Hello - I am about to get a new bike but am not sure which to get???

I have managed to narrow it down to 2 bikes, the Hornet or the R6!

To give a little background information;
I have been riding for over 7 years and have owned three (125cc) bikes
I passed the full bike test a couple of months ago!
I normally only ride for 15 Min's to work and back each day
I can afford to buy and insure either bike (sort of)

I really want the "W reg 2000 YZF R6" which is for sale at a local dealer but am not sure if it is too crazy or not.

I have sat on it and it feels fine (I am about 5,9") But can not test drive it until I buy (as it is currently unserviced)

The thing that worries me is that I have heard that the R6 is a very twitchy bike at low speeds and prone to tank-slapping under full acceleration.

I can't see myself giving it "full acceleration" for a very long time so that should not be an issue, but just what is it like at low speeds???
I.e. Can you drive through town slowly on it, can you filter easily with it, etc...???

The hornet on the other hand seems like the sensible option - but that is precisely the problem, clearly a brilliant and reliable bike, but it is sensible, and I feel like a dispatch rider on it!

Any info would be greatly appreachiated as I will be getting 1 of these bike very soon.

Cheers

I'm a 'horneteer', (600 & 900) so I'm biased. The hornet is a far better all rounder and a superb bike with far more useable power than the R6', tank range is relatively poor, probably its biggest let down.
Try Hornet's Nest for more info

I have no experience on the R6…but from what I've heard is that the R6 doesn't like slow speeds and it's nature is to be screaming in high revs..

If you have only passed your test it would be more sensible to go for the hornet.
Despite the fact that you have been riding 125cc….you will probably not use all the capabilities of the R6…however the bandit might be cheaper to buy and to insure and will suit the capacities you have and improve them probably easier than the R6 as it is more forgivable.

I would go for the bandit, improve my riding on 600s and then one day later go for the rocket bike….

Cheers for the help - I thought that was what you would all say

I am going to go to the shop tomorrow and just see what happens.
(they have both bikes in stock)

If anyone has ridden an R6, please let me know what they are like around town or at slow speeds as this is the main thing that concerns me about them

thanks

Hey,
Im new to riding and bikes but I have got an R6, its an awful lot of fun, I ride through London A2 into Borough and it filters as well as other bikes, my turning circle isnt the best just need to allow more time and not close up behind cars when filtering leaving more time and space.
Low speed riding seems alright, mines a 53 reg I think the one before had a few issues which were ironed out into the 03 plate. Not had any problems though, low speed riding at 4-6k revs is no worries.
In short, I would still get an R6 if given the chance again.
Hope it helps.

There is a review of the hornet here.

http://www.ukbikeforum.com/html/hornet.shtml

There's also a review of the R6 here.

http://www.ukbikeforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2645

The R6 is not a good choice of bike for somebody with only a little experience. Both bikes compared to your 125, will be a real handful. People always say they'll take it easy until they get a bit more experience but it's never going to happen. Remember, riders don't go out looking to get themselves into trouble. It only takes a second and you could be way over your head. These bikes need to be respected, if you don't you're asking for trouble.

get tuned gsxr thou

4 to 6000 revs at low speeds?? eeeewwww I wouldnt like that meself

Well, there's not much point me giving the pro's to the Hornet

But, to be fair, I've heard some good things about the R6 too. What are you planning to use it for, mainly? Commuting? Motorway runs?

Its not always easy, but try to be objective.

I really cant make my mind up - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.....

The R6 was modified to provide better handling and mid range, but unfortunately that was the year after the one in the shop was made.

The Hornet underwent important modifications in 2000, such as the 17" front wheel (the one is the shop was made in 2002) - so that is a pointer in the Hornets direction

I think both bikes look great although the R6 is nicer IMHO, but more from third party perspective, as you can not see most of the bike whilst riding

I have also never properly ridden a bike with full faring, where the front of the bike does not move with the bars, (as with all sports style bikes) so that could be another think to distract me on a R6???

Having never ridden either of these bikes, Will a Hornet 600 shift some if you give it some revvs?? or am I likely to get bored of the performance after a few weeks??

Cheers, keep the info coming - As I will be getting one of these tomorrow

Gotta agree with BD here.. my hubby had an R6 on hire once.. before he got the MV F4... and even he said it was a bit of a beastie.

Go for the Hornet, although I'm a Yamaha man myself, having ridden both bikes then common sense dictates the Hornet. The R6 is a race track bike and not really suited to road use and certainly a novice rider could easily get in to serious trouble a lot quicker on an R6 than a Hornet. But its your choice in the end, but if you get the R6 don't expect too much sympathy if you bin the bike within a short period of time. You could be lucky and get on well with it, but then again.....

"Having never ridden either of these bikes, Will a Hornet 600 shift some if you give it some revvs?? or am I likely to get bored of the performance after a few weeks??"

Ummm... yeah, it will.

I went straight from a Suzuki Intruder 125LC to my Hornet, and it (and I quote) "Scared the living s**t outta me, but at least if I did die, I'd do it with a grin on my face.." for about 2 weeks till I could tame it and we got the hang of one another.

heh.

My Hornet (at least) redlines at 13k; but I've never even been near that. Even that...um...one time I....um (screw it) raced a Porche it only got to 10 1/2k and that was...um (any coppers about?) well over the tonne.

Unfortunately, once it hits 8k revvs and you are in anything less than fifth gear, it makes a noice not unlike a stuck pig....

Never ridden an R6, so couldnt tell you... soz.

I suspect that I should get the Hornet then!

I can always upgrade to a rocket at a later date once I have gained a little more experience on a bigger bike.

(Though there is still a chance that when I see the R6 in the shop I will accidentally purchase it on impulse)

Hey Jonjon, if you like the looks of the R6, have you considered the CBR600?

Being a sportsbike rider I suppose I should be promoting the R6, but you'll kill yourself afetr a 125.

Get the Hornet and allow yourself a year or two to get enough roadcraft and savvy to be able to get the best out of a sportsbike then think again.

I'm 49 and have been riding since I was 17 but have only just got the Blade, but at least I can get something like the best performance out of it.

I do like the CBR600 but am not keen on the older style and much prefer the newer ones (especially the RR with under-seat exhaust) But would feel terrified riding on somthing which was too new and expensive.

What you're asking is, "Should I buy a ferrari or a porsche 911. I've only driven a Rover metro and I'm worried the power might be too much for me".

Don't underestimate the hornet. It has loads more power than your 125. Even though the R6 might look a bit more like a race bike because of all the plastic, you might not be happy or safe on it because of the way it produces that power.

At the end of the day, it's your decision that matters. We can't say "Go for it, you'll be okay", because we haven't seen your riding. That's the problem with the internet. All we can say is that it is generally not a good idea for someone with limited experience to go to a 600cc or larger sportsbike. We tell this to all people thinking of moving up to big bikes for the first time. If it does go wrong, it means you made your own mind up and we didn't encourage you.

The other point to think of is the one mentioned by Lunarwolf. What type of riding will you be doing? If it's just the 15 min commute, comfort isn't really an issue. If you're going to be doing longer motorway miles, you might be before off with something with a fairing or screen. If it's for blatting around the city, a fairing isn't really needed and a more upright riding position might be better, if you intend to do a lot of low speed stuff in traffic.

It's exciting getting a new bike and having to choose and we don't want to spoil that. But it's important that we give you some advice from a neutral point of view.

Yep..that´s right....
If you like the looks of the R6 why not the CBR600F Sport?

I think the 02 model...it looks great!

I agree... and it does shift!!

A 125 with ten horsepower or twelve or fourteen and then a choice between two bikes with a hundred horsepower or more each. One of these hundred horsepower bikes is maybe ''too sensible'' and one is twitchy at low speeds!

god i wish id waited till now to take my test. i used to dream of owning thousand cc bikes with less power than a hornet or an r6 but i wouldnt have dared - it was too much too soon, 80 horse power and a thousand cc? oh do i dare, no not i!

No offence to you mate but i feel so tired lately, so very tired. Everyday i die.

jonjon - I've not ridden the Hornet but I know quite a bit about it as my daughter has one, and used to be very involved with the online owners' club - Bluebrakes gave you the link in the 2nd post in this thread - go and have a look!

You don't need to feel 'ordinary' on a hornet, there are pages and pages of pix in the gallery on the 'Hornets nest' site - Hornet owners modify their bikes! And they love them - lots of experienced riders stick to the Hornet, it's not just a first bike!

Here's a link (I hope) to some Swarm 2000 Hornet Phots - my daughter is about 6 phots up from the bottom - Rose with the vermilion wheels!

Hi Jonjon..




Welcome to the Mad House....

I see that the guys & girls here have given you lots of advise.....


I returned to biking just over 3 years ago,, and my choice of a bike was a Naked Bandit 600.....
Mags tend to look down on the B6,,, but for someone like me returning to bike, it was more than enough.
I have not ridden The Hornet but it is similar in style, riding position as the Bandit,,, just lighter and more power....

Personally I would go for a bike like Hornet ,,, better in town,, probably more confortable and trust me,,and still have all the power you need for everyday riding...


But as everyone said...... the decision is yours.....




* Suggestion- Go to a bike hire shop and see if you can rent a bike, explain your reasons and they might even do a deal like let you ride both bikes.
If you got the money for it,,,,, not better way to answer your question.....

Cheers for all the help and info -

I will go to the shop later today and have a look at both bikes again.

It is a shame that I can't take both bikes out onto a track (or empty road) and see what they are like.

Its really hard buying "blind" but I have been waiting for far too long now and just want to get rid of my bike and buy something fun!!!

I will let you all know what happens

I havent read the full 2 pages of replies but . . .

I passed my DAS test around last March, my first bike was a 2000 (W) R6 in Blue although I have ridden quite a few other bikes before illegally and ridden motocross for some years.

It's not a problem to ride in traffic, you just have to use your clutch more than you would some of the other bikes more suited to slow riding, if anything this is a good skill to learn and I certainly wouldnt say it was hard work or twitchy.
I'm 5'6 and the height was never a problem so at 5'9 you would be perfect, not too tall that its uncomfy, not too short that you cant reach the floor.

They do have a tendency to tank slap under acceleration - this can be quite severe under hard acceleration and I would recommend fitting a decent steering stabiliser/damper. It doesnt really happen until you push the bike but once you keep the bike above 10k revs the front wheel will leave the floor through 1st and 2nd quite easily and the bike wants to tank slap through 2nd, 3rd and 4th generally.

I had mine about 9 months before part ex'ing it for a supermoto a short time ago. I'd have another in a shot, great bike, very reliable and loved it to bits, just not practical for me at the moment having to keep the bike in my kitchen and dragging it up and down a step every day.

Good luck whatever you choose.

WHOOPS - I'VE BEEN A BAD BOY

I went to the shop earlier today - Looked at both bikes and just thought f~~K it!



So now I am the proud owner of a lovely blue Yamaha R6 - YEEEEEEEEEEE

Unfortuantly I have to wait until Saturday 14th before I can take it home.
(as they are servicing and MOT'ing it) But I do now have a grin from ear to ear and cant wait to give it a blast (responsibly) LOL

Cheers for the help everyone.

Enjoy!

So, track day next then??

Hope you got an insurance quote first cos it will be as much as the bike I am betting. Buy a gun, and shoot your self in the head. It is cheaper.

Seriously now.

Why have you done such a stupid thing. A 125cc bike will do 80mph ish. An R6 will pass that figure in 2nd gear on the back wheel. It will get you in to trouble, sorry, you will get your self in to trouble in the blink of an eye. The first time that a group ride passes you, you WILL tag onto the back and the first decent curve will find you in a ditch. I have seen it many times before. Please do the wise thing and call the dealer and switch bikes to something that will give you the time to learn not short and painfull.

Ok, if you have bought the R6, i hope you have ice in your veins & not blood.
i know of a few who bought R6,s straight after DAS despite me trying to talk them out of it.
the only one who didnt require my services as a painter within a VERY short time of buying was the guy who was so relaxed we had to check for a pulse whilst training him.

i know of a guy who went straight to a 'Busa after passing his test-he now rides with me as a senior observer with our local Advanced club.
he was a natural on a bike-not many people are.
listen to Nick, he rides an R6 & has a depth of knowledge.
listen to me, i'm not the riding skills mod on here for nothing.
please take it easy, prove us wrong & be sensible & get to know the bike.
DONT go out with other riders until you know the bike inside out-peer presure is the single biggest factor in "newbie" accidents.

treat it with respect, the 1st time you're heavy handed with the throttle or brakes it WILL bite your arris BIG TIME.

please dont be put off by this, i sincerly hope you have a great time (and many years to come riding it)
i would see about some further training to Advanced level if i were you, but give it a couple of months to get used to the bike 1st.just remember you will find your limits long before the bike will.try to be relaxed when you ride one step at a time etc.....

check out http://www.devilpaint.co.uk.
you're gonna need me sooner or later

Very sensible words DP.......


I hope Our friend take it as good advise from a more experienced Rider







Jonjon,,,,,,, I am happy you got yourself a nice bike,,

just Please, Please Take it easy and understand it is Not a Toy......
Treat it with respect and you will be ok.....

and good Luck....

NickR6 could soon be NickR1

Good choice. Enjoy it - take it easy (especially in the cold slippy weather we have at the moment) and get to know the bike.

None of my mates had bikes when I passed so it was a case of going out riding roads and exploring on my own for a few months when I first got my R6, maybe this meant I didn't end up a casualty, maybe not.

Take it easy, make sure you've got all your protective gear on and you'll be fine.

You only live once, if you can do something given the choice, then do it.
Life isn't short, it's just that your dead a long time.

Jess x

Cheers for all the warnings/advice

Firstly, I am very pleased with my new purchase and cant wait to pick it up!

But I really do know the risks and am all too aware of what will probably happen to me if I lapse concentration for even a second whilst riding and grab the breaks or give it too much throttle, etc, etc, etc....

I am definatly going to be sticking below 8,000 rpm for a very long time, just cruising to and from work (about 7 miles) and I do not intend to go riding with people on Sundays or anything like that. So I really wont go crazy on it...

On the plus side, I will definatly learn fast, a bit like a bird being thrown out of its nest whilst learning to fly - We will see what happens.....?????

Seriously though, I will get to have a "test ride" when I pick it up to check its in good working order, so if I get on and really feel like I cant handle it, I will have the chance to change my mind.

Probably wont happen though - LOL

I can't say you've done a stupid thing (actually noone can) unless they see you ride, but I will say that I sold my first R6 to a guy who had just passed his test and he crashed it on the test ride (money in my hand obviously) saying, "Wow, it's not like my Aprilia RS125"...Don't be this guy.

I don't know your background or what 125 you've riden in the past, but instead of slating your decision and saying you should have covered at least 100,000 miles before you bought the R6....I will say this.

You're insurance is going to be pretty high but you can get decent quotes from ebike, Carole Nash (over certain age like 25) and also try Lexham and First Choice or MCE.

If you've riden a 125...A sports 125 2 stroke that is....The power delivery of an R6 is similar in that it is an all or nothing affair. Ofcourse, the all is a very BIG all and you will hurt yourself physically and in the wallet if you ride any sports 600 exactly like a 125.

Throttle and clutch control is essential...And like Jones_Boy said, you really need to clutch the power to pull away and travel slowlly...Again, a 125cc 2 stroke bike experience might be quite useful here.

One of the best things you can do right now is NOT ride with a group of riders that may be more experienced than you....Unless, there are responsible riders present at the front, the ride will probably descend into a 'who has the biggest balls' type affair. You will ride over your limits to keep up and crash...So don't bother.

Instead, go back to the school you got your DAS with and book some 'Pass Plus' type lessons.....They should offer them....I know you probably never wished to see an instructor ever again, but at least you don't have to wear an earpiece and this extra training could save your skin.

Expect your instructors to shake their heads when you turn up on the R6....Make no mistake....It is a big leap....They may call you an idiot and start doing 'signs of the cross'....Take it on the chin...Tell them you want to learn better control of your new rocket / bike....LISTEN to everything they say and make mental notes. I'd say book another 3 days with an instructor.

It's probably the worst time of year for a new rider to be trying to get by with a sports bike...Taking it easy is an understatement....I would probably not ride until the weather improves if I was in your shoes.

Enjoy the ride...Don't be another statistic...if anything, it gives the old timers another excuse to say...'Told you so'

Im in such a good mood. i really am. im not even gonna mention the tank slapper thing about r6's - im not even gonna mention that ive ridden them hard and never slapped em. They will lift the front but never unless i wanted one too. The bike never surprised me. it did what i thought it would when i thought it would. But then years of experience gives you me that level of huge smugness i spose. The sort of experience that taught me after five or six years ( now twenty years) of riding big bikes that i didnt know everything - like i said i wish i did my test now, then id know everything after a few months.

I was out today on my little 650, bitch went sideways from the front first because i over used the brakes or rather that i underestimated the front brake. made me soil myself but i controlled it and rode on like a real trooper!

Ahhahha, wee hee hee hee heeee! its a laugh isnt it this biking game! do me test get a bike they would have raced ten years ago and it'll only go as fast as i want it too! yeah! bobbing and weaving! aint it cool and funny! What tree? oh i see i havent learnt the coolness required to avoid target fixation!!! hahahahahaha, we weee heee he he! Why have i got locked up brakes? oh of course i didnt let the brakes off and re apply them three times a second because i knew the instant they locked up! it must be the bikes fault!!! ha ha ha ha ah hee heeh ee!

Everyday i die. I am so tired of this sort of sh!t. You people are buying motorcycles that we only dreamed of and thought impossible when we started riding yet we got far more experience than you wbefore tackled such machines. and you lot talk about them like they are oh so ordinary. Rock on you feckers! Go for it!

Was that the Kawak?

When that's happened to me it's turned out to be lack of tread on the front tyre...Also, get a slippy feeling over white lines...Anyway, reminds me to get a new front.

Thanks for the tip!

Wasn't a tip...You should know that kind of thing

cool! you know more than me.

Doubt it...Unless you weren't paying attention during those 25 years of riding...In which case, I doubt you'd be here....

PS. Please don't get angry again if this sarcasm goes too far

Hmmm.. grandmother.. eggs..... where's this going?

JonJon there is a good article in Bike magazine that you might find a useful read in addition to extra training....Its all about the typical mistakes that bikers make that cause crashes.

Sorry to be blunt but you are just as much to blame as him as you sold him the bike. I have just sold the R6 to make way for a new bike. I had 3 under 20 year olds enquire about buying it. One wanted me to ride it and park it at his house as he had not yet passed his test. I told all three that I would not sell them the bike at any price. We have all got to be responsible, from the experienced downwards. Guide those just starting out cos I tell you this. Any experienced rider or dealer ever sold my son a sports bike with the knowledge or without caring to find out his level of expertise I would hold them personally responsible for any accident that occured. It is sad, and I know I am sounding like an old fart, but the whole world is turning in to a race of "I'm alright Jacks and feck everyone else". You see it every day in the way people drive. No courtesy or respect for other road users. An I am sorry but selling a total novice, and I class a 125cc rider in this group, a sports bike of any kind shows a total lack of thought or care for the family of a young rider who has the odds stacked firmly against him not having a serious off.

A final and I mean final word as I will never get involved in this subject again as I, like ZOMB!E am so tired of it. Why not get a bike that you can enjoy, that you can explore the limits of and after a year or so test your own skills. If you are lucky and you don't bin it in the first few days or weeks possibly minutes. You will be riding it so softly that you would be a much faster rider on a more suitable bike.

And they all lived happily ever after. ????????????

THE END

Well Nick...it comes back to what Zombie said about one assuming their own responsibility.

The guy in question that bought my first R6 told me he'd passed his DAS and that he had been riding a 125 Aprilia before that for a few years.

I told him that he's making a seriously big leap in performance and that it wasn't a great idea...(Although I wasn't one to talk as I had bought my current R6 after just a year of riding a few 125s).

This was before I had his money...I said that if he was gonna go through with it, that he should get extra training and I gave him the number of my excellent instructor that I trained with.

He was like, nah, I can handle it....He gave me the money, I gave him the keys and then he jumped on and spun up the rear wheel enough to throw him off at the first junction.

I ran to help him and told him off...I was pissed off because he could have been hurt badly...He finannly understood what I was on about...He got extra lessons.

AND...He hasn't come off since and loves the R6 (I kept in contact with him to check he was ok).

Happy ever after.

PS. Goodluck with the R1...I'm testing an 04 one out next month to see what all the fuss is about...Not buying one for another good few years though...100 BHP is enough for me right now.

I totally agree that it would have made loads more sense for me to get something slower and more usable, I even think that it would be more fun on a smaller bike,

But the R6 looks stunning

And even if I only use 1/10th of its potential and risk life and limb riding it, I can be sure that every time I get up in the morning I will have a grin from ear to ear at the prospect of another ride on such as beautiful and capable machine.

I will keep everyone informed as to my progress - I.e when and if I ditch it, but hopefully if I am sensible and lucky enough, things should be fine...???

And if anyone has more tips on safe riding (with a beast like this) then please feel free to let me know, because I am all too eager to hear them.

Glad you are taking it that way jonjon as none of this is meant to be having a go. I just want people to understand how phenomenal these bikes are these days. its so easy with mags being what they are to think nothing of bikes that, lets face it, could have serious race bikes ten years ago.

Its like someone driving a 1 litre corsa for their driving lessons and then asking wether a ferarri testarossa or a maclaren f1 is better for a first car.

AfroR6 got loads of stick in the past for similar things, but he is ok and who knows maybe some the stick actually sank in - its not a case of me saying im better than you its a case of me and others who've learned the hard way to respect the bikes we ride trying to avoid you having to make the mistakes we made in order to learn the lessons.

Personally id rather see youg et a gpz500s or cb500 and when you can honestly ride the tits off it then consider changing up to the full on sports 600. If for no other reason that you might find yourself on a twisty road one day caning the r6 only to be oevrtaken by some crusty like me on an er5.

Gotta agree with that...My SV650 owning mate left me for dust round the Essex back roads.

I'm pretty sure the reason I've managed well with the R6 is because by the time I had eventually passed my DAS test, i had taken around 15 lessons, and failed the test 5 times.

This extra instruction was invaluable, and although I hate to say it, I'm glad it took me this long to pass...I wasn't ready for the first R6 and thank god I didn't have a licence to ride it (which is why it got sold).

JonJon, please get some further professional tuition...You'll enjoy it and it can only be beneficial in developing your skills.

Saying all that, the R6 is a fantastic machine and certainly the most confidence inspiring bike I've ever riden. Which year model have you bought?

Have fun.

Enjoy the R6 Jonjon; damn sexy looking machine.

From listening to all these guys, you've grabbed lots of advice (hell, thats what these forums are for, right?), and you know such a powerful machine deserves respect but will see you right if you're careful.

One thing I would say, tho; the first two or so hours of owning my Hornet, I had to pull off in second gear when sitting behind cars at lights... the power-difference between bhp & torque from my 125 meant I had to do that until I got the hang of it otherwise I would have slammed into the back of the cars that didnt pull off quickly enough.

What's the ride home from the garage like? Hopefully it should give you a chance to learn the "feel" of the machine

Cheers guys, My R6 is a blue "2000 W reg" which looks sweeeeeeeet!!!
It has a data-tag alarm/immobiliser but is standard other than that!

The ride back from the shop will be the longest I will be doing for quite some time, Its probably only about 20 miles, 12 of which I know very well, though I will be following a car for some of it. I will have to take it very very easy!

I think I will ignore first gear for a while, taking the advice to pull away in second. The silly thing is that I could probably JUST use second gear, from pulling away, to going flat out (carefully at 60-70mph)

I will look into further training - though it would be wise if I get the "feel" of the bike beforehand. Can anyone tell me what they do in "advanced" training, I.e. is it classroom lectures, or just riding??? And is it true they don't use earpieces???

Only 1 week left to wait now - and my grin is getting bigger by the day!