Is that the going rate for a clean '01 R6, CBR600, or GSX-R600, about $6-6500. Ok I think the answer is clear. I'm going to get one. Anyone selling theirs in the Bay Area for that rate?

As for cornering, I talked to a an instructor at Jim Russell who races both bkes and autos that a good handling car WITHOUT aerodynamic aid handles slightly better than a sport bike. But once you go with ground effects and winged races cars, its no contest - autos win out. Still, there's nothing like being on a nice sport bike.

Have fun and be safe everyone!

 

I have a 2001 CBR600, yellow, 6000 miles, no scratches, dropped or raced. $6000, while supplies last. Time to move up to a 1000 of some sort.

 

You can't really copmare the two as far as handling goes. I would be faster around country roads on a R6 than the R1 because the R1 always has the threat of spinning the tire out from under you. The R6, you just wring it and go. The hardest thing about pushing these vehicles around a corner is "fear". Gravel, blind corners, decreasing radius turns are all something that goes through my mind each and every time. I used to be a little reckless on the R6, and on highspeed corners (~60+) I feel that I can set up a bike well enough through the corners that will allow me to power out of the apex at a rate that gives no hope to the s2000. But on slower corners, theres no competition AT ALL. You can toss the s2000 around with little care for your life or your vehicles. I won't push the R1 like I did the R6 though. Now I just ride at a casual pace that is still fun but also safe. I think "CAR" magazine tested a S2000 and a F4 around a racetrack (can't recall the track name), and the S2000 beat the F4 by FOUR seconds. Of course riding a bike efficiently is MUCH^10 more difficult than driving a car so there is always the rider factor. But considering the power difference, 4 seconds is impressive.

 

As a three-bike, one car, one truck owner, I've definitely been leaning in the "multiple, specialized vehicles" rather than "fewer, more expensive, general purpose vehicles" camp.

To be truthfull, I find myself riding my bikes quite a bit less now that I have the S2000. I really am put off on riding around town and in traffic on the bikes, so I now mostly use them for trips or adventures.

Every once in a while I add up all the investment and insurance cost, and think about getting rid of them all and just owning one car, like most humans. Maybe the new Porsche C4S?

Bikes:
BMW R1100GS (Big dual sport)
Kaw KLR 650 (Medium dual sport)
Honda XR400R (Small dual sport... are you getting the impression I'm into dual sports?)
Car:
Honda S2000
Truck:
LR Discovery

I've never been into sport bikes, but the new Honda VFR800 (VTECH!) looks mightly tempting...

 

I've got a question for everyone on the subject of bikes ... How many of you guys bought a race bike as your first bike with no previous experience? I'm thinking about either buying a CBR600 or R6. I've got some people telling me that I'll get bored in 6 months and to go for a GSX-R750 and I got others telling me to be conservative on my first and consider a smaller bike. Any opinions???

Also, how many of you dropped your first bike?

Just getting a feel before I take the plunge.


Jim

 

My advise to you is to get a used bike of 600cc or smaller to learn first. When you've ridden for over a year then get the bike you want. I started with a '90 Yamaha FZR600 and dropped it like 3 times, didn't care since it was a old bike. Two year later I got the R6.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jcheung550
[B]I've got a question for everyone on the subject of bikes ...

 

I got a 250r ninja as my first bike. First time I rode it, That bike almost spit me off. I actually learned stick on my 250r first, the S came later. I'm actually glad that I did take the 250 first. Helped me get use to being on two wheels and it was a very kind bike. You could really be an idiot on that bike and it would just try to keep along. But I had to get rid of it once I found out that it was impossible to do stoppies (only ONE front caliper) and that the only way to do wheelies was to drop the clutch at 10rpms. Also the 100mph top speed didn't help in my decision of selling it either. I got bored in about 3 months. I'm now in the process of getting an R6. Hopefully in the next month or so. Thinking about the red/white.......still not sure.

 

Thanks guys for your input. Judging from the responses, it looks like I should get something a bit more tame.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

DaHapa, well said. So true! Riding courses are an excellent idea. I've been there myself.

And I'll pipe in here and support that about getting a smaller bike as your first bike! Don't get the R6 to start out on.

In Australia, you have to be on "learner" plates for 6 months and no bigger than a 250cc, no passengers. In the first year of your license, you are still limited to a 250cc, 0.00% BAC (blood alcohol content). After that you can graduate to a bigger bike.

As the others said, get the smaller bike first. You'll live a lot longer, and you'll get the experience that you'll need to ride for a lifetime, not the single ride of your life. And get a fairingless bike. They're cheaper to fix! Plastic/ABS farings on sportbikes is ridiculously expensive to fix.......people drop sportbikes all the time, and the manufacturers know this. Fairings are a good cash cow for the accessory division!!

Some riders who have been riding a long time forget what it is like to be a beginner. And a lot of sportbike riders like to think they wear their underwear on the outside of their pants



Yes, a sportbike is partly about image, but image is not about being splattered all over the countryside. The same riders, seeing your demise will probably just say "........He couldn't handle the power. Too inexperienced". But, these are the same guys that say "Get a big bike, ya woos". See the ironicism here?

Try not to think about what others think of your 'smaller; choice. You will have the last laugh because you'll stay alive. By the way, I did drop my first bike, a Kawasaki 250cc (Being stupid of course - I was young). And the bigger the bike, usually the more expensive to fix. Additionally, if you don't have the power under you (to go really fast), you can concentrate more on learning good riding craft.

It's just the same as you wouldn't step into a 10 second, 900hp Supra as your first car. You want something that you can ease into. It should be said MORE SO with bikes!! I hope this advice also helps you.

Be safe out there!