Author Topic: New bikes. (Read 823 times)

Swoop · « **on:** January 20, 2003, 02:04:17 PM »

Ok so my R6 was stolen on friday night (bastards). I'm not too bothered though cos it's insured, I can afford not to wait for the payout to get another and it needed a clean anyway. New bike time!

Want another 600 but dont know if I want a whole new bike. I've ridden most of em over time, except the GSX-R600.

So far I've found a Kawasaki dealer doing last years ZX-6R (ie not the bug eyed bogey coloured one they're making this year) as a new registration for £5200. Comes in dayglo green, silver and a kinda dull red.

or a Yamaha dealer in Bristol who's offering a 2002 YZF-R6 (2003 is fuel injected at RRP of £7300 - no discounts) for £5995.......and another doing the same bike at £5897. Comes in red, blue or silver.

Or......there's this 3 year old R6 with 4000 miles on the clock for £4,400.

Now the ZX-6R is very comfy, which is useful given the miles I do, but an R6 is......well ya know, it's an R6. They just go sooo well. Every corner is brake - point - aim - fire - go, ZX-6Rs dont do justice to corners the same way an R6 does. The only problem with R6s is they aint built for distance so long trips tend to be made as fast as possible......and I'm sure my clean driving licence must be due to divine intervention. Someone was trying to tell me GSX-Rs are the dogs bollocks 600 these days, but I'm not convinced. I had an RGV once and it was a bag o'shite, became very anti-Suzuki over that RGV......then there's the CBR, but there's just something very pipe-slippers-and-cardigan about Honda's and no CBR6 I ever rode ever really kicked up the smile factor.

Dunno. Wadda you guys think?

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2003, 02:30:09 PM »

I have an idea buy a Mazda MX-5(aka Miata) Get the 6spd, sport tuned suspension.. You'll never miss your bike

I don't ride those bikes but, the '03 Yamaha is a nice one..and with FI!!

Tarmac · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2003, 02:58:32 PM »

Post pics when you decide, Swoop!

When I was in GB, one of my favorite things to do was look at parked (and moving) motorcycles. Some beautiful bikes on your side of the pond.

Curval · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2003, 03:13:26 PM »

I get cold riding my little 80cc Scooter home at night during the winter months, HERE...dunno how you manage to ride a bike like those you have mentioned in AMSTERDAM during the winter? Don't you shrecking freeze?

I admit I am a wimp when it comes to cold...but what about road conditions etc? You hit some ice on those bikes on a corner isn't it fairly likely to kill you?

Let me put it another way...does Jenga like it that you ride a bike?

LePaul · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2003, 03:31:10 PM »

Swoop

As you know, I have a ZX-9R...great looking bike and faster than I need

I'd ask your other half what's comfy. Jen and I ride the ZX-9R from time to time and its a bit cramped...meaning its not the kinda machine we can go ride all day and enjoy. She wants a Harley and I dunno....never been my kinda machine. I just love the curves of the cafe bikes

What's the lady say

Swoop · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2003, 03:50:39 PM »

I asked Jenga and she said "A pink one."

Anyway, the bike isnt for 2 up touring. It's for 1 up blasting, a 35 mile trip to work done in 30 mins and a 280 mile ride home to Blighty done in 4 hours.

Oh and Curv, winters in Europe tend to be milder than most of the US, doesnt get much below -10C often.

Heater · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2003, 04:05:52 PM »

Swoop,

you still in holland? if so check out the following web site

http://www.motorgoedkoop.nl/

both in english & dutch

Cheers

Jenga · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2003, 04:41:47 PM »

Actually I wanted a pink Honda Goldwing, with heated seats, and a stereo, and a back seat like a sofa. Got told 'no chance' in no uncertain terms though....

This one is looking more promising...

gatso · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2003, 05:00:55 PM »

Bike thieves are scum of the earth.

Have you thought about buying british?

Link

It's looking like I'm going to have to put off a bike for another year. Insurance is going to kill me if I get a proper one at the moment and I've got too much pride to buy something that sounds like a hairdryer.

Gatso

WizOfClay · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2003, 05:22:10 PM »

Hey Swoop,

Out of the 3 that you listed, my vote is for the ZX-6R with Jenga's pink GoldWing w/ heated seats, stereo, and a back seat like a sofa running a very close second pick

.

Swoop · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2003, 05:51:15 PM »

Daytona 600. Awesome. But not available until March and there's probably a 6 month waiting list. Plus it might be a dog in an Armani suit like the 595 (was the Triumph test rider a 6'6" gorilla with a concave hole in his chest? And how did they manage to make a triple so damn wide?), I'll wait for the long term press reports and maybe pick up a pre-owned in a couple years time.

Gixer · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2003, 06:07:39 PM »

Swoop,

My kind of decision, I'm not sure if you know but I've owned GSX-R's for the last 6 years and currently own the K2 1000cc model. I'm not biased towards Gixer's (well maybe a little) but as the current models stand the GSX'R 600 is by far the better bike and I've spent some time on them all. Since I belong to a large road racing bike club here in NZ.

The GSXR is far better then the R6 on the road and on the track it's more livable day by day on the road and has superior performance all round. I've ridden both on the track also and while the R6 imho is more precise the GSXR gives more confidence on the edge and much better feedback plus keeping it on the boil and coming out of corners it's awsome. Plus throw on a pipe,filter and PC3r and you can produce some serious power.

I totally understand your feelings about the CBR they are much more civilised and easier to live with day by day then both the above bikes, infact their very comfortable on long rides. Couple of the guys have them and swear by them as the best 600's. Plus they are a great looking bike but I agree just don't have that race pedigree as the other two bikes.

Oh, forgetting the ZX6'r the older models are probably a great alternative comfortable and more road orientated (like the ZX9) though not as hot on the power and track day abilities. But second hand great all round bike and bang for your buck imho. Not sure on the newer 636's don't really like them considering what you get for the same money in a GSXR.

Triumph 600 wouldn't even think about it but the 03 model suppose to of had some changes.

For me if I wasn't into track day's and as much performance as I could get I'd go after something more civilised which would be the CBR. Especially so if holding onto your licence and long rides across France are the go. Plus with an undertail and pipe they look pretty awsome.

But for overall performance,speed,fun and no so bad for long rides and awsome on tracks there's no choice I would definetly chose the GSXR it just has so much more in one package and is by far the best current 600 on the market. The engine alone is a marvel of 600cc performance. Plus you can probably pick up a second hand low milage K1 for a steal.

Ergonomics are same as the 1000 (though feels slightly smaller), and I can ride that bike all day. Chuck a bubble screen on it and you can go touring. Infact I'm planning a 2500km ride next month on mine. I think people who say that their uncomfortable on GSXR's for long trips are softnoodles use to BMW's.

Really same old advice applies especially with bikes. Take all of them for a good ride and see which one gives you the most fun, what bikes are all about really. And don't worry about whether it's the latest track weapon or not. Fun is the main thing. I still get a blast out of riding my mates 350cc BSA Bantam. :-)

Alot of guys pay for and buy the latest track toys but haven't got a clue on how to ride and on the road you can only use a 10th of their performance anyway. Buy what you think suits you best for how your going to use the bike. If your riding with mates, remember a good rider will beat a candy arse on anything.

But if you do chose the Gixer then welcome to the club, as for why I chose the 1000cc model, well nothing I've ever ridden gives me the "diddly Me" factor like that bike every time I take it out. And if it wasn't for that factor on the big bike and that I do track day's I probably would of gone for a new Daytona. As like the 600 it's more road orientated.

Good luck on your choice, don't let the dickheads in the magazines shift your decision and all the best. If you would like to chat more about bikes feel free to email me desther@ihug.co.nz

...-Gixer
The Horse Soldiers

My Latest Ride...

gatso · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2003, 06:14:38 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Swoop
Daytona 600. Awesome. But not available until March and there's probably a 6 month waiting list.

Yup. My old boss got me interested in trumpets a few years ago. Hopefully the new factory will churn em out PDQ and get the waiting list down, I can't wait for someone I know to buy one

I suppose there is always the Speed Four if your feeling completely bonkers.

Not sure there's such a thing as a 'bad' new bike these days. All the major manufacturers seem to be producing top knotch machines and the 600 class seems to be the most competitive of the lot. Go bargain hunting with an open mind

Gatso

Swoop · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2003, 07:08:08 PM »

Well I looked at the GSX-R.......gotta be 2001 or later cos the 2000 had a shorter swinger and didnt handle quite as well. 2003 (K3) is priced at £6,299 on the Suzuki site. Was offered one (dunno what year but new reg) for £5,999.

Hangtime · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2003, 07:35:53 PM »