600cc supersports first impressions

[Black Bandit]

Don't do what I did........ http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...35&postcount=1

OK, should be able to last longer than a couple of hours .

You really need to take these bikes out for longer than you've appeared to.

Easier said than done mate. I must look like a crim or sumin - I get the third degree from some of these dealers. Have to sign forms an everything, then they plot out the route you're allowed to take (claiming that the insurance is only covered for that route) and expect you back in 15 min!
Can't get no respect when you ride in on a two-fiddy .

[Korea]

Edit: Oh yeah, buy my GSXR

Buy a Honda !!!!!
My 07 Blade is for sale too

Seems like everyone's selling at the mo' - where were you last month!

Was not very often that I rung out the CBR and I suspect thst there are alot of riders with genitalia issues who own big bikes but cannot ride them very well...

Hey~! I'll get there eventually - and there's nothing wrong with my genitalia either for that matter.

Hmmm, I beg to differ, the 636 was a fine machine great road bike, great power delivery. But the new ZX6R is a excellent twisty road machine. Power is more usable, front more planted, a generally more stable bike, road or track.
Personally for me it has a more usable power band and a better suspension setup.

Amen to that brother. I tried the 6R and it felt better and better the more you leaned it. Plenty for the road but power felt a little limp IMHO

Great write up ~ if we were completely honest, any of the modern 600cc sprotbikes would be plenty for most of us.

[Jantar]

I think the differences between the current crop of 600s can be summed up pretty easily.

Absolutely correct, except for one small detail. Someone slipped a photo of a Harley above the Suzuki label.

[Black Bandit]

So today I had the day off and I simply *had* to wonder down to the shops in spite of the wintery weather and check out a few more bikes. Life's really tough sometimes. It's dangerous going to these places you know, I ended up buying ............................. a backprotector (You thought it was a bike didn't you)!

2006 Suzuki SV650 S
At the suggestion of a couple of fellow riders I decided to give a twin engine a try. More torque = More fun, right? Well to be honest, it couldn't be further from the truth. The engine felt lazy, slow to react and then as the revs rose and you're expecting the power to come on strong ... nothing happens. So you change gear and try again ... same story. Almost pulled my arms from their sockets as I let the clutch out a bit too quickly one time but otherwise uneventful. Didn't think much of the vacuum cleaner style exhaust can either (it's really huge).

Lasting impression - slow, lazy engine. Dare I say it, this bike was the most dull and boring bike I have tested.

2005 Kawasaki Z 750
This one came out of left field. Never on my radar screen at all. I didn't even know what it was when the dealer suggested I give it a try (but apparently it's all the rage in Europe). So rather cautiously I ventured out on the largest bike I have ridden to date (on damp roads). It was ... quite brilliant. Happy to let me feather the throttle or twist in anger (twisted in anger gently mind you). With a 750cc inline 4 this thing can really boogy! The ride position was comfortable, upright with big flat f*** off motorcross style bars and very easy to maneuver.

Lasting impression - I remain impressed but this bike is larger than I intended and it's not really the look I'm after.

2005 Kawasaki ZX-6R
As I noted in an earlier post, I wanted to try the 636cc engine to compare with the 2007 ZX-6R. I was fortunate to ride this bike and then the 2007 ZX-6R back to back today. The engine without a doubt pulls harder on the 636. I did however find the ride height slightly worse than the new model which led to a rather embarrassing incident in a carpark. I found myself in a tight spot unable to turn, so I stopped to push the bike backwards (while sitting on top) to get back out of the carpark. Well, with only the tips of my toes touching the ground I was going nowhere . I had to get off and carefully pull the bike backward until I was in a better position. I'm not saying that I could have done much better on the new ZX-6R, however when you are short of leg like me, every millimeter counts and with the narrower seat on the new model it just feels better!

Lasting impression - this bike has a "stronger" engine than the new model but it felt a little edgy, like it wasn't sure it wanted an amateur like me riding it. I preferred the new ZX-6R.

2007 Triumph Daytona 675
What can I say about this bike that hasn't already been said? This is the master bike (for the 600 class) two years runnning. The sound of the engine is superb. A whistley, raspy noise - pure bliss. The design is the stuff of little boys posters . I was blown away by the pull of the engine - this is a bike that could get me into trouble, fast . Unfortunately the bike has an extreme riding position, and by the end of the ride my wrists were starting to ache. Commuting on a 675 is going to be a problem. It's also a healthy wodge of cash more expensive than the jappas, classified as an exotic insurance could be higher and servicing costs also on the high side (speculation mind you).

Lasting impression - if I wanted a bike purely for track use or weekend blats, this would be my number one choice.

So my focal beam has narrowed somewhat. I have ruled out twins. Riding bikes for me is a visceral experience so it has to be full on and exciting, the SV just wasn't. I keep returning to the Kwaka ZX-6R. It really is a great machine, inspiring confidence and will make for a good step up. The only thing "lacking" is a sound track. If the Kwaka sounded like the Triumph or GSX-R it could be my perfect motorcycle.

I can't help feeling that I'm missing something about the twin though, I mean people rave about these things. Maybe I didn't ride it properly? The let down was epic.

Still not entirely decided then, but it is getting very close. Starting to decide on the colour now, I'm amazed how much that issue is affecting my decision.

[NinjaBoy]

Go on... you know you want one ... get the Ninja..

While the stock exhaust is quiet, it can be easily solved with a slip-on.. I had a titanium RS-5 which sounded the business.


Also Red is better...

[Devil]

I can't help feeling that I'm missing something about the twin though, I mean people rave about these things. Maybe I didn't ride it properly? The let down was epic.

Thats cos we said ride the 1000 twin. Thats the one that has similar HP to the 600 4's, but more torque.

The 650 is just anaemic after the 600's...

SV650 is about 70-75hp
GSXR600 is closer to 115hp
SV1000 is around 110hp

[675trippy]

has anybody heard of triumph. The 675 is a nice, capable, bike that handles anything thrown at it. Positive feedback and confidence inspiring machine but i am biased i spose.

[Black Bandit]

Thats cos we said ride the 1000 twin. Thats the one that has similar HP to the 600 4's, but more torque.

My bad, I guess I've a mental block on the thou's. At this stage I just don't want to go there.
The saying goes:
All bikes can kill you, but it's the Thou's that want to kill you.
Perhaps next time, but it's not worth considering as a first step up ... is it?

has anybody heard of triumph. The 675 is a nice, capable, bike that handles anything thrown at it. Positive feedback and confidence inspiring machine but i am biased i spose.

Did you even read the thread before you posted? WTF?:spudwhat:

[Devil]

Keep the idea of a 1000cc 4 cyl out of your head, but bikes like the SV1000 are a whole different kettle of fish.

The SV1000 is very friendly. It's not going to bite unless you tell it to.
It's a perfectly fine step up if you have any kind of self control. It's not the size of the engine, its the nut behind the bars...

[K6K]

If you get the GSXR600 K6/K7 you will be at least thinking about the 750 sooner or later! it is a couple of grand more...but so is a exhaust system and other go fast bits. As for the lack of fuel gauge...if the fuel light is flashing you have approx 3 liters left...if it is on and not blinking there is 1 liter or less left.

[skelstar]

Keep the idea of a 1000cc 4 cyl out of your head...

Theres a few (nearly) litre bikes that are of a more friendly state-of-tune of course.

[Black Bandit]

The SV1000 is very friendly. It's not going to bite unless you tell it to.

LOL Big friendly giant.

It's not the size of the engine, its the nut behind the bars...

That's what I'm worried about.

If you get the GSXR600 K6/K7 you will be at least thinking about the 750 sooner or later!

Yeah the guy who traded the Z 750 bought a one. Not yet for me though, small steps.

[Sanx]

And think about the VTR1000 too. More low-down grunt than the SV, but the suspension is a little archaic.

[Devil]

Theres a few (nearly) litre bikes that are of a more friendly state-of-tune of course.

Yeah, but not in the shape he's looking for!

[McJim]

Odd - is this just litrephobia?

As Devil says the SV1000 is pretty much like a 600 supersport with comparable HP. FFS 2005 ZX6R is like 125hp+ compared to the SV1000 110hp. If you're prepared to have a go at a 2005 ZX6R why afraid of the SV thou?

Advantages of a big twin are lower fuel consumption (the power gets delivered at lower revs = fewer explosions = better economy) and the extra torque.

Did you try a 900SS Ducati yet?