithKY]

Right on man! Keep riding safe. Nothing wrong with admitting you have a limitation and are still learning. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Take care and enjoy that XSR.

[@arisgolseen2693]

Exactly this! Especially with the modes nowadays you can ride on the lowest mode to offset the power for safer riding. Also would you prefer XSR 900 or FTR 1200?

[@ridewithKY]

It’s a good point with the modes. Good tool to utilize but shouldn’t be completely relied on. I think the FTR overall is a cooler motorcycle. Some of the FTR trims are very unique and cool. However, it’s not a totally fair comparison as even the base FTR is quite a bit more expensive than an XSR900.

[@arisgolseen2693]

@@ridewithKY You're right I just wanted to see what you thought about it since the FTR was the other bike on my radar but XSR bang for buck can't be beat.

[@ridewithKY]

I agree. Any of the cool FTR’s you’d actually want are a lot more expensive than an XSR. I also would think the Indian would be prone to more issues. Yamahas are pretty solid across the board reliability wise, with some exceptions of course. Take care and ride safe.

[@jaryd_yarid]

True. i started on a cbr1grand and now I'm totally safe. Watching other people ride from my 0.8hp wheel chair.

[@ridewithKY]

Sounds like your riding skills are a match for your comedy skills.

[@jtclayton612]

I’m actually going to pick my first bike up today, a street triple 765 RS. Thankfully I got my recklessness with vehicles out of the way in my late teens/early 20s. At 33 now and daily a lumbering behemoth that makes me a more defensive driver because it has no handling and no ability to pass anything faster than a lawnmower. I liked the cornering abs, linked brakes, ride modes of the street triple versus a smaller CC bike, only KTM really seems to be putting those features on smaller displacement bikes and as a newer rider I do like the idea that grabbing a fistful of front brake in a corner will be mitigated by electronics. That and the carnival red looks like sex on wheels, I went to look at a trident 660 and it just caught my eye lol.

[@ridewithKY]

That’s a great bike. You are right about the electronics packages on the more expensive and higher performance motorcycles. We shouldn’t depend on them to save us of course, but they are indeed there to assist us in those sticky situations . Rather have it than not have it. Enjoy that 765RS. You made a great decision by just getting the bike you really want. Being responsible is the key to surviving on these things. Cheers.

[@Rum12365]

Is the bike good for passengers , is there space on seat ?

[@ridewithKY]

There is plenty of space for passengers on these, the seat is huge.

[@CH1K3N99]

I'm in the UK and we are limited to a 125cc before a test, but currently have a streetfighter nut&bolt rebuilt 2001 Aprilia RS125 that I think is a touch under 40hp But I'm looking at this as my next bike. This thing only weighs under 115kg and as a RPM enthusiast, I've loved ringing the neck of the 2 stroke like I do my little ol' civic Type-R EP3. Our roads and environments are *VASTLY* different, where no road is even half as wide as the ones you are riding on, and everything has camber going left right backwards and changing seasons mid day, but I'm thinking with responsible riding, *even this* could be ridden in poor conditions of wet and rain etc, as many other bikes here. There's a huge riding culture, that I just don't know of yet. Anyway, not sure of where I am going with this. Thanks for the videos! I've watched a few of yours about this bike and and it looks like a cool journey! (My italian friend jumped from the same bike(he sold to me) to a tuned R1000RR with 220bhp and his brother has a another one making 210bhp, and he's still alive and getting really good at riding 9 months later, even in our wet weather AND while riding through our british winter almost every week. So it is possible to ride big power!) But a caveat, that helps is, if you come from having decades of driving experience and even cartrackday experience and racing knowledge, the bike journey has been so very interesting and really quite unnaturally fast!

[@ridewithKY]

Appreciate you sharing your personal experiences and watching my videos! Goes to show you every individual is just that, an individual. Here in the US, we have these blanket statements we like to make when it comes to very complicated topics/issues. Your shared experience is further proof that everybody is just different. Thank you again! Ride safe. If you end up choosing an XSR for your next bike, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

[@davidstatham7760]

That's a great looking xsr & that Kelpi exhaust sounds awesome.

[@ridewithKY]

Thank you!

[@AugieMarinoqv5fw]

I agree, you can be responsible on any bike, but if you’re a real beginner and you dump the clutch and wack open the throttle any bike can be dangerous. How do you like the clip ons ? Is the bike more uncomfortable than the v2 panigale now ?

[@ridewithKY]

Exactly. Any bike is dangerous when combined with poor decisions. It’s the Indian, not the arrow. Clip-ons are great. Looks way better as cafe racers should always have clip-ons. It’s still very comfortable because the seat on these is so low. Way more comfortable than a super sport such as a Panigale v2.

[@neodurden6793]

First factor of crash in motorcycle is lack of breaking skills. So yes any bike is dangerous by this metric. But you can also deduce that the more you go up in power the more it gets dangerous as braking skills is also reaction time. And 0 to 60s in 2,6sec needs way more of reaction time than 0 to 60 in 6 or 7 sec.

[@ridewithKY]

So if you are a beginner rider, why are you going 0-60 in 2.6 seconds? That sound like responsible behavior to you?

[@gtoramirez]

How would you compare the insurance cost to the Vitpilen 401? I feel like my Svart is stupid expensive.

[@ridewithKY]

I was paying about $40 a month for my 23 Vitpilen. The XSR900 is more like $80 a month. Of course it depends on each individual and where they live. Either way the XSR is cheaper than insuring a super sport.

[@gtoramirez]

@@ridewithKY😮 that’s not bad. I’m paying $65. Still not sure what to upgrade to though.

[@ridewithKY]

That seems pretty high to me. Have you shopped around a little more? I feel like you should be able to find a better rate somewhere.

[@gundalvlgalvling4584]

4 ride modes plain and simple . beginner rider could easily ride in mode 4 and work there up to mode 1. xsr was my 2nd motorcycle. but it could of easily been my first

[@ridewithKY]

Yup. I agree. Not every beginner, but certainly some would have no issues with this bike.

[@kenbing8]

Dude I might do those clip ons this winter. Dammit! I haven’t even sat on mine yet!

[@ridewithKY]

Haha! Nothing wrong with planning ahead.

[@geoffbroderick403]

the only drawback on most bigger bikes,is the fueling at low revs,unlike smaller cc smoother down low ,also 90 %of most accidents are low speed maneuvers where the lighter bike would be easier to control

[@ridewithKY]

This is an interesting take. I don’t believe issues with fueling is limited to the larger cc motorcycles. That’s more of a euro 4/5 thing. But that’s going to vary across the board. Some small cc bikes are going to have good fueling, others bad. Same with large cc. Going to be some variance there. Your statement about low speed maneuvers is true. By the numbers that is where most collisions occur. Luckily those collisions at low speed generally don’t result in death or serious injury.

[@msromike123]

I'm 65 y/o have had 10 motorcycles and have maybe 150,000 miles of riding over 55 years. This bike is a little scary for me. That's why I am thinking about getting one.

[@ridewithKY]

Haha, nothing wrong with that. If you do end up on one I think you'll be satisfied. Take care, thank you.

[@spoodamane]

That’s gotta be the cleanest xsr900 I’ve ever seen, the clip ons are a welcome addition

[@ridewithKY]

Thank you! Clip ons definitely help a lot.

[@LucasSi919]

dope review and even cooler garage and house! if i may ask, where did you get those motorsport posters/images in those black picture frames? i love those

[@ridewithKY]

Thank you so much for the compliment! The posters are from Automobilist. They do ship worldwide and have many prints from various genre’s in motor sports. Something for everybody really. Thank you again!

[@SaGaLX374]

i started on a R1. its all about the rider imo.

[@ridewithKY]

Sure is. All about what’s inside that helmet.

[@niffy86]

I appreciate the video, great points. As you said it comes down to being responsible.

[@ridewithKY]

Absolutely. An unsafe rider is an unsafe rider on any bike. But we like to blame inanimate objects instead of taking responsibility for ourselves. Take care man.

[@htmn4hire176]

I had roughly 2K hours on dirt, Mostly desert riding, by the time I bought my first road bike. That bike is an XSR900. I am VERY comfortable on a bike, but this machine needs to be respected. It was arguably too much for my first road bike, but I couldn’t pass on the deal.

[@ridewithKY]

Totally fair assessment. Thanks for sharing.

[@alexandrucalin8686]

Name of the exhaust?

[@ridewithKY]

It’s a KELPI exhaust. Out of Australia.

[@Aphexic]

Cheers for this. I’ve been thinking about what bike to start on. I’ve had some fast cars, done track days and have settled down a bit now that I’m in my mid thirties. From my research it seems that I should start on a vit/svart 401 and work up to the sv650/xsr I really want, now I’m a little torn 😅, it will mainly be used for commuting around town. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

[@kylealvis]

I have a 2019 SV650 and a 2023 XSR900. Power mode 4 on the XSR is just about equivalent to the SV in my opinion. The SV was my first bike and it was quick enough to enjoy it but not fast enough to get in trouble. Either way a naked bike will discourage you from going too fast because of the wind. The XSR is so much more up to date than the SV and it’s such a better ride. Only complaint with the XSR would be the seat is a little stiff.

[@ridewithKY]

If you’ve come from fast cars and have some track experience, you will be absolutely fine on an XSR. That advanced knowledge you picked up from those track days already puts you way ahead of the game. If you start on a Husq 401, you’ll probably get bored with it pretty quickly and want to move on to something else. Appreciate you chiming in.

[@ridewithKY]

@kylealvis Appreciate you sharing that perspective since you have both an SV and an XSR900. Agree on the XSR seat being unnecessarily hard.

[@langhamp8912]

Like just to start on, with no bike experience? Get a cheap scooter (or a nice Vespa) and just cruise around town learning the basics of how 2-wheeled vehicles behave. Scooter riders are often excellent riders when they get to the track because scooters don't have a center tank to grip on, and thus need perfect balance to perch on their seats. In addition, there's usually more scooter racing because they can use go-kart tracks, and scooter crashes are almost never expensive.

[@ridewithKY]

A scooter in the US. You will most certainly be run over. 😂.

[@timp64]

I think it's fine for someone who is responsible like you say. someone who has good motor skills for their throttle and clutch hand. the issue is the person who gives it a load of throttle and dumps the clutch. once you get your license and prove you can control a bike and are older and responsible you're right. I was kind of scared of my tracer 9 when I went from a 250 to it. but I found it was completely fine. and i stay in the 2nd mode all the time. But I also drive a tesla and I'm used to a 400 hp car.

[@ridewithKY]

Exactly. Everybody is just different. For some, a 250 is plenty, but for others it’s just not. If you drive a 400hp car, you probably won’t be thrilled with a 30 hp motorcycle and will trade it quickly. Glad your tracer 9 worked out for you and you didn’t immediately die as soon as you touched it like some people in this comment section are saying. 😂😂😂.

[@lukaskraina]

how long di d you have husky 401 before you went for big bike?

[@ridewithKY]

I actually didn’t start on the husky 401. I started on a Panigale v2, so I can’t totally answer your question. I did own the 401 for about a year and a half. Again, wasn’t the bike I had prior to a larger displacement bike. Thanks, hope that helps somehow.

[@lukaskraina]

@@ridewithKY i am 43, so not hot head youngster (also bigger 220lb 6") and thinking to get xsr700 or xsr900 as a first bike. my driving licence practical will be on mt07 so I guess I will feel if its enough or worth to get bigger bike, but your video looks convincing :)

[@ridewithKY]

@lukaskraina yeah I mean if you are 6 foot and 220 lbs. Most if not all 250-400cc bikes are probably going to be pretty small for you. Of course it’s always wise to see for yourself just to make sure though. It goes back to an individual decision here. You aren’t a youngster anymore, so generally once we get older, we mature. However, not always. We all know that 40 year old that still acts like they are 20. If you are mature and know you are responsible, there is nothing wrong with starting on an XSR700 or 900. Totally possible for the right beginner rider.

[@bryanbartucci9444]

I agree 100%. I started back into riding after a few years' break on an XSR700. After a few months I bought a 2024 XSR900. Should of got the 900 initially 😂

[@ridewithKY]

😂😂😂. Pretty common for people to do and that sucks. Every experienced motorcycle salesman I’ve met has said your situation happens all the time. Appreciate you sharing and hope you didn’t lose too much when you switched from the 700 to 900.

[@bryanbartucci9444]

@ridewithKY lol hey we only go around once 🤣. Your videos made me take the plunge and get the ECU flash and Kelpi exhaust. I threw a Stage 2 DNA filter/lid on it also. Bike is just plain fun, thank you for the awesome and informative videos.

[@markhall3434]

It was too much for me.. Gave up biking 25 years ago with family etc. Now at 70, returning to motorcycling. '23 XSR900 here (Blue, now w/Flash/Exhaust/etc).. bought it last year.. rode it a few miles, decided I needed more skills, confidence. To much money to risk in a drop. Sooo.. I bought a cheap chinese KPX250 dual sport and immediately installed street tires once I realized the stock dual sport tires were unstable at any lean and too bumpy for the road. Dropped the indestructable dirt bike maybe 3 times pushing my skills to the limit. SloMo handling, getting the lean/countersteer/Clutch slip/Brake skills back and try to lean it further while increasing speed. Drove that 500 miles and my skills returned with gusto. Was having so much fun on the 250, even considered selling the XSR9!! When you're having fun, and confident is when you know you're ready to graduate. IMO you can't learn/polish skills unless you're fearless, Or you have a disposable OR indestructible bike. Cheap Chinese is getting darned good at less than half the price.

[@ridewithKY]

Nothing wrong with what you did. You realized your limitations and decided to hone your skills with a different tool. Sounds way better than getting hurt. Take care, appreciate you sharing. 👊🏽.

[@alemspreco]

I would buy a XSR900 as my first bike BUT since I live in Sweden we do have license tests and one of them is slow speed tight maneuvers and sadly the turning radius on the XSR900 was the only thing that discouraged me

[@ridewithKY]

Unfortunate situation for you. Sorry to hear that man. In places outside the US, of course the decision making process is a little different because of the rules/regulations. Don’t give up on motorcycling though. Look for a solution and get yourself on 2 wheels. 👊🏽.

[@alemspreco]

@@ridewithKY bought myself a trident 660 as it ticks the boxes (for now) and has a better turning radius but I definitely think I’ll sell it for XSR when I get my license. Passed my written exams and I got my driving test mid July

[@ridewithKY]

Trident 660 is an awesome bike. Whenever I see one, I notice it right away. Has a unique silhouette. Don’t focus too much on the XSR so you can enjoy that Trident. 👊🏽.

[@alemspreco]

@@ridewithKY it looks much better in person then on vids and photos that’s for sure. I do enjoy it but the XSR is still a dream bike and I do plan on owning one in the future 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@ridewithKY]

Keep looking forward bro. One day you’ll have that XSR.

[@raultopete5728]

Can’t speak for other people but I passed my MSF course and 2 months later I owned a brand new R1. Obviously I’m still here never went down. As long as you’re mature and respect the bike you can learn with a bigger displacement bike.

[@ridewithKY]

Agree! Everybody is just different. Glad you are enjoying that R1!

[@mandalore024]

Yo, is your buddy selling his XSR? I saw someone on reddit selling the clip-ons and exhaust and claiming that they’re from his bike posted on your channel. I’m interested in buying the parts but I wanted to do my due diligence to make sure it isn’t someone scamming.

[@ridewithKY]

@mandalore024 Appreciate you checking in. Yes, the XSR featured on this channel is for sale currently. We pulled the exhaust, clip-ons, and seat last night in preparation for the sale. Let me know if I can answer any questions for you. Totally understand you want to make sure it’s not a scam. Take care man.

[@mandalore024]

@@ridewithKY thanks, brotha! I appreciate the response. I’m gonna give those clip-ons a good home on my XSR. I decided to hold off on the exhaust because I think I’m gonna go with the black cerakote Kelpi shorty instead. Have a nice holiday!

[@ridewithKY]

@mandalore024 no problem man! Glad to be of help. The clip-ons make a big difference on these bikes. Take care!

[@pcbuk1976]

A small ercentage hve high CC bike, the fatality rates will always show higher numbers on weaker bikes due to mostly inexperienced riders using them. How many cruiser riders die due to alcohol? Gonna be older guys, who drink, where they live has to be considered also. Interesting stats but so many factorsm

[@ridewithKY]

I agree. Like anything, there will be nuance.

[@AdrianRConant]

I bought the XSR700 5 months a go, and I've ridden 4000 miles already. I already think my 700cc feels slow and I'd like to upgrade to the XSR900 :( What you said is the true. Power is important.

[@ridewithKY]

Appreciate you sharing your experience. Happens to a lot of people, but nobody wants to admit it’s a thing.

[@bridgettdixon6807]

I agree everything you said, bike is wonderful to ride.

[@ridewithKY]

Awesome. Enjoy your XSR and ride safe!

[@yourfriendmouse9967]

What's your height

[@ridewithKY]

5’5”

[@ASBP12]

Great video. Ky isn't saying EVERYONE should start on an XSR900 but it is a viable option for some (not all). But still gonna have idiots commenting "NuH UhH BiG BiKe BadD" Always hated the blanket statement of "every beginner should start on a small bike."

[@ridewithKY]

Same guys are the ones keeping the revolver division of Smith and Wesson in business. 😂😂😂.

[@ASBP12]

​@@ridewithKY 😂exactly. Based off the comment section I could tell who watched the video and who didn't. So quick to argue and try to be prove you wrong but then end up proving your point of the video and that it's okay for some and not all beginners. Since some people think this video is clickbait then the next video should be a real clickbait and say why the H2 is the best beginner bike. 😂

[@ridewithKY]

Don’t tempt me with a good time. 😂. The comment section is made up of 3 types of people. Those that agree. Those that agree, but don’t want to admit it or aren’t smart enough to realize they agree. And those who disagree but can’t say why. 😂.

[@HaggisPower]

I've always thought a trail bike and a dirt paddock is the best way to learn bike handling. Trying to learn bike AND road skills simultaneously is often disastrous. I guess the environment dictates the approach somewhat but I'd rather see someone learn on a more forgiving machine

[@avrc9285]

i would prefer a middleweight bike of today rather a 250 cc from 35 years ago when i started riding. The abs alone would have saved me from a few stitches.

[@ridewithKY]

Electronic packages can be very valuable tools. Of course they shouldn’t be depended on to save you, but they are certainly useful.

[@paulhope3401]

One thing worth noting... These so called middleweights are almost as quick as most litre bikes up to around 100mph mainly due to their shorter gearing and lower weight. One of my friends has a RSV4 and he only really pulls away over 120mph... up to 100... I'm within 2 or 3 bike lengths of him on my 23 MT09 SP which shares the same engine.

[@ridewithKY]

I have an RSV4 and it’s definitely much faster than this XSR to 100 mph… however, they both will get there quickly if you want it to. It’s up to the rider to decide if that’s a good decision or not. Cheers.

[@paulhope3401]

@ridewithKY You should try using a draggy with them both then.... It's either closer than you think, or I'm better at getting off the line than him. His RSV4 is the older 1000 version. According to Motostats, there is only a tenth of a sec between them to 100.... after which the MT09 runs out of steam just as the RSV4 starts to really start moving.

[@ridewithKY]

I have a draggy. The RSV4 is much faster to 100. Again, not to say an MT09 is slow.

[@paulhope3401]

@ridewithKY If you have a draggy, you should time both of them.

[@ridewithKY]

I just said I have.

[@chrisdadigger1018]

If a beginner rider is going 25mph and hits a unexpected bump causing him to accidentally gas it , could be a trouble on that motorcycle

[@ridewithKY]

Potentially, but let’s be real. Has that ever really happened before? Whenever you’ve heard of a family member, friend, friend of a friend, etc. get into a motorcycle collision; have you ever heard them say it was because they hit a bump and they accidentally throttled up? The cause is almost always from doing something stupid.

[@MyWifesBoyfriend-pp8kq]

I’m a firm believer in that just about anyone capable of passing the MSF can throw a leg over any motorcycle and be perfectly fine, with the biggest stipulation being that they physically fit the bike. That being said, I absolutely would not recommend someone do that. That first bike will probably end up on its side at some point, and a 2-5k beater is going to hurt you emotionally way less than that beautiful 11k XSR. As a new rider, it’s hard to tell you’re at your limit until you’re way beyond, like when you first start drinking. Bigger bikes can bring you to that point much faster. Those two points really aren’t that serious, but something to be aware of. My biggest reason for not recommending it is that it steals a lot of enjoyment from motorcycling. Moving up on bikes is a blast, and being able to confidently operate one helps you appreciate the power. If you start out on a liter bike, you’re just cheating yourself out of one of the most exciting parts of the sport.

[@ridewithKY]

I should have dove into further detail regarding the size of the rider in the video. You are right about that. If you physically fit the bike, that will help tremendously with confidence. You surely can dump your first bike. But, you also could not. Two sides to that coin, but I see your point about dumping a 5k bike is better than wadding up a 10k bike. It is harder to tell what your limit is when you are new. That is a true statement. However, as a new rider, should you be even trying to figure that out? Probably not. I don’t agree that starting on a larger bike takes the joy out of motorcycling across the board. For some it will, certainly. But I don’t think that’s everyone. If you’ve had some fast cars, a 70 hp is probably not going to excite you much. But hey, everybody is different. Thanks for sharing, good and reasonable perspective even though we don’t necessarily agree on all points.

[@c.g.c2067]

Almost any modern bike is user friendly for beginners thanks to electronic packages that provide safety. However, if you want to learn the fundamentals of motorcycle riding you're much better off on smaller bikes in my view.

[@offlinemve5054]

Yes this bike has many safety features and that is great for all riders but I think most people should learn on something that limits the cost they pay when they make a poor decision. No one who rides does it to do the speed limit all day everyday. We all have fun within our limits but new riders don’t have the experience with these machines ie clutch gas brake control to accurately judge their limit. Confidence will grow quicker than actual skill and that is the reason it’s a pretty common practice to limit the machine. A ninja 400 or big torquey v twin will get to passing speed plenty quick and these days most bikes come with plenty of safety features. Yeah everyone wants to be on the cool bike that sounds awesome and has tons of power for having fun but Rome wasn’t built in a day. A new rider isn’t going to be able to enjoy this anymore than they’d enjoy something with two cylinders if they have self control and don’t plan on being reckless ever they probably won’t even be considering something like this. You don’t buy a sports car to do 55. We all like being confident in our own abilities doesn’t mean we should be.

[@ridewithKY]

Confidence will grow quicker than actual skill. Is this true for everybody? And how do you know this? Data? I had a 400 and at least in the US, that is not a safe amount of power to operate on the freeway. That 400 also wasn’t my first bike. I started on a bike way faster than this XSR and magically didn’t die. Almost as if the bike will only go as fast as you tell it to go. Speaking in a lot of absolutes here. Some people do buy sports cars to do 55. Some people buy sports cars to just sit in a garage. Not something I would do, but that’s up to the owner. We can’t think of a complicated subject like this with such broad statements.

[@offlinemve5054]

@@ridewithKY “The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with limited competence in a particular domain overestimate their abilities”. A modern 400cc bike can achieve speeds higher than 110mph anything over 85 is enough to get you a nice ticket and possibly a reckless driving charge so not sure how a 400 isn’t safe for the interstate. I will make the same argument you made do you have data to back that up? I am aware plenty of people have started out on large bikes and not died but that’s not what you’re claiming. Is it the best beginner bike I have stated my reasoning as to why I don’t believe so if you think people’s skills will develop the same no matter the size of the bike I would have to say that is nothing more than opinion and there is no study supporting either side of that coin. The major consensus from expert level riders is to start smaller and work your way up I could if you like go find quotes of experts saying this but at the end of the day without data it is a matter of opinion. I just trust one more than the other.

[@ridewithKY]

@offlinemve5054 data was provided in the video… Said in the video it may be appropriate for some and not for others. Never said it’s the best beginner bike. You are wrong, sorry. Some 400’s can achieve speeds of 110 mph, but it takes forever. You are almost topping the bike out just keeping up with the flow of traffic depending on where you live. Some areas flow of traffic may be 55-65 mph. Other areas 85+. There’s always nuance.

[@offlinemve5054]

@@ridewithKY I must have missed the data showing the 400 is not safe on the interstate. Sorry I used the word best I should correct that to good. I don’t believe it’s a good beginner bike which is what you’re arguing. I still stand by everything I said so 🤷🏻‍♂️ not sure how fast you’re thinking people need to go on the interstate but I used to cruise on my 50hp vulcan just fine even out in the emptier state routes where flow was faster when I was learning to ride. If we can use anecdotal evidence as evidence.

[@ridewithKY]

@offlinemve5054 I don’t think you need data to know that if the flow of traffic is 85 and your bike absolutely maxes out at 105 mph (some 400’s can’t even go this fast), that’s not a safe scenario to be in. Do you need me to pull the data to tell you Afghanistan is not a safe place to vacation? Just looked closer at your KZbin account. You are commenting on safety but have a stanced LS400? LOL. Come on man. 😂😂😂.

[@AleksOpeth]

generally the cp3 is too fast and "instant" for new riders. Please stay safe everybody.

[@asmacr.8391]

Agree that thing can flip with just 30% throttle

[@ridewithKY]

@asmacr.8391 a 400 can’t flip with 30% throttle?

[@asmacr.8391]

@@ridewithKY it can for sure even a 155cc manual bike can flip if you rev it high and release the clutch but that xsr 900 can flip if you blip the throttle accidentally while rolling specially for beginners.

[@ridewithKY]

@asmacr.8391 so you admit any bike can be dumped with the wrong rider… that’s what I said in the video.

[@zrickett]

Thank you!

[@ridewithKY]

No problem!

[@KevinRamirez-g3f]

I did this, 2022 xsr900, put it in rain mode and learned there 6 months later, im on drive mode 3 and its all new bike to me

[@ridewithKY]

Right on. Continue to ride safe bro. 👊🏽.

[@elithegreat6463]

My 2023 2500Cc Rocket-3R , I thought it would be a Ton of $$$$ to insure, but since no one owns or crashes a Rocket-3, it's only $38 Bucks a Month /$450 a yr. Then again, I'm Married and 62 yrs old, but that goes to show, when you get the idiots in the S1000RR crashing and Dying on them, thats why insurance for these Bikes are $1800 a month for full coverage.

[@tw-BB]

Well said.

[@ridewithKY]

Thank you for watching. 👊🏽.

[@rexsr900]

Dude. You are one of my favorite people in the moto space. I paused the video at 1:30 to come check out the comments… Because I just knew it was going to be good. And your ability to keep your cool, reason with the trolls/contrarians, and present your position in a calm yet authoritative manner is something to aspire to. On my other channel, I usually just troll the trolls right back - match their time, and stoop down to their level. I just get tired of constantly having to defend myself to them. Pearls before swine? As they say.. Anyhow, back to the video, and convincing myself to sell my Svartpilen 401 after only a month to upgrade to either an XSR900 or CB650R. I’ll probably chime in with another comment. But for now, back to watching. 🤘🏼

[@ridewithKY]

Appreciate that analysis and the positive feedback! I try my best man. As you’ve noticed in the comments, some people just have to be contrarians no matter what and have no idea why. Then you have a large chunk of people who speak in total absolutes and can’t believe there are responsible people in this world who don’t want to risk harming their loved ones should they be killed/hurt in a collision. If you decide on an XSR900, you will not be disappointed. Cheers man, ride safe. 👊🏽.

[@Tavs.fāters]

Nah, you give people to much credit. New raider can get scared with traffic + they have no trothle control. Could wipe out easy. +Some are dumb and have problem when brain doesn't work properly 😅😂 I'm kinda cearles myself and I'm glad that I got weak ass honda cbf500. It was planty for my dumb ass. Was looking at bandit 600cc and that might be to much at the time. I have like one years experience now and bike seams slow and sluggish, but I'm smart enough to know I would end all my problems if I get xsr900😅😂 Maybe something like xsr700 or 500-700 "enduro" next year.

[@ASBP12]

That’s good you know your limit! That’s what the video was proving. It’s a viable option for some people (not all) who know their limit and have prior experience with other types of motorsports with a lot of self control! (Driving a manual, understanding how to apex a turn, etc.) Everyone has a different definition of “beginner” But I’m glad you were able to humble yourself and understand something like a 900 is not a good starter bike for yourself. That’s what the video is pretty much saying. Riders like yourself and others who admit things like that tend to ride for a long time! Ride safe!

[@ridewithKY]

I love this comment 😂. “Weak ass Honda CBF500”. Thanks for the laugh today bro 😂😂😂.

[@kogashiwa85]

I think it's a financial risk for a new rider to spend $10K+ on an XSR900 and potentially not like riding or even fail the BRC. Buying cheap and used is key for a new rider imo. I started on a Duke 390, much like your svartpilen, and sold it for exactly what I bought it for. Do not buy from a dealership as a new rider...do not finance anything...I love my 23 XSR900, but if I got this bike as someone who had zero riding experience, rider aids or not and being older and more "mature", it is still too much bike imo. Love the content and upgrades you've done, keep it up. Just wanted to chime in my 2 cents 😂

[@ridewithKY]

It certainly is a financial risk. But so is buying a “beginner bike”, whatever that really means. In your situation you got your money back, which is fantastic. However, I think we can both agree that’s the exception and not the rule. Speaking in such broad terms like “do not buy from a dealership” and “do not finance anything” is problematic as well. Sometimes it’s not appropriate to buy from a dealer and other times it is. If you have no mechanical knowledge and have no idea what you are looking at when shopping for a used bike, you are definitely better off buying new from a dealer. What if the manufacturer has 0% financing? In that case you may be better off financing. In your case this bike is too fast to start on and that is OK. Nothing wrong with that at all. My issue is these absolute statements that these types of bikes are just not possible for beginners to start on. I started on a bike way faster than this XSR and had zero issues. Again, that’s just my experience, but won’t be everybody’s. Appreciate you sharing.

[@kogashiwa85]

@@ridewithKY Good points. In regards to purchasing from a dealership, as a new rider you should avoid the dealership even if you get a "good deal" from a financing perspective and a warranty. You are still paying an extra $2-3K in fees and taxes. I've been shocked to see how much a bike with an MSRP of $8K ends up being $11K OTD. You are right, alot of folks do not have mechanical skills, so buying new is a safe route and having a warranty. For a new rider, I feel that is just setting them in a financial dilemma when they might want to sell a bike since they learn riding is not for them, but you are under $3-4K on a bike you purchased a few months prior. This is America, we could go start on a brand new H2 and nobody could tell us anything 🏍

[@ridewithKY]

The dealer fee’s are ridiculous. You are absolutely right about that. The bike starts at $5900 and then quickly becomes $8300 by the time you leave. 😂😂😂.

[@markhall3434]

Probably is.. I have '23 Blue XSR9, but at 70 years old, my view of today's youth is they can't resist their wonder nugget juice and will get in trouble with this bike. In Pmode 1, the bike can literally launch from between your legs. Engine braking can be dangerous if unsuspected. I'd say minimum 1000 miles on a more classical beginner bike before you get this beauty of a motorcycle. An XSR9 is a Terrible Thing to Drop! Drop your buddies indestructable dirt or disposable road bike first. Your mileage will vary.

[@ridewithKY]

Wonder nugget 😂😂😂. My view of today’s seniors are they don’t realize they’ve lost many of their fine motor skills they once had and all five senses are not what they once were. See how that works? We can’t group all youth into one category just like we shouldn’t group all seniors into one category. Cheers sir, ride safe.

[@markhall3434]

@@ridewithKY True.. As Clint Eastwood would say, "A Man has to know his Limitations".

[@Junkfiles446]

when you see guys starts on a liter or sub liter. you know they gonna be slow af on twisties. and thats a fact

[@ridewithKY]

“A liter bike or sub liter” bike would include beginner bikes and everything in between. Some jokes just write themselves 😂😂😂.

[@sag8596]

I don't have the 900. i bought a 24 xsr700, and I absolutely love it. It's plenty fast enough for me

[@ridewithKY]

Awesome man! Glad you are enjoying your 700. That’s a sweet bike. 👊🏽. Goes to show you everybody has a different perspective on what’s fast. Nothing wrong with that! Ride safe.

[@20cent]

How many times we need to cover this. The XSR900 is a MT09. Yes, since gen1 the MT09 is too much for beginners, respect the power and the bike and you'll be fine yadda yadda. Get a proper training anyway if your country somewhat didn't think it was a good idea to make you get a license, and start on a

[@ridewithKY]

They actually aren’t the same. There are a lot of similarities, but mechanically the XSR900 and MT09 are not the same bike… Proper training is always a good idea when participating in any new activity. Yeah everyone is so insecure for buying the bike they actually want. 🙄.

[@drewcunningham2]

In my opinon, any bike with clip-ons and over 70-80 horsepower is too much bike for a beginner rider - This bike has far too aggressive a riding position for an entry rider. Also, this bike puts out close to 120 brake horsepower at just under 900 cc, thus can easily be looped if too aggressive with the throttle - personally, I would never suggest this as a first bike for someone with zero riding experience - this is supersport horsepower folks and will push very hard if asked to !!!......I was an accomplished motocross racer in my early to late teens - tons of riding experience since the age of 8 - I bought a Gixer 600 supersport, my first road bike, in 2001 and damn near killed myself {mind you I was far too overconfident given my background} - I was not used to the aggressive riding position [clips ons] - with clip ons you must learn to lean the bike and counter steer when cornering, rather than simply turning the bars when changing direction...Clip-ons are made for race bikes - more aerodynamic, elbows in close, chest on the tank.. this is counter-intuitive for someone with only bicycle or motorized trail bike riding experience. - Sans clips-ons, it probably wouldn't be much of a problem though still too much power which could hurt if you are not a very cautious person...If a new rider, I would suggest buying something that has more comfortable ergonomics and less power. .I believe the stock model of the XSR does not come with clip-ons?? - this would make it much easier for a beginner rider and more comfortable for long-distance riding ..just my opinion, folks!!I

[@ridewithKY]

Interesting point specifically bringing attention to the clip ons. Thanks for sharing.

[@HabitualFixation]

Xsr 700 yes.

[@ridewithKY]

Ok. Why?

[@HabitualFixation]

@@ridewithKY because some riders will be tempted to use more power than they can handle.

[@ridewithKY]

@HabitualFixation so this couldn’t happen on an XSR700?

[@HabitualFixation]

@@ridewithKY No. They are limited here as a Learner Approved Motorcycle or (LAMS)

[@ridewithKY]

In the context of this video, which is US based. This wouldn’t apply.

[@Hdjdj-p8r]

Robinson Patricia Jackson Joseph Perez Jeffrey

[@yodo6414]

Statistics mean nothing unless the identical skill level, and location are at play, the cp3 is high torque at lowe rpms, unlike a sport bike, bad advice on this vid.. and as long as you set power setting to M mode,,

[@ridewithKY]

And how would you determine identical skill level? So we would need individual data tables for each location a collision occurs? 😂😂😂.

[@xsnipersgox]

You just don’t learn the proper riding skills starting on such a large bike.

[@ridewithKY]

Ok. Explain your position. What does the displacement have to do with developing riding skills? Also, where is your data to back this up?

[@neodurden6793]

Power masks the lack of technique. You rely on power and assistance to keep up instead of skills and understanding motorcycle input. You will progress faster using a tool to its maximum potential before going up a step and so forth. And I will add that you will be more confident on a small bike that feel nimble and light to practice the basics than on a heavier less nimble bike.

[@ridewithKY]

@neodurden6793 keep up with who? We are talking about beginner riders here. The only person they should be keeping up with is themselves.

[@neodurden6793]

​@@ridewithKY Keep up with your learning curve. Don't stop on a word when my main arguments do not imply racing with others.

[@neodurden6793]

​@@ridewithKYSure you can start on a xsr900. It is just not the most efficient and fast way to learn that's all. But you will learn fir sure!

[@chriscardenas5398]

All beginners should start out riding on Dirt bikes before allowed on the streets

[@ridewithKY]

Ok, how would you enforce this?

[@sinakimyu]

The best test of this position is to loan your own 900 to a brand new rider. I’m 36 and started riding last summer. Bought a used 300 and had no issues with traffic and it helped to learn the basics of ACTUALLY riding outside the msf course. And a 300/400/500 keeps you from destroying your new 10k bike with one unfortunate whiskey throttle. Buy a used small displacement bike. You can often sell it for the same price you bought it for (or close) a year later when you have gotten used to the more nuanced parts of riding. Take that money and put it towards the second bike, of which an XSR900 is great for. XSR900as a first bike is beyond stupid.

[@ridewithKY]

I’m very glad you mentioned this. I did you one better. I loaned both my Panigale V2 and my RSV4 to a beginner rider. Both of those bikes are way faster than an XSR900. Guess what? They were returned safely. Would I loan my bikes to any beginner rider? No. It is all dependent on the individual rider. The beginner rider I loaned my bikes to is very responsible and has advanced knowledge of auto racing. That’s the caveat. Sorry man, your I got you moment didn’t work out. 😂. I had a 400cc motorcycle. If the flow of traffic is 85+ mph. You will be placed in dangerous situations. Again, doesn’t mean that is everyone’s situation. It is all dependent on the individual. Your situation with the used 300 worked out for you and that’s fantastic. Not everybody has the knowledge to find and purchase a good used motorcycle. Not everybody is you. You have that old FUDD mentality. “It worked for me, so it’ll work for everybody else.”

[@sinakimyu]

@@ridewithKY no, you’re “gotcha” moment is flawed. In the grand scheme of things, almost no one has advanced knowledge of auto racing. On top of that your beginner stages shouldn’t be taking place on the interstate where traffic can flow 85+. The interstate is a bad place for a new rider. The fact that you only loaned your fast bikes to “advanced” drivers shows that your wrong from the get go. What you’re doing is telling new riders that practicing the fundamentals doesn’t matter and you should immediately go get a bike with a power/weight ratio of a hellcat with none of the safety features. Not to mention the fact that everyone at some point will drop their bike and it’s way more likely to happen when you’re new. Better to drop a cheap 400 than a 10k 900. TLDR almost zero new riders should be on a 100+ hp bike and you’re stupid if you suggest otherwise

[@ridewithKY]

Jesus… I passed your arbitrary test. Yet you continue to argue. 😂. The person I loaned the bikes to had been riding for 3 months.

[@sinakimyu]

@@ridewithKY you didn’t though. You added qualifiers 1) advanced knowledge of auto racing 2) been riding 3 months. Actual experts suggest starting small for most people and a little bigger for more mature riders. They do this for a few reasons that I already said (you’re gonna drop it at some point, cheaper starting/repair/insurance costs) Someone that’s mature enough to not think themselves invincible can get away with bigger twins (mt07/xsr700/ninja650 etc) but for a new rider it’s never beneficial to start big. Plenty of people have started on high HP bikes and lived and eventually get decent at riding but a large enough number of them end up destroying their first bike or hurting themselves to ignore it too. New riders make more mistakes, panic more etc. You do all the mental gymnastics all you want but you’re still wrong. You said yourself you wouldn’t toss the keys to your bikes to just any new rider…only the one with racing knowledge and 3 months experience.

[@ridewithKY]

You didn’t watch the video did you? 😂. Just admit it man. You tried to present a test to me that you thought would be responded to in the negative. Now that I’ve passed your arbitrary test you revert to making ridiculous statements like “almost nobody has advanced knowledge of auto racing” in order to cope with the fact that you tried to own me but ended up owning yourself. 😂. Just by your response I know you didn’t actually watch the video, instead you jumped to conclusions.

[@kangacrew540]

I think america is like playing GTA. Anything goes. 😂😂. No point saying you cant because from what i gather you can start with a superbike from day one. Id be taking about the dangers of going fast without the skills. Motojitsu seems to encourage speed but highlights the dum things people do. Sadly it be too late for some young punk to go up the hills for a ride and going too wide from too much speed and the paramedics scraping you off the road. A smaller capacity reduces risk but dosnt prevent risk 😂 Usally its the kids that have good jobs are good to there mother but just love thrills as we all do. God bless America, and thanks for coming. 😅😅 Ive subcribed.

[@AgisPetikides]

“A responsible rider” This is just fantasy. It is well known that in the learning curve there is a phase where the rider’s perception of his skill is much higher that his actual ability. Will it be a month of riding easy? Depends.. But it is an almost certainty that the time will come that the rider will feel confident to crank the xsr and when this happens the rider will be out of his/hers depth in a flash and this will be a very risky situation.

[@ridewithKY]

It’s a clue whenever somebody speaks in absolutes... Responsible rider has nothing to do with the bike you are on. You are either responsible or you are not, regardless of what machine you are piloting. Since I never wadded up my liter bikes, guess I’m a fantasy. 😂.

[@langhamp8912]

I would agree. The fine motor skills just aren't there yet to safely handle bike inputs. For instance, the throttle response between mode 4 and mode 1 is tremendous; in mode 4 you can wiggle the throttle all you want or even completely open it and not much happens. In the city I use mode 4 as it's so easy to make very tight turns and u-turns. But in mode 1, the throttle is quite difficult because little movements have huge consequences. So being a reasonable rider is a somewhat irrelevant term if the reasonable rider doesn't have good enough motor movement to not whiskey throttle his bike.

[@ridewithKY]

@langhamp8912 in mode 4 you definitely can’t completely open the throttle and have nothing happen. 😂. Again it goes back to if you are a new rider and you know your skill level is low, why are you opening the throttle 100% in any mode? Just not a smart thing to do.

[@langhamp8912]

​@@ridewithKY My particular '22 XSR900 in mode 4 feels like a weak 400cc. Like 50 to 65 hp? I personally use mode 3 and mode 4 the most even though I have a lot of trackdays and have owned far more powerful motorcycles. The XSR900 is just a lot of fun on twisty roads and beginner/slow trackdays where you can completely open the throttle and bang through the first four gears with thrills but not a lot of danger. I don't think new riders mean to open the throttle 100%. I think they just messed up on the inputs, especially easy to do when the front brake lever and the throttle is the same hand. And beginners often straight-arm their handlebars, so when they accelerate they whiskey throttle the bike.

[@ridewithKY]

@langchamp8912 I don’t know what the actual horsepower figure is on mode 4 but it’s probably more than 65. Regardless even if it is 65 hp, if you open that throttle all the way it’s going to do a lot more than hardly anything. New rider or not, if you have so poor motor skills that you accidentally open the throttle 100%, you probably shouldn’t be riding any motorcycle period. You probably shouldn’t even be driving a car at that point. It’s not that hard to not do dumb stuff on a motorcycle. It’s a matter of making the right decisions.

[@philipjcummins1181]

100+ horsepower is definitely too much for a beginner.

[@ridewithKY]

Explain your position. The guy in this video is a good example of why you are wrong.

[@2twolow]

I couldn't disagree with you more. The reason half the fatalities are above 1000cc is because there is more of them on the road. if you are a new rider, please for the love of God don't listen to this video. He has no idea what he's talking about. The xsr900 is extremely powerful for a beginner. I've owned 15 bikes including liter bikes. This bike is every bit as dangerous as a s1000rr to a new rider. Just get a xsr700 and learn how to ride. This guy is gonna get someone killed.

[@ridewithKY]

That's not why. There is no correlation between the displacement being over 1000cc's and being more likely to cause a fatality, it's just what the data says. So if you are on an XSR700, you are somehow immune to stupidity? But on an XSR900 suddenly that stupidity becomes a reality? It's simple, don't do dumb stuff on any bike and you will be fine, regardless of displacement. If you don't trust yourself on certain types of bikes, you probably shouldn't be riding in the first place. The issue highlighted here is not just present in the motorcycle community, but other communities as well. Instead of looking inward, we place blame on an inanimate object. Your last comment says it all: “this guy is gonna get someone killed”. In that statement you’ve removed all responsibility from the rider. If you are doing dumb stuff on your bike and you hurt yourself; YOU are responsible for that, not anyone else.

[@2twolow]

@@ridewithKY some new rider is gonna use this video to justify something like an xsr900. They're gonna run in too hot in a corner and head on a truck. It's too much. What an responsible video. Not all new riders are responsible. You should never start on a 117bhp sport bike. Absolutely insane.

[@2twolow]

@@ridewithKY also a xsr700 or ninja 400 (almost all beginner bikes) have plenty of passing power. You don't need to drop a gear. You obviously have never ridden a beginner bike.

[@ridewithKY]

So you can't run too hot into a corner on an XSR700? Stop blaming an inanimate object for human flaws. "You obviously have never ridden a beginner bike." Doesn't surprise me you have made an assumption like this when taking into account your past statements. I've put plenty of miles on a 400 (check some of my older videos) and at least in the USA, it definitely doesn't have plenty of passing power. Flow of traffic in the USA and especially California is 80-90 mph. You aren't easily passing anyone at those speeds on a 400.

[@msromike123]

@@2twolow If they are not responsible in the first place, perhaps buying a motorcycle is not the placer to learn it. If they are not responsible on a Ninja 500 they won't be responsible on anything else.

[@TalonTSI95]

#rainmode

[@ridewithKY]

Haha there is that too.

[@jshumphress13]

Cool bike. Bad idea. Don’t get this as your first bike.

[@ridewithKY]

Ok. Why?

[@langhamp8912]

My take is that most of these bikes...Ninja 400, XSR900, etc...are terrible beginner bikes. Countries that have a tiered motorcycle licensing system (I grew up in one) require that you first start on low horsepower bikes or even scooters. And Western Europe's death rate is about 1/5 of that of the US, so there is something in that system that works. When I was last in Germany about 8 years ago, all the motorcyclists I saw seemed to have really good low-speed handling skills...about as good as mine who also needed to go through the same tiered system. Americans are all over the place with it comes to low-speed handling skills. Some are good but most are terrible. I would argue that if you are indeed a new motorcycle rider, then perhaps a scooter for the first couple of years would teach you a lot of how to handle these vehicles in a fairly safe low-speed environment. I rode in a scooter gang for like 4 years before getting a "real" bike, and that experience helped me tremendously. Seat time counts for a lot, and that fine motor control necessary to ride a bike only comes with a lot of hours (at first). And low-speed handling skills translate really well into all other aspects of one's riding. I would also argue that the XSR900 is a "sportbike lite" in the sense that while it doesn't make the monster HP of a liter bike and doesn't look faired like a sportbike, it still has the engine and the components of a sportbike. Thus, a responsible rider isn't really riding this bike fast on the street, but rather he buys it in order to enjoy trackdays or perhaps even race it. It's a fast enough bike in the sense that it can only be really enjoyed on the track. Indeed, that's my reason for my last two bike purchases (a Suzuki GSXS1000F and the current XSR900); mostly slow-speed urban commuting with the occasional trackday thrown in. Most countries don't want their young males crashing in huge numbers on motorcycles which is why they have tiered systems. It's a good sensible system but, notably, the US doesn't do it this way. Oh sure, some states might have mandatory AMA/MSF training, and Pennsylvania one ups everyone by having free or cheap trackdays for their in-state residents (basically subsidized trackdays), but for the most part any rider can purchase and ride any bike once he turns 18.

[@ridewithKY]

I’ve looked at studies related to the US traffic deaths vs Europe and there’s a lot of nuance to it beyond the licensing restrictions. Some of those nuances include Americans drive a lot more than Europeans (especially in short distances), Americans rank very low for seat belt use and helmet use, but rank very high in impaired driving compared to Europe. It’s not clear that the type of vehicle has anything to do with the death rate. I’ve looked at this extensively because of my profession. I’m not saying you are wrong, I’m saying there is a lot of nuance to such a complicated subject. For example, there was an NSC data collection that found 84.3% of fatal motorcycle collisions occurred during clear weather and only 2% occurred during rainy weather. Does that mean it’s safer to ride during the rain? Of course not, there are multiple caveats there.

[@langhamp8912]

@@ridewithKY I'm somewhat biased because I see the world through the prism of New Urbanism, but a lot of traffic wrecks can be characterized by how US drivers overwhelmingly prefer very large vehicles with enormous hoods driving along a stroad. Most US wrecks occur on stroads, and mega-cars over overrepresented in these wrecks, and the US is somewhat unique in its extensive usage of stroads. If you look at most of KZbin motorcycle wrecks, then you'll notice about 85% of them occur on stroads regardless of type of vehicle involved. So while it's understandable to give a lot of weight to both rider experience, rider decisions, and vehicle type, I would also argue that stroad usage is the biggest factor to wrecking. You could almost perfectly predict a car/bike/pedestrian wreck by simply drawing a line from the victim's home to the nearest stroad.

[@ridewithKY]

You are using a lot of anecdotes here instead of actual data. Where is the data to suggest the size of the vehicle clearly influences the fatality rate? If Americans prefer large vehicles then wouldn’t the collision be with another large vehicle? The 85% number you state in your KZbin reference. Where did that number come from? Again, not saying you are wrong, but you aren’t using data. You are using anecdotes.

[@langhamp8912]

@@ridewithKY KZbin forbids any linking or posting of evidence...thus claims are entirely dependent upon the person refuting the claim (the opposite of science, by the way). It makes 100% of KZbin claims anecdotal, because no claim can ever be linked to any source. Thus, I will simply concur that you're right on all points (and all future points) because I can never prove otherwise.

[@ridewithKY]

KZbin definitely doesn’t forbid that… but ok. LOL. We went from anecdotes to just making up stuff. It’s okay to admit when you are wrong. 😂.

[@2twolow]

Well that settles it guys. A ninja h2 is a beginner bike according to this guy. It's a 1000 cc and can be ridden at normal speeds. By this clowns logic, it's perfectly safe for any new rider to ride on.

[@ridewithKY]

Funny you leave a comment, I respond refuting all of your points, and then instead of responding to my response, you start a whole new comment chain to separate yourself from your original comments. In your prior comments you've indicated an XSR900 is functionally no different than an S1000RR for a beginner; while in the same breath suggesting an XSR700 is a great "beginner bike". The reality is an XSR700 is a lot closer to an XSR900 than an XSR900 is to an S1000RR. So even your own example proves your prior statements incorrect. You can ride an H2 as a beginner as long as you physically can manipulate that bike. H2's are heavy. The power level has nothing to do with it. You want to place blame on an inanimate object, instead of placing responsibility on the rider. Don't take it from me, read the rest of the comments here... It's funny that I'm a clown yet you refuse to respond to any of my refutation of your asinine comments.

[@msromike123]

You did display that the trend towards rudeness has become normal. Regardless, there is no excuse for being ill-mannered. It is a choice.

[@2twolow]

​@ridewithKY yeah I'm not going to argue with an idiot. I'm old enough to know how pointless that is. I hope you don't influence some new rider to kill themselves. You truly are despicable.

[@ridewithKY]

@@msromike123 Yup. It's always a tell when the person resorts to personal attacks and insults. If you had the facts and had a solid argument, you wouldn't need personal attacks to support your point.

[@ridewithKY]

@2twolow you are that kid who played hide and seek; and would claim you weren’t playing when you got discovered immediately. 😂. You refuse to address any of my data points or statements. Instead you either create a whole new comment thread to distance yourself from my responses or resort to name calling. If you had a solid argument you wouldn’t need to resort to name calling and personal attacks. You are obviously young and nieve as you point the finger at everyone and every thing, but the rider.

[@monawoka97]

I can save you 23 minutes - absolutely not.

[@ridewithKY]

Ok. Explain your position.

[@monawoka97]

@@ridewithKY 117 horsepower before you even understand counter steering? What more is there to say. You'll reply "I know x person who started on a 900 and they were fine!". Sure, they got lucky. That's it. They got lucky. It wasn't a good beginner bike. It wasn't a good choice. They took a risk and thankfully didn't pay the cost of it. That doesn't mean it wasn't a risk. You are at a radically higher risk of a fatality in your first six months of riding. Get something with 40 horsepower and give yourself some time to learn. Also, it's a HUGE disservice to go around convincing people you need 100+ hp to have fun on two wheels. A "beginner bike" is still a fun motorcycle. And it's not a financial burden. You can buy one used and sell it used and barely lose any money in-between all while saving a bucket on insurance and reducing your risk of dying while you learn this new hobby. I'm just sick of all these youtubers coming out with radically more clickbait videos pushing the envelope on what they can claim is a "viable beginner bike". You occupy a public platform. You influence people. Any moron 18 year old can hear something like this, finance a mt09-sp tomorrow from a dealer, and go wide at 140 on a freeway corner and become a statistic. Ffs.

[@ridewithKY]

So after a certain amount of horsepower, it hinders you from counter steering? I’m not using anecdotes here, I cited resources and studies which show there is no clear correlation. Doesn’t mean there isn’t nuance there like with any study, but the numbers are the numbers. I had a 40 hp bike and it wasn’t my first bike. It wasn’t fun. Doesn’t mean it won’t be fun for everyone, as every rider is different. If you’ve had some fast cars, a 40 hp motorcycle typically isn’t going to be that exciting. You are speaking in absolutes here when discussing a very complicated topic. A beginner can also buy a used ninja 400 in poor mechanical condition because they didn’t know what they were looking at. Then jump on the freeway and do 105 mph with 19 psi of air in their tires. In that scenario they would also become a statistic. In your example and mine, it goes back to the rider making poor decisions. These bikes don’t go 140 mph on their own.

[@monawoka97]

@@ridewithKY I didn't say horsepower stops counter steering. But it sure as shit becomes important to actually understand how to steer a motorcycle when you can go from 40-100 in 2 seconds with a twist of your wrist. As it happens beginners are, indeed, still learning how to steer. That's why they're beginners, dude. They don't understand the most basic stuff. They're getting down the simplest forms of muscle memory for controlling these machines. You're setting people up for failure. The last thing a total beginner needs when trying to remember which lever is the front brake is to accidently loop the bike because they didn't practice perfect throttle discipline and aren't used to leaning forward when the power comes on. And sure, maybe you think 40hp is boring. I guarantee most beginners are fucking thrilled just to be on two wheels and are already experiencing a power to weight ratio that smokes 90% of cars. But if you absolutely need a 2.8 second 0-60 just to stay awake and have no respect for taking the time necessary to learn a complex skill like riding a motorcycle then you sound like the type of person who just isn't responsible enough for this and should stick to 4 wheels.

[@ridewithKY]

@monawoka97 if you are a beginner then why are you going from 40-100 in 2 seconds? That’s poor decision making and has nothing to do with the machine. A 40hp motorcycle will definitely not smoke 90% of cars out there. Not sure if that last statement about not being responsible to even operate a vehicle with 4 wheels was necessarily directed at me. If it was I can tell you I’ve had some very fast cars and motorcycles. Never wadded em up because I acted responsibly. I am in no way a perfect person, but being responsible can take you a long ways when piloting high performance machines. Sorry man, you are wrong.

[@johnlocke3481]

They made it ugly, for no f@cking reason 😂

[@Roy-cm1bh]

I’m test riding one this Friday at my Yamaha dealership with a chance to win one, I don’t win anything so will have to pay for it as usual. I was in two minds as a yes or no for this bike as it will be my first big bike coming off a 125. I would like to think I’m sensible and cautious enough to ride this. The XSR 900, I like the ride modes and I’ll keep it the softest mode and use that wheelie control so I don’t lift off the ground. I think you swayed me more towards it. This will make you laugh, I was at a Kawasaki dealer today and told they don’t do test rides and I can watch videos to get an idea of rider position, how the bike feels from other’s experiences and was told many people buy bikes without trying them, well, glad to say I went and booked up my test ride with Yamaha 😂 The Z900 was a contender but doesn’t have all the funky toys the XSR has. Great vid, thanks 👍🍻

[@ridewithKY]

Your first sentence 😂😂😂. You know yourself best. Just be cautious as you would with any motorcycle and you will be fine. The key is recognizing that risk and acting accordingly. Haha, lame about the Kawasaki dealer. But their loss as it sounds like they lost a sale because of their policy. I think you’ll be happier on the XSR anyways. So much more modern feeling than a Z900. Those Z900’s will say 2024 model year but when you throw a leg over it, feels like 2005. Enjoy that XSR when you get it. If there’s anything I can help with let me know!

[@Roy-cm1bh]

Hi, just went for my test ride on the demo, had them set it in no wheelie mode and the next one up from rain mode. Lovely bike, I rode it for 30 mins in varying conditions, solid traffic, slow moving traffic and a bit of highway, the slipper clutch, what a fab thing! It was very nice ride, I nearly slammed into a parked van doing a U turn as turning circle was a little tight but that was fine as my cautious side kicked in and took it very easy. In terms of the riding position, I found myself clamping myself to the tank with my knees and the slightly forward position of the bars made me put my weight into my hands and they started to ache a little. I did think if could you put risers on the bars and bring a touch back so I’ll be more on my backside than my hands on the grips, maybe it’s my riding style that needs to be adjusted, I don’t know, I am 5’8’ but use to a scrambler with mid controls. The other thing that got me a few times were the riders foot pegs I slammed into when putting a foot down and up but that was probably just me, pilot error. I did sit on a XSR 700 which obviously seemed smaller but I didn’t take that out. They asked if I wanted to try an MT 09 but that would be stolen or I’ll get robbed of it where I live lol. Even before talking numbers, I’m thinking of all the upgrades I want , full exhaust system, maybe a bigger front fairing and rear cowl….then I saw Velocity Moto body kits with full fairing to make it look like an RD500 LC replica lol….I know, running before I can walk lol. I’ve got a Triumph Bonneville T120 and Bobber to test ride next week as I need to at least try and get that out the way rather than immediately purchasing the XSR. Also the Yamaha dealer is a grand more than most and not budging on the price, so I might have to go elsewhere unfortunately as the dealer where I did the test rides is very close to me…. Thanks for your input and the replies to others as good valuable owner’s knowledge given here. All the best 👍888

[@ridewithKY]

Glad you got to take that XSR out for a spin. Sounds like all issues that can eventually be overcome after you get used to the bike. You are doing the right thing by test riding many different bikes. You don’t know what you are going to like until you’ve had a good sampling. Thinking ahead for your upgrades is a good idea really. You need to factor in total cost for the project. Most prospective buyers look at just the MSRP, and don’t dive into the insurance rates, desired upgrades, maintenance costs (can you do the maintenance on the particular bike yourself or not?). Cheers man, good luck with your continued search for the bike you really want. 👊🏽.