Triumph, Honda or Kwacka?

[bungbung]

Batcerb, if I had a 636, I'd be out on it now, posing like mad (in the glorious welli sun) instead of sitting in my sun-less office.

[James Deuce]

Batcerb, if I had a 636, I'd be out on it now, posing like mad (in the glorious welli sun) instead of sitting in my sun-less office.

Shhhh stop reminding me!!

[moko]

I think you`ll find the RR and the Triumph just as "focussed" as the R6.I dont know why Honda dont import the "standard" CBR600F to N.Z.(we get both in the U.K.)because that would be better for your needs from what you say than the RR.As it is the 636 Kwak is generally considered to be as good an all-rounder as the latest CBR600F.All 3 are very good bikes.As for your male friend,well he`s got a great career ahead of him as a ventriloquist,no-one can see your lips move when you talk out of your arse.

[Slim]

I think you`ll find the RR and the Triumph just as "focussed" as the R6. I dont know why Honda dont import the "standard" CBR600F to N.Z. (we get both in the U.K.) because that would be better for your needs from what you say than the RR.

I thought so! http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/sport/ - this site lists the CBR600F4i and the CBR600RR. (Thanks Moko )

[moko]

CBR600RR is a completely different bike to the 600F and not just a sports version.Engine,frame,the whole lot is new though the brakes are from the SP2/Fireblade.It was developed to give Honda a better base bike than the F model in the 600 Supersports racing class.The CBR600F is very popular here as more of an all-rounder than the R6 e.t.c. and if Honda had totally replaced it with the RR they would have handed thousands of sales to Kawasaki on a plate as the 636 sells to the same kind of rider.
Triumph by the way have greatly improved their 600 from it`s disasterous forebear that had duff fuel-injection and a frame so wrong they actually retro-fitted a new design to the first few hundred.Daytona`s reckoned to be up there with the rest.On the whole Triumph have a pretty good reputation for reliability,first 600`s were stinkers though.

[SPman]

Long term tests rate the new CBR600RR as a pain in the back/wrists/butt over a distance, the ZXR6R as the gruntiest and the Daytona as the most precise handling - but with all the current 600's, we are talking fractions of a percent difference in most areas. The ZX6R I tried was real hard on my wrists and most are full on sportsbikes now, even the ZX6.- so - buy the bike YOU like.

[bluninja]

Hey SLIM, I know you don't need a litre, but what about the SV1000S ? Might be a tad more comfortable than the 600 sports......oh ok go with the triumph as it's the one that hit the spot.....but still try out all the others...it's free.

[LB]

Hi Slim. Scrosser has a CBR600RR and Doug Green and his wife own a ZXR600 and a 636 - I'll tell them about this thread and they can give you their opinions of their bikes.

[merv]

Right Lynda and when we see Scrosser at lunch he still seems to be able to sit up OK and walk without being hunched over too far so the foetal tuck on the RR can't be too debilitating compared to what he was used to on his Guzzi or his dirt bike.

Spotted Viv and Doug heading towards Pauatahanui yesterday - I guess they are racking up the k's on the 636 so should be able to give some feedback by now.

[marty]

hey slim - go and see the guys at road and sport - they have a yoshi piped sv1000k3 demo model (the faired one). i rode it a couple of weeks ago and was very impressed with it's comfort, lazy/easy power, the sound, and the rideability - $14k on the road with the yoshies.

[moko]

How about the Suzi SV650S? Not as quick as the 600 4`s but then you`re not after an out and out sportsbike anyway.The latest model is a good-looker and very popular in Europe.Only minor niggles are the front sparkplug dosnt like the rain,a bit of silicone sealer sorts that,and you`ll get more engine-braking than on a 4 and if you`re un-aware of this you may find yourself locking the back wheel on down-changes if you crash down through the gears boy/girl racer style,just a matter of adjusting your riding style.Of course SUZUKI could fit a slipper clutch like Ducati but that`d bump the price way up.

[Slim]

Oooh goodie. More bikes to test ride.

[ching_ching]

Hey Slim,

Thought I'd chuck in my 2¢ worth, hope you don't mind.

Don't do yourself a disservice, test whatever number of bikes you have on your list and scrutinise, you are the rider of your final decision. The main reason I bought my Zuki was because of the price. Zuki slammed on their summer special and I was after a sports, twas a good price and tadaaa. I gots what I gots. Don't get me wrong, even though I didn't test ride any other bikes I still love my Zuki but I think being a little more discerning would have been a good thing.

Anyways, I assume you're going to Hamilton Motorcycles to test the Trumpie? Have they still got that red 636 Kwak demo? Was itching to test that one but didn't. Have sat on the CBR600RR at Boyds but that's about it. So I'll use my gixx as a bit of reference if that's worth anything.

The seat is more comfortable on the gixx than I've found when I sat on the CBR so if you value your ass maybe an aftermarket solution would be the 'himms' if you choose that bike. From what I've been told, yes, performance wise, there is not much diff between the big four's 600 machines. Have been told that the new trumpie is a great bike, just as good as the Japanese machines as well (good on ya Engalund). I've found with the CBR, Kwak, and Gixx you will have that 'go forth and cane it' riding position just right for a mercy dash from Turangi to Taupo. But if you're looking for a bit more comfort for a longer ride, these machines may not be totally suitable.

Hope this babble has helped a little. Lettuce know what you end up with, I'm sure we all would be chomping at the bit to find out.

Laters

ching_ching

[DeanOh]

How about the Suzi SV650S? you`ll get more engine-braking than on a 4 and if you`re un-aware of this you may find yourself locking the back wheel on down-changes if you crash down through the gears boy/girl racer style,just a matter of adjusting your riding style.

I didnt realise I was a boy racer until now

[Pickle]

Hey Slim
Test as many as you can and then make your decision. We bought the 2002 ZX636 as it is not as race orientated as the latest version & we mainly do road riding, the bike is awsome. All of the latest 600's are really race bikes with lights and would not be comfortable on long trips, If your riding is sports orientated and you do the odd track day then you cant go wrong with any of the latest 600's they are all so close and your choice will probably come down to which colour/price suits best. If you are doing a lot of road riding then the 02 ZX636 or the CBR F4i would be the better choice. The early Triumphs are supposed to be really bad and the latest are supposed to be a Huge improvement ( Bruce Anstey won Isle of Man on one ) other than that I dont know anything about the Triumph.
In the latest Performance Bikes mag they have a section on 600's and how good they are. The latest 636 will actually beat a ZX9 in a top gear roll on between 70ks and 150ks, so dont be fooled into getting a 1000 as you have higher running costs, insurance, costs of tyres etc.
Will be interested in YOUR CHOICE, so keep us all informed as to what you have tested and at the end decided to purchase.