I learned to ride on a sportster 1200 screamin eagle pipes, screamin eagle jet kit, K&N filter.. bassically rawked the fawk out. It was quick... then my first bike was a Gixxer 600. I'm wanting a 1000 now but still content with the 600 besides the fact of it being in the shop right now.. bassically my opinion... a bike is only as fast as you twist that throttle...