Saved this from another post of mine.You can start on an R6, it's been done before. It will be a challenge to not twist the throttle wide-open, especially if you're a testosterone-filled young man.
My R6 wasn't my first bike, and I had ridden for three years prior to taking ownership. I still promptly chucked myself off the road that first summer of R6, and into the hospital for surgery and some months of pain (yes I was wearing full gear at the time).
If you are a mature rider (to me this means older then 30), the bike is only as dangerous as you make it. Keep it under half throttle, revs below 10k rpm, and learn to take a corner hard over the timespan of a few years rather then months.
I say this not to scare you, but to caution you as to the capabilities of the bike.
I still have that same '05 R6, and have never reached the bike's true limits even at the track (although I have exceeded my skill level and ended up sliding down the asphalt more times then I'd like to admit).
You'll develop faster as a rider on a smaller bike, but I totally understand wanting the raw power of an R6 at your control. Spend the money on a high-quality helmet, a set of full gear, and new tires if yours are older then 5 years or questionable in any way.
You either pay now, or later in lost wages, injuries, etc. If you're pushing your own limits and the limits of the bike, it's not "IF" but "WHEN" you'll crash.
Saved this from another post of mine.
And just to add on to that, don't skimp on gear including a back protector.
Mine has a huge gouge right across from one of my crashes. If whatever made that mark had gone into my spine, I might not be walking right now.
I own a 2007 R6, bought leftover in 2010 65000km. I race amateur lightweight on a 2015 yamaha R3. My son has 10 years of dirt and 2 years roadracing on ninja 250. He has a 2021 R3 for when he gets his license in July. My answer to this question will always be NO 600 for first bike. You can ride a smaller bike for a while, sell and get your money back if you want a bigger one. I'm not your mother, but just my 2cents.hey guys im 17 and ive had my temps for almost 2 years and my motorcycle license since mid year last year i've ridden plenty of cruisers from my parents like honda shadows 1100 and vtx 1300 and a 22' harley fat bob (114) even. ive put MANY hours on the rode, i felt really comfortable on those and never dropped any of them. i even survived the tale of the dragon already. i also ridden and race xc atv racing for 13 years and been on dirtbikes so here's the question 300cc or 600cc for my first rocket?
