First time street bike rider?

I'm 18, 5"11, 136lbs. Have never ridden a motorcycle but have clutch experience in a car. I would like to get a new/used YZF-R6 (I know i know too much power, going to kill myself, dont waste your time typing that) What I'm looking for is a way to get a test ride maybe with someone or maybe some POSITIVE advice that doesn't involve wasting money buying a 50cc bike from 1960 to outride it in a couple of months.





I know Yamaha and other bike companies hold test rides at places but there wont be one for a while in my area so what can I do?





Also any pointers and hints on buying cheap helmets and jackets would be nice.





And one more thing has anyone bought that spine guard (looks like a lifting belt that goes up over the spine with pads and straps over ribcage)?
First time street bike rider?
okay, time for some good advice...





Point 1. most important: Gear saves lives, Not loud pipes...


Get yourself a Good jacket from a reputable company, and a snell approved full face helmet...bare minimum! gloves, boots, and armored pants are a definite plus...a spine guard probably will not be of much benefit for every day riding..





point 2. If you've already decided what bike you want, and you can afford it, go get it...but be prepared, the odds of you at least dropping it a couple of times are very high...keep that in mind...





point 3. Take the MSF course, they will teach you all the basics, and get you ready to ride...from there it's just about practice, and honing your skills.





Take the MSF course before you buy...get your license, then preactice practice practice, and always wear your gear...
First time street bike rider?
Take a motorcycle training course if you have never ridden a motorcycle before. Starting on a R6 is not a good idea because sport bikes handle differently then cruiser bikes and you can easily flip and hurt yourself. But if you really have your heart set on it, taking a motorcycle course will prevent you from killing yourself.





Also don't do anything stupid.
Reply:600cc eh,great fun.wish i was your age again.you wont kill yourself unless youre a total nutter.most bikes nowadays can outperform rider.just ride normaly youl soon find your own limits.good luck with the bike
Reply:Too much power, you're going to kill yourself !





Or mangle the bike you test ride.





Why not do the wise thing , Take the MSF riders course, then get yourself a smaller starter bike , ride it for a season and next year if your up to it ,get your YZF-R6 ?





http://www.msf-usa.org.
Reply:Gear does save lives, but loud pipes do also because it gets the attention of some cagers that don't see you because they are not paying attention.
Reply:Most of what those guys said is good sound advice except for loud pipes ,it has been proven they DO NOT SAVE LIVES they just aggravte the people that hear them and turn the public against and sonny they can out wait us.
Reply:Best advice I can give a new teenage rider:


Ego will kill you. Leave it home.
Reply:First off let me start by saying I'm 19, so I'm right there with you. I wanted a bike last year and advise from some riders that I know was to get a small bike. I got a 2004 250 ninja for $2300. Best thing I could have done. It accelerates faster than your regular sedan and it has no problem getting to 100mph. Something that I read the other day, "jet fighters don't start out flying jets, why should motorcyclists?"


1. Take the safety course. You might find out riding isn't for you, plus if you drop the bike there you won't feel as stupid as dropping a new YZF-R6. With the course you automatically get your license. I wouldn't think that they'd let you test ride one without a license, but I could be wrong.


2. I agree with the first guy about the gear. Your head is important and you should protect it with snell approved, in my opinion.


Why I started with a 250. Resale is great on that bike. If you decide to move up in size you can easily get back what you paid. Very forgiving throttle. If you accidently give it more throttle that you wanted you won't go popping any wheelies and falling off the bike. This is the story that sold me on this bike, 700 miles on a kawasaki ninja 250 http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread....
Reply:Get the r6 the only way to know the power of the bike is to ride it and its pretty much like riding a regular bike till u get to the powerband. Go ahead get the bike ride safe dont listen to the haters that cant afford the bike.
Reply:Unless you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license, NO manufacturer will allow you to ride their bike.