answer this question with a do or dont

[TZ300]

this september i am going to hopefully get an 200-2001 yamaha r6 this will be my frist sport bike yet i have ridin bikes such as dirt bikes n the like before.

question is:

do you think i should start with something a little (slower) or just get the r6 2000-2001 and just ride it slowly the first few months till i get the hang of it?


i really dont wanna get a slow bike then feel like i should have gotten the r6

[mrhello]

"do you think i should start with something a little (slower) or just get the r6 2000-2001 and just ride it slowly the first few months till i get the hang of it? "

There really arent bikes much slower than a r6, in the sense that most bikes are quick and can be just as dangerous ( nobody respond and say" hey the r6 is the fassess you dumbfoo, its the best bike ever, I know its a great bike). f3, f2, fzr, yzf, etc. They are all basically as quick. Some bikes are a 1/4 second faster in the quarter, or has 5 mph top speed. Doesnt really mean much.

What the problem is with getting a new bad bike is the ego factor. With the new r6 or gsxr600 or what have you, people often feel they have to live up to the superbike phenomena. They have to show off on the bike, try to wheelie, show their buddies theyre fast, etc.

Maybe on a used older beatup bike, you wont feel this need to prove your bad, or as much at least.
Maybe not, it is really up to you and what you think you can handle. Go WFO throttle on a r6 or a f2 and you cant control it, well it is going to hurt you on either bike.


"i really dont wanna get a slow bike then feel like i should have gotten the r6"

Another fact, the r6 is not the best and only bike in the world. Dont limit yourself to one bike. The 6r and f4 are great bikes as well.In fact, try another beater bike, and then move up to the r6. You have a long life to live, who says you have to get the r6 now? Try out different bikes, find a good deal on a used older sport bike or standard, and just sell it later, and get the r6.

Thats just an option, if your heart is set on the r6 and nothing else will do, get what you want. If you want more experience and to learn more about bikes and try different kinds out; start with something different and work your way around to the bike of your dreams. Chances are you will find a few other bikes you like.

[Mike]

I had my mind set that I wanted a CBR600 F4i...but then I decided that a used bike would be best for me. Just about every rider will fall sometime...who wants to buy a new bike to learn on? I would hate to dump a brand new bike. A used bike will be cheaper on insurance too,which is a good thing when you are only 18 like me! If you end up gettin the R6...just make sure you chill on it till you possess more skills. ANY new 600cc Sport bike is made for RACING...not learning to ride. I know that I will probably never be able to hit my bikes full potential,but thats ok.I dont ride it for that.

[afmsquid]

It depends on how much actual experience you have on bikes. If you ride an R6 and are taking corners like a grandma, then people will see you as a squid. The R6 probably has the most aggressive steering geometry of all bikes besides the Honda NSR's. They are NOT meant for beginners, and are not very forgiving if you make a mistake. For first time riders, I always recommend something used with a less aggressive steering geometry, and riding courses. The CBR F2 is probably the best all around bike ever made, and it kicks serious @ss in the canyons.

[mrhello]

Not to disagree with you afm squid, because I do think that newriders do not belong on new top of the line sportbikes.

But as for the steering geometry the r6 is not more agressive than the other crops of 600s. The cbr f4 and 2000 gsxr600 have a rake of 24 degrees,and only a trail of .6 inches longer (though the above tree clip ons of the f4 make it much more comfortable). The 2000 gsxr even has lower clip ons with the same amount of rake. the 01 gsxr has clip ons 1 1/2 inches lower than the r6, even more agressive and uncomfortable. My whole point is that the geometry of the r6 is agressive, but only with a slightly longer trail that facilitates quick turn in, but it is not more so than a few of th other bikes and not only similiar to the nsr. I do know a FEW guys that started on the r6 and are good riders. I do know a few guys that started on f2/f3's that are horrible and riders, and consequently dont ride anymore.

But, I wholeheartedly agree with AFM SQUID, new riders do not belong on brane new cutting edge sportbikes. But, alot of times it is really hard to convince new riders otherwise, they just feel they HAVE to be on the latet and greatest.

[Coil]

In my opinion, the best beginner bike of all time would have to be a Honda Hawk GT. For these reasons:

- Not too much horsepower, but enough to get up and go.
- Cheap to buy.
- Cheap on Insurance.
- No expensive fairings to crack or break.
- Decent looks.

With a Hawk, you definitely need to learn how to RIDE. With my little hawk, I can pass guys on GSXRs and TL1000s without a problem because I learned the dynamics of riding before I moved up to a faster bike.

[HyperMKIV]

i really like the hawk...i bought one for my ex a long time ago to teach her how to ride. most ppl won't like the looks of the bike...but ours had RC30 fairings, clip ons, braided lines and a 2 bros exh system. the bike was kick ass. and i kno of a lot of guys with hawks that will kick the crap outta most of the riders on the street...

i've been looking at the new suzuki SV650...after attending a trackday on monday and being passed by a friend on an SV650 (races it at the AFM races)...i'm looking into this bike as a track bike. most guys won't like the way it looks cause they want the real sporty looking bikes...but from what i hear, the SV kicks butt with some minor mods...and it's a great beginner bike too...

[sweet600r]

Its really up to you to decide on a R-6. It really is less forgiving and I know i because I race bikes and hear stories from other racers who road race with AFM. Well Im not saying dont get the bike that you want, Im saying it really depend on your ability to handle the bike and really know the basics fundamental of it. Iike me I race bikes with AFM. Well I was the same way as you and, I thought and got me a 97 ex500 and belive me I kicked @@@ on it and I dropped it to about three times, it was my first bike and throuhg that learned a lot and i was glad that I didn't buy a Nice bike to be comfortable with it or learn on it. Well Im 19 and couples months ago somebody cut me off on on backroads and I went down hard, thank god Im still here. But the bike was total and glad its wasn't a nice bike. Well be honest with you Im still recovering and life goes on so it really doesnt matter what bike you want, it comes down to ur riding abilities. Belive me there are people with 250cc bike that kicked my @@@ plus others.

hope I was helpful
Take CAre and good luck
God bless You

[mrhello]

sweet600r, what class do you race in AFM?

what abot you AFMSQUID, what class?

[XR]

r6's are cool. the styling is dope. just get somethin you can ride and are comforatable with.

-payce


to hypermkiv: if your sig is honest, damn, you got some dope vehicles.

[HyperMKIV]

Originally posted by XR
r6's are cool. the styling is dope. just get somethin you can ride and are comforatable with.

-payce


to hypermkiv: if your sig is honest, damn, you got some dope vehicles.

yup...it is honest...a few guys here know me (not a lot) and know what i have. but a car does not make the man...so it doesn't really mean anything...it just means that i have no more money...it's all in my toys... :(

oh...by the way...i'm in the bay area too...