600cc supersports first impressions

[Black Bandit]

OH MY GOD

How do you keep your licence on one of these? (Mine just arrived in the post this morning) This is what 100+ RWHP feels like? Then I must have more! I went to try out a couple of larger bikes today, looking for a step up from my Bandit. I'm not a journalist or some track superstar, these are merely the ramblings of an enthuisiast ... so take them with a pinch of salt if you disagree.

EDIT: Further bikes tested later in this thread

2007 Honda CBR600 RR
Wow, this bike is really eager to get to business! The throttle from closed to fully open felt something like only 60 degrees, lightning fast response. It felt like a very well sorted bike but I found the clutch to be very clunky around slow suburban traffic - probably will bed-in over time and will be much better at higher speeds. I didn't ever get the bike much out of 2nd or 3rd gear. Sounds authoritive though and did get quite a few head turns.

Lasting impression - boy what a clunky clutch, my foot hurts.

2007 Suzuki GSX-R600
Hmm. Comfy (relatively). I took this one onto the motorway and the grin started getting bigger immediately. The power delivery felt more exciting on this bike. Strong pull from lower down and then a second rush of power after 10000rpm. Loved the sound of the ram-air induction and stumpy exhaust. Who nicked the fuel gauge? Good clear gear indicator.

Lasting impression - whether idling at the traffic lights, blipping the throttle or wailing like a banshee along the motorway I loved the sound.

2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R
The engine sounds real smooth, feels real silky too with nice even power delivery and the exhaust sound track is rather chunky and "grown up". There's a strange amount of free-play in the throttle grip initially but it didn't affect the ride. Quite liked the look of this bike, good narrow seat for short arses like me. Come-to-bed eyes. Horrible tail section though, the rear light cluster needs some help. Felt really quick and flickable, changing direction faster than I anticipated. Somebody nicked off with the fuel gauge on this one too. Gear indicator less clear than the GSXR.

Lasting impression - silky smooth engine and slick gear box.

Overall I'm thoroughly impressed with these bikes. Any would do really. I had a sit on a 2007 Yamaha R6 but have discounted this bike as the seat is too wide which makes it really uncomfortable for me to touch the ground. Surprisingly the few 1000cc bikes I sat on (R1, ZX-10R) felt more comfortable than their 600 counterparts so maybe I should ...
Yeah right, tame while stationary but 600 is way more than enough at this stage.

I still want to test a Kwaka 636 to compare it with the ZX-6R and although the 748 is an aging bike it's so damn sexy and seductive. I need to take the Honda out again before I make my final decision. I may stump up the balls to give the 675 a test although I suspect this will be too tall. Feel I should give some of the older models a go also. Ah well, fun for next week. Sexy time.

When I eventually climbed back onto the Bandit it felt like a comedy bike, amazing what you can live with if you don't know any better. I nearly ran into the curb when I turned cause the rapid tip in caught me off guard.

[slinky]

im nearing to doing what you just did. but not till ive got the money!! lol, else il end up taking a loan as soon as i sit on one.

want to get me a brand new 6 hundi...(i think)

have my eyes on the cbr, but will try the others.

[McJim]

Nice write up - short, honest and to the point (a bit like you in fact ).

Hondas are renowned for clunky gearboxes.
Real bikes don't have fuel guages (it's extra weight you don't need).
I tried a ZX636 in race trim with ohlins suspension on Pukekohe for a day - lovely bike but as you say - miss that copper on the bridge and you're walking home.
Try a post 2001 Ducati 900ss - not quite the same power as the inline 4 supersports BUT you get bags of torque, 10,000km service interval and there's the sound...mmmmmm...try one and then buy a Jap screamer but at least try one.

[inlinefour]

OH MY GOD

How do you keep your licence on one of these? (Mine just arrived in the post this morning) This is what 100+ RWHP feels like? Then I must have more! I went to try out a couple of larger bikes today, looking for a step up from my Bandit. I'm not a journalist or some track superstar, these are merely the ramblings of an enthuisiast ... so take them with a pinch of salt if you disagree.

2007 Honda CBR600 RR
Wow, this bike is really eager to get to business! The throttle from closed to fully open felt something like only 60 degrees, lightning fast response. It felt like a very well sorted bike but I found the clutch to be very clunky around slow suburban traffic - probably will bed-in over time and will be much better at higher speeds. I didn't ever get the bike much out of 2nd or 3rd gear. Sounds authoritive though and did get quite a few head turns.

Lasting impression - boy what a clunky clutch, my foot hurts.

2007 Suzuki GSX-R600
Hmm. Comfy (relatively). I took this one onto the motorway and the grin started getting bigger immediately. The power delivery felt more exciting on this bike. Strong pull from lower down and then a second rush of power after 10000rpm. Loved the sound of the ram-air induction and stumpy exhaust. Who nicked the fuel gauge? Good clear gear indicator.

Lasting impression - whether idling at the traffic lights, blipping the throttle or wailing like a banshee along the motorway I loved the sound.

2007 Kawasaki ZX-6R
The engine sounds real smooth, feels real silky too with nice even power delivery and the exhaust sound track is rather chunky and "grown up". There's a strange amount of free-play in the throttle grip initially but it didn't affect the ride. Quite liked the look of this bike, good narrow seat for short arses like me. Come-to-bed eyes. Horrible tail section though, the rear light cluster needs some help. Felt really quick and flickable, changing direction faster than I anticipated. Somebody nicked off with the fuel gauge on this one too. Gear indicator less clear than the GSXR.

Lasting impression - silky smooth engine and slick gear box.

Overall I'm thoroughly impressed with these bikes. Any would do really. I had a sit on a 2007 Yahama R6 but have discounted this bike as the seat is too wide which makes it really uncomfortable for me to touch the ground. Surprisingly the few 1000cc bikes I sat on (R1, ZX-10R) felt more comfortable than their 600 counterparts so maybe I should ...
Yeah right, tame while stationary but 600 is way more than enough at this stage.

I still want to test a Kwaka 636 to compare it with the ZX-6R and although the 748 is an aging bike it's so damn sexy and seductive. I need to take the Honda out again before I make my final decision. I may stump up the balls to give the 675 a test although I suspect this will be too tall. Feel I should give some of the older models a go also. Ah well, fun for next week. Sexy time.

When I eventually climbed back onto the Bandit it felt like a comedy bike, amazing what you can live with if you don't know any better. I nearly ran into the curb when I turned cause the rapid tip in caught me off guard.

I had the 2005 CBR600RR and how I kept my licience was really in God's hands. I tried all the 2005 600cc, 750cc and 1000cc bikes and brought brand new what was right for me. likewise any decient KBer will tell you to decide yourself rather than tell you what they think you should be getting. Sadly about 3 weeks ago I had to part with the CBR as I am now a paraplegic and can no longer ride it. Shit happens and life goes on...

[Black Bandit]

Nice write up - short, honest and to the point (a bit like you in fact ).

Oi, quiet in the back there! Cheeky bugger.

Yeah, keen to give a Duc a go but seriously worried about the cash it could bleed.

[Black Bandit]

I tried all the 2005 600cc, 750cc and 1000cc bikes and brought brand new what was right for me.

Seriously? That's a lot of test riding. To be honest I have all but discounted anything larger than 600cc ATM. And judging by the "get-up-and-go" ability of the bikes I tested today, I'd say capacity restriction is recommended.

[limbimtimwim]

Who nicked the fuel gauge?

On the GSXR you do kind of have a fuel gauge. The fuel warning light blinks when you have some fuel left. The light comes on solid when you are running really low. I have done about 40km with the light blinking on my 750 riding very very gently. Of course you always have the trip meter as well.

Ride the Yamaha R6 as well, it's a great bike.

Edit: Oh yeah, buy my GSXR

[inlinefour]

Seriously? That's a lot of test riding. To be honest I have all but discounted anything larger than 600cc ATM. And judging by the "get-up-and-go" ability of the bikes I tested today, I'd say capacity restriction is recommended.

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...

[MD]

I still want to test a Kwaka 636 to compare it with the ZX-6R

Make sure you do. There are some bargain 06 model 600s and 636s around.
I took the 07 ZX6R for a reasonable blat and gladly handed the keys back. As a road bike it is no match for the 636. Track use may be a different story.

It sounds like you want a bike for road use. In which case probably the GSXR or CBR are the best choices ...or the 06 636. AMCNews magazine review from the 07 Masterbike track test included a sidebar on their pick for road use - they picked the GSXR
Happy hunting and remember what inlinefour said - buy what does it for you.

[boomer]

The best bit is trying 'em all out and deciding... tis like dating.. you ride some not bad 'ens..some real shockers you're glad that you went round there place and one that'll make your widgy tingle

[McJim]

Oi, quiet in the back there! Cheeky bugger.

Yeah, keen to give a Duc a go but seriously worried about the cash it could bleed.

The SS range are not the ones that bleed you. Beware the older 4 valve per cyclinder Ducatis (851, 888, 748, 916, 996) - that's where the rumours originate...unfortunately that's where the power lives too - good ol' desmodue engines are pretty tough and haven't changed much since 1981.

I did a calculation as I was thinking about getting a CBR600 before I got the Ducati.

km per litre - CBR - 16 - Ducati - 23
service interval - CBR - 6,000km - Ducati - 10,000km

So given an annual mileage of 20,000km the Ducati was the cheaper option. I've had to replace a few bits on the Ducati due to wear and tear and was surprised at how cheap they were from Haldanes.

By all means don't get a Ducati, but don't be a sheep and use maintenance costs to justify the decision. That's just a fallacy now.

[Devil]

In the same vein as McJim...

I suggest you try some bikes that have torque, particularly in the low and mid range. When you come from a 250 and try a sports 600 you wont have picked up what they're missing, because it's still more than the 250.

In the real world, day to day, torque is king and makes things oh so enjoyable!

For a comparison, go try an SV1000. It still has a similar max HP as the 600's (well slightly less these days), but has heaps more midrange. Then get back on the 600...

On the track however, can't argue with the late model 6's...

Try everything first! Even ones you hadn't previously considered.

edit: Why does he say this despite riding a 600? The Speed Four has a real world torque curve with real world gear ratios yet is still a weapon on the track (in someone elses hands *ahem*)

[Morcs]

Seriously? That's a lot of test riding. To be honest I have all but discounted anything larger than 600cc ATM. And judging by the "get-up-and-go" ability of the bikes I tested today, I'd say capacity restriction is recommended.

Test ride a 400. Find somewhere that has a mint one (more than willing to help)

Mine is sat in the garage if you want to take it for a run, they are awesomely great fun. I used to prefer my vfr to the zx10... and thats saying something. Plus i too came off a bandit 250 onto a 400 and it was a good step.

[skelstar]

Great review! Love the 'come-to-bed-eyes' comment LOL!

Make sure what you buy is the bike you think about the most, not the bike that people write [favourably] about the most.

[90s]

This is a pretty sad comment, but all these bikes are good, so get the one that works for you ... and part of that might be to get the best-looking. If you get the prettiest bike you'll have hours of pleasure in the garage just looking at it.
And it'll take ages before its suspension begins to sag, its paint tarnish and it wants to be ridden less. Then it'll be time for those hussy 1000s, with their enhanced capacities ...