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Sport bike suggestions

z1ggy

z1ggy

Lifer
Hi I just horny first bike this summer, a 1981 gs650G. It's pretty good to ride but it's all rusty and I'd like a newer sport bike for next season. I'm thinking a gsxr 600 or cbr600 but since I have a650 now could I go up to gsxr750 or cbr1000? What are your thoughts and experiences?? Thanks in advance.
 
A 600cc super sport is going to be a completely different animal than your gs650. More power, better brakes, better suspension. How long have you been riding? How many miles?

A sport bike is going to be a lot more responsive than what you're riding currently. Don't discount the 600 simply because it is lower displacement than what you're riding now because I guarantee you it will be much faster.

Go out and test ride one if you can.
 
JulesMaximus said:
A 600cc super sport is going to be a completely different animal than your gs650. More power, better brakes, better suspension. How long have you been riding? How many miles?

A sport bike is going to be a lot more responsive than what you're riding currently. Don't discount the 600 simply because it is lower displacement than what you're riding now because I guarantee you it will be much faster.

Go out and test ride one if you can.
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Well the only reason I'm considering 1000 or such is bc 600 sports tend to b used and abused, I won't buy new either bc I can't afford that. I'd say I've ridden minimal hours, I'm not ready for a sport right now but by next summer I will be.
 
z1ggy said:
Well the only reason I'm considering 1000 or such is bc 600 sports tend to b used and abused, I won't buy new either bc I can't afford that. I'd say I've ridden minimal hours, I'm not ready for a sport right now but by next summer I will be.
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Just look for a clean low mileage 600. Shouldn't be hard to find.

Personally, I think a liter bike is just too much bike for street use. You can hit almost 100mph in first gear on one of these beasts and quite honestly I don't know that they'd be any less likely to be abused.

Also, the riding position of a sport bike is going to be more cramped and harder on your wrists and back. Just an FYI.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Just look for a clean low mileage 600. Shouldn't be hard to find.

Personally, I think a liter bike is just too much bike for street use. You can hit almost 100mph in first gear on one of these beasts and quite honestly I don't know that they'd be any less likely to be abused.

Also, the riding position of a sport bike is going to be more cramped and harder on your wrists and back. Just an FYI.
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I've considered harley or victory but they tend to be pricey and there even bigger engines than the sport bikes. Also I'm not really a "biker" type of guy. I don't fit into that crowd... All my buds have rockets.
 
z1ggy said:
I've considered harley or victory but they tend to be pricey and there even bigger engines than the sport bikes. Also I'm not really a "biker" type of guy. I don't fit into that crowd... All my buds have rockets.
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Well, you could get something unique like a Triumph Street or Speed Triple or a Ducati Monster. Although, these bikes will be fewer and far between on the used market...and more expensive.

StreetTriple_3.jpg

SpeedTriple_overview_main_2008.jpg

big_ducati_monster_1100_03_01.jpg
 
z1ggy said:
I've considered harley or victory but they tend to be pricey and there even bigger engines than the sport bikes. Also I'm not really a "biker" type of guy. I don't fit into that crowd... All my buds have rockets.
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bigger engines that make less power overall

you should be able to tell by meeting the seller and looking the bike over if hes really ragged it out or treated it well.

maybe a SV650 or honda 599 or FZ6 would fit the bill?
 
z1ggy said:
I've considered harley or victory but they tend to be pricey and there even bigger engines than the sport bikes. Also I'm not really a "biker" type of guy. I don't fit into that crowd... All my buds have rockets.
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Engine size vs horsepower is way different when you're comparing push rod v-twins to inline 4's. A 600cc inline 4 will beat any Harley V-twin in any kind of race. Harley is all about torque, and they have tons of it. My buddy's Road King produces 113 pounds of torque and 115 horsepower. It's not fast by sport bike standards, but all that grunt is a lot of fun.

For the record, you can own a Harley without getting to the Harley "life style" (absolute genius marketing). I own a Harley, and I sure as hell don't fit in with the Hankey heads.
 
I'd agree with Jules about the Triumph/Ducati. They are definitely head turners because they don't look like a regular crotch rocket, but they can definitely keep up with them. I'd also look for a SV650 since it has similar lines to the other two.
 
I would definitely go for the busa. They're comfortable, fast and come from the factory with a 330 wheel and extended swingarm for better straight line stability. I'd opt for a low mileage used one that has a custom tribal paint job as it makes it easier for drivers to see you. Generally they also come with a lot of aftermarket chrome accent pieces for safety as well.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Just look for a clean low mileage 600. Shouldn't be hard to find.

Personally, I think a liter bike is just too much bike for street use. You can hit almost 100mph in first gear on one of these beasts and quite honestly I don't know that they'd be any less likely to be abused.

Also, the riding position of a sport bike is going to be more cramped and harder on your wrists and back. Just an FYI.
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Good information.

Even a 600cc supersport can hit 90MPH in first gear with stock gearing. It can run circles around a 1981 650. Maybe you will be alright with a 1000, but I talk to people all the time it seems who are trading in their liter bikes for something smaller to have more fun.

I personally don't think of used bikes as "used and abused." Some are, I'm sure, but you can find a lot of good deals. A lot of times you can get a low mileage used bike that already has some mods giving you more performance and better looks than stock.

I rode a 650 for a season before I switched to a 600cc supersport. Extremely happy with the 600 and don't see a need for a 1000.

Ducati's look bad ass, no doubt, but if you aren't looking to spend some $$$ i would stick to the cheaper alternatives.
 
the gs650 is a fine ride. shaft or chain?

82 shaftie here (in repair, primary ride is 09 FZ6R). i need to get a rejet kit and pods so i don't have to deal with the bloody airbox anymore.
 
madeuce said:
Good information.

Even a 600cc supersport can hit 90MPH in first gear with stock gearing. It can run circles around a 1981 650. Maybe you will be alright with a 1000, but I talk to people all the time it seems who are trading in their liter bikes for something smaller to have more fun.

I personally don't think of used bikes as "used and abused." Some are, I'm sure, but you can find a lot of good deals. A lot of times you can get a low mileage used bike that already has some mods giving you more performance and better looks than stock.

I rode a 650 for a season before I switched to a 600cc supersport. Extremely happy with the 600 and don't see a need for a 1000.

Ducati's look bad ass, no doubt, but if you aren't looking to spend some $$$ i would stick to the cheaper alternatives.
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. What about something like an older f3/f4 ?? I've seen a couple nice ones up for grabs around here this summer. Stylish and a little bit more comfortable than the CBR and obv less $$$. Money is fair concern here for me I'm not trying to spend over 5 or so.
 
5k should get you a nice 600. I'd probably have to agree with the 1000's being less ragged on than the 600's. I was looking for a used 600 before I finally decided to pick up a new one. I saw alot of bikes that looked like hammered dog shit. I finally got tired of looking at ragged out junk and bought a new one. The 1000's seem to be older more experienced riders. I personally love my zx6r but its not the greatest streetbike. Hard on the wrists. If you like to put some miles on a bike look for something like a sv650 or ninja 650,Suzuki vstrom,Suzuki bandit, etc.. I bought mine mainly for track riding and riding twisties so I was willing to sacrifice comfort for (track) function. And you are NOT I repeat NOT ready for a 1000. Those are the real deal and very unforgiving to a noob.
 
For what it's worth, I believe Kawasaki and Yamaha sport bikes have slightly more aggressive riding positions (and thus, better geometry, but less comfortable riding position) stock than their Honda and Suzuki counter-parts. I know a common mod for gixxers is sticking shims in the rear suspension for more aggressive handling.
 
yeah thats about right on Occ, atleast since about 2006

OFT is right on with his asseesment as well.


the older f3/f4's are much cheaper to insure and fix when dropped, and more streetfriendly than the new higher rev'ing 600SS's
 
Zargon said:
the older f3/f4's are much cheaper to insure and fix when dropped, and more streetfriendly than the new higher rev'ing 600SS's
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I had a f3 I used at the track for one season and in stock form was the most comfortable SS bike I've ridden. Drove it home 2.5 hours when purchased and was amazed. It's just as revy as the newer 600 though. It hits the limiter around 14k and makes crap power under 7k.

I just dislike the power band of smaller I4 bikes. 1000c SS aren't too bad but drastically prefer V-Twin or single cylinder 4t in comparison.
 
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rstrohkirch said:
I had a f3 I used at the track for one season and in stock form was the most comfortable SS bike I've ridden. Drove it home 2.5 hours when purchased and was amazed. It's just as revy as the newer 600 though. It hits the limiter around 14k and makes crap power under 7k.

I just dislike the power band of smaller I4 bikes. 1000c SS aren't too bad but drastically prefer V-Twin or single cylinder 4t in comparison.
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O'Really? I haven't had much seat time on a liter bike but have to agree on the torque on the 600's. I definitely wouldn't be against riding a twin sportbike but not really wanting to get an Italian bike( Pockets aren't deep enough). Any good Jap v-twin sportbikes out? I mean full on race bikes?
 
If you're buying a bike for track and street duty it's a financially better decision to buy a used race bike that has a clean title still. The vast amount of mods they add to the bike get sold with the bike and don't increase re-sale value much at all.

Head over to the Wera forums and look at that for sale section.

http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48

In response to your model question, the sv650 is still my choice for a normal track/street bike. It's pretty crappy in stock form but with braking and suspension upgrades it makes a great bike to do both. For $5k you could get a fully pimped out track sv650 with wheels/tires/suspension/motor/brakes/etc.

Something like this for reference and price scales downwards from here basically:
http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=265449


I've since moved to supermoto and it's drastically more fun at the track(and cheaper on SM tracks) and in general on the street.
 
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OILFIELDTRASH said:
O'Really? I haven't had much seat time on a liter bike but have to agree on the torque on the 600's. I definitely wouldn't be against riding a twin sportbike but not really wanting to get an Italian bike( Pockets aren't deep enough). Any good Jap v-twin sportbikes out? I mean full on race bikes?
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the sv's are pretty decent bikes. but id rock a TLR over a SV1000
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
Any good Jap v-twin sportbikes out? I mean full on race bikes?
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Suzuki TL1000R/S

Honda RC51 (RVT1000R in the states or VTR1000 overseas) - Colin Edwards won the World Superbike Title in 2000, and Nicky Hayden won the AMA title in 2002 on this bike.
 
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