I have decided to keep this bike through the coming summer as to get another year under the belt for experience, and I will then sell the bike. I'm looking toward a few bikes and wanted some opinions. First off, the gs is a great starter bike and I'm glad I learned on this instead of a savage 650. Anyway, I'm looking at a cbr f4i, zx6r, sv650s, r6, (and sort of toyed with the idea of a vfr). What do you guys like and why. The main two would be between the sv and the f4i, and obviously they are apples to oranges so its a hard decision. I'm just asking what your opinion and reasoning would be if you only had these for options.
or you could get a vmax :icon_twisted:
all depends on what you intend to do with it and how you'd ride it.
I'm assuming new or nearly new bikes.
If it was me my first choice would be the R6. Best all out track bike and I would put race bodywork on it and call it a day. The zx6r would be second choice for the same reason, and even though it has a few more cc's I prefer the full track focus of the R6.
The vfr and F4i to me are in [nearly] the same league. Both are comfortable to ride around town and more than capable in the canyons or the track. The vfr is slightly less capable on the track only because of [centerstand] clearance issues when leaned over far. The vfr with pipes sounds the best of all imo.
The sv650S is a sort-of sportbike imo. VERY capable all around bike. Less comfy (from what I've heard) than the F4i/vfr but just as capable if not more so on the track. The sv has the biggest online forum and aftermarket support.
Pablo (as always) is spot-on. It depends what type of rider you are or want to be. I graduated from my much loved GS to a new Bandit 650 because I was looking for another all rounder with a bit more ooomph and remaining comfortable as I like to do big trips once or twice a year and often ride all day just for the pleasure of it.
If I were 30 or even 40 years younger and could sacrifice a little of the comfort for touring in favour of something light, agile and a bit sporty i would go for an SV650. To be honest another factor for me was the economics of it, i got a really good deal on the carb model bandit as they had just introduced a fuel injected model.
There are LOADS (and LOADS) of brilliant bikes out there so take your time, ride a few if you can, a lot of the joy is in making that choice.
I should state my primary use will be for commuting, summertime fun and 500 mile road trips. I have not taken any track courses nor will I and more than likely won't see any tracks within the next two years. I keep leaning toward the f4i for a bike that can do it all in town, put hard bags on, take to the track, and aftermarket support is right up there with the sv. Next was the sv, then the vfr, then the zx6r. Again primarily will be having fun on weekends and commuting.
I think you are looking at some good choices for your intended use. My bike history is GS500 to R6 to SV650s, so I think I can weigh in on this one a little. I can't speak too much about the honda or the kwaker, since I've never ridden those models.
If by "commuting" you mean stop & go, city traffic-type commuting, the SV is an excellent choice. I have ridden my '04 SVS nearly every clear day over 32F and I never get tired of it. Four years later it is still pulling strong and puts a smile on my face every time I take her out. It has very competent power and handing under city conditions. On the highway, she gets a little twitchy if you lean her too much at 75mph or so, which is about as slow as you want to go on the DC beltway. You may want to consider upgrading the front suspension if you will be riding aggressively... and be sure to lose the Dunlop rocks that come from the factory and get some stickier rubber (I assume they are using the same rubber as in '04 of course). I'm 6'3", 175 lbs, 32 years old and in shape; and I have taken the SVs 500 miles in a day several times over the years, each time with minimal discomfort. mild monkey butt by the end, but thats about it.
I demo'ed and R6S last season and wasn't terribly impressed. She fell into the turns beautifully, and really out-handled the 2001 R6 that I once owned, but was SOOO buzzy at highway speeds and so agressive in the ergos that I never seriously considered making a purchase.
thats my 2 cents. good luck with the decision. between the SVS and the F4i I seriously doubt that you can make a poor choice. They are both good machines for the intermediate, everyday rider.
Quote from: pantablo on January 20, 2008, 01:41:59 AM
all depends on what you intend to do with it and how you'd ride it.
I'm assuming new or nearly new bikes.
If it was me my first choice would be the R6. Best all out track bike and I would put race bodywork on it and call it a day. The zx6r would be second choice for the same reason, and even though it has a few more cc's I prefer the full track focus of the R6.
The vfr and F4i to me are in [nearly] the same league. Both are comfortable to ride around town and more than capable in the canyons or the track. The vfr is slightly less capable on the track only because of [centerstand] clearance issues when leaned over far. The vfr with pipes sounds the best of all imo.
The sv650S is a sort-of sportbike imo. VERY capable all around bike. Less comfy (from what I've heard) than the F4i/vfr but just as capable if not more so on the track. The sv has the biggest online forum and aftermarket support.
So Pablo... why'd you chose the 600rr? Just wondering.
I chose the R6 for the styling. I also figured that both bikes were about the same regarding performance and agility.
For what you are looking for the SVS and the F4i are both going to do the job quite well. Why not just go with either your preference in aesthetics or go with whichever you can find in good condition cheaper. (probably gonna be the SV, F4i's are pretty in demand and holding value rather well.)
I honestly love my decision of an SRAD Gix6, it fits me very well in both ergo's and it's power. I test rode it before I bought it and fell in love when I rolled the throttle back and the front end just hovered above the ground. The only problem I've had so far is the cam chain tensioner is noisy at times, similar to the noise of the GS's cam play.
The only reason that the gix6 isn't in there is that the ergos seemed to be really aggressive unless it was the brand new one. It seemed to have lightened up a little in 07 and 08. How would you feel about going on a 500 mile trip on a gixxer with bags though? I keep leaning toward the f4i because its an inline 4 and I want the peaky power and sound that the v-twin just doesn't. I may also miss the low end that the twin will have over the inline does though. The TL1000s looked nice also but quite a bit heavier, and kinda skittish from what people have told me. Not quite the twisties bike that the others are.
I honestly think my gix would be alright on a longer trip, but I haven't gone over 100 miles so far. It was still fine at that point. I plan on making some long trips once the weather warms up.
The TL's are great bikes but they are powerful as hell. I think the F4i is the bike you are looking for :dunno_white: Inline 4 definitely has some fun parts and it will be more than powerful enough off the line.
F4i ftw, comfortable for longer trips and pretty durn sporty. The wife has no trouble's riding a full 500 mile day and on short hauls I know it's more comfortable than my 954.
Now if these will be day's spent in twistie roads you'll be fine but if you plan on doing 500 milers on superslab with the f4i you'll find it get's uncomfortable relatively quickly.
Now as for misssing low end grunt, you won't. Not unless you've been riding something other than a GS. even then low end isn't where it's at on the inline 4. keep it wound up in the 70% range on the tach and you'll shite yourself.
Quote from: bettingpython on January 21, 2008, 05:15:09 AM
F4i ftw, comfortable for longer trips and pretty durn sporty. The wife has no trouble's riding a full 500 mile day and on short hauls I know it's more comfortable than my 954.
Now if these will be day's spent in twistie roads you'll be fine but if you plan on doing 500 milers on superslab with the f4i you'll find it get's uncomfortable relatively quickly.
Now as for misssing low end grunt, you won't. Not unless you've been riding something other than a GS. even then low end isn't where it's at on the inline 4. keep it wound up in the 70% range on the tach and you'll shite yourself.
Oh are you looking at the r6s or r6v that makes a difference to the r6v will be brutally uncomfortable and buzzy but it looks really slick :thumb:
Quote from: bettingpython on January 21, 2008, 05:15:09 AM
F4i ftw, comfortable for longer trips and pretty durn sporty. The wife has no trouble's riding a full 500 mile day and on short hauls I know it's more comfortable than my 954.
Now if these will be day's spent in twistie roads you'll be fine but if you plan on doing 500 milers on superslab with the f4i you'll find it get's uncomfortable relatively quickly.
Now as for misssing low end grunt, you won't. Not unless you've been riding something other than a GS. even then low end isn't where it's at on the inline 4. keep it wound up in the 70% range on the tach and you'll shite yourself.
I'm surprised to hear that it'll get uncomfortable. It seems that everybody likes them because they are comfy. What do you think the problem is, wide seat, ergonomics, or what?
Can't go wrong with the F4i.
Pablo sold me on it. I have a 2002.
When I call on customers, I run a 200 mile day through Houston.
I'm 215 and 6'2", and tourized it.
Buell drop pegs for an extra inch leg room.
Corbin seat front.
Givi plate and 47 liter box on an old seat pan in the back. Carries a lot of weight nice and tight.
Keep the GS.
I dual sported mine and I'll set it up for the track in Feb.
Depends on what you call a "long day".
I ride 1,000 mile days on the GS every now and then, 750 mile days all the time. There's no way you'd get me on an repli-racer for that long.
I say standard SV with bar risers, or a V-strom if you can stand the astronomical seat height.
For comfort on superslab I find nothing comfortable. Just some bikes are more tolerable, straight roads just suck but the entertainment value of something like a wing or ST1300 are the way I would go for long boring hauls. Guess I'm getting old but there is no boredom relief on intertstates which serves to increase the discomfort for me. Hapiness is found in the apex of a turn moving on the bike to make the bike respond is what alleviates my boredom, the worst 45 miles of any ride for me are the 45 miles from the twisties back to Tulsa. I get hip flexor cramps from sitting still for very long. I usually start cramping before I get to the twisties on the way out but once there can do 500 miles and not realize how far I have ridden.
As far as sport bikes go the ergos of the f4i are excellent. Like I said F4i ftw. Just a mentality thiing with me.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on January 20, 2008, 08:21:09 PM
Quote from: pantablo on January 20, 2008, 01:41:59 AM
all depends on what you intend to do with it and how you'd ride it.
I'm assuming new or nearly new bikes.
If it was me my first choice would be the R6. Best all out track bike and I would put race bodywork on it and call it a day. The zx6r would be second choice for the same reason, and even though it has a few more cc's I prefer the full track focus of the R6.
The vfr and F4i to me are in [nearly] the same league. Both are comfortable to ride around town and more than capable in the canyons or the track. The vfr is slightly less capable on the track only because of [centerstand] clearance issues when leaned over far. The vfr with pipes sounds the best of all imo.
The sv650S is a sort-of sportbike imo. VERY capable all around bike. Less comfy (from what I've heard) than the F4i/vfr but just as capable if not more so on the track. The sv has the biggest online forum and aftermarket support.
So Pablo... why'd you chose the 600rr? Just wondering.
I chose the R6 for the styling. I also figured that both bikes were about the same regarding performance and agility.
well, they're all good but the R6 is pretty different regarding agility to the RR.
The Honda's in general are much more stable and neutral in terms of handling where the R6 would feel twitchy in comparison. Some of this is due the extra weight the CBR's carry but its also the geometry and specifics of the suspension. Thats why I feel the RR is a great first sport bike IMO, better than the R6.
Handling was the primary reason I bought the RR. I wanted a bike that handled exceptionally well. The RR also fit me best.
Now that I've reached the level of proficiency I have I could probably get on any of the sportbikes and feel at home. They're all good and I would be more inclined to buy based on aesthetics primarily (the R6 is a damn sexy bike).
My 04 RR looks dated and bloated compared to the 07/08's but its still plenty fast and I have a great time every trackday so I will be keeping it for a while yet.
edit: I forgot to mention that my friend tours up to Laguna Seca with his wife pillion on his 2001 gsxr 750. They prefer it to the bandit 1200 for long trips.