600cc Supersport - which to get?

[Zargon]

I had an 05 Raven and wasn't all that impressed. The power delivery wasn't as linear as the gixxer or hondas I've had and it felt quite top heavy. Solid brakes (radial brembos), especially after SS lines.

I would think the 600RR is much better bike, they moved the tank lower (the actual tank part you lay on is just a fairing) and the bike is a lot smaller.

Aside from a tubo busa, on a budget I'd get a 03-04 600RR and spring for inverted shocks, ohlins in the back and radial brembos. I don't think they changed anything else on it over the years.

06+ r6's got even peakier. I didnt think it felt havy, at all. it did seem a bit top heavy, but that was due to the utter lack of rake in the steering.

of course, I came off of a 440lb bike to it

riding my neighbors 08 gsxr600, it was way more comfortable ergo wise.

I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between the big 4 (Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki) in terms of 600cc super sports. Pick the one that you like the best and that you feel most comfortable on.

If you want something different I'd try the Daytona 675.

they are all actually noticably different in feel in my experiences. at the top end, performance onm a track, sure, all within a small range. but feel, I think they are all different

the daytona is way different, power delivery is GREAT for a bike of its size.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

600hp turbo Hayabusa is for sale - £18,000. Will ship it to you for a small commission.

Has been clocked at a genuine 242 mph on an airfield.

 

[Kelvrick]

they are all actually noticably different in feel in my experiences. at the top end, performance onm a track, sure, all within a small range. but feel, I think they are all different

the daytona is way different, power delivery is GREAT for a bike of its size.

I would agree. The Daytona has great power for around town and I love how it looks. Unfortunately, the riding position is not as great for around town.

I'm not sure on the 07+, but I think 06 still took regular unleaded instead of premium. That was a major selling point for me.

 

[halik]

06+ r6's got even peakier. I didnt think it felt havy, at all. it did seem a bit top heavy, but that was due to the utter lack of rake in the steering.

of course, I came off of a 440lb bike to it

riding my neighbors 08 gsxr600, it was way more comfortable ergo wise.




they are all actually noticably different in feel in my experiences. at the top end, performance onm a track, sure, all within a small range. but feel, I think they are all different

the daytona is way different, power delivery is GREAT for a bike of its size.

Interesting, I had the forks at the very ends in the triple trees (I'm 6ft, no height issues) and couldn't dial it down even with playing with the tire pressure. It didn't strike me as a wheel base/rake issue, I've had a CBR with a larger rear shock installed (probably 15mm) and it didn't seem to throw it off in that fashion. Just faster turn it seeemed like.

 

[jaha2000]

I would agree. The Daytona has great power for around town and I love how it looks. Unfortunately, the riding position is not as great for around town.

I'm not sure on the 07+, but I think 06 still took regular unleaded instead of premium. That was a major selling point for me.

I always put premium in the 06. The daytona has one of the most aggressive riding positions out of any sportbike. Its TERRIBLE around town. The 1000rr i have now feels like a couch compared to the triumph.

 

[Kelvrick]

I always put premium in the 06. The daytona has one of the most aggressive riding positions out of any sportbike. Its TERRIBLE around town. The 1000rr i have now feels like a couch compared to the triumph.

Whoops, I forgot to mention. The second paragraph is in regards to the 2006 suzuki gsxr. Are the 2010s still regular, or have they moved to premium along with Yamaha and Honda (unsure about kawa). the 2003-2006 honda cbr600rr's used regular, but the 2007+ used premium.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Review of 2011 "600's"

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/10079/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Supersport-Shootout-IX-Street.aspx

Includes - (measured power) -

R6 - 103.2 BHP
ZX-6R - 107.2 BHP
CBR-600RR- 100.7 BHP
848 Evo - 119.2 BHP
Daytona 675R - 110.8 BHP
GSX-R600 - 104.2 BHP
GSX-R750 - 125.4 BHP

 

[Zargon]

Interesting, I had the forks at the very ends in the triple trees (I'm 6ft, no height issues) and couldn't dial it down even with playing with the tire pressure. It didn't strike me as a wheel base/rake issue, I've had a CBR with a larger rear shock installed (probably 15mm) and it didn't seem to throw it off in that fashion. Just faster turn it seeemed like.

I could be off base, b ut the bike obviously ISNT top heavy, at all. suspension geometry can really affect how it 'feels' obviously, and iO cerntainly dont have any better ideas about why it was that way


I could beleive how aggresive the 675 was compared to my r6, I felt like I was on the front tire of them.

 

[z1ggy]

Get whatever feels most comfortable to sit on and what colors you like the best. I have sat on all 600cc honda, kawi, yamaha and suzuki. I thought personally the cbr and the gxsr were the most comfortable height for me ( I am 5 foot 9ish). r6 felt like I was leaned over too far and my feet dangled just a bit. The kawi hurt my wrists and the seat felt pretty hard. Could have changed for the '11 models because those I sat on were 08/09/10 years. Personally, I'd go with CBR for street riding.

 

[Occ]

Like everyone says, the 600cc SS class bikes are all similar. Find one you like the looks of and enjoy sitting on. The usual distinction is the GSXR and CBR are more comfortable and a little less aggressive than the ZX6R and the R6.

 

[JulesMaximus]

they are all actually noticably different in feel in my experiences. at the top end, performance onm a track, sure, all within a small range. but feel, I think they are all different

the daytona is way different, power delivery is GREAT for a bike of its size.

Which is why I said, "Pick the one that you like the best and that you feel most comfortable on."

He probably won't get a test ride on one let alone all 4 so sitting on it in the showroom is about the best bet he has.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Why wouldn't I get a test ride? I would never buy a bike I hadn't test rode.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Why wouldn't I get a test ride? I would never buy a bike I hadn't test rode.

you think dealerships are gonna let a young guy test ride a bike? it'd be stupid of them. the number of wrecked bikes they'd have would be incredible.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

you think dealerships are gonna let a young guy test ride a bike? it'd be stupid of them. the number of wrecked bikes they'd have would be incredible.

He's 26. He's young, but not that young. I think someone like me (18) would probably have a lot of problems getting a test drive, but I think he'll be fine.

Anyway, I've changed my opinion. I think the Yamaha R6 is still the best choice if the bike is gonna be secondary transportation, mostly for having fun in the mountains and at the track. As a main vehicle, though, it'd probably be a pain in the ass, so I recommend you get a Suzuki GSX-R 600 if you can handle the price, or a Kawasaki ZX-6R if you need something cheap and good all around. If you need something that's easier to handle and drive, go for the Honda CBR600RR.

 

[Fenixgoon]

He's 26. He's young, but not that young. I think someone like me (18) would probably have a lot of problems getting a test drive, but I think he'll be fine.

Anyway, I've changed my opinion. I think the Yamaha R6 is still the best choice if the bike is gonna be secondary transportation, mostly for having fun in the mountains and at the track. As a main vehicle, though, it'd probably be a pain in the ass, so I recommend you get a Suzuki GSX-R 600 if you can handle the price, or a Kawasaki ZX-6R if you need something cheap and good all around. If you need something that's more for a novice, go for the Honda CBR600RR.

1) lololololololol @ bold. any 600cc race bike is not for a novice. period.
2) what experience with bikes do you have so far, gayner? any?
3) i'm 24. i can damn well guarantee there's no way the dealership would let me test ride, even if i rode up on my bike which i bought from them. i'd be very, VERY surprised if they did.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

[/B]

1) lololololololol @ bold. any 600cc race bike is not for a novice. period.
2) what experience with bikes do you have so far, gayner? any?
3) i'm 24. i can damn well guarantee there's no way the dealership would let me test ride, even if i rode up on my bike which i bought from them. i'd be very, VERY surprised if they did.

Perhaps you should not try to twist my words. What I meant is a more novice bike, an easier to drive one. Anyway, I'll edit it out so people like you don't try to make arguments out of stupid things.

Also, these aren't race bikes, they're Supersports. The "race" bikes would be the Superbikes.

 

[jaha2000]

Perhaps you should not try to twist my words. What I meant is a more novice bike, an easier to drive one. Anyway, I'll edit it out so people like you don't try to make arguments out of stupid things.

Also, these aren't race bikes, they're Supersports. The "race" bikes would be the Superbikes.

This is fail on SOOO many levels. Your telling me that something that runs in the 10's in the quarter is not a race bike?

Nothing about any of these bikes is very "easy" to drive. High hp? Light weight? Steep steering angles? Brakes beyond human ability? These are all things that require a great deal of respect.

I would agree that the ergo's on the Honda are nicer on the back, past that there is no difference between the big 4 on the street to a normal person. Most people will use half of that bikes capabilities (if that), and the people that can use the bike to full potential are replacing the suspension and brakes for better parts anyways...

To the OP. I would find something the one you like the look of the most. They are all so close these days it does not make a lot of difference. FYIW, for pure street riding, i would take the motor of the 675 over any of the rest of the bikes any day of the week.. Period... If you can live with the torture rack stance, the torque improvement from the triple over the I-4 is incredible.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

This is fail on SOOO many levels. Your telling me that something that runs in the 10's in the quarter is not a race bike?

Nothing about any of these bikes is very "easy" to drive. High hp? Light weight? Steep steering angles? Brakes beyond human ability? These are all things that require a great deal of respect.

I would agree that the ergo's on the Honda are nicer on the back, past that there is no difference between the big 4 on the street to a normal person. Most people will use half of that bikes capabilities (if that), and the people that can use the bike to full potential are replacing the suspension and brakes for better parts anyways...

To the OP. I would find something the one you like the look of the most. They are all so close these days it does not make a lot of difference. FYIW, for pure street riding, i would take the motor of the 675 over any of the rest of the bikes any day of the week.. Period... If you can live with the torture rack stance, the torque improvement from the triple from the I-4 is incredible.

They're not race bikes. There's no contest on that. They're Supersports, not Superbikes. Also, I never said any of these are "easy" to drive, just that some are easier to drive. Is it too difficult to comprehend that easier does not equal easy?

Anyway, there's always the choice of ignoring people that don't even read what you write.

 

[jaha2000]

You do realize that on a track, the difference between 1000 and a 600 is usually less than a couple of seconds (except daytona)? There are plenty of racing series in AMA that are for the 600's.

I would not even buy that some are easier to ride than others? Better suited to track vs street? That i would buy. Yamaha in the last few years have made peaky high RPM bikes that are basically useless on the street. If the motor comes alive above 10 grand whats the point? By that time you are in the going to jail territory when it comes to speed limits. Some are easier to go faster on.... Lets be honest here, they are all STUPID fast.

Comes down to what you want to use it for. Track bike? I would get one of the I-4's. Street bike, i would look at the 675 or the duc. On the street, torque is king, period.

Having owned quite a few street bikes over the years, i still think the supersports are better than the superbikes for the streets. I rarely ride the 1000 these days and find my self riding the supermoto most of the time. As weird as it sounds, its more fun to go slow 🙂

 

[Zargon]

They're not race bikes. There's no contest on that. They're Supersports, not Superbikes. Also, I never said any of these are "easy" to drive, just that some are easier to drive. Is it too difficult to comprehend that easier does not equal easy?

Anyway, there's always the choice of ignoring people that don't even read what you write.

what?

supersport = 600cc racing class

superbike - 1000cc racing class

there is a small power diff, and small weight diff, between a WSBK and a factory liter bike, and ya know, race electronics and some ohlins 😀


for the record I am almost 30, but look younger, and have test rode many bikes at the local dealership, without a credit check


they have a S1000R now, that they have been parking outside during the daym I'm thinking me and the aprilia need to pay it a visit 😀

 

[JulesMaximus]

you think dealerships are gonna let a young guy test ride a bike? it'd be stupid of them. the number of wrecked bikes they'd have would be incredible.

Before I bought my bike I wrestled a test ride on a used Yamaha FZ6 because I was considering that bike as well. There was no way they were giving test rides on any of their new bikes. And this is a big dealership too. They carry Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki along with Polaris, Can Am, a couple different lines of scooters and all the quads and dirt bikes you could ever want.

I bought my bike new with no test ride. I had a friend who owned one though and he let me try his out so I did ride one before I bought mine.

Some dealers are different though. Ducati will usually have a few demo bikes they will let you ride after signing the usual disclaimers. Triumph does demo days as does BMW. They will usually grind you a bit to see if you're just out joy riding or if you're serious about buying. I've ridden a couple ducs this way.

I really doubt they'd let you take out 4 different 600 cc supersports. Pick one and we'll let you test ride it if you're serious...maybe.

 

[Fenixgoon]

They're not race bikes. There's no contest on that. They're Supersports, not Superbikes. Also, I never said any of these are "easy" to drive, just that some are easier to drive. Is it too difficult to comprehend that easier does not equal easy?

Anyway, there's always the choice of ignoring people that don't even read what you write.

nov·ice
   [nov-is]
–noun
1.
a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed; beginner; tyro: a novice in politics.


easier to ride != meant for a novice.


also, "superbike" = 1000cc race class. "sportsbike" = 600cc race class. feel free to look at the AMA website.