I've ridden all the major 600 sportbikes as well. RR, GSXR and R6, as well as my f4i, haven't ridden a new zx6r, have ridden the 10r though. And to be honest I didn't notice much difference cept for ergos in the 600's either, I mean this bike or that might be a hair quicker than another, powerband might kick in at a slightly different rpm etc, but they are all fast as all hell, no really huge difference, especially not to an average rider. Anyone calling any 600 tame for a new rider is way off base. Closest thing to a "tame" inline 4 600 would prolly be a yzf600r, and even then its more than a new rider is really ready for.

A 600 supersport as a First bike? Are we really having this discussion again? Fact is a 600 superbike is able to get anyone, an experienced or especially a new rider into trouble faster than they can get themselves out of if they make one bad decision, a decision thats especially easy to make wrongly if your new or inexperienced. Noone can really argue that a 250 isn't a safer, better bike to learn the fundamentals and motor skills of riding on. The only arguement against them that has any merit to it is that you'll eventually outgrow the bike and want something faster. Thing is, 250's hold their value insanely well and are easy to sell for damn near what you paid for them, if not at a profit. So whats the issue? Learn on a safer bike then sell it and get a faster one. Way too much testosterone and self justifying bs gets drug out whenever this debate starts. "I started on a 600 and haven't died yet, blah blah." "My friend has a 250 and already wants something faster" Etc Etc. Who cares, fact is a 250 is a smarter choice, no matter how you slice it. You might be able to buy a 600 as a first bike and never have a problem, happens, however the chance that you might have something serioiusly go wrong is much higher than on a 250, all a matter of whether or not you care about increased risk or not. There's always a risk, no matter what you ride, just a matter of how much you want to mitigate it. Fact is it all comes down to you and what your comfortable with.