Dip my toe into the 21st Century?

[craigs23]

To spice up my daily biking?

I can't really change my route to work each day, not at this time of year. The alternative roads either take too long (and I already get up at half 6, and often do overtime), or are poorly serviced/unlit - not a route I'd honestly want to take with the winter round the corner.

I've been reading through some of the comments in the FUN thread - there's a few I agree with my current steed - filtering.....erm,





filtering past other commuter traffic's quite fun, I guess

but that's about it. Most of the time I just want to get home. The notion of being on the bike doesn't really captivate me as it used to. I need something that does.

I have recently tested a Speed Triple, but after a bit of thought, I don't really want to spend that much money on a bike. I've got other long term commitments to consider, and plan for, plus other interests (surprising as it may seem). And that's before I start discussing the build quality of that 9 month old bike...

So, I need something that stirs me a bit more than the Hornet. It's a good bike, but that's about all it does for me. Does exactly what it says on the tin, but nothing really more. I had considered another RVF, and still do, as I (and probably 75% of the forum) know that I like them.

A lot.

But I can't just live in that little bubble and I have an NC30 to look forward to when the weather's right. I think I need some variation, something fresh, something I haven't tried before. Possibly, deep breath now.....something not made by Honda.....

I didn't think I'll have considered one before, but I think I've widdled the choice between:

An early R6, pre 2004 because that's the ones I prefer the looks/attitude of.

A K4 GSXR600. Don't like any others really, but I could be swayed by a K2 if one came up at good money/not in blue and white.

The R6 will be cheaper, I expect slightly better finished (pretty stylish from what I remember), but the Suzuki sounds better as stock, plus, arguably, provides a better road-based bike.

So, the juries out. I'm going to read some reviews, look online for a few examples, maybe even test a couple.

Just wondered if you could add your opinions, not just a statement of which model (that means you too McGee ), but also, if you could, why you would buy one over the other.

I'm gonna try and grow myself some attitude.

Hazaar

[McGee]

I recommend the GSXR.

And not because I own one but because its the better road bike.

It's light weight (lighter than all the six's of the year.)

Obviously the kwak of the year beat it on power with its extra cc but its still not a weak bike stick a can on it and a pcIII and you will easily push 110 at the wheel.

Stock sound wise the bike is evil, the can is loud in the higher rev range and the induction noise is just godly.

Also the handling is spot on.

Also in my opinion its one of the sexiest looking GSXR's.

And you can ride it like a nutter and it loves you for it.

And finish wise modern Suzuki's are up with Honda and the like look after them like you would any bike and they last.

None of my Suzuki's have ever had rust on them or any thing.

Plus the GSXR's engine takes any abuse thrown at it.
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◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
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Its pronounced Jixxer!

[Misc]

I'd like to say R6 but because of there common gearbox problem, i'd go for Suzuki. You don't really hear many bad story's about them.

[Type_Mo]

GSXR FTW

and not only cos i got one
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- Typhoon ?0 - Yamaha DT125R - Aprilia SR125 - Yamaha DT125R - Honda Hornet 600 -

[quacker_boy]

[McGee]

[craigs23]

Right, Dad will never speak to me again, but on Saturday, I'm off to see:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/media.jpg

Really like the neo-retro looks, feel some Sheene number 7s wouldn't go amiss either.

[Dalemac]

go for it craig!

r6 or gix6...would love wither.

however i would preffer a 636 or a daytona 675 persionally!
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[_Will_]

Don't be a gix sellout
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[craigs23]

[TUG]

[St0rmer66]

[craigs23]

A test is the only real way to find out. All booked up for Saturday morning...

I find that modern bike's build quality is all pretty comparible - even Honda's CB6RRs and Blades aren't a patch on how they used to be. The only bikes that stand out are BMWs or posh Yamahas (MT-01s), Harleys, etc - from what I can tell of course.

No doubt I'll be the usual sceptic when it comes to analysing the model - but I'm going with a clear head, hopefully not biased from random opinions from bikes I've never owned before.

[D O G]

I predict that your NC30 will get much use after you by a sports 600. Which is probably just as well!

Thing is, since the you want it primarily for commuting, I don't really understand why you want a sports 600? I know you say you want it to be fun and involving, but such a bike is not that fun for commuting - I just feel I'm not using its potential when I trundle into work.

IMO the only time you're going to get fun out of a sports 600 is when you take it out for a nice ride, for fun. I guess that's what you have the NC30 for.

Why don't you try and go to the opposite of what you have sitting in your garage now, and get a hack. It won't be fast, but it'll be doing what you need it to, won't cost an a lot in maintenance (£140 rear tyres anyone), and you will be taking it nearer to its limits more often - and that is surely when the fun part comes in?

Just my thoughts

EDIT: Should have never got rid of the CB-1 really, was perfect for your needs.

[craigs23]

I'd like a bike first, a commuting tool second.

Recently, I had been questioning where my priorities lay. For me, a second bike should be reliable and dependable, but not compromised by feeling boring to ride - afterall, it is the bike that I spend 85% of my biking time riding. I'm not saying the Hornet is a dull bike, a majority of owners seem to think the opposite, but I can't bond with the thing at all. The shortfalls of the bike's design then change from character traits to irritants, irritants, lead to complaints, complaints question why I bought the thing in the first place.

The CB1 was sold on because I don't think I would have enjoyed my lengthened commute on it. I would have eventually grown frustrated by its buzzy engine and cramped riding position. The Hornet replaced it, feeling a lot more capable for the longer miles, but somewhat not as inspiring to ride on a daily basis.

I'm in the market to find a bike that captivates both ends of that spectrum - whilst also being something to enjoy working on and riding at the weekend. If the last year's anything to go by, riding conditions for the NC30 will be on the rare side....

[Wave2k]

The people ive know that have had early R6's have had stuff go wrong with em, thats enough to put me off them, that and there ugly as f*ck.
Gixxer all the way.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Jack_Cheese]

I'm disappointed Go for something a little more obscure. Everybody knows somebody who owns a Gixxer...

What about a 748?

Jack
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www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[lilredmachine]

I'm in agreement. You can't have a Gixxer. You always have things other people aspire to own, whether that be from insane amounts of polishing, rarity (ala blade) or a combination of both. You are always different.

Thought about maybe a KTM duke? Something like that?
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Bikes: too many, too much for one man to maintain anyway.

[colin1]

id suggest splitting your budget, and getting a comfy commuter, and something fun for the weekend
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Fahd]

R6 looks way sexier in my opinion, it also has the whole flash factor which I don't really think the GSXR has (e.g "I have an R6 just sounds so much more amazing than I have a GSXR ).
R6 F.T.W!

[Syx]

[Fawbish]

[_Will_]

[garth]

Buy my k1. 'gwan.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[craigs23]