Okay, so here's the backstory: I bought a new '08 R6 earlier this year, I've never ridden a bike before, and always insisted on taking an msf course and having full gear before riding. Seeing my bike everyday that week tempted me so I found myself on it after only a few days of short practice and ended up wrecking. I was exiting a gas station and accidentally dumped the clutch with a bit too much throttle, my wrist wasn't in the flat position so I cranked on the throttle accidentally due to the momentum throwing me back, I ended up hitting the front of another car stopped going the other way . The damage cost me about $2000 and a fractured hand.

Fast forward to when I got my cast off. I took the MSF course at the beginning of August. I passed, I was really comfortable and couldn't wait to get my bike back and ride.

It was about two months after that (2 weeks ago) and my bikes finally back in perfect condition. But I feel a bit rusty since the class. I've ridden it a few times just around my surrounding area, and haven't worked up enough courage to go on the main streets, partly because I just recently got my insurance and my leather jacket a few days ago. But a big part of the reason I'm not confident is my clutch/throttle mixture. The clutch isn't really progressive, and doesn't engage until the very end of the clutch levers travel. So I'm not really worried about the actual moving part, I just worry about coming off of stops especially after my accident. I know it's supposed to be easy, but I feel a little anxiety when I come to a complete stop knowing I have to do the start off routine again.

Somebody please help me, maybe words of advice, words of encouragement, and your prior experiences. I want to know how long it took for you to get comfortable on the streets.

 

damn...sounds like you went through a lot of the reasons experienced riders always recommend the msf class first before getting on a bike and why purchasing a brand new bike for your first bike is a bad idea.

that being said, i'm willing to bet that although a little intimidated by the bike now, you respect it a lot more. the truth is there's really no other way to get comfortable except by riding. take the bike out in the middle of the day if you can when traffic is lighter, go up and down some side streets starting and stopping, go to an open and wide parking lot, etc. practice is the only thing that will make it better. just do it in the right settings so you feel comfortable.

for me, it took about a week of riding my bike before i felt really comfortable and starting splitting lanes at stop lights ( i still won't do that at high speeds ). i also bought an f4i though which is a much more forgiving bike than an r6 or 600rr.

i've made my share of mistakes too, just been lucky enough to not have any serious consequences from them. good luck!

 

yep i feel a little funny when riding in the mountains after my lowside when i was up there. even after the lowside i was able to be comfy riding around town but when i go up to the hills/mountains i just take it easy and the fear will slow go alway

R6?? poor bike for city riding.. those things have such an aggressive seating positions that i hate when riding around the streets

 

i would say a lot more than a week until you are comfortable on the bike again...

how much do you ride?
can you ride to work?

the easiest time to ride is sat or sun early mornings- very few cars on the road then...
if you need to be without traffic, ride those times and take it easy. you will get over the fear soon.
then if you can ride to work (if its not too far) thats a good second step.
its about seat time and overall experience with the cars, imo.

 

I honestly think u should sell the 08 r6. That is probably one of the worst first bikes u can EVER buy. Get a 250 and ride that and build your confidence from that.

Sorry to sound like an ass, but u seriously just fit into the typical crash ratio for beginners starting on ss bikes... Just be careful man. Practice practice practice!

 

this guy is so right

i do not care if I sound like an ass, because you NEED to hear this

the R6 is NOT for noobs; it is the most unstable (most flickable) supersport; the chances of you hurting yourself more, if you persist down this same road, are VERY high. please READ about this bike. just because it is pretty, does not mean that it's friendly.

i am highly qualified to answer this, too. i did the MSF, started on a ninja500, wear ALL the gear, and now have a F4i (which is also a horrible noob bike). the ninja500 should be your 1st bike. riding bikes is ALL about the rider's skill, as good riders on 250s can run circles around noobs on R1s. please do some research, before you REALLY hurt yourself.

thanks for listening

 

I think this whole sell your r6 and get a 250 is a stupid idea. Then again, you did dump the clutch and hit the back of a car.

I think good advice is ride with someone who has ridden for a while. I think this will help you the most by giving you confidence that youre not alone and your friend knows what he is doing.

I don't think how flickable a bike has anything to do with making it a bad bike to start on. Just be careful and if you really need to, just engage the clutch before even giving it any gas until you get used to it.

Good luck.

 

Find someone to take you dirt biking for a weekend. Play in the sand, the woods, fields.... you'll love it and it'll make you so much more competent.
I've been riding all kinds of bikes since 1971.... Now own a B-King and some trials bikes. The dirt is the place to learn and practice. Master it and the street is boringly easy. The excitement comes from the idiots in cages and deer that try to hit you like a demented linebacker.

 

2nd****

Read the sticky one more time. If you don't get it by now, you never will.


You are trying to learn to drive in an F1 race car and don't understand why you are intimidated. I've been riding for years and have over 50k miles of street miles under my belt. I ride an 06 636 and it's at the limit of my abilities in many regards. It's twitchier and more finicky then some of the liter bikes I've owned in the past.

 

You might want to focus on that "then again" part.

Riding a 250 and a brand new supersport is not the same thing. If this isn't evidence of that I don't know what is.

A new SS is a PITA to turn at low speeds, the throttle is twitchy, the front end is light, the brakes are touchy, the riding position tires you out quickly, the list goes on.