Sport's 600

[Fnatic]

When I pass my A2 test I'll be looking for a 600. I would like a sports 600 so it's something that I can use for a bit of enjoyment aswell .

The way I'm going at the minute I'll be commuting at least 30 miles a day. Will a sports 600 start on the button 99% of the time if well looked after?

I was looking at SRAD's but if not one of those then an R6.

Will these be usable every day and will the fuel cost be reasonable if I drive sensibly?

Thanks.

[B_A_B]

Mine`s a 6rr but yeah it starts and runs like clockwork.It`s easily useable as a daily commuter aswell as being a total animal when i want it be and a HUGE amount of fun..
The fuel consumption ain`t all that great but it`s not a gas guzzler either..
I`ve not owned any other sports 600s but i can`t see them being much different.The newer models are preferable to the older ones though coz they`re smaller,lighter and with more advanced engines.
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https://www.UK-BODYBUILDING.co.uk

[Seb]

Depends what you want out of it really.

If you just want it as a status symbol, the R6 is it. If your just after a cheap but reasonably full on sports 600, I'd probably lean towards an SRAD or ZX6r.

If you want cheaper to run without throwing away the power or fairings, go take a look at a thundercat or zzr600? As for reliability, the only problems I ever had with my ZZR were down to the awful cheapo consumables the dealer slapped on, it never failed to start on me once, and properly looked after I suspect all the bikes listed here should be the same in this respect.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Mal]

I put 20k miles on my Thundercat last year, only problems I had were my alarm packed up, immobilising the engine until I could get it removed, the original silencer corroded and fell apart where it meets the link pipe and the chain adjustors seized - other than that she's been a dream.

As Seb has said, keep them well looked after and they'll stay dependable.
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Current: 2002 FJR1300, 1999 Thundercat, Previous: 1998 XVS650 Dragstar

"In the end we're all just chalk lines on the concrete - drawn, only to be washed away."

[MaybeGuy]

i've never had the SRAD fail to start for anything other than a fried battery.

average days it starts without choke every day
colder/ranier days it needs a bit of choke.

i think its pretty much the same for any bike.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[lukey]

I use a srad 600 (1997 model) every day for work and its fine, gets around 55 mpg which is great really, currently do around 30miles per day commuting on it. I couldnt imagine going back to a naked bike especially on the motorways where you really notice the benefit of the fairing and double bubble screen compared to my last Varadero which was blustery as hell even at 60mph

It was my first big bike since passing my test a few months back and i still love it, for me it has more presence than the r6 as its more substantial and it feels like your sitting 'in' the bike instead of 'on' it.

Ive only ever had to use the choke when the outside temperature drops below 10 degrees and the ride can be kind of lumpy at cold temperatures
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Honda X11 (CB1100sf)

[The Tot]

Most of the old school 600cc supersports are COMFORTABLE and FAST. Don't discount ZX6R G's (go for an F if your budget is limited to 1200) since the improvements they made on the G make it a far more capable bike.

Because bikes of yore were big and comfy, you can do silly distances in the wet on them and still come home with a smile. You'd be expecting 45mpg + on steady commutes on these bikes.

I've put on 15k on my ZX6R, yes you need to maintain everything ... just because it's a sportsbike doesn't mean that you can also be complacent with maintenance. I didn't check the air filter and had to foot out 250 + labour for a new lump.

My ZX6R's always started on the button and there's very little that can go wrong. Mechanically it's simple and because it's a big bike, everything's easy to access and very roomy. If you're very smart, you can do 160 to the 18L tank (that's not til dry though). On VERY spirited rides down A/B roads, i manage 110 to reserve most times.

If you want a sportsbike for commuting "advanced" commodities are best avoided so less can go wrong.

My shout: ZX6R, Gixxer Srad, Thundercat and even the CBR600F.

Buy on condition and price... mileage is NO issue since these bikes can put on 60k without a fuss, but check for downpipes for rust, warped disks and brake caliper condition as well as suspension. These WILL need replenishing regardless of what bike you choose to get purely because of the age of them.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Fnatic]

Cheers for the detailed replies.

I am looking a SRAD's 97-00 and will probably be the bike I get. Would you recommend buying one with a stock can or sports can?

[MaybeGuy]

[lukey]

[Fnatic]

Yeah I mean will an upgraded can reduce fuel economy?

Will it increase power?

Also do they sound MUCH better?

[Kickstart]

[Mal]

I have a Micron can on the 'Cat - sounds much better (though not too much as the neighbours still haven't complained about me leaving for work at 6-30am), no real noticeable power or fuel economy difference, but there again it's generally not taken to more than about 8k rpm. Only real difference is that cars do tend to move over quicker when I'm coming up behind them on the motorway or when filtering.
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Current: 2002 FJR1300, 1999 Thundercat, Previous: 1998 XVS650 Dragstar

"In the end we're all just chalk lines on the concrete - drawn, only to be washed away."