Getting a Rice Rocket.!!

[boosteds14]

Ok guys,

I have experience with motorcycles all my life. I have been racing motorcross since I was 6yrs old. Well its that time in my life to move on and do with a street bike. I was wondering what would be the best inexpensive bike for me.

I am looking for a 600cc and nothing bigger. I am not about speed or how fast it can be. I just want a bike to cruise around with.

*I dont want a Katana* that is out of the question.

so guys, what should i get and what should I look for?

thanks

Jeff

[Jeff240sx]

Suzuki GSX-R 600. I'd personally go for the GSX-R750 because dimension-wise, it's only 2 inches longer and and inch wider (or something really, really close). Also, the 750 has a nasty 56* lean-in angle from the factory..
Not to mention it's the basis of nearly every SuperBike championship bike.
-Jeff

[ny_jee]

New Honda CBR600RR hands down. Suzuki's 600 is due a for a facelift this year. Kawasaki is just simply outdated technology, but their new 600 is actually pretty good. The 6R is more streetable, and 6RR is based on GP bike(that explains the smaller displacement from the 6R). The looks of the 6R/RR isn't my cup of tea, so... The R6 from Yamaha is good as it has been, however, the new look isn't doing it for me either. Performance wise, you can count on the new Suzuki(if it's due any time soon). R6 is alrite, the ZX6RR has gotten some good reviews. CBR600RR is probably the best pick as of rite now(saw a couple over the weekend, looks nice... VERY NICE). Lots of good reviews and also encoporated lots of GP technology, if you follow up on GP, Hondas are usually on top of the list. I'd stay away from the 750's for now, the new 600's are lighter and some are actually pushing the same if not more power. Aite, there's my 2 cents.

[nrcooled]

I loved my 95 GSX-R 600. I highly recommend them!

[ruf]

CBR600RR or the new Kawasaki 636. I rode my friend's 03 R6 the other day and that thing is just too busy. Annoying. Guess I'm spoiled by the twin. GSXR is nice if you are going to road race, but it's quality/feel is the worst of the bunch. If you want to be less "sporty", then go for an F4i or VFR. I've kinda got my eye on an Aprilia Tuono Racing...

[the head]

GSXR 600
YZF R6
those are the two i like the best

[gmgs14]

If you're not looking to spend a lot of cash on a new bike you should look at an F3 CBR or even a later model ZX6-R(97-2000). For some reason Kaw's dont' have a high resale and I see them for sale for cheap around me, but maybe that means they're crap. Plus an F3 has the same looks as an F4 CBR at a lesser price.

[MorganS13]

R6!

[AceInHole]

Originally posted by MorganS13
R6!

It's hard to say no to that redline.... 15.5kRPM. wow

[NZO]

R6, F4i, or new CBR600. My fav is the CBR, but thats just me :)

[zenki-ceza]

i say gixxer baby!! but if you want something with a predictable throttle with no power spikes go honda cbr

[ruf]

Originally posted by AceInHole
It's hard to say no to that redline.... 15.5kRPM. wow If you've ever ridden one, it's easy to say no. Trust me, I was seriously annoyed with having to ride the R6. All I could think of was how much nicer my RC51 was...

[ruf]

Originally posted by gmgs14
If you're not looking to spend a lot of cash on a new bike you should look at an F3 CBR or even a later model ZX6-R(97-2000). For some reason Kaw's dont' have a high resale and I see them for sale for cheap around me, but maybe that means they're crap. Plus an F3 has the same looks as an F4 CBR at a lesser price. F3 looks like CRAP compared to an F4i. And both look like ass compared to the new 600RR. The old ZX-6Rs made great race bikes, absolutely stonking motors. The new 636 is incredible. The level of spec on that thing is better than most open class bikes.

[boosteds14]

ok guys, i just got from a local dealer to test ride some bikes. they had some used ones their but i wouldnt go through them because they are over priced. however, here is what I rode.

first was the R6. they look sweet and they had so many there and i couldnt refuse to ride one. I liked it, has some ballz. only thing i didnt like was that when making turns, it didnt feel under control while braking in a turn. also, it is skinny and seat is narrow.

second was the GSXR600. this was a really nice bike. the power band is sweet. very smooth and comfortable. turns felt like a simple thing when on this bike. braking was excellent also.

third was the Ninja. i hated this bike. i thought i was goin to fall off when making turns because it always wanted to stand its self up in the corner. and the way the handle bars were positioned, i felt too wierd sitting on it. as if the handle bars were either too low or the seat was too high.



so far i am liking the GSXR600. they wanted way too much at the place i was testing them but i will be searching one locally through a local buyer.

thanks guys
jeff

[ruf]

R6 has balls? Hehe, I guess I've been spoiled. The R6 just felt fast, wasn't actually going fast. Most bikes will be uncomfortable if you brake mid corner since you are upsetting the traction and more importantly the gyroscopic effect of the wheels. You're not supposed to be braking in a corner anyways.

GSXR, pretty much agree with what you said.

Which Kawasaki did you ride? I guess you don't like a race crouch position much. I find the bars annoyingly high on most bikes. What do you mean stand itself up in a corner?

[boosteds14]

Originally posted by ruf
R6 has balls? Hehe, I guess I've been spoiled. The R6 just felt fast, wasn't actually going fast. Most bikes will be uncomfortable if you brake mid corner since you are upsetting the traction and more importantly the gyroscopic effect of the wheels. You're not supposed to be braking in a corner anyways.

GSXR, pretty much agree with what you said.

Which Kawasaki did you ride? I guess you don't like a race crouch position much. I find the bars annoyingly high on most bikes. What do you mean stand itself up in a corner?

HAHA, i have been racing Motocross for so long that terms and feelings of riding is a totally different game.

It will take time for me to get used to.

what i meant breaking in the corner was Breaking INTO the corner. before the Apex of it. the bike was not in my control adding hard brakes entering a corner.

And what i mean "Standing Up", well when exiting the corner, the bike would want to go straight too soon making me ease off the acceleration. this is a term we use in motorcross when the bike looses that leaning momentum in the corner and the weight is transfered to the other side making the bike stand straight up instead of leaning.

But remember its also the RIDER. i have to get used to something like that so i could prevent it next time.

[nrcooled]

I knew you would like the GSX-R! I loved mine. Pretty comfortable for sportbikes and she really sings when you get her up to 12-13 grand. I loved mine and I always recommend the GSX-R to anyone looking for a quality 600cc bike.

You can take it to the track on weekends and be able to just cruise the strip in "comfort" and style

[SilviaDriver]

Originally posted by MorganS13
R6!

[ruf]

Um ok. I guess I can't be diplomatic anymore. How many of you that say "R6!" have actually ridden one? How many who have ridden an R6 have ridden another bike? Don't get me wrong, the R6 is a great bike, but I think there are some better options available now. If you think the R6 is the best of the bunch, that's cool too, but don't just chime in R6 if you've never actually ridden one.

boosteds14 - How much do you weigh? It's starting to sound like all the handling problems on the bikes was due to improper setup. The aggressive rake angle of the R6 already makes is a little skittish, but if you are a heavy guy and the front is undersprung or underdamped, the brake dive will make the front feel downright squirrelly. Pushing wide when rolling on the gas is typically a symptom of an improper rear ride height (swingarm angle). The bike squats too much under power and the front starts to wash.