[spdrasr007]

Well, it finally happed I broke down and got my first bike a 2001 red r6. I know what many people say r6 is too much for a first bike but I got a deal on it that I just could not pass up. So I was just wondering if anyone lives around me, I live in Highland Park in Fort Sheridan. Maybe once I get a little better I’ll go on the cool rides but for now I am just going to cruise down Sheridan and get some practice, do any of you guys go on Sheridan? Just thought I'd introduce myself and say i look forward to meeting you guys. :biker

 

[Ryan]

Congratulations on the bike. Keep a light throttle hand for a while, my FZR600 has considerably less power than your R6, and even it has enough power to where it bit me once when I had just started riding (crashing was my own fault but if I'd been on a bike with less power I probably wouldn't have crashed). Enough of the lecturing, have fun, get a little experience and then be sure to come on some group rides .

-Ryan

 

[spdrasr007]

Thanks for the advise, i cann't wait to get up to speed and go riding with you guys.

David

 

[F4iDog]

I had an F4 for 3 weeks before It bit me in the [email protected]@. But 6 days later I bought an F4i and cooled it down alot. Just remeber as long as you respect the bike, the bike will respect you back.
And :twofinger WELCOME:twofinger

Mark

 

[jibaro69]

welcome :twofinger

 

[Champ91]

Welcome:twofinger

 

[cherrypicker]

Welcome :twofinger

I think a R6 is a great bike to start on if you at least 5'8". It's pretty gutless if you keep her under 7000RPM and it's super ligth and easy to manuver. I don't think a heavier, slower, less responsive bike with cheap suspension will teach you how to ride better. It will just lower the performance so everything happens slower, that all. Just use you're haed and be conservative when twisting the wrist and you'll be fine.

I think however a F4 is even better. Smoother clutch engagement, better gearbox, better ergo's and a little more stable in the corners.

Have fun, hope to see you around on soem rides.

 

[Guest]

:twofinger Welcome to the board and Cungratz on the New Bike :twofinger

Ditto what everyone else says. Just becareful and don't rush anything. Make sure to respect the bike :biker

 

[cherrypicker]

what does this mean??

I'm not going to get into all the reasons the R6 is NOT a good (or even "great") starter bike, but you already have it, so it makes no difference now. Just be very careful.

The R6 has the highest seat height in the class, by about an inch. That can make it more challenging for riders less than average height. Just the same way a GSXR600 has extremely long reach, so it's not the best choice for a rider wiht shorter arms, but a great choice for a tall rider (VCook).

It doesn;t matter much anyway. Some people can hop on a biek the first time and within a couple hours ride better than some people that have been riding for over a year. Others never really get it and eventually hurt themselves, leave the sport or continue to ride in a mixture of arrogance. ignorrance, and a crazy notion that if they always ride slow, they don't need to have any skill.

 

[spdrasr007]

I am actually 6 feet so I don’t have much problem with the seat height it actually feels pretty comfortable.: biker

Thanks for all the replies.

Oh, just one question, what kind of gas should I use 87,89, or 91.
My friend has a 98 gsx750 and said that on the gixxer board everyone says to use 87, but that just doesn't seem right.

 

[BABETTE]

hey

:twofinger WELCOME :twofinger

Just the same way a GSXR600 has extremely long reach, so it's not the best choice for a rider wiht shorter arms, but a great choice for a tall rider (VCook).

yes but what about maggy and greg? they are way smaller than me and the bikes are still good for them? :hmmm

I think it all depends on what you can handle, and you only learn that by trying.

 

[BABETTE]

Oh, just one question, what kind of gas should I use 87,89, or 91.

My friend has a 98 gsx750 and said that on the gixxer board everyone says to use 87, but that just doesn't seem right.

guess it depends...I prefer the best in my Honda and most other riders do I'd think....but I don't know the technical aspect of it...maybe zookies are particular. :laughing (J/K)

 

[spdrasr007]

He said on the gixxer board they said the 87 made run better and you would actually get something like 40 more miles per tank.:hmmm

 

[HDTony]

Stay away from sheridan till you have some experience. there are more than a few surprises on that road and its pretty damn slipery. Be carefull out there dude. See if someone one the board lives by you and is willing to take it easy with ya for a while. Experience is everything. Hey and go to the bookstore and pick up a copy of "twist of the wrist II" good readin right there.

 

[Grover]

Tony beat me to suggesting 'Twist of the Wrist II' by Keith Code. May have to internet order it or special order it at the bookstore, sometimes it's out (VERY popular book). Another good one is 'Proficent Motorcycling' by David Hough. Deals more with driving around in traffic the the Code book does. Definately worth checking out. A lot of his stuff is used in the MSF coursebook.

Oh, we are assuming you've taken the MSF course. If not, I suggest trying to find one nearby and get in as a walk on. After 3 or 4 tries, you could get in. And get some gear too

Not too many of us live in the Highland Park area. We spend too much money on the bikes to live there :laughing There are several northern area riders though. Couple in Round Lake, one in Waukegan, few in Gurnee.

And :twofinger Welcome!

Chris

 

[cherrypicker]

He said on the gixxer board they said the 87 made run better and you would actually get something like 40 more miles per tank.:hmmm

I was running 93 octane for a while, recently I switched back to 87 and my mileage went up and it runs just as smooth wiht no noticeable difference in power. The ignition timing on a stock biek may actually work better with lower octane.

The R6 might be different since it's not fuel injected. Try both, use whichever works best. 87 octane won't hurt it.

 

[spdrasr007]

I got "Twist of The Wrist 2" right after i got the bike but i think it deals a lot more with advanced riding techniques than beginner techniques. i do have to decide on a helmet though, i have one now but i figure my head is worth more than the ten bucks the helmet costs, its just not something i wanna joke around with. :biker

 

[MeggysGixxer]

Re: hey

:twofinger WELCOME :twofinger



yes but what about maggy and greg? they are way smaller than me and the bikes are still good for them? :hmmm

I think it all depends on what you can handle, and you only learn that by trying.

I love the reach on my bike. But I am a bad example to use for height since I still tippie toe on mine and it was lowered 3 inches.

 

[Sticky]

Congrates on the New Bike!!!

Sh** an R-6 as a first bike....cool....mine was a CB360T Honda.


follow the break in procedures...by the time you get up to the first check you will have learned a lot...but with a long way to go.
remember that when you break in a bike you need to run it and then let it rest, as in don't throw 800 miles on it the first day, you need to heat the engine and let it cool to bed everything in.

Helmet
helmet
helmet

Nick

 

[Sandman]

An R6 for a FIRST bike? I'm sorry, but I would have strongly advised a friend or family member not to do that for many valid reasons, but hey, you're already there with the most intense, focused, race oriented, 155mph 600 sportbike made.

I'm going on record as seeing broken plastic, levers, pegs, engine covers in your future. Odds are there, just reality- not personal.

Nothing anyone can say will mean anything at this point, so good luck to you. Your own judgement, choices, respect, and maturity will determine your survival.