So I'm thinking about getting an 06 for my first bike

[deltaonex]

What kind of gear should I buy? Icon looks pretty sweet and it's cheap.
Also, should I REALLY take MSF? I don't want to spend the money if I'm going to learn as I start going through the twisties anyway.

[Nas19320]

I would highly recommend taking the MSF, especially if you want a brand new '06 R6 as your first bike. It will teach you the basics of riding and hopefully avoid you and your bike going down.

[Big Deezul]

I would recomend the r6s as a first bike but not the r6...sorry its a race bike with blinkers

[AtlantaR6]

Been a thousand posts on this question already and that was for the R6s. Multiply x2 for the straight 6. The search button is your friend.

[neocryte]

The R6 is not the best bike to learn on... especially if you don't take the MSF course. I suggest you get a used Ninja 250 (or some other cheap used low-cc bike), ride it for a couple months, sell it, and then buy an R6. The lil' Ninja is cheap (so if you crash, you haven't lost so much), has a great resale value, and is a wonderful bike to learn on.

I have mixed thoughts on the MSF course. First off, in my opinion, the theory portion is worthless... unless you're stupid. The practice portion is helpful really only for two things - riding a bike for the VERY first time and for getting down some foundation basics. I don't think it's worth the $200 it costs here in Cali. But then again, different people learn in various ways and at different pace... so the MSF course may be very helpful to some.

I took the MSF course, owned a Ninja 250 for a month, and then switched to an R6. It's been a very easy road for me... and I'd say that the MSF course was not necessary for me. If you DO decide to get an R6 right off the bat, then I suggest you DO take the MSF course. The R6 should not be the first motorcycle you ever ride. It has way too much power to learn on.

[syallen]

Do take the MSF course. I don't know where you live but here in Cali you do not need to take the driver's test if you pass (assuming you do not have a license yet). You may also get a discount on your insurance. Most importantly, you will learn a few things at a minimum that could save your ass.

Do NOT get an R6 as your first bike for reasons that have been stated many times. Buy a used YZF-600 or something like that. Get a few thousand miles under your belt before you even consider an R6. You will be glad you did.

I took the MSF course and got a 2000 Suzuki Katana 600 for $3,100. Rode it for a season and sold it for $3,000. Then I got a new '05 R6.

Good Luck!

[2K5Adam]

Originally Posted by deltaonex

What kind of gear should I buy? Icon looks pretty sweet and it's cheap.
Also, should I REALLY take MSF? I don't want to spend the money if I'm going to learn as I start going through the twisties anyway.

Either you're joking with us or you are one of the most retarded person Ive met so far. Please, please take the folling advice from all of us memebers and USE IT.

1. I do NOT recommend the R6 as your first bike. As the others have said, get something smaller to learn on first *maybe an SV650, Ninja 500, or an older R6*. WHEN you go down, it will be alot less expensive to replace the relatively inexpensive parts on an older bike. Plus, you wouldnt want to completely wreck a brand new bike would you? Like Big Deezul said, the new R6 's a race bike with blinkers. Its not meant for beginners.

2. Gear wise, make sure to get:

A - A DOT/Snell approved helmet. Some good, low priced brands include HJC, Scorpion, M2R, and Icon.

B - A jacket of some sort. We would recommend leather jackets, as they will stand up to a crash MUCH better than textile jackets. Also, make sure your jacket has CE approved armor in the elbows and shoulder areas. Some good brands are Alpinestars, Fieldsheer, Gericke, Icon, and Teknic.

C - A pair of gloves with gauntlets *the thingys that cover your wrist and forearm*. We also recommend leather gloves over textile ones, for the same reason, they hold up much better when you crash. Good brands include Alpinestars, Gericke, Held, Icon, and Teknic.

D - A pair of over-the-ankle boots. These are especially important and alot of riders neglect their feet. A good, sturdy pair of boots will give you a much better chance of walking after a crash. Some good brands are Alpinestars, Gaerne, Icon, Oxtar, Sidi, and Teknic.

E - I, and Im sure alot of other people here, would also recommend a good back protector and if you are really going to tear up the canyons, a pair of leather pants OR a full leather suit.

The main idea with your gear is: Get what fits you best. The most expensive gear in the world wont help you if they dont fit. Also, you dont have to buy the BEST gear. Go with something a bit cheaper because again, this is your first bike and crashing is bound to happen.

3. YES, DO TAKE THE MSF!!!!! I cant stress that more. It's not just a motorcycle course you take so you can get your license and an insurance discount. It REALLY teaches you some really important fundamentals about riding that you would have to leanr the hard way by just "winging it". Plus, if you arent so sure you are ready for a bike, the MSF will show you how much skill you already posess and what youneed to work on.

4. GET INSURANCE! No matter what bike you decide on, make sure you get some insurance on that thing. Nothing sucks worse than crashing (either your fault or not) and not being able to fix your ride. Plus, if you do get in a bad wreck, the insurance will help pay for those expensive medical bills.

[wentouch]

the msf course has additional benefits aside from the course itself.

one, in some states, a rider is not required to take the riding portion of the m-class test if the rider attended a msf course.

second, riders with msf certification also receive a reduction in insurance (which in itself covers the cost of the course).

take the msf course!


booyah!!!

edit: nevermind, its already been said above. eh.

[Shrewd]

Go for it,its the perfect first bike. Whats your location? (gets fedex rate sheet out for parts)
Icon ha

[DrDover]

get it and do as many 12o clock wheelies as possible the first day to assure proper break in Let me know when you crash it and decide not to ride anymore . I will be needing a nice bike to turn into a track bike