motorcycle question

[burn_this_city]

I love my R6, can't really speak for the Ninja though. Blast you for bumping this thread, there's at least 6 more weeks of no riding.

[3 Justin 3]

R6 is good (I own one too), the new Ninja is one of the ugliest bikes/things ever designed, but are supposedly good bikes.

[something]

Are you set on the sport style of bikes? Or are you open to riding something a bit more laid back, a sport-touring or naked bike?

I have been riding an SV650 since 05, have put on 100 000 kms and she still purrs. I have some valve clearance issues - that is all. And considering the valves haven't been touched since 45 000 kms, it shouldn't be a surprise. The bike has been nothing short of amazing for me. And you can't go wrong with a V-twin...

As far as the size goes, 600's aren't all bad. The biggest issue is leg clearance (if you're < 5'6"). Otherwise, the power is quite manageable. Between the 650r and a 600 zx-r, the only difference will be pull in the top end. You'll get a bit more with the 600, only because the engine can run faster. Otherwise, torque will be the same. And since torque is what emphasizes throttle control... Well, what I am saying is if you feel ready for the 650, no reason you couldn't do the 600. As you will find with almost any bike (as long as you're not a complete moron), the power is a bit overwhelming at first, but you get a feel for it quickly and will adjust so that it operates very naturally. With a few hundred kms under your belt, you'll be feeling confident and capable.

Anyways, good luck in your search!

[DownhillGoat]

Fata. I browsed the "I want to buy a street bike thread". Now this. I think it's time to get my bike license.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I love my R6, can't really speak for the Ninja though. Blast you for bumping this thread, there's at least 6 more weeks of no riding.

Cool. I ride 10 months a year. Granted I still feel like a n00b.

One of my friends has a private track day... I've never been to the track... it would be cool to have a new bike to try out there!

Originally Posted by something

Are you set on the sport style of bikes? Or are you open to riding something a bit more laid back, a sport-touring or naked bike?

(Thanks for the info) .... I'm looking only at Sport Bikes. I was leaning towards 650r cause I'm told its a bit lighter and not as forward leaning?

I'll have to check out a R6...

[burn_this_city]

It's a shame you can't test drive them prior to purchase.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

(Thanks for the info) .... I'm looking only at Sport Bikes. I was leaning towards 650r cause I'm told its a bit lighter and not as forward leaning?

I'll have to check out a R6...

I have friends who have both a ninja 650R and an R6.
Incedentially they are both chicks....just sayin....

That being said, I've ridden both. If you want a pure speed machine and don't really care about comfort, go for teh R6.
If you want something that you'll be able to go on a trip on, and is still a lot of fun to ride, then the 650R is a great bike.

If I was in your spot I'd probably buy the 650R becasue I like to get out and use the bike all weekend, and the 650R is going to be a lot more versatile, and is still plenty fast.

[something]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

It's a shame you can't test drive them prior to purchase.

You can phone around to shops and ask when their demo days are going to be. Usually a weekend that you can register for free to ride the various bikes of most major brands.

[something]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

If I was in your spot I'd probably buy the 650R becasue I like to get out and use the bike all weekend, and the 650R is going to be a lot more versatile, and is still plenty fast.

I think you narrowed it down pretty well here.

The R6 is going to be a "funner" bike, but the 650r will be more versatile and not much behind in terms of its fun-factor. It also does provide a considerably more upright seated position - how this translates in the real world may or may not make a big difference for you. If you do long trips (think a few thousand kms in the span of a week) then it will be nice. If you do between Calgary and Edmonton (God forbid) once in a while, there won't be much benefit.

I will recommend again taking a look at the Suzuki SV lineup - excellent bikes and bridge the gap between sporty/touring quite well.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by pylon

if you carrying alot of stuff, get a truck .

fyp

[Phanuthier]

Thoughts on a Honda F4i?

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Thoughts on a Ninja 650r? Or for a 600, is there a better option? I'm looking for a light bike since I'm still a bit of a n00b.

IMO...you can't really go too wrong with any of these smaller Japanese beginner bikes. Sit on all of them and see which has the best ergonomics for you.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

...man now I want a Harley Burger from Alice's

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Thoughts on a Honda F4i?

Nice machine. Very popular. Can't go wrong with any of the big 4 600's. The only thing you may want to think about is underseat exhaust. I've never been on one but there's two camps and you might want to consider that. Only affects a few model years.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by speede5

Nice machine. Very popular. Can't go wrong with any of the big 4 600's. The only thing you may want to think about is underseat exhaust. I've never been on one but there's two camps and you might want to consider that. Only affects a few model years.

Umm, I don't believe that the F4i comes with an underseat exhaust. The closest thing that I've found is a "high mount" side exhaust for them.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I tried changing the oil on my bike last week, and didn't know you had to level out the bike to check levels, and screwed it up.

I went on a few of those forums... I feel like it still seems like its latin, I think I need a crash coarse in mechanics or something. Little things that most people know, like each bolt having a spec'ed torque... I don't know that stuff.

So... did you learn this stuff in a class or something?

You could get a proper manual for your bike which helps a lot. Describes how often you are supposed to check/change/tighten certain things.

Not the little useless manual that your bike comes with, but the service manual.

For Example......

[Fozzie_DeBear]

^This

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Josh

Umm, I don't believe that the F4i comes with an underseat exhaust. The closest thing that I've found is a "high mount" side exhaust for them.

Ya I think your right. It was the next gen that had it. I'm not much of a cbr guy. Tried to scoop an f4i from salvage a couple weeks ago but missed the bid. I'm a Kawasaki guy all the way. But you really can't go wrong with any of the big 4 600's. They are all fantastic.

[Hans Landa]

I had an '04 Kawi Z1000.

Can't beat a street fighter's fun factor with it's dirt bike handlebar's for ripping around town. Way more leverage than clip-ons for flicking the thing around and more natural for a noob than a super sport.

I'm not sure what this thread is about after 5 pages, but for people in a toss up for a supersport... just buy what you like the look of. All the big 4 japanese bikes are going to be bulletproof-reliable and unless you take your bike to the track on a regular basis you will NEVER come close to it's limits.

If I were getting a new bike, I'd be all over the new Triumph Speed Triple R, since I could probably have fun on it without risking a police chase every time I leave the house.

R6's and the like? I love them, but you need to wring the crap out of them to get them giddy.
R1 would be my ultimate bike if all the traffic cops dropped dead, but it's kind of hard to feel like you're getting your money's worth on public roads.
A naked bike with a street fighter-esque seating position will 'feel' fun every time you hit the road. Sit up high with your body taking all that wind... you'll never get bored.

I sure miss taking my old pig to the track

[CalgaryFan1988]

What I have....

2005 z750 (not actual picture, mine has integrated signal lights and aftermarket pipe)



What I want next.....

2011 CB1000R