1. Yamaha R-6:
The first thing I appreciate about the R-6 as an owner is the sheer beauty of the machine. From every angle it looks sharp and aggressive and purposeful all at the same time. There is not one line, not one dimension, not one curve of the body that is wrong. I still find myself walking around the bike, getting down on one knee, and admiring it. Looking at the bike from afar my eye is always drawn to the front first. Then, naturally, it just flows slowly backward admiriing the slope of the tank and the sharp tapered tail section. Just taking a look at the bike is enough to get my heart racing a little faster, prepared for the ride ahead. Its everything I ask for in a shape. If a bike cant get you excited just by looking at it then, no matter the performance, you should look elsewhere. The R-6 dose it for me every time. Job well done.
The second thing I appreciate about the R-6 as an owner is the view from the seat. The instrument panel has a high quality look to it. From the metalic trim around the tach to the prominent shift light to the big digital speedo everything appears well laid out and functional. All the information I need is right there in front of me and is easy to read. The only things Im left wanting are a fuel gage and gear indicator....but who really needs those anyway?
Complimenting the look of the intrument panel are the well laid out controls. From the engine start/stop switch to the turn signals to the clutch and brakes everything operates with a smooth precision that exudes quality and attention to detail. Start the bike up and the engine immediately settles into the pleasant growl of a Jap 600. Love it.
The seat isnt as comfortable as other bikes. It seems high up and can put short people on the tips of thier toe's. Its also a little too wide. The CBR's is nicer to sit on and I can flat foot on the CBR all day long but ounce moving there isnt such a huge difference. One thing I can recommend, especially if your in leathers, are tank grips. They do help.
Drop down into first, give it some reves, ease the clutch out. Stall. This is the first real chink in the R-6's armor. Compared to other 600's the R-6 takes a few more revs and a little more care to get off the line smoothly. Its not a problem ounce you get used to it and really all it takes is a little more care....but if you've been riding CBR600's prior to the R-6 you ARE going to stall it a few times at first. The CBR, by comparison, is able to get off the line pretty much no matter what.
Ounce you get going you encounter the second chink in the R-6's armor. This bike is buzzy compared to alot of other 600's. Where ear plugs are merely highly reommended for other 600's they are a must for the R-6 rider. Between the induction growl at low revs to the exhaust howl at the top end your ear drums take a real beating...(even if it does sound awesome)..especially with the short gp style exhaust seemingly ending at your right ear. On the plus side, other motorists will hear you long before they hear your friend on his CBR. With ear plugs in the exhaust howl is an absolulte delight too and I havnt heard a better sounding induction howl since I rode a Triumph Daytona 675....so despite being buzzy I've really grown to love the sound this bike makes as a rider.....and I've still got my stock can. Love it.
Next thing is how smooth this bike goes through the gears. While its not the best I've sampled the gearbox is smooth and feels precise. Can't really say if its just down to the two examples I've ridden being great ones but the K-7GSXR600 seems to have a smoother gearbox with better feeling going into gears.
Next up is the engine. While the lack of midrange is annoying I actually enjoy having the power so high up top. Its a rush taking this thing to redline. The CBR is almost too easy to ride in comparison.....for a 600 it seems to have nice power everywhere. With the R-6 you have to be much more aware of what gear your in and its more of a challenge (and more fun) to keep it in the powerband. Hitting that powerband is also much more of a rush then in the CBR because it seems to come on so strongly at the top. Its like nothing.....nothing......nothing....then WHAM....oh there it is. Then its already time to grab another gear. I know lots of people hate this characteristic......but I love it. Yeah its a little annoying seeing my friends CBR gain yards on me out of a corner sometimes when I dont get it just right and Im being lazy.....but hey that just makes me want to get to the next corner so I can hit it perectly and real him in.
Conclusion: My R-6 definately has some flaws....but they are all balanced out by strengths. The lack of midrange is annoying for sure.....but what you gain in top end rush is worth every penny to me. Would I like more midrange? Yes please. Do I have to have more midrange? Not when the top end is as hot as this R-6. The R-6 is not as easy to ride in general as the CBR is. The handling is much sharper and it seems to demand more concentration mid corner. The riding position isnt as comfortable either. The CBR can definately crunch more miles in comfort. I'd be willing to bet I could ride a full 2 hours longer on the CBR in comfort then the R-6. What you gain though is razor sharp handling. The R-6 seems to go into a corner so much better and faster then the CBR even if it doesnt feel as light during side to side transitions.
The Honda CBR600RR:
The first thing I noticed about the CBR600rr was how great it looked from a distance of about 5 feet. There isnt really anything radical about it. I'd describe it as a conservative design.....but it really just does look so right in every way. In fact, sitting by itself Im often tempted into claiming it as the best looking 600 on the market. Its only when my R-6 is next to it that it begins to appear less beautiful. Its a bit like seeing Liv Tyler (Honda) strolling along in a summer dress in all her classic beauty.....and out from behind her comes Eva Longoria (Yamaha) in a thong bikini all sex appeal and hotness.....and you forget all about poor Liv behind her.
Get closer to the Honda and I think things start to fall apart. There seems to be an ever so slight quality deficit going on compared to the R-6. The paint doesnt have the same sheen or depth....the details just arnt there. Am I the only one that thinks Honda shoots itself in the foot by selecting shit color schemes for otherwise beautiful designs and shapes???
The instrument panel appears cheap and bland after sitting on the R-6. Way too much dull plastics. Sure, you get a fuel gage but it doesnt really overcome the feeling that Honda saved some money here. Considering this is where a rider spends the most time around the bike its a shame Honda couldnt create a better view. To makes things worse you can see the front screen vibrating like a piece of cardboard out of the corner of your eye while riding. Annoying. Overall its functional but it doesnt get me weak in the knee's or buzing to start her up.
Its when you're moving that the Honda begins to feel special. The first time I rode the CBR after being on my R-6 I was just blown away by how light it felt moving it from side to side. Effortless if how I would describe it. Its utterly amazing what a huge difference that makes to the feel of the bike. I was also impressed by the riding position in general and comfortable seat. The suspension is also better, in stock settings, then the R-6. Its able to soak up the bumps of imperfect streets whereas the R-6 is a pain the arse, literally, on the rough stuff.
The gearbox is good and precise but not as good my R-6's. Basically its very similar, and very good, but somehow feels a little more industrial and rough. Its just not as smooth. Almost feels like some fine grit sand paper is in there somewhere compared to the R-6. Stills snicks right into gear nicely though. Very positive action. Very tight.
The engine is by far my favorite part of the CBR600rr. Even though I like the top end rush of the R-6 if I could have the CBR's engine in my R-6 I would probably have it. It would probably make the perfect bike short of a GSXR-750 too. The thing can just effortlessly pull (for a 600) from anywhere in the rev range. Its kinda nice having that steady pull of power and its the best 600 engine for street use I've ridden but I still prefer the more sudden rush of the R-6 b/c of its excitement......
Conclusion: The CBR is an awesome bike just for the engine alone. Its soooo much easier to ride fast then the R-6 and its a better bike for the street without doubt. Engine and suspension (stock settings) and comfort trump the R-6 on the street. Ultimately, the CBR just doesnt do it for me though. Put next to oneanother the R-6 is the sharper bike. To sit on it also appears to have the edge in quality even though its lacking a fuel gage and gear indicator. While its nice to have the midrange....I find it more exciting and more involving to chase after that power.....which is why I like my R-6. I dont so much mind the "on-off" character of the R-6. When I want the damn thing "on" I ride it like that.....when I want it "off" I relax and so does the bike. Real simple. No problems.
Winner: Yamaha R-6. Flawed for sure but its a more exciting bike to ride in my opinion. Technically the CBR might be the better street bike but I'm glad I chose the R-6 over the CBR. If you were to measure our heart rates on the bikes I think you'd find mine a few beats quicker then my friends at all times....and thats all that matters to me.
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I think you've hit upon the reasons these two bike are so popular in some markets.
Originally Posted by FkNAmerican
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