GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

I'm having a huge dilemma. I'm trying to decide what bike I want to upgrade to.  I'm pretty much open to all sprotbikes right now (probably a 600 though).  

Can anyone give me some good suggestions based around Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki?

Most people on the forum are probably pretty biased towards Suzuki and not getting anything bigger than the GS500 but I'm really looking for some help here.

Any feedback is appreciated, thanks.  :mrgreen:

honda 599...droooooooooooooool...


- alex

Ninja 636 or 600RR

gixxer 750

I hope to get one myself next year.

Haha, thanks for the replies, and I am considering all of those bikes but I need some reasons not just names lol. So far, I'm probably looking at one of the following: R6, CBR600F4i, GSXR750, ZX6R, and I am up for other suggestions.  :cheers:

Go to Yamaha. You'll like them the best. Great chassis. Solid engine.

if u want madd power off a small bike, The Kawasaki ZX6R, is really strong (dang cheating 630cc.)  Something not too heavy, when I rode an '04 GSX-R600, it wasn't as heavy as say a ZX6R or an '03 R6 (from personal experience.)  If u want huge power, but don't wanna take up a liter bike, the last 750 left would be the Gixxer 750.  Honda's new 600RR's are so sweet though (I think better than F4i), And rides as reliably as any bike could.  I don't know much about yamahas (no one in my group rides one.)

Make sure you check insurance before you buy.  I was looking at getting a 95 CBR 600 F3 and my company wouldnt even give me a quote, they said I could go somewhere else but it would be close to $1,500 a year for insurance.

all 600's are very close bikes......the only difference is the looks and how your ass fits in the seat.....so decide which one looks best in your opinion and go sit on it....if it doesn't feel good sitting on it then you shouldn't buy it...get the one you feel comfortable on

i hate kawasaki
the new sv is awesome and insurance is cheaper cause it it not a 'sport bike'
that is probably true with the 599 too.
any R is gonna kill you in insurance
i really like honda alot
so am either gonna go cbr or sv for my next bike for sure
although r6's are really cool too....ill wait and get one of those later on.  The frames are brittle on those bikes and little mistakes can total it easy

I like the cbr600rr. In your list you have the 600F41 which isnt really in the same class as the R6, gsxr6, etc, but the 600rr is.

The 600rr is smaller lengthwise, feeling like its 7/8th scale bike. Narrow too. Probably the heaviest of teh bunch but one of the most stable in a corner. Wont wheelie without you trying. Sexy styling.

The R6 has nervous handling until you swap out the front 110 tire for a 120 (common first change on that bike). Otherwise its s f.cking great bike. Wheelies easily, too easily. Fast. Good looking bike. Personally I wouldnt buy one until it looks like the R1 (DAMN SEXY BIKE).

The gixxer 6 is a great track bike but a bit twitchy on the road. [edit: bike isnt twitchy, the throttle is sensitive making it more difficult than the others to ride in day to day traffic. its still a great track and canyon bike]. Totally doable  though. The 750 is a better road/all around bike.

The zx6r is alsoa good bike with extra midrange (thanks to the extra cc's). 05 model has better styling, and they went with an underseat exhaust. Dont be seduced by the underseat exhaust though-you'll miss the underseat storage you give up (I do).

Also dont discount the Triumph Daytona 600. Just as good a handling bike as the 600rr. Wide tank and long reach, like the old gixxer. Too big for me. Really stable in the corners.


Try them on-they're all good. Check insurance. Mine does their primiums based on engine size so it didnt go up much from the gs500 actually. I pay about $520/yr for full coverage in Los Angeles.

The new Suzuki 650 Bandit is on its way have a look at it here http://www.mcnews.com.au/ I cant link to the page its on but on the right hand side you will see a link to it have a look very nice if you dont want an out and out sports bike :thumb:  :cheers:

If you consider English bikes. Try a speed 4 600 supersport power but not the $$$. Agood buy.

Quote from: Lukewarm WilsonThe new Suzuki 650 Bandit is on its way have a look at it here http://www.mcnews.com.au/ I cant link to the page its on but on the right hand side you will see a link to it have a look very nice if you dont want an out and out sports bike :thumb:  :cheers:

I like the neked one, looks really sweet!!   drooling

Personal observation suggests that the R6 is the chic  sportbike of choice.  Lightweight, narrow-waisted, pretty....figures. :roll:    Not much between any of them, really.  Hang around the showrooms.  Find out which one makes the heart thump the loudest.  Buy for love, and don't settle for less. :)

Triumph added 50cc to their Daytone 600.  So now its the Daytone 650. They also added more Hp to try to stay with the Japanese bikes.  It now has 112 Hp and only weighs 2lbs more than the 600rr. Check it out

I think if i had to do it all over again and had a bit more money, I would get the sv650s, cause its gonna be cheaper in insurance than supersports.

Me=24, married, clean record
GS ins=900/year full coverage
GSXR600 or 750=2000/year full
SV650=1650/year full
My new TL1000s=1100/year full
Lesson= Shopping around for bikes you originally did not originally consider and confirming actual insurance costs will make your life easier.  You will be surprised by how much these costs vary by bike, ins. carrier, and your age/record.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the current supersports, the SV, or Bandits.  Really its about taste, cost, preference, and need.  Best of luck in the search.

Personally I wouldn't limit myself to the 600 supersports unless you want to mainly limit your riding to trackdays and weekend scratching.  My options would be(in no order):

Suzi GSXR750 - damn fast and the extra few ccs makes it a more street rideable bike with the extra midrange over a 600.

Suzi SV1000s - nothing sounds better than a V-twin IMHO, and there is a full fairing kit available :)   If it had a larger tank I would also choose the Honda VTR.

BMW1100/1150/1200GS - the presentation doesn't set the heart racing, but what a great bike for riding on public roads and in the twisty stuff just watch a sportbike try get away from you.

Honda VFR - what I ride at the moment, good for 2up, long tours and the weekend strap.

My two bobs worth

If you're looking for a used bike, here's a great article comparing 2001 600cc bikes.  It might be a bit dated if you're looking at the new 600's though :

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/01600/

Summary :

4th Place : Ducati 748S

3rd Place : GSX-R600

2nd Place : CBR600F4i

1st Place : Yamaha YZF-R6

Remember, the above rankings are based on the opinions of four test riders, and the main criteria is "real-world riding", not track performance.  

Here are two more, and I believe they're more track performance related :

(same bikes as above, plus the ZX-R6, which incidentally takes first place -- all other standings are like those in the above article)
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/00_600s.html

(TT600, R6 and ZX-6R)
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/01600/016002.motml


Personally, I'm a big fan of the CBR600RR and YZF-R6, simply because I think they're the best looking out of the bunch.  Well, that's not entirely true.. I think the Ducati 748S (and the new 749/S/R) are the best looking, but they're not exactly in the same price range.

Quote from: pantabloThe gixxer 6 is a great track bike but a bit twitchy on the road. Totally doable  though. The 750 is a better road/all around bike.

What about the GSX750F ? Do you even get them in America ? I've heard that they use the engine from the early GSXR750, and they look heaps more comfortable, but I haven't seen many around... any opinions ?

http://www.suzuki.com.au/motorbike_webpages/motorbikes_GSX750f.asp

I think pantablo has the right idea, the 600rr is one sweet bike and Iv'e never meet a person that has driven one that can say anything bad about it. It one of the best looking bike out that

FZ6 or Hornet 599 are my choices... they would cost me less for insurance.

Quote from: pfb

Quote from: pantabloThe gixxer 6 is a great track bike but a bit twitchy on the road. Totally doable  though. The 750 is a better road/all around bike.

What about the GSX750F ? Do you even get them in America ? I've heard that they use the engine from the early GSXR750, and they look heaps more comfortable, but I haven't seen many around... any opinions ?

http://www.suzuki.com.au/motorbike_webpages/motorbikes_GSX750f.asp

We get them. They're called Katana here in the US. They're big, fat and heavy. Not even considered a 2nd tier sport bike. most consider them ugly.

Quote from: pantabloThe gixxer 6 is a great track bike but a bit twitchy on the road. Totally doable  though. The 750 is a better road/all around bike.

btw-when I say its twitchy I should clarify that most think the throttle is very sensitive, making it a bit hard to ride in day to day street riding. Its still very capable on the track and canyons but takes a light touch on the throttle.

if you get an f4i, but a used one, pre600rrs, because they're eccentially the same bike, except they dropped the hp on the new ones, i guess just to make the 600rr look better by compairison

Quote from: etamFZ6 or Hornet 599 are my choices... they would cost me less for insurance.

It's looking like the 599 won't be here in '05 for the US market.  

http://powersports.honda.com/preview/05_new_model_index.html

I saw one in the wild on an interstate.  The fellow looked like he was holding on for dear life.  The bike seemed a bit short front-back, like just the right combination of bumps and he'd be playing rodeo cowboy, and he looked like he knew it.  No thanks.  Any of the Yamahas look good.  If you aren't a racer, think VStrom or Triumph Bonneville for comfort IMHO.  --Mike D.

Wow, lots of replies in just a few hours... thanks everybody!

Lots of good points made, I'm still going to be stuck debating this to myself through the winter months :x  heh

I'm looking for a good street supersport. I kind of want to go bigger than a 600 but there aren't much to choose from if I don't want to get into the 1000 range (I'd love to but unfortunantly I fear for my life).  I really like the look of the Yamaha R6 and the Ninja 600R.

Can anyone give me some good reasons why I should stick with or stay away form a certain manufacturer?  I hear Yamaha is in the top right now but I don't really know if that's reliable.

Quote from: tt_fourif you get an f4i, but a used one, pre600rrs, because they're eccentially the same bike, except they dropped the hp on the new ones, i guess just to make the 600rr look better by compairison

SO not true.
The pre 600rr cbr 600F4i is essentially the same as the current 04 model F4i. The RR has the Rc211v technology and is a far superior race/canyon bike.  That't not to say the F4i isnt a good bike, just not as race focused. [on rereading your post, if you are saying the new F4i is same as old F4i less a few horsepower then I agree.]

Proudlom-All the manufacturers are good. Any of the bikes you listed are good bikes and you should consider any bike that makes your heart skip a beat when you walk up to it or just look at it in the garage. The gixxer 750 is a good bike based on what you say-bigger than a 600 so not as revvy but not nearly as much as a liter. In some recent mag comparisons the 750 was just as quick as the 1000, except in a loooong straight. The R6 is the latest fashion but a good bike.

What makes your heart race?

Quote from: pantablo

What makes your heart race?

Right now, I think it's between the YZF R6 and ZX6R...

That was an excellent way of making your point...    thank you.

the R6 is probably the better street bike of those two.

Looks best in solid colors, like black on black:
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/500/05_mcy_r6_blk_5_4759.jpg)


The red or blue have the white graphics I dont care for...
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/500/05_mcy_R6_red_1_4759.jpg)



See them all -->here<-- (http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/unitgallery/2/mcy/5/8/0/yamaha_yzf-r6.aspx)

Yeah, I really like the new black 2005 R6 and I like the silver Ninja.
Btw, Pentablo, why do you say the R6 is probably better, I'm just curious and need all the input I can get?

(http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/yam_data/img_products/2005_YZF_R6Black-lg_128.jpg)
(http://kawasaki.ca/images/PopUps/Large_ZX-6R_a.jpg)

sit on all the bikes you can
if you are not comfortable sitting on it you won't enjoy riding it
and as far as the engin sizes goes you can always get an overbore kit for it
i believe that www.superbikemike.com makes them for all sportbikes (i think) i know they make stuff for the 600rr
but you would have to call them

i know i have seen overbore kits for she sv650 that boosted it between 800
and 900ccs


and as far as people considering the zx6r not a real 600
at least they post the size on the plastics unlike the honda cbr blackbird

If your heart is set on a liter bike, just get one. You'll just as easily kill yourself on a 600 supersport. You'll get used to the extra bulk and power. Just take it easy on the thing until you get your feet wet. BTW the 2005 R1 in black is completely sick.

Even "little" 600s now have a larger performance envelop than you can use anywhere on the street. Liter bikes are pointless except in racing, on the street 7/10s of their potential will never get used.

Yamaha transmissions tend to be rough and cranky at times. But that is generally made up for by engine power and the soundness of the rest of the bike.  From sitting on them, the R6 is probably the most confortable of all the current race-replicas along with the latest "style, but thats not saying much because next year something newer and greater will come along.

Be real when you are thinking about what you want. Do you go to the track or twisties every weekend, or do you commute and take trips on regular roads & highway?  Go by something other than looks and style because you will still own (and be paying for) your bike, when the state-o-the-art has passed you by.

BTW the '05 F4i looks pretty sweet. Nice seat, BNG, and you can even get a centerstand for it.
(http://powersports.honda.com/assets/images/model/model_hero_shot/Motorcycles/2005/large/CBR600F4i.jpg)

yeah, you definitely have to seriously consider how you'll use it. The R6 is more comfortable to ride on the road [relatively] and the zx6r is more track focused in general. That's why I think the R6 is a better road bike.

If I didnt get the 600rr I would have gotten the R6, knowing now what I do about them all.

So far, after reading all of these posts (thanks guys) and doing a little outside gstwins.com research, I think my preliminary decision is the Yamaha YZF R6!

Can anyone give me a good reason not to? Seriously, I like constructive critisism.

:cheers:

don't like FZ6 or FZ1?

(http://www.sportbikes.net/photos/data/525/141New_Bike_Pics_Low_Res_005-med.jpg)

Quote from: proudlom

Quote from: pantablo

What makes your heart race?

Right now, I think it's between the YZF R6 and ZX6R...

That was an excellent way of making your point...    thank you.

Just remember the other saying as well (normally used for girls), "She may be great to look at and for making your foes and mates envious, but she is HELL to live with"  A reason we see a lot of very new 2nd hand supersport bikes for sale.  Whatever you choose arrange for a long test ride before putting cash on the table.

If your thinking R6 or such you obviously dont like long rides and if you go on one you will sell it when you get back when you have to be peeled off it
(stuck on) also a bloke we know is now sitting out his licence for the next 2 years as he got caught doing over 200kmh in a 60 zone he said its just to tempting.
Is your bike your only transport?
:thumb:  :cheers:

Quote from: pantabloLooks best in solid colors, like black on black:

<tangent> God, that is so sexy. </tangent>

I am afraid you can't go wrong with any of the current generation of sixes on offering from the big four. They all seems to look alike in most department. The only thing separate them apart is your gut feeling.  :cheers:

Very sexy indeed...
(http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/mcy/500/05r6_detail_light.jpg)

Quote from: etam

Uh! WTF!?!?  Could they have made it any more un-aerodynamic? Looks like they used some of those syrofoam things they pack around electronics for a mold.

Bleah...

If you want the R6 get it, you will enjoy it for as long as your back and wrists hold out.

Let me say a few words about the comfort of the R6 having owned both an FZ-1 and R6 (traded the FZ-1 for the R6) and having put several thousand miles on both.  The FZ-1 was more comfortable on short rides since its seat was more plush and suspension softer, but the upright riding position put all the weight on you ass and after an hour, I'd be doing the butt cheek cha-cha trying to find a comfortable riding position.  

The R6 seems less comfortable at first due to the harder/wider seat and stiff suspension, but your weight is distributed more evenly between your butt and your arms/wrists so your rear does not get so tired.  So, then your arms/wrists must get tired, right?  Nope.  Above 60 mph, the air coming over the wind screen does a good job of propping you up.  

The only downside to the R6 is on rough roads and carrying passengers.  That and a constant desire to double the speed limit everywhere you go.  That's the reason I got rid of it.  I was pretty sure my license was not long for this world if kept it.  Overall, the R6 was, by far, my favorite street bike I've ever owned.  

Rich