Looking to Step up to bigger bike- Need some Sugestions.

[McBiggity]

I've put a lot of miles on my bike this year and seem to be outgrowing my ex500 and am looking to buy a 600 over the fall/winter.

I want something that will be comfortable on longer rides and will be smooth and predictable in acceleration and handling. Don't need anything considered to be "race bred"

I've been looking at the Suzuki GSX600 and the Yamaha YZF 600, not the R6.

Any other's I should be looking at? Any experience with the above? Any help would be great.

[legalspeed]

Of course all models are different, but the Honda's have excellent ergos.

[bemused]

hm-m-m... what a coincidence: I'm planning to sell my '97 Katana 600 over the winter...

if it turns out that that's where your interest lies, we could create a win-win situation here...

[McBiggity]

thanks for the replies so far.

As far as the Honda's- I assume the f4i would be better mannered than the 600RR?

[legalspeed]

Degsy could answer better than I. Over the years, it has been Honda that takes great consideration for driver comfort.

If you mean throttle control, then Degs can answer.

A katana 600 would not be a bad choice. My wife rides my old Katana 750, which she learned on.
Compared to my Gix 1000, the Kat is a cruiser.

[benVFR]

How tall are you?

I'm 6'1" and most of these bikes my knees hit the fairings when I put my legs down at a stoplight, so I'd never buy one.

Ben

[bemused]

Originally posted by benSV
How tall are you?

I'm 6'1" and most of these bikes my knees hit the fairings when I put my legs down at a stoplight, so I'd never buy one.

Ben

good point... size does matter

as for the Kat, I've known folk Ben's height (and taller) who ride 'em w/out the difficulty he mentions-- no protruding fairings to bang knees on. however, the ergos might not suit you. and I wouldn't recommend the Katana for anyone under 5'4"... or 140 lb... based on the bike's height / weight... tho I know there are people in those categories who ride 'em.

[McBiggity]

I'm 5-8 about 165 lbs.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by T-595 Greg
a TT 600 would be a nice choice too.

Bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaa!!! C'mon, guy! He's looking for serious answers, I'm sure...

[bemused]

OK... so let's narrow down the field, a bit:

- when you say "longer"rides, what do you mean? 100 mi? 500? trans-continental?

- do you pretty much always ride alone? or do you have a frequent passenger? if the latter, you might consider leap-frogging over the 600 class & look at 750s or bigger

- are you looking to buy brand-spanking-new? coupla years old? 5-10 years? how much are you looking to spend?

there's peeps on this board w/ way more experience w/ way more bikes than me... but I can tell you a fair bit about Katanas (GSX600) if you wanna know more...

[McBiggity]

to answer your questions....

I almost always ride alone.
AS far as ride distances- anywhere up to 500 miles or so. Nothing corss-country.


Not looking for a brand new bike- maybe something 2-3 yrs old. Under 12k on the mileage. Looking to spend $4-$6k

[legalspeed]

Yes, the 4Fi.

[bemused]

Originally posted by legalspeed
Yes, the 4Fi.

"4Fi"???

isn't that a draft deferment?

[McBiggity]

lol-

anybody know anyhting about FZR's??

[stoinkythepig]

Don't forget pre-2003 ZX6Rs. They have nice ergos (much the same as my 9R, if memory serves) Hard to go wrong with a Honda though.

[RandyO]

my question for Mike is why a 600? do you like inline 4s
you might also consider the SV/SVS nice power low and midrange, comfortable ergos if you have the right build, cheap money, extremely reliable, light & flickable for twisties. If you don't like them cause they don't have full plastic, no problem, you can get aftermarket plastic, and suspension bits and still spend less money than most of the fully fared 600s

[SEVENSGT]

Originally posted by mcbgti
to answer your questions....

I almost always ride alone.
AS far as ride distances- anywhere up to 500 miles or so. Nothing corss-country.


Not looking for a brand new bike- maybe something 2-3 yrs old. Under 12k on the mileage. Looking to spend $4-$6k

Well there is this Superhawk that I might just part with for 6k, or 6,5k with high mount 2 bros...( see below )http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...?threadid=2440

[SEVENSGT]

Originally posted by SEVENSGT
Well there is this Superhawk that I might just part with for 6k, or 6,5k with high mount 2 bros...( see below )http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...?threadid=2440

Exotic dancer not included

[McBiggity]

that's a sweet bike- not sure if I want to spend more than $6k though...

I have looked at the SV's, and love the way they look. What's the major difference, other than appearance, between a sv650 and a 600?

[SEVENSGT]

6 and it's yours, without the pipes http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...cat=500&page=1

[RandyO]

the major difference between a SV & a 600 is that the 600s are inline 4s, and the SV is a 90° V-Twin . brand new, the nekid SV is under $6000. the throttle on the SV is like a speed rheostat, twist it and you immediatly have power, you don't have to get to 7000 revs first, when you roll back on the throttle, you slow sown, phenominal engine braking.

all the MC rags rate the SV as the "best bang for the buck" bike for a reason.. no it doesn't have the best suspension, nor is it the fastest, it's not the best at anything, except that it is prolly the most versitile, you can mod one to be almost anything from a dual sport to a racebike

[McBiggity]

I am leaning very heavily towards an SV650S- anyone got some pics of nicely modded SV's? I like the full fairing look, but I also think the naked SV650S is damn good looking. It seems to be just what I'm looking for- decent power, handling, braking.

[gonzo6]

Originally posted by mcbgti
lol-

anybody know anyhting about FZR's??

I thought you said step up.

[McBiggity]

sorry about that- Just saw a for sale ad on a 98 fzr.
Please forgive me

[bemused]

I betcha a quick internet search would turn up an SV-specific site or two... or three

bound to be some "members' rides" pix that would show you summa the more popular mods...