Help a Nooby decide

[Bram]

The FZ6 is also my first bike. Never rode anything on two wheels exept my bycicle.

it's perfect for a first bike. Very agile in the twisties, and can be a beast at high rev's.
In the beginning keep it in low-mid rev's until you feel comfortable enough, and you start to know your bike.

take the time to get to know the bike one step at the time, and the rest will follow.

Ride with common sence and a clear mind, treat the bike like it's your baby, and do a lot of mods!

Good luck:thumbup:

 

[youngy]

If you can't afford the $198 for training then what will you do about buying protective gear?

 

[jackay]

Definitely go and do the course first and see if you'll like riding bikes and how confident you are.

I would recommend the 250 ninja as the first bike if you decide that you want to start riding. It may be a 250, but the bike is really agile and you'll get plenty of fun out of riding it. Build up your riding skill from there. Enjoy

 

[jackay]

If you can't afford the $198 for training then what will you do about buying protective gear?

+1 to that. How are you going to buy a new bike if you can't fork out the money for some basic training?

And yes, buy protectors!!!

 

[Erci]

If you can't afford the $198 for training then what will you do about buying protective gear?

Excellent point!

The cheapest OK gear:

Helmet: ~ $100
Jacket: ~ $100
Pants: ~ $100
Gloves: ~ $40
Boots: (work boots will do in a pinch, but keep those laces well tucked!)

Statistically (from Proficient Motorcycling), those taught by friends or family are most likely to crash early in their riding career.

 

[Jugro]

:welcome:

Wouldn't see a problem with buying the FZ6, it is a nice stable bike that is very user friendly at lower RPM.
Buy some gear, take the course, get some pointers from your friend and go out and have fun..

AND don't follow your mate, one good corner and he will go bonkers. Instead lead the way and take it at your pace.

P.S.
Jackay reread the original post. Then your question is answered.

 

[BePrepared]

Excellent point!

The cheapest OK gear:

Helmet: ~ $100
Jacket: ~ $100
Pants: ~ $100
Gloves: ~ $40
Boots: (work boots will do in a pinch, but keep those laces well tucked!)

Statistically (from Proficient Motorcycling), those taught by friends or family are most likely to crash early in their riding career.

lol... i already have a very good helmet, boots, and gloves and the guy with the bike us giving me a jacket and another helmet with the bike

 

[Erci]

lol... i already have a very good helmet, boots, and gloves and the guy with the bike us giving me a jacket and another helmet with the bike

Very good.
Here's an idea for you if you can't afford the course right now. Go to a course and volunteer. It'll give you an idea of what/how they teach.

 

[Haelous]

The FZ6 is my first bike, and I've had it for roughly 1.5 months now. I rode other bikes before purchasing it, and by rode I mean 30-40mph. A 2004 GSX-R600 and a Suzuki Dual Sport, I can't remember which one.

I got a good deal on it, and it gave me "that feeling" you get when I sat on it. You know, the "it's mine" feeling when you sit in a car when you're out shopping for one. The seating position is very comfortable for me, even for a couple of hours. The HVMP bar ends and grip puppies helped a lot with bar vibrations.

I have been doing well with keeping the revs under 7000RPM now and having practiced emergency braking. I typically shift at 4-5K to keep the revs low as I am a noob. Gas mileage seems really good to me as well, mid to high forties.

So uh, OP, this may seem like a stupid question, but...

How can you afford the bike if you can't afford the course?


Another few tips that I thought about after my post. When I first started riding, I set goals for myself. Example, being able to do 25mph around the development and still accelerate to 30 through some of the curves. I believe I actually lost most of my chicken strips without even leaving the development. After that, my goal was to do a loop out, down to another development, and back. Small steps like that. Little by little, I became more comfortable with the bike.

Also, practice things like emergency braking in a parking lot for example.

Buy frame sliders.

 

[Smersh]

:welcome:, first of all

I'm 220 lbs, 6'3 and not particularly interested in speed either. FZ6 is my second bike, and i started on KLR 650 in 2008 after doing MSF.
Would I have started on FZ6, if i had to do it again? I will say "yes", but I am on the edge. The fz6 engine is VERY capable, and i remember making a few mistakes on KLR that would lead to more serious consequences.

The way I approached it was - after MSF, i got on the KLR and started riding around slowly in the neighborhood. I didn't have riding buddies, so some things I learned through reading and trials and errors. I did make mistakes with the throttle, and i can see now that FZ wouldnt be as forgiving as KLR. I had crash bars which saved the plastic when i did go down - i don't think that FZ6 can be protected to the same degree even with the crash bars.

I think Erci has a good idea about volunteering. Also, if you do get the FZ6, before you go through MSF, you can find a big parking lot and practice with your buddy, but make sure you spend a lot of time, and your buddy is not a :squid:.

This said, my main concerns would be: throttle mistakes tolerance and potential for cosmetic damage if you go down. just my two cents.

:welcome:, again!

 

[texcollect]

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

I notice that you live in Texas. In that case you have no choice but to take the class. The law in Texas changed September last year and now you must take the MSF class in order to get your M endorsement on your license.

As for your friend he may be a good rider, but is he a good teacher?

 

[BePrepared]

Well, first let me thank everyone for taking the time to reply. There has been a lot of good info.

As to the question of how i'm affording the bike: I am trading firearms for it.

I will have the cash to do the course by the end of the month (payday) but i don't have it right now, and the guy is scheduled to meet me friday with the bike. I'm getting the bike for 2 firearms worth a total of 3k so i think the value is VERY good on my end since these bikes tend to go for closer to 4k around here, and with far fewer mods and accessories.

I already have the bike gear. I got the boots a year ago because i liked the look, the jacket is an ultra thick leather jacket that i got years ago (Spidi Multitech Armor is on the short list of things to buy) and my buddy gave me a pair of storm rider gloves. When my dad heard i was getting a bike, he made a 3 hour drive to bring me a helmet. I didn't mention that i was already getting one, and the one he got me is MUCH nicer.


in all, i guess what i'm really asking is, will this bike be okay for me to learn on. I WILL be taking the class, but afterward, will this bike be one that i ride without killing myself in the first year? (assuming i am careful)

 

[Erci]

will this bike be one that i ride without killing myself in the first year? (assuming i am careful)

Unfortunately, no one can guarantee you that (or anyone else, for that matter).
It can be a great first bike, I think. It can also be way too much to learn on, if your mind is not in the right place and also lets face it.. riding comes more natural to some people than it does to others.

Some issues come to mind, as far as having this as a first bike:

1. If you make a mistake at very slow speed, there's a pretty good chance you will drop the bike since it's not all that light.. 460 pounds with fuel and just putting your leg out may not keep it upright. Learning on something like a Ninja 250 puts the seat 3" closer to the ground and drops the bike weight to 330 or so. You'd look a bit like a circus bear on one of those though (if you care about that sort of thing).

2. If you're not sure you'll be able to restrain yourself from riding out of your skill zone, this may not be a good bike to start on.
If you keep the RPMs low, while you're learning and slow way down before you enter turns, you should be fine.

Truth be told, you can be an idiot and kill yourself on any bike.. 250 or 1000 AND you can be sensible and learn on any bike.. 250 or 1000, but on more powerful machines, mistakes will be less forgiving.

Another suggestion I'd like to make: read a good instructional book! I highly recommend this one: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Proficient-Motorcycling-Ultimate-Guide-Riding/dp/1889540536]Amazon.com: Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well (0731360405364): David L. Hough: Books[/ame]

 

[jnappier]

The FZ6 is a great 1st bike IMHO and a great last bike, that should fit your needs for many years. It is light, very easy to control and handle.

It's not a liter bike that at the slightest twist of the wrist is going to wheelie or spin the rear tire. Unless you rev it to the higher rpm's and dump the clutch.

You can ride the FZ6 slow now and faster if you ever want to, like on the freeway to keep from being run over. It is very stable and comfy at freeway speeds.

I also have a Honda ST1300 and a Harley V-ROD and just sold a Bandit 1200S.
The FZ6 is a refreshing do it all bike.

 

[lytehouse]

in all, i guess what i'm really asking is, will this bike be okay for me to learn on.

YES!

and just remember it's only as fast as you let it be!

 

[jackay]

Well, first let me thank everyone for taking the time to reply. There has been a lot of good info.

As to the question of how i'm affording the bike: I am trading firearms for it.

I will have the cash to do the course by the end of the month (payday) but i don't have it right now, and the guy is scheduled to meet me friday with the bike. I'm getting the bike for 2 firearms worth a total of 3k so i think the value is VERY good on my end since these bikes tend to go for closer to 4k around here, and with far fewer mods and accessories.

I already have the bike gear. I got the boots a year ago because i liked the look, the jacket is an ultra thick leather jacket that i got years ago (Spidi Multitech Armor is on the short list of things to buy) and my buddy gave me a pair of storm rider gloves. When my dad heard i was getting a bike, he made a 3 hour drive to bring me a helmet. I didn't mention that i was already getting one, and the one he got me is MUCH nicer.


in all, i guess what i'm really asking is, will this bike be okay for me to learn on. I WILL be taking the class, but afterward, will this bike be one that i ride without killing myself in the first year? (assuming i am careful)

Ah! So that's how...

Well as others have said above, it really depends on how you ride. A risk taker or not.

Motorbikes are faster than pretty much 95% of the cars on the road. If you choose to speed and take risks, you'll have much higher chance of having an accident. The faster you go the less time and distance to react to the sudden change of event while you on the road.

Something I learnt recently is that human brain process itself takes about 0.25~1s down to making a decision, that includes everyday conversation, but you don't realise it...human aint designed to fast movements. Unlike animals such as cheetah, extremely fast and much shorter reaction time.

Personally I recommend the 250 Ninja to anyone if they keen to start riding. The is slower, but you'll get great enjoyment out of riding it. One advantage is that you can rev the hell out of it from 1st 2nd 3rd before you really need to slow down. And it's really good to handle around bends due to its weight. Unlike the 600-1000 category

Anyway this is my opinion. FZ6 can be a starter bike too...but be sensible about how you ride it. Once the bike gets into the higher rpm, it's in a totally different bike.:thumbup: