Hi Chaps

Me again with a bike selection question.

I really like the R6 however I keep reading that this is most definately not suited to a beginner (which I most certainly am). Even though I am now in my 30s and no longer a loon is it still a bad idea?

How tall are you? I rode one a couple of years back at the California Superbike School and I found it way too small for me. I'm 6ft 3in if that helps.

As for suited for a beginner - you will get lots of different views, but the best thing to do is see if you can get a test ride first and take it from there. Remember, how quick you go on it will always boil down to you and your right hand! ;)

Thanks Scott.

I'm 6ft 1in. Perhaps they will be a bit small for me too.

Is it normal to expect a test ride? I mean from a private sale point of view I would be a bit reluctant to allow it myself.

My mate has got an R6 (first bike) and he is 6'2. It is way too small for him to the point where he says it is uncomfortable to ride for any length of time.
It is probably a little to harsh for a first bike, but it depends what sort of use etc.
He was knocked off it after a month, wrote the bike off and broke his foot.
This was nothing to do with the bike, or his skill as a rider.

Cracking bikes all the same.

Thanks Bob. I'm going to have to go and at least size one up if not actually ride it.

I have sat on the ZX6R, CBR600RR and both of them seemed pretty small too.

I sat on a ZZR 600 and that actually felt quite good but I just didn't like the bike enough to part with the cash.

PS Sorry to hear about your mate!

What about a Triumph 650 - I had one last year and it was a great bike and my more comftable than an R6

You should check one out

Thanks Wish.

Is that a Daytona 650?

Having trouble finding one!

Is it a new bike - I don't have the greatest budget. :(

mate, i have an R6, it is my first bike too. I have NO regrets.

It's your hand on the throttle etc etc. That's what everyone told me. I was still worried though that i would make a little mistake, and the bike would capitalise on that and amplify my mistake turning it into something out of my control.

This isn't the case though. The bike is very very easy to ride. It's solid, comfortable, stable and grippy. It's just fun. Sure it's dangerous if you want to blitz it, but your own head will control your safety. Trust yourself and you're current road experience, and you will enjoy yourself. The bike isn't going to do you any damage if you're a safe person.

Please get one if it's the bike you want, because it's not a bad choice!

'I was still worried though that i would make a little mistake, and the bike would capitalise on that and amplify my mistake turning it into something out of my control.'

Exactly what I was concerned about mate.

I'm safe in the car let alone on the bike!

How tall are you buddy?

i'm 5ft 11 mate.

The things i've learned, and i'm no way an experience rider, but i got a good head of sense i think, and a good 8 years of driving experience, and have ridden trials and bmx at a high level for 8 years too (general bike control/balance), is things like, slipping the clutch, which isn't good in a car. It don't alf keep your riding smooth. Took a bit of getting used to like, but it's all good when you just go out and ride.

Non-specific biking things though, being the first bike, i learnt things like to look at car mirrors before/while you overtake and you often actually spot them seing you which gives you confidence etc. Not to stay in blind spots, and to realise you are in a blind spot of somebody.

You realise when you ride, that you don't really read the road when you drive a car. Roads i have driven on for 8 years, i suddenly reasised i didn't know at all. I found holes in the road, grids and tar lines, grooves, grit patches that are consistently there at a farm entrance etc etc. Learning how the camber of the road changes what you can do on a bend etc.

None of these are things to do with the bike, but things to do with riding. There wasn't much i learnt about riding specific to this particular bike. I suppose simple things like practicing your throttle/clutch control at the back of a que before you start cutting traffic and realising that you stall once you start off at the front!!

Pulling off to immediate right turns are quite difficult to begin with as you can't control your throttle too good at full lock to the right on the R6 and other bike similar. You gotta get confident at using the clutch and leaning at slow speeds to do this comfortably.

There isn't anything that could make me advise against getting an R6 as a first bike thoguh. It's the only reason i got my licence, to get an R6, and up to now i've had nothing but pleasure from getting mine.

Hope this helps.

Bongo

im 5'7 and got a honda cbr600 for my very 1st bike
no experience wotsoever and just turned 21
it was too big for me, couldnt reach the floor
i got rid of it after a couple of months

well im 6"2 , and i didnt find the r6 a problem at all . just go sit on 1 m8 and try it on for size , and as said above it will only be as quick as you twist the throttle , for the average -> novice rider i would say you will find all supersport 600,s very much the same , in terms of what performance you can get out of them as a new rider . what am i getting at ------ there all gonna be as safe / or dangerous as one another . buy what 1 you like the most m8 :thumb: , and then learn some roadcraft and your limits with a huge big grin on your face .
good luck m8 .

At 6' 1" you should be fine, especially on a 06/07 bike as they are quite a bit bigger.

You can get yourself into trouble on any bike but it's a lot easier on a bike like an R6. It'll be the fastest thing you'ver every been on short of a plane and needs to be treated with the upmost respect. If you take your time and get to know the bike as well as your own limits you should be ok.

I loved mine but personally wouldn't have had one for my first bike even if I could have afforded it then. If you start out on slower/easier bikes you learn how to push a bike to it's limits rather than the other way around. It's much the same thing with cars, if I'd had a Subaru as my first car I'd have crashed it no question.

If you must have one do it but ask yourself why you want it i.e. looks, performance, bragging rights etc.

Thanks everybody for your advice. :)

Whatver you decide, test before you buy, I rode a mate's R6 and found it exceedingly uncomfortable just to sit on, and after only a mile or two the base of my back and my hips were in pain:(

Another mate has a GSXR 600K3, I've not ridden it (yet), but even just to sit on I found it a lot more comfortable:thumb:

Thanks mate

TBH i'd get a CBR600 just as quick and a better and roomier all round bike

well known to be a better bike for the road is the CBR yeah, but then, if your like me, you want the bike that you really really love the look of maybe?

When it's your first bike, you've nothing to compare it to. I got my licence to get an R6, it's not a secret lol. I love the looks, and the ride is still awesome.

There isn't a single bit of wrong advice in this thread! But don't think it's a bad choice getting it. All the supersports are very similar, so it's not a case of one being a bad choice and the other being a good choice. Get the supersport bike you like the looks of most/feel most comfy sitting on etc etc.

I have trouble getting on a kwak as my knee's need to bend a bit more and i'm not long after a knee op etc. Try them out.

You'll be reet! The sooner you decide, the less time you have to ponder!

Bongo

My bro had 1 for his first bike a few years back.
Boughjt it brand new just after passing his test he is 5,8 it was ok for him just would say 5,9 max.
he did crash it twice though then got gsxr 750 R6 handled better but had to be redlined.

Actually, now I read your title it seems you may already be aware that it might not be the best bike to cut your teeth on.

If you had said "How good for a beginner?" the glass might have sounded half full.

Look, do yourself an humungous favour. Forget about the R6. I won't go into the reasons here it would be pointless. Get yourself a nice 400cc. There are some gorgeous ones out there. God will you learn. And the fun you'll have doing it. After that, get the R6 and you will fly. You'll still be pissed on by the ocassional 400 but by then you'll at least understand why.....

I bought 1 as my first bike,did start to get worried by what ever1 was sayin but i love the thing! One of the best lookin bikes around (its 2000 model in blue and white) and goes when you want it to or when you want to plod along. I've only been ridin since feb this yr and i've had no probs with it:luxhello:

Like the rest really go and sit on some bikes and YOU decide what you like best and get to know the bike.:thumb:

Thanks chaps for all your advice and suggestions.

I just bought a bike. I have been fannying around with pricing, reviews and wot not for so long that today I just went out and bought a bike!! :D :D :D

Excessive smilies but I dont give a monkey's I bought my first bike today...better late than never. :D

I collect it tomorrow - pix to follow. :D

Thanks chaps for all your advice and suggestions.

I just bought a bike. I have been fannying around with pricing, reviews and wot not for so long that today I just went out and bought a bike!! :D :D :D

Excessive smilies but I dont give a monkey's I bought my first bike today...better late than never. :D

I collect it tomorrow - pix to follow. :D

What did you get????:norty:
Come on dont keep us in suspense!

pix tomorrow :p :)

nothing really flash though guys - i had my sensible head on with regards to budget :)

I've still got a 'village idiot' type smile on my face from the drive home.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/K996/DSCF1908.jpg

Braided brake lines
Carbon can
weird front disks (not sure I like them tbh)
other carbon bits and bobs

Bonus. Checking out all the documentation properly now I have got the bike home. It turns out it is a FZR 600 'R'. :D A big hike in insurance premium over the non-R version.

Good choice - much better than the R6 as you will have less chance of scaring yourself to death and never actually using the performance.

5t.

Thanks 5t :)

Also saved my self a whole shed load of money too, which I have kept aside for when I do eventaully get the R6 next year or so when I have a bit more experience.

Aha, sorry, tunnel vision, ignore my comment on my thread :thumb:

Nice one! :D

Thanks mate :)