GPZ500s > fazer/r6/cbr6f

[Simple]

My restriction is up in 3 weeks, I'll be keeping the gpz derestricted long enough to do atleast one track day on it.

In the mean time I'd like to take advantage of winter prices.
I'm keen on the 2003/2003 fazer, if I can't find a nice one for sub 2k I'll turn my attentions to the 03 onwards r6's and cbr6f's

anyone here gone from gpz to any of the above?
How do they compare?
gpz is comfy, legs get a little cramped, it's uber economical, bt45's only last 6000miles so sports tyres wouldn't be all that different wear wise, cost is higher though, right?

share your wisdome!
Thanks Simple
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Whosthedaddy]

From your little list, I'd personally have the CBR.
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[0ddball]

Running costs aren't much more than the gpz but i find i'm getting through a rear tyre in 3000 miles. The good news is there are plenty of race scrubs on offer for around £25 a pop which is a big money saver.

[Simple]

[Simple]

[Whosthedaddy]

[extreme3d]

A fazer will be cheaper to insure, service, run and you will be able to get a newer bike for the same money as an older R6 and certainly cbr (Honda's hold their value better).

However unless you specifically want an upright riding position and/or an everyday tool, of which features the Fazer will excel at, I would go for an R6/cbr. Whilst the fazer is a bit more powerful, it's not really any more of a step up when you consider it's suspension and handling etc over a gpz.

[Simple]

Fair enough, something that bothers me about the fazer 02/03 model is it ran for 2 years.. so parts arn't going to be plentiful..especially tanks and nose cones, they're rare enough on a bike that ran from 94-02

which cbr6 do you have exactly? I sat on a current one, it felt obese, I like the way the gpz can nip through little gaps in traffic.

I'm not changing bike for the power really, I've had the gpz for 15500miles and I feel like I know it too well, tis time for a change.

I've just started looking at the hornet as well, with the nose cone. though they seem to comand similar prices to the cbr's..

perhaps the r6 is to be saved for when I have a car or can run two bikes, to keep the mileage and shite off it, save my wrists too?

keep the replies coming folks
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Pte1643]

The CBR would probably be the most similar to your current GPz.

CBR = Nice and comfy, good performance, not too un-reasonable economy.

R6 = Wrists down arse up, Full-On Supersports. Superb while playing, but soon get weighty on the wrists round town.

Fazer = Half faired "Budget" bike. Comfortable enough, with reasonable economy and performance. But not top of the class. If I were looking at the Fazer, I'd buy a Hornet instead.

Oh... Hang On... I did.

[Simple]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Was in a very similar position recently before my circumstances changed meaning I'm not getting a newer bike, I only looked at the CBR and Fazer though. For the riding I do, mainly commuting on motorway's and dual carriageways with some city riding the Fazer was the best bet.

You can find the bike your after within £2.5k, but under £2k is pushing it. They hold their value and you won't find many second hand as they get run into the ground, the ones you will are generally very good condition due to the type of owners.

Comfort is alot better on the Fazer than the GPZ, and there is a bit more leg-room on the CBR than the GPZ, but not much. The Fazer is a fair bit slimmer and would be far more suited to filtering. Both are obviously going to be quicker, not ridden a CBR. The Fazer is alot better in term's of ride quality, manouverability and speed to the GPZ. You do notice that there is almost two decades between the design of them. None of that very vague feeling the GPZ gives on high speed corners, for my bike at least. The Fazer will also do over 200 miles to a tank if you want, unsure whether the CBR will, fairly sure you wouldnt want to on the R6.

I've got fed up with the small lower fairing on the GPZ so would have preffered the ease of use for servicing that the Fazer offers. I don't have lot's of time to service my bike, so getting major jobs done in less than a day is necessary.

I can't see me going any faster on the CBR than the Fazer, and would prefer the more upright riding position, so I'd take the Fazer, in fact I almost did.

[Pte1643]

[Simple]

Fair enough, but anything newer than 2002 is out of my budget

still thinking 03 fazer, sub2k, 10000miles or less,

the belly pan isn't an issue, the GPZ one is annoying when trying to do a service but it keeps my feet from getting cold (tis true!)
I'd be getting one for the fazer if I purchase said bike as I think it finishes the bike off.
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Pte1643]

[Simple]

too heavy and pig ugly... prefer the look of the gpz over it.

not overly keen on fully faired bikes..
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Pte1643]

[Simple]

[Pte1643]

A mate of mine had an R6 (amoung many others) a while back.

I rode it loads of times and found it to be one of the best bikes I've ridden.
The judging criteria being...

Performance, Flickability, Smoothness, size, did I mention Performance?

But the comfort level wasn't too good, and i found that although the physical size of it was tiny, the seat height off the floor was quite tall, this maybe a consideration you need to take into account. You need a reasonable length leg to reach the floor, but once on the move you could do with short legs to fit it comfortably.

[Simple]

leg length isnt usually an issue, more to do with the weight of the bike...
I can touch the floor on most bikes, I'm completely flat foot both side on the gpz, I'm just not very strong, so If the wind is strong I struggle to hold the gpz never mind anything bigger or higher, which is why I'm not soo keen on fully faired bikes, that accompanied with servicing,

so look like, if I deres the gpz in a few weeks and like it I could go for a newer GPZ..big mayb, or an older fazer, my ideal being a 2003 fazer though.

Unless anyone else has got anything else to throw in, thanks boys

Simple
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[Simple]

I fully intend on riding the GPZ derestricted and doing a track day on it, but I'd also like a new toy, just a little bored. I think I'm better off selling my one with the FI kit even if I like it derestricted and then buying a newer one (maybe a twin disc one) as the kit is useless to me and may add value/make it saleable.

I'm interested in buying now to take advantage of lower prices,

give my self 2 options, I can then either sell the GPZ and keep the fazer/otherbike or keep the gpz a little longer and sell the other bike/fazer when prices ar a little higher...

although the GPZ annoys the hell out of me the way it has it's mind set on rusting into a pile of filings and the frame thats made of cheese which wallows at 95mph on corners.
That's all overcome by my 55mpg hooning, my ease of mainenance and the 'I've just been shown up by a shitty commuter look' from sportsbike riders is invaluable... we'll see.

So why did you not get the fazer in the end? was it an 02/03 one you were after? purely a money thing?

Thanks
Simple
____________________
Insta - FemFeral

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

I will not have the opportunity or money to ride a motorbike from the end of this year onwards so decided not to bother getting a newer bike. Yes it was an 02/03 bike. Go around dealers and you will see they don't have many in stock. Quite a sort after bike and owners hold onto them as mentioned.

Doing fast sweeping corner's even only lent over a bit at 100+ as mentioned is interesting to say the least, putting your weight to the inside front of the bike helps, although it will still weave a bit. Don't push it too far as it WILL begin to wobble/go into a tank slapper.

I've had two on mine, though one was whilst jumping a small bridge.

In your position I'd get a new bike or just keep the GPZ. Getting a twin disc won't sort the handling problem's. If you wish to do that I beleive a jack up kit may work as the bike is too reward heavy.

Also you are getting through tyres very quickly, particularly for a restricted bike. Are you sure your tyres are actually worn? The amount of people that throw away tyres which arent completely worn is unbeleivable. If it isnt down to the wear markers then it's fine to use.

De-restrict the GPZ and see what you think of it. If you intend to go fast you will be amazed how many people arent willing to get on the throttle/cant use thier gears correctly on sports bikes. Keep the bike in the right gear and just pin the throttle on the GPZ and you will be surprise how fast it will go when de-restricted.

EDIT: The only reason I would take an 02-03 over an earlier bike was due to looks. I'm not fussed by that now, so I'd take a look at earlier cosmetically tatty bike's personally.

[Simple]