Another Newbie Wanting to purchase a R6 (Some advice needed)

[ScorpioR6]

Hello guys, just signed up here after checking this great site out for a couple of days now. Me and my buddy have been getting pretty serious about purchasing our first bikes and we would both love to own a R6. We've been up to our local dealer and have talked to more than one salesperson there about the bike.

From what I understood, they were telling us to start out on something like the FZ-6 and not the R6. Reason for that was because the FZ-6 is much easier to learn and ride, and is more comfortable too. Well, we don't exactly like the looks of the FZ-6 and still would like to get ourselves some R6's.

We both have experience in riding dirt bikes, but I have never driven a street bike. I have sat on a buddy's GSXR600, and that sucker looks much bigger when your sitting on it compared to standing next to it! I'd most likely get it insured with my father seeing that he has 2 bikes himself, and the rates would probably be alot cheaper through him (I am only 18 years old).

I love speed, but safety is my number 1 priority. I do not want to get an R6 simply because it's a "badass" bike and chick magnet and all that crap, but I love motorsports and I think I would love owning one.

If anyone has some tips for noobs like myself, please feel free to tell me. Are R6's really that difficult to learn how to ride? Are they also not comfortable to ride like my salesperson has stated?

Thanks,
ScorpioR6

[Crunktastic]

The R6 is a great super sport, but it generates most of its torque around 10k rpms and up, so city riding can be annoying with a constantly whirring engine (or fun if you like that I guess). For comfort, noise plays a part but so does ride position, which I believe is more extreme (forward, weight on wrists) than most other supersports, if not all of them. I find on a long ride, I enjoy stopping every 45 minutes for a sec to rest my wrists. you can negate this by just laying on the tank tho when cruising the highway if your on a trip or something.

If you want a high performance supersport that is very track oriented, get the R6. Keep in mind you might become a greasespot though, without experience. You must be good with throttles because the fly by wire is kind of abrupt for newer riders imo. Basically, if you ride dirtbikes ALOT, you still aren't going to be used to the way the bike moves on the pavement but it will help significantly. You will have to be careful and learn slowly and safely. Just IMO though. Most will tell you not to start on it but I don't see a problem if you're smart and progressive on the bike and have experience with dirtbikes.

[ScorpioR6]

Thanks for the reply Crunktastic, much appreciated! Since I have a half-mile long "oval driveway" behind my house (new subdivision being built) I plan on learning the bike there before I take it out on the streets. I definitely plan on taking it slow and not being an idiot on it. Buying it to enjoy riding, not showing off or whatever. I'm sure you cannot compare a dirtbike to an R6 so it'll definitely be a whole new learning experience. I am also "ready" to drop the bike even though I'd dread if that ever happened. I hear most new riders will drop their bikes and as much as it would hurt me to drop this beauty, I am prepared for it.

What do you guys suggest for helmets and jackets? (Brand, etc.) What else should I be looking at getting for protective gear?

[brathwka]

Good choice on the R6. I'd say since you've got some experience with dirt bikes, it won't be a drastic move to an R6 as a first street bike. Good that you're prepared to drop it, because you will. I'd say give yourself a challenge - if you can get it, trailer it home and not ride it for the first 7 days, I'd say you have the discipline to ride without worrying the shit out of your parents.
The driveway is a great place to start. Thing about R6s is that they are hooligan machines and they have an uncanny ability to turn the most responsible, clean cut, tux wearing joe into a twisty craving, revv hungry animal. At least -- that's what it did to me. Just keep tabs on yourself - I mean it's easy to say "I'm not gonna abuse it" now while it's still at the dealers - it's whole different story when it's in your garage and you've got the confidence of a whole month crash free (this bike inspires confidence swifter than viagra) on a pleasant sunny afternoon.

As for safety, helmet, gloves (I personally can't ride without them, don't like the feel of the controls against my bare skin - much more tactile with a good set of leathers), padded jacket (don't get lazy in the summer with it - road rash is painful at anytime of the year) knee pads or padded pants or a full suit if you can swing it. Brands - up to you, Alpinestars are my choice all the way, Arai or Dainese for helmets, but their a bit on the up side price-wise.
Once you've got yourself covered, I'd say get your bike covered before you mount it. Frame, clutch and spool sliders are a nice place to start. Race rails are better if you get them.

Hope you get your R6 and good luck!!!

[ScorpioR6]

Thank you very much for the detailed and helpful reply brathwka! I'm sure that there will be a day that I will "think" that I have everything down and will probably do something I regret...but I hope that day doesn't come. I am responsible and like I said before, I'm not getting this bike so I can go 100mph in a 45mph zone or 150mph on the highway. I love Formula 1, MotoGP, and just love the machines. The only place i'd like to test my skills are on a track.

I will be using a trailer to bring it home, not drive it off the lot. The half-mile long "loop" behind my house I think will be perfect to familiarize myself with the bike.

As for helmets, I was looking at two that caught my eye. The Arai's and Dainese helmets are very nice, but I don't know if I'll be paying $600 for one. Please inform me if the two listed below are "crap" helmets.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...510_G&tier2=11
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...650_G&tier2=17

As for boots, do you guys all wear them? Should I also invest in them or do you think i'll be alright without the boots?

[brathwka]

I have an Arai and a Dainese because those two fit me best, but by far my favorite as per design is my Marushin which I got for $300 new, fits well, not as nicely as the dainese but well enough that I use it as my street helmet for everyday riding. Point is, you don't have to spend a lot. Almost any mainstream helmet will do the job, most important thing is to make sure it fits you snug, not too lose and not numbingly tight. make sure you've got good secure padding inside (make sure the padding is not poorly adhered) a good strap release is helpful, especially after you go down and need to get it off while you've still got that "don't wanna move" feeling coursing through you.
Go with what you can afford and what you like - no doubt, you're going to replace anyway, either because of a crash, because you got a new bike or because you found something else that you want.
I've got 5 helmets sitting around here ...

Boots are good to have definitely. I don't know about anyone else but my R6 gets really toasty in during the summer - if I'm wearing sneakers my feet roast; I know it seems contrary but the boots actually protect me from the heat. They're also good for high sides if you get thrown off ... nice to be able to walk away from such an event. In my opinion you don't have to get motorcycle boots though - day to day I wear regular street boots does the same job for me.
You'll be fine without them as well, sometimes I go out with just sneakers when I'm on a casual ride. As long as you're nimble, no worries. Just watch your feet while weaving through traffic

[Crunktastic]

boots are a must...I have heard so many horror stories of people having their foot rubbed off cuz the shoe pops off in a crash and they slide on their bare feet until there is just a nub left, even in a slower crash. Basically, Boots and Gloves are a 100% must, as are pants and padded jacket. I reccomend getting some heavy duty gear as your body should be your #1 concern.

Good boots: sidi, alpinestars, joe rocket, etc. The higher they come up the leg, the better

Gloves: get full gauntlets, again Joe rocket, alpinestars, dainese, held, all make excellent gloves. There are other good companies too, technic, tons more.

Jacket: Get a suit if possible but if not, get padded pants and jackets, with armor. This will keep you alive and possibly not deformed horribly in the event of a crash. Same companies mentioned above have excellent products for decent prices in this category, especiall joe rocket. Google joe rocket and check out their website for a good idea of the product line to see what you are generally looking for.

Just remember, for gear you want the High end street riding or even track based gear to keep you as safe as possible. newenough.com has perfect reviews that explain the differences too.

[50thAnnR6]

i have SIDI boots, (350 bux) but look at icons and other types, they offer street shoes, but with the protection.

my SIDI racing boots are super comfortable, even walking around in for 8 hours!!

look at icons site, they have some cool boots, so does alpinestar!!

[ScorpioR6]

Thanks guys, you guys are definitely a great help. Learning a whole bunch! One question though, do most of you have a 1-piece leather suit? Or is that targeted mroe for people that take their bikes to tracks? I'm not sure whether to get a suit or just a leather jacket. I'd definitely get knee guards because I'm guessing i'll be waring jeans...probably not such a great idea though what do you think?

[brathwka]

I have a one piece, but I only wear it on long trips (over 200 miles) and to the track. Other than that, I wear a jacket, street boots and jeans; for bad wear I wear goretex padded pants that zip into one of my jackets.