REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

ws6ta · 07-11-2012, 02:02 AM

anyone have a few minutes to explain why one would choose one of the following for a first bike...r6 vs gsxr600 vs cbr600rr vs ninja zx-6r?

i see so many threads when searching on google but they are all full of people suggesting how a 600cc is not a good bike...lets get past that we all know its not a good idea. so what are the pros and cons of each?

thanks in advance!

CharlieH · 07-11-2012, 05:46 AM

i'm 5'10 165lbs and the gsxr750 fit PERFECTLY for me. i've ridden literally every 600 sport bike out there and none of them were as comfortable as the 08'+ gix600/750. the riding position is more comfortable than the r6, the ECU has 3 power modes, and the fit and finish is much better than the competition. and if you get the 2011+ it comes with brembo brakes, and is 25 pounds lighter. perfect 600 for a beginner if you chose to get a sport bike imo.

SumAznGuy · 07-11-2012, 08:08 AM

Some people get one brand over the others because of their preferance to certain brands.
Some because of bike erganomics.
When I was in the market for a 600 back in 2002, I sat on all 4 major japanese brands and found them all to very uncomfortable but some more than others.
For me, I found the K4 GSXR and R6 to be too agressive and put too much of my weight on my hands and wrist and I didn't like how big the gas tank was on the GSXR.

I ended up on an F4i because it was sporty enough but not as agressive as the other 2.

rk604 · 07-11-2012, 09:42 AM

I'll admit that I got my cbr600rr because its a honda. Throughout testing and meeting new people, i got to try other brands of bikes and noticed that each one have different characteristics. To simply sum it up, Honda is well balanced but also boring, R6 is most aggressive riding position in terms of japanese bikes and shines when riding hard or tracking. GSXR felt nicer on the low end and the ergonomics was nice, didn't get to ride the gsxr much though so can't comment.

busdriverman · 07-11-2012, 09:56 AM

i chose my cbr because of the undertail exhaust, my previous experience with honda, the price that i was able to find for one which matched my budget, and simply because it came in orange!

SumAznGuy · 07-11-2012, 10:38 AM

Oh yeah, my next bike will most likely be another Honda because I want it in the Repsol colours.

Traum · 07-11-2012, 10:48 AM

For me, ergonomics was the single biggest factor. After all, what can be worse than being uncomfortable in an extended ride? (Incidentally, the same goes for cars, bicycles, and quite a few other things as well.)

We're all built differently in different sizes and proportions, so make sure you try as many bikes as you can.

dinamix · 07-11-2012, 10:56 AM

Because honda reliability

ws6ta · 07-11-2012, 11:10 AM

i'm actually trying to decide between the gsx and the cbr. I am leaning towards the gsx just because they updated it in 2011 whereas the cbr is the same bike since 09

the different modes on the gixxer also seem like a good idea + brembo brakes.

I'm going to strip the thing down and do it all flat black + gold so color scheme makes no difference to me.

I was checking out craigslist and holeshot is advertising both a brand new gixxer 600 and 750 at the exact same price

Klobbersaurus · 07-11-2012, 11:21 AM

i went from a GSXR 600 to a GSXR 750, i cant tell the difference, but its more power, as long as you dont abuse the power, you will be good, 250 is pretty gutless

SumAznGuy · 07-11-2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ws6ta

i'm actually trying to decide between the gsx and the cbr. I am leaning towards the gsx just because they updated it in 2011 whereas the cbr is the same bike since 09

the different modes on the gixxer also seem like a good idea + brembo brakes.

I'm going to strip the thing down and do it all flat black + gold so color scheme makes no difference to me.

I was checking out craigslist and holeshot is advertising both a brand new gixxer 600 and 750 at the exact same price

All that is really meaningless until you know how to use it.

As a first bike, I'd put more weight into how well you feel on the bike. Go and sit on one for an extended period of time. If the shop is good, they will let you do it.
Sit on the bike in the proper riding position and see how you like it. For me, the K4 Gixxer's gas tank was huge and I didn't like how my legs were so wide apart.
If you are prone to a sore back, then that might be an issue.

I have minor carpal tunnel in my wrist so extended time on the 600RR and R6 was not too comfortable for me.

fT-z33wor · 07-11-2012, 01:28 PM

There's a wide variety of reasons for people choosing one make of 600cc bike over the other.

Some people go purely be sport bike shoot out reviews done by magazines, some go by ergonomics, some go by price and budget, and some go by only aesthetics. The bike they fell in love with at first sight for example because they simply just liked the way it looked. You can expect everyone to have their own different reasons. There's no single answer, nor is there a right answer to the question.

fT-z33wor · 07-11-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinamix

Because honda reliability

While this is true a lot of car guys tend to say that but in the realm of motorcycles, Japanese bikes and the word reliability have always been synonymous.

Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha all together. The usual horror stories you hear of are only with with quote unquote exotic bikes back in the day, and even still they've exponentially improved in this department since the 90's. They've come along way even by today's standards to keep up with the Japanese market.

rk604 · 07-11-2012, 04:50 PM

there's a realm of motorcycles!?!?!?

fT-z33wor · 07-11-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rk604

there's a realm of motorcycles!?!?!?

world

hillmar · 07-11-2012, 07:31 PM

I rode a Honda 600 for a few years and compared to the new R6, I find it to be more stable and forgiving. The Honda is a very forgiving, while I find the R6 to be a little twitchy. There is nothing wrong with the R6 since it begs to be told what to do, but just don't change your mind mid corner or else blue might not compromise.

z3german · 07-11-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ws6ta

i'm actually trying to decide between the gsx and the cbr. I am leaning towards the gsx just because they updated it in 2011 whereas the cbr is the same bike since 09

the different modes on the gixxer also seem like a good idea + brembo brakes.

I'm going to strip the thing down and do it all flat black + gold so color scheme makes no difference to me.

I was checking out craigslist and holeshot is advertising both a brand new gixxer 600 and 750 at the exact same price

I got my gsxr 750 maybe 1 week and a half ago, last bike I rode was a pulsar 250 in asia. Started mode C for literally a few days, after mode B for maybe an hour, turned off bike and it always switches to mode A and i forgot to change it for the ride. I found the throttle a lot easier to control LOL, so now im just riding A, I dont plan on using it again, i dont see a reason to? Maybe CharlieH can chime in on why one would use it after they are used to A.

Ive read a ton of reviews before i bought my bike about 08-10 vs 11 gsxr 600/750. The main complaint of the gsxr 11 is that it feels too similar to the 08-10 models, dont really feel the breaks or the weight diff (but im sure it will show in track times) so if you are just starting I would go for the cheaper of the bunch unless you find a killer deal on the 11 gsxr.

Also I thought you were getting a v twin + a new 848?

Edit: PS, 5 10" 130 lbs.

Klobbersaurus · 07-11-2012, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z3german

I got my gsxr 750 maybe 1 week and a half ago, last bike I rode was a pulsar 250 in asia. Started mode C for literally a few days, after mode B for maybe an hour, turned off bike and it always switches to mode A and i forgot to change it for the ride. I found the throttle a lot easier to control LOL, so now im just riding A, I dont plan on using it again, i dont see a reason to? Maybe CharlieH can chime in on why one would use it after they are used to A.

Edit: PS, 5 10" 130 lbs.

if i rode in the rain, i would use C, less power means i can twist the throttle and it will be more forgiving when its wet but my bike doesnt get ridden in the rain

busdriverman · 07-12-2012, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumAznGuy

All that is really meaningless until you know how to use it.

As a first bike, I'd put more weight into how well you feel on the bike. Go and sit on one for an extended period of time. If the shop is good, they will let you do it.
Sit on the bike in the proper riding position and see how you like it. For me, the K4 Gixxer's gas tank was huge and I didn't like how my legs were so wide apart.
If you are prone to a sore back, then that might be an issue.

I have minor carpal tunnel in my wrist so extended time on the 600RR and R6 was not too comfortable for me.

motorcycle throttle control

fT-z33wor · 07-12-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busdriverman

motorcycle throttle control

that looks fuckin dangerous

if for whatever reason you fell off, that thing would just keep on going.

CharlieH · 07-12-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z3german

Started mode C for literally a few days, after mode B for maybe an hour, turned off bike and it always switches to mode A and i forgot to change it for the ride. I found the throttle a lot easier to control LOL, so now im just riding A, I dont plan on using it again, i dont see a reason to? Maybe CharlieH can chime in on why one would use it after they are used to A.

that's actually exactly why i stopped switching modes when i first started riding that bike. it would always reset into A so i just got used to riding it that way. below 8000 the bike's gutless anyways so it really made no difference when you're getting on the throttle in the city, wet or dry.

TheSalesman · 07-13-2012, 12:41 AM

When I bought my cbr600, it was basically looks for me.
I liked the k7 gsxr 600 and the 07 honda cbr600.
I test rode both of them and ended up liking how the honda rode better.
Most likely because back then, the Honda was the only bike that had the steering damper but they all have it now. Also another reason to choose a bike could be how tall you are. If you're short, 5'6 or under, you would probably need to get a gsxr because it has the lowest seating position unless you want to lower the other bikes.

stereo12 · 07-13-2012, 02:08 AM

dont choose a damn bike basing most of your preference on the looks.

sure it does play a factor into it, but sit on the 600s after you go through the features you want, and find which is the most comfortable in multiple positions, riding, 1 leg down, how low you are for the handles, etc etc. Keep in mind, you will be in those positions for the duration of time you are on the bike. All the seats are different, they all bunch up your nutts differently. Basically to each its own.

TheSalesman · 07-13-2012, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stereo12

dont choose a damn bike basing most of your preference on the looks.

sure it does play a factor into it, but sit on the 600s after you go through the features you want, and find which is the most comfortable in multiple positions, riding, 1 leg down, how low you are for the handles, etc etc. Keep in mind, you will be in those positions for the duration of time you are on the bike. All the seats are different, they all bunch up your nutts differently. Basically to each its own.

I didn't choose my bike just on looks. I also liked how it rode better then the gsxr and it had the steering damper as well.
Performance wise, you can't use any of 4 sport bikes to their potential on the streets.
I also mentioned height and comfort in my post.

stereo12 · 07-13-2012, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSalesman

I didn't choose my bike just on looks. I also liked how it rode better then the gsxr and it had the steering damper as well.
Performance wise, you can't use any of 4 sport bikes to their potential on the streets.
I also mentioned height and comfort in my post.

not directed at you, just in general and for the ops curiosity.