Is a 1100CC Motorcycle Too Much for a Beginner? (A Quick Guide)

The engine size of motorcycles is one of the commonly used ways to categorize them. A lot of people use the size of the motorcycle’s engine as a way to determine what the capabilities of the motorcycle are.

This can be particularly important when it comes to beginner riders looking to get their first motorcycle.

Is 1100cc too much for a beginner? A 1100cc motorcycle is too much for a beginner. Most 1100cc sportbikes will be very powerful and difficult to handle for new riders. In contrast, 1100cc cruisers will be slower and easier to handle, but they can be large and heavy for beginner riders.

The cc of the motorcycle cannot give us the whole picture, though.

There are a lot of caveats and tiny little details that should be understood and considered first.

---

---

Is a 1100cc motorcycle too much for a beginner?

Generally, a 1100cc motorcycle can be too much for a beginner to handle. Depending on the motorcycle, a 1100cc motorcycle can be either too fast or too heavy, which can put a new rider at risk.

There are some common recommendations as to what cc motorcycle beginners should start on, but let’s take a quick look here. To make things a little simpler, when we are discussing engine size, and for the sake of simplicity, we can put motorcycles into three very broad categories; sportbikes, adventure and cruisers.

1100cc Sportbikes

Street motorcycles with 250cc up to 500cc are usually safer choices for beginners. Larger individuals can also start on 650cc v-twins, which are usually really good motorcycles suitable for new riders. A good example is the Suzuki SV650, which is regarded as one of the best 650cc motorcycles out there.

A 1100cc sportbike will be too powerful for new riders. Of course, this does not mean a beginner cannot start on a 1100cc motorcycle. It means that there is a higher likelihood of something going wrong.

As a quick example:

Some 1100cc motorcycles go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. A slight distraction or a mistake and the rider can get in a whole world of trouble.

1100cc Adventure

An adventure bike is a cool new trend, and some people love to go to the nearest Starbucks in their big adventure bikes. But Adventure motorcycles are not only flashy toys, and they can bring you very far in the wild if you know the basics of off-road driving.

1100cc Adventure bike are pretty heavy and stand very high. Most of the riders will be on their toes when the motorcycle is at a stop. Adventure bikes also usually come with tires that are 50/50, meaning that they can do on and off the road. As usual, there is a compromise in those tires, and they are not as good as a street tire on the tarmac.

The power of big adventure bikes varies between 125 HP to close to 170 HP. If you don’t have a good idea of how incredibly overpowering that is for a motorcycle, suffice it to say that they can go up to 250kph.

Lastly, if beginners don’t have good technics and skills on the road, they still have to learn off-road driving techniques. Having a 650-pound adventure bike stuck in the mud will teach you (and the people you will have to bring to unstuck it) that a big adventure bike may look cool near a café, but they are less cool in 3 feet of dirt.

1100cc Cruisers

Cruisers generally have larger engines. But that does not mean they are as powerful and dangerous as similarly sized street motorcycles. Some of Harley’s big 1300cc models only develop 70 to 100 HP, and the position on that motorcycle do not increase speed. If you try to go faster than 100 Kph on a Harley with no windshield, you will understand very fast that this is not the comfortable ride you dream of.

This is why it is not uncommon for beginners to start on 250 to 750cc cruisers.

In fact, many riders spend their whole life on some of these. A good example is the Honda Shadow 750. A motorcycle with plenty of power. It is relatively small and lightweight too.

Taller riders may feel a little cramped on the smaller cruisers, in which case going with a bigger motorcycle can be a good idea.

An 1100cc cruiser is not generally considered a beginner-friendly motorcycle as it can be too much for beginners to handle. These can be pretty heavy, making maneuvering very challenging for new riders, especially at low speeds. That’s exactly where beginner will struggle with big cruiser. Since the motorcycle is quite heavy, a little mistake on a stop of on a slow turn can result in dropping the motorcycle. It’s not that dangerous, but laying down a nice Harley on a stop can cost ups to 1000$.

The problem with 1100cc motorcycles

The biggest problem is that 1100cc sportbikes can be very fast and powerful, and 1100cc cruises can be very heavy and difficult to maneuver at low speeds.

You can expect most 1100cc motorcycles to be capable of reaching top speeds of 100 to 140 mph, with certain superbikes being capable of reaching more than 180 mph.

They also accelerate very quickly, which means that they can put the rider in danger very quickly.

On the other hand, 1100cc cruisers will not be too powerful, but the problem with them is how heavy and difficult to maneuver they can be.

As a new rider, you will have a lot of new information to learn, techniques to master, and factors to pay attention to while in traffic. A heavy motorcycle that you are not used to can make matters harder.

For example, the wet weight of the Honda Shadow 1100 is about 612 lb (277.6 kg). The Yamaha V Star 1100 weighs about 634 lb (288kg).

But there are some lightweight cruisers in the 1100cc range. For example, Honda Rebel 1100 weighs about 491.63 lb (223 kg).

That said, depending on the size of the rider, these heavy motorcycles may not really be a problem.

Key takeaways

There are several things that new riders have to consider, such as:

The most important thing is to pick a bike that you feel comfortable riding.

Usually, the power is not a concern with 1100cc cruisers. The concern is the weight and how good you are at managing it.

It may be worth practicing slow maneuvers on lighter motorcycles before moving on a larger and heavier cruiser.

There are riders that have started on a 1100cc cruiser and Adventure and have done just fine. The good thing about these motorcycles is that it is very unlikely to outgrow them in the foreseeable future.

However, the first bike people buy often not the only bike they buy. I recall have read somewhere that people buy at least 3 models before they found what they like.

Often the first bike is considered a learning bike intended to improve your riding skills. It is not uncommon for beginners to drop a few times their first bike.

And dropping a heavy motorcycle is something to keep in mind. In this case, having engine guars is recommended in the beginning to minimize damage, and potentially make it a bit easier to pick up.

So it is worth considering that it is not always worth getting your dream bike from the very beginning.

When it comes to 1100cc sportbikes and Adventure, they are often regarded as too powerful for new riders. These motorcycles are very fast and respond very quickly too. They do not leave much room for error.

Even some 650cc sportibkes can be too much for beginners. And most 600cc motorcycles are not even recommended for beginners to start on due to their engines.

That said the cc of the bike is just a part of the bigger picture. There are a lot of other factors that should be considered as well such as:

FAQ

What is engine size, and why is it important for choosing a motorcycle?

The engine size, also known as displacement, refers to the volume of the engine’s combustion chamber. It is measured in cubic centimeters (cc) or cubic inches (ci). The engine size is important because it determines the power output and the overall capabilities of the motorcycle. It is a commonly used way to categorize motorcycles, and it can help riders determine what type of bike is suitable for their skill level and riding style.

Is a 1100cc motorcycle too much for a beginner?

Generally, a 1100cc motorcycle can be too much for a beginner to handle, depending on the type of motorcycle and the rider’s physical ability to handle the weight. Sportbikes and adventure bikes with 1100cc engines are generally too powerful for new riders, while cruisers with larger engines can be too heavy and difficult to maneuver at low speeds. It is essential to consider other factors such as the type of riding, personal comfort, and skill level before purchasing a motorcycle.

What type of motorcycle is suitable for beginner riders?

The type of motorcycle suitable for beginner riders depends on several factors, such as the rider’s skill level, physical ability, and riding style. In general, street motorcycles with 250cc up to 500cc are safer choices for beginners. Larger individuals can also start on 650cc v-twins, which are usually good motorcycles suitable for new riders. Cruisers with engine sizes ranging from 250cc to 750cc are also popular among beginner riders. If you want to know more you can read The Best Motorcycle for Beginner: A Complete Guide.

Can a beginner start on a 1100cc cruiser or adventure bike?

While it is possible for a beginner to start on a 1100cc cruiser or adventure bike, it can be challenging due to the weight and power of these motorcycles. Beginner riders may struggle with maneuvering and controlling the bike, especially at low speeds. Starting on a smaller and lighter motorcycle can help new riders develop their skills and gain confidence before moving up to a larger and heavier cruiser.

Is engine size the only factor to consider when choosing a motorcycle?

No, engine size is just one of several factors to consider when choosing a motorcycle. Other factors include the type of riding, personal comfort, skill level, production date, engine type, transmission, horsepower, and model-specific differences such as weight, design, and built quality. It is essential to consider all these factors and choose a bike that fits your needs and abilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the engine size of a motorcycle is an important factor to consider when choosing a bike, especially for beginners. A 1100cc motorcycle can be too much for a beginner, depending on the type of bike and the rider’s physical ability to handle the weight. Sportbikes and adventure bikes with 1100cc engines are generally too powerful for new riders, while cruisers with larger engines can be too heavy and difficult to maneuver at low speeds. It is essential to consider other factors such as the type of riding, personal comfort, and skill level before purchasing a motorcycle. Starting on a smaller and lighter bike can be a good way to develop riding skills and gain confidence before moving up to a larger and heavier cruiser. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose a bike that you feel comfortable riding and fits your needs and abilities.