ZX6R J1 in comparrison to R6 and GSXR of the same age

[rac3r]

I've been wondering recently why people say the J1 Kwak is an OK first big bike but when you say R6 or GSX R everyone jumps on you and starts saying you'll bin it within 5 minutes and so on. Quite a few people on here have bought either a G or J ZX6R as their first big bike and get on with it well, so why is this? Is the Kwak softer than the others or is it something else?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[McGee]

Well the j1 zx6r is now the zzr 600 here.

Its a good bike rusts easier than a gixxer to.
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[TheDonUK]

Its not soft in my experience, although luke will be along shortly to tell you nothing is as fast as an R6...

A Ninja is the thinking mans sports 600, pleanty capable...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[instigator]

Imo, the zx6r is more practical than the R6 and slightly more so the gsxr I would imagine.

Out of all 3 of them, I would choose: Gsxr, zx6r, r6.

Nothing between the gsxr and zx6r really, I love them both and have had 2 J1's but they can suffer badly from carb icing and the finish isn't as good hence my 2nd preference.

[ram_doom]

I've got an issue of bike magazine from 2001, in which the J1 comes third, in a shootout between the tt600, r6, gsxr srad 600, cbr600 and the zx.

Has the meatiest motor of the lot, and the most room, about as practical as the cbr600, but with more go and track potential. Low speed handling isnt as sharp or precise as some, but the high speed handling is apparently superb.
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TL1000s, KDX200

[rac3r]

So what about as a first big bike? I mean i'm looking at a Duke Monster as my first choice but if I don't find one I like which of the 3 will be best suited?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[G]

[rac3r]

[G]

My personal advice, then would be to get a cheaper monster or SV650 if you're going to keep it restricted. That should give you a better idea of what you want out of a bike in a year or two's time and you'll have a chunk of money that will buy a fair bit more bike, rather than a fair bit less if you had spent it on a bike now.

£3k will let you get a much newer bike, unless that's total budget for everything.

[instigator]

£3k is a LOT.

I find R6's & GSXR's tend to cost the most compared to the ninjas. ZX6R'S are very cheap indeed and great value. You won't need to spend more than £1700 in the current economic climate for a low mileage J1. K1 GSXR's tend to go for £2k-2.4k and aren't, in my opinion, a better bike. I rode a zx6r and k1 gsxr back-to-back and the zx6r was a much smoother ride, broader spread of power and good mid-range. The R6 is supposed to be a good bike but their crap reliability with regards to gearboxes in earlier models makes them a no-no for me. That and the fact that I understand they are very peaky machines.

I bought a J1 with 11k on the clocks back in june 2007 for £1500. That's a lot of money in your back pocket for other bits and pieces you may not have thought about.

[rac3r]

Between the ninja and the monster, the ninja seems to be coming out much better price wise like for 2k I can get a J1 with 10,000 on the clock along with some extras whereas a Monster for the same price is quite a bit older and you have to pay more to get a better one.

So realistically i'm looking to pay nearer 2k and have spare for other stuff.
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[david240968]

I am having the same dilema at the moment. Trying to choose between 2002/2003 r6, k3 gsxr or 2004/2005 zx636r. The zx seems to be about the same price but I get a newer bike. Why and which would you all say is the best choice.

[Mr Nice Guy]

[rac3r]

[fzr]

The price of b1 zx6rs has dropped quite a bit now as everybody wants the latest and greatest you can get one easley for £2500 for a first bike though i would consider a old srad 600 or 750 is the insurance lets you, the 600 still has more than enough power for a newby and the 750's engine is fantastic, they both handle very well as well and parts are now cheap and plentyful, £1500 would get you a mint srad!
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[Mr Nice Guy]

[rac3r]

[stevo as b4]

Agree pretty much with most comments about the J1, but really is the finish worse than a GSXR600? I have never had or even looked that close up at a 2000> GSXR, but the J1 in my eyes was quite classy, with decent paint finish overall except for where it used to rub off on the sides of the tank (easy to fix though!). The exhaust is all stainless, and TBH i'd see it as a slightler less well finished sportier CBR600. It really is good at everything! Get the suspension set up right and jack the back up about 8mm and it really handles too!

I've never been impressed with modern Suzuki's in terms of finish, but if i am wrong thinking the ZX6 is better built and more winter resistant than a GSXR please correct me!

[instigator]

[Knacker]

Just get an SRAD they are made of pure win
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Current: Gsxr 600 Srad - GS125 - DT125
Previous: K1 GSXR 1000

[AngelGrinder]

I've had both, and if your going for a first big bike, I will reccommend the J1, for these reasons -

1. The handling isn't as sharp as the R6, it doesn't feel so ready to tip right in to every corner. While this sounds a bad thing, it can be unnerving, especially if the weather is bad, and it takes a while to get used to - whereas the ZX feels alot less 'sharp' and just inspires confidence.

2.Engine and gearbox I found alot smoother than R6.

3. It's pretty comfortable, and therefore easier to ride slowly/around town

4. Finish seemed fine, mine had been looked after. and I cleaned it frequently - it's fine if your willing to keep it clean.

Out of both, I'd have the R6 again, but if I was getting a first 'big bike' I'd go for the Ninja 100%

HTH
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Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[rac3r]

Reviving my own post here

Thanks for the replies people I've just run some insurance quotes on them all through bike insurer:

TPFT ZX6R J1 = £1619
TPFT GSX R 600 K1 = £1619
TPFT ZX6R A1P = £5628
TPFT Hornet 600 = £1200 ish

The monthly's on the J1 are similar to what i'm paying on the CBR now but the CBR is a 3 month payment where as the J1 is 9 months of payments. So it's most likely going to be the ZX6R but i still need to go and see one in the flesh when i'm ready.

And on the corrosion i'm sure i'll be cleaning it almost every week and it's also garaged which should help.
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[swiftb]

with those prices Id be looking at TPO and making damn sure no Fecker can steal it. Its gonna cost you as much to insure the bike as it is to buy it
Have you tried any TPO quotes??

[rac3r]

[rac3r]

At the moment i'm TPFT on the CBR, can I get a no claims at the end of the year?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636