[morscode]

Sorry to hear about your brother Denver.

First and foremost, I'm glad to hear you want to start off correctly and take an MSF course. I'd highly recommend it to any beginner.

Next thing to think about would be gear. Do not think about just getting a lid and calling it a day. You will go down. Nearly everybody goes down. I've been down twice. Invest in some proper gear and don't skimp. Get a good lid, leather jacket, boots, gloves, and ideally pants, at least some textile pants.

As for the bike, people recommending 600 R's, let alone higher then 600's, are not making good recommendations. I started out on a 94 FZR600 that pretty much ran like a 250. I currently ride an R1 and recommend starting on a Ninja 250. It's got decent power and will let you get your technique down. You need to learn to ride the bike, not let the bike ride you. Most of the riders out there are a complete joke and total squids, you don't want to be that guy. 600 R's, especially newer 600's have some mean raw power.

To give you an idea of how fast a 600 is still, it's only about 2-3 seconds slower in an AMA/MotoGP race with an average lap time of about 1:30.

I'll say it again, nearly everyone goes down. Respect the bike. It's usually an error caused by cagers or other motorists on the road that cause you to go down. Be a defensive rider, not an offensive rider.

[Razzy]

Good advice 1mor.

[Hawkeye]

I've heard the MSF courses are a must, never taken one myself though. I would start below a 600 for sure. Ninja 250 and 500 are popular. You can usually sell a Ninja 250 for the same price you bought it for a year later (just not good for extended highway riding).

I have an R6 now, never been down but everybody seems to think everyone goes down... who knows. I've only been riding 2 years, just recently started wearing a helmet (Shoei )