hey guys sorry i just have a few questions

im looking to buy a bike (I've been wanting one for a while) and im just wondering would a 1999 R6 be a good starter bike or would i be too hard to handle?? im a 16 year old and i don't have much riding experience.

thanks a lot any input is welcome
chris

 

given your age and inexperience, i would say that an r6 is out of your league as far as beginner bikes go. there are people (me included) who say an r6 is a good first bike; there are some that say its a terrible choice.

my advice to you would be to do as much research as possible (ie. https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=585065), and look into taking the msf course.

either way, welcome and stay safe, whatever decision you choose to make

 

I would really suggest something smaller or even wait until you have more driving experience. I learned on a little Ninja 250. Please start of slow and be safe. oh, and trust NO ONE!!!!

 

thanks for the fast advise guys...i wasn't sure if i was gonna get flamed searching haha

but anyways, i have a few friends who ride they say R6 is out of my league also...Ive done only a little research and i have a long way to go before i start buying.
so what would u say about the YZF600R? would u say thats better or worse than a honda CBR f2?

 

in my opinion, i would start smaller. lots of people start on R6 and the like, but by starting out on a less capable bike you get a couple things, one being much more skill. when you have a small bike it is easier to push the bike close to the limits so you learn so much more about riding than a race replica that does a great job of hiding the mistakes you make allowing you to make the same mistakes over and over.

the second is the R6, having around 100hp, can get away from a new rider much quicker than a smaller bike can. dont let the small engine size fool ya, they are very fast bikes. but if you have alot of respect for your bike and a healthy dose of fear than normally you will be ok, its when you get too comfortable and your attentuion starts to wane is when the **** goes bad.

my advice depends on what you want to do with the bike. if you want to ride twisties and become a good rider, then start smaller, you will be a much better rider learning on a less capable bike. if you want a bike to cruise the strip and show off to your friends and kickstand alot, and dont care about riding skill as much, then starting on the R6 is perfect

http://www.msf-usa.org/

http://www.beginnerbikes.com

 

np. it sucks to be new, have legit novice questions, and get flammed.

as far as the yzf600r goes: imo its better in performance than the f2, but worse for a beginner rider. id start with an f2, 500r (heaven forbid), something like that. you will drop your first bike, so i wouldnt recommend spending too much money on one.

.02

 

that is some good info
i never really checked out the motorcycles forum here..but i've been a member of hona-tech for a while

but that is some good info and to everyone else that helped me out

 

i wouldnt even recommend buying a bike at 16. you are just getting your license and learning to drive with others. i'm not doubting your ability to ride a bike, but i think you need to learn how other people in this world drive before you put your life in their hands.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by immortal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i wouldnt even recommend buying a bike at 16. you are just getting your license and learning to drive with others. i'm not doubting your ability to ride a bike, but i think you need to learn how other people in this world drive before you put your life in their hands.
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well said. you need to gain experience from daily commuting first before you get a bike.

 

Definitely get more driving experience. You have to be 100 times more careful on a bike then in a car. At least take a MSF class to get some basics.

 

I have ridden dirt bikes since I was like 10 and I think that would have helped you because it teaches you to be in situations where you have to react fast so your ready for stuff like that on the road. One think I would reccomend is a DRZ400SM that is supposed to come out the begining of next year. I think it would be a great bike for you and fun also. If you want a street bike the Ninja 250 is a slow bike but it would probably be a good starter bike just be ready to outgrow it quickly. I wouldn't start out on any 600.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hometheaterman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you want a street bike the Ninja 250 is a slow bike but it would probably be a good starter bike just be ready to outgrow it quickly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

How is 0-60 in 5.5 secs and a top speed of roughly 100mph slow?? A Ninja 250 would be a perfect bike for anyone starting, especially a 16yo. Best advice, sign up for the MSF course nearest you to learn how to ride. Then try and find a used 250. They are fun to ride and more forgiving.

 

ah, such fond memories of my first bike, the ninja 250. kinda like how some people say about drugs--it's never as good as the first time.

anyhow, I would definitely recommend the ninja 250. light enough to learn quickly on as well as pick up after you drop it, sporty looks (some even mistook it for a 750), and sounds great with an after-market pipe.

today's 600s are more like 750s or even 900s of the early 90s. i would definitely start small and move up after at least 6 months of riding.

IMHO

 

Even after the MSF courses, driving out on the streets is a whole different ball game! I would suggest to drive for AT LEAST 2 years.

 

Get a ninja250. You can get a used one right now for real cheap. Ride that for a season and then get the R6..
You'll appreciate the R6 more if you start small..

 

goto gixxer.com

check out the starting line section of the forum.

They will scare you shitless about getting an "R" bike.

Haha ok, that site might do more bad than good. Theres a lot of good info on why people shouldn't start on an "R" type of bike (not saying nobody can). Should at least go through it, reads people opinions and prepare yourself. Great info, just try not let them physch you out too much since most of those people are ones that sit on the internet all day and think they are the gods of riding and if you go for one second outside riding without your full leather 1 piece suit gear on, you'll get flamed.

oh yea since your 16, def take the MSF course before you purchase a bike. I'd take it now. But getting a sport bike not be a good idea at the age of 16, i have insurance will prob rape you pretty well.

Get into dirt bikes. Usually people around your age are getting into dirtbikes. I remember back in high school, there were a few people into dirt bikes, they all started to get sport bikes after high school. It will prepare you, but there still totally 2 different things. Oh yea and like someone mentioned, riding on the street is totally different too. At least the class teaches you the basics.

 

damn i was always posting/readin in the civic forum (1st car) maybe i shuold just stay in here
im gonna sign up for the MSF course when i graduate (17) then learn on a small bike like ninja 250..then buy a bigger bike at prob. 19
thanks for the info and for not flamin