'One 600 to Rule them All'

[KingKong]

Hi

So, have read a lot of comparison reviews on ZX6R vs CBR vs GSXR vs R6. It appears that the ZX6R seems to always win the conclusion. However, as known, ZX6R gains a lot of power from high revs...

My query is, in your opinion (and preferably experience) if one had a ZX6r, but changed to CBR 600RR or GSXR 600, would that be a step down in power or up?

Basically, which is the KING of the 600 super-sports, please?
____________________
Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

[Frost]

It is totally dependant on what year or years you are talking about. Though one may be down on power compared to the others, a newer version of it would outclass the older versions of the others.
Peak power isn't everything, weight makes a big difference. Power delivery is probably the most important thing on the road as most of the time the bike will be doing between 1-10k rpm. The most powerful bike will therefore probably not be making the most power at these speeds nor will it have the smoothest power delivery. Most reviews of the sports 600's will slate a bike for being half a second slower round a lap. However on that lap the bike will never go below 10k so it's hardly representative of how the bike will perform in the real world. Unless you live on the Isle of Mann and hope to be dead very soon

[KingKong]

Totally bang on the money there, Frost

I think I'm starting to take my sweet machine for granted... Is it true that there's no speed limit on the Isle of Man?

Just a sucker for crazy acceleration/torque

Happy 2012 all
____________________
Kwak 636 (2005)

Past - 2016 Ninja 300 (dark grey); K4 GSXR 600 (sexy yellow); 2002 CBR600FS; 2004 GSXR 1000; 2006 Kwak 636; 2005 Yamaha XVS 1100 Dragstar (facepalm); 2005 Kwak 636; 2011 Yamaha R125.

[MarJay]

1, 2, 3 or 5 bhp here or there makes absolutely no difference. You may as well pick one on colour as they are all so similar these days.

My advice is if you're going to buy one, buy the one you like the best. If you aren't, stop looking for answers to impossible questions.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Frost]

I'd buy the CBR or R6 as I've had good experiences of both honda and yam build quality.

[yambabe]

Why are you discounting all the other 600s that aren't necessarily supersports?

It's not all about the acceleration or the top speed you know.....
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[KingKong]

[Frost]

But if a bike is 2mph faster, then you can cover 2 miles MORE for every hour you own the bike. So if you keep the bike for a year then that's like thousands of miles! If you buy a bike with a top speed of 150mph, you're gonna look like such a dick when someone overtakes you going 155. The opposite sex will be incapable of taking your seriously from that day on.

[fatpies]

Gotta be the CBR600F 2002-2004 or the ZXR6J2. Both bikes can do absolutely anything you ask of them, tour, lose your licence, go round a track quickly. Outrun any car etc etc. While being reasonably comfy.
____________________
"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[G]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Frost]

[G]

[kestrel]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[UnspeedySam]

Whilst I don't want to sound like anyone's mother, I definitely agree that as a new rider you really need to watch how you are riding on the road. Especially at this time of year. It is easy enough to get caught out when riding sensibly, let alone riding a 600 at the redline.

I also agree about the J model ZX6Rs. My best mate has a J2 and whilst more 'sporty' than my ZZR he had no issues on our 2000 mile europe tour this past summer. It is as happy at 30 in the town, as it is on a motorway, as it is on a track day. Fantastic all round bike. I hear similar things about the 'old' CBR600F but don't know anyone with one to have an opinion.

To the OP: If you learn how to ride fast and well you will find you are going similar speeds on any 600 sports bike of the last decade. The real question is whether you just want your bike for riding dangerously fast at the weekends or if you want a bike that will also be good for a bit of touring or anything else you want to throw at it. That is the real differentiating factor between the 600s in my opinion; usability.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Bendy]

Get the one you feel coolest telling your friends you own.

[G]

Comparing say a 2004 ZX6 with a 2005 CBR-RR - I'd say the ZX6 was faster in a straight line and pretty sure it would also win on the 'handling' stakes.

However stick a lot of riders on both and they'll go faster on the CBR because it has a very 'encouraging' feel (and then a lack of feedback at the limit on 014s, I found ).
While the ZX6 is harsher, having to be 'muscled' around a bit more and giving the impression it will bite back more easily (even if in reality it's better on the limit.)
I'd enjoy riding the ZX6 more, but quite likely may still be faster on the CBR.

There's actually very little in it.
So, I still say if you really want a fast 600 - get a 750. However, even then, quarter mile times will only be very slightly different for the experienced rider - certainly when compared to the wide range of other vehicles on the road.

It's like taking this:
https://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/upload/2011/09/the_color_of_space/Visible%2520spectrum.jpeg
And deliberating over which aqua colour was best - when any will be pretty distinct compared to the rest, but very similar to the other ones you are choosing.

[robbieguy2003]

If you've not had your license long and your looking at a sports 600 i'd say look at either a CBR 600F, not the RR or a Kawa ZZR.

The new breed are very different bikes in comparison, i've rode most of the CBR600s including the F2, F3 and the F4i, the F2/3 are good, the F4i I think is like a 'bridge' to the RR but for a first big bike I wouldn't say many of the newer 600s are friendly at all.

The RR7 is very 'flicky', it turns in very quickly and because of this it doesn't feel as 'planted' at speed (i.e. 80/90mph+) as other bikes i've rode.

In terms of whats faster, on a typical bumble around I reckon I can cover more distance quicker on my 1250 than I can on the 600.

I have a friend with a ZX6 and we ride at a similar'ish speed. Ones faster than the other depending on who's mentally on it that day (note rider, not bike). However, on the 1250, with my other half on the back, with panniers and a topbox and in the rain on A roads/motorway he struggled to keep up at some points.

On the 600 it'd have been a different story. The reason the 1250 was 'quicker' was down to it having tons of low-down torque meaning at <5K RPM it still pulled like a train. It also had much softer suspension that while giving less feedback gives more confidence to a mere mortal like myself that isn't pushing for a track record. Also, a modern sports 6 on a bumpy B road? If you're going to maintain a reasonable pace - i'm not talking about speeding either, just maintaining NSL and maybe +10/20mph then be prepared for it to 'move' about a bit.

However, the above is quite negative, on the plus side, if you like an 80mph first gear and 110mph in second and you enjoy revving an engine then it maybe for you. The controls (brakes/throttle) are much much sharper so learning the limits is a lot of fun. On the right road on the right day with the right conditions (weather, traffic etc) then a sports 600 is tons of fun.

What I've been finding over the last few years is that those conditions where you can have reasonable safety, reasonable being a nice bit of road with minimal junctions, or at least visible junctions, not much traffic and reasonably grippy tarmac are becoming far and far more limited.

Make your choice but try and think of some practicality as well, i know it's hard to but think of luggage or a pillion, might not make sense now but in a year when you get a few mates and go on days out and want to buy something but have no-where to put it, or store your leather jacket when your on a 25-30c day out and don't want to carry it about. It's not just the bike that makes biking fun, having some practical elements can be ace as well. I'm finding those now with the 1250 and wish I'd found them years ago.

However, I will not give up my 600 because I love riding the thing, for that moment when it's the right day, right conditions, it's worth keeping just for that.
____________________
Current Bikes: Honda CBR 600RR - '07, Suzuki GSX1250 FA ST '11
Old Bikes: Suzuki Intruder 125 LC - '2001, Honda CBR 600F - '92, Honda CBR 600RR - '03

[Shaane]

I've got a 636 and I have friends with both CBR600RR5 and a K7 600, I've rode all 3 and non really do much more than the other. Like already said my Kwak gives me a bit more grunt than the others further up the rev range but unless your going to be racing it i can't imagine it will make massive differance.
____________________
EMRA Roadstock #92 - Paperwork Permitted.
Previous: 1992 DT125R
Current: ~ 2005 ZX6R C1H

[Dilyan]

Just a couple of suggestions:
1. Make a poll
2. Change the topic to sport/supersport 600 etc etc as you're obviously not keen on, let's say Hornet, XJ, etc

And this discussion has been done to death. Nobody wins.
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[bunglebubs]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Kickstart]

[Souleh]

For the road, any of the big 4 are grand and it will be more down the rider than anything else to make the difference.

Different bikes ride differently so its better to find something to suit your needs and that youre confident on, this is key.