my cousin rides and talking with him lately, i've been toying around with the idea of getting a bike. i'm looking at the ninja zx-6r and i was wondering how much difference there is between that and the larger 1 liter bikes for later on when i get my riding down (straightline acceleration, handling, etc). any thoughts?

 

ZX-6R:
-111 hp (81.0) @ 12,500rpm / 66 lbs torque
-379.2 pounds

ZX-9R:
-143 hp (104.4) @ 11000 / 101 lbs torque
-407.9 pounds

Bigger bike: more power, but heavier
Smaller bike: less power, but lighter and handles better

Personally, I like smaller bikes that have average power, but handle really good. Im not a big guy, so I dont really have a desire to get a 1000cc bike.

BTW, the 1/4 mile times of both bikes are almost identical. They differ at most only by a second. The main difference in performance is in the top end. Of course the 600 has to struggle to hang with the 900 when doing 150+.

 

yeah, so the bike thread doesn't get too much traffic. same with the scooby thread. my next question is what do people think the best 600 out there is? (that have owned or driven only please). i know that this is a very subjective question, but i'm hoping to glean something from the REASONS people state. and don't worry about looks, i've already figured that one out.

 

I'm partial to the R6.

 

Okay, well...Ive sat on the R6, GSX-R (600cc), ZX-6R, and CBR F4.
Ive riden all of the bikes except for the ZX-6R.

Of course I am going to say the R6, because I own one.
But, I really think what should determine your decision is what exactly you are looking for in a bike.

My second bike was a 2000 GSX-R 600. I bought it simply because it was being sold at an insanely cheap price. It was a nice bike, and I had a lot of fun on it...but when I bought my R6, I felt like I just went on a diet and dropped a shit load of weight.
The R6 handles much better (in my opinion). The R6 is lighter than the GSXR and I think it has a more comfortable seating position. On my GSXR I had to lean foward alittle farther to reach the handle bars. In general I feel more comfortable on my R6 because I feel that I have more control of it.

As far as the CBR...I rode my friends 1999 CBR F4. It was okay, but for some reason I felt like I was on my first bike again (1997 Katana) . It just didnt feel as sporty as the GSXR or the R6.

If you read any of the 1998-2002 Cycleworld or Superbike reviews, when they compare the 600cc class, in general the Ninja comes in 4th (not sure exactly why since ive never riden it), the CBR in 3rd, and the GSXR and R6 usually battle it out for 1st/2nd. In most reviews, the R6 comes out on top...due to its great all around performance (handling, acceleration, braking, streetablilty, etc.).

Im a big fan of handling because when it comes to choosing any of these four bikes, speed and power are really minor factors....all four bikes are insanely faster than cars and will get you from 0 to dead in all about the same time (give or take a tenth of a second or so)...its handling, rider comfort and streetablility that's important. Whats the sense of all that power when you cant feel comfortable with it?

Damn I sound like some rep from yamaha....

I think you should try to test drive all four bikes if possible before buying.

 

you have no clue what your talking about. That is all.

 

Zorro,
I agree, the set up of the bike plays a large roll in handling/power.
But, I didnt mention anywhere in my post about the zx7r.

I was generalizing in my previous post. Im not saying that every single smaller bike out there will handle better than every single big bike.

There are many variables that will determine that. Like you mention the set up...but then theres also rider ability also.

You say you "know" that the 7 handles better than the 6 and the 9....but for what ridder? Nicky Haden or Joe Schmoe?

Also, please use some punctuation. Im not too clear on the whole RC51/zx9r statement.

 

just wanted to thank everyone that gave INFORMED decisions. i'm gonna go with the 636. great looking bike and felt like great when i sat on it. now just need to save up a few months. yay