Yamaha - YZF R6 - Opinions sought

**Zimsar10** · 11th February 2009, 07:11

Hi guys,

I am looking at upgrading from my current Yamaha Scorpio Z 225, to the Yamaha YZF R6 at some time this year. I have been riding for 1 year 4 months & riden over 24,000km during that time.

I would like to have some advice from the experts on these forums about the Yamaha YZF R6 as a bike & if (in your opinion) this is an appropriate upgrade from my current ride.

I am a sensible rider, I generally stick to the limit, however - when the conditions are right - I love to crank it, which generally speaking does not happen "that" much, but it's great when it does!

So yeah, fire away, let me know what you think about the above questions.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers, G

**BOGAR** · 11th February 2009, 08:19

I have one and went from a 250 to that and I absolutely love it. Best thing I have ever done. It is so much fun and is a great bike. From what you say you should be good. But always trust your instincts.

**Zimsar10** · 11th February 2009, 08:27

Originally Posted by RED YZFR6

I have one and went from a 250 to that and I absolutely love it. Best thing I have ever done. It is so much fun and is a great bike. From what you say you should be good. But always trust your instincts.

Hey man, thanks heaps! I agree with the "trust your instincts" statement, you are so right!

**Tank** · 11th February 2009, 08:43

Its not so much the bike - its how you ride it.

also - wait to you have ridden it before you think of it as your next bike - shop around - there are lots of nice bikes out there, make sure you get the one that is best for you. Even it you still end up with the R6 - you will be happier knowing that you have tried the competition.

**firefighter** · 11th February 2009, 08:48

Ahhhh, so you do ride, good, go for the R6 if it takes your fancy, I think they're sick, my brother up-graded from his R6 to an R1 a couple of weeks ago, and sold his R6 to our step- brother (he got in before me the bastard)

Really, you will be sweet, just teethe into it, I rode it a couple of times on my learners and was fine, so i'm sure you will be ok.

If your in love with all those 600cc bikes- go for the one you like the look of and feels good, they're all much in a muchness.... and the R6 would be my choice if I had the money...

**R6_kid:Me** · 11th February 2009, 09:01

There are 6 incarnations of the R6, and which one you choose will change the riding experience that you have, although overall they are very similar bikes.

If you are thinking something like the 99-02 style, they are great bikes, with about 100hp at the wheel. I upgraded to one after riding the tits off of a ZXR250 and still found it to be quite a step up. Sure, it handles good, stops good, but it goes really great - and thats what will catch you out.

A scorpio is by no means a 'sportsbike' in any sense of the word, not only does an R6 handle completely differently, you'll also be dealing with over 5x the power.

It does come down to how you ride, but at the end of the day you probably wouldn't go wrong with getting some experience up on a CBR/ZXR 250 in the meantime or maybe even a 400 for the first few months after you get your full.

"the throttle goes both ways"

**The Pastor** · 11th February 2009, 09:07

yeah go hard dude.

just treat the bike with respect. take it easy untill your used to the power - they have a habbit of being "not that fast" then you realise your 20km/hr too hot in the corner. deceptive.

**captain_andrey** · 11th February 2009, 09:10

Why dont you shop around and test ride all the 600s? And yeah, I also went from 250 to 600, its a big step but you get used to it real fast.

**Zimsar10** · 11th February 2009, 09:38

This is great stuff, thanks so much for all of your help & yes, I agree, trying different bikes is probably a good idea.

I did once have my eyes on the Kawasaki Ninja 650R, but got put off, when I saw the nice cut up lines of the Yamaha R6 & the "better handling/better performance/better componentry/better, ummm everything with the R6, including a BIG price hike too of course.

But yeah, keep the rec's coming in, it really helps to know as much as possible. I get my full license next month btw.

**WRT** · 11th February 2009, 10:07

Take your time getting used to it - the midrange shouldn't really hold any nasty surprises for you, but the top end almost definitely will. Not so much the acceleration, it's more the braking that's the issue at the end of the straight. Make sure for the first little while on the bike that you slow down well before you think you need to. Corners, stop signs, the back end of cars - they will all come at you much faster than you are used to, and it takes a bit of time to become familiar with this.

**discotex** · 11th February 2009, 12:08

24000km should have given you a pretty decent idea of the dangers of motorcycling and how to handle yourself.

+1 for take your time getting used to the extra power of a bigger bike (R6 or otherwise). The main difference is how fast you can get yourself in the shit.

**CRF119** · 12th February 2009, 16:56

Very nice bike you cant go wrong unless you drop it so be nice for a bit.

**nz_rider** · 12th February 2009, 19:46

trust your instincts and dont push yourself too hard too soon. take it at your own pace and speak with as many poeple as you can who have riden/still ride the same size bike as you.
most of all have fun with it.