R6, good but NOT for novice's (Yamaha YZF-R6)

Member Name: bikerchris

Product:	Yamaha YZF-R6
Date:	27/10/01 (12040 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Performance, Handling, Etc.

Disadvantages: Comfort in normal riding conditions, a bit height'ist, Not a good learners bike

This first bit is not a person merely boasting, it just helps if you know a little background info'. Otherwise an accurate conclusion can not be found due to the lack of comparitive experience a person has:

I have ridden bikes for around 5 or 6 years now, and in that time I've ridden many bikes, from BMW LT/RT's to Fireblades. I've also been involved in motorcycle training and RoSPA advanced riding. However, inevitably in this time in doing perhaps 25k or more miles per year, I have collected a few broken ribs, ankles, etc. along the way.

The R6 is a pure sportsbike and, as proved, you can strip the mirrors/indicators and tape up the speedo and there you have one ready to race machine (Once ACU are contacted of course). With this in mind, it is not really the sensible thing to purchase this as a first bike. In part due to the 'toe-tag' potential, but also, as I told many students, if you drop it it'll cost alot of money. Whereas drop a Bandit6 and you might only suffer the expense of a lever, and have a scuffed exhaust. Some people buy this kind of bike because of the saddle height, others may buy it "because their mates one looks cool in blue" (I've heard that one a few times). These are all the wrong reasons for the purchase of this bike should only be for committed riders who will not spend neigh on six grand for a bike they only us £100 of.

And if you can, test ride it for pete's sake!!!



SORRY, BACK TO THE BIKE...

I have a Blue 99 model which cost me under £3000 and there is little to fault this bike really, though most may complain about the lack of wind protection - myself included as my main bike is an Yam' FJ1200. For a 600, top speed is very easily achieved and on paper and in the real world is probably quickest of the mark than many of the other manufacturers offerings. Though the Kwacka's ZX6 does have a slightly better mid-range. But remembering t
his is a race thoroughbred, most of the powers up the top end, but slightly runs out of puff a 1000 or so rev's before the redline.

Handling is push-bike quick as the rake N trail would predict. Caution has to be taken for quick chicanes (err, sorry. I mean left & rights) as it can get a little out of shape, but provided you don't over-react and tense up, it calms down.

Clearance is excellent and lean angle hero's shouldn't have any concerns relating to this. Provided the tyres are scrubbed in and warmed up it feels like there's no limit to the tyres (though it does arrive, but sufficient warning)

Maintenance is reasonably easy and its one of the easiest modern bikes to work on in my opinion and in the opinion of full time spanner's.

Brakes are the tops. Standard 320 rotors with Yam's single cast calipers first used many years ago on the Thundercat when it first came out. Anyway, these things are quite capable of performing rolling stoppies at 60, not that I condone it but it shows the feedback, progression and power of these things. The rear ain't to bad either, for a rear.

For the following statement I'd like to say in advance I'm not trying to teach anyone to suck eggs, nor am I saying I know everything.

But buy this bike because you can ride it, not because your mate has one and you've always fancied (being seen on) a motorbike.

Summary: