[Andrew]

This site cannot endorse the bike you chose but we are all glad you are progressing safely along in your progress.

[Andrew]

What helps me is slowly letting out the clutch and rolling on more throttle to match the revs.

[Andrew]

A google shows the bike is a 600cc bike that has 100+ hp. When you start looking at smaller bikes look at the hp numbers. The smaller the hp the less scary it will be when you roll on the throttle. For example my Ninja is very forgiving when I roll on the throttle.

[Andrew]

My instructor did mention that all the class did was make you parking lot certified. I did like the class for the skill level I was at and I learned a lot. There’s a gap though between the parking lot certification and and the riding on the road in traffic. I know in the UK they have a separate test for road riding where you ride in traffic with the examiner riding with you. A class that would prepare someone for that is what I think was missing.

I live in a small enough town that I was able to slowly transition myself into traffic but if I lived in major city then traffic would feel this unsafe major butt clenching activity until you built up a comfort zone.

[Andrew]

I have heard that tail bags are more likely to throw off the balance of the bike. But if the bag isn’t too big and there isn’t a lot of weight in it I would think it’s an option.

[Andrew]

If you have specific riding questions then ask away. As a fellow noob I am happy to see questions that I may be able to help with or may be able to learn about.

[Andrew]

I would suggest trying a Ninja 250 if you can. It will ease you fears and allow you to get back to having fun and learning. What specifically about the R6 intimidates you? Is it the weight, the power, something else?

[Andrew]

If your friends all have big fast sport bikes and they don’t want to ride at your pace then you shouldn’t ride with them anyway. I have ridden with a guy I know and he followed me on his Interceptor. I was worried he would ride fast but he said if he was riding with me it would be at whatever pace I selected.

[Andrew]

I have the 250 Ninja and it’s a great fit for me. I’m 5’4 and I can almost, but not quite, flat foot the bike at a stand still. I only weigh 135 so it has plenty of power for what I need it to do. I did sit on a GS500 and the height difference in the seat plus the extra weight was enough to make me a lot less comfortable. You’ll want to sit on some bikes and see how much ground contact you can make. You need enough so that you feel comfortable. As a noob you will want more contact than an experience rider will.

[Andrew]

I think the point that was made is that it wasn’t necessary to start slinging insults. Heated debate can happen without them.

[Andrew]

Was the class an MSF class. In IL they waive the DMV test if you pass the class and the class is free if you can find a vacancy. They also will run the riding test at the end in the rain. Happened to someone I know.

[Andrew]

I had only ridden a bike once in my life before the class and I got a lot from it. As a 34 year old man I didn’t need the lecture on drink riding either but the 17 year olds did and some of the crash stats were interesting to think and talk about.

[Andrew]

The guy I bought the bike from used the center stand to swivel the bike to put air in the tires. It looked easy but I haven’t tried it myself.

[Andrew]

The Idiots Guide also says that although it is best to mix oil your first criteria is to have enough oil.

[Andrew]

Congrats. You just need to let the bike do what it wants to. As a noob that means trusting the bike which is hard. Once you get the hang of it it’s a big confidence booster.

[Author]

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