Time for a new bike

[Tiffany]

My fawking N250 is pissing me off so I think I may up the ante and find a new ride. Had plans to buy something, but was goign to wait for a while...but I want to ride NOW!!!!

Thinking 600cc range...

Please give me your thoughts on:

Kawasaki ZX-6R (636)
Suzuki GSXR 600
Honda CBRR 600
Yamaha R6
Triumph 675 (probably not in the running, but damn I likey a lot)
Any others you might want to toss out there...

Thanks!

[Joker]

For you.......

http://www.buell.com/common/07/firebolt/xb9r/gallery/584/beauty1.jpg




But i'm a little biased....:D

[Tiffany]

Not a fan...nice bikes, just not my cup of tea.

[ColoradoSkier]

A friend of mine might be selling something he calls a Blackbird?

[Tiffany]

Bit more bike than I am looking for, but post up details as I have several friends looking for new rides.

[Mr Zed]

Sit on each (because the only new one you can take for a test spin is the 675 [which is the one I'd get]) & see which one you like the best. They all haul ass, they all handle, and they all stop like nothing.

When you get your new bike, keep in mind it's way different than the 250 - ride safe.

[Jeffro600]

Buells = teh SUCK! :barf: Sorry...

Anyone of the big four would serve you well. Sit on them though as ergos are all different and where one might fit you well, another might not. I liked the CBR cuz im a smaller guy and the slightly lower seat height and smaller distance between all the controls and pegs just plain fit me better.

Are you looking to buy new?? Used crotch rockets, in good, not beed abused condition are TOUGH to find! Mines actually going up for sale here in a few months...gonna drop the coin on a new Ducati 1098!:drool:

[Tiffany]

Sit on each (because the only new one you can take for a test spin is the 675 [which is the one I'd get]) & see which one you like the best. They all haul ass, they all handle, and they all stop like nothing.

When you get your new bike, keep in mind it's way different than the 250 - ride safe.
For sure...safe is what I am about. I LOVE that 675...the boys at Erico would LOVE to see me on one as well...the damn bike is just so fawking tall!!! Its the only bike that I am not flat footed on. But damn do I want!!!

Buells = teh SUCK! :barf: Sorry...

Anyone of the big four would serve you well. Sit on them though as ergos are all different and where one might fit you well, another might not. I liked the CBR cuz im a smaller guy and the slightly lower seat height and smaller distance between all the controls and pegs just plain fit me better.

Are you looking to buy new?? Used crotch rockets, in good, not beed abused condition are TOUGH to find! Mines actually going up for sale here in a few months...gonna drop the coin on a new Ducati 1098!:drool:

Not looking to buy new if I can help it (and save some coin). If I had unlimited cash, I would buy the 636 and be done with it...LOVE that bike. But trying to find one used that isn't more than I can find in a store...not happening.

There is a Katana 600 ('03) on CL for $2500...*may* go look at it tomorrow, may not.

[Joker]

Buells = teh SUCK! :barf: Sorry...


Yeah, your right. I'm glad you said something man. Since you are the authority on motorcycles.....:thumbsup:

I think I'll go put mine on craigslist right this minute and go buy something in the cookie cutter flavor.

Thanks!:thumbsup:

[Mrfreeze5]

Given your experience, when moving up to a 600 I would probably go with a CBR F4i, YZF600,maybe an early R6 or early GSX-R600. The CBR600RR, later R6s, and GSX-Rs are a handful. The 636 is torquey and likes to launch hard. Not a great combo for a relaitvely new rider, especially coming from a 250. Earlier 600s and late 600s are a big jump these days. Personally Id go with an early 600, then after some saddle time, a later 600, then maybe a 750 or 1000 way down the road. You can get a F4i pretty cheap same with the YZF600s and they have plenty of power to have fun on and can always be sold later on. The F4i and the Katana have a less agressive riding position too, so theyre more comfortable and easier to rid for long periods of time. Ive got a 1992 FZR600 that is plenty fast for me. But then again its got every bolt on power mod you can add so its about on par with a YZF600. My next bike will hopefully be either a later R6 or a Ducati 748 or 998. Depends on what comes along.

[Tiffany]

Yeah, I was thinking late 90s CBR or Gixxer...seriously, not trying to kill myself.

[Mr Zed]

Yeah, your right. I'm glad you said something man. Since you are the authority on motorcycles.....:thumbsup:

I think I'll go put mine on craigslist right this minute and go buy something in the cookie cutter flavor.

Thanks!:thumbsup:

*snicker*

You Buell folks are alright with me. :D

[Tiffany]

I'm going to check out my friends Katana 600 tomorrow...it's a 99...only issue is she had it lowered as she is a shorty...I'm 5'7", not that tall, but a good bit taller than her...

[Mrfreeze5]

I'm going to check out my friends Katana 600 tomorrow...it's a 99...only issue is she had it lowered as she is a shorty...I'm 5'7", not that tall, but a good bit taller than her...

Its nothing to raise it or lower it. Should just be the dogbones for the shock linkage. You can buy stock length(or lower/lift lengths) for under $20-30 usually. But I would ask if she still has the stock dogbones. And the front is just a matter of loosening the triple clamps and putting the forks where you want them. If you're 5'7" though Id give it a try lowered first, you might like it. You want to be able to flatfoot it comfortably. And newer bikes(98+) seem t be a tad taller too. Im not sure why, but most that Ive seen are taller than say early 90s sportbikes. But I havent sat on a Katana personally(not a Kawi fan) so I cant comment on their stock height. It affects handling a little to lower it, but you dont have the experience to notice a big difference Im willing to bet. Im 5'8" and my bike is lowered 3/4" and I love it. It depends more on your inseam than you overall height. Katanas are decent bikes, especially for newer riders and commuters. It has a more upright riding position than the ninja or other comparable big 4 bike. The controls are set up so your body position is more neutral than most other supersports. Its comparable to something like the CBR F4i, FZ600, or GS500.

[Tiffany]

The only bike so far I found that I can't flat foot is that Triumph 675.

Hoping to be able to hook up with her today to check it out...but I got the N250 running last night...so I am happy enough

[Mrfreeze5]

The only bike so far I found that I can't flat foot is that Triumph 675.

Hoping to be able to hook up with her today to check it out...but I got the N250 running last night...so I am happy enough


I love the Triumph Daytona, and I would give a donate a testicle for a Speed Triple!!

I must have short legs then bc I can flat foot most of them. Ive recently sat on a 1998 YZF600(almost flat footed),2004 GSXR600,2005 ZX6R,and a 2001 CBR600rr and couldnt flat foot any of them. The ZX6r was the worst though. I was barely touching on my toes. Very uncomfortable.

[Tiffany]

yeah, I have longer legs...I guess. Gonna hook up with her tomorrow to look at the Katana...

Rode today...felt so damn good to be out riding finally!!!

[crackhead]

The Kat isnt a sport bike of the same flavor as the others.. They still haul and handle, just not quite as well.. You can jet and pipe 'em and theyll run w/ your friends 600/750's w/ no prob.. They have a bit more of an upright riding position.. If you are scared or concerned about the power of something you get, just throw a different rear sprocket on it for a while till you get used to it..

[Tiffany]

Yeah, I didn't like the riding position of the Katana. Also went and sat on a CBR600RR...REALLY DIDN'T LIKE the riding position of that one...was very akward...felt like my ass was up in the air while the rest of me was in my usual riding position...not comfy at all.

[crackhead]

Also went and sat on a CBR600RR...REALLY DIDN'T LIKE the riding position of that one...was very akward...felt like my ass was up in the air while the rest of me was in my usual riding position...not comfy at all.

Get used to that on all of the above rides.. Its a sportbike, thats pretty much how they are..

[Tiffany]

R6 didn't feel like that...none of the Kawis felt like that and the Gixxer 600 I rode definitely didn't feel like that.

That is the only bike that felt like that...it was as if the set was oddy high in comparison to everything else.

[Mrfreeze5]

I still stand by my FZR600

[Tiffany]

I still stand by my FZR600
Came across a really nice one on CL the other day...

[Mrfreeze5]

Came across a really nice one on CL the other day...

You should at least check one out to see the riding position to see if it suits you. I am pretty picky about riding position as I have shoulder and neck problems that get irritated if I ride for more than a few minutes in an uncomfortable position. And they have a good track record(haha I made a punny, but it fits both ways :D) and very few major issues over the production run and they can be fixed easily.

[Tiffany]

Yeah, everytime I find one and call on it...it's gone.

I really like what you are doing with yours...that R6 rear seat kinda made me open my eyes to them.

My ninja thus far has not aggravated either my back or my shoulder...thought that last ride to work...I know people were looking at me crazy on I-70 as my new jacket...the back armor needs to be adjusted a bit for me.

[Mrfreeze5]

Yeah the R6 tail is a pretty easy swap, a little bit of fab is involved, but considering your background with jeeps, you can handle it. But there is also a aftermarket company called Airtech that makes a bolt on R6 replica tail that reuses the stock seat and taillight, but it turns it into a solo seat, no pass seat. There are lots of little mods you can do to upgrade and hang with the later street bikes. Plus the FZR is very nimble. It may not hang with a R6 in the straights, but get in the twisties and it will be close. Its a little more narrow, and runs narrower tires, so turn in is faster. Oh forgot to mention in the PM, check the tire sizes. Stock is 110 front 140 rear. Common upgrades are 120 front and 150 rear. Any bigger than that(say 160 on the rear) will affect the handling as the tire will be pinched and its profile will be thrown off. Also might want to check the sprocket teeth count. Stock is 15/45. That is plenty coming from a 250, but once you get bored with that(it will be a while!) you can got to 14/45, or 14/47 is very popular for much quicker acceleration at the ascrifice of top speed(do you really need to go 140?).

[Tiffany]

I don't know...been doing the 90-100 thing on I70 on the way home from work...I LOVE working off hours...:D

That little 250 can move if you put your mind to it...

[Mrfreeze5]

I don't know...been doing the 90-100 thing on I70 on the way home from work...I LOVE working off hours...:D

That little 250 can move if you put your mind to it...

100 is still plenty doable with geared sprockets. Youll just get there quicker. Its the same as R&P changes in a truck. Different ratios change the engine speed compared to the wheel speed and can affect accel. but if you gear it to accellerate faster, you will lose a few MPH off your top end, which on the road you should never see.

[tarded400]

I would look at the F4 or F4i pretty hard. Great bikes, commute/track day/canyon carver. Not too hard-hitting power band. I had a 99 YZF600R and it was an awesome bike, just WAY heavy. Very very comfortable, and it could scoot if you wanted to. All of the new 600s are more and more track based. The fact that the new R6 is selling tells me that people don't care about real world performance anymore, they just want whats cool.
Have you looked into motards? :D Lots of fun!

[Jeffro600]

The fact that the new R6 is selling tells me that people don't care about real world performance anymore, they just want whats cool.


Friend of mine just bought a brand new one...its hardly a slouch and has more than enough useable performance!! Dont believe everything you read in magazines...go ride one and see for yourself.

[tarded400]

I can't! If I did, I might buy one!

[Mrfreeze5]

Any update Tiff? Ever bite the bullet and get a new rocket?

[Tiffany]

Naw, the bills bite the bullet and ate my cash...have a line on a really nice bike, may be able to work out a deal with the guy...but it's a lot more bike than I was looking at...Ninja ZX-750. May wait until June or July...

[Tiffany]

http://www.colorado4x4.org/gallery/files/1/8/bike.jpg

This would be the bike in question...could I regear it to take some of the punch away until I get used to the bike?

[jjeepcherokeer]

I've got my 2000 YZF600r I could trade ya if you wanted a little less displacement. :-)

[JeepWheelin02]

Yes you can regear it to take some of the punch away. New front and rear sprockets and anew chain should only set you back about $200. You keep the old ones and swap them back in when you are more comfortable with it. That is very simple to do.

[Tiffany]

Yes you can regear it to take some of the punch away. New front and rear sprockets and anew chain should only set you back about $200. You keep the old ones and swap them back in when you are more comfortable with it. That is very simple to do.
Awesome, that's not much at all. Guess we will see hat happens over the weekend.

[tarded400]

Try it with the stock stuff first, see if you need to regear. If you don't mind the weight I'd sure check out that YZF600R offered. Great bikes.

[JeepWheelin02]

Or run it with the stock gears when you get it (assuming it still has stock gears) and when you are use to it throw in some racing gears and really feel it pick up.

[Tiffany]

Try it with the stock stuff first, see if you need to regear. If you don't mind the weight I'd sure check out that YZF600R offered. Great bikes.
LOL...think Zach wants me to trade him the ZX for his YZF...thinking no ;)


Posted my N250 yesterday, have 27 e-mails and 4 PMs...thinking I may be on the new bike this weekend :D

[tarded400]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-ZX-12R-ZX12-Ninja-1200cc-unrestricted-monster_W0QQitemZ280107401176QQihZ018QQcategoryZ50019QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Thats what ya need...
http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/319943817.html
How much you looking to spend?

[Tiffany]

Think I will pass on the ZX-12...damn what did I ever do to you :( :lmao:

I can get the ZX7R for $2k due to the clutch and it being the bro of a co-worker deal.

Might go $3k if I look else where. There is TT600 on CL right now, guy has posted the thing like 20 times in the past few months. Trying to see what his drop dead price is, cause what he says is wrng with it, is an easy fix for my Triump mechanic buddy.

[Tiffany]

Well looked at the ZX7 last night, sold the 250 about 30 minutes ago...now the proud owner of a custom ZX-7R :D

The bike is NICE...cutsom paint, powder coated bracketry...I'm happy!

[JeepWheelin02]

Good for you Tiffster.

[Tiffany]

Need your help guys...

Found this on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Kawasaki-ZX7R-ZX-7-Complete-Clutch-Assembly-96-03-97-98_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35595QQihZ004QQitemZ140058699616QQrdZ1

My almost functional mind tells me that I could buy that and simply pull the entire basket and clutch out of my bike and replace with this one. I actually think I could do that on my own. My buddy who was goign to help me, highsided his bike today, broke his wrist in 2 places. Claims he can still do the clutch, but...not about to have his wife trying to kill me for that crap.

[JeepWheelin02]

I say go for it. A lot easier to do it that way than it is to do the clutch seperate.

[Hayes]

Go to the Triumph dealer and testride their 675, you won't think about anything else. IMO.

[Tiffany]

Go to the Triumph dealer and testride their 675, you won't think about anything else. IMO.
Do that damn near daily since I work around the corner from Erico.

I bought the ZX7R...really like it as it feels like the bike was made for me the riding positon and controls are perfect.

[Hayes]

That's good, as long as you like the bike that is all that matters.

[Tiffany]

True dat!