Who rides an R6?

[R6_kid]

Just been trying to decide which bike im going to upgrade to and a tidy R6 has caught my attention.

Other than being a nice looking bike thats about all i know about it, but i have heard that the front end is 'light'.

Is this in terms of the steering is light, the front of the bike doesnt have much weight in it, or the rear is putting out enough power to lift the front a lil bit (not off the road) under normaly riding...

Any feedback from R6 riders on this would be greatly appreciated. Also is there any quick fix or do you need to spend a fair bit of dosh to make it nice.

Im not being put off by this, as i have heard the 636 is similar and i've only heard good things about them.

Cheers
Gareth :blip:

[White trash]

"Light in the front" refers to the sensation you get from riding hard without a steering damper fitted. Easily fixed if you ride quick, not neccesary if you're cruising.

02-03 models had an apetite for coils for some fucked up reason.

[bugjuice]

I'd get out there and spend a few hours on all the 600s if you can, then you'll get to feel more of the positioning on the bike.. Power in a nutshell between most of the 600s is fairly similar, it's just the position after that.
As for 'light in the front', my bike is bad for it if you give it enough stick. I think most would be, but you get used to it. Don't have a damper yet (it's on the shopping list), so just learnt to ride thru the slaps.. fukin good fun tho

go ride 6 hundies.. the more, the merrier

[WINJA]

R6 SOUNDS LIKE ARSE SEX SO GET IT

[James Deuce]

I've got an R6. I "fucken love it" to quote WT.

Light Front End? Not if it's set up right. What year R6 are you looking at?

There are heaps of setup guides and I think you've been bitten by the "media bug" there. WT and Motoracer are the only guys on here quilified to make judgements about the fine distinctions of steering characteristics on the limit. the other 99% of the time you'll have no drama at all.

[R6_kid]

was told about the "light" front end by a shop assistant, and also upon questioning someone at the track day that rides one.

Its the 99 model, done 14k and its all pretty much stock standard. Probably end up having the bike for a few years if i get it so just wanted to make sure im not buying a lemon bike.

Im 98kg if that helps at all... im sure the setup stuff will fix any problems i did have.

With a bit of luck i might be checking it out on Sunday afternoon after the Coro ride.

[2_SL0]

Tend to agree with Jim2, I had similar thoughts as you do, but unless I really push it the bike feels fine. The front gets lights only when Im pushing really hard. So far its never been anything Ive worried about. I think dialing in the suspension etc helps a great deal. Im still undecided as to whether a steering damper is even required on a 636 05.

[James Deuce]

IT isn't a lemon. The '99s are huge fun, utterly mental, unlike their slightly more refined '02 and on younger brothers.

98 kg. Set the suspension to factory settings, whack the rear preload on 5 (out of 7) and add a step of preload to the front (less lines showing - 4 would be about right). That will give you an idea of what the bike is like on the ride.

Do me a favour though. Don't listen to the shop guys, or if you do, always take it with a grain of salt. They have an agenda that may not be in your favour. I mean that in a nice way though, all you shop people. Ride bikes, then make up your mind. Someone else's opinion is meaningless until you have something to compare it with. Your arse is more important than someone else's mouth when it comes to ride impressions.

[R6_kid]

correct me if im wrong, but are you saying that the light sensation is caused by being high in the power when in the corners?

[bugjuice]

'light' is gassing it hard, the front then starts to skip the ground under acceleration. great fun. it can be a bit nerve racking at first, but you'll soon get used to it. Setting the suspension up right can solve most of it, and adapt your riding skills to suit. Most of the time, you'll start to know when it's about to happen, or more likely to happen. So you can either enjoy the buzz or avoid the situation. Most 600s will get the front wheel up in a straight line under power, so getting the front light mid-corner isn't all that hard

[James Deuce]

correct me if im wrong, but are you saying that the light sensation is caused by being high in the power when in the corners?

It gets real light when you wheely, but no that isn't the reason. The magazine guys crap on about a "flighty" front end. They generally mean a front end that needs less force to produce a given steering response, and one that is prone to shaking it's head a little on the exit of bumpy corners, or over humps in the road. I've owned an RG400. THAT sucker had a light front end. The R6 is a slow steering oil tanker by comparison.

Remember that the shop and magazine guys are trying to split hairs between bikes that for all intents and purposes are incredibly similar in performance. The "flighty" front end of the R6 has been blown out of proportion, as has the effect of a 120/70 vs 120/60 front tyre profile.

[R6_kid]

cheers for the quick replies. My mate doesnt stop creaming himself when i mention R1/R6... I like the way it looks but might change the end can once i've paid the bike off.

After seeing how things go on Sunday i'll get back to you on what i think and whether or not my old man will help me out. It's uni holidays soon so if i work my ass off i can take a really fat chunk out of any loan i get.

Will have $3000 to put down, and im looking at around $3-4000 savings over the four and a half months off.

[SixPackBack]

cheers for the quick replies. My mate doesnt stop creaming himself when i mention R1/R6... I like the way it looks but might change the end can once i've paid the bike off.

After seeing how things go on Sunday i'll get back to you on what i think and whether or not my old man will help me out. It's uni holidays soon so if i work my ass off i can take a really fat chunk out of any loan i get.

Will have $3000 to put down, and im looking at around $3-4000 savings over the four and a half months off.


The front end is not going to be light with you on it!

[White trash]

And shop guys also want to be seen as "experts" by reciting every piece of rubbish ever published on a bike in the hope of looking like pros.

Believe me, I know.

[2_SL0]

And shop guys also want to be seen as "experts" by reciting every piece of rubbish ever published on a bike in the hope of looking like pros.

Believe me, I know.


LOLOLOL. :lol:

[Two Smoker]

R6, awesome bike, (well the 04 model i rode)... Great midrange some is wicked for the road... Tankslappers!!! They are a bitch on the bike, you get lots of wiggles and the odd big one (like at small bridge before the big bridge, heading north, at tuakau on SH22) Easily fixed for $1000 with and ohlins steering damper...

[James Deuce]

R6, awesome bike, (well the 04 model i rode)... Great midrange some is wicked for the road... Tankslappers!!! ...(snip)

Don't listen to him. You'd have to ride like him to have that problem, and you'd have to pretty special to do that. (No insult intended. Twosmoker is pretty flippin quick)

[Firefight]

Hey garath, I think mines an R6, talk to you at ab papakura 2morrow.

F/F

[Suzi Q]

I have just bought an 02 R6 and I am loving it. My hubby and Dangerous have done some fine tuning with suspension and tyre pressures to get it up to scratch for me. I have been told that a steering dampner is a good thing if you ride hard. I don't yet but am thinking about getting one.
Best thing to do is ride all the 600's out there if poss, I did and fell in love with the R6. :first:

[R6_kid]

Hey garath, I think mines an R6, talk to you at ab papakura 2morrow.

F/F

smartass :lol: see ya there

[R6_kid]

will look at a steering damper in the future... i aint no two smoker (yet :nya: ) but im told im quick on my 250 and i'd assume that would follow on to the 600 after a while, only the future will tell.

My old man is trying to convince me to get on a BMW 650 of some description, his advice - "it should be reliable", "you dont need anything more than a 600" "WHY does it HAVE to be a sports bike" lol

I've looked at some of the BMW's as much as i would like to have one for touring etc i think an R6 would be much better for me and my personality.

[SixPackBack]

will look at a steering damper in the future... i aint no two smoker (yet :nya: ) but im told im quick on my 250 and i'd assume that would follow on to the 600 after a while, only the future will tell.

My old man is trying to convince me to get on a BMW 650 of some description, his advice - "it should be reliable", "you dont need anything more than a 600" "WHY does it HAVE to be a sports bike" lol

I've looked at some of the BMW's as much as i would like to have one for touring etc i think an R6 would be much better for me and my personality.


Get a bmw son an you'll be riding with yourself, or with the middle aged german up hill gardening society ..........your choice :buggerd:

[loosebruce]

R6's are pretty cool bikes Gareth, steering dampers are a good investment, Hyperpro make a bloody good unit at around $600. If you start really pushing hard on a R6 you can do yourself a big favour and fit a 120/70 as opposed to the 120/60, you end up with a lot more choices in sticky tyres and it helps any handling issuse the earlier ones had (they still handle well, dont get me wrong) the 05 model is the only one sporting a 120/70 as stock and it's being well praised for it, but you'll have to either buy a new front mudguard or modify the stock one to fit the new tyre.

[Firefight]

but you'll have to either buy a new front mudguard or modify the stock one to fit the new tyre.[/QUOTE]


no you don't


F/F

[Kwaka-Kid]

Hey garath, I think mines an R6, talk to you at ab papakura 2morrow.

F/F

haha cracks me up everytime!

Anyways, why the R6 may i ask gareth? i have not ridden all the 600's at all, and dont know which one feels the best, they all feel really fast and really smooth to me. My question is why not the CBR600? after watching them in the supersport 600 class in WSBK it makes me keen on certainly trying one.

Who knows, but anyways WT is right about what some guys in some shops will tell you about bikes.

[R6_kid]

i know its not always the best way to buy a bike but im looking out for cheap/good deals. This R6 is going for $8,000 with 14k on the clock, seen similar ones in shops for 11,000+

Did like the look of the new CBR600RR but cant afford the tag :crybaby:
I've only tried out 750's so far (7R and gixxer srad) so when i get a try on a 600 or two i will know what i really want.

Cheers for the input man.

[SPORK]

Here ya go man, this might be a usefull link...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/listings/listings_search_results.asp?searchtype=GENERAL&searchstring=r6&go.x=0&go.y=0&searchregion=100&mcat=0001-0026-1255-2509-&sort_order=price_asc

[R6_kid]

yeh i've managed do to that once before :kick:

just found the $7200 one last night, so im just wondering if i go for lower km's on older model OR, newer model with trick parts already on but with an extra 10k on the clock... Suppose its a given at the end of the day :laugh:

[Huntaway]

Hi Gareth,
I bought a 99 R6 almost a year ago now, mainly cos, like you, I thought it "looked nice" and having been out of the bike scene a while didn't know much else...
Quickly figured it's a poky little number, very much in the "supersports" mould but given that I've few regrets. I don't ride as aggressively as some other geezers here and have set it up accordingly. (Probably should have bought a sports tourer but what the hell!) It did have a Yoshimura pipe which sounded neat and produced more snot but also an extremely abrupt throttle response (like engine braking to put you over the handlebars). Refitting the standard pipe smoothed the throttle response and there is still plenty of power.
I'm still fiddling with the suspension but have it pretty much how I want it now. (Live rural so mostly open road riding :)). The bike can be a bit slappy on very rough road at speed (corners and straight) but I've found stiffening the spring and keeping the nose high reduces that.
Did a run up to Auckland last summer and had some fantastic riding. You can doodle along but the bike performs best and is most fun if you work the gears and keep the revs up - 6000 rpm plus

[Marmoot]

R6?

COMFORTABLE!
as FF can testify on my opinion... :blip:

[Sniper]

I want an R6. Does anyone have one they just want to give away?

[R6_kid]

i know of one person but he's only lending it out to people under two conditions:
1/ They currently have a cool bike
2/ They can actually ride half decently
unfortunately you dont meet either conditon
:ar15: its a pisstake dude

I'll keep you updated on how it feels etc though - how tall/heavy are you sniper, just for comparison reasons how you'd fit around the bike. Im 6ft 2 and around the 100kg mark depending on what i've eaten during the week.

[Motoracer]

I've done a review of a 2004 R6. Go here if you are interested in having a read through it. http://www.bobpickett.co.uk/bkit/2004r6.htm

[Sniper]

Im 5'8" and a stocky 76kg. Ugly bugger but I don't know if that counts if I promise to keep my helmet on?

[WINJA]

Im 5'8" and a stocky 76kg. Ugly bugger but I don't know if that counts if I promise to keep my helmet on?
76KG PFFFFTTTT I CAN DO A SHIT THAT IS 10% OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT EVERY MORNING

[R6_kid]

76KG PFFFFTTTT I CAN DO A SHIT THAT IS 10% OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT EVERY MORNING

and thats why we love WINJA :2thumbsup

[SPORK]

and around the 100km mark depending on what i've eaten during the week.

You're a hundred kilometers wide!? You might want to consider a goldwing then... :sherlock:

[R6_kid]

You're a hundred kilometers wide!?:

like i said, depends what i've eaten during the week :ar15:

[Sniper]

76KG PFFFFTTTT I CAN DO A SHIT THAT IS 10% OF YOUR BODY WEIGHT EVERY MORNING

And I can stand on my head, but I don't brag about it. :killingme

[cowpoos]

was told about the "light" front end by a shop assistant, and also upon questioning someone at the track day that rides one.

Its the 99 model, done 14k and its all pretty much stock standard. Probably end up having the bike for a few years if i get it so just wanted to make sure im not buying a lemon bike.

Im 98kg if that helps at all... im sure the setup stuff will fix any problems i did have.

With a bit of luck i might be checking it out on Sunday afternoon after the Coro ride.

If your 98kgs you will be replacing the springs on the front straight away...far to light for your weight...the rear spring will be on dam near if not on max preload....

[R6_kid]

yeh sweet, the one im looking at has ohlins fork internals. At the price i'd be getting it for im sure there will be room for improvement in suspension in the future if i NEED it... im sure the bike will cover my riding capability for the forseen future atleast!

[ducatilover]

I want an R6. Does anyone have one they just want to give away?
i have 32 of them, what colour would you like? :niceone:

[Slingshot]

Who rides an R6?

I do....got it on Thursday!!!

[R6_kid]

things are looking good on the bike buying front, but i wont be counting my R6 until it eventuates :laugh:

[Sniper]

i have 32 of them, what colour would you like? :niceone:

The Black, give me Black.

[R6_kid]

It has been confirmed that i will be the next KBer to join the great league of 600cc and more specifically YZF-R6 riders :niceone:

scored me a bargain, should be picking it up this weekend sometime - will post some pics when i do.

been buzzing out since yesterday but now i is :calm:

[mattt]

It has been confirmed that i will be the next KBer to join the great league of 600cc and more specifically YZF-R6 riders :niceone:

scored me a bargain, should be picking it up this weekend sometime - will post some pics when i do.

been buzzing out since yesterday but now i is :calm:

Good shit - I'm heading that way myself... Either that or gixxer600 pretty soon. :headbang:

[Slingshot]

It has been confirmed that i will be the next KBer to join the great league of 600cc and more specifically YZF-R6 riders :niceone:

scored me a bargain, should be picking it up this weekend sometime - will post some pics when i do.

been buzzing out since yesterday but now i is :calm:


Congrats...welcome to the exclusive club!!!

[Gremlin]

Congrats :niceone:

and I suppose on another front, goodbye :crybaby:

[Slingshot]

Oh, by the way...the headlight on your new bike is out :whistle:

[R6_kid]

Oh, by the way...the headlight on your new bike is out :whistle:

how would you know that? I did notice that the highbeam indicator light wasnt coming on, but the lights were definitely working... might be picking it up this weekend... at the very latest thursday.

[Firefight]

how would you know that? I did notice that the highbeam indicator light wasnt coming on, but the lights were definitely working... might be picking it up this weekend... at the very latest thursday.



Get used to people telling you that Gareth, drives me bloody :argh: crazy, even been pulled up by HP and told that, also the dum bugger at LTSA testing place told me to come back when I had got the lights sorted.

Small price to pay for owning a top bike.

F/F

[R6_kid]

hmmm just wondering... might be the old pisstake here....

dont they have one beam for low and one for high - so it looks like one light is not working, i know buggy gets that all the time :whistle:

[Slingshot]

hmmm just wondering... might be the old pisstake here....

dont they have one beam for low and one for high - so it looks like one light is not working, i know buggy gets that all the time :whistle:


Yeah I was just taking the piss...we've had our R6 for a week and had a number of comments about the headlight already.

[R6_kid]

lol, im just gutted i was slow to cotton on... was a bit under the weather after a short night on the drink followed by a severe lack of sleep.

I want the 'angel eyes' like you can get on the 2003+ models but the 98-2002 model doesnt have the cool light like the later model... im sure i will think of something :niceone:

[ducatilover]

The Black, give me Black.
its a deal, now anyone else need an r6???? :devil2: fuck i wounldn't give em away, even if i had them...... :rolleyes: mmmmm r6.....oh sorry just dribbling. i nearly got hit twice this week, its becoming a habit, maybe people are jealous of my gn250 with its superior handling and performance.......i saw a moto guzzi breva thingy in woodville today, was that any one?? i also saw a large group of bikers in woodville last weekend, was that any kb'ers????