R1 to R6

[andrew]

Right, I’m currently deciding whether I should get rid of my R1 and get something a little more sensible like an R6. The problem with the R1 comes down to running cost and insurance.

In case you don't know, I have a 2000 'W' reg R1 with 14k on the clock, it is in mint condition and I’ve seen similar ones go for £3800+. I’ve been looking and 1999+ R6's with similar mileage go for around £1000 less than the R1, I know some are more expensive but generally they're around a thousand less. Have I got much chance of finding an R6 owner willing to exchange his bike for mine plus some cash? Where is the best place to advertise for this?

The R6 is £1000 less to insure for me so it is really tempting because instead of paying for insurance, I’ll be able to spend my money on more important things like leathers etc...

Here is my dilemma, I rode to work today and loved every minute of it, touch the throttle and it bites your head off, obviously the R6 is going to be slower but is it going to be that much slower that I’ll be wishing I never got rid of the R1?

I'm looking for the opinion of someone who has ridden both or has a decent amount of experience on a 600cc bike, because I haven't really ridden a 600cc bike long enough to form an opinion on them.

Please, please, please give me some advice as I'm tearing out the little hear I have here.

Thanks for listening, any advice/suggestions welcome.

[.....]

Go to a dealer and tell them your plans and get a test ride

[andrew]

I would love to but when I was young and stupid (not that much different now), I gave a friend a lift with L-plates and ended up getting 3-points.

Most bike shops wont let you anywhere their bikes with points on your licence, well the ones I've tried in the past dont anyway.

Don't suppose anyone in the West London area has had a test ride somewhere with points on their licence?

[Ste]

Best place I can think of to ask about it is on the R6MessageNet.com forums UK section.

All I'd say would be to downgear whatever bike you get.

With test rides, have a look around for smaller garages, don't just walk in and ask for a test ride though.

[andrew]

[.....]

You probably will miss the power of the R1 to begin with, but the R6 may show you that you have become lazy with your riding. With all the extra torque on the R1 gear use isn't as important. You'll have to rag the neck of the R6 to get the best out of it and you could find this more rewarding. There is enough power in the 600s - how much do you really need?

[Motkram]

I had a ride on a friends 1999 R6 and I was suprised at how fast it actually was. Admittedly the first impression was that it was quite slow, but if you keep the revs up they really fly. It is a lot more work than the thou and might do your head in going everywhere at 12,000+ rpm. They can go just as well if not better through twisty bits, but lose out big time on straights.
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[andrew]

That is very true, obviously I don't push the R1 anywhere near its limits so a 600 should be fine, I just love being able to twist the throttle and in an instant filling my pants sort of thing.
hehe

I think the only way to find out is to arrange a test ride somewhere, I get what you mean about becoming lazy though, I remember riding my NSR, to get that to move you had to thrash the life out of it but I guess that's half the fun.

[Frost]

Had a quick blast on an R6, was about 99 age. The thing was easily quick enough for track days and thrashing about on the roads, and the engine had more than enough grunt for high speed touring (ie riding in a high gear everywhere to save fuel).

The only issue is the riding position. I found it allright if a little heavy on the wrists. My uncle hated it though as it was too sporty.
I suspect its alot like the R1 just less powerful.

If your looking to step down to a cheaper bike, it's probably the best choice.

[Akiraprise]

I'm not very good on big bikes, biggest thing i've ridden is a 125 RS, and I ride a 50cc geared bike, but surely you wont notice it that bad, you'll change gears more often, but how fast are you planning on going?

How long ago did you have your L-Plates mishap? Because doesn't points go off your liscence after a certain amount of times?

Personally I'd sell the R1, get the cash, then look for a second hand r6, you'll be in controll of the transaction then, as when trying to trade you are more likely to get a poorer deal and the other person can milk you out of alot, wheras offering cash you can usually knock them down on the price etc, you also have alot more range of bikes to choose from.

is going a bit faster places really worth £1000 on insurance a year, and whatever you make on buying the R6?

Hope you get a stunner of a bike if you do trade the R1, godluck

[Zoffo]

Get some track time in and you'll be every bit as fast, if not faters, on the R6 than you were on the R1.

[andrew]

Cheers for the replies guys, I think I'm going to go for it, I love the thou but I just can't justify the extra expense.

I'll have a look around on that R6 forum Ste suggested and see if anyone is interested, if not then I'll sell the bike and go and pick up an R6 for cash.

Thanks again for the replies.

[Ste]

[andrew]

[harry69koi]

Ive got the fazer600(same engine just smaller carbs) and i was riding with a mate the other day and he was on an R1 and he even said he was suprised of the power of the fazer had for overtaking etc and on full wound up he was always behind me?

so theres another option for ya why not a fazer 600? even cheaper insurance so more money left over?



lee
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FJ1200 The ultimate tourer

[andrew]

I was actually considering the Fazer before I decided on the R6, the reason I like the idea of an R6 is that I'm very happy with the R1 at the moment so the R6 is the next best thing really. I think the Fazer is only like £100 cheaper a year for me aswell which pointing me towards the R6.

[G]

If you like the r1, the r6 has got to be a good choice .

Up to about 80 or so the acceleration isn't much different, but the r6 does feel more strained. Above that it is a tad slower, but not massively.

The major difference is the ease of getting power down. On the r1 you can just turn the throttle while on the r6 you have to be in the right gear to get decent acceleration.
Means it's a bit more hassle for 'general' riding, but maybe more fun for thrashing.

I did find my zx9 a bit boring on the road to some degree; you weren't really working it and still going bloody quickly.
While my rs250 you have to really thrash and so gives you a better sense of acomplishment when it all does work.

I reckon I was faster on an r6 than my zx9 on the track; as it was easier to really thrash the r6.

[DynaMight]

A guy behind me on a Busa thought I had a ZX9R a few weekends ago, So 600's cant be that slow.
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My bikes are at https://www.bikepics.com/members/dynamight/

[Zoffo]

There can be no better feeling that thrashing some BAB on a brand spanking new R1 on your slightly ratty looking 600

[JimboJ]

If it's the R6 you're definitely after then go for it, I have loads of fun on my bike, where in britain can you use all the power of the R1? Round country lanes etc you'd struggle to get out of 2nd gear I'd imagine!

Have you Considdered the 750s? they aren't such a massive hike on insurance as the 1000s and they are meant to be alot similar to the 1000s except for the top end.

Or get an R6 and make it faster

James
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[00:42] <NSR-Andy> which one's the missionary position
[00:42] <NSR-Andy> i've heard it's good
[9:42pm] <Shaun> you came first mike | <Shaun> yes gav, because I really want to fuck you

[G]

[Kram]

my FZR600, completly stock still... goes as fast as i want it to...
a bit dead at 2-4k revs, but keep it about 5k, and i'll fly past everything (overtook a steam engine in 1st lol) they corner a dream as well
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FS1E -> SR125 -> CB400N -> CB650 -> FZR600 Genises -> VFR400 NC21 -> CBR900RR Fireblade -> Renault Clio 1.4

[JimboJ]

[andrew]

Some brilliant replies.

I'm putting the bike through an MOT this weekend so it has 12 months on it, then I'm going to list it to sell. Already been talking to a few people on R6Messagenet so looks like I'm going to go for the R6.

I like the idea of having to put some more effort into riding it because I had a constant smile on my face when I used to have the NSR, hopefully an R6 will bring some of that back.

Thanks again for your replies.

[Davo]

I'm just about to do the same thing, I've chopped in the busa in for a 99 R6

Main reasons I did it was insurance, want something to learn to really throw around corners etc...

Will miss the torquey feel of the busa, just means I've got to think a little more what gear I need to be in.

Another unimportant reason is I want to get a gixxer 1000 next, so need to adapt to the sport bike feel.