Anyone really care about what's on paper any more?

[bugjuice]

Just reading thru the latest KR that popped thru works' door, and there's a very nice piece on the 2006 CBR600RR in MoviStar (?) trim, 5 in NZ.

Now, from remembering back to when I was looking at 600s on paper, the 04 bikes stacked up with the 636 and R6 joint first, GSXR600 very close third, and the CBR600 really trailing behind. Over weight and under powered compared to all of them (can't remember if I took into account the Trumpy 650).

So reading the 06 specs, the bike has dropped a couple of kilos and gained a couple of hp.. which puts it closer to the 04 spec bikes.. But they have the others gained more since 04? The other 3 05/06 bikes just pee all over 04 bikes on paper, but in life, does the paper side matter as much?

Don't really know what point I'm really making here. The CBR is actually looking nice, and do I detect a hint of a face lift too? But when you're picking a bike, do the specs really matter? I've always said no, but can't help thinking that in the back of my mind when I'm looking at/talking bikes (not that I'm buying..). But are Hondas considered the more 'cuddly' bikes?

[sAsLEX]

But they have the others gained more since 04?

But are Hondas considered the more 'cuddly' bikes?


umm first bit makes no sense!?


Honda were considered the best track option, but the 06 yam and suz take that now.

[The_Dover]

who'd buy a honda? out of principle?

[sAsLEX]

And BJ do you mean paper stats? Like this one weighs two Gnats nuts less than the other? or riders reviews saying what its like to ride as a package?

[VasalineWarrior]

Fuck it doesnt matter shit all with the 600's. The thous as well. ALL of them are good, some are just marginally better than the others. Regular mortals are not going to be able to tell the ultimate difference with that last extra kg of weight or 1.5629 hp deficit, and it basicaly comes down to the rider to make the difference, be that on road or track.

An ultimate example of this would be Mr Rossi. On a slower and worse handling bike (than the benchmark honda), he can still wipe the floor with them. :nya:

[inlinefour]

I just got the bike that I liked the most and was the most comfortable on. Will be getting my next new bike in the next 5 years. Will test pilot them all and make my mind up then. I know that I'll be getting something bigger than a 600cc though...

[Lou Girardin]

Buy the one YOU like best. Not what some over-opinionated magazine hack who's paid to be nice to all of them, says you should buy. (not you Dave, you're no hack)

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Honestly can you buy a 'bad' bike these days ? It's only which one is slightly better at certain things, buy the one that spins Your wheels !:yes:

[SimJen]

I think in the main categories, 600 and 1000's I don't think you can buy a bad one. I think most peeps go for either the brand they always have or the best looking....I don't think many will go for the highest spec or power etc over anything else.
I was always a honda boy but having had a couple of Suzuki's I've changed my mind. I go for the bikes I like not necessarily the highest specs :)

[beyond]

Yep, these days there's not much in them. I reckon the journos have a hell of a time deciding which should be first second third etc.
First decide the category: Super sports, sports/tourer, tourer, cruiser etc.
Then narrow them down to the ones you like. After all, you will be looking at it more than anyone else :)

Then as you say, test drive your narrowed down selection to find which one suits you ergonomically and your style of riding. Some bikes need the shit revved out of them to get the best and others have heaps of midrange. So, your own riding style is going to dictate which is the best for you.

[Postie]

some of us just pick the bike with the brightest paint job aye buggy???

[Flyingpony]

But when you're picking a bike, do the specs really matter?
IMHO they are very important for finding the best money for value one.

[Squeak the Rat]

For the latest 600's or thou's I would take spec's and reviews into the equation, but at a very low priority. Unless you are a very good (ie. expert) rider, or you spend a lot of time on the track then I personally think it's better choosing on personal preference (comfort, "hard-on" factor etc).

Having said that, a lot of people in this market get a buzz from riding "the best" bike available, so you really need to read a lot of magazine articles to make sure that you don't buy the second best one or god forbid number 3 or 4......


If your talking about other types of bikes then yes, specs and reviews matter a bit more to me as there isn't as much fierce competition between similar genre bikes and you are more likely to get large differentiating factors.....

[Biff]

Most of the manufacturer's specs we read about are bullshit. Yamaha are on record as admitting that they 'engineer' their bikes stats, ensuring that their figures appear competitive when compared to other manufacturers machines.

Not that Yamahas are not-competitive (far from it), just that they're honest in admitting that they lie. At least Yamaha are honest about lying. Everyone else just lies.

If you buy a bike purely based upon manufacturer’s data your bonkers. Ride it first, then make a decision.

[sAsLEX]

If you buy a bike purely based upon manufacturer’s data your bonkers. Ride it first, then make a decision.

Like their dry weights are devoid of any liquid, fork oil and crazy stuff like that!

And judging by some of their claims "18500 rev limit! " which is what is showed on the tacho but not on a dyno! pure PR bullshit

[SimJen]

Some of the better UK bike mags will weigh, dyno and performance test all the bikes on a test and then you get real world figures.....depends on the mag though. Obviously MCN is full of shit, but mags like Bike and Superbike do full tests and rate them according to track and road testing etc.

[Big Dave]

Fuck it doesnt matter shit all with the 600's. The thous as well. ALL of them are good, some are just marginally better than the others. Regular mortals are not going to be able to tell the ultimate difference with that last extra kg of weight or 1.5629 hp deficit, and it basicaly comes down to the rider to make the difference, be that on road or track.



I agree entirely. It takes a top A grader or better before it makes any difference these days.
I would have said - some are better in specific departments than others. The Daytona 675 is a stand out for street use eg. The R6 I rode has the best brakes.
On A Sunday ride it would make absolutely no difference to the speed of the journey.
They all perform to places i can't - or dont want to - take them on the road anyway.

[Oscar]

I agree entirely. It takes a top A grader or better before it makes any difference these days.
I would have said - some are better in specific departments than others. The Daytona 675 is a stand out for street use eg. The R6 I rode has the best brakes.
On A Sunday ride it would make absolutely no difference to the speed of the journey.
They all perform to places i can't - or dont want to - take them on the road anyway.

Oi - you big Aussie Goit!
What's the story wid Kiwi Rider?
I rode up and down that feckin' beach and got my feet wet for Osborne and all the pictures are of Vege?!!!

[Big Dave]

Oi - you big Aussie Goit!
What's the story wid Kiwi Rider?
I rode up and down that feckin' beach and got my feet wet for Osborne and all the pictures are of Vege?!!!


hmmmm....I'll tell Geoff he has that effect on you.

Oscar: friend of publication and contributor.
Vege: Owner and Publisher.

Ferked if i know. Was all done before i stepped into the chair last week.
Not guilty m'laird.

[Oscar]

hmmmm....I'll tell Geoff he has that effect on you.

Oscar: friend of publication and contributor.
Vege: Owner and Publisher.

Ferked if i know. Was all done before i stepped into the chair last week.
Not guilty m'laird.


Hurmph...

'Bout time for a big blokes/ big bikes ride somewhere ain't it?
Raglan to Te Anga?

[Big Dave]

Hurmph...

'Bout time for a big blokes/ big bikes ride somewhere ain't it?
Raglan to Te Anga?


I'd probably have to borrow a bike - I have road tyres on the tactor for the winter - but I think I could get a katoom if we do it as a KR bit.

[Oscar]

I'd probably have to borrow a bike - I have road tyres on the tactor for the winter - but I think I could get a katoom if we do it as a KR bit.


I've only got the standard tyres on the Katoombah.
But if you can grab a 950 or the 625 that could be a laff...

[Lou Girardin]

I stopped giving bike testers much credibility back in the 80's when they praised the VF750 Honda to the skies for it's quick handling and rubbished my GPz 750 as peaky and slow steering.
But in the real world the Honda was a slap happy piece of shit that I could walk away from on the Kwaka without raising a sweat.

[XTC]

I don't care whats on the spec sheet. If I did I would have looked at the specs of the XT and thought shit this things got no power, is real slow and heavy and nobody likes them. But in reality it's an extremely good all roads bike with the capability to go a little off road and also scare road bikes through the twisty's on knobby tyres. Will cruise all day at 120-140 too. Not one of lifes most glamourous bikes but also at under $8500 new not the most expensive either. And the places it's taken me, and the good folk I've met in the last 27000km's have been worth every penny and then some. Might have to give it a rebuild at 80,000 km's or so. But had I really gone off the spec sheet instead of riding one I probably would never have bought it. Try things for yourself, don't rely on others to tell you what to think.
Just my 0.02c

Andy.

[Macktheknife]

Honestly can you buy a 'bad' bike these days ? buy the one that spins Your wheels !:yes:
I reckon this is the only way to buy a bike now, go for what does it for you. There are too many variables in rider styles and bike fit for specs to mean much. Just ride the ones you think will do the job and see which one really gets you.

[gav]

http://www.hondaitalia.com/moto/uff_stampa/fotostampa/cbr600rr/MOVISTAR.jpg
Still, damn good looking bike that Movistar CBR600RR, look good parked next to your Repsol 1000, huh?
I find the best way to get info from magazines is wait until the bike is a year old and then they test the latest model, then they mention all the faults that they dont seem to pick up first time round. Unless its the latest ZX10R, then you realise you're better off buying last years model. :yes: