ER-6F/N, GSR 600 or SV650/S?

[onearmedbandit]

If you ride IL4's at the low end of the rev range they sound like nothing, and if you ride vtwins at the high end of the rev range they sound awkward.

Steve

Wrong. My IL4 sounds very nice from down low, from as low as 2000rpm. And a friends RSV1000R sounds great at high rev's. A low quality V-Twin probably sounds crap at high rev's, even with an aftermarket pipe. Whereas you don't hear many complaints about the sound of a Ducati 1198, RSV1000 or RC51 being rev'ed out.

Shooting my mouth off since ages ago.

[Oakie]

Pardon the thread dredge but I'm in the same position as the O.P. Looking to move the dear old Bandit on and I'm tossing up between Kawasaki's ER6n and Suzuki's GSR600.

I want an upright that'll handle around-town stuff for most of it's life and the occasional burst two up on the open road. I don't need a rocket-ship ... just an honest work-horse.

Anyone offer any pertinent comments?

[Tigadee]

Both are choice bikes... I'd go for the GSR600 (though it's apparently very prone to rust if not regularly cleaned) or even better, a Yamaha MT-07 or MT-09.

[akkadian]

How much money you want to spend? I'd get the ER6F but I'm bias. SV is fun but never looked right to me. To wide at the front? GSR is okay but again didn't like the look as much as the F. I can recommend the ER6. Goes well and looks pretty good doing it. No complaints from me.

[Ocean1]

I'd get the ER6F but I'm bias.

I had an ER6F, nice machine, no serious faults, nice ride and I'd have another one.

[akkadian]

I had an ER6F, nice machine, no serious faults, nice ride and I'd have another one.

Mine is on TM. Do you a good deal

[scracha]

GSR has a lovely motor on the motorway and impeccible town manners.
ER6 fun in town. Dunno if I could live with it on motorway....it's not short of squirt but I dunno....just mibby me.

If you've got the coin, based on prior experience of owning all 3 brands, I would imagine either of the Yamaha MT's would piss all over them in terms of build quality and resale value.

[Oakie]

GSR has a lovely motor on the motorway and impeccible town manners.
ER6 fun in town. Dunno if I could live with it on motorway....it's not short of squirt but I dunno....just mibby me.

If you've got the coin, based on prior experience of owning all 3 brands, I would imagine either of the Yamaha MT's would piss all over them in terms of build quality and resale value.

Budget constraints max out at $7k but I'm aiming for $6.5k. I need pack rack and heated handgrips so I can pay closer to $7k for a bike that already has those things.

As a matter of interest, I've also considered the Katana ... 600 or 650. It's in third place because it's not quite as upright at the GSR or the ER. Comments anyone?

[scracha]

Budget constraints max out at $7k but I'm aiming for $6.5k. I need pack rack and heated handgrips so I can pay closer to $7k for a bike that already has those things.

As a matter of interest, I've also considered the Katana ... 600 or 650. It's in third place because it's not quite as upright at the GSR or the ER. Comments anyone?

Should get a TDM900 or a MK2 TDM850 in Europe for next to bugger all money. Insurance group is low on them. You can thank me later.

[Tigadee]

Should get a TDM900 or a MK2 TDM850 in Europe for next to bugger all money. Insurance group is low on them. You can thank me later.

Those are certainly upright!

[Banditbandit]

I'd forget the SV - I'm not impressed

Of the other two - both are very good bikes .. I'd take the GSR600 - the IL4 - simply because it's got more pep than the twin ...

But then - I'd also suggest having a look at the 650 Bandit ...

Like this one .. well inside the price range, (they do go for more) ... has Ventura rack and pack

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-685879109.htm

At least have a serious look at it - I've seen 200 plus klicks on mine ... so they are no slug. Is great around town and the open road ...

[tobbera]

ER6n is a rally good bike. I have had one myself and it has been the best selling bike in Europe. Cant go wrong.

[Vinz0r]

Pardon the thread dredge but I'm in the same position as the O.P. Looking to move the dear old Bandit on and I'm tossing up between Kawasaki's ER6n and Suzuki's GSR600.

I want an upright that'll handle around-town stuff for most of it's life and the occasional burst two up on the open road. I don't need a rocket-ship ... just an honest work-horse.

Anyone offer any pertinent comments?

Err, why are you selling the Bandit then, that'll handle everything you want to do with it right?

Or is it a case of just wanting a shiny new bike?

Any particular reason you're only looking at the ER6 and GSR600? There are quite a few other good middleweights around, although the GSR600 and ER6 do seem to be in the sweet spot for you price-wise. Yamaha FZ6 or FZ8?

Have you considered anything a little bigger? Perhaps a Z750 (or even a Z1000), or a GSR750 (these look soooo good, but may be a bit outside the budget).

[Oakie]

Err, why are you selling the Bandit then, that'll handle everything you want to do with it right?

Or is it a case of just wanting a shiny new bike?

Any particular reason you're only looking at the ER6 and GSR600? There are quite a few other good middleweights around, although the GSR600 and ER6 do seem to be in the sweet spot for you price-wise. Yamaha FZ6 or FZ8?

Have you considered anything a little bigger? Perhaps a Z750 (or even a Z1000), or a GSR750 (these look soooo good, but may be a bit outside the budget).

Good questions.
- Only selling because it's approaching 60,000kms and even though it's had a gentle life, the ks are getting up to a point where it gets harder to sell. (I met my reserve within 4 days as it turns out)
- I wanted a bike with an upright seating position. ER6 and GSR600 were what was on Trade Me at the time. Also considered a 600 Katana although not quite upright. My budget was $7k which knocked Hornets and FZ6s out as I wanted something with less than 20,000kms
- A 600 was my goal to save a few rego dollars but I would have gone there if a 650 Bandit had turned up.

In the end it looks like I will buy a 2007 GSR600 with 16200 km on the clock. Also ticks my other boxes with a pack rack, heated hand grips and a small windscreen. I watched a YouTube clip last night of one hitting the twisties with gusto and it gave me quite an erection.

[Vinz0r]

Good questions.
- Only selling because it's approaching 60,000kms and even though it's had a gentle life, the ks are getting up to a point where it gets harder to sell. (I met my reserve within 4 days as it turns out)
- I wanted a bike with an upright seating position. ER6 and GSR600 were what was on Trade Me at the time. Also considered a 600 Katana although not quite upright. My budget was $7k which knocked Hornets and FZ6s out as I wanted something with less than 20,000kms
- A 600 was my goal to save a few rego dollars but I would have gone there if a 650 Bandit had turned up.

In the end it looks like I will buy a 2007 GSR600 with 16200 km on the clock. Also ticks my other boxes with a pack rack, heated hand grips and a small windscreen. I watched a YouTube clip last night of one hitting the twisties with gusto and it gave me quite an erection.

Ah ok I see. Yeah I was humming and ha'ing over a GSR600 awhile back as a mate was selling his, ended up going for a 1200 Bandit instead.
They're based on a K4 GSXR engine with more usable low down torque, still making 85ish HP at the wheel though, plenty of power to have fun with.
One thing that bothered me a little was that they have very snatchy fuel delivery, so closing and opening the throttle quickly results in a very jerky ride. I guess this is an issue that is easy to ride around by changing how you shift and accelerate, but I didn't like it. Some aftermarket fuel management would probably sort that out though.