GSX-R600 not ideal 1st bike...myth?

[amare32]

Having recently commited to a Gixxer600 K7 a few weeks ago (only got till 6th April before picking it up ), I cancelled the Street Triple order and passed up the SV650 as I've ridden it a few times but felt I would get used it and would get bored rather quickly.

I went to the dealer last week to handover the cover note to get it taxed and wanted to testride it before committing - didn't cause it was pretty windy and as I was staring down a £3k excess for the testride I didn't want to take a chance. Besides, the bike has a 30 day money back guarantee if I'm not happy with the bike so have that to fall back on. The £5995 price was another reason why I went for one.

What I was wondering is, there's a perception that Gixxers are amongst the sharpest of all the 600s but having read reviews of K6 right up to K8, it would seem it's the easiest bike for anyone relatively new to bikes to jump on and enjoy quickly compared to the likes of the R6 and ZX-6R.

So to those who went for the Gixxer6 as your first bike, what was your experience of running it as your 1st bike? Manageable or was it too much too soon?

[996 sps]

My first bike was a Gixer 6! Loved it...........

[D_T_W]

To be honest, it doesn't really matter what you get as a first bike, how fast it goes and how quickly it turns are all down to the rider. I know a few guys who have bought GSXR600's as their first bike and loved them, but they bought them as they were a good deal at the time.
When i passed my test, i rode a good few bikes before deciding on my CBR. I'm a bit of a chubby git and found both the GSXR and the Triumph 675 a bit on the cramped side (especially the 675) and the CBR600RR was just a bit hardcore for my liking (same for the GSXR). I didn't really like the Bandit i rode, but it was a naked and i'm not a big fan of naked bikes. I kind of stumbled across the CBR600F after riding the RR, and found it a managable mix of sports bike and comfort.
If it's what you want, go for it. The only reason i didn't go straight out and buy a 'Busa was i couldn't afford the insurance, and i'd have stuffed it in the scenery the first time i opened the throttle

[y2blade]

its hardly a turbo hayabusa is it!!...it will only do what your brain and right wrist tell it too


use your loaf and you WILL be fine

[Vesuvius 996]

Just be careful and you'll be fine.

Try to ride the handlebars off it and you won't.

[amare32]

As I'm a relative short arsed at just under 5ft 8in weighing in at 65kg, I felt most comfortable with a modern Gixxer's seating position, ride height and weight which to me being comfortable sat on it is very important. The power delivery and handling I would get used to in time.

It's very true that it's all about how the rider treats the throttle. I would expect that the Gixxer6 is a bit more manageable than a Hayabusa Turbo

[Centurion07]

That'll be my 600 2 months after I bought it in immaculate condition!

I haven't ridden anything else other than the school bikes, but as others have said, it will only do what you tell it to do.

Personally I think it's an ideal first bike if you're looking for a sportsbike. It's quite happy pootling around but it's got some welly behind it when you want some fun.

[y2blade]

amare32 said:

As I'm a relative short arsed at just under 5ft 8in weighing in at 65kg, I felt most comfortable with a modern Gixxer's seating position, ride height and weight which to me being comfortable sat on it is very important. The power delivery and handling I would get used to in time.

It's very true that it's all about how the rider treats the throttle. I would expect that the Gixxer6 is a bit more manageable than a Hayabusa Turbo

seriously you will be fine

now start shopping

[Fire99]

You'll be fine.. fortunately they aren't super torquey beasts so you have to rev them before they go silly speed.. as others have said if you don't go mad with your right wrist you'll be ok.

Also (without making too big an issue) chassis technology has come on a long way and the Gixxer 600 is very confidence inspiring IMO. If you were suggesting a late 80's GSXR-750 i may of suggested no.. as a mate of mine bought a mint one after passing his test on a 2000+ CB500 and crashed it within a few days cause it scared him.

[IsMad]

I did exactly that, bought a brand new GSX-R600 last year after I passed my DAS, I did drop it, but it would have happened on any bike. I love it, a great ride and something that I will not want to change for a couple years yet. Take it easy and you will be fine. The only question is what colour?

[amare32]

Mines is in blue and white - they're rumored to be faster than the black ones

Just had a wee look on the Yoshimura site - soooo very tempted to put a TRC can in carbon once it's had the running in service.

[IsMad]

LOL, never; Black is faster! though I am a little larger than you, (6,3 and 18 stone )so a side by side would be an unfair comparison .

I am thinking of either a remus or possibly a Micron, not decided yet. would like to keep the exhaust a low level item as I also want to remove my pillion pegs. Do you have a link to the Yoshi you are looking at?

Edited by IsMad on Wednesday 26th March 14:07

[Phone_Monkey]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Just be careful and you'll be fine.

Try to ride the handlebars off it and you won't.

You a biker soov, or want to be? Not having a dig, am curious.

[amare32]

IsMad said:

LOL, never; Black is faster! though I am a little larger than you, (6,3 and 18 stone )so a side by side would be an unfair comparison .

I am thinking of either a remus or possibly a Micron, not decided yet. would like to keep the exhaust a low level item as I also want to remove my pillion pegs. Do you have a link to the Yoshi you are looking at?

Edited by IsMad on Wednesday 26th March 14:07

I'll put some ballast to even out the difference...or I'll just need to visit the kebab shop more often

Links below:

www.yoshimura-rd.com

www.yoshimura-jp.com/en/kitparts/gsxr.html

[Johnny]

I got one as my first bike, in 2001, the old SRAD seat hump version. More than quick enough, great handling, and after couple of years on an R1 am back on an 04. Can't fault it, great bike and only rarely do i miss the grunt of the R1.

You have chosen...wisely.

[IsMad]

Indeed they are great.

The Yoshi exhausts are beautiful. I am trying to link a pic below:





edited for bigger pic

Edited by IsMad on Wednesday 26th March 15:40

[rumpelstiltskin]

Brand new k3 GSXR6 was my first bike,throttle goes both ways!Just grow into the bike and take your time,well,easier said than done when you get that induction roar!Its addictive.Strange thing is i found myself doing crazy speeds more often on the Gixxer than i ever did on my Busa,ZX12R,R1 etc

[Rawwr]

rumpelstiltskin said:

Brand new k3 GSXR6 was my first bike

Me too. No problems here either

[newberry]

If i had a GSXR 600 id have to have laser extreme gp style cans
http://www.laserexhausts.com/en/module/CATALOGUE_B...

Edited by newberry on Wednesday 26th March 17:38

[m3evo2]

My first bike is a GSXR600 K7 as well, bloody love it.

ETA: Having read through the entire thread

Black is definitely faster

Edited by m3evo2 on Wednesday 26th March 18:58