GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: mountindewGS on October 12, 2006, 09:00:44 PM

Title: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 12, 2006, 09:00:44 PM
Im looking to get my next bike and it's between the 2001 to 2002 honda CBR600F4i or the 1999 to 2002 yamaha R6. Has anyone here got one of those bike? how big of a jump was it? how hard was it to jump up into that much more HP?
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: makenzie71 on October 12, 2006, 09:03:21 PM
Between those I would suggest the F4i...it's one of the most reliable rides available out there, and it's not as much a race replica as the R6.  It's a lot easier to control and lot tamer with the wrist...and it'll be easier t find a good price on a better condition ride.

Personally, they've both got too many cylinders.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:05:11 PM
Quote from: makenzie71 on October 12, 2006, 09:03:21 PM
Personally, they've both got too many cylinders.
but for those of us that like 4 cylinders...the jump isnt bad. I went from the gs to a 600rr. You have to allow yourself a small time period to readjust and relearn how to ride the new machine but it all comes back in spades so to speak.  In 2 weeks I was outriding what I had been able to max the gs at.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: TragicImage on October 12, 2006, 10:32:15 PM
Quote from: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:05:11 PM
Quote from: makenzie71 on October 12, 2006, 09:03:21 PM
Personally, they've both got too many cylinders.
but for those of us that like 4 cylinders...the jump isnt bad. I went from the gs to a 600rr. You have to allow yourself a small time period to readjust and relearn how to ride the new machine but it all comes back in spades so to speak.  In 2 weeks I was outriding what I had been able to max the gs at.


shhhhhhhh, you're still slow.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:33:06 PM
haha, I didnt say I was fast...just that I was faster than I was on the gs...
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: makenzie71 on October 12, 2006, 10:34:38 PM
yeah but you had to tripple the hp to do it...on a 4-banger.  If you'd gone for the propper number of cylinders you'd be mad screamin' by now (in every sense).
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: TragicImage on October 12, 2006, 10:37:00 PM
Quote from: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:33:06 PM
haha, I didnt say I was fast...just that I was faster than I was on the gs...


you weren't fast on the GS either... I heard you couldn't pass a grandma in a cadillac on sunday going uphill.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:37:45 PM
nah, I'd be exactly as slow with the same number of cylinders. now I have 2x the cylinders, 1.2xcapacity and 2.5x hp. better numbers all around if you ask me (that would mean, IN MY OPINION).


tragic-well she WAS in a CTS...
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: TragicImage on October 12, 2006, 10:44:40 PM
Quote from: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:37:45 PM

tragic-well she WAS in a CTS...


*cough cough* supercharged CTS *cough cough*
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 11:36:59 PM
wha??? that would make me faster, as she is faster....can't be...
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: TragicImage on October 12, 2006, 11:42:54 PM
hey, jsut cause you have it doesn't mean you have to use it.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: brett on October 13, 2006, 07:51:03 AM
Quote from: TragicImage on October 12, 2006, 10:37:00 PM
Quote from: pantablo on October 12, 2006, 10:33:06 PM
haha, I didnt say I was fast...just that I was faster than I was on the gs...


you weren't fast on the GS either... I heard you couldn't pass a grandma in a cadillac on sunday going uphill.

That's not entirely pablo's fault. From what I hear, his bike is permanently anchored to the parking lot at either the rock store or Nukes.

Back on topic, I've sat on both the F4i and the R6 recently, and the F4 wasn't as aggressive of a riding posture. Depending on what you are using the bike for, the ergos of the F4i may not be too much of a jump from the GS.

PS - Don't give in to the 4 cylinder devils! Twins (and triples) forever!
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 13, 2006, 05:55:33 PM
Set posture isn't really a deal breaker to me. I like the look of the R6 alot more then the F4i but I hear from alot of people the R6 is alittle hard too control like makenzie71 said. I rode my brother 03 600rr and I like it alot, that why Im thinking of going to a I4. Is the R6 harder to ride then a 600rr?
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: makenzie71 on October 14, 2006, 02:30:03 PM
No the differences between the 600RR and the R6 aren't drastic in handling or controllabillity...but I find the R6 far more comfortable than the CBR.  I've never been a fan of Honda's seats.  Neither bike is particularly comfortable, though, which is what I was saying to look at between the F4i and the R6.  Posture on the F4i is a lot more relaxed...makes longer rides a bit easier on you.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 14, 2006, 05:04:10 PM
Iv'e been a fan of the R6 for awhile now and alway want it to be my frist 600cc. Really it all on which one I find frist at the right price, also it has to be at a dealer because I want to trade my bike in for whatever bike I get.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: sys49152 on October 14, 2006, 07:49:52 PM
You'll also have fuel injection on the F4i, not the 99-02 R6.

I own the F4i, so I can only tell you about that.  And I can only tell you what I've heard from the gents riding R6's at the local track.  Take what you will...

The F4i ergos are fantastic, for a sport bike.  In fact, they're almost identical to the VFR (Honda's heavily advertised true sport tourer).  You'll be sitting more up on the bike and the bars are not nearly as low as the other 600's (good and bad, depending on what you plan to use the bike for).  And it's is built like a rock.  It's easy to service yourself and find replacements parts for cheap if necessary.  The bike won't give you any nasty headshakes regardless how hard you ride it, but it's a bit of a pig to toss side to side.  However, once bent over in a turn, it tracks like a charm.

That being said, it's not as sexy as the R6.  It won't give you nearly the same top end rush, and it's not as flickable.  As Mak mentioned, the F4i seat is completely useless.. like sitting on a 2X4, so I'm sure the R6 must be more comfy on the arse.   Try turning the R6 bars side-to-side.. they hardly move.  Not as friendly making *slow* speed u-turns on your neighbourhood streets or parking lots.

I think the F4i is a reasonable compromise for a bike you'd like to ride on the street and the track.  I think if you're planning on spending more of your time on the track, buy the R6.  And, if the R6 looks really really hot to you, buy it regardless, or you'll regret being on any other bike.

If you're a straight up stat's guy, here's some F4i info :

Honda 2001 F4i
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Horsepower (rear wheel) : 95.5 @ 12,500
Torque : 42.6 @ 10,250
1/4 mile : 10.71s @ 126.7 MPH
Top Gear Roll-On 60-80 MPH :  4.12s
Wet weight : 435 lbs
Ergos (distance from seat to bars, seat to pegs, effective handle bar rise) : 27.7, 17.8, 4.9

ergos for the 2002 VFR : 28.5, 18.4, 5.9
ergos for the 2005 R6 : 27.5, 17.1, 2.5
ergos for the 2005 CBR 600 RR : 27.7, 17.2, 1.4

(quoted from Motorcyclist, June '06)

I'm sure I have the yamaha numbers somewhere if you're interested.   I think the biggest complaint I've heard from guys on R6's is that they need to understand how to work the gears well to get the most out of the bike.  It needs to scream at the top end all the time to do its best.  And if you mess up, you'll spend countless laps trying to catch up -- very unforgiving that way.  Also, it's incredibly twitchy and does require a damper.  Even during agressive street rides, coming out of a fast sweeper and hitting a nasty piece of pavement will result in some pretty nasty headshake.  Pot holes at highway speeds, same thing.  You get the flickablity of having a steep rake, but also the higher risk of getting into tank slappers.  However, if you know how to ride the bike well, it kicks ass.  Period.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: 94suzuki500 on October 14, 2006, 09:20:14 PM
I would suggest not trading it in.  Sell it and then buy.  Youll get more money that way.  Dealers will give you next to nothing on trade in.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 15, 2006, 01:42:37 PM
 what dose headshake mean? Iv'e never sat on the R6 so I don't know how it act. I have sat on the F4i and I do like the feeling but Im a big fan of the aggressive seat postion. Im kind of intrested in if you change the gearing on the R6 you could make it more controllable, I know it would help at low speed and U turn. I Still have time to decide because There arn't any around here at this time.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: wildbill on October 15, 2006, 03:41:09 PM
Go Naked!!! Get a Ducati Monster 695! Thats what i plan on getting for my next bike. And used are pretty good as far as price goes.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: makenzie71 on October 15, 2006, 04:37:42 PM
headshake = exactly what it sounds like.  Get out on your GS at highway speeds and wobble the front slightly...then imagine on a much fast, much more powerful bike, and being uncontrollable.  It's something that comes with pushing a bike too hard.

Duc's are great if you don't mind working on the bike all the time...desmo's awesome and sucks at the same time.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: Chuck on October 16, 2006, 12:19:55 PM
Do you need to spend a lot of money?  My second bike is a Yamaha FZR600.  It has many of the admirable qualities of the GS500 (light, flickable, glut of cheap parts on ebay, good Internet user forum) but twice the HP (high 70's), and generally go for about $1500 to $2000.

Assuming your current ride is a GS, the FZR is a more gentle step up than CBR or R6, although they're awesome machines if you truly need triple the HP.

I'm not saying that's what you should do.  I'm saying that's what I did and I'm happy.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 16, 2006, 03:49:36 PM
No Im not looking to spend alot of money, just the trade in + $2000 if that. The F4i with my trade  if they give me 3000 or more should come out to be  $1000 and some change that I have to pay out of my pocket. I don't know about the R6 yet, I have't look it up yet. I forgot Im also intrested in a 1998 to 1999 GSX-R600 but I feel that will be to hard to come acrass.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on October 16, 2006, 04:00:08 PM
HAH! Good luck getting 3K for a trade on a GS! You could sell it for that.. but I'd bet most dealerships won't give you that.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: makenzie71 on October 16, 2006, 04:01:04 PM
trade-in on an 03 with 7100 miles was $1730...mint condition bike.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 16, 2006, 07:05:26 PM
Who know what will happen, I try selling it myself last summer and none wanted it. I might try again but I don't know, Im trying to do this durring the winter/spring so Im really not going get anything for it Im sure. I got three bike to look for and basicly it whatever I find frist. My two favorite are the 96 to 99 GSX-R and the 99 to 02 R6.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: CirclesCenter on October 16, 2006, 07:42:10 PM
Just don't jump on the bike thinking you are superman and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Thinking about my next bike
Post by: mountindewGS on October 16, 2006, 09:40:19 PM
If I was thinking like that I would be getting a NEW bike and it be bigger then a 600cc bike, trust me Im no superman. Just looking for a bike that has around 100 horsepower