few questions

[somedayrider]

i still got 3 years before i even get my permit and ive been looking in this bike big time and i just wanna know is it a ok starter bike and does it have enough power to getty-up and go and keep up whith like a experienced rider(when i get a few months of riding in of course) i love this bike and every thing!:Flash:

 

[champion221elite]

The FZ6 has PLENTY of power to keep up with an experienced rider. However, I would strongly caution against getting any bike in the class of the FZ6 as a first bike. These bikes are easily capable of triple digit speeds and will accelerate to from 50-60 mph to 100+ in the blink of an eye. The brakes are also powerful which can cause on overzealous rider to "superman" the handlebars.

The nice thing about motorcycles, is there are so many great bikes out there. Just because it's your first bike, doesn't mean it's going to be your last bike. Take the classes, and start out small. Buy a used 250 cc bike and learn on it. It's better to dump a used $2,000 bike than a brand spanking new 2009 bike that costs $7,000. You'll save yourself a great deal of money on insurance as well by riding an older/ less powerful bike.

Don't be too eager to keep up with more experienced riders. Take your time and learn at your own pace, anything else it putting yourself at even greater risk of injury or death. Never stop learning, and keep your head on a swivel.

 

[somedayrider]

the reason about the experiensed thing is my dad and hes given me the talk that i need to start pretty small and i kinda understand i just wanna know ill prolly take about 1year or a little longer and move up (something like this i like) and ill still be considered a newby still but thats what i was wondering is after i learned the basics and everything if it would be a nice newby bike?

 

[champion221elite]

It's far better to start out with a smaller bike as a newbie and learning (We've all been there, so it's nothing to be ashamed of).

It took me about 15 years to move up from my old 1974 Honda to a 2003 Yamaha dual sport and eventually to my 2008 FZ6. Take your time, and enjoy the ride.

 

[somedayrider]

lol i guess just wait till i start to work on my permit and focus on sports and girls till then and slowly work my way up :thumbup:

 

[somedayrider]

one last question my dad has a sv 650 and i ride on the back and i love curves can you wip the fz6 through the curves like the sv650

 

[rdoucet]

Practice, Practice and Practice!!! Their is nothing your dads bike can do that the FZ6 can't - it just takes time!!

Remember, no matter what, always wear your riding gear and helmet and always look out for other cars and bikes!!!!!

:thumbup:

 

[blchandl2]

As already mentioned, the FZ6 probably is not the best first bike. Look for something used and smaller engine. Ninja 250 or 500's are easy to find cheap and have the sportbike look. Sharpen your skills on one of these before moving up.

When you do ride, ride YOUR ride. Do not try to keep up with other riders. Ride at the pace that you feel comfortable and safe. It is easy to fixate on the back of the rider in front and make the same mistake they make, or not see a hazard from the side.

And always remember "If it has boobs or wheels, it is going to cost you $$$".

 

[somedayrider]

i will wear the gear for sure ive seen people paralized from motorcycle riding !! blchandl2 nice saying at the end and ninja 250 has came in my mind as a nice starter but i hear kawasaki is a nice company but i hear that there not cery dependable(just what ive heard dont go freaky im not sure)o.. and blchandl2 i saw you got a triumph tiger how do you like that thing is it a nice dependable comfy ride?

 

[blchandl2]

i will wear the gear for sure ive seen people paralized from motorcycle riding !! blchandl2 nice saying at the end and ninja 250 has came in my mind as a nice starter but i hear kawasaki is a nice company but i hear that there not cery dependable(just what ive heard dont go freaky im not sure)o.. and blchandl2 i saw you got a triumph tiger how do you like that thing is it a nice dependable comfy ride?

Yes, I like the Tiger very much. I use it for long trips and cooler weather. The only issue I have had with it is a spark knock they refuse to address.

 

[mib7289]

hey bud

first off i am glad to see another future rider. :welcome: The fz6 is an amazing bike. The agility it offers lets you fly through traffiic, turns, and on a straight line. I would like everybody else has said think about a smaller bike or older. I started on a 125cc dirtbike and i think that was the best decision i have ever made. i learned all the emergency manuvers before i ever hit the road. You can usually find a nice used dirt bike for 500 or less and learn for a few months. pop a few wheelies and try to get the stupid stufff out or learn it well. but once you move up to the 600cc class you'll love it even more and you will know how to ride the thing pretty well. Again it is great to see another person ready to ride (especially since your not a harley rider...... there are just toooooo many)

 

[SovietRobot]

The FZ6 has plenty of power for a new rider, even sometimes it can have too much power.
As with any sportbike you have to be careful and learn the bike.

I bought my FZ6 as my first bike and I have no regrets.

3 months of riding "experience" really isn't anything unless you ride EVERYDAY in all sorts of situations and roads.
I've been riding since last july and I am still learning and gaining experience.

 

[somedayrider]

harleys vibrate to much and make to much noise im fine lol! sovietrobot you started out on the fz6? did you feel comfy whith a 600cc bike?

 

[geetarhero]

I bought an FZ as my first bike. I took the Canadian MSF course and bombed around on a CBR125 before, but other than that no experience.
I have already dropped it at a stand-still in a parking lot, but some $15 frame sliders saved that from being a big deal at all.

For me it was either this bike or the new ninja250r and heres my reasoning to go with FZ (take from it what you will, its just the way MY brain works)
- Sitting on both the FZ6 felt alot more comfortable and while bigger, actually less intimidating having more metal to hug onto
- Comparing dyno plots at under 8k RPM both bikes behave very similar, with a bit of a nudge to the FZ. Meaning as a newbie you can just be responsible and keep the revs down and throttle closed while learning without outgrowing the bike in the next 5 years let alone first year
- I plan on doing alot of touring with my friend on his Vstrom 650, on the highway a little 250 would be blown around far more than the FZ6 not to mention the FZ6 has ALOT more room for luggage or even a passenger when I get better
- I could still flat foot the FZ6 on both sides

obviously there are counters to each point (if you mess up and pull a bit too much throttle in a U-turn, a 600cc will be much harder to safely recover than a 250 etc etc etc) but I just wanted to give my positive side input as there has been quite a bit of bashing against newbies riding 600cc bikes.

PS: for the record I did ALOTTTTTTTTT of research before buying and much deliberating over whether it is a wise choice to go straight to a 600cc bike. and I decided that for ME a FZ6 suited my needs much better than any competition. (SV650, ninja 250r, Rebel 250, ninja 500r)

 

[SovietRobot]

harleys vibrate to much and make to much noise im fine lol! sovietrobot you started out on the fz6? did you feel comfy whith a 600cc bike?

I feel right at home on this bike.

I admit I had some scary "too much power" moments when I first started out, since it was my first motorcycle ever.
But once you learn good throttle/clutch control, and learn the powerband and behaviors of the bike, it is very easy to master.

At this point, I feel like the FZ6 is an extension to myself and I can make it go and stop any way I want it to. Really it just comes with time and practice.

I was interested in getting a Ninja 250 or 500 as a starter bike, but I'm glad I didn't because at this point I would be hungry for more power.
The FZ6 has plenty of power for my own needs, it's more than enough for bombing around town, cruising on the highway, or tearing up the twisties.

It's not an R6 or an R1, but it's perfect for a beginning to intermediate rider.

 

[somedayrider]

lol im starting to see its okay to start on it just be very careful:rockon: i got 3 years to sit on it and im defenitly when i got a license make a trip or a few .....if i get a job whith this economy lol i know ill get a motorcycle one way or another and i like this and whith your guys help i got a idea if i can start out whith it and be ok:Flash::cheer:

 

[simonwb]

i got 3 years to sit on it

Can I ask some inquisitive questions from me on this side of the Atlantic - what age can you legally ride a bike on the road in the USA? Does it vary from state to state? Is there a stepped scheme i.e. you start on a restricted power or capacity bike and move up to more power/capacity only after a period of time?

Over here, we've now got the most complicated stepped/age scheme possible, it's a wonder anyone sticks it out to get a bike licence these days. Probably what the safety bureaucrats intend...

 

[somedayrider]

well i know you can ride on the road at16 and 6 months and thats a permit and you have to have a rider next to you to ride whith you(side by side) thats i know of theres no restricition here im not sure though (you would have to ask someone a little older) i know you can ride a scooter i think at 15 but you got to do or have something

 

[SovietRobot]

Here in California, you don't need anyone with you with a permit on a motorcycle.
You just can't ride at night or on freeways.
If you're under 21, you HAVE to take the MSF ridercourse to get your license, but you should take it anyway in any state.

 

[abacall]

Here's a question you need to ask yourself. "WHEN I drop the bike, would I want to drop the nice Fizzer, or a cheaper learning bike?"
Everyone drops their bike, everyone. If you haven't done it yet, you will, soon.
I learned on a Ninja 250 and I am so glad I did. Here's why:
1) The bike was lighter and much easier to handle.
2) When I dropped it I didn't want to cry.
3) Less power = more finesse and better technique.
4) The thing was a blast. Everyone that rode it loved it, from R1 owners to Harley riders. It is just so much fun. Anyone that has ridden one will agree.
5) Great to learn the basics of maintainence on.

Yeah, you can start on the FZ. I wanted to start on a SV650. When outgrow the 250 you can sell it for almost as much as your bought it for, and fast. I would buy another as a fun day/commuter bike any day.