self-doubt...

So here's the deal... I actually think I have made a decision on a 600. BUT... Everyone I know keeps asking me if I really think I am ready for that and I have been reading the Riding Skills Series on here and now I have myself all worked up thinking I am going to kill myself on it. Let's keep in mind that I am very cautious rider, always wear a helmet, gloves, and an armored jacket, I do my best to keep it in my skill level, graduated from the MSF course... I started on a 250 Ninja and put 2100 miles on it before I sold it. I sold it because I felt bored on it. Some of this was commuting on the interstate, riding surface streets, etc. Also... I am not too proud to putt around the subdivision or the church parking lot for a bit again... Fear keeps you alive... RIGHT? Let me know...  

How about transitioning to an SV650 ?

Less brutal and way more forgiving than a 'proper' 600, and more than able to keep up with the traffic. Handles lovely too, dead easy to embarrass the squids in the twisties....  

I started on an R6 (no i don't recommend them for starter bikes) is the bike fast oh ya, but the thing is it only really starts to pull at about 8k and starts pulling hard at around 10k my point is i felt the bike to be very managable in the lower rpm range so i worked alot initially on good throttle control and kept the rpm's lower by shifting sooner, then just keep building as i felt comfortable.

You seem to have your head on straight and you already have some seat time so i would lean toward believing you could handle a 600. But you have to be comfortable with your decision the worst thing you could do would be to ride a bike like that and be nerverous and uncomfortable that would just make you more prone to making mistakes.

You'll have to decide what you'll be comfortable with as you need to be comfortable and relaxed on the bike. Fear is good to a point keeps your head in the game but not when it starts affecting your motor skills causing you to be tense and jerky or god forbid freeze up.  

I agree with 0069.  I, too, started on a R6.  I had very little seat time going into it and working feverishly for weeks in parking lots and subdivisions until I felt comfortable with the throttle, brakes, leaning, etc.  I think the fact that you have over 2100 miles to your name, you'll do just fine.  The power on my R6 doesn't get crazy until above 11K and since I bought new, I didn't even hit that level until I was about 1100 miles in.

I suggest that you do what both 0069 and I did when we started - take it slow, get to know your bike, and practice practice practice like you did when you first started to ride and I think you'll be surprised with how quickly you pick it up.

You're right, fear will keep you alive.  Everytime I read "close call" stories and warnings from other riders, I am completely humbled and it reminds me that these bikes are demanding.  Most importantly, make sure you're comfortable with your decision.  As in the one comment, you could always go with the SV650 if you feel your just not ready.  Keep us posted on your progress!  

I'm not a fan of the looks of the sv650 and I thought about going with a zzr600 but I need something fuel injected because of the altitude and weather changes here (The 250 ran like sht most of the time...). I mostly like the idea of the 3 power modes on the gsxr plus I can touch a little better on it but just barely. Honestly... I have a little bit of anxiety about life in general and I think that if I just make a decision and stick with it and be positive about it I will be fine... I have only ridden once this season and it is messing me up.

Thanks for all the support and for letting me vent!  

So a little update and a lot of bad news... I got my head together and decided that the zx6 was the bike for me and that I wouldn't kill myself on it cause I ride smart... Well I found out the day before I was buying it that I have to sell my house URGENTLY and won't be able to buy the new ride til I close on whatever new house I find.... Can't a girl catch a break!