New member needing advice

[xnastyx]

What's up everybody.

I'm new here to this forum and to owning a bike so I thought I would join and post.

I know how to ride a bike, just never owned one before. Is the fz6 a good beginner bike? Or should I look into something a little slower to start out with? Also, how much should I be planning on spending on a used one? Like what is a general price range for a fz6? Thanks!

 

[GConn]

Welcome. The FZ6 is not the ideal bike to start on. However, things always depend on the rider rather than the bike. Even a 250 can get you in trouble if you're careless. The problem is, a 600 will get you into trouble easier. Ideally, given that no other factors exist (money, design etc) the proper starter bike would be a GSX500F.

Whatever you get, try not to exceed your capabilities at any time. Also try to get into any riding schools you can. Oh, and plan on spending some money on proper gear when budgeting your purchase. HTH


Disclaimer: My first 'big' bike was the FZ and was perfectly fine for me...so what do I know?

 

[Ridgeback]

:welcome:

If you've never owned a bike,then your experience is going to be very limited,so much as I love the FZ,I'd say steer clear and go for something with less horsepower to start.
Try a Supermoto.You can have just as much fun with half the power and it will teach you more about cornering,general riding skills.then move up to something bigger.
The FZ is very docile untill about 8.5K then all hell breaks loose,which can catch people out.

Good first 'Moto's are 640 KTM's 610 Huskys,(Later the better)WR 426's,XR650R's (Liquid cooled version) and maybe the DR400 (Though it would probably send you to sleep )

 

[DaveOTZ]

Where on LI??? Out east is one thing but getting around in Nassau is something completely different. Definitely take a class with MSS... Im in Queens and without the "here's what you do in this situation" learning I had in the class I would definitely have some OH Sh** moments. Think about traffic and the on ramp from the cross island to the southern state. If you can get something cheap and small to start... try to get a beater low CCs etc. After 6 months (in most cases) youll be ready for the FZ, but if your'e dead set on it, go for it, just be conservative... Tough to say no knowing you can really use some extra power getting out of trouble on the island...

 

[macem29]

the bike has a few things going for it for a first time rider:
great brakes & handling, engine is docile, mild mannered
at low RPM...it can really get away from you though if
you twist on it...I like the previous advice about starting
with something else first though because you are than likely
drop your first bike in the first few months, so start with a beater,
you shoud be able to get something perfectly servicable for
around $1500, keep it for a year and if it's in similar condition get
that back again when you sell it...there have been some great
deals on used FZ6's lately, a few years old with little use in the
4K range

edit: and welcome to the forum, great bunch here

 

[chunkygoat]

I'm going to go ahead and kind of contradict what some of the others are saying here. Bear in mind this is my personal opinion.

Having ridden my friend's Ninja 650 for a couple of months, I hadn't owned a bike myself until 2008 and purchased the FZ600 as my first bike. I was in the same position as you, knew how to ride it (even took the class and had my license), but didn't own yet.

With that said, the Fz was the only real option for me, and it ended up being perfectly suited to my needs and skills. Depending on your mindset, yes this bike can get you into trouble, and even injure you (or worse). This is no different than any other bike though - so the mindset you ride with is really crucial.

If in your car you have a lead foot, lots of tickets, like to go fast, even a few accidents maybe - then riding on the street might not be for you. Being sensible and responsible at all times is 100% most important aspect (for me). If you follow those guidelines and are a safe rider, then I see no problem with the FZ being your first bike.

Everybody told me not to buy new, and go smaller. I knew i would be bored with a 250 because of my size and weight, so this was my first bike and I have no regrets, 2 years later. I have 0 accidents and 0 speeding tickets, going on 14,000 miles (knock on wood). This bike sweep you off your feet on the turns and give more than enough power for highway use. Just use it responsibly (because your life depends on it!), in which case I would say the FZ600 is a terrific beginners bike - it worked for me.

There's my 2 cents.

 

[Red Wazp]

Chunky nailed it. Follow his advice and buy really good gear. All the gear including riding pants and boots-good luck.

 

[Adrenaline Junkie]

i bought my fz6 as my first bike with very little riding experience. i taught myself how to ride it, i didn't take any classes, and i paid a pretty high price. i dropped it the fourth day i had it with no gear on, going about 40 in a tshirt and sun glasses. road rash is not fun. and neither is damaging a pretty bike. i'm glad i got it as my first bike, but don't under estimate it and take the class before if you don't know much.

 

[Motogiro]

:welcome: to the forum!

The FZ6 is not a starter bike but if you respect it you'll be fine. A 50cc scooter will bring you to a crash. Depends on the situation and what role you decide to play. Take a safety course. Try to get experience with no cars around. When you're on a bike in traffic it's a different animal. You won't get the same perspective from riding in a car. As others have said, invest in decent protective gear.
Have Fun! The FZ6 is an awesome dynamic bike with many possibilities. It is a true sport/touring motorcycle from the track to the campgrounds. :rockon:

 

[xnastyx]

Wow! Thanks for all of the reply's.

@DaveOTZ.. I do live out east on Long Island, pretty far out east, so the chances of me taking it out into the city aree very slim, let alone even into Nassau.

I understand that you can crash on ANY bike going any speed. I do have common sense. I've been pulled over once (not for speeding), so I have never gotten any tickets so far:thumbup:..

Now I'm not going to lie and say I don't like to go fast because I definitely do. I'm just careful about it and make it safe, if that makes any sense.

Thanks for the advice. I'll go check out some of the other bikes that everyone posted and see how the look!

 

[jstoof]

I would have to agree with chunkygoat i think the FZ6 was a great starter bike for me, i grew up on some dirt bikes so kinda had a feel for them. But i have only been riding for about 2 to 3 months now so i guess i cant have the best advice but have already put 8000 miles on it:rockon: I feel very comfortable on the bike and that it doesnt exceed my expectations plus the insurance is a whole lot cheaper then any other bike

 

[sniff6]

I'm Sorry but this is where the laws in America are bonkers..A Fz6 as a first bike??? Here in the uk learners are restricted to 125cc until they pass their test,then it's 33bhp for 2 years.It gives riders a chance to gain experience before getting on more powerful bikes..
This keeps the death rate on uk roads down

I know it's the land of the free over the pond, but your motorcycle mortality rate is madness.(sorry about the rant, just my penny worth)

 

[Mancolt]

I'm Sorry but this is where the laws in America are bonkers..A Fz6 as a first bike??? Here in the uk learners are restricted to 125cc until they pass their test,then it's 33bhp for 2 years.It gives riders a chance to gain experience before getting on more powerful bikes..
This keeps the death rate on uk roads down

I know it's the land of the free over the pond, but your motorcycle mortality rate is madness.(sorry about the rant, just my penny worth)

I find it crazy that you guys are okay with the government telling you that you can't own any motorcycle above 125cc as a first bike. But, to each his own. I know most Americans appreciate that we have the freedom to ride a 600cc (if you so choose).

As for the FZ6, I agree with chunkygoat. It all depends on you, but I think the FZ6 is a fine beginner bike. It was my first motorcycle (though I did have an old dirtbike before it). Definitely has enough power to keep you happy for quite awhile, and enough power that it will make you say "damn, this bike can really move!" when you first ride it.

I know I wanted a bike that I could be happy with for at least a few years. This bike fits that perfectly. I'll probably keep mine if/when I move onto a bigger bike because

a) I wouldn't get much reselling it anyways and
b) I think I'll always enjoy taking a spin on the comfortable FZ6

Having said all that, I rode my friend's R6 the other week. If you think the FZ6 hauls @$$...ride the R6! (And someone with an R6 would probably say the same thing about the R1, etc). The R6 really rips. It kicks in around the same RPM as the FZ6 (~8k) but screams all the way to ~15k! It was a very fun but less comfortable ride. I would not recommend the R6 for a first bike...it really begs to be revved even more so than the FZ6.

I know if I had bought a 125cc or 250cc, I would have been itching for more power after a month or 2. The FZ6 is docile enough if you respect it, but has that "fun" factor when you want it as well.

 

[macem29]

I'm Sorry but this is where the laws in America are bonkers..A Fz6 as a first bike??? Here in the uk learners are restricted to 125cc until they pass their test,then it's 33bhp for 2 years.It gives riders a chance to gain experience before getting on more powerful bikes..
This keeps the death rate on uk roads down

I know it's the land of the free over the pond, but your motorcycle mortality rate is madness.(sorry about the rant, just my penny worth)

wow, a pro-government rant on a motorcycle board? is this a first?

 

[sniff6]

wow, a pro-government rant on a motorcycle board? is this a first?

Good points and Bad.With the 125cc Rules, imagine a 17 year old just jumping on a R1 and Bombing down the m6.

(of course we are jealous of you over there ,not bothing with small bikes)

 

[macem29]

all that freedom comes at a price sniff: responsibility....
we are free to make bad choices as well as good,
if one of those bad choices has a negative affect
on another, the courts are there to rectify it

 

[Signal 50]

Personally I would start on something a little slower and easier to handle. I started on a cruiser and I'm glad I did. Its a forgiving way to get a feel for a lot of different traffic situations without know a handful of the breaks will put you on the pavement. Get a feel for traffic, stick situations, emergency situations, and just plain old cruising. You'll figure out what you like. If you decide to move up, you'll appreciate the FZ a lot more. I'm glad I didn't start on one.

 

[Motogiro]

I recently rode a cruiser home from the dealer for a neighbor. My impression in comparison to my recent FZ6 (sold) and present R1, was it made me apprehensive. From the riding position to the steering and braking. It felt like it wouldn't maneuver out of it's own way. Maybe I'm being a little one sided but the FZ6 feels safer than a cruiser. The steering geometry is superior as are the other aspects of performance.
If you're Darwin Award material, You're Darwin Award material. and no common sense is going to help you. The only place I would really say start with a smaller bike is if you have a lighter shorter stature and of course I don't recommend a liter bike as a first bike. Safety course and ATGATT....:rockon:

 

[Jez]

My FZ6 is my first bike. And I live in the UK. Not restricted in any way.

It's a bit of a handful for a learner but not impossible. It all depends on your natural levels of caution. Don't want to unfairly generalise, but your average 21 year old doesn't have quite the same sense of self-preservation as a 37 year old

I think the difference I have with the American approach is in the level of training. Just like you need a license over there to drive a car, you should need a full bike licence for a big bike IMO. As stated above, in the UK you are restricted to a 125 on L plates until you do pass the test

4 day intensive DAS course in the UK, pass the test, and you can jump on anything you like. And you know you'll have had some of the best training available anywhere.

 

[macem29]

everyone is entitled to an opinion, and I like Moto's...I think one of the
hardest things for a new rider is slow speed movement in a confined space,
(parking lot) and cruisers are terrible for this, the FZ6 is way nimble and a
better learner bike for this purpose...I also agree with signal's comment
about brakes: the front brakes are awesome on the 07+ FZ6, but until some
feel is developed all that stopping power could be a real problem