Newbie seeking advice

Hi,
I am new to this forum and new to riding motorcycles at the age of 27.  I just completed the MSF course in July, and I bought a 2001 R6.  Unfortunately, I didn’t find this site until afterwards.  I read the posting for newbies, and hate I didn’t read it before I bought a sportbike for my first bike.  So far I have been riding locally to work (2miles from home) and around my subdivision.  I also practice in an empty lot around the corner, but I still am a little nervous at times when riding because I respect the power of the bike.  I have friends who have sportbikes, but I am not ready to get out with them and ride.  I was wondering if anyone had some advice for me, seeing the fact that I bought a SS for a first bike.  I don’t want to get rid of it, but at the same time I don’t want to be super nervous when riding. I have had a few close calls, but thankfully my MSF training helped out.  Any advice would help  

Well, first off, props for taking the MSF course first.  You'd be surprised how many riders bypass that step and just think they can handle a bike without any street training.  I suggest picking up some light reading material about riding.  Go to Barnes 'n Noble and browse.  I have 'Proficient Motorcycling' by David Hough and it's a good read.  Also, check out the Rider Skills Series on this website.  There are a lot of good articles on there regarding basic riding skills.

My best advice to you is read and practice.  Learn how to manage your throttle.  Throttle control is extremely important on a sport bike.  Also, practice your panic stops and braking.  Trust me, you will have to use it.  Don't go out on the road and in traffic until you're 100% comfortable.  If you're currently not completely comfortable, stay out of traffic.  Practice in neighborhoods and other areas were traffic is light and the speed limit is low.  I started on an '07 R6 and have put on 3000+ miles this summer.  It's doable to start on a SS, just not optimal.  Just practice and practice.  Take it one step at a time and don't move to the next step until you're comfortable with the last one.

Best of luck and welcome to the riding community.  You're going to love it!  I'm addicted!  

Almost forgot.  Read through the New Rider's forum here.  Lots of members have posted valuable information regarding questions similar to yours.  It would be worth your time to breeze through.  

Swiggs, have you read this book?

Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track by Nick Ienatsch  

I haven't read that one, but it sounds like it would have all the right information.  Riding is like anything else, the more you know and the more you practice, the better/safer/smarter rider you will be.  

aggiealum, I also want to say props for taking the MSF course first. I have to admit I did not take it myself but am thinking about taking it later this year. I got involved with bikes when I was about 23 by pulling my father's old 2-stroke Bultaco out of storage and getting it running. I rode that for about a year in the woods and then got a DR250 which I rode off road for 2 more years. I decided to get it on the road and got my learner's permit and took the licensing test with it. I rode that for a year on the road and graduated to a SV650S. I have ridden the SV for 1.5 years and just got a Speed Triple.
Where I am going with this all boils down to time in the seat and reading a lot about riding techniques. I have to admit I live in VT so we do not have huge amounts of traffic and so the public roads are more forgiving. To get comfortable with your bike you need to spend a lot of time with it. I think this is true with all bikes. When I got my SV I was surprised at the difference from the DR and was pretty nervous about riding it at first. After a year of riding it (really only about 5 months due to short seasons in VT) I felt really comfortable with the bike and wanted to go up a size.
I know this is long winded but I think what I am saying is that the more time you spend on the bike the more comfortable you will feel. Go out of town to where there is less traffic and take 30-60 mile rides frequently and you will get the hang of it. Do not get pressured into riding above your level. I am glad to hear you say you do not want to ride with your friends at this point because of that. Sounds like you are taking a very responsible approach to riding and I commend you for it.