Handling

Just a bit curious... in your opinions and experiences what would be the top five 600cc bikes in terms of handling from best to worst... ohh and if it is somthing a little off like the kawi 636 that is cool... use it anyway if it cualifies... thanks.

Ive only rode CBR, Gix 6, and R6 and the order is..

1. R6 - Best
2. CBR - Nice
3. Gix 6 - Horrible

Im hearing the 636 is really nice too but havent riden one before. But IMO that is how they rate.

I was kinda hoping to get a little more input than this but I do thank EGcivicSi for posting his opinions.

1. Honda 600rr
Easily the most powerful and race inspired 600 I have ridden yet, It did not claw at the sky as easily as a couple of the other bikes, probably due to trail and rake angles. Also the reliability of a honda is typically much better then any of the other makers. The disadvantages of this bike I found was the very hard seat, and the location of the footpegs (im 6'1" though, so it is a small bike for me).

2. Yamaha R6
Definetely the second most powerful 600. I think it trails the honda by only a couple HP. The new 2003+ R6s have been totally overhauled from the previous years, I think they changed over 80% of the bike. When my friend me let me ride his, it very vaguely reminded me of my old track prepped R6. The thing was much more reponsive with throttle, and seemed to like to stick to lines much easier as well. I would also say it is the lightest of the bikes as well.

3. Kawasaki 600RR
NOT the 600R, that bike cheats in displacement rules :p The new sportbike lineup has been a great sign from kawasaki, for awhile they were slacking off with their bikes save the 12r. However they sure came back strong with the 600rr and 600r, and I can't even wait to straddle one of the new zx-10s. Eitherway, the new 600RR was aimed at the track much more then a couple of the other bikes, the riding position is very aggresive, much like the honda 600rr. It sure could make putty out of alot of peoples arms from rides of any distance. The ergos of the bike still feel like they are just a tad off the honda 600rr and the r6, however not by far, the bike pulls in at a strong third for me.

4. Suzuki gsx-r600
I have not liked this bike for a long time, I teached my friend to ride on this bike, and was just not impressed with it at all. My R6 outperformed it straightline and blew it away on the track. The gixxer feels heavy and slow compared to the first three placed bikes. While this bike is by no means slow, it just does not contain the oomph when riding it you get from riding one of the other bikes. Suzuki seems to have lost sight of its r600 and the r750, and only seem to care about the 1K. Which while I can see it sure gives suzuki good plubicity when they could claim they were the topdog sportbike on the market. However since the new breed of 1L bikes have showed up, suzuki needs to start putting some effort not only into their 1K but also the 600 and 750.

5. Honda F4i
I felt like ending the list at 4, but this bike still deserves a mention. Even though the 600rr takes the spotlight away from the F4i, I absolutely love this bike. If anybody asks me what one of my favorite bikes is, my answer is the f4i. I rode a f4i through a nice twisty road near me, and was impressed at the almost absurd ease it travelled through the turns. While it sure as hell did not seem nearly as fast as when I did it on my R1 or R6, it actually was very very close to being the same pace. This is a much better bike to start on than any of the other 600s, also the reliability of this bike goes without question.

my 2 cents anyway, hope that helps.

Yeah my opinions are very similar to R1 Riders.

R6 - I bought this bike and I bought it for the many reasons im gonna mention. Handling is the biggest plus on this bike. I think it is the easiest of the 600s to throw down and drag a knee. Its so nimble and just feels so natural when I ride it. The seat is by far the best stock seat ive sat on which makes long rides very nice on your ass. If your gonna get into stunting this bike is just decent but Im totally not into that. At the track is where this bike loves to be. But 1 problem the R6 has that the others dont have as bad is headshakes. The R6 is known for it and if your suspension isnt set right then it can just make it worse. Also a damper would be a nice addition. And the power on the R6 is exactly the way I like it.

CBR - I have not rode the RR, only the F4i. The F4i is similar in power to the R6 but not quite. And like R1 said its very nice in the twisties. Its fairly easy to throw down and drag and really its real close to the R6. Either way this is a good choice.

Gixxer - Ok I dont have much good to say about this bike. Its too beefy, feels much heavier even though it isnt. Suspension sucks. Handles like a busa. Now the balance point on a wheelie on this bike is way lower so it is a good stunt bike if thats what ur looking for. Also this GSXR was a 99 so they COULD have gotten better I do not know but it isnt likely. But I sure do like that new 750.

So sorry I couldnt add more before but its kinda hard to say when you have only taken them out for a ride and havent owned them. If I had owned them all then im sure my opinion would be different. So really if your a new rider you prolly wont notice a single difference between any of the 600s because they are all really close. So just get what you like as far as riding position, looks, and basically just your overall liking of the bike. Also a good deal helps sway your vote.