Korea's next bike should be...

**F5 Dave** · 15th March 2007, 14:45

c'mon the sticker price on this can't be much, obsolete these days. Surely you could find a big bore kit for it, polish the head or something. Might keep up with some of those other bikes mentioned.

**Korea** · 16th March 2007, 08:40

Mmmm.... looks like fun.

Where did my profile pic go? Dunno ~ didn't realise it was missing. Will have a hunt around for it.

Now, how do I go about test riding the aforementioned?
Will try and get out to a shop soon but from my experience they've always been reluctant to fire them up for me.
(of course I'm a little older, more responsible *ahem* now...).

**skelstar** · 16th March 2007, 08:43

TSS in the Hutt are brilliant (Alicetown). Talk to Stu, or Fergus...tell them what you're keen on etc.

Pete (Crasherfromwayback) at WMCC in town always sounds keen for people to test ride bikes.

**Korea** · 16th March 2007, 09:02

Sweet - made some enquiries:
"No worries, bring your gear down and take some for a ride"
I'll try and do that this weekend if possible (but have moving to do as well) - Whenever it happens, I'll let you know how I get on and write my impressions here

**Korea** · 9th April 2007, 08:57

Still hunting for a bike and I had an opportunity to test ride something: the 2007 Kawasaki ZX6R. Here’s my impressions:

This bike is svelte and sexy with plenty of bling. From the red anodised USD forks, radial mount callipers and wavy-cut discs, this bike comes as well-equipped as the big-brother litre bike.
Tail end is curvy, reminiscent of a Ducati, while the under seat exhaust moulds perfectly with the tail section looking as good as any Italian offerings. It also looks slimmer than last year’s model.

Ergonomically, my 181cm frame was pushing the limits of ‘fit’ for this Japanese pocket rocket, which is fine because you’re supposed to hang off this one – the scalloped fuel tank anchors your outside knee tight when you’re getting amongst it in the corner. Wrist pressure is typical of 600cc sprotsbikes and that rear pillion seat is purely just for show. Comfy it is not, and it’s rubbish around town – if anyone cares.

Performance-wise the bike is nimble – it feels fine in a straight line but really comes into its own on the corners. It literally feels better and better the further you lean. Said corners are dispatched with a grip on the outside leg, tip on the handlebars and BANZAI!

The engine revs freely up to a screaming 16,500rpm redline or thereabouts with about 115-120 ponies. Plenty of scream to lose your licence in 1st gear, but I felt, roughly, naff all. There it is, the Achilles’ heel – the bike spins up and the scenery starts blurring but you don’t feel anything. There’s a whooshing sound and a suspicion that you’re about to get a court summons but no gut-wrenching feeling of drive, or torque. In a word, power delivery was boring.

So there you have it: In my humble opinion this bike would be awesome for the step up from a 250 or maybe 400, perfect for racey ladies, but personally, it only confirmed my suspicions – I’m after a litre bike…

Has anyone else tried the new 6?

**Trudes** · 9th April 2007, 09:31

So the search continues hey!

**skelstar** · 9th April 2007, 10:50

Originally Posted by Korea

...perfect for racey ladies...

Dude theres some racey ladies that are going to leave you well behind around these parts

So how does the drive compare to the ol' CBR600RR you left behind?

**Korea** · 12th April 2007, 13:34

Originally Posted by skelstar

Dude theres some racey ladies that are going to leave you well behind around these parts

So how does the drive compare to the ol' CBR600RR you left behind?

You're right about the racey ladies~!

I would say that the Zx6R definitely had sharper steering than the '05/'06 CBR600RR but the CBR had more useable midrange power. Other than that, well, there's only so much I could get from a 30 minute test blast.
Pretty good fun 'tho...

...better get out and do some more thrashing er... testing.
Getting back on 2 wheels is probably going to take me quite a while...

**Bonez** · 12th April 2007, 16:11

Honda C Fifty

**berg boy** · 12th April 2007, 16:52

having crashed triumph 955 aprilia rsv honda and suzuki road bikes i do tend now to go with the fastest thats there is the most of,for spares. the old saying goes "if you can,t replace it you won't race it 10/10ths" gsx all day long

**Korea** · 30th April 2007, 19:36

Here's the latest in the ongoing saga *yawn*...

Saw this on Trademe:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...429&key=553575

Comments? Advice? For / Against?
I might have a crack at it, but not sure how much it'll go for...

We'll see...

**Trudes** · 30th April 2007, 19:38

That's coooool!! Black is sexy remember!!

**Nasty** · 30th April 2007, 20:13

Try one before you buy it ... Grub has an earlier version with the slightly raised handlebars which are more comfortable .. this model is definately a speedie beast ... it will look great next to mine in the basement at work

**R1madness** · 30th April 2007, 21:20

my personal pick is R1. But any of the big bore sports bikes are fine. My R1 did 2 up 1000km days with ease and then knee down the next day. Yahooo fun. They can all do it. Mostly it comes down to colour/look/fit/. Do you like the Yellow one or the Green one sir???

**Grantasaurus** · 1st May 2007, 11:07

Is it just me, or is the exposed crankcase cover on the CBR1000 really ugly?

They could have at least used anodised bolts to tart it up a bit and make it blend in, but they're just plain alloy and stick out like dogs bollocks. IT lets the rest of the bike down..