Yamaha R6 vs R6s

Well, I tried searching the forums and googled this question, but i just wanted to find out what the real difference between the Yamaha R6 and the R6s is.

All I could find was people saying the R6s is like an '04/'05 600.  Basically saying its better for the street and has a little better power band for driving at street speeds

I like the R6s styling a lot better and one of them will be my first bike.  I have been practicing on my friends (who is an avid reader and poster here, and showed me this site) Suzuki 650SV and will be taking the California motorcycle training course next month before I buy.

I have been reading and it looks like the size of the rider may make a tiny bit of difference, so I am 6'4" and 235 lbs.

Please let me know what the differences between these two (motor size, fuel mpg, stance, things like that) and what you would suggest for me being a new(er) rider.  Please keep in mind, I have been practicing here and there on a street bike and I have been riding bikes and quads on dirt for some time now.  So I am used to shifting and using all four limbs to drive something.

Thank you in advance!

btw, this is my first post.  

I am not too familiar with the Yamaha line. From what I understand the R6S is a budget (lower power) version of the standard R6 built on an older platform (frame) with less agressive ergos.  

I have a 2005 R6.  The new R6S is basically a mix of the 2003/2005 R6.  It's the same body but they reverted to conventional forks instead of upside-down, conventional mount brakes instead of radial mount, a 60-series front tire instead of 70-series.  As a new rider, none of those things will really matter to you at all.

Between the R6S and R6, the differences are more substantial.  Both have the same displacement motor but the R6 is peaky (makes more power at higher RPMs) while the R6S makes more power at low-mid RPMs.  That makes the R6S a better street ride.  MPG is probably the same on each.  The new R6 has a much more aggressive riding position though, something that gets tiring on the street and is more difficult to manage for newer riders.

Honestly though I wouldn't recommend either to a newer rider like yourself.  You've been practicing on your friend's SV650 which is an awesome bike; I'd consider picking up a used one for a little while.  Since you already know the controls the SV wouldn't be too much to handle; you could get all your stupid mistakes out of the way on it (you will make them, trust me) instead of dropping your shiny new R6S in a parking lot.  Just a suggestion.  

If you're dead set on an R6 or R6S though, hands-down the R6S will be a better choice for a newer rider.  Seriously consider the SV though.  Good luck.

I almost forgot - they have a good article on the R6S vs. R6 right here!

http://www.sportrider.com/features/0708_sprp_2007_literbike_comparison/index.html  

thank you for the great information!   That's exactly what I was looking for.   I never thought to check the articles either.  

I am leaning more and more towards your suggestion of getting a used bike and working all of my kinks out.  

Again, I thank you tremendously for the information and another point of view on what I should get!

Another question is how do I tell my mom I want to buy a bike (yes, I'm 23 and I live 2400 miles away from her but family means a lot to me)

Ha,  have fun with it!
thank you again  

here's what I did when I told my mom I bought a bike. I said "mom I bought a bike". I was 24 when I bought mine and she lives in TN and I'm in Kansas City. So really all she said was "be careful" I took my mothers suggestion to heart and I am proud to say that I have been wreck free for all 4 years that I've been riding. I'm sure I will crash eventually especially now that I'm addicted to the track but at least if I crash on the track it's a controlled environment.

As for your question about the R6 vs. R6S. I bought a 2006 R6 when it first came out and I loved every minute of it. The "S" is a great bike too, but I liked the look of the R6 so I went with that. I've since sold it and bought an R1. Either one though, is a dynamic bike, but as stated by the previous poster it is a lot of bike for your first bike. The Ergo is going to be completely different from the SV (particularly the non SV650S) as it has bars not clip ons.

You really are wise for asking what is a good first bike from some experienced riders, but the bottom line is this... you are a grown man. get what you want, but by the same logic handle whatever you get with the mentality of a grown man. Be it R6 or SV you can still crash on either one. So have fun but do it responsibly and you'll be fine.    

No problem.  The used bike route is always great for new riders; get one cheap, get comfortable w/ your skills, sell it for nearly the same price, move on.  Get something easier to ride though like your friend's SV (the naked version is cheaper and a better learning tool than the S version).  

Well you guys hit the nail on the head with the great information.  I thank you for it all as well.  I am currently looking at used bikes and can't wait to get on with this motorcycle training course!  

The whole mother thing may not be so easy for me.  She had previously told me that she would never talk to me and disown me if I bought one.  Yes, I know she wouldnt, and would probably just be mad for a couple days... so I guess I just have to weigh the decision knowing that.  

There should be a stickey thread somewhere on here about "how to explain to your parents that you want a bike" and maybe have statistics that they can read and whatnot to calm them down.  The only thing she would say to me is "It's too dangerous"

Like I said, I love my family.  But like you guys said "I'm a grown man"  

I don't think showing them statistics will calm them down. Per capita there are more motorcycle fatalities per year than there are automobile. So I wouldn't go that route. I would say just bite the bullet and tell em. If family is as important to them as it is to you than they aren't actually going to disown you.   And if they do, a sport bike is a great void filler.   Just kidding. I remember when I described to my mom how fast the R6 was. I said "mom all I know to tell you is DANG" she said, that's what I'll have put on your tombstone... "here lies brandon.... DANG" LOL. You'll be fine.

When it comes to comforting people about motorcycles I have decided it can't be done if they aren't willing to hear it. If they have already decided they are dangerous then there is no changing their minds. Even if you never crash and have more success than Valentino Rossi they will still think they are dangerous. Rightfully so I suppose. They are dangerous!!! But, by rights, so is driving a car. It's not worth arguing so just tell them and let them deal with it. They'll be fine and so will you. Just don't prove em right and act a fool when you ride. There's a time and a place for it. AT THE TRACK!!!