GS500 replacement? Change to a '00 Ninja ZX6-R?

[TarzanBoy]

If all goes well, I might be replacing the '89 GS500 with a red '00 ZX6R (thats not the actual bike, but its the same year/model/color as the one i'm looking at).   I had been telling myself that I would upgrade to a 'V', but none have availed themselves this winter... and I'd rather try to find a deal sooner than later when demand goes back up and it becomes impossible to get a deal on a bike unless you are wicked fast+lucky.

Anyways, I won't have an opportunity to ride it because of logistics, though I will be able to inspect it and sit on it.  What can you all tell me about the ZX6R?  If it rides anything like the GS (in terms of flickable-ness and how well it carries its weight) then i'll be a happy camper.

I'm very middle of the road about the whole thing.  I don't particularly want to get rid of the GS.  Its got character that I love.

I know that '04gs500f and cheesy both upgraded to Ninjas... any thoughts?

[Jake D]

That is a very pretty bike!  
I've never been on a Ninja, but  my guess it that it handles better than a GS.  I mean that darn well better, right?  It is a pure sport bike.

[skrap1r0n]

Have you considered the SV-650?

['04gs500f]

its a great bike, lot of power and great handling.

just be careful and always roll easy on the throttle, dont snap it ...please...

if you do upgrade, take it easy and ride it like you would an underpowered bike until you are comfortable with its controls handling and the feel of clipons and low speed maneuvers

vtwins are a blast by the way...by far the better "around town" bike over an inline four

[ninja_steve]

i owned that exact zx6r and put many miles on it.  its an EXCELLENT bike.  plenty of power, extremely comfortable- i could easily log 500 miles in one afternoon in the texas hill country.  

parts are pletiful for that model. metzeler sportec M1's were the best tire I ran on the bike.  i sold with a shaZam! load of miles and only lost $500 under what i bought it for  :mrgreen:

GET IT    

edit:  you want to know about its handeling?  it is awesome.  I put new springs in the front and rear, and the bike literally dove into corners.  it was one of the better handeling bikes I have ever ridden, but it was my baby and I am a bit biased.  the difference between the gs will be night and day- all SS bike handle extremely well and will make the GS feel like a frickin bicycle.  dont be afraid to rev the piss out of the bike either, it redlines somewhere around 13 or 14k rpms iirc.

[Jace009gs]

I upgraded to yamaha's Ninja Slayer FZR600VH....it might be a bit older than the ninja but many characteristics are similar.....

First off the power out put....it's like driving a car with a turbo charger...once it winds up really good it hustles on down the road. PAY ATTENTION to the speed-meter I can be doing highway speeds  [75mph here in western Maryland] as I change into 3rd gear [under fast conditions but not throttle twisted WOT] ...bla bla bla for the most part the power is not PEAKY. It's pretty linear like the GS there's just ALOT more of it.

ok ya they {i-4} sport bikes handle really well. You will find the front brakes very agressive [dual 8piston set up on the 00'] . They drink gas...not sip it like the GS.....rear tires are $$$$$ than one can dream of and all of the water cooling lines and componets add an additonal hour on to any basic "maintence" you might get involved in. The only additonal tid-bit I noticed is that when parked at a light the 600ccers feel a little more top heavy in their weight distribution. [assuming most 600's are that way] so double check the foot isn't in oil or road sludge...duh MSF 101

ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Make sure you get an insurance quote before you buy the bike....THe Ninja sticker on the side of the bike just surged your premium.

You couldn't find any v-twins? e-bay? local paper? There are 5 for sale in my area just on e-bay....I just need money....lots of money....ever though about shipping? I got a few quotes for accross country [Baltimore Maryland to San Francisco CA] just over $500 assuming you have a truck that you can load the bike into from the p/u terminal.

[cheesy]

It's a good choice.

As far as not snapping the throttle... ok I have an 05 zx6r, and I would have to REALLY be trying to flip it over.  we're talking 1st gear, 9k rpm+, letting off the throttle, then slamming it open.


IMHO after riding an sv650, I really think the 600 SS class is calmer for around town.  Now when your railing through a corner at anything higher than 9k, yeah, don't whack the throttle open. It's not hard.. It's not like you do that on the GS anyway.


After owning a kawi..  I have only had one problem with my bike, and it was fixed easily under warranty, (battery leaked on swingarm,, more yousa's fault than kawi..) but I have heard HORROR stories about people who had 4-5k on their 636's and something happened to the motor, and kawi refusing to warranty it.  Those types of things really irritate me. Mine runs perfect though. I love it

However, the fit/finish of my zx6r is better than a buddies 05 R1.. so to each his own. (plastics fit better, gauge area is more 'covered up' etc)


These supersports though.. I need a new rear tire..  $170. bleh.

[TarzanBoy]

I did an online insurance quote and My insurance would go from $102 to like $220 for minimum.

What kind of gas mileage does it get?  My roommate has a gas guzzling 30 mpg superhawk...

Its not that low, is it?

-kevin

[pantablo]

you wont get 40mpg out of it for sure. mid 30's is common, depending on how you flog it.

[TarzanBoy]

its a great bike, lot of power and great handling.

just be careful and always roll easy on the throttle, dont snap it ...please...

....ride it like you would an underpowered bike until you are comfortable with its controls handling and the feel of clipons and low speed maneuvers

*Cough*cough* ...*cough*..... (I believe you were saying something about clip-ons?)

Behold the mighty '89 GS500F.  Crotch-rocketiest GS *ever*!