I haven't been on this site as much...

[annguyen1981]

'cause I'm trying to enjoy the decent weather here in MA.

But the biggest factor is:

I'm looking for a new bike.  I purchased my GS last fall with 1500 miles, and I've now got 5500 miles (rain & shine).

I really want an almost like new bike, either an R6 or the 600rr.

Which would you guys go for?

[weaselnoze]

why do u need to upgrade? 

[annguyen1981]

I've asked that of myself as well, and the answer is:

I DON"T KNOW

Sure, I love my GS, but let's face it...  You always love your first ANYTHING!   (except maybe that time I dropped the soap in jail... )

I'm a person where I need something different that not many people have...  I really want a hummer...

Get your mind out of the gutter...  I'm referring to the military vehicle...  But ever since the company came out with the H2, I've been put off by them, and now that they've got the H3, I HATE THE F*CKING COMPANY.

Anyway, like I was saying... The GS is great, but no one (mfr wise) makes anything great for this bike.  I'm kinda sick of starting up the lawnmower each morning if I'm heading out to work or school.  I'd like to have something with a more deeper sounding tone to it with having to spend EXTRA $$$ on the can and having to rejet.

There's more reasons, but I'm kinda tired...   I've been stressing for the last week.  Finals, work, etc.

[weaselnoze]

hmm. i say keep it a few years.  u just got it last year?  jeeze wear that thing in a lil

[mike_mike]

no love for the riding lawnmower?

[skoebl]

Get a Duc 695 

[annguyen1981]

I also don't wanna blow all my savings.  I guess I'm trying to find a great deal like I found on my GS.  Bought from dealer for only $3500 with only 1500 miles.  Still had factory warranty left AND had the Suzuki protection plan.

[pantablo]

the 600rr is the better first sportbike and is really easy to ride fast. less demanding than the R6.

[annguyen1981]

the 600rr is the better first sportbike and is really easy to ride fast. less demanding than the R6.

I forgot you have the 600rr.  How's the transition from the GS?

[Jake D]

If both of those bikes are in your range, get a '06 YZF-R6S.  It is a new model for '06, but is basically the '04 R6.  Around $8k for a brand new R6.  
If you're buying used, get the 600RR.  Assuming you have to have one of those bikes.
IMO, everybody has an R6 or a 600RR.  You should get a XB9 if you want something with a little more Grumble.  That sucker grumbles.  

[melloGS]

both the r6 and 600r are badass bikes, both come in all black for 06!! I personally would go with the r6/raven!!

[Onlypastrana199]

'cause I'm trying to enjoy the decent weather here in MA.

and why haven't you ridden towards NY??? Cherry Plains is 1 hour from you. Taborton Rd is like..one of my favorite places to ride..then I go and get some lunch and eat in Cherry Plain State Park near the waterfall..

[annguyen1981]

and why haven't you ridden towards NY??? Cherry Plains is 1 hour from you. Taborton Rd is like..one of my favorite places to ride..then I go and get some lunch and eat in Cherry Plain State Park near the waterfall..

I haven't really traveled too far yet...  I'm swamped with work and school...  Hopefully I can go riding with my friend for the first time this summer.

[Thor S Magic Bathtub]

I'm a person where I need something different that not many people have...  I really want a hummer...

I heard that the "H1" has gone the way of the dodo bird. They're not making them anymore...

[Phaedrus]

I'm a person where I need something different that not many people have...  I really want a hummer...

Yeah, and no one has an R6 or a CBR. They are so rare, I can go a whole block and only see one or two of them. 

I don't want rain on your padade here, but I really don't know if a new bike is really what you need.  Your own choice obviously, but let's take a look at some facts.

Fact #1: You want something different.
Point #1: The GS is different. Everyone has an R6, CBR, GSX-R or some other 600 supersport.

Fact #2: You only have 4000 miles under your belt.
Point #2: You probably have not even tapped the full abilities of your GS. You might have, I can't say for sure, but with only 4000 miles it is doubtful. That is barely enough to even wear a rear tire.

Fact #3: You said you "really haven't travelled too far" and you have been "swapped with work and school".
Point #3: You want a new, more powerful bike to just sit there and look pretty? No matter what bike you have, it works best when you ride it! 

Fact #4: You said you want something that doesn't sound like a riding lawnmower, but no mfgr makes anything for the GS.
Point: False. There are tons of mods out there for the GS, including exhaust. Have you heard sound clips or got together with anyone? There are a bunch of wileyco sound clips on the site, plus Ginoe's scorpion exhaust clip. I can't think of anything out there that is NOT made for the GS that you would need? Exhaust systems by Laser and Vance and Hines.  As for the "deeper tone" without having to buy a new exhaust / rejet, the 600's you mentioned sound kinda whiney when stock with their inline 4 drone. They aren't deep and growly. Have you heard one? If you want a stock deep tone, you will prolly want something like an SV or a cruiser. 

Sure the 600's have more power, but is you can't take advantage of it, what good is it? The GS goes plenty fast for street riding. With a 15T sprocket, it gets up to speed quicker and has more pep. Anyone can top it out in the straits, but are you topping it out in the corners? The only way you are really going to be able to take advantage of a 600 supersport is at a track after you've got some more miles under your belt.

Now if you just want a new bike for the sake of wanting a new bike; go for it.  But I don't think it is going to really fill the gap you are trying to fill. 

[Alphamazing]

Fact #4: You said you want something that doesn't sound like a riding lawnmower, but no mfgr makes anything for the GS.
Point: False. There are tons of mods out there for the GS, including exhaust. Have you heard sound clips or got together with anyone? There are a bunch of wileyco sound clips on the site, plus Ginoe's scorpion exhaust clip. I can't think of anything out there that is NOT made for the GS that you would need? Exhaust systems by Laser and Vance and Hines.  As for the "deeper tone" without having to buy a new exhaust / rejet, the 600's you mentioned sound kinda whiney when stock with their inline 4 drone. They aren't deep and growly. Have you heard one? If you want a stock deep tone, you will prolly want something like an SV or a cruiser. 

Adding to this... every vehicle has to pass noise tests. Each one must meet the same criteria as the other. An SV can't exceed the same decibel level the GS can't exceed. No matter what bike you ever get, in order to give it that deep throaty growl we love so much you'll need to buy an exhaust pipe. Consequently, you'll have to rejet or adjust the FI to compensate. No matter what bike you buy, be it an SV650, CBR600RR, or even a Ducati Monster, you'll have to adjust the air/fuel ratio when you modify the exhaust tract. At least with the GS you know what you need to do to get your air/fuel settings right and have plenty of rescources on what to do if something goes wrong or if you need help doing it.

My father has an FZ1, a 998cc inline 4. It's got 74mm pistons, the same as the GS, and a 58mm stroke, only 1.6mm longer than the GS. However, it doesn't sound anything like the GS due to the nature of the inline-4 and how it delivers its power. You think the GS sounds buzzy? Listen to in I-4 600cc bike and you'll know what buzzy sounds like. Even my father's bike with an open pipe on the end still sounds hyperactive, even at idle. That's just the way I-4s sound.

[annguyen1981]

Pertaining to all the facts/points:

Fact/Point 1:
I meant something that I can mod differently than anyone else...

Fact/point 2:
Yes, I only have 4000 miles, but I'm also planning on NOT dumping my bike due to a stupid move or mistake.  For those 4000 miles, I've only come close TWICE to dumping it, but both times were from stopping on some uneven pavement, and I stopped on the "mini mountain on the road."

Fact/Point 3:
Yes I've been swamped with school and work...  but how do you think I get there?   

Fact/Point 4:  (GODDAMN THIS IS A LOT OF TYPING!!!  taking a rest....)

Ok...

uh...  oh yeah...

Fact/Point 4:
I meant that I wanted to get a bike that mfr's made stuff that I could just BOLT on...  not hack and weld on

Fact/Point 5:
Hmm...  I can't find your fact/point 5...  I think my laptop is broken...

[Alphamazing]

Pertaining to all the facts/points:

Fact/Point 1:
I meant something that I can mod differently than anyone else...

and...

Fact/Point 4:
I meant that I wanted to get a bike that mfr's made stuff that I could just BOLT on...  not hack and weld on

A bit contradictory there, don't you think? Any ninny can go and bolt stuff on. That's easy. All it takes is money. With the GS you're being a hell of a lot more unique by hacking and welding something made for another bike onto it.

Seriously. What do you  plan on doing? Blacking out the whole bike? It's been done. Chrome the whole thing? Been done too. Stretch the swingarm, give it a 250 rear tire, and a crazy ass paintjob? That's been done countless times? Going to put an exhaust system on, maybe a new windscreen, some fancy rearsets, new clip ons, new air filter, power commander, undertail, maybe some neon? Guess what, you can do all that on the GS too, and it will be a hell of a lot more unique than the sportbikes.

If you want to change the seating position, why don't you get some lower bars and some rearsets? The seating position alone changes the bike's character.

[RVertigo]

What the hell are you two fighting about?

Just mod the damn bike...  Or buy a different one and mod that...  Or leave it stock...  Who gives a crap? 

RIDE THE DAMN THING!!!

OK...  Continue. 

[l3uddha]

I'm not gonna argue; it's just sad to see you go so soon.

I too love the 600SS and will be moving up, but I'm not nearly as in a big rush as you are. I bought this bike to LEARN how to ride and be prepared for the depths of a true race bike. I just got the feeling ur gonna be one of those people who go and buy a SS bike and just putt around without really leaning it over. If you wanna learn how to drag a knee the GS500 is awesome and foregiving. If you get a SS, you WILL get bored with the straight line acceleration at some point and want to explore what the bike really can do. That's when the difficulty and fear really begins.

It's kind of disturbing to hear you say that GS500F riders  have to face at some point that they're not really riding a "true" sportbike. From being on this forum, you know what you have to do to improve the bike and just how easy it is. The bike WILL lean over and corner like a "true" sportbike, the only difference is that the 600's get you TO each turn a lot faster. If you're worried about the looks of the faring I dont know what to say... I get "nice bike" comments all the time. People confuse my bike w/ a gixxer all the time. I dont really know who you're tyring to impress... I just really think it's pathetic to see people riding SS bikes and not know what the hell they're doing. THAT"S why I'm sticking with the GS for a while longer.

I could be mistaken; people Do buy bikes for all sorts of different reasons; maybe you aren't into hard fast cornering and are just looking for a fast bike to look cool on... well; whatever you decide to do, good luck!