Sportbike dilema??

[Chris Halvorson]

So I have been looking at Sport bikes lately. I haven't ridden on the street in 6 years. Here are some of my bikes starting with the first:

-91 ninja ZX-7. This was my first street bike. It wasn't stock for long. I punched it out, cam work, smoothbore carbs, K&N intake filters, yosh exhaust. I got this bike when I was 16 years old. After all the mods...it was one fast 750.

-94 GSX-R 1100. This bike just got a intake, exhaust, Jet kit...fast enough.

-00 1000

So I am no stranger to litter bikes. My dilemma is with 600CC bikes. Some of the bikes I have been looking at are:

-2006 to present R6. These bikes are pretty much bad ass from the factory from what I have been reading.

-2004 to present CBR 600RR. I know Honda always puts out a good product, and from what I have been reading they are the easiest to ride and rail corners.

-2007 to present Triumph Daytona 675. This is what I would prefer over any bike. These are just a little hard to find uses in the Charcoal color. There is one posted in the Springs with a really :unique" yellow. This bike is supposed to just corner like no other, power is amazing and in my own opinion...one of the best looking bikes on the market today.


So here is the dilemma. Like I said, I have always road a 750cc or bigger bike. This was also when I was a lot younger and skinnier. I now weigh in a hefty 200 lbs, and with a helmet, leather Jacket, boots etc...I am positive the 225 lbs will be on a bike. My wife has no interest to ever be on the bike...so that isn't an issue. What does everyone think about a person my size on a newer 600?

[Jeffro600]

IMO, with your size and weight, you'd be unhappy with a current 600. They make alot of power but its all torwards the higher end of the tach and lack any real torque to haul your weight around.

Personally, since you have plenty of experience with bikes, id look for a good used 1000...maybe something a couple years old. More than enough HP and torque to keep you happy and physically a little larger and more spacious ergos.

[Chris Halvorson]

That is kinda what I was thinking Jeffro. I would hate to "outgrow" the 600 really quick.

I have been looking at the R1 & 1000RR (took top bike of the year award).

[Colo.TJ]

Don't forget the 900RR and 954RR.

[Chris Halvorson]

Great bikes Colo.TJ...they are just getting old. I am in the market for a 04 (latest)-07.

[Jeffro600]

Ill put a little more info into this too...

I had a 04 CBR600RR and while i loved the bike, i hated the fact that you had to keep it in such a low gear around town to keep the RPMS high so you could keep some power on tap if you needed it. Not to mention, it freakin howled at 80 on the highway and got a bit on the annoying side quick. I sold it last year and bought a brand new 07 CBR1000RR and couldnt be happier with it. The torque makes it incredibly smooth and a joy to ride around town and inspires alot of confidence when out riding twisties.

And personally, id stick with a Honda if you want something that has good build quality. A friend of mine had bought an 07 R1 and another a ZX10 at the same time when i bought my CBR and the fairings, how everything went together, the quality of the fasteners and everything else on the other two just screamed JUNK! We had them torn down side by side and the engine casings, finishing on the frame and electrical work on the Honda was blatantly obvious that it was put together much better and of higher quality materials. That kind of stuff is important to me which is why ive stuck with Honda.

Now if you havent ridden the 08 CBR, im not sure youll be happy with that either from a size standpoint. Its cramped compared to the earlier 1000's and is much more the size and weight of a 600...not necessarily a bad thing for a smaller guy but considering your size, i might look to a year or two older 1000 where the ergos werent midget like. ;)

[Chris Halvorson]

As always Jeffro...good info. So I did it today...got the 1 litter bike.

I am very brand loyal. I have ridden Yamaha's for many years with never a quality issue. That being said, I agree with Jeffro on this one....I got a 06 CBR 1000RR with 2400 miles on it. This bike has a few mods:

-Arata Trapezoid exhaust with wrapped headers
-DNA race filter
-Afam 520 conversion 16/44 with EK gold link
-CRG adjustable shorty levers
-Powers Stuntworks race rails (custom built)
-Proton adjustable flush mount front turn signals
-Clear alternatives integrated smoke tail light
-Custom Fender Eliminator
-Puig dark smoked windscreen with titanium fasteners

I plan on getting a power commander 3 to insure the bike doen't run lean due to the exhaust and intake.


There is some other mods...just not worth typing all that cosmetic stuff.

So far I really like it. I have only gotten this bike up to 3rd gear due to my neighborhood. I plan on taking it slowly and work my way back into it. I am finally going to get my endorsement as well.

The tires have around 2K left on them if I take it easy. Any recommendations for this particular bike? I heard the Continentals are pretty good.

[Jeffro600]

Very sweet! Sounds very similar to how mines setup...except i have the PCIII on mine. Does help a bit if you spend the money to have it dyno tuned.

As for tires...theres lots of good ones out there now days. Pilot powers, Diablo Corsas, Qualifiers...all good tires. I run the Diablo Corsas on mine and im pretty happy with them. Ive got about 1400 miles on my set and their wearing nicely and will probably go a few thousand more if i dont beat on them too hard. Pilot powers are STICKY but dont expect much in the way of life out of them...my last set had one track day and about 1600 road miles on them and they were shot! The Qualifiers are great if your not a really aggressive rider...they last a long time but dont offer the traction for serious trackdays or any hardcore canyon riding IMO. Ive never ran the continentals but the guys over on 1000rr.net usually speak pretty highly of them.

[Chris Halvorson]

Thanks Jeffro. Do you think I can go without the PC3 for a while with those mods? Will I run too lean? My Raptor that was fuel injected would not adjust for mods and run lean...that is why I ask.

As far as tires go...I would rather have a tire last a few thousand miles LESS with added traction. I really do not want to test out the race rails. LOL

[Chris Halvorson]

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/Chris5150_album/2008_0813Image0001.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/Chris5150_album/2008_0813Image0002.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/Chris5150_album/2008_0813Image0003.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u118/Chris5150_album/2008_0813Image0004.jpg

[cheftyler]

Good lookin' bike :thumbsup:

[Jeffro600]

Good lookin' bike :thumbsup:

X2!

Dont worry too much about the PCIII at this point. I ran mine with BMC race filters and a full exhaust for a while on my 600 and my 1000 and neither gave me any problems...especially at the elevation your going to be riding it at which tends to run on the rich side of things anyway. Their more for doing final, fine tuning than anything.

[Chris Halvorson]

Thanks for the possitive feedback.

I will put the PC3 on next year. The riding season is almost over anyway.

[Pilot]

I like the Triumph, but if I were in the market today, I'd get this:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/logo/500/SV1000SK7.jpg

Lots of mid range tourque. You don't have to wind it out to get power. Suzuki SV1000S.

[Chris Halvorson]

Those are nice bikes. You really don't have to wind up the CBR 1000 either....pretty snappy off the bottom to say the least. LOL

[sonofmayhem]

I bought a cbr 600 Last week. We will have to go riding sometime.:D

[Chris Halvorson]

Sure thing. I just have to get my endorsment.

That is pretty cool you have one too. Pics???

[Colo.TJ]

My employee Cory riding his CBR 600;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIzAGtVTlVI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ntt84zSAMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M878LWAKBtk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENrldLNLkB8

[Chris Halvorson]

Cory is pretty good at what he does...very skilled to say the least.

[Colo.TJ]

Cory is pretty good at what he does...very skilled to say the least.

He just took two weeks off to do some shows. He's looking for sponsors and I imagine he will pick up a few on his trip.

If you ever want to check him out in person PM me and I will let you know where and when. He's a helluva guy and will teach just about anybody some tricks.

[Chris Halvorson]

Cool...thanks. For now, both of my tires stay on the ground. Sometimes it is a "trick" just to get home on one of these.

[sonofmayhem]

Cool...thanks. For now, both of my tires stay on the ground. Sometimes it is a "trick" just to get home on one of these.

AMEN!


My bike is a project. Needs paint, rear tire, mirrors. But man it is fun and rides amazing.

[Chris Halvorson]

Well, there is always next year right? What color are you going to go with? Are you painting it yourself?

[sonofmayhem]

Just painted it tonight. Rattle can Black. Got one mirror. Getting it registered next week. I should be ready to ride next weekend.

[Chris Halvorson]

Saaaawwwweeeeetttt. On my next days off I am taking the Safety training coarse to get the endorsement. Passing the test on a sport bike is really difficult. Besides, the no endorsement tickets get expensive.

If you want, we can paint it this winter. As long as the booth is set up right, floor is wet, prep work done and there is a garage heater...we are in like flint.

[Chris Halvorson]

Sweet. So you gonna put a clear coat on? LOL

Call me when you get ready to ride...I'll roll with you.

[sonofmayhem]

Maybe we will see. Right now I need to buy a battery and get time to register it.

[salsashark]

Nice choice in bikes... Can't go wrong with the Hondas.

Just from your list above I was going to warn you about the 675's. While incredible bikes, we're similar builds and I felt like a circus bear when I took one out a few months ago. Would be a great track toy, but I would never want to put serious miles on it. I opted for the Triumph Speed Triple and haven't regretted it a bit. Bought it back in April and have put almost 5K on it this summer. Yeah, I know... kind of low, but I've been busy with school too. :D

Stay safe, maybe we can ride some time.