Old vs New performance

[TheGazWaz]

To cut a long one short, I past my bike test nearly two years ago and bought myself an RF600 which I really enjoy. Looking for something newer now and as I’ve not had anything to compare with my RF6 I haven’t a clue about what difference, if any, to expect.

My RF6 is a 1997. They’re a heavy bike but spec at 100bhp. Never had it on a Dyno but I suspect a good few of those horses are lost at back wheel plus age. It’s a quick bike once you know how to ride it properly.

If I bought say a 5 year old CBR 6 would I notice much difference in performance compared to my older RF6. I don’t want anything too sporty but it needs to be as quick as my bike.

[MarJay]

RF600 won't be 100bhp. I think 86bhp is more likely. A 5 year old CBR600RR would be massively quicker than the RF.
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[stevo as b4]

Yeah new for old a modern 600cc sprotsbike should be a lot different and quicker too, than a 97 600cc sportsbike, which is slightly pushing the definition of an RF anyway.

I think up until around 02/03 we were used of seeing 100bhp r/w and dry weights of 165-175kg in a sportsbike. But I think weight loss tailed off a few years later, and in the mass centralisation era we're now back to 170kg+ bikes?

Power well being 599cc torque has not really risen much if at all from 45-50ib/ft, but instead of a peak at 9000-10000rpm, it's probably more like 12000-12500? Power I believe in the post 2010> bikes has broken the 125bhp r/w barrier, and a very fit and far too focused IMO todays 600 will have nearer 140bhp at the crank.

I don't think gearing has been reduced massively if at all, and peak power speeds are 13000-14000rpm, so low down say bang the throttle open wide at 5-6k and you won't get a good strong pull, like a late 90's well carburated 600ccwould have, but that's my opinion based on the way engine development has been going: i.e more suited to supersport out of the box racing.

[Fowlersrs]

What I found with newer bikes is you tend to get, lighter, better handling due to the weight difference and much better brakes..

If I compare my daytona 675 to that of my gsxr 750 srad and speed four I've had in the past the daytona is soooo much lighter and faster, much more nimble and the brakes inspire soo much confidence as you get good stopping power

[chickenstrip]

[TheGazWaz]

Yeh... the RF600 is classed a sports tourer so I expect in it's day it was quite sporty.

I've been looking at the RF900 but heard a few stories that a modern day 600 will blow that away which prompted me to start this thread.

TBH, when I'm in the right gear at the right revs my RF6 can put a brown lump in my pants so I wouldn't want anything crazily quicker. I couldn't think of why anyone would but I would like something that will sit easy at 80 for long journeys. My RF6 will sit at 80 all day but it's not very comfortable if you know what I mean.

[el_oso]

depends what you are going to use it for. My next bike is seriously looking like a street triple.

The trouble with sporty 600's is that they are way to revvy for my personal taste. That's fine if you're blasting around country roads all the time. Just not so fun around town.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Suspect the biggest difference you would find would be weight. The RF wasn't ever really a sports bike nor light weight (think they are a claimed 429 pounds dry weight).

Power probably is that different. Lose a bit of peak power. Gain some flexibility.

All the best

Keith
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[Alex A]

[Old Git Racing]

For me the biggest difference is weight and wieght distribution. On modern sports bikes you ride them predominantly on the front wheel because thats what you need to win races. Front end feel is everything. Older bikes like the RF (good bike) were ridden from the back. You used to use 2 fronts to 1 back tyre on sports bikes, that doesn't happen now IMO.

OGR
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[Slacker24seve...]

[c-m]

[cheeseman]

[chris-red]

I thought the RF was a bandit in a Skirt?
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[Copycat73]

buyin the Honda will save a fortune on fuel ..
iirc the rf600 had worse fuel consumption than the rf900 ..
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[Snowdonia Rider]

[Alpha-9]

Old bikes piss me off now. Fuck them.
Every fucking thing is rusted or been fucked with at some stage. The more I take apart the more I find wrong.

Fuck them.
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[MCN.]

[Kickstart]

[Snowdonia Rider]