[orange636]

WOW, I am way in the minority here. Let me start by saying I bought my '04 636 this past spring as my first two-wheeled, engine-powered vehicle ever. I had probably been on buddies' dirtbikes for a combined time of two hours my whole life prior to this purchase. Jump forward to the end of this season, my first. Yes, I told myself before I got the bike that I would be responsible and, no, I didn't quite do that and, yes, there were a few near-death experiences this summer. But in the end it's all about the experience. I'll never try to pass my buddy's car on a narrow backroad, so far in the oncoming lane that my front-end pops off a sewer grate (yes, the ones on the side of the road), put the bars down crooked, and get such bad tank-slappers that my veering causes my buddy to almost hit me before I finally am able to regain control. And, no, I'll never try to corner like I'm a MotoGP racer without letting my tires adequately warm up. I could continue on and on about the many things I've learned to do and not to do this past summer. I don't think it has anything to do with engine size, horsepower, or bike when it comes to noobs and new bikes. But it has everything to do with maturity and responsibility. It's easy for me to look back now and say, "Hell yes, I survived my first season, anybody can do it." But I did my fair share of stupid **** and learned very quickly from it without any negative outcomes (thank God). With enough discipline, I think a noob could start on a 14. But it all goes back to how responsible and mature the rider is, not how big the bike is.