600CC Bike advice!

[SR7492]

I thought I'd start a new topic while I'm still progressing through as newbie rider topic (will update the other one soon)

I'm already started to think ahead (hope this is not a bad thing) and looking at the below 3 600CC bikes as my 'first' bike. I appreciate there are quite a few options but I've set myself on one of the below therefore I would really appreciate any advice and feedback on some of the questions below. The shortlist I have is the following bikes:

CBR600
GSXR600
ZX6-R

Which one of the above 3 would a better first bike?
How different are they to each other?

I would prefer something that is comfortabe, user friendly and has a bit of umpphh but not all out crazy power. My plan is to test ride them and get a feel but would like to know what your experiences have been and any advice.

I would be using the bike for a bit social riding (not long rides) and commuting to work (40 miles round trip).

Thanks!

[Prof Prolapse]

I've not ridden them but I have a GSXR-750 which is the same as the GSXR-600 body wise. I think it's the only bike listed with adjustable pegs so probably the most comfortable on your knees.

They're all dedicated sportsbikes though. None are the last word in comfort and all require a great deal of practice to stop you getting crippled on long rides due to riding position. Especially your wrists.

[BuzzBravado]

Also there is two CBR600's. The RR which is more in line with the other two and the F which is slightly more upright. I still have my F which was my first bike and it has served me well.

[neelyp]

Can I throw in the Daytona 675, just in case you haven't considered it.
Bit more user friendly as it doesn't need thrashed within an inch of it's life to make decent progress.

[black-k1]

Given your stated preference for bikes with some oomph rather than crazy power (I assume that means you would rather have mid-range torque than ultimate top end BHP) and for comfort (especially while commuting), the 3 sports bikes you’ve identified would not normally be identified as being particularly good at meeting those requirements. I think some time understanding what you actually want from the bike (which may well include sports bike looks/performance) will be time well spent.

[DanSI]

Are you buying new or second hand?

I've read a number of places, the newer GSXR is good for shorter people, as it has a slightly lower seat height.
Also good for people with a bad back due to a more upright seating position.
Also I know the 2016 model has 2 "power modes" A and B. One limits to 60% total power, ideal for new riders to these "big bikes", while the other setting is unrestricted.

Have you been out and had a test ride on all 3? 600 is 600. Obviously they will differ more if older bikes from these manufacturers / features.

EDIT: I own/ride an older ZX6R. It has quite an aggressive seating position (being a Supersport), quite a wide seat, and comfortable. Performance is quite brutal to be honest, it doesn't take a lot to get yourself into trouble. But I love it!
This is my first big bike after obtaining my FULL bike license (my only prior experience being scooters some 20 yrs ago).

Edited by DanSI on Tuesday 30th August 11:44

[f1nn]

What year bikes are you considering?

I ask as it makes a big difference to what I would recommend out of what you have short listed.

[Löyly]

I suppose if you don't have much of an idea in terms of what you prefer you'll be thrilled with any of them. It's only as you try out more bikes that you start to get fussy. As long as it's tje CBR600RR that you're considering, then all of the bikes are roughly comparable. You could do worse than just going for the best deal within a relatively close proximity of your place, if you can't arrange test rides of all of them.

[SR7492]

Some great input and advice - thank you so far.

Some answers to questions.

Personally, I have no real preference from one to the other, they all look great and would be happy with anyone.

Wouldn't a Gixxer 750 be more expensive to insure plus be faster/more powerful?

The CBR600 would definetly be a F; RR isn't being considered (more powerful/racier?)

I did consider and probably should have included the Daytona 675 but I heard they weren't the most reliable (some commmon issues) so this kinda put me off. But if anyone thinks otherwise, please share, would love to know as I think they are lovely bikes and woudn't have a issue with buying one.

In regards to buy, I'm not sure TBH. Initially I was thinking second hand (budget of 4k) but there are some really good deals on new bikes so I'm open to both options. Appreciate the heads up on the GXSR have 2 power modes, think this will really help as a new biker.

Hope this helps - thanks again for the feedback/advice so far; invalauble info

[Jakarta]

SR7492 said:

I thought I'd start a new topic while I'm still progressing through as newbie rider topic (will update the other one soon)
The shortlist I have is the following bikes:

CBR600
GSXR600
ZX6-R

Which one of the above 3 would a better first bike?
How different are they to each other?

They're no different! Get on them and see which is the most comfortable for you. They are each as quick as each other in your hands, only a track god would be able to eek out whatever difference is between them on paper. You wouldn't be any worse, or better off with any of them.

[Mario149]

neelyp said:

Can I throw in the Daytona 675, just in case you haven't considered it.
Bit more user friendly as it doesn't need thrashed within an inch of it's life to make decent progress.

In that vein I'd suggest a Street Triple R. Found it much punchier in the mid range than a Daytona loan bike I had and way more comfy. Provided you're not going up and down the motorway too much an STR should be fine. I only sold mine as I fancied a change and my new commute will always involve a 40+ mile DC/M-way trip into London and then the same back out again.

ETA: just don't whatever you do get Triumph to fit an alarm, provided no end of probs on both STRs I had.

Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 30th August 12:18

[daimatt]

If you are looking pre 2002 then the CBR has it's clip ons above the yoke, not underneath so might be more comfortable. Can't say much about the new F but it might have grown to 650 which might give you the extra midrange you want over the peaky sports 600's

[CaptainSlow]

You may want to run some insurance quotes, I know for me the GSXR was much higher than my Triumph.

[Wildfire]

Having run all 3 of those in a very similar scenarios (new rider) with day to day and social what year bikes are you looking at before I pen anything?

[Prof Prolapse]

BuzzBravado said:

Also there is two CBR600's. The RR which is more in line with the other two and the F which is slightly more upright. I still have my F which was my first bike and it has served me well.

Great first bike the CBR600F.

My first bike and I still have mine too, it just needs an engine...

[Wildfire]

SR7492 said:

Wouldn't a Gixxer 750 be more expensive to insure plus be faster/more powerful?

Yes

SR7492 said:

The CBR600 would definetly be a F; RR isn't being considered (more powerful/racier?)

The CBR600F is more upright and not really the as a ZX-6R or GSX-R. It would be akin to the GSX-F and the closest thing Kawasaki do is the ER-6F, although that is twin and not a IL4.

The CBR-600RR is a supersport, like the ZX-6R and the GSX-R.

SR7492 said:

Power modes to help newbie

To be honest they don't make a difference. I have 4 and stay in one all the time. I've never had occasion to change.

Have you looked at insurance yet? A CBR-F an GSX-F would certainly be cheaper to insure.

I had a 2007 GSX-R 600K7 and a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R P8F, I also rode my brother's 2005 CBR600-RR. They are probably a bit cheaper than your budget, but out of all of them I found the GSX-R the most road biased and the most comfortable, although I ended up keeping the Ninja.

The Honda has reliability and quality of components on it's side. Fairing are a bu%%er to get off though and regulators and rectifier was also a bit iffy. My brother loved it rode it daily for years, tracked it, crashed it a fair few times and sold it for a decent prices at 28000 miles for a guy to commute on. It never gave him any real issues (that weren't self inflicted) and he always had a stream of part for it off fleabay.

The GSX-R was a good bit of kit and I think the K6/7 are still my favourite looking ones and sound great with the stock exhaust. It didn't feel as manoeuvrable as the Ninja or CBR-R and I found I felt as if I sat "in it" as opposed to "on top of it", like the other two. The riding position was more comfortable than the Honda and definitely the ZX-6R. Reg/rectifier went quite soon after I bougt it. I kept it for a year and did around 10k on it, then a white van decided it wanted to occupy the same space as me in Clapham. Fairing were a bit flimsy and the bolts were ok, the plastic popper thing were rubbish. Brakes lacked a bit of feel.

The ZX6-R P7/8F was the black sheep of the ZX6 family and is generally not well liked. I loved mine. The gearbox was awesome, the front was light and it turned in really well. It did have some weird geometry which took some getting used to and less bottom end than the GSX-R by a fair bit. Get it revving and it was brilliant. Fasteners and bolts were made of cheese though. I did very little to the bike, save a pipe and a screen. I intended to keep it for a year. Kept it for 3, did long trips one it, commuted, track days it was brilliant. Always started and never complained. The cam chain did get rattly though.

Edited by Wildfire on Tuesday 30th August 14:32

[obscene]

Yamaha? My mate just picked up a decent R6 5SL for 2k.

[neelyp]

Mario149 said:

In that vein I'd suggest a Street Triple R. Found it much punchier in the mid range than a Daytona loan bike I had and way more comfy. Provided you're not going up and down the motorway too much an STR should be fine. I only sold mine as I fancied a change and my new commute will always involve a 40+ mile DC/M-way trip into London and then the same back out again.

ETA: just don't whatever you do get Triumph to fit an alarm, provided no end of probs on both STRs I had.

Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 30th August 12:18

The Daytona is actually torquier than the Street, the gearing is slightly different so that maybe what you felt.
To qualify I have both.

OP, any unreliability with a 675 will have been dealt with by way of a recall (reg/rec unit) or will be common wear and tear items.
For £4K you may just squeeze into a 2008 model.

[Mario149]

neelyp said:

Mario149 said:

In that vein I'd suggest a Street Triple R. Found it much punchier in the mid range than a Daytona loan bike I had and way more comfy. Provided you're not going up and down the motorway too much an STR should be fine. I only sold mine as I fancied a change and my new commute will always involve a 40+ mile DC/M-way trip into London and then the same back out again.

ETA: just don't whatever you do get Triumph to fit an alarm, provided no end of probs on both STRs I had.

Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 30th August 12:18

The Daytona is actually torquier than the Street, the gearing is slightly different so that maybe what you felt.
To qualify I have both.

OP, any unreliability with a 675 will have been dealt with by way of a recall (reg/rec unit) or will be common wear and tear items.
For £4K you may just squeeze into a 2008 model.

Interesting, is it torquier at low/med revs or at higher revs? I always understood that the STR was basically gruntier at low/med revs i.e. the engine was tweaked to develop more low end power at the expense of absolute available power at the top end - my STR was a 2012 model and the Daytona was a 2013 from memory, not sure if that makes any difference.

[mgv8]

CBR600F for what every one said below. I think best chance you will have fun on it from the off.