Youngster with cubes!

[VladTepes]

Yes, well that would certainly be the appropriate thing to do if he does a for sale post, and for Jed to ask for if he's considering a trade.

[GSXJed]

Definitely seems like the right way to go and Barmy definitely does have a point there! Let's hope it looks well!

[Timothy Spencer]

I have to say that I cannot agree that a 14 would be a good first big bike. A good few miles on a machine like a 600/650 Bandit would be a far better bet.
My reasons -
Not the power. In bike terms the 14 is not that powerful. Torque is the problem in that it can overwhelm the rear tyre very easily. In the wet it is a delicate balancing act if you are not just going to totter along daring not to lean it over.
Weight - problem at low speed and just moving around engine off. Not being used to handling it is likely to result in droppages which can be expensive to repair. The weight plus the torque are a potential problem in the twisties.
Set up - I know guys who have been riding for years that still do not understand how to set up a bike suspension to change the way it handles. The 14 has adjustable spring rates, adjustable rebound damping and adjustable compression damping at front and rear. Many none sport style bikes don't have that amount of adjustability. On standard settings the 14 really does not handle very well at all and will try to drop into bend at low speed and run wide at higher speeds. This can be dialled out with the stock suspension by changing the settings IF you know how to do it.
Control - to ride a 14 well and safely you have to be able to use deliberate counter steering, understand trail braking into bends, know how to balance front and rear brake pressure, blip and down change while braking at the same time. These along with many other skills only come with experience and they are not taught on lessons or in the main even tested.

Ok I am old school and have been riding on the road for 40 years. I was taught by my Dad who was a very experienced rider. "In those days" economics meant that you had to progress slowly and I was typical in that I started on a 50 (unrestricted in "those days") then a 125cc and on to a 200cc which I took my test on. Next was a 400cc - up to this point those bikes were my everyday transport as well as fun and I clocked up 12000 miles a year for 4 years. After that there was a 600 then a 900 and then a mix around those sizes but usually then only for pleasure. For me the current UK restrictions on engine size are trying to recreate a bit of this but not quite going far enough because if they were the 14 would not be in your reach for a bit longer.

Really hope it all goes well for you and I love to hear about "youngsters" getting into bikes.

[moshiach]

I was riding Goldwings at 23 and Harley's (daily) at 24. I'm now 33 and have two GSX1400's.

Age doesn't mean shit in my opinion. Mentality, skill, confidence and to a lesser extent, strength make the difference

[Mick_J]

Money kept me off big bikes when I was younger, not the size of the bike.  Buying, running and insuring bikes is expensive when you are just starting out, unless you have access to the bank of mum and dad, I didn't.