Would Yamaha R6 or R1 be good for a beginner?

Question

I already have my motorcycle license, but don't have riding experience other than the rider class. A friend suggested the R6 or R1, but I'm worried there may be too much power. I need an easy to manuever, light-weight bike that won't throw me off if I brake hard or excelerate fast. I'm a mid twenties woman that wants a cool, inexpensive ride that won't kill me.

Answer 1

I would definitely not start out on a 600cc or higher if you lack riding experience.....that said....i would recommend a used 250 ninja or something of that caliber...i say used because if you lay it over you won't be as mad as laying over a brand new bike.  Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I'D SAY, AS LONG AS YOUR AWARE OF ALL THE PONIES IN YA LAP, YOU WILL BE OKAY.  GO FOR THE 600, LOTS OF STARTERS WENT THAT ROUTE, I MYSELF, WENT WAY ABOVE THAT AND STARTED WITH A 2008 ZX-14.  I'M ONLY 18, 5'6, 145LBS  AND HAVEN'T LAID HER DOWN YET. I'VE HAD HER FOR 8 MONTHS.  GUESS IM SPECIAL   :P

Answer 3

To much, way to much.

Answer 4

For what you want, either one of those is the absolute WRONG choice!  The R6 is a 600cc sportbike, and the R1 is a 1000cc bike, or literbike. Your "friend" isn't really a friend, IMO.

Either one will respond precisely to even the subtlest rider inputs, and a new rider does NOT know what those are yet.  Therefore, you can get thrown right off without understanding why.  It's not the bike that kills, it's the rider telling it to do something that will kill.

Try a used SV650 or Ninja 650R.  Both are twins, easy to ride, with a very usable powerband and more forgiving ride qualities.  A VERY popular bike right now is the Ninja 250R.  It's much smaller, less than $4000 new, and will let you learn how to RIDE instead of scaring the p**s out of you.

If you do things right, this will not be your last bike, so you have plenty of time to ride and learn.  The class does not give you all the skills you need, only the basics, and it's up to YOU to practice those skills and survive.

Answer 5

easy to manuever, light-weight bike that won't throw me off if I brake hard or excelerate fast, cool, inexpensive ride that won't kill me. R6 is the bike for you.

I haven't yet read any of the responses but I can imagine all the references to the Ninja 250. Thing is you won't find one anytime soon and if you did, you wish you got the R6 in about 4 months so why not just get it now and save the headache.

Not just the R6 but any 600 from the big4 would do fine. It all depends on which is more comfy for you. Look into a YZF600R if you like Yamaha. It's less of a beast than the R6 and has a more comfy riding position.

It's funny how everybody "online" says the 250 is the best starter sport bike but everybody on the "street" says a 600 is the best starter sport bike. A 250 can kill you just as fast as a 600. Any bike will go just as fast as you can turn the throttle. You ride reckless, you increase risk. You ride sensible, you reduce risk. It's a s simple as that.

That 18 yr old with the 14 seems like a lil prick but he lasted this long by riding sensible. We should encourage him to keep riding sensible instead of bashing him.

Answer 6

that bike has too much power. I don't think a beginner would be able to handle it. a smaller engined bike would be good. 250 would be a good choice.

Answer 7

the R1, R6 are race track focused bikes. They make great power, but it might be too much for a beginner rider. Plus their riding style is awkward for a newbie. You are leaned way over. Placing a lot of weight on the hands and wrists. If you want to stay with Yamaha maybe look at the FZ1, FZ6. They make a better all around bike. I also recommend looking at the Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Ninja 650. Both these bikes are comfortable, fun and aren't that expensive.

Answer 8

R1 is deffinately too powerfull for a beginner. The R6 is also considered the most sporty/difficult 600 to ride because of how you sit and how stiff the suspension is.

If easy to manuever and light weight is what you are looking for then I would suggest a new 08-09 Kawasaki Ninja 250. It has updated fairings just like all the other crotch rocket sport bikes, and is only ~4000 dollars brand new since it is only a 250cc bike. Unless you are looking to haul *** (I mean like 120+, or retardedly fast acceleration) I would strongly recomend looking into one. They might not be that powerful or fast but they are still faster to 60mph than 90% of the cars on the road.

If you dont want that small of a bike you could get something thats a ~600cc multiuse sport bike. One that isnt made for all out speed/handling but is more made for some one wanting a bike to cruise around on with the ocasional oomph to speed around. Ones to look at Suzuki GS500F, GSX650F or a Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Also, the new 08+ Suzuki GSX-R600's have a feature where you can select between 3 different powerlevels, ABC. C is the weakest but is still sporty enough to cruise around, and A is the all out full power hauling *** mode.

Answer 9

your friend is an @$$hole who doesn't care about you.

an R1 will kill a beginner rider. hands down.

Answer 10

look into getting a Buell motorcycle.  their engine sizes range from as little as 250cc and higher.  plus they look really cool.

Answer 11

lol what kind of "friend" suggests a r1 for a 1st bike.. im not sure he likes you

Answer 12

I'm with everyone else that answered on here, your friend obviously knows nothing about sport bikes.  Stay away from the R1, it will bite you and you're not ready. If you really want an R6 try looking at the older ones like a '01 or older or even a Suzuki GSXR 600.

Answer 13

No way an R6 or R1...for a beginner....too powerful !!

start for a year or so on a 250...they are plenty powerful enough....try a 250 ninja or hyosung or honda....

happy riding !!

Answer 14

R6 could even be too much for you.

Look at the SV650s, GSX650F, Ninja 500R, Honda 599, Yamaha FZ6, Kawasaki ZZR600, Honda CBR600f4i. They have better manners than the "track bikes with lights".