For the first time ever, I got to ride a bike with more than 50 wheel HP. Also, it was my first time riding a four cylinder motorcycle. Also, the first time riding a bike with FI. Talk about an experience. The only bikes I've ever ridden have been an old Yamaha XT250, my GS500, and a quick run around the block on a Ninja 500. Now given, this was just a quick run around the parking lot, but still...

A guy here in my apartment complex recently bought his brand new 2007 R6S from the dealer not two days ago. He asked me for advice and to basically give him a run through of what he can do since he sees me riding all the time.

The first thing I did was ask him if it was his first motorcycle. He said yes. Not off to a good start now, are we?
I asked him if he had taken the MSF course. He didn't even know what it was. Uh oh.
I asked him if he had his license. He said he hadn't taken anything yet. This is not sounding good.
I asked him if he had priced insurance for that sort of motorcycle. He said he had minimum liability. At least he has ONE thing...
I made sure that having that sort of insurance was acceptable with a financed bike. He told me that when he had the bike financed he made sure that he could get the cheapest insurance possible, since full coverage would run him over $5000 a year.
I asked him what sort of gear he had. He told me that he had an X-11, and that he had an all-weather jacket on order. I informed him that all leather gloves would be a good, good, good idea.

I let him know all about the MSF, what they do, what it does for you, the works. He said he'll look it up and sign up for a class. Good, good.
I told him not to worry about going fast, just work on being smooth on the throttle, brakes, turning, etc.
I told him that he should wear his gear all the time, and if he thought it was too hot to wear his gear that he shouldn't ride. I hope he listens.
He said he'd probably keep this bike for a year or two then upgrade to an R1 or a Hayabusa. I told him that was a bad idea. He didn't seem too convinced. Ah well.

At least I tried.

I asked him if I could take it for a spin around the parking lot. He said I could go right ahead.

I geared up (was just getting back from campus) and hopped on. Turned the key on and pressed the starter. This thing fired up instantaneously and settled into a beautifully smooth idle. No hesitation, no multiple cranks. Just press it and listen to it purr. And purr it did, like a sewing machine. Or a kitten. Or a kitten in a sewing machine.

The bars were far lower than what I am used to, even with my GS's lower Suburban Machinery bars. The right clip on at full lock is a mere centimeter away from the tank, not leaving much room for full lock maneuvers. I guess these ARE track bikes, after all.

The pegs are a lot further back than I'm used to as well. I guess that's what happens when you switch from a standard to a race replica bike. Overall though, not a bad feel. A week or so on it and I'd probably feel a lot more comfortable about the position.

The clutch engagement happened right off full in, it seemed. Very narrow, not much room to slip with. The power delivery was unbelieveably smooth, and it just seemed to keep coming (which it did, since I didn't even get to rev it very high). It was just so tractable and linear it was amazing. This was another beast all together compared to my GS, and I loved it. It just wanted to go, and go it did!

I didn't even go that far, but I still can't fathom how any new rider could feel comfortable on that bike. That thing is sheer power lurking in the costume of a hornet. It doesn't even try and HIDE it's power, yet new riders think it's a good idea to jump on something with a .25 hp/lb power to wet weight ratio and think nothing of it. It's unbelieveable! I couldn't imagine trying to work my way through traffic with that thing, at least not without getting comfortable on it first. But combine a new rider with traffic conditions and a supersport motorcycle they have no business being on and it's just a recipe for disaster. Or squid souffle.

Ah well, I enjoyed the ride around the parking lot, but would rather have something a little more upright, a little more naked, a little more practical, a little more realistic, a little more versatile.

I guess that was a pretty decent birthday activity. And I'm getting new A* Octane S-Moto gloves in the mail today! I can only hope things just get better and better from here.

birthday? happy birthday!
R6S eh...nice huh?

Quote from: pantablo on September 13, 2006, 03:56:18 PM
birthday? happy birthday!
R6S eh...nice huh?

To be honest it was a little cramped. Though I'm not used to that sort of riding position, that statement could be biased.

It was a lot harder to be smooth on (although it was just around the parking lot), especially with on throttle and clutch engagement.

Adjust the clutch for the guy.  (Unless, it's a hydraulic clutch (which I doubt).)

the R6S isn't a race replica bike... its an older version of an R6 that they're still selling.... like the GS I guess....


I know what you mean about the power being a bit of a thrill.  Probably 2 months into riding, I got to take my dad's CBR954RR out into the canyons.... absolutely amazingly quicky.... I loved it.  it'll easily do 90 in second....

Quote from: TragicImage on September 13, 2006, 04:53:52 PM
the R6S isn't a race replica bike... its an older version of an R6 that they're still selling....

the 'older version' is last years race replica model. I'd say his comment, in context, is relatively correct.

yes it is harder to be smooth. thats why the gs is such a good bike to learn on. then once you switch to the 600 you'd be smooth and fast in a short time.

x

Make sure this guy doesn't kill himself

Ya I bought a 95 zx6r a month or so ago, I must say it is very cramped compared to the gs.  But I also did ride a v-strom for 10500 miles the week before so maybe it was just the big extreme in leg room.  But I thought I would hate it, but its not bad now actually, you can feel the weight on your hands alittle more but its not a problem.  I dont know if I like the 4 cylinder though...I like twin engines, but that can go back to riding a twin for so long before this one, but its fast.  Good job on showing the guy the ropes!

Yup, yamaha dialed in another supersport bike for sale year after year.  I wonder if they will phase out the YZF600R soon 

At any rate, yeah, the R6S is basically the 2004 or 2005 R6 (can't recall which one exactly), and will no doubt be exactly the same bike year after year from now on.  I think Yamaha made a good decision locking in a new "everyday" sportbike with FI.  To date, the R6S is the only second-tier supersport600 with FI (as compared to the katana, F4i, and ZZR600 from the other three.  That seems to be important to so many riders these days.

and alpha, if all you did was take that bike around the parking lot, you felt NOTHING of what that thing can do.  The R6 wakes up at about 8,000 rpm.

Quote from: vtlion on September 14, 2006, 05:56:05 AM
Yup, yamaha dialed in another supersport bike for sale year after year.  I wonder if they will phase out the YZF600R soon 

At any rate, yeah, the R6S is basically the 2004 or 2005 R6 (can't recall which one exactly), and will no doubt be exactly the same bike year after year from now on.  I think Yamaha made a good decision locking in a new "everyday" sportbike with FI.  To date, the R6S is the only second-tier supersport600 with FI (as compared to the katana, F4i, and ZZR600 from the other three.  That seems to be important to so many riders these days.

and alpha, if all you did was take that bike around the parking lot, you felt NOTHING of what that thing can do.  The R6 wakes up at about 8,000 rpm.

The F4i has been fuel injected since 2001. Hence the "i" addition to the old F4.

And I know that thing was more powerful. I got it up to 10k one time (limited space) and was impressed with how much it would just smoothly pull me along compared to the GS, which seemes to make me ring its neck to get it to pull anywhere close to that.

The F4i is injected?  sweet.  I wish I knew that two years ago when I was bike shopping 

Quote from: vtlion on September 14, 2006, 07:21:30 AM
The F4i is injected?  sweet.  I wish I knew that two years ago when I was bike shopping 

The CBR600F4 was made until 2000, when the fuel injection was added (and thus making the F4i the top tier sportbike in the Honda lineup until 2003 when the 600RR was introduced).

The '01 and '02 models are the only F4is with a two level seat. The others have banana seats, as most second tier sportbikes have.

Alpha, I'd say that in one day of riding the R6S, you'd feel totally comfortable on it.  Maybe not the riding position, but its power and throttle response.  And you'd have fun running the piss out of it.

I would like to point out that the R6S has conventional forks, rather than USD forks that came on the 2004-2005 RG it is based on.  Cost cutting measure.  But it is so inexpensive!  I think the R6S is a great bike for GStwiners to move to. 

Maybe Destro will get one if he gets tired of his YZF600R(since he is in love with I4 bikes)!
Destro, tell your wife I said it was okay to get a new bike. 

I think Brian secretly wants an R6s.

Personally, I openly want the R6.  Blue of course, cause it's the fastest color on the market.

Red is sexier and I have 2 blue bikes 

Quote from: blue05twin on September 14, 2006, 08:37:16 AM
Red is sexier and I have 2 blue bikes 

Blue is the fastest, red catches more attention, but PINK is the sexiest!

Quote from: Jake D on September 14, 2006, 08:00:34 AM
Maybe Destro will get one if he gets tired of his YZF600R(since he is in love with I4 bikes)!
Destro, tell your wife I said it was okay to get a new bike. 

Yeah, I4's are great if you like horsepower, I guess if you need huge low end torque, you could always buy a V-Rod!!!

YZF600R has everything I need in a bike, better midrange and low end power, and a more comfy riding position, especially with the banana seat (just like the Superhawk, if you take off that cowl) than the race replicas.

The YZF600 is the most comfortable bike I've ever been on.  It is way more comfortable than the Super Hawk.   Very upright. 
Hey, in the new Sport Rider (or Motorcyclist), they have a dyno chart of an R6, R6S, and YZF600R. 
You're right, your bike has tons more low end and mid range.  And it hangs with them up top pretty well for a while.
But you have to admit, the R6 is sexy!

Yeah, I would like the dual front lights.  I will let you know how comfortable the bike is after this weekend.  Going to Manhattan and back on Saturday for the Marshall game.  Go 'Cats!!!