Next Bike?

[extreme3d]

Ok... I'm probably going to open a can of worms here, but I want some advice on what to get next. As some of you who know me outside of this forum (I only joined it today ) I've recently had a crash in which my much loved GPz500sm was left looking very sorry for itself. Nothing new I'm afraid, a car just pulled out in front of me and next thing I knew I was lying on my back looking at the stars.....

Thankfully the car's crumple zones and my leathers did their job so neither of us was hurt.

Sooooooo sport's 600s... Now, I've had done quite a lot of homework on this subject already and have pretty much narrowed it down to 4 bikes:

Kawasaki zzr600
Honda cbr600f
Yamaha Thundercat
Kawasaki zx6r (2001/2002 636cc version (the one with the ram air duct under the headlamp NOT the lastest 2003+ triangular headlamp track tools)

I do a fair bit of commuting on fast A roads and would consider myself to be a fairly fast (read: reckless!) rider yet I value comfort and being cramped onto a small bike like the gsxr600 is not my cup of tea!

I've got a budget of £4000 (not inc insurance) so bikes from around 2002 fall into that bracket. ultimately all of these bikes have one thing in common and thats group 14 insurance. Any higher and insurance starts to hurt .....its my own fault for rolling my car 3 years back and at age 22 its bad enough already

So far I've only sat on the zzr600 and cbr600f. The zzr was without a doubt the most comfy and the low seat height was very welcome. The cbr looks 'sharper' but the screen is not so big. As to the rest I would welcome replys on how others get on with them???

Also I would welcome any other sugestions on bikes that I've overlooked and perhaps should consider?

[Ste]

With that budget I'd be considering the ZX6R (and ZX6RR), CBR600 & CBR600RR, GSXR750, GSXR600 and R6. I'd get test rides on them all and decide from there.

Used to have a J2 ZX6R and got on well with it. Things like the screen not (looking) big enough can be found out in a test ride and if necessary you can change it for a double bubble screen.

Basically, get test rides.

[stinkwheel]

For something different, why not have a look at the Yam TRX850?

Don't know what they are like for insurance though.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Fire_Eyes]

I currently ride a zzr400, I don't know if this is a large number or not but I did 150km on it a few days ago and didn't feel anything. It's a very comfy bike and I'm thinking that the 600 should be fast enough. The only thing I don't like about it is it's looks. It's a sport tourer by the way that's why it's real comfy.
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Kawasaki ZZR 400 | K5 GSX-R 600

[CBRPETER]

I really don't rate the ZX-6r's at all, if i were to give my unbiast opinion i would have to say and R-6 or a GSXR 750 should do well, you really shouldnt feel cramped on a gsxr 600, well im about 6'3 and i fit comfortably on a gsxr 750 and an R6 so they would be a good choice, though as ste said test rides are the key.
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Shes my life, shes so rad and shes the best ride i ever had!!

[mthorburn]

I own a Thundercat and I feel it's everything you need!

It's one of the most comfortable 600 sports and can shift!

I got mine with 4.5k miles on the clock, 2000 W reg mint condition for £3300. I'm 21 and passed my test in July and got TPFT insurance for £360 - Carole Nash.

Cheers
Mat

[Bendy]

There's not gonna be a lot between the CBR, the ZXR and the 'cat in the real world (the ZZR is a bit different, more tourer than sports) so really it comes down to which of the three is comfiest / prettiest / has the best deal on it / you just *like* best.

Performance terms, the 636 should be a teeny bit quicker due to the bigger engine, then the CBR and then the 'cat but there's more to life than numbers on a bit of paper.

I always maintain that there's really bog all difference between all the 600s and you should just get the one you like best.

[gsxrboy]

[hustler]

[BLOFLY 636]

[mr.z]

A mate of mine had a zzr400 (exactly the same, even the engine, just smaller bore, carbs, cdi)
Exelent tourer, fast enough to frighten yourself, beware the gearbox.. it is a sports tourer though, it will be faster/better handleing than the gpz, and probably as comfy, but running costs will be a bit higher...

He now has a zxr400 - not really great for touring, but handles very well and will loose you your licence easy enough.

Like the cbr the thunder cat will do everything, cept theres less of them, thats the only fault of the cbr imo is theres too many, like bandits, shouldn't bother a non tart, but anyone geting a sports bike for anything appart from the performance and handleing then....

Try lots, try sitting on more, ask arround, try to find common faults and parts prices to find out what your getting into!

Good luck
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Bendy]