Yamaha YZF R-6 ?

From what I have been reading I see that it is better to start out with a smaller bike, now my body is telling me just buy an R-1 but my brains are telling me that I should buy an R-6 because it is a smaller displacement version of the R-1. Now money is a problem that is kind of pushing me to the R-6 its smaller and less expensive. So I want to see what other people say. Should I get a big extremely fast R-1 or a sleek and sexy R-6?

Do you mean "start out" as in you've been riding for a while and are looking at your first *own* bike??? Or do you mean, I am going to learn on this bike???

Cause if you are learning, you should not start out as a beginner on a bike with a known problem with a twitchy throttle!!! :eek:

First and foremost: TAKE THE MSF SAFETY COURSE if you haven't already! It will teach you TONS about how to keep your hide off the pavement. It is often free, and you will save yourself thousands in cosmetic surgery if you pass it.

As for bike choice: Start out on something FAR more tame if you plan on riding for long. Go used. You will drop your bike. You will scratch it. And you can get a bike that is 2 years old for thousands less than new. At the VERY highest end, I'd offer you a used CBR 600 for a suggestion, but depending upon your height/weight, maybe stick to a 500cc bike.

Don't forget to set aside a solid $400 for protective gear, as well. Get a good helmet (see "helmet help" thread for ideas), get a leather jacket or a padded ballistic nylon "mesh" jacket, get gloves, get over-the-ankle leather boots. We don't like to lose members, here. ;)

If you have any more questions, please feel free to write back here or PM me. :D

I own a R6 and a R1, and let me tell you the R6 is no joke. Don't let displacement fool you, the R6 is an INCREDIBLY fast 600cc bike, much faster then F4i or gsx equivalent.

Now granted IMO no other bike on the road (-european companies) has the elegant styling of the yams.

But, just like ST said, you WILL drop your bike in the first year you own it several times. There is no "I will be careful" crap, you will always find out the hard way.

And I would difinetely shoot for a mid-low 90s bike, you can pick them up all day for like 3 grand.

If you have never driven a motorcycle before (dirtbikes are NOT motorcycles) then you should wait and take the state safety course. They teach you the ways to react to situations that you need to know about.

BTW, if you are scrapping for money to get a R6, take in consideration all aspects. You now need GEAR, starts at $400. Insurance, on a sports bike will cost you about $6000 a year for medium coverage from a name brand company. In most states it is agaisnt the law to just have liability coverage as well.

A 12 second motorcycle is common as day (excluding harley), so don't think since it maybe a little old it will be slow. And 12 second 1/4mile is viper eating territory... :)

If I am 5'6'' and 175 pounds would the R6 "fit" me?

Your balls are bigger then your brains. The R6 is a faster bike then you can handle.

Originally posted by Grass Hopper
If I am 5'6'' and 175 pounds would the R6 "fit" me?

Oh, sweetie... Hon, DEFINATELY go smaller than an R6!!! I'm 5'9" and I don't feel comfortable on an R6 in weight to height ratio, etc... not to mention that this bike could eat me alive!!! :eek: PLEASE seriously consider a used bike. It is FAR more economical on your wallet in terms of purchase price AND insurance. If you are absolutely set on a sportbike as a starter, give a used Suzuki Katana 600 a look. But I would not even recommend that. Find a used Kawasaki Ninja 500. There are usually many for sale because they are good beginner bikes that people use for a few years and outgrow. Check your local newspaper classifieds, check in the Auto/motorcycle trader, check CycleTrader.com (http://www.cycletrader.com) and anywhere else where you see used bikes for sale. And don't squid it... your life isn't worth the pain... GET THE GEAR!!!

Where is the lowest price I would be able to find an R6 for?

I do know the dangers of buying this bike, but I also know what I need
to do, I will be taking the MSF Course in the following weeks and will
be purchasing a Shoei Helmet along with proper clothing.


PS - My balls aren't as big as my brains.

Originally posted by Grass Hopper
Where is the lowest price I would be able to find an R6 for?

I do know the dangers of buying this bike, but I also know what I need
to do, I will be taking the MSF Course in the following weeks and will
be purchasing a Shoei Helmet along with proper clothing.


PS - My balls aren't as big as my brains.

You taking the MSF course leads me to believe that you have never driven a motorcycle before. You may know the dangers of riding a sportsbike, but you have absolutely no clue the power it has, or how to react to a situation that only a motorcycle can provide.

A sportsbike is the equivalent of a F1 car. Most superbikes that you see on speedvision are almost identical to the stock form, because they are so tweaked and so powerful that it is damn hard to get anything else out of the engines. So its great that you think you may be ready for a R6, but you have no idea how to ride a motorcycle, let alone a professional racing bike. Just because you may want to beat all the cars in drag races around in you area doesn't make you ready for a sportsbike. Infact with the kind of mindset you have set on a sportsbike, you obviously do no respect the nature of the motorcycle.

I will not help you find a sportsbike as your first bike. I am one of the most generous people out there, especially teaching other people how to ride motorcycles, however I will not even spend time looking for a bike for you. You obviously just do not get what we are saying.

I do understand the outstanding power that an R6 has, I have ridden a motorcycle before but that was a harley and I know thats nothing
compared to the R6 but what I do understand is that the R6 is more like an F1 than a normal exotic car.


What I would like to know is your opinion of the R6 and whether or not it is a reliable good bike.

It is a hell of a bike, very reliable. If you won't change your mind, try to find a dropped R6, you can get them starting at like 3500 with just plastic dmg.

But if this is your first bike, I still won't suggest you get it.

Well, best of luck to ya man... Tell us if they get your hide off the road with a mop or a hose...

All "unkind" kidding aside, I am still VERY strongly opposed to this as your first sportbike. But hell, it's your life. Many dropped R6s are out there since most people who buy them buy for looks and can't ride, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to piece one together. But I'm afraid I'm taking sides with R1 here... actually finding it is up to you.

I would recommend that you do not start with a R-6 as well, although all this stuff you guys are saying about how he WILL drop his bike is bull. I have been riding for 2 years now, my first bike was a 01 katana 600(great bike to learn on) and now I am driving a 99 TL1000R and I have yet to dump either and sure as hell don't plan on it. There are ways to ride safe even if your bike is overpowered for you.

Originally posted by 94EXR_Accord
I have yet to dump either and sure as hell don't plan on it. There are ways to ride safe even if your bike is overpowered for you.

No offense sweetie, but I know 2 guys from this year alone who said "I'll be the guy to never drop my bike" and less than a week later ended up lowsiding (both of them did). I have dropped my dad's bike learning. A few people dropped the MSF bikes.

Just my $.02

Originally posted by 94EXR_Accord
I would recommend that you do not start with a R-6 as well, although all this stuff you guys are saying about how he WILL drop his bike is bull. I have been riding for 2 years now, my first bike was a 01 katana 600(great bike to learn on) and now I am driving a 99 TL1000R and I have yet to dump either and sure as hell don't plan on it. There are ways to ride safe even if your bike is overpowered for you.

yea, basically the same principle as crashing, there are those who have crashed, and those who are going to crash.

Originally posted by 94EXR_Accord
There are ways to ride safe even if your bike is overpowered for you.

For sure, you ride smart. But if the first sportbike you ever buy/ride is an R-6, you've just thrown that possibility out the window! I wish the guy good luck, though...
Bill

Originally posted by saturntangerine
Many dropped R6s are out there since most people who buy them buy for looks and can't ride, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to piece one together.

I take offense to that comment. :eek: lol, j/k I have an 01 R6, I grew up on dirtbikes and have been on the street for 6 years now. An R6 is not a toy, and it's definitely geared more toward racing than cruising around the town. Let me ask you a question, do you know what to do when you suddenly get a tankslapper at full throttle going about 90? You don't, trust me, don't buy an R6 for your first bike. Try and find an older CRB F3 or F4 they're alot more forgiving bike. I don't want to fall into that preaching you can't handle it trap, I believe there are people out there that can jump on a bike no matter what cc and be fine, but those people are few and far between you know what I mean? I've done alot of thinking about this and I look at the progression of learning to ride like this: dirtbike to cruiser to 600 or less cc cheap sportbike to the new 600's or liter class bikes (whatever you feel you can handle). That's how I learned and that's how my kids will learn. Now that I'm done preaching, nothing anyone says is probably going to make a difference you'll buy what you want, just please remember when you do to drive with your head and keep it slow for a good long while. I couldn't be happier with my R6, reliability is a non issue, fit and finish in my opinion are second to none, the flickability factor is unreal, and imo there's no better looking sportbike out there. This is my first post here too btw, what's up everyone? lol :D

Originally posted by OneSicR6

lol :D

Go buy some fur for your Icy Hot Stunnta bike. :p You know I'm just teasing you. ;) At least you came to the Mt. on your scoot... UNLIKE Freddy, Dad, and me. :o

Nononono, you fur bikes AFTER you wreck them. ;) lol

if i chose a way to die, id do 300kmh with an r1, no slowing down... :)

Originally posted by blazed on haze :\
if i chose a way to die, id do 300kmh with an r1, no slowing down... :)

Watch what you wish for. We had a rider on his R1 go straight off an embankment and headfirst into a tree in some twisties like that. His wife and kids are now alone.

:apuke: those Yamahas hentai bikes...:apuke: are gettin...:apuke: uglier...:apuke: and uglier every year, they look like motorcycles from the "Masked Ryder" TV series (kinda like the power rangers TV show) I can't...:apuke: stand to look at them anymore...:apuke:

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
:apuke:

What do you like???

I think the Older 70s and 80s Yamahas had nicer designs, these new ones are just offensive.:apuke:

Originally posted by kaoru-tochiro
I think the Older 70s and 80s Yamahas had nicer designs, these new ones are just offensive.:apuke:

IMHO, the 80's bikes all looked like cardboard boxes with only 2 wheels as opposed to their cardboard boxes on 4 wheel counterparts.

bill,

how is it that you throw the possibility out the window? there is an easy way to control how fast you go on every bike ever made its called a throttle... :rolleyes:

bill,

how is it that you throw the possibility out the window? there is an easy way to control how fast you go on every bike ever made its called a throttle... :rolleyes:

arent the throttles on yamaha's 600cc and up, VERY twitchy....dont have first hand experience, but the guys ive grown up with that ride always talk about it....so as a first bike, the twitchy throttle would seem to lead to excessive power when learning how to release the clutch....to use a similar example, imagine trying to learn stick on a 800hp viper with a stage 3 racing clutch and tightened throttle cable....on a r6, one wrong slip of your right hand will throw your bike, and maybe you, into the curb/car/wall/street, or whatever else is directly in front of you.....

i wont press upon you my opinion on a starter bike (my mom's 5"2, 105lbs, and she rode a suzuki 750 initially, and later an 1100) but its definitly smarter to start with a 500cc or lower when learning.....the less you know about bikes in general, the lower the cc id recomend. either way, if you get the r6, enjoy to your fullest ability, but promise yourself, your mom, your dad, and all your close famliy/friends that you WILL stay within your abilitiy...the r6 is an easy way to learn sh*t the hard way....

i agree with your comments i just dont understand the people that think that it is impossible for someone to start off on a fast bike, learning how to ride is different, operating the clutch and such should be learned on something different obviously but once you have the basics, your instincts take over, its not like someone starting off with an r6 is automatically dead, its just a bike, a fast one, but still just a bike :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

i guess....

I'm replying to those who say you can't start out on an R-6.
I just bought an R-6 for my first street bike and i love it. It's all about respecting the bike and what it can do. But I do agree that not everyone can just jump on an R-6 and ride, the throttle is a bit touchy, it supprised me the first time i road it. But now that i'm used to it i can go as fast or as slow as ii want, its just about knowing when to get on it and when to be safe. If you have never riden be for then don't think you can just hall but on a fast bike like the R-6 , IT IS NO JOKE. All i can say is that it is up to the person riding the bike to know whats to fast. My 01 R-6 is so fast that your brain can barly keep up.

So n mater what bike you get ride safe and were a helmet, its not your riding you have to worry about its the other people around you that will kill you.

The only good thing about MSF is the fact you can have lower insurance premiums. The classes really do not provide an insight of what real world riding is like. Most motorcycles used in MSF are extremely low displacing dual-purpose bikes that do little in understanding other aspects of motorcycles. With most dual-purpose bikes you don't get a good enough idea how to work the throttle and clutch on the level of more experienced riders because the bikes you rode during training and the bike you will eventually own will be different.

The R6 is rev hungry while the XT225 you rode in a enclosed parking lot with other people will have more usual power and torque, something you might not be use to when you first pick up the bike.

As for learning on slower bike, I say, "Shoot, go for the R6 if that is the bike you want to be destined with." Riding a GS500 or SV650 will do little in preparing you what the R6 is capable of doing once you purchase it later.

I will give you some ideas that are options for you. Go to MSF to learn the basics but only expect that because that is what you will get. Buy the R6 and ride it respectively. Take motorcycle racing lessions that will teach you how to ride safely when you go faster. MSF will teach you how to act in certain traffic situations while motorcycle racing classes can allow you to explore the outer limits of your bike in a controlled environment and even come into terms with what you and your bike are capable of doing. You seem like a smart person and I will give you the benefit of the doubt: you will ride slower in town and around traffic; once you are on the open road you will probably indulge in life's finer experiences. If MSF doesn't teach you how take corners at 50+ mph where else are you going to learn? Motorcycle racing courses of course. While you are there you can put yourself in imaginary situations and try certain things out and practice. The only way to get better is to practice and an open course allows one to do that. You can practice mid corner braking like as if you were coming around a bend to see something unexpected. Since you practiced a bit you have a better idea how to handle the situation.

Those are my two cents.

I am not trying to egg him on with the R6. A person will go fast on that bike. I don't care who you are, you speed once in a while. With my suggestions he can learn how to ride fast properly.

hey guys, this is my 1st post so i'll try not to make any enemies! with that in mind....
alot of u are saying get a smaller bike for his 1st one but where i'm from a 600 IS a small bike...i dunno, they're quick and all but obviously he doesn't want a cruiser...besides which, if one of my friends bought cruiser so he could work up to a streetbike he'd be riding alone!
my advice, for your size and experience a r6 is exactly what you need, but yea, stick with a used one until you've crashed a couple times...the only reason i wouldn't suggest an r6 is because it's not a honda!