Anyone who is racing one, I would appreciate your comments. I'm looking to see if there is a "low volume" mode for riding it, or is it all hairy-scary edge of the seat riding? I heard it was twitchy and a bit finicky about the rider displaying good manners in corners.
After switching from an F3 (comfortable, very forgiving bike) I raced my 2001 R6 for the first time this past weekend at Homestead. I do have a Scotts Dampner. To me the bike felt great. A lot lighter and easier to throw around. The only negative feedback I got from the bike was coming out of a down hill right to accelerate through an uphill left section. Having to change body position from one turn to the next, accelerating and too much input in to the bars would cause them to twitch L/R so I had to really pay attention through there. The only other thing was the front getting light on hard acceleration in 5th. But over all now worries or anything that kept me from pushing hard. I actually dropped 2secs on my lap and finished higher than I have all season with a second.
I also switched from an F3 to an R6. I am no where near the speed of Steve and I can still say the R6 is a great bike. I think it got a reputation just because the lightness and geometry simply make it turn faster. After a couple of practices, you will be fine. I would suggest in your setup to bias the weight a little more in the front because I have noticed some of the issues Steve mentioned. Oh yeah, and get a Scott's steering dampner.
Good info, thanks! I'm thinking of switching from an SV to an R6...
Dave if you sell the sv do you have any parts that you would want to sell. Don't you live in Chicago. If so I live in the same town.