Sorry I didn't say this before but definitely do a Motorcycle safety course, get your motorcycle endorsement and then I would do a beginner track day at Jennings. The problem most people have is that they are so impressed by the bike that they forget it and you has limitations. A track day will help you see to see that you are the biggest limitation. It also comes in handy when you encounter a situation at higher speed. The MSF course keeps it under 25mph for just about everything.

 

would your first car be an F1???
the R6 is a bike equal for experienced riders only

i would say that the 600 sports are less for beginners than even larger bikes.
they react quicker to even your thoughts than you will be ready for.


get at least one season on a 500 before you move up.

really we older riders get these questions all the time. Please don't start with a bike like the R6. Only after you get some experience will you understand.

 

My first bike was an R6. I took the Motorcycle Safety Course before riding and respected the power the bike has and did fine. If your going to ride like a maniac then your asking for trouble with an R6. Respect the bike, take the safety course and always be alert of the drivers around you and you'll be fine.

 

I previously owned an R6, and must agree with the above statements. The R6, despite being a 600, is a serious machine that is basically a race bike with DOT-required lighting on it. Although a novice rider could buy one and ride it safely in city traffic, this bike is very unforgiving to riding "mistakes". Everyone likes to think that they can handle any bike, but coming up on an obstacle in the road in mid-corner and yanking on the bars of a race-style bike will expose the truth.

I know it is not the most popular choice, and might not be quite as cool, but if you really want to enjoy riding safely I would suggest starting out with some of the other bikes mentioned above. The Florida streets are already dangerous enough without putting "too much bike" into the equation. I. myself, gave up the sport bikes and recently picked up one of these: http://www.bigdogmotorcycles.com/home.html (K-9 model)

 

My first bike was a 600F3 (back in 97). I never had any problems. You just need to understand what that thing can do and be very careful.

 

ok, it's only the ones that lived that are saying they started on an R6. The dead ones aren't talking. i know some of them. (knew)

be patient and learn some skills before you move up. i found that the most dangerous time was when you have been riding for a few months and think you are better than you are.

If i can't get through on safety then let me try $$$$.
you will drop the bike (it's not if but when) the plastic is expensive. Get a used naked and if you drop it no big deal $$ wise.

 

I started on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and would recommend it along with the safety course. This is a very relaxed bike and easy to ride safely. I know its a cruiser, but used ones are really cheap and easy to unload when you are ready to move up.

 

I too started out with very fast Sport Bikes and gave them up 'cause I knew eventually I would kill myself with their speed and light weight. Here is my bike now. I have done some engine work to it, to make it even faster but it still is not as fast as some of my sport bikes from my past. To each their own but I am out of the sport bike scene.

 

Frame Sliders don't work for you?

 

ok for my last bite at the troll go to a motorcycle salvage yard and see what type of bikes are there.


I ride a B12S now and it is actually easier to ride than the R6

just trying to look out for you

BTW don't try a B12 either.

 

I'm not that nuts guys, I think I'm pretty careful. Lol, I'd probably be scared to go over 80 Last time I got to play with the R6 I just crusied around a big parking lot at like maybe 40-50ish and just played around. It didn't seem too hard...

 

50!!! In a parking lot!!! Are you crazy!!!???

 

Note the word BIG hehe, it was at like 3 in the morning in deltona so...

 

40-50 in a parking lot your first time on a bike!!! Maybe you should start out with something smaller. If you did that, you'll ride cautious for a little while and then decide to test the bike and get hurt. People who test the bike and don't have experience are the one's getting hurt. You will never be able to outperform the bike.
A good point was also made above, sport bikes are not as easy to control as a cruiser.
If you decide to get a sport bike take Alan's suggestion and get frame sliders. Their easy to install on most bikes so taking them off when you want is no problem and they will save your plastics if you go down.
Have you thought about insurance? Florida doesn't require motorcycle insurance if the bike is paid off. However, if you get into an accident it will be a lot harder to get someone else’s insurance company to pay for it. I know attorney's who won’t take the case without the rider having insurance. If you decide to get insurance get ready for a HUGE payment. The reason being is that most of the time when you get into an accident your bike is totaled.
You may be getting discouraged from some of the responses but remember everyone’s trying to help out and give you advice from their personal experiences. I think we would all agree that when you get a bike and start riding it’s a great feeling.

 

ok we are starting to see some sanity here.
the R6 is my favourite bike but i have been riding for 40 years on the street and 4 in the dirt before that.

riding a dirt bike is a great way to get some skills.

I've never rideden a cruiser and would suggest what we call a standard. BTW older riders getting a bike for the first time usually get a cruiser. and the heavy weight combined with inexperience have made them the latest gowing death statistic.

please, just one season on something tamer and you will thank us for a lifetime of riding.