600cc... Useable?

[MisterDeadman]

I feel conflicted! Help!

I'm shopping for a new bike for the street [here we go again]. I've spent a lot street/track of time on 250s and while I'm not intimidated by a 600 I have to wonder: are they really useable off a racetrack? On the one hand, you can break every speed limit in second gear, there's little riding that gets up to requiring-knee-down speeds in your favorite canyon and more cylinders + more power = higher operating costs. On the flip side, inline fours stir the soul in a way that parallel twins really can't. Add to this that $4k can net you a good used 600...

A 250-500cc bike seems to touch all the logical bases (I'm very short, light, slow AND cheap) but I love supersport engines and I am over cleaning/syncing carburetors (but I'm so damn CHEAP!). For some perspective, I liked fairly tight roads when I was riding street: Morrison, Deer Creek, Squaw Pass. I like pushing a bike near its limits. My girlfriend also cannot ride so if we go 2-up, some extra go would probably help. And I've managed to keep a clean license in my wallet - a trend I'd like to continue but I'm not sure I can with triple-digit power.

The new Ninja 300 and CBR500r seem expensive to me given the price of used supersports. That said, they seem to suit my style.

Thank you!

[kawasakirob]

The bike will only go as fast as you make it as you well know. And, no one sais you need a brand new hardcore 600. There's some really nice older 600's that would be great for 2 up, handle the tight stuff, ride comfy, and do that all while being cost effective. And if you wouldn't mind a carbureted bike, you can find the super super cheap. Bikes like the Honda F4i, Kawasaki ZZR600, Yamaha YZF600R. Killer 600 bargain bikes that can do it all.

[FZRguy]

Go find the cleanest ZRX1200 in the state. You can thank me later.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Kawasaki-ZRX1200Rb.jpg

[GMR]

On the one hand, you can break every speed limit in first gear

corrected for you, unless you're in Texas

[Colorado S14]

Are you set on a sport bike? I am such a huge proponent of naked bikes for the street, they are way more comfortable and fell more nimble under most circumstances. Americans are stupid about the amount of power you need, I think if you rode my Aprilia Shiver, a Triumph Street Triple, Ducat Monster you would fall in love and go that route. I would look at an FZ-09 too.

[Repsol a095]

Have you thought about an sv650?

[rybo]

Go find the cleanest ZRX1200 in the state. You can thank me later.





this

if you doubt the capability of this motorcycle I'll say that it is the exact bike we used for two full seasons of track laps two-up for. Racing 2 Save Lives. Incredibly competent and fun to ride with power everywhere.

Ill post photos later.

[One-ops]

What ever happend to the racing to save lives anyway Scott?
+one on bikes only go as fast as you make umm. If your two up alot I wouldn't go sport bike though. Yet to see a seat that even looked like you'd wanna be sitting on for very long on the back on any of them.
The vfr would be a good one. More of a sport tourer but not as big as a fjr.
Some of the naked bikes would be good. I like the look of the fz8 over the 9 but that 9 is a good deal. Just wish it had at least a Lil fairing around the light and gauges and didn't have the seat like that and the suspension was better.

[rush4theyeho]

And here I thought a rider would be trying to justify their purchase of a literbike. Best of luck OP! I'm trying to get my sister into the sport, and maybe a few of these recommendations could be saved for later use.

[Slo]

A 600 is definitely useable for the streets. Obviously not just for knee down speeds.... but for the power to get up to speed and also at times to avoid trouble. Its not an every ride occurance around town but when it happens.... you will be glad to have that get up and go.

[MisterDeadman]

Great feedback, guys! I'm definitely on the sportbike route as I like the way they look and feel. My last bike was a WR250X and while it was totally functional, I preferred the geometry and appearance of my old ninja 250 (I have to hem 30" inseam pants).

That said the fz8 and street triple are pretty sexy. A little spendy though...

[kawasakirob]

Great feedback, guys! I'm definitely on the sportbike route as I like the way they look and feel. My last bike was a WR250X and while it was totally functional, I preferred the geometry and appearance of my old ninja 250 (I have to hem 30" inseam pants).

That said the fz8 and street triple are pretty sexy. A little spendy though...

So what bikes are you thinking of?

[One-ops]

How bout a buell there small and look fun as hell

[The Black Knight]

How bout a buell there small and look fun as hell

yeah here's one in the Springs for what looks like a good deal.
http://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/4208816273.html

[Colorado S14]

Great feedback, guys! I'm definitely on the sportbike route as I like the way they look and feel. My last bike was a WR250X and while it was totally functional, I preferred the geometry and appearance of my old ninja 250 (I have to hem 30" inseam pants).

That said the fz8 and street triple are pretty sexy. A little spendy though...

If you are that tight on the budget then go use JDM 600 and call it a day. Honda gets my vote.

[Aaron]

I love the way the Buell's look, and I'm not sure what it is because they're very different, but something does it for me.

However, their performance is par at best. The partnership with Harley Davidson meant that a very standard HD twin found it's way into the Buell's, which resulted in a sportbike with the engine from a cruiser, and the two never got along. The 9r makes about 75hp, roughly what you'd see from an SV650, but it does so in a way that will leave you wanting more all the time, whereas the SV650 does so in a way that you never feel out-gunned. Back when I first got my first sportbike, an SV1000S, I rode a friend's XB9r for a couple hours, and was happy to give it back. The bike was slow, sounded identical to a Harley, and the the power curve was straight boring.

I'm with Colorado S14, you really can't go wrong with any of the big 4's 600s. Go ride all 4 and see which one looks the best, and feels most comfortable to you.

[Clovis]

I loved my 07 Yamaha FZ6. Regret selling it last summer.

Sport bike (vs "super" sport).

600cc -- same engine as the R6 but detuned for greater mid-range usage.
Standard riding position.

Every bit as fast in the twisties but comfortable for all day riding. I did a ton of 500 mile plus day rides on that bike.

Cheap insurance - $80/yr in my case with full coverage, $250 deductible.

[sag]

yeah id say an fz6 sounds right up your alley. more tame 600 for your license status and wallet. the ergos of your previous rides with the buttery inline 4 smoothness you desire.

i came into this thread with "just get the 1000" on the tip of my tongue though lol

[MisterDeadman]

Cheap insurance - $80/yr in my case with full coverage, $250 deductible.

I am still 23, so I paid more than $80 a year for liability on my 250's with any major insurer (progressive, geico, allstate...)


So what bikes are you thinking of?

Small and usable but comparatively expensive and not as exciting:
CBR 500
Ninja 300
FZ6R (sounding better and better)

High performance but maybe not as usable:
Triumph 675
CBR600rr (04-06)
Kawi ZX6 (05-08)

The more I contemplate, the more I think the 600s make sense. You only live once, right? The price jump to a supersport isn't so great in the used market (1-2k tops). If I cannot everything out of it on the road, I can always hit IMI pr HPR with it and just try not to throw it on the ground!

[kawasakirob]

Yeah the FZ6R is a nice bike. Out of the ones you listed, that sounds like the one that would most meet your needs. Good luck on the hunt!!!

[asp_125]

Might just have an FZ6R (09) for sale. ;) You say you're very short, this one's lowered (correctly) already.

[GMR]

ha yep. If you're thinking a Yamaha, I have both an 07 R6S and 06 R6 (newer version) available. I know I shouldn't keep both, can't decide which one to keep so someone should just take one off my hands

[sloridr]

I think you should also look at a second gen and newer SV650. Plenty of power, great Vtwin sound, comfortable(ergos similar to your wr) and generally inexpensive to purchase on the used market. Just something to think about.

[One-ops]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/4222929889.html

[One-ops]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/4181101881.html

[One-ops]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/4222348676.html

[Aaron]

Hmm, I don't like any of those. The SV is a great bike, but I think his price is a bit high. And if his riding is anything like his photography the bike's been down 4 times.

[asp_125]

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/4181101881.html

Well... if you're talking VFRs
http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forums/showthread.php?51427-1991-Honda-VFR750-(RC36)&highlight=RC36+Givi

[Lomax]

Just saw this on this board. Looks like a good deal and the FZ6 is a great bike. Nice and mellow in the lower RPM range and yet really comes on above about 10K RPM.

http://www.cosportbikeclub.org/forums/showthread.php?51935-2009-Yamaha-FZ6R-3800

Marc

[rockerphotographer]

Don't underestimate the Buell guys. I had an xb12ss a couple years ago. Diesel tourque. Doesn't rev high and pulls hard from a dead stop. I would've kept it but I can't keep 2 bikes and wanted more of a track bike. These bikes are very basic but engineered well. They have some of the best suspension you'll find on a stock bike, especially the Uly's. Very low maintenance, but be ready to do your own when it's time, not much support from Harley any more. Their prices are going back up though since EBR started in the AMA and now have street bikes available.

They are definitely a cult type of bike. Most of the owners will die next to their Buell, some want to burn them down....

[rockerphotographer]

Not trying to be a "know it all", but I had an FZ6 as well :)

Very nice bike but not much character to me. It was my first bike in my "squiddly" days. Didn't really get a chance to truly know the bike cause I thought I was ready for an R6 to be a true squid. I do remember the center stand being very useful on the fz6 though....

btw, it you look at any fz6, look at '07 and earlier. I think they changed for worse in '08.

[rybo]

What ever happend to the racing to save lives anyway Scott?


R2SL had a business model the depended on the racetracks being in a position to donate the track time for the event. With the downturn of the global economy the tracks we had been working with were no longer in a financial position to make those donations, and as a result the event lost the venues.

As a result we've put the charity in a dormant state in hopes that someday we can revive it.