Just past my test...now what bike?
Discussion
I have just past my full test after carrying out some DAS.
Iam now stuck with what to buy.
Iam relatively experience on the road i do 30k+ a year and have 7years NCD and no convictions (yet) so consider my self to be sensible/safe in some repect and know when is suitable and safe to have fun.
Now bearing in mind i will want to carry a pillion passenger (only over relatively short distances) i have two bikes in mind.
FZ6 v's R6
Part of me is considering being sensible and learning more advanced biking skills on the FZ6 but then i fear 6 months down the line i will want a sportier looking bike and opt to buy and R6. Now do i purchase the R6 from the offset and risk my pillion being slightly uncomfortable or do i be sensible and opt for the FZ6.
Opinions
Iam now stuck with what to buy.
Iam relatively experience on the road i do 30k+ a year and have 7years NCD and no convictions (yet) so consider my self to be sensible/safe in some repect and know when is suitable and safe to have fun.
Now bearing in mind i will want to carry a pillion passenger (only over relatively short distances) i have two bikes in mind.
FZ6 v's R6
Part of me is considering being sensible and learning more advanced biking skills on the FZ6 but then i fear 6 months down the line i will want a sportier looking bike and opt to buy and R6. Now do i purchase the R6 from the offset and risk my pillion being slightly uncomfortable or do i be sensible and opt for the FZ6.
Opinions
runnersp said:
Do not buy an R6 fresh out of your test... Its a recipe for disaster and frustration... Apparently the FZ6 isn't all that wonderful either (bugger all midrange, soggy brakes)... I think a second hand Bandit 600 would be a good place to start off...
Na, an R6 for a first bike is a great idea...as you'll be advised, you'll only go as fast as you want to! Just don't get a black one...not yet, not till ya ready!!
I'd stuff the pillion, and get what you want. They can always get the bus if they don't like it!
Well done on the test pass, and happy riding.
This question is asked so very frequently and the best advice is go with your heart and not what others say. If you were thinking about an R1 or GSXR 1000 etc. for a first bike then I'd say definitely do not get one it would be a recipe for potential disaster.
Go test ride a few bikes that you are thinking about or take your fancy and then judge for yourself, and if at the end of your test rides you want an R6 go buy the R6. I asked the same question many years ago and everyone said do not get a sports bike as they are so quick.....they are only as quick as you crank that throttle round, and all bikes are quick.........I'm so glad I ignored them and got a sports bike, because that's what I wanted from the off.
You make your mind up about the bike and buy what you want to buy but make sure you leave enough for decent kit.
As Nick has said the Black R6's are the quickest
and the grey R1's are also the quickest
.
Good luck and well done for passing your test.
Let us know what you end up buying.
Go test ride a few bikes that you are thinking about or take your fancy and then judge for yourself, and if at the end of your test rides you want an R6 go buy the R6. I asked the same question many years ago and everyone said do not get a sports bike as they are so quick.....they are only as quick as you crank that throttle round, and all bikes are quick.........I'm so glad I ignored them and got a sports bike, because that's what I wanted from the off.
You make your mind up about the bike and buy what you want to buy but make sure you leave enough for decent kit.
As Nick has said the Black R6's are the quickest
and the grey R1's are also the quickest. Good luck and well done for passing your test.
Let us know what you end up buying.
Edited by Andy Oh on Monday 23 April 16:30
Yes a black R6 i would love.
Its hard as a close relative (my partners dad) is a DAS/IAM Instructor/Trainer and i feel slightly pressured into taking his advice as he has helped and pointed me in the right direction the whole was, so i dont want to start going against his advice now.
So obviously he recommends the safer options and i can to some extent see where he is coming from, I just dont want to be stuck with a boring looking bike after 6 months, hence my urge to jump straight into the deep end with an R6.
Biking runs in the family and i have seen the damage poor riding and equally poor driving can do, hence i also want to keep others happy with my choice.
Its hard as a close relative (my partners dad) is a DAS/IAM Instructor/Trainer and i feel slightly pressured into taking his advice as he has helped and pointed me in the right direction the whole was, so i dont want to start going against his advice now.
So obviously he recommends the safer options and i can to some extent see where he is coming from, I just dont want to be stuck with a boring looking bike after 6 months, hence my urge to jump straight into the deep end with an R6.
Biking runs in the family and i have seen the damage poor riding and equally poor driving can do, hence i also want to keep others happy with my choice.
Buy whatever you want but understand what the bike is capable of and, much more importantly, understand what you are NOT capable of. Just about any bike of about 400cc and upwards will be fast enough too easily keep up with traffic/put your license at risk, even two up.
Do try lots of different bikes, and allow your pillion to try them too. I’ve not been on the back of an R6 but I must admit that from what I have seen I would not want to do any journey, however short, on the pillion of an R6.
Ride safe and enjoy
Do try lots of different bikes, and allow your pillion to try them too. I’ve not been on the back of an R6 but I must admit that from what I have seen I would not want to do any journey, however short, on the pillion of an R6.
Ride safe and enjoy
runnersp said:
Do not buy an R6 fresh out of your test... Its a recipe for disaster and frustration... Apparently the FZ6 isn't all that wonderful either (bugger all midrange, soggy brakes)... I think a second hand Bandit 600 would be a good place to start off...
If you're buying new then the good brakes are back
and there really isn't anything wrong with the midrange of the R6 based motor, just the bottom end is a bit flat. Given what you want to use the bike for, I'd say the FZ6 would be ideal and in no way the "soft option", except for the pillion.
Ignore BHP figures, they only give you top speed, torque gives you acceleration; the R6's advantage in that area comes from lower weight. 100+ cruising ok for you? Then either will do.Hi Mate, congrats on passing the test. As everyone is telling you a bike will only go as fast as you twist the the tight grip! What is going to be different is the way it rides, I went down the route of naked bikes, started with a 600 Hornet & currently have a 900 Hornet. I do about 30k a year on the bike, communting, ride outs & tours to France & IOM. Hornet is a flexible bike & is easy to ride. In hindsight I would have gone straight for the 900, there's not a massive difference in performance just how it delivers it. Best advice is to get a test ride on as many brands & types of bike to find out what suits you depending on what you need it to do.
Congrats on passing the test, I went out and bought a GSXR6 and my bro bought a CBRRR as soon as we passed. He has been fine and still has the bike bike today. I came off mine and wrote it off but only cos i made a bad decision and panicked. I have a new GSXR now and my house mate has a R6 (it was his first bike too) aslong as your sensible there is no reason why you shouldn't get the R6 IMO......now get your knee down 
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