Yamaha R6. Good for beginner?

I'm looking at getting a bike in the near future. I found a Yamaha R6 for a pretty decent deal local. Would the R6 be too much bike to start with? I found a Ninja 250 but hell I'd be wanting to upgrade within a couple of months I'm sure. What is yalls input?

 

Keep in mind that you very likely WILL kill yourself VERY easily if you make mistakes on a 600CC bike and smaller errors can turn out alot worse. A 250 is a bit more forgiving.

But that said- I watched a chick I hung out with learn on a 600 and I only rode a 250 a few times before I got my 600. So it's doable as long as you respect the ride.

 

I started out on a 600 despite what I've heard/ read. Just keep it mature and you shall be fine.

 

I am riding my 500cc this year and I'll sell it to buy a 600cc. I have no complaints about buying a 500cc first. Suzuki GS500F. Looks like a sport bike. It's cheap, easy to fix, and in a year when you're ready go buy your 600.

That's my GS500F in my sig (yes it pops wheelies... in a parking lot)

 

What the fuck is that thing lol? A coke can at the bottom. Some dish soap in a bottle.

I'm sure they both have their functions lol

 

it's all about control & maturity. even the biggest bike can be easily ridden when you exercise restraint with the right wrist!

the reason to start with a 250 is that it's not going to have the ungodly acceleration that even a 600cc sportbike (read: racebike) has, so if you make a mistake it's not going to try to kill you... as much.

my first bike was a suzuki sv650 (loved it, but sold it to get my tacoma! ) and it was, in my opinion, the perfect starter bike. tons of torque from the v-twin engine so that was lots of fun but it wasn't as fast as a full-on inline-4 sportbike. i now have a gsx-r600 and i'm really glad i had the sv650 first.

basically it comes down to how mature you are and general motorcycling ability.

take the MSF course!! no excuses!

rubber side down!

 

if you have ridden dirt bikes before Ill say do the 600 first. If your clueless with a manual transmission then youll prob want to start in the dirt first. Be responsible and you wont die. Youtube "motorcycle idiot" and don't try anything you see.

 

I'd start with a smaller bike first, or at least not a 600cc race bike. The 500 that Numnuts mentioned is a great compromise for a starter bike. It's decent size, handles well and you won't get bored of it quickly like a 250. If you're set on a 600, I'd start with a Katana or something similar. The race bikes are more high strung and a lot less forgiving if you make a mistake.

 

i have an r6 and idk if i'd recommend a 600 or larger to start with. All my friends and i started on enduro bikes. I had a bmw f650gs dakar. Everyone else i know who bought a 600 or larger without starting small has wrecked. I would recommend starting with a 250 or a 400 supermotot or something similar. 600 is a lotta bike for someone with no experience. Dirt bike experience and street bike experience are not the same, that's very important to know

 

I started on a 600 as well. I never knew how to ride and I did fine. In the 2 years I owned the bike I never dumped it, but I also took the safety course. Just respect the power.

Helpful hint, position your throttle wrist so you can't get nervous and grab a whole lot of power.

 

Little off topic but how'd you like the dakar? Will it hold highway speed comfortably (70+ mph)?

 

I had it wil stock gearing at it would do 115 with me on it (155lb).
I then had it re-geared to give it a little more pep at lower speeds and it would still do 110mph, holds highway speeds just fine.

 

Whats the insurance run besides the buying price?
That is a lot of HP but you will get a lot of opinions here....the Beginners MSF start you out on smaller bikes for a reason.
In the end, you might be fine or not. I started on a 250 on/off enduro & moved up.
The biggest thing is throttle control and driving defensively. Not many mistakes you can make its a fine line.......better to start off and gain your confidence gradually minimizing the risk.

 

if you have riden dirt bikes for awhile i would say go for the 600 but don't be a dumbass with the throtle. If no dirt bike experiance go with a 500.

 

I have rode dirt bikes and atvs a good bit. I'm not clueless as it comes to manual trans . I will probably wait and try to find a 500. Because I don't want a 250 that I'll be bored with within a couple of months. But at the same time I don't want to get scraped up either . I am going to take the safety course for sure. Thanks for the insight guys

 

Sounds like you're making the right decisions.

 

Another +1 for the sv650. I have had one for the last two years and it was first motorized bike of any kind. Enough power to handle highway speeds but much more forgiving than a 600. Also have the option of the naked or S version depending if your looking for the SS look. Check out svrider.com for more info on them.

 

I learned on an R1 and have been riding for 5 years. If you understand the concept of a manual transmission and can control your wrist then you'll be fine on a 600. Only reason the 250 would be easier is because it's lighter and you sit up straight. The 250 has less horsepower but on a R6 you don't really get into the power band until you get past 8k rpms. Keep it below that and it'll be like riding a 250.

 

What year is it that you are looking for? Early years had a lot more linear power curve which is easier to learn on. New years are very non linear. For example, on my curent race bike (07 R6) I MUSt keep the RPM up above 10K to be in teh powerband, before that I cannot pull out of turns quick enough. A older year will be easier to learn on becuase there is no "suprise pwer" that will sneak up on you like the new models.


All the same, if you have NEVER ridden a bike before, i would not suggest a 600. They are still beasts. For a first bike, I would suggest getting and SV or something similar...make sure to get a USED one becuase you WILLLLLLL drop it, and you will break it. Dont waste your money on a new one.