I'm looking to buy a leftover 13 sportbike. I'm looking at a cbr500r Abs, Fz6r, or ninja 650r. I can get any of these new for about the same deal. CBR ABS model- 6710-OTD, FZ6R-6890-OTD, ninja 650r- 6800-OTD. Thoughts?
buying new sportbike
- Thread starter donnyj08
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I would vote for the Kawasaki 650R. I have owned Kawasakis since 1979 and have had nothing but good luck with them. I haven't owned a 650R myself but a female friend did and absolutely loved it. She had absolutely no problems with it and it had plenty of power. At the present time I own a 1999 Kawasaki 1500 Vulcan Drifter cruiser (bad back prevents me from riding sport bikes anymore) and it has been perfectly reliable and the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.
I'd get what you think will be the most comfortable bike to ride. I've been riding for a long time and have an Aprilia Shiver 750 which is a V-twin. Ninja 650R owners tend to be seasoned riders vs the other 2 bikes you listed. The FZ6R will have the smoothest engine while the Ninja will have more mid-range punch. I wouldn't buy the Honda only because you might assume it will be more reliable.
ive ridden dirt bikes my whole life and had a 1991 ninja 600r for about six months 5 years ago, but i havent ridden much since. So im going to start out on a more modest sport bike as opposed to full out supersport. i also want a sport bike with a comfortable commuting position and these are the three that fit the bill. The yamaha was initially my first pick as i like the 4-cyl engine. The ninja is supposedly very easy to ride power band wise, and the Honda looks great and has ABS. My top two choices are the FZ6R and the CBR 500R. The CBR may be a little underpowerd though only having 47hp. the FZ6R is around 70hp i believe.
I will use the bike around town as well as riding to school which is 50mi one way 3 days a week and to northern kentucky, which is about 70mi one way. mostly all highway and interstate.
I will use the bike around town as well as riding to school which is 50mi one way 3 days a week and to northern kentucky, which is about 70mi one way. mostly all highway and interstate.
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Although all the bikes you listed would be great choices, I too would be heavily swayed towards the Yamaha FZ6r. For one the price is great for a 600cc I-4 engine, is extremely dependable with valve service inspections at 26,600 miles (compared to roughly half that for the competition), and Sport Rider magazine did a dyno run of the FZ6 and found it put down 90.4 hp to the rear wheel and achieves a factory rated 43+ MPG. Add to that you get comfortable ergonomics for touring/commuting, 4.6 gallon fuel tank, 470 lbs. fully fueled, and low seat height, I'd say you have a great motorcycle for every situation. Then again I am slightly biased because of my FZ1, but the numbers are impressive none the less. Good luck with making a decision and congrats on the soon to be new bike!
Tuning forks all the way. I am biased towards their products & for good reasons - they make reliable machines of any description & their build quality usually trumps all comers (traditionally, at least). So get the Fazer & don't look back.
John.
John.
Why buy new? You're going to drop it at some point anyway, despite the fact that you're a seasoned dirt rider.
Find a 2 or 3 year old sportbike that somebody didn't ride much, save a bunch of $$$, get more motorcycle, and don't take the depreciation hit.
FZ-6R would be my choice out of the bikes you listed, but if you're already an accomplished dirt rider used to riding hi-performance motocross machines, that FZ is going to get old, quick. You are going to want more motor.
My 2 cents.
Find a 2 or 3 year old sportbike that somebody didn't ride much, save a bunch of $$$, get more motorcycle, and don't take the depreciation hit.
FZ-6R would be my choice out of the bikes you listed, but if you're already an accomplished dirt rider used to riding hi-performance motocross machines, that FZ is going to get old, quick. You are going to want more motor.
My 2 cents.
Thanks guys. im looking at a slightly used 13 fz6r with 520mi im hoping to score a nice deal on it. its still basically new but will save the pocket book. I think my gut feeling of FZ6R is what i want. When i rode motocross bikes my yz 125 and yz250 were always my favorite 2 out of the 9 ive owned since i was 13.
john_pifer, i would go ahead and get an R6 if they weren't so uncomfortable to ride more than 20 miles.
john_pifer, i would go ahead and get an R6 if they weren't so uncomfortable to ride more than 20 miles.
Between all those, I would do the Yamaha first then the Ninja 650.
I'd have to think pretty long and hard about a new bike without ABS, particularly for a commuter...
If an R6 is an option money wise, maybe consider something like a F800GT...
Of your 3, the FZ6R is most appealing until you get to the no ABS part...
If an R6 is an option money wise, maybe consider something like a F800GT...
Of your 3, the FZ6R is most appealing until you get to the no ABS part...
I ride a 09 FZ6R and love it. Way sexier than both of those mentioned.
Use the $$ you would have spent on ABS and go buy an $800 dirt bike and practice traction management.
Like the guy who taught me to ride dirt bikes always says - "the skills you learn in the dirt will save your life on the street!"
Like the guy who taught me to ride dirt bikes always says - "the skills you learn in the dirt will save your life on the street!"
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
john_pifer, i would go ahead and get an R6 if they weren't so uncomfortable to ride more than 20 miles.
Get a pair of Heli-Bars (bar risers). A previous-gen R6 (pre-2006) has less aggressive ergos anyway. And they actually continued to sell that model (albeit with a conventional instead of inverted fork) as an alternative to the pipey "full bore" model for those who wanted a more street-friendly package. It's called the R6S. Not sure if they still offer it.
Also, someone above mentioned that the FZ-6 weighs 470 lbs. That's definitely nothing to brag about... My R1 weighs around 450 and has around 160 RWHP.
john_pifer, i would go ahead and get an R6 if they weren't so uncomfortable to ride more than 20 miles.
Get a pair of Heli-Bars (bar risers). A previous-gen R6 (pre-2006) has less aggressive ergos anyway. And they actually continued to sell that model (albeit with a conventional instead of inverted fork) as an alternative to the pipey "full bore" model for those who wanted a more street-friendly package. It's called the R6S. Not sure if they still offer it.
Also, someone above mentioned that the FZ-6 weighs 470 lbs. That's definitely nothing to brag about... My R1 weighs around 450 and has around 160 RWHP.
Originally Posted By: whip
Let's be honest. All three bikes are well built and will be reliable. Buy the bike that's most comfortable and has the features that you want.
Well said! Indeed modifying a used R6 for longer riding conditions could be a viable option, but performance values between the two are not that far off (as far as hp ratings are concerned). A 2013 R6 put down 102.8 hp in a middle weight shootout conducted by Sport Rider Magazine, while they also tested the FZ6 and came up with the earlier quoted 90.4, only a 12 hp difference. The main reasoning for the lack of substantial difference is based off the fact that the FZ1/FZ6 utilize motors based off the R1/R6 (with the FZ1 using the 5 valve head from the previous R1 motor). Furthermore, 470 lbs. wouldn't be considered light in comparison to modern Super Sport 600's like the R6, especially when considering the MSRP difference of $3200 that enables Yamaha to utilize lighter parts like the titanium exhaust; but for it's price point and comparison line-up it's competitive with other manufacturer's offerings (Kawasaki 650 weighing in at 461 lbs. with 64.8 hp, vs FZ6 at 470 lbs. with 90.4 hp). As you said, with 50 mile one way trips you'll want to be in comfort, but also not sacrifice performance when the time comes.
http://www.sportrider.com/sportbikes/2010-yamaha-yzf-r6-second-first-impression
Sport Rider Magazine Dyno Chart
Let's be honest. All three bikes are well built and will be reliable. Buy the bike that's most comfortable and has the features that you want.
Well said! Indeed modifying a used R6 for longer riding conditions could be a viable option, but performance values between the two are not that far off (as far as hp ratings are concerned). A 2013 R6 put down 102.8 hp in a middle weight shootout conducted by Sport Rider Magazine, while they also tested the FZ6 and came up with the earlier quoted 90.4, only a 12 hp difference. The main reasoning for the lack of substantial difference is based off the fact that the FZ1/FZ6 utilize motors based off the R1/R6 (with the FZ1 using the 5 valve head from the previous R1 motor). Furthermore, 470 lbs. wouldn't be considered light in comparison to modern Super Sport 600's like the R6, especially when considering the MSRP difference of $3200 that enables Yamaha to utilize lighter parts like the titanium exhaust; but for it's price point and comparison line-up it's competitive with other manufacturer's offerings (Kawasaki 650 weighing in at 461 lbs. with 64.8 hp, vs FZ6 at 470 lbs. with 90.4 hp). As you said, with 50 mile one way trips you'll want to be in comfort, but also not sacrifice performance when the time comes.
http://www.sportrider.com/sportbikes/2010-yamaha-yzf-r6-second-first-impression
Sport Rider Magazine Dyno Chart
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Would not get a sportbike for a long commute. You need something like this. Don't eat the depreciation on a new bike. http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/4432091746.html
You will have plenty of passing power, good gas mileage and won't be cramped up (knees folded up, leaning over w/ back hurting).
You will have plenty of passing power, good gas mileage and won't be cramped up (knees folded up, leaning over w/ back hurting).
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Comfort is entirely subjective. I find the cruiser riding position to be uncomfortable very quickly, with most of my weight resting squarely on my tailbone.
The sportbike riding position has suited me well, even on the occasional 1k mile days.
The sportbike riding position has suited me well, even on the occasional 1k mile days.
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
Would not get a sportbike for a long commute. You need something like this. Don't eat the depreciation on a new bike. http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/4432091746.html
You will have plenty of passing power, good gas mileage and won't be cramped up (knees folded up, leaning over w/ back hurting).
The Sportster is far from comfy. They have very limited suspension travel and I found them cramped without forward controls, which when you put them on you really notice the lack of suspension on the bike as it sends the jolts right into your backbone.
Something like a Suzuki Bandit 1200 would be a much better long haul commuter bike of equal displacement.
Would not get a sportbike for a long commute. You need something like this. Don't eat the depreciation on a new bike. http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/4432091746.html
You will have plenty of passing power, good gas mileage and won't be cramped up (knees folded up, leaning over w/ back hurting).
The Sportster is far from comfy. They have very limited suspension travel and I found them cramped without forward controls, which when you put them on you really notice the lack of suspension on the bike as it sends the jolts right into your backbone.
Something like a Suzuki Bandit 1200 would be a much better long haul commuter bike of equal displacement.
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