Thinking of buying a Yamaha YZF-R6 (motorcycle)....

[Onizuka]

Hey, now that im almost done with my car i was thinking of buying a motorcycle to get around college (parking is a ***** with cars) and for now i have my heart set on a Yamaha YZF-R6. Its sexy, not too expensive, and not too powerful (im a beginer). Anybody who owns a bike have any opinions on what else would be a good option?

thanks-matt

[Mayhem_J30]

Great bike, great decision. Have you checked insurance on it yet?

[Onizuka]

I have a freind in one of my classes who pays $27 a month for just liability for his Honda 1000cc sportbike (he said insurence goes by #CCs with bikes) I would want full coverage but im not sure how much that would cost. I will probably be buying a used (2001, 2002) bike if posible to save some money.

[Meantime]

*shudder*

You're a braver man than I...

I would not want to ride a high-powered bike out on those old beat-up roads out by Wayne, especially in the winter. Some of the roads aren't too bad but other ones were repaved back when cobblestones were still in vogue.

I cringe when I turn off 476 and onto Lancaster Pike to go see my dad. All I hear is *bump bump THUMP bump BAM* as I hit one pothole/tar strip/rubble-ized asphalt patch after another.

[Onizuka]

hehehe, i would almost NEVER drive this bike durring the week around where my home is, it would be for college (im up at penn state). People are ****ing crazy in thier SUV's and **** back home.

Plus this thing is just going to be for getting around town, going to classes, cruising and taking girls out No racing or anything like that

EDIT- and definatly no winter driving back home.

[NIGHTfall_240sx]

hehe you are nuts man

[SmithSR]

Just how "beginner" are you? A sportbike is a bad place to learn the basics of handling dynamics. Too much power, too much raw edge.

It all seems like a wonderful idea, but in reality, after you pay for bike, gear, helmet(mine was $464), gas, insurance, etc, how much money are you saving?? How long will it take to recover the money you've spent, by riding the bike instead of the car. Don't be fooled, man.

If you sit down and run the numbers, the total cost of bike ownership will be far more than driving/maintaining the car....

[AZhitman]

SmithSR is RIGHT on.

An R6 is a spectacular bike. Matter of fact, I'd say it's probably the best bike (overall) on the road today.

But if you haven't owned a bike before, an R6 is NOT the place to learn the fundamentals. Of course, it's hard to tell that to anyone under 30 or anyone who hasn't been riding for a few years...

I'd recommend an older ride. A mid-90's Nighthawk is a great beginner bike... Several good "starter" rides out there. But people don't want those, they want to LOOK GOOD right away. Nothing looks funnier than a guy on a new bike with NO skills - You can spot 'em a mile away.

Whatever you decide, wear a helmet. Not optional.

[Meantime]

hehehe, i would almost NEVER drive this bike durring the week around where my home is, it would be for college (im up at penn state).

*double shudder*

Happy Valley has some serious hills! My sister busted a rear link on my zenki S13 when we went there scouting colleges several years ago. I let her drive because I was worn out and she hit a patch of ice around a curve, banged up against a curb. I wasn't too happy that day.

We went in mid-March and the wind chill was somewhere around, oh, 5 degrees or so. And it was flurrying.

Small wonder I opted to go to Virginia instead...

[kansas240]

get a ninja ex500, suzuki gs500e. an r6 can go 160, insurance goes by chassis. they know what a crotch rocket is. however they don't know about bandits and other "naked" bikes. if you get a "sport touring" insurance is cheaper and comfort is far better. DON'T get the r6 for your first bike. I don't want to read an obituary thread.

[Onizuka]

Just how "beginner" are you? A sportbike is a bad place to learn the basics of handling dynamics. Too much power, too much raw edge.

If you sit down and run the numbers, the total cost of bike ownership will be far more than driving/maintaining the car....

If im buying a bike im taking courses first, there is a bike training center 2 blocks from my house. I want a bike I can grow into, not one i have to replace in 2 months. Im not a stupid kid who just wants to go fast, i want something practicle for the circumstances, looks good, performs well, and is a quality product. If you have ever been up to penn state during the year you would know why i do not, under any circumstances, want to bring a car to state college, let alone one that is modified....

As far as cost, i can deal with it, i have a good job

Thankyou very much for the input everyone, ill look into these other bikes

[AZhitman]

Well, in that case, go for it - I'd skip brand new, as there are TONS of repo'ed and traded-in bikes out there.

The R6 is a great bike, plain and simple.

[Tino]

I hear that, getting a beginner bike is a pain in the *** because after a good year of experience you can probably handle an r6. But starting out with an r6 is just asking for trouble. I always say get a dirtbike but then again probably don't have the time to ride and find places etc and that would kill the whole parking idea. my neighbor just got a mid class brand new ninja and has been riding for 7 months perfectly, took all the courses etc... he's now recuperating in the hospital however.

[Onizuka]

I'd skip brand new

Yeah i have already decided to get a used bike, especially since you can get a R6 thats only 1-2 years old with less than 3000 miles on it for $3000 less than the new one.

[Tino]

true just remember mileage on a bike is totally different.

[Onizuka]

yeah i figured that out a while ago, whats a average mile per year i should look for when buying a bike? (assuming its in good condition)

[Tino]

thats hard to tell, but most people especially with sport bikes love to ride the hell outta the engine, well naturally... and open it up as much as possible. putting more wear and tear on everything.

[miteymax86]

Average use should not be much more than 3K/yr(especially if you don't want to end up impotent) and I know I'm echoing everyone else's sentiment, but even with riding class and all that jazz, knowing that the throttle works both ways, etc... I've seen too many noobs end up with titanium in their bodies. Check the FZR600 for sporty-looks/decent performance and even cheaper insurance rates, very beginner friendly if you're set on a Yamaha. Otherwise, I'd say SV650(Suzuki) or even the Honda F3 or F4(despite being 600 sportbikes, they're slightly more real-world friendly and they have oodles of aftermarket support) Just my .02

[Onizuka]

the only reason i didnt want a honda bike is because they are the most common bikes around (supposedly they are the number one bike seller, i dont know if its true or not). Yeah i was looking at the YZF 600R, its pretty nice and cheaper

EDIT: plus it looks like the back seat would be more comfortable for the girls

[Onizuka]

i wish my car had a speedo and tach like this:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/pr...=4344

[Tino]

Thats true on yamaha's the passenger has to use the driver for support, not sure about the hondas they might have handles.

[Onizuka]

the 600R has passenger handles, but the R6 does not

Its looking more and more like i would probably get the 600R

[ucfz31s13]

Ok, i've read all the posts and here's my 2 cents...or 3.

An R6 is a VERY POWERFUL bike. Even the 01 and 02's have more than enough power than you'll ever need, and anybody that knows anything about those bikes realizes they are extremely 'wheelie happy' due to the power/weight design, etc. They are very well engineered and are excellent quality. I'm not saying dont start off w/ a 600cc sportbike, as I learned to ride on a 98ZX-6R and and a 01 GSXR-600. Not 'beginner bikes' by any means, you just have to respect the bike, know limits, and understand that 3 seconds of ****yness showing off for some girl or to have a 'little fun' could be the end of you and/or the bike as well. If you learn on one, just be careful.

Insurance depends upon which company you have. State Farm I know from experience is VERY cheap on bikes, as they just go by the # of CC's, not by what kind. However, they can give you cheap bike insurnace because you HAVE to insure a car w/ them as well to get the deal. Other insurance companies have pretty good rates as well, but remember, you get what you pay for. If you get full coverage for $25 a month, when you wreck your R6, they probably wont want to pay you for what its worth, as with anything else.

Bottom line is if you can afford it, do it. But, if you are getting a bike to save money, dont do it, because no matter how you crunch #'s, you won't SAVE money by obligating yourself w/ more responsibility. And first and foremost, be careful. When those girls start looking, your balls suddenly triple in size, and you feel like you've been riding to years.

lataz

z

[Mayhem_J30]

I have a close friend that downed his bike doing 65 through a backroad turn. The R6 was his first bike and he only had 2200 miles on it. He says he'll never ride again. And he 's lucky to be alive and that he only got a small scratch...although the bike snapped in half and was completely deformed. AMAZING! It scares me to death to think that he was taking friends for rides on it..mainly girls like MY girlfriend. I couldn't imagine if I lost her and my good friend.Sorry for the downer post, but just make sure reality is always in check. Wear that helmet and get an extra one for those people that'll be taking rides with ya.

[Onizuka]

I have heard more gruesome horror stories about bike from my father than you could imagine. He used to ride bikes, he used to have a old harly with a suicide shifter or something like that. I concider myself a pretty defensive driver (im the one that gets passed by everyone on the highway )

Im actually back to the R6 now, because it has won all sorts of awards and is obviously a excelent bike. Ever persone i have talk to in person suggests that bike over the 600R.

[huckedup16]

I want a bike also but am not letting myself get one. I know for a fact that I would push myself and end up dead. A car, while just as dangerous, offers you a little more steel...

[SmithSR]

Im actually back to the R6 now, because it has won all sorts of awards and is obviously a excelent bike. Ever persone i have talk to in person suggests that bike over the 600R.

I mean this with due respect, but those are very poor reasons for getting what is essentially a road racing bike as a first "learner" bike. The R6 wins awards for it's cutting edge capability. Can you name any magazine or quote any journalist who says it is a good bike to learn on??

You need a bike that has realistic limits for a beginner. All this talk about "growing" out of a bike is basically nonsense. While skilled riders can quickly get a "feel" for a certain bike, novices cannot. Some people say they have mastered a bike's limits, and must now move on to a faster/sportier/larger displacement/more powerful model. This is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt at fooling the wife/mom/themselves into accepting a higher monthly payment....and for what? to be the coolest kid with the newest toy on the road. period.

I mean no disrespect to you, but take a step back for a moment. This is yet another story about a guy who is buying a bike that has limits way beyond the rider's capability....many of these stories end badly. It's almost asking for trouble.

[op.tic]

sweet.. where do you get all your money?

[JESTER]

J-Spec Tuner,A few of these guys have been riding longer than I have, ButI have probally crashed more than anyone on here. 4 motorcycles, 4 crashes. I am still recovering from a fractured shoulder. Therapy is a sun of a b****. Riding since 98. I have owned a Harley, a couple of standards, and a 1000cc super sport. Plus I have riden several, different makes and models.

Anyway, if you are set on getting a bike the R6 is a great super sport bike. But I would make a suggestion to get a little less powerfull motorcycle. I would suggest a Suzuki SV650. At least check one out before you get the Yama. Or if you can find an old Honda Hawk GT, another great starter bike. These two are more all around bikes than the R6. They are better suited for commuting and with minimum modifications are capable of handling as well or better than the super sports. I have seen racers, take Hawk GT's and SV's and make street riders look foolish on the track.

They are less expensive and to be honest, the funnest motorcycle I ever had was my SV650. Of course I did crash the darn thing twice. That was no fault of the bike but totally mine.

Ride safe. Look out for everyone else, cause they are trying to kill you. Take a motorcycle safety course. And buy and wear good gear. Getting smaked by a Cadilac hurts, BE SAFE!

[Onizuka]

thank you for the advice everyone, I admit the R6 being too advanced to learn on, how does the Honda CBR600F4 sound? I know im being image/performance oriented with wanting a sports bike but i just dont see myself riding anything else. I am definatly taking a safety course before buying any motorcycle because safety precausion is always the number one priority with anything i do .