I've got about 6-7k miles logged on my GS..

Here's the problem... I cruise at at LEAST 75-80 on the highway...  which puts me at like 7k-ish++....  i go 85-90 often, and don't feel like this is the best thing for the GS engine..

I'm wondering if the R1 is a better 'around town' bike... I'm not racing or any crap like that.. so if the R6 will do fine then great... I've heard it doesn't make power until way high in the powerband.

A friend has a ZZR1200... which is awesome for around town.  I've rode it for about 200 miles with no problems.. the power down low was wonderful.. being able to shift at 3kish

well the r1 is a fast but not comfortable bike...but you can keep the gs and get a 17t front sprocket...it's gonna pull slower but the rpm will go down at speed

I think if you ride the R1 in town you would never get it out of second gear...unless you like to do a 100 through town :lol:

If anything the FZ6 or FZ1 is an around town bike.

ok R1 is out of the question.  $6k+ per year insurance.
R6 is $4k per year.


this is for full coverage, 2002's


maybe I'll look at 98-ish cbr600's or something

cheesy: if you get an R1 1st gear goes to like 102 or something crazy... in your hunt, try to look for a CBR F3 which can be had for anywhere from 2500-4000 depending on condition, and i think that year honda made the prettiest (i know, bad word to use here) body for it.  

for riding around town, i'd look at an SV before any inline 4 because it's much cheaper to insure and is easier to ride around town.  5th or 6th gear in the 80's or 90's MPH is much lower, yet it still has crazy torque in any gear.  if you like to shift 3 gears everytime you wanna hit the powerband, go for the inline 4's... but if you wanna be comfortable and spend less money, SV baby  

Quote from: a-traincheesy: if you get an R1 1st gear goes to like 102 or something crazy... in your hunt, try to look for a CBR F3 which can be had for anywhere from 2500-4000 depending on condition, and i think that year honda made the prettiest (i know, bad word to use here) body for it.  

for riding around town, i'd look at an SV before any inline 4 because it's much cheaper to insure and is easier to ride around town.  5th or 6th gear in the 80's or 90's MPH is much lower, yet it still has crazy torque in any gear.  if you like to shift 3 gears everytime you wanna hit the powerband, go for the inline 4's... but if you wanna be comfortable and spend less money, SV baby  

I Really like the faired look... and from what i've heard, the sv650s is $$$ to insure as well..

Quote from: cheesyI've got about 6-7k miles logged on my GS..

Here's the problem... I cruise at at LEAST 75-80 on the highway...  which puts me at like 7k-ish++....  i go 85-90 often, and don't feel like this is the best thing for the GS engine..
...
A friend has a ZZR1200... which is awesome for around town.  I've rode it for about 200 miles with no problems.. the power down low was wonderful.. being able to shift at 3kish

I've read that as long as you stay within the red-line limit you're within the design limitations of the motor.  If true, 7-8K is well within the 11K top-end of the engine.

Though that said, I can appreciate the call of a bigger bike and motor.  My advice: keep riding the GS500, research your next bike and save your pennies.  If you've saved enough, if (perhaps when) the motor fails, or if the calling is too strong to resist, then make  the change.

Quote from: RedShift[...]I can appreciate the call of a bigger bike and motor.  My advice: keep riding the GS500, research your next bike and save your pennies.  If you've saved enough, if (perhaps when) the motor fails, or if the calling is too strong to resist, then make  the change.

I second that.  Learning to put up / make do / wait is a declining art form, but one that will serve you well when the hard times hit.

But don't listen to me ... I turn 43 next month, and then my age will no longer be the answer to "life, the universe, and everything".  

The R1s is fun to ride (intimidating as well), but with the power it has I wouldn't be licensed to ride after a month.  The power delivery is awesome and I didn't dare go for WOT as the rear wheel can be easily made to spin up.  The brakes and steering are spot on and I can see why so many track day junkies love them.  

A bike for around town?  The R1 isn't that type of bike.  The R6 is also not a town bike as when you sit on it you feel like you are leaning right over the front wheel.  On a city commute I would have pretty sore wrists by the end of the trip.

For a faired bike that is a bit more town commute- and highway-friendly, take a look at (these all tend to have ergonomics that are more suited to a commute ride):
ZZR600
CBR600 (not the RR versions)
Triumph RS (half faired)
Triumph ST
Honda VFR
Suzuki GSX750F
SV650 or 1000 with the OEM Suzuki fairing kit

Best thing is to take some for test rides (not just around the block blast) and talk to others that own/have owned them.

Cheers
Conrad

well...  okay.  I'm going to start looking at cbr600f3's, sv650s, and cbr600f4i's...   I know the f4i is a different class of bike...  but I really want something that has no problem on the highway with power.

The GS is great around town... but I'm doing an awful lot of highway riding..  the GS just isn't the best for it

I'll say it again haha, Look at FZ6 and FZ1. Alot cheaper, alot of power. FZ1 still looking at 140 horses. Naked, but substantial front fairing for your head. Full gas gauge as well.

Quote from: cheesywell...  okay.  I'm going to start looking at cbr600f3's, sv650s, and cbr600f4i's...   I know the f4i is a different class of bike...  but I really want something that has no problem on the highway with power.

The GS is great around town... but I'm doing an awful lot of highway riding..  the GS just isn't the best for it

I think any of the bikes on the list will be comfy at highway speed and have enough power.  You will find a fully faired bike a lot more comfy and when it rains you won't be as wet.  One thing to check is running cost for tyres cause my vfr rear costs the same as front + rear on the GS.

Cheers
Conrad

an R6 only makes its real top end power near redline. But to think that it wouldn't have enough power down low is a bit silly. It won't be ANYTHING like your GS.

The FZ's (or fizzers as they are affectionately known) are like the toned-down, more comfortable R's.

IIRC, the SV650 will still be plenty powerful. Was it on this forum that the guy described accelerating on an on-ramp in third gear and accidentally power-wheelie'ing, with a passenger? Plus, they look great with the OEM fairing.

Anyway, I think the R1 is complete overkill, as is the R6. The 600F4i is pretty much the same as an R6.

FZ's also have more low end due to heavier crank shaft!

well I have to disagree with these guys, even though my love for the GS runs deep, I love my New R6!!!

I don't know much about the R1 for around town as I haven't ridden one.  I have ridden a R6 for a short time down the highway so not sure about that either but I do know I love my 954.  I have ridden her everywhere in any kind of traffic.  From the twisties, to the drag strip......to commute to riding it all day for work.  The one gripe about it is the seat which is very VERY unkind after about 250 miles (but I guess that depends on how quickly you do them, hehe)  I am able to ride this bike for a long time with minimal discomfort in my wrists and can sit almost straight up to rest my back if need be.

I recently bought the GS for my wife to learn on and I think it is fun to ride but not sure about riding it the same as I have the 954.  You really don't have to shift out of 2nd gear in town.  If you were feeling froggy you could leave it in 1st to let everyone know where you are.  (especially with a D&D can)

Forgive the novel.......the spirit moved me.

Best of luck

Scott

Quote from: cheesyi go 85-90 often, and don't feel like this is the best thing for the GS engine..

It's fine for it.  It loves it.

Only a Rossi-caliber rider 'needs' something like an R6 or R1.  :p  They're top-end race bikes, not puttering around town bikes.  If anything, bogging is worse for an engine than running it up high... I prefer to ride a bike I wring out regularly over one I never get close to redline.

get a used superhawk. honda reliability, old technology (so easier to maintain), good used market for them, unchanged since 98, lots of torque from a liter v-twin. great around town bike and still has punch when you twist the throttle. or an sv650.

Yeppers I do agree the superhawk would be a great bike as Pablo mentioned.  The power is right there without regard to rev.  I think the superhawk doesn't get the credit it deserves.

Best of luck

Scott