[vince_2149]

I have a coworker who wants to get a bike. We've been talking for awhile and I had him convinced to get a 250/500 or even a 650 if he really wants to. Well we were supposed to go bike shopping yesterday but he went too late for me to go due to work. I get a text from him later saying he needs a cosigner for a brand new 09 Yamaha FZ6R.
I told him don't do it, you're going to drop it/lose money/you could hurt yourself, everything. I even told him of course the sales man says its a good first bike. Anything that puts more money in his pocket is a good starter bike to the salesman.

Should I just stand by and let him get it and say "i tried to warn you" when he drops his brand new bike? Or do I have the wrong attitude right now? He's pretty set on not listening to me anymore and I figure it's his non-existent money he's spending (financing the whole thing w/ little to no down). Is this just a lost cause?

 

[Mopar3]

The FZ6R is not the worst choice. Its the detuned version only good for like 70hp or so. He will cry when he drops it. He would have been better off to get a cheap used bike to learn on. Shit his first near miss with a car or sand patch and he may not wanna ride anymore.

 

[_serge]

Don't smack him, salesman is right, FZ6R is a good first bike. Though make sure your friend completes MSF courses. As for dropping the bike, good gear, insurance and frame sliders will help him. You can also check the fz6r related websites, a lot of guys there are new riders or returning riders or switching from cruiser to sportbike riders. What you could do for your friend is to check the OTD price, anything more then 7.5k is no no no.

 

[vince_2149]

The FZ6R is not the worst choice. Its the detuned version only good for like 70hp or so. He will cry when he drops it. He would have been better off to get a cheap used bike to learn on. Shit his first near miss with a car or sand patch and he may not wanna ride anymore.

See, but I want him to continue to want to ride and have the best/easiest time starting up. He's not the strongest guy, built pretty much like me. I'm 5'9" and about 123lbs and if I lose my balance, I'm glad I have only 300lbs to keep up.

The fz6r weighs 467 lbs, which is over 60lbs heavier than the R6. Why do people say ss bikes are too heavy, yet this one is absolutely fine? It's still a 600cc I-4 engine. "Detuned" or not, I think is still makes too much power for a first time rider who's never been on a bike before. The first time he dumps the clutch and the bike takes him for a ride will not be a good time.

 

[Stick N Move]

Truth be told, he could have made MUCH better choices. Dont cosign for him. Let him learn a lesson.

 

[vince_2149]

Truth be told, he could have made MUCH better choices. Dont cosign for him. Let him learn a lesson.

Cool, Stick, I figured you'd agree. I wouldn't even dream of cosigning for him. I don't need to be sticking my neck out like that.
And he has a million choices over here. 250s posted on craigslist daily. 500s every so often. The dealer he wants to buy from even has an 06 500 there. And the kawi store has a 250 w/ only 700 miles for cheap.

 

[Mopar3]

If he's never been on a bike at all he should start small. At least till he learns basic control skills. Some people have to learn the hard way. I don't think the weight is the biggest problem I've seen 110lb ladies on 6-700lb bikes but they know how to ride and don't let the bike get away from them. My FZ6 is really mellow and smooth until you wind it up. The FZ was my first street bike but I started out on dirt bikes when I was 5. I had 2 stroke MX bikes and learned to use the clutch and brakes pretty well. What kind of motorcycle experience does he have?

 

[OldSchlPunk]

I say go ahead and co-sign. Then, after he drops it several times and rashes it all up and decides to quit making payments on it since he really doesn't care for riding, you can really be pissed at him when the bank comes after you to make good. Sounds like a good plan doesn't it?

 

[vince_2149]

I say go ahead and co-sign. Then, after he drops it several times and rashes it all up and decides to quit making payments on it since he really doesn't care for riding, you can really be pissed at him when the bank comes after you to make good. Sounds like a good plan doesn't it?

Haha, no it doesn't. And sorry if I didn't make this clear, but when I said I would just step aside, I didn't mean I'd cosign. As stated above, I have no desire to stick my neck out like that for a guy who I don't know too well, just more of a coworker. I'm just starting to build my credit, I don't need some other person to smash what I've done so far.

If he's never been on a bike at all he should start small. At least till he learns basic control skills. Some people have to learn the hard way. I don't think the weight is the biggest problem I've seen 110lb ladies on 6-700lb bikes but they know how to ride and don't let the bike get away from them. My FZ6 is really mellow and smooth until you wind it up. The FZ was my first street bike but I started out on dirt bikes when I was 5. I had 2 stroke MX bikes and learned to use the clutch and brakes pretty well. What kind of motorcycle experience does he have?

Yeah, he's never been on one. That's why I'm trying so hard to get him to buy used, older, smaller. If he doesn't like it, he won't lose any money except what he puts in gear. If he loves it, he won't lose any money when he goes to resale later if he wants. If he drops it, who cares, that's why he bought a starter bike.

 

[Stick N Move]

When you said he was looking for a cosigner it just seemed as if you were on the fence on the issue :slaugh

 

[bumblebee]

He is going to do what he wants. Let him. Don't get involved in any way except maybe to ride with him after he finishes the MSF Course and gets his license. Don't co-sign a loan with anyone unless you are prepared to pay for it, because you will.

Why do you think they want a co-signer?

 

[bassjones]

If he's the same age as the OP he probably has no credit at all and requires a co-signer. There are far worse choices that the salesman could have sold him on - R6 or even FZ6 for example. The FZ6R is in the same class as the 650R and SV650, which is to say a good first street bike if you have dirt experience, but certainly not the best choice for a total noob. Make sure he takes the MSF and he should be all right.

 

[Saidin270]

I wouldn't stick my neck out for a coworker especially if its for a b***** "beginner" bike that he will mostly likely drop. I would tell him to buy something smaller and your not co-signing for him. If he wants that FZ so bad he'll find someone else to fuck their credit up.

 

[LobsterMagnet]

Don't cosign for him PERIOD. It's not your little brother. If he is putting ~no money down and financing the whole thing then he most likely can't afford it, or can, but won't in the long run.


Also, the FZ6r is not cheap. Chances are high that he will total it (fairings) before it's paid off. You're too young to be cosigning for ANYONE unless you have the best credit in the world. Co-signing is the devil.