Help a Nooby decide

[BePrepared]

I have NEVER owned or driven a bike before. I know nothing about them other than what you can learn from riding a 4 wheeler


that admission out of the way, i'll present my question.

Is the FZ6 something that can function as my first bike? I'm 29 years old, and not at all interested in speed. I have no intention of "going fast" but i want a dependable bike that will perform on the freeway and will give me a comfortable ride. I was offered an '07 Fz6 with 12k miles in trade for some of my firearms and i'm seriously considering it.

I have every intention of taking it VERY VERY slow when i learn. Is this bike going to be too much for me, or can it be a good first bike?

 

[Kazza]

I have NEVER owned or driven a bike before. I know nothing about them other than what you can learn from riding a 4 wheeler


that admission out of the way, i'll present my question.

Is the FZ6 something that can function as my first bike? I'm 29 years old, and not at all interested in speed. I have no intention of "going fast" but i want a dependable bike that will perform on the freeway and will give me a comfortable ride. I was offered an '07 Fz6 with 12k miles in trade for some of my firearms and i'm seriously considering it.

I have every intention of taking it VERY VERY slow when i learn. Is this bike going to be too much for me, or can it be a good first bike?

Do a course first. Then see if you like it. Buying a bike when you have never ridden one before - would not recommend it.

After completing something like the MSF course is a must.

Good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lytehouse]

First of all.....:welcome:


next:PLEASE take some kind of MSF (motorcycle safety) course.
The FZ6 is also my first bike and it's been great! I certainly wasn't in the market for a "crotch rocket" either.....the FZ6 will do everything you need it to do (and more when you're comfortable).

 

[BePrepared]

i have a local course near me that is $198. I intend to take it as soon as i have the funds available, but for the moment, i'm not financially able.

I do have a close friend with a lot of bike experience who said he'll teach me. He is under the impression that i could handle anything in the 600 bracket other than the super-bikes.

By the way, i'm 6'0 and 198 pounds... if my size matters.

Will being trained by my friend and taking it slow help or is this too much bike for a novice?

I want to take the course but this offer will not wait until i have the cash available to take the class.

 

[tcmalker]

Don't get the FZ6 if you don't intend on going fast. But if you are getting a really good deal for that particular FZ6 take it. My personal recommendation is the Ninja 500 (my first bike). Great first bike and great on MPG (~60mpg)and also very comfortable. It has more than enough power for anything, including highway usage. You should get a good deal on it if you look on craigslist. There are 2 generations. 2nd generation is any model 1994-2009. They are exactly the same, just different color. So I would look for a low mileage one.

 

[lomax]

I have ridden for several years. and find that my FZ6 is a wonderful do it all bike. It is fairly comfortable for the long rides and handles well enough to carve up the canyons. When keeping the RPM's below 10K it is very docile and a good commuter. A great bike all around.

I would go for it if you really think you want to get into motorcycle riding.

I also would highly recommend taking a class as soon as you can. I will not say good or bad things about someone else teaching you and stay out of that controversy. However I learned to ride from others and have taught many others to ride. I did even teach riding way back when before the MSF actually had it's courses.

Just take it easy and stay within your ability. Any bike can bite you and any bike can be safe. :thumbup:

And BTW: :welcome:

Marc

 

[Kazza]

Don't get the FZ6 if you don't intend on going fast. one.

WTF? Rubbish! Very easy bike to ride FAST OR SLOW......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BePrepared]

i REALLY hate the riding position of the Ninja... i strongly prefer the more upright riding style. I was initially intending to get a cruiser, but this deal fell in my lap, and this bike seems to have a very upright riding style

 

[Lefty]

WTF? Rubbish! Very easy bike to ride FAST OR SLOW......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Language young lady, language.. I can see the steam coming out of your ears from here.

In all seriousness, respect your bike, ride at your own pace and take a training course. My FZ is happy plodding along when I feel like looking at the scenery and then when I'm not interested in the scenery, well you know the rest....:spank:

 

[AngelFZ]

As said before: take a course first.

Also, very positive if you can ride other bikes and see how you feel - you talk about your friend teaching you -

This was my very first bike, several mont before I got it, I was learning with a friends bike (sizuki 500 & 650)

The FZ6 can go fast if you ask for it. Go at your own pace.

Good luck,

 

[Kazza]

Language young lady, language.. I can see the steam coming out of your ears from here.

In all seriousness, respect your bike, ride at your own pace and take a training course. My FZ is happy plodding along when I feel like looking at the scenery and then when I'm not interested in the scenery, well you know the rest....:spank:

Whoops!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tcmalker]

WTF? Rubbish! Very easy bike to ride FAST OR SLOW......


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just saying that the Ninja 500 might be a better choice. If you're not going to use all that power, why not get something with a lot better MPG.

i REALLY hate the riding position of the Ninja... i strongly prefer the more upright riding style. I was initially intending to get a cruiser, but this deal fell in my lap, and this bike seems to have a very upright riding style

The Ninja 500 has an upright riding position very much like the FZ6 if not more. This is not an ZX-6R you know?

 

[Kazza]

Mpg/kpg are high when you ride hard everywhere. All bikes use a lot of fuel when ridden hard all the time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jerdman89]

I say if you can get a good deal for the bike go for it. But definitely take a MSF course first. The fz was my second bike but I only had a few months riding experience when I bought it, and any cc bike will bite you if you don't respect it. A buddy of mine somehow had his ninja 250 ride off without him at a stop sign when he started riding and crashed into a tombstone in the cemetery across the street. Just take it slow you'll be fine.

 

[mponder]

The FZ6 is a great bike, it is very dependable and gets great gas milage. I am 6'2" and weigh 225lbs, i have no issues with power and the riding position is good for me. If you have found a great deal on an FZ6 get it but limit the throttle or things happen quickly. :welcome:

 

[Yamma~Tiger]

Like a lot of other people on here said Take The Course!!! Not only will the teach you good riding skills... but also it helps when choosing your first bike. They have dual purpose 250s, some times sprt bikes like the GT250 and ninja 250 and also some 250 cruisers.... try to ride them all and get a feel for what suits you. The FZ6 is not a bad bike to start on.... not the best, but also far from the worst.

 

[Davey]

The FZ6 is a great bike, and if you have a great deal I'd recommend it! It was my first road bike, but I'd ridden motocross bikes for years before.

It does it all - touring, commuting and high speed fun when you want it. It's very reliable and also easy to work on yourself (with a manual!). But, inevitably with a do-it-all bike there are limitations.

The throttle is a little 'snatchy' and can make low speed control and maneuvers a little tricky. The power really takes off around 8-10k revs and if you're not careful it can bite you. You can get quite a lot of vibrations through the bars on long distance motorway riding. The stock seat is not the best - expect a numb butt after an hour or riding.

Some of these things can be 'cured' with a few modifications though. Take it steady, do the MSF course and be aware of your limitations as a rider and you'll be fine. As previously said, ALL bikes can be dangerous - it all depends on the skill (and brains) of the rider. Good luck and enjoy being on 2 wheels!

 

[greg]

what about an XJ6?

tbh anything with at least 20-30bhp will be enough for highway speeds


i'd definitely do some training, i don't understand how people can be allowed on powerful bikes without any kind of training at all :S

i did 2 days of training on a 125cc bike before i was allowed to train on a 500cc one, and then I had to pass 3 different tests! (CBT + DAS to fellow brits)

 

[youngy]

Anything Jap is going to be dependable. Comfort is a very personal thing, so you should try before you buy, but of course with no experience it will probably be extremely difficult to tell. If you like the look of it then the FZ6 could be ok for you.

The FZ6 is near on 100 bhp and capable of 140mph........ I'm trying to think of a gun analogy but can't. But then I guess that if you have a stack of firearms and have learnt to respect them etc then a motorbike shouldn't be a problem.

Training will help keep you alive, because every arsehole on the road is trying to kill you.

Make sure you can pick the bike up on your own, as you will drop it at some point.

 

[FB400]

The FZ6 is a VERY capable bike. This is my first but I am an older rider @46 yo.

You have to respect the power this bike has at higher Rpm's but with that said, you don't get to 12k rpm by accident. As another poster mentioned this bike is docile in the lower to mid rpm ranges. You would notice it come alive at 8k rpm and above and you best be ready for that before you venture to those upper rpm ranges.

To parrot what others have said, take it slow and definately do the MSF course.

The FZ6 can be an ok beginner bike if the rider is mature enough to handle it. at lower Rpm's the thing is very mild mannered and rather manageable. And to give a perspective of rpm you will pull 5500rpm at approx. 65mph on the highway. In lower gears you won't see 8k+ unless you intend to push it. Like most FZ6 riders as you get more comfortable you will explore the upper range but as a beginner I think you would be OK if you use common sense, stay out of the higher rev's and above all watch out for cagers who WILL try to kill you.

Good luck. You've found a great bunch of people here.