Hypothetical 600?
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Bytes
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From: This side of hell
Hypothetical 600?
Since my wife reads this forum... IF I were to buy a 600cc used bike this winter for a second ride, what would be the best make, model, and year to buy? The bike would only be used for occasional sport riding and commuting. The price would be $5000 or less? Seems like all the Japanese manufacturers make a pretty darn good ride in the 600cc category. I've ridden the CBR and it seems like a real good ride.
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Superstock
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: South Kakalaki
I may get busted for saying this, but I like Suzuki Katanas (GSXF). I have an older one, but both the old and the new ones are great sport touring bikes. They get pretty decent mileage and there are tons of parts (OEM and after market) since they've been around for so long.
Last edited by Mattaua; Jul 3, 2010 at 07:37 AM.
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Bytes
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I rode up this morning and took a look at this bike after my first post. He's firm as hell on the price. Just talking to the guy, he didn't seem like the kind that would flog the hell out of it. Thoughts?
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MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Lake View Terrace, CA
I rode up this morning and took a look at this bike after my first post. He's firm as hell on the price. Just talking to the guy, he didn't seem like the kind that would flog the hell out of it. Thoughts?
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SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Belgium, WI
If we are going to throw out some random bikes, gsxf combined with gsxr 750 gets you this: http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/s...750_bw_500.jpg
The most desirable bike ever
In all honesty, a vfr would be an awesome bike, and if you have ever ridden the honda suite (f2, f3, f4, f4i) they are all great. I rode an F3 last year that I fell in love with. It was SO smooth and it was very well balanced suspension wise. If you must have the most radical racer that $5K will buy, then I would suggest the honda rr, just from preference. If you want the newest bike that you can get for that money, the suggestion of the sv650 is a good one. It is very enjoyable to ride (and gets great mpg). For myself, it would have to be a different kind of bike. A dualsport, true touring, supermoto, etc etc. It becomes very tough to decide which bike to take when they all do the same thing. If you were going to hit heavy traffic, a drz400sm would put smiles on your face. If you were going to hit the open road, an ST or GL would be the bike. If you were going to encounter gravel, a dual sport would be the pick. If all you have is supersport bikes, the decision becomes which is the least compromised at the activity. A say diversify.
The most desirable bike ever
In all honesty, a vfr would be an awesome bike, and if you have ever ridden the honda suite (f2, f3, f4, f4i) they are all great. I rode an F3 last year that I fell in love with. It was SO smooth and it was very well balanced suspension wise. If you must have the most radical racer that $5K will buy, then I would suggest the honda rr, just from preference. If you want the newest bike that you can get for that money, the suggestion of the sv650 is a good one. It is very enjoyable to ride (and gets great mpg). For myself, it would have to be a different kind of bike. A dualsport, true touring, supermoto, etc etc. It becomes very tough to decide which bike to take when they all do the same thing. If you were going to hit heavy traffic, a drz400sm would put smiles on your face. If you were going to hit the open road, an ST or GL would be the bike. If you were going to encounter gravel, a dual sport would be the pick. If all you have is supersport bikes, the decision becomes which is the least compromised at the activity. A say diversify.
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SuperBike
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From: Portland, Oregon
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Bytes
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It will never replace the hawk. I'm only going to use it for occasional sport riding and commutes. I live 15 minutes from my office
They're way too cramped for me to spend much time on. Don't know why but I have a real 600cc itch. Anybody have any experience the Yammy R6s? Never ridden one (actually I've only ridden the CBR 600 RR) but they sure look cool.
They're way too cramped for me to spend much time on. Don't know why but I have a real 600cc itch. Anybody have any experience the Yammy R6s? Never ridden one (actually I've only ridden the CBR 600 RR) but they sure look cool.
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Superstock
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Well I just got back from riding my friends gixxr 600 and aside from it handling like it was built in heaven, what a dissapointing bike. I reved that thing to 15k and it still felt weak. If you are not above 10k rpm when the hawk next to you decides to race the hawk will leave you in the dust. IMO the gsxr feels like it has less torque than the cbr600rr but it handles better. That was the first 600 I've riden since I bought the hawk and now I will never be happy with a 600.
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MotoGP
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From: San Clemente, CA
I rode up this morning and took a look at this bike after my first post. He's firm as hell on the price. Just talking to the guy, he didn't seem like the kind that would flog the hell out of it. Thoughts?
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MotoGP
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Bytes
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Well I just got back from riding my friends gixxr 600 and aside from it handling like it was built in heaven, what a dissapointing bike. I reved that thing to 15k and it still felt weak. If you are not above 10k rpm when the hawk next to you decides to race the hawk will leave you in the dust. IMO the gsxr feels like it has less torque than the cbr600rr but it handles better. That was the first 600 I've riden since I bought the hawk and now I will never be happy with a 600.
Last edited by Bytes; Jul 3, 2010 at 08:47 PM.
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Superstock
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From: Colorado
The superhawk was my first STREET bike. On paper 600s and the hawk are very similar. The hawk will pull way harder out of the gate but the 600 will catch up further down the track. 1/4 mile on both bikes is similar. The magazines get slightly quicker 1/4 mile times out of the 600s because they have amazing riders. If you step to a 600 from a hawk you will be dissapointed in terms of accelerating g force. If i were you(and i will be in a year or so) and I wanted a sportier bike, I would grab a 1000 I4. I have a friend that stepped down to a hawk because his gixxer 1k was stolen and he tells me it is slightly dissapointing riding the hawk after the 1k. He said in almost every gear that bike would pull the front end up. The 08 gixxer 600 i rode today wouldn't pull a power wheelie EVER.
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SuperSport
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SuperBike
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From: thorold ontario
f4i is nice, you can get a decent used one cheap and theyre fuel injected. after the headaches ive been having with my carbs its turned me away from them completely. if thats not important to you you could always get something a little older
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Bytes
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Funny you mention that. The hawk not being fuel injected is my only minor complaint about the bike. That's pretty much why I've left mine stock. My future play bike will definitely be fuel injected.
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SuperBike
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From: Portland, Oregon
Hmmm, food for thought. Maybe my "itch that needs to be scratched" is the high revs and not the 600cc but more like a 750cc - 1000cc I4 bike. Did you step up to your hawk from a 600? I would really hate to kick out 5k for something that will sit in the garage because it sucks compared to the hawk.
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Squid
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Superstock
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From: Colorado
A lot of magazines I've read say the new 1000s are too much for most people. And every magazine and every forum is pretty unanimous(<--might not have spelled that right) that the gsxr 750 is the perfect ballence. Most magazines call it the perfect sportbike.
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SuperBike
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From: thorold ontario
ive got a buddy who just went from a 2005 to a 2007 cbr 1000rr and its night and day. the vfr was fun but not lifty like the rr is. 3rd gear he cracks the throttle at lower speeds and she stands up with him like nothing. its alot of power for a bike.
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SuperSport
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: In a van down by the river (I wish!)
Well, for I4s you'd be looking at Yam YZF600R (Thundercat), Honda CBR F3, Triumph TT600 or MUCH better Speed Four, maybe a Suzuki Bandit 600. For twins a Suzuki SV650, Honda Hawk GT, or Ducati Monster 750. If she's tall, consider a Transalp or Wee Strom, possibly a Multistrada 620 (don't laugh; those thing can handle). These are all sensible bikes that can be a lot of fun. I like the SV650 for a do-it-all fun bike.
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