hey new to bikes

On a zx-6r? Yes. As to how, thats not something you can just go out to your garage with a manual and some tools and do if you want the bike to handle correctly. Dialing in a bike takes a combination of a person who knows the ins and outs of suspension setup, a rider capable of finding faults and giving feedback to said person, and a location to be able to run the bike in the manner necessary to find those shortcomings - preferably a race track. What you CAN do is set the sag to your correct weight. This is a very simple procedure that you can find guides on all over the internet. Just make sure that you write down all current settings before touching anything.

Dialing in a bike for performance riding is also not something that is going to be practical for the average rider. The standard japanese rider model is about 150lbs if I remember correctly, which is too light for most of us Americans. This means that the bike is likely too plush for you right out of the box. Rebound and compression is also set more toward the guy thats commuting to work every day, and not the guy thats out to turn lap records on a race track. Considering that you're brand new to riding, I would recommend setting the sag and then leaving the bike alone. If some day you decide to start doing track days, or discover symptoms of bad setup on your own, THEN address those issues.

It seems to me one can trail brake much further and later on a self-stabalised 4 wheel auto

Are you sure you mean trail braking? Trail braking can be done all the way to the apex on a bike just like it can in a car, but trail braking isn't directly related to stopping distance. It's a situational technique, and it's purpose isn't to slow the vehicle down to the turn in point speed, which is what we're talking about when we discuss braking ability for a vehicle. Trail braking relates to traction available via suspension load.

Unless your 99 lbs you will be disappointed. You won't be beating those cars off the line if you have any weight. I bought a new 97 Ninja and was greatly disappointed. The Ninja 500 is a good starter bike. Also you really should take a safty class and get a couple days of class work and a couple days of course riding. Well worth the money and will maybe even save your life. Recently one of the safest motorcycle riders and a well respected trainer died April 8th by hitting a deer. Take any course and proper training you can get.

there is a 1988 Katana 600 where i like for $2400. it's a good price but is it too much bike for me.
depends how big you are...

I have no bike experience at ALL, havent even ridden a bicycle in at least 10 years... Never driven a car faster than a b16 civic...

The other day I hopped on my friends 2005 750cc bike... I cruised around town for about a half hour, never stalled it, never got even CLOSE to laying it down. Got up to about 90 then backed off because I got scared :p

depends how big you are...

I have no bike experience at ALL, havent even ridden a bicycle in at least 10 years... Never driven a car faster than a b16 civic...

The other day I hopped on my friends 2005 750cc bike... I cruised around town for about a half hour, never stalled it, never got even CLOSE to laying it down. Got up to about 90 then backed off because I got scared :p

Are you implying that because you spent 30 minutes on a bike without crashing that it's an appropriate beginner bike?

Even the worst of riders can usually manage when things go as expected. It's when things don't go according to plan that experience level becomes painfully evident. Riding a bike not suitable to the riders experience level amplifies and increases the frequency of those scenarios. Too often those scenarios maim or kill inexperienced riders.

depends how big you are...

I have no bike experience at ALL, havent even ridden a bicycle in at least 10 years... Never driven a car faster than a b16 civic...

The other day I hopped on my friends 2005 750cc bike... I cruised around town for about a half hour, never stalled it, never got even CLOSE to laying it down. Got up to about 90 then backed off because I got scared :p



This is the most uninformed post I've read in a while.

Are you implying that because you spent 30 minutes on a bike without crashing that it's an appropriate beginner bike?

Even the worst of riders can usually manage when things go as expected. It's when things don't go according to plan that experience level becomes painfully evident. Riding a bike not suitable to the riders experience level amplifies and increases the frequency of those scenarios. Too often those scenarios maim or kill inexperienced riders.

I beg to differ, the worst riders actually do worse even when things are good. If he feels he can handle the bike then it just may be suitable for him, everyone is different with some being overwhelmed learning on anything more than 250cc, some being born to ride, and others somewhere in between.

I beg to differ, the worst riders actually do worse even when things are good. If he feels he can handle the bike then it just may be suitable for him, everyone is different with some being overwhelmed learning on anything more than 250cc, some being born to ride, and others somewhere in between.
"Manage" usually refers to "getting by" rather than "excelling".

Anyhoo, people who feel they can handle things are often "bit" by the 3500+/- mile bug that attacks just when people get complacent and "comfortable".

"Manage" usually refers to "getting by" rather than "excelling".

Anyhoo, people who feel they can handle things are often "bit" by the 3500+/- mile bug that attacks just when people get complacent and "comfortable".

In everything everyone starts off by getting by and then later on excelling in whatever they do. Same can be said about getting comfortable which is basically being lazy and not using your head or body as you should when you do something. But yeah being comfortable drinking coffee while driving a car is much different doing (or attempting) the same on a bike.