600cc comparo

Hmm. What would YOU guys pick?

Im leaning towards the honda right now, but the other's are also pretty good. Im trying to decide if maybe one of the other bikes might be better.

I picked the Kaw. I like the seating position and can ride it most of the day. I'm looking at going with a smaller bike because I'm getting more into the twistie riding. I ride with a couple of R1 and 929 owners and have swapped bikes. It seems like you only stay in one gear with the bigger bikes because the power is too much for for street riding with lots of turns. The 600s I rode it feels like you can shift up/down a litle before setting up for the next turn.

Personally my next bike will bne a twin. I never owned one but rode enough of my friends to know that will be my next bike. Hoping to go with Mille. The 916+996 seating just kills me. The Rc-51 is a close second but none of the dealers around here can keep them in stock. Seems like they are sold the same day they come in. :(

Well, allow me to do a little bit of a reduction of choices *for my own preference*.

The R6 is out. Sure, it's sexy, but I would rather have a more versatile bike with a more comfortable riding position for those LONG twisty rides.

The GSX-R is out for me b/c SOOOO many people have them. I like to be different, and while finding parts from crashed bikes would be easy if I ever needed to, I like to have something that not everyone is riding.

The 600RR: It looks AMAZING. The price is right, and the positioning for sitting doesn't look too uncomfortable. However, because of the price and looks I'd say that this will become the new "gixxer" and the place will be miserable with them.

This basically leads me to go outside of my "likes" and say the Kawi. Now, I've always been a fan of the Hondas and Yamis and Suzis, but the 2k3 Kawi looks SWEET. It's also a nice change with the 636cc engine. Not many people will think of this off the top of their head when they think of the new 600's because of all the anticipation of the 600RR, so it won't be quite as popular as the others listed above. In essence, this is the bike I've got my eyes on for my next bike.

i forgot to add aobut the kaw ZX-600RR or something.

Yeah i love the honda 600RR too, and im just as afraid that we'll be overrun with them. But maybe stupid people will let the honda reputation get in the way (not as much power, yadda yadda), and they'll continue to buy the gixxer. Hmm.

Of all the bikes listed the gixxer is actually the slowest inline, unlike its bigger brothers (750 and 1000), suzuki decided to not overly tune the gsx 600r. As far as speed right now the R1 has it, because the 600RR has not been released yet, I can't say for sure how long that is going to last. The Cow definetely is the most comfortable of the mentioned bikes, however it is also the slowest trackwise and heaviest, so while you may think that its riding position will help you through the long twisties, you are wrong, the bike gets heavy after about 20 minutes and you have to start straining at times if you get caught in some "S" turns. The R1 may have an uncomfortable ride the first couple times you ride on it, but after a long period of riding you actual grow more strength in your stabalizing muscles and no longer become fatigued as easily. But again you are right in saying that the Honda reputation for sportsbikes (slow) will probably stray away your average squids, however it will probably become a big hit about a year after it is released once you see a good deal of people mopping up others with it. And as for the 1liter bikes being harder to ride the twisties, you are right, the 1liter bikes demand a much greater respect and experience from its rider to be used properly, that is why many people are faster at the track on a 600 then a 1000.

Anyway, my thoughts.

Originally posted by R1-rider
you may think that its riding position will help you through the long twisties, you are wrong, the bike gets heavy after about 20 minutes and you have to start straining at times if you get caught in some "S" turns. The R1 may have an uncomfortable ride the first couple times you ride on it, but after a long period of riding you actual grow more strength in your stabalizing muscles and no longer become fatigued as easily. But again you are right in saying that the Honda reputation for sportsbikes (slow) will probably stray away your average squids, however it will probably become a big hit about a year after it is released once you see a good deal of people mopping up others with it. And as for the 1liter bikes being harder to ride the twisties, you are right, the 1liter bikes demand a much greater respect and experience from its rider to be used properly, that is why many people are faster at the track on a 600 then a 1000.

Anyway, my thoughts.

I agree 100%, and I don't think my R6 is uncomfortable at all, I routinely ride 150-300 mile days and have no problems. I believe the new 600 RR has a much racier seating position than the old ones but I'm not sure.

I like the 600RR from honda, juyst cuz I like honda, kinda like the center exhaust too. but I heard not to buy the first year modle ogf cars cuz al the bugs arent worked out and lots of problems will come with the first year or two.

do you think that I should stay away from the CBR600RR this yeare, or is it safe to get it. anyone know what it weighs? the specs page wont load for me

i own a 650 suzi dirt bike, if u want a smooth ride, plenty of power n a bike that can b maintained easily enough i would recommend a suzuki. from experience honda's dont ride as easily, and r an absolute b1tch 2 do maintenance on, but then im basin my only experience with hondas on a 200 honda CT Ag bike.. but still i can vouch that suzukis r worth every cent u pay 4 them and will require very little maintenance (even less 4 a road bike i can imagine)

I went from riding my lil Suzuki GS500 to riding my Dad's Honda VFR 800 Interceptor. Besides the VERY OBVIOUS differences, I think all it ever comes down to is personal preference. If you like something, go for it. Take the opinions of others into consideration and let them mould your ideas.

94tegRS, how much riding experience do you have?

I thought the new ZX-6R is the 636cc, the RR is a 599cc (limited to 600 by competition rules)? I could hardly sit on the new ZX-6, so uncomfortable for me. Seating position is way aggressive much more so than even the Gixxer, and the new Kawasaki is completely different in it's intended role than the old Ninja. Kawasaki has max performance targetted.

I disliked the Honda's seat, the YZF-R6 was the most comfortable of the new bikes in this comparison that I've sat on.

On my friend's dyno the Gixxer was putting down the most power, but I haven't seen how the 2003's are doing yet as there aren't too many on the roads yet. He expects the R6 to do better this year with some refinements Yamaha has added (that and he may be biased since he is the performance shop GM at a Yamaha dealer).

Of all the bikes, the TT600 was the most comfortable, except for that stupid bit of fairing that gets right in my knee's way. That and you could definately feel how much heavier it was, just simply tipping it up off the side stand.

well, I kow once I tell you how much riding experience I have youll say stay away, which is why I didnt say it up there, but as far as motorcycles on the street, I rode my dads older 7500 streetbike with him on it though when i was young so it dont really count. ive ridden a old honda 500 ascot a couple times, riden cr125's on the street, and many tmes in dirt.

basaically lots of dirt riding experience on bikes, but not much street, except for a trail 70 that I rode on the street all the time, but it had no power for me to kill myself. but I am just going to take it real easy for the beginnning of my riding career. I know you all will suggest not to, but I trust myself to learn on something fast. I know a couple people who just started out on a older 1000, im sure it isnt as fast as new ones, but im sure its got loads of power. but is the only difference between the F4i and RR the brakes/exhaust/fuel injection?

well, just downloaded the brochure from honda and everythings different. so dont need to answer that for me. I was just going by the specs page when I made that asumption