Opinions on a 33bhp R6's performance - incl downgearing

[M1ghtyDUck]

Hi there. As you may know I may be running into some insurance settlement money soon. I'm 18, and I've been thinking about getting an R6. I had another topic all about the finances and sensibleness (that a word? sense maybe..) of doing it, and you were all very helpful.

I did lots of searching, but most of the topics were about insurance, or wondering if some 17 would kill himself, and things of that nature. That's all been taken care of in the other thread, this is just for me to gauge the performance of a 33bhp R6 as well as possible, in particular vs a 33bhp ZXR400.

Bear in mind that I'm coming from an NSR125 as my last bike (currently on a YBR125! Courtesy bike) which wasn't even derestricted (so 12.8hbp). I did find that I could very easily handle the NSRs power, and was begging for more whenever I had to overtake.

So, what would a 33bhp R6 be like? When compared to an 12.8 NSR125, or a 33bhp ZXR400 (which is the other option). I've got 2 years to wait till I could de-restrict either. Would the R6 lag behind a ZXR400 with 33bhp a lot due to making peak power at higher revs?

In the other topic, G (who was very helpful, thanks) also mentioned downgearing. As I understand it, the R6 is geared highly because it has enough power to do so. With only 33bhp however, its geared too highly, meaning that the top end of the gearing wont even be reached before the power runs out. So this would mean that I could downgear it through teeth number changes on the sprockets to improve the acceleration, without losing any top speed (because I couldn't reach the top speed anyway). This is correct? And is that something people would recommend to counteract some of the R6s incompatibility with 33bhp?

Basically, I just want to know as much as possible about what a 33bhp R6 is like, and also when compared to a ZXR400 at 33bhp. That will help me immeasurably to make my decision.

So, any opinions? Experience (direct or indirect, know a mate with one?) would be very handy.

Thanks

[Fawbish]

I rode a 33bhp zx6r for 6 months.

If you're on about a carbed R6 (1999-2003) I cant see it being much different to me Kwak.


For now, I wouldnt worry about downgearing, just forget about it. If you really do wanna do it, I'd think about it after you've sampled the bog standard R6 at 33bhp. Even though more experienced people like G etc may find the bike dog slow and crap, you may find you're ok with it. So dont get ahead of yerself

As for performance, 33bhp isnt that much admittedly, but definately enough for the first few months, in my opinion. It revved well enough up to about 9k, then just drops off and doesnt rev any more.

It aint gonna pull your arms off, but you dont need it to until you're used to the weight and handling, I reckon.

The R6 is a nice bike, and it wont take fantastically to restriction, but why the hell would it, its meant to do 160mph.

But you'll get 100-110 out of it with standard gearing, no problems, and it will still do 0-60 in about 5/6 seconds, so dont worry.


I was just fucking buzzing about being on a big bike, and I didnt notice the lack of power until I had got used to the bike as a whole. Hence after 6 months, my restrictors fell out



Id recommend the R6 over the zxr4, as you're gonna have a newer (generally speaking) and better (again, as circumstance would dictate) package at the end of the restriction, but you also gotta take your own wants into account and not just do what people off here that waffle on(like moi ) say to do. Sit on both, see how you feel. If you have a hankering for a zxr, forget the advice and get one, it wont be massively different under restriction, and youve got a bike you want. Same for the R6, you want it? Get it.

A 33bhp R6 will feel faster than a 12.6 NSR mate. I had an NSR and an XR, so I know what the transition feels like.


Other people have jumped from a 4bhp 50cc to a 100bhp 600 or more and been comfortable and safe, so really its quite an individual thing.

Remember, you might think right now, the R6 at 33bhp will only do a 100mph.....but its perfectly capable of 90mph corners


Hope this helped mate
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[Kickstart]

Hi

Realistically no consistant difference in performance between the R6 and the ZXR. Probably more difference between 2 different ways of restricting them. Both are fairly high revving, and so both will have comparatively low gearing. And you can sit in a lower gear anyway.

There is no real way to know have 2 different bikes will react gearing wise when you screw around with the power delivery. Some bikes have their part throttle power delivery quite closely follow their full throttle delivery, others are quite different.

Personally I would prefer to go for something smaller which either doesn't need restricting or only needs a small amount of restriction. Rather than something that, whatever you do with you right hand, realistically isn't going beyond ~1/4 throttle.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Seb]

Planning on keeping those restrictors in? Might be worth looking at a less thrashy bike. Bikes like the newer shape fully faired SV650s or ER6-F will give you the same speed and newer sharper looks with much cheaper running costs. Only thing you'll loose really is the R6 badge itself
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[M1ghtyDUck]

Fawbish, that's a really really helpful post. It's given me quite a bit to think about, thanks a lot. The only thing I'd ask you is a bit more information on what your ZX6R was like while it was restricted? Performance, any stories you have of drag racing at the lights what motorways were like. That sort of thing.

Kickstart, again helpful thanks. You've got me thinking again about getting some (much smaller) like a derestricted NSR125 or something to save money, and wait a year or 2 for my R6. The only thing is that an NSR125 isn't all that much cheaper than an early R6, as I'd want it in good enough nick not to fall apart on the motorway. Other thing is I'm not sure if I'd like to be stuck on a smaller bike for another year or more.. but then its performance would probably be almost up to par with a 33bhp ZXR or R6 anyway, though may struggle on the motorway.. hmm decisions.

Seb, I am planning on keeping the restrictors in. I just don't want to shit myself everytime I see a bike copper that just might know his stuff and be having a bad day. Your suggestions are sound, but they're just not what I'm after. I couldn't fall in love with an SV650 or an ER6-F (besides a new model fully faired SV650s is getting well on the way to R6 prices anyway! though I've heard it likes restriction better. In any case it's not what I'm after). Thanks though.

[Fawbish]

Well I dont have many stories as such to be honest mate.


Kneedown on a roundabout on 33bhp


I did 500 miles in a day at 33bhp, was manageable deffo, cruising at 80/90 (which realistically, you arent gonna be "cruising" at much more than that anyways) is perfect, you still have a bit of grunt around 70mph for quick speed changes up to 80/90, so motorways are well possible. The only thing I'd suggest there is that the R6 may be a bit uncomfortable for long distances, my zx6r ('99 carbed, btw) is really comfy for me to be honest, but not sure on an R6, havent ridden one properly.


I found the power very good when you're first jumping up to it, manageable but exciting. Cornering was a blast to get used to, but i feel much more confident cornering when you have 90 odd bhp on tap might just be me like.


Drag racing at the lights....well it out-accelerated all my friends cars but thats nowt special. Its plenty quick enough from the off deffo. You'll appreciate the difference when you go full power though

Also, big noticeable difference....I didnt go through as many tyres at 33bhp!!!!!
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"Oh....it looks like Average Joe's is forfeiting the match!" - "Yeah, its a risky strategy but lets see if it pays off for 'em Cotton."

[woo]

dude just get the R6 if you can afford it!
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Fawbish]

[woo]

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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[hard_on]

my mate did his two years on his r6 at 33bhp and got it derestricted about 3 months after he get it its just like riding my old r6 i had just not the pulling power but apart from that it was a r6 all the way thro

[Ghost]

I've had to restrict my ZXR 400 to 33 bhp and now it's totally gutless, no pull at all and dog slow really dissapointed was hoping it would at least feel quicker than my car