Hello all

[mister_tampico]

I just bought an '03 YZF600R this week. Started riding in March, was originally on a Honda XR150L, and put 7000 miles until an accident (they made a u-turn from the curb without looking) took the XR out. I'd like to learn on how to get comfortable on the 600, and also what to check on, as the 600 was left untouched for 2 years before we cleaned the carbs and got it running. But hello to all of you guys, and thanks for having me.

[Reserector]

Welcome to the site.  I loved my '03!  The blue ones were the fastest.
Going from an upright-seated 150 to a leaned-forward 600 is quite a jump.  Steering will feel very different.  I recommend this video to help get acclimated:



Another strange trait with the YZF600 is the clutch feel as you start out.  If you do it wrong it will jerk and make a sckronking sound.  
The way to do it is to ease out the clutch, without giving it any gas, until it just starts to move.  Then ease on the gas and finish releasing the clutch. 

Other than that, read all you can on here and post any questions at all that you may have. 

Oh.  One more thing.  If you don't have full riding gear yet, you will need it.  We can lend advice in that regard as well.

[mister_tampico]

Thanks for the tip on the clutch, it definitely helps with low speed turns.

I do have gear, but I feel like I could do better on the jacket. The waist straps seem to be running too high for me. Any recommendations for that issue?

Big thanks,
-Victor

[Reserector]

Jackets usually come with a short zipper in the back and the mating half attached. Sew that mating half to your riding pants and zip the two together.

If you prefer the waist straps, you might be able to cut and stitch in an extension. Cobblers are usually good at that sort of thing. So if you have a local shoe repair shop, that might be a great resource for customizing gear. Especially leather.

[mister_tampico]

Well, I have bad news and good news: I was hit by a car a couple days ago. She pulled out of a driveway and wasn't looking. The good news is that it's just soreness and the bike is intact, lawyer is taking the case. Also had to change the turn signal lights last night. I rode 30 miles right after the accident to verify that I am okay and the motorcycle is. Of course I am annoyed, I was involved in a hit and run in November, but this time, the bike is intact, as well as I. Might need new fairings though.

---

the damage before changing the turn signals
       

[Reserector]

I'm glad you  are OK.  I'm also glad that the bike is rideable and repairable.
I hate to say it, but I think you need to learn to read traffic better.  Other drivers don't "see" motorcycles.  Therefore, we have to react sooner and differently than we would if we were in a car.

On YouTube, there is a channel that might help.  Dan Dan the Fireman.  He looks and crash videos and breaks down what happened and how it could be avoided.  Very entertaining and informative.

There's also this video:

https://youtu.be/x94PGgYKHQ0?si=VdICYFi7VXZhxvpV



Dan Dan the Fireman:

https://youtu.be/XnFiOiN91TA?si=wt1WwmhuQHkOlePA


I hope you enjoy these as much as I do and I hope it is helpful.  It sure has helped me a ton.

[vashtsdaytona]

Oh dear sorry to hear about the accident. I hope you and the bike heal up soon

It got both sides of the bike? very unlucky

[mister_tampico]

Res, you're most likely right, as I spent most of my riding for the year during graveyard shifts, daytime is gonna take a lot of relearning.
Vash, we're already riding again, just with cracks, sadly.

[Reserector]

I never stop learning...and re-learning. I recently crashed because I used rear brake when I shouldn't have. I thought I had trained that out of myself, but I panicked and it nearly killed me.
So I'm back to reading, watching video and practicing what I learned.

Seeing street scenarios that others recorded has always helped me anticipate similar red flags when I encounter them. That's why I like Dan's channel.