Good bike to start with?

1597 Views 25 Replies 18 Participants Last post by AdrenE, May 30, 2006

Mister Panda

Discussion Starter · May 25, 2006

Just wondering if the R6 would be something good/decent to start out with. It'd be my daily/track bike. If it isn't a good bike to start with, I was wondering what was (I don't want anything to old).

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

JIMBO109728

· #2 · May 25, 2006

If you do a search in the bar above you find thousands of posts debating this point. To sum it all up:

1. r6 is not a very good starter bike
2. most recommend Ninja 250, Ninja 500, SV650, etc.
3. There are tons of members who started on the r6 and had no problems
Really though, the decision should rely on
4. Rider experience, ability, and maturity
5. When it comes down to it, you have to decide if you want to drop a couple grand on an older bike, drop it a few times and then sell it for almost what you have in it. Or, start with an r6 which is going to be exponetially more to repair

Bob22b

· #3 · May 25, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

Nope.

Ninja 250
Ninja 500
GS 500

I got a ninja 500 (ex500) for $900 as my first bike. It's been good to me, and I hang with people fine through the twisties, in fact I've surprised a couple people when they see I didn't get left behind.

BUT

That's not what a beginner bike it about. You want something that will be forgiving and help you build confidence on a bike.

Also, you will see people that begin on a R6 and they don't have problems, but remember that dead people don't talk. You also won't hear the other side as much about people that get hurt and stopped riding. They won't be posting here.

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Kieron UK

· #4 · May 25, 2006

JIMBO109728 said:
If you do a search in the bar above you find thousands of posts debating this point. To sum it all up:

1. r6 is not a very good starter bike
2. most recommend Ninja 250, Ninja 500, SV650, etc.
3. There are tons of members who started on the r6 and had no problems
Really though, the decision should rely on
4. Rider experience, ability, and maturity
5. When it comes down to it, you have to decide if you want to drop a couple grand on an older bike, drop it a few times and then sell it for almost what you have in it. Or, start with an r6 which is going to be exponetially more to repair

EXACTLY!!

naked6

· #5 · May 25, 2006

JIMBO109728 said:
If you do a search in the bar above you find thousands of posts debating this point. To sum it all up:

1. r6 is not a very good starter bike
2. most recommend Ninja 250, Ninja 500, SV650, etc.
3. There are tons of members who started on the r6 and had no problems
Really though, the decision should rely on
4. Rider experience, ability, and maturity
5. When it comes down to it, you have to decide if you want to drop a couple grand on an older bike, drop it a few times and then sell it for almost what you have in it. Or, start with an r6 which is going to be exponetially more to repair

this should be stickied!

stvang01

· #6 · May 25, 2006

Go for it

NothingFace

· #7 · May 25, 2006

I sat in amazement for a good... 10 seconds that there is another thread like this....

TZRaceR6

· #8 · May 25, 2006

Best bike to start with if you weigh more than 170 pounds and limited experience:

1. SV650
2. Honda CBR F4i

Best bike to start with if you are smaller and limited experience:
1. Ninja 500
2. Ninja 250

Best bike if you weigh 170 or more and around 1 year experience or more:
1. First gen CBR 600 RR
2. 2nd gen R6
3. 2005 or newer SV650
4. Ninja 650

Best bike if you weigh less than 170 and a bit short with 1 year or more experience:
1. Daytona Triple 675
2. Ninja 650

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DagoR6

· #9 · May 25, 2006

Damn, you never mentioned the greatest starter bike ever. I know because I recently bought one and I'm not sure how you crash the damn thing. It's got great handling, but at the same time it handles anything you throw at it. And.... It's cheap!

It doesn't have much power, but it's torquey and it has a cult following.

A ducati monster!

naked6

· #10 · May 25, 2006

hey now, you're leaving out the gs500!!!

mike04R6

· #11 · May 25, 2006

"this should be stickied!"

I second that! Far too often this one comes up.....

....but I suppose that's what the search button is for!!!

TZRaceR6

· #12 · May 25, 2006

DagoR6 said:
Damn, you never mentioned the greatest starter bike ever. I know because I recently bought one and I'm not sure how you crash the damn thing. It's got great handling, but at the same time it handles anything you throw at it. And.... It's cheap!

It doesn't have much power, but it's torquey and it has a cult following.

A ducati monster!

Yeah, but no one wants to deal with the constant valve adjustments and rocker arm issues. :thumbup I-4 Jap bikes are essentially maintenance free for the average joe.

DagoR6

· #13 · May 25, 2006

Oh man, those were the old Monsters! The new one's are bullet proof.

You'll see, Chris Kelley likes to pull easy 35's at WSIR on his Monster 800 that makes like 70hp.

FreaK244

· #14 · May 26, 2006

Get the R6 if thats what you want. I started out with a GSXR 400. Just be cool and respect the power. It doesn't matter how much power you have as long as your head is screwed on right. I hate it when people recommend small bikes to learn on. It really pisses me the hell off! Your either meant to ride or not. Have you ridden a dirt bike? It doesn't matter just take things slow.

Tater

· #15 · May 26, 2006

naked6 said:
this should be stickied!

Can't say it enough. :handclap Start a little smaller than your balls are telling you to go.
You could even go as far as your first set of wheels should have been a dirt bike or even a four wheeler.

komp

· #16 · May 26, 2006 (Edited)

I got a R6 as my 1st bike & was expecting it to be some monster from some of the comments i got, the bike isn't 'that' fast below 10k, if i got anything else i would of been bored by now, i've had the R6 for a couple of weeks & i'm used to it, doesn't feel that fast unless i actually make the bike go fast. Don't be put off by what you read about it wanting to kill you because it's a pussycat. It's a bad bike if you want to see it's top end right away but apart from that i don't see the problom.

I have my R6 under control at all times as i don't need to go fast as i'm still learning & it allows you to be in control because of it's great handling (Not in control when you hit 10k tho for me). Hell i'm probably going to upgrade to a R1 if i get compensation soon. You control the bike, after a few days you will wonder what all the fuss is about, i was actually expecting it to be faster.

I've had 2 near misses from cars pulling out on me & usually i would slam on the brakes but for some reason with the R6 i didn't touch the brakes hardly & swerved around the cars. It will teach you alot & is really fun. People think diffrently tho.

Try to get a little test ride of one & feel for you're self if it feels right, you may even find it is a bit fast for you, but after a few days it will feel normal.

'This is just my experience although others may not feel comfatable, but don't be put of by comments & go test ride one'

Sorry to go on..

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Kieron UK

· #17 · May 27, 2006

The problem with new riders and the R6 is that the R6 is not as forgiving as other bikes such as the Kawasaki ER-5 etc. In certain situations some new riders find themselves "death-gripping" the throttle, and then find themselves shooting across the oncoming lane or into a wall or kerb. In first gear more than a slight twist of the throttle will have you hurtling away - new riders who haven't yet mastered their friction zones and clutch control could easily find themselves in an accident as above.

The other issue is maturity on the bike. It's all too easy to wind on that throttle and before you know it you are doing 100+. At that point most new riders are clinging on, not in total control. Should anything pull out on them or cause them to divert they are pretty much dead. Target fixation and the inability to consciously counter-steer result in a major accident.

Sports bikes are notoriously harder to U-turn also, and some roads will force you to take corners at sharper angles - again, a quick twist of the throttle and over the lanes you go...

The R6 can be a first bike. BUT it's easier to start with something smaller.

Best bet in the USA - take the MSF course.... And pick up a copy of "Ride like a Pro" from www.ridelikeapro.com

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ArclightX

· #18 · May 27, 2006

Mister Panda said:
Just wondering if the R6 would be something good/decent to start out with. It'd be my daily/track bike. If it isn't a good bike to start with, I was wondering what was (I don't want anything to old).

You're going to die in a firey ball of death and destruction....

Now read THIS and educate yourself... Yeah it's a long (but good) read and it might actually save your ass, SO READ IT! Then decide what you want to do.

komp

· #19 · May 27, 2006 (Edited)

[EDIT]

The R6 isn't the best 1st bike due to the cost & there are many other great 1st bikes like a CG-125 or GS-500. But if you do get a R6 you will get to know her power & handling after a few days & you will feel normal on it, i can understand what the link above means as to a certain extent hes right, but on the other hand the R6 isn't fast unless pushed, i enjoy pootling along at 40mph when i'm in no rush & the bike is smooth & doesn't make you want to go faster. The bit about the slight twist of the throttle i think is only true when you're first starting out on it as it can catch you out when pulling away, but again you learn to deal with this.

The 600 was the only bike i was going to get no matter what i read but some people might take the advice & start smaller which is a great idea. I find my bike easier to ride then the cg-125 i did my test on. Also if you're not sure then get the bike restricted to 33bhp (125cc speed) & take them out when you feel comfatable.

Also look on this forum for the positive comments about a 600 for a 1st bike.
Like most say 'If you're sensible you will have no probloms'

Good luck.

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Mister Panda

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 29, 2006

Oh wow, thanks guys. I'm actually only 16 (17 in a few months), I want to start early just like I started racing with 4 wheels really early. If it helps, I think the state law here is 600cc and lower if you are under 18? I'm kinda a newwbie to bikes, I will ask my uncle to teach me everything he knows about bikes over the summer, but is 600cc alot? I'm guessing it sort of is considering the r6 is 600cc.

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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