[wheelman21]

Ok guys, here's the deal. I've got this buddy, who has no powersports expirience aside from riding a jet ski once (that he dumped). He's never riden a dirt bike, four wheeler, nothing. Well he wants to get a sport bike, and he is on a budget, so I have been pushing him towards the new 250, an older one, or an older 500 or 600 that isn't quite as high strung as the newer stuff. I had riden dirtbikes and what not for years before I got my first bike, and it was a Yamaha YZF-600R. My Second bike was as well. My 03 R6 is my third bike, a couple years later. I can proudly say I only ever dropped a bike (the 600R) in my driveway, on the first day I got it, because some gravel got under my foot, my leg slipped out and over it went. Now this guy is going and looking at an 02 R6. Am I wrong for thinking it's not a good idea, and he's probably going to get hurt? I know there are a lot of people who start out on 600's and what not, but a lot of the time they have some sort of expirience with something other than a car. He's on a very tight budget, and plans on getting "generic" (to use his words) gear. I won't have anything to do with him going out and buying a bike I know he can't ride. Do you guys think I am wrong for trying to discourage him from getting something like an R6 for his first bike? Last summer, another one of my friends bought his first sport, he had years of powersport expirience and lowsided his 06 600RR twice, so I tend to think this other kid is in for trouble. Also, he doesn't plan on taking the MSF. He wants me to teach him. I have succesfully taught people to ride before with great results, but always on bikes that fit into thier skill set. So what do you guys think?

 

[LuRuCard]

Ummm I would guess that the 250cc would be best for him but if he is already on a budget that is going to be very underpowered very quickly and that will take out of his budget gor getting a new bike. I think if you instill in his mind that he must stay with in his limits and that he know that he will probably wreck we all do then I think he will do fine. You just got to teach him that it is very important to ride in your limits and stay in your limits, you never stop learning when you ride that is all there is to it. Having experience on other things such as Four wheeler and jet skis and crap isn't going to help you ride a motorcycle better. I had No Motorcycle Experience before I got my first bike but I did fine with a 600cc for my first bike and love every minute of it. Anyway let him do what he wants and make sure he does get a helmet and leather jack at the least.

 

[mconner]

I have a buddy who was on a budget and for his first bike he got a katana, I personally don't like it but its good for a first bike. Now me personally, I got an '05 R6 for my first bike. It was used and had been laid over so i wasnt worried about dropping it or anything like that. He just has to respect the power of the bike and get used to riding it before he gets into a high pressure situation like heavy traffic where idiots dont look before they pull out, but in my opinion he should get one with a lot of miles and not very nice for his first one.

 

[TPayne]

I think it's a combination of his personality and his budget. But I think he should take the MSF course anyways. You can still teach him some things but he needs to take it. If he can control himself and respect the bike he will be fine on a 600. If its going to cramp him financially, I would just go with the 250 because it sucks buying something you can't afford. Basically if he has a good head on his shoulders he will be fine.

 

[wheelman21]

He doesn't want to take a course, because he doesn't have the $$$$$. The R6 he is looking at seems to be in pretty good shape, and has 6k on the odo. Not sure why the guy is selling it for $2,900.

 

[varnaR6]

I think it's first reaction to over react because we know the machines, and most of us have come to respect them for the finely forged double-edged swords they are. For those new to them who are attracted initially by the "cool-factor" that respect just isn't there, and will not be until they go down one way or another on something - be it their $9000 new R6 500m out of the dealer or a $2000 PoS made to abuse.
I know some people who simple know their limits and have no need to test their machines, I know this one guy who rides a Fireblade 929RR like it were a cruiser, you'll almost never see him above the speed limit. Then their are others who live at the redline.
I think your best bet is not to discourage him from what he wants (I think it's a mistake that he needs to make as a stepping stone to that respect that he's lacking), but to be there to at least instill good riding habits (like decent gear) so he can have a learning experience that doesn't involve hospitals and EMTs.
I myself learned on a standard - some chinese PoS whose name I can't remember was a 125, had it for 4 weeks. But it set me straight because if not for the fact that it barely weighed in at 150lbs, I would have laid it down a bunch of times and I knew it. My next bike was a super heavy 500lbs ZZR, monster, but again with the respect because if I ever did anything wrong, it was going down and the most I could do was make sure I'm no where near it when it does. I remember dropping it once at a traffic light because my legs weren't used to holding that weight and my wrists hurt - it just - fell. 6 years of riding later and I still drop em ... that's never gonna go away, and honestly if it did, I'd stop riding. For me, the fun in dropping it is putting it back together knowing I've checked another lesson-learned off the list. I've also never been hurt badly enough to call an ambulance - I think that only comes from knowing how much more powerful these machines are than I am.
Your bud just needs to get his mind around that, and he'll be fine. His wallet is an after-thought, safety first!! That said - whatever he settles on, make sure the gear is good!!!

 

[Trust Me]

you're entitled to your own opinion but telling him to get a 250 is like kicking him in the balls, noobs feel that way, especially guys. just my .02 cents

 

[Paytheon]

My first bike was a Ninja 900 in the mid 80's. I guess by your standards I should be dead becuz I didn't by a Ninja 250. It's all relative really. It's your friends choice to buy what he wants, not yours.

 

[Sammy Bono]

it all depends on your friend i rode a cbr 600 rr for 3 months and then jumped on my r1 last year and i didnt die but i didnt try to wheelie and act retarded its just about being responsible and easy on the throttle really just like paytheon had a 900 it all depends on the person if your friend is a daredevil hes going to get hurt on any cc bike

 

[Chango]

If he can't afford to take a proper class, I'll just assume that he won't be able to afford full coverage insurance either. So when he totals the bike because he has no idea what kind of power it has and therefor has no basis for "respecting" the bike, how will he pay to fix it? What will he do when it all goes wrong?

 

[travis0385]

ya if he cant afford a class... he needs to get his finances straight then worry about toys... or you can just let him learn on yours

 

[Bozzo06]

any bike is dangerous depending on the rider. My first bike was the one i have now, an 07 R6. As long as your responsible and respect what the bike can do, there isn't a bike you should have a problem with.