Moving on up to an SS

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Not really a newb question, but it fits best here.

Been watching old MCN shootouts online, but I can't really decide between: 2003 CBR600RR, 2006 CBR600RR, 2009 R6, 2005 R6, 2006 ZX636

Which do y'all think would have the smallest learning curve coming from an SV650S (fully faired)? I hear the 06-07 R6 has a ridiculously high power band but haven't really been able to find the answers I'm looking for.

I find the 05 R6 most comfortable, but haven't ridden one
 
2006 ZX636 or the 2009 R6
Oh, you wont need much of a learning curve after riding the SV then onto these.
They are rather docile at lower RPM's anyhow.
 
Akshun said:
2006 ZX636 or the 2009 R6
Oh, you wont need much of a learning curve after riding the SV then onto these.
They are rather docile at lower RPM's anyhow.
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I am surprised that you recommend the 09 R6, I am curious what it is about that bike that you recommend over the others? I have had my eye on an 09 R6 but I have read mixed reviews.
 
Would depend on a few factors.Plus it is a newer bike.
Also R6 known for sharp handling. It has also gotten comfier. Also look nice!
The 636 tho I do like. But I'd take those 2 over the CBR, which are also decent bikes. Its just a personal preference is all. Cannot go wrong either way.

murdlem said:
I am surprised that you recommend the 09 R6, I am curious what it is about that bike that you recommend over the others? I have had my eye on an 09 R6 but I have read mixed reviews.
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I moved on to a 2009 CBR600 from a ninja 250. I love the CBR. The product is well made and looks refined. It's comfortable and the power is excellent yet controllable. Plus I like the undertail exhaust. Gives it good symmetry.

All the bikes in that class are excellent bikes. So you can't really go wrong with either. Just see what is the most comfy for you.
 
The '06 and up R6 is probably the least comfortable due to its aggressive posture unless you're very tall. I believe it also has the weakest low-mid range but it loves the top end and is very tippy.
 
For street riding the performance between all the choices will be close enough that you won't notice a difference, it will boil down to looks, price, and mods really. Personally I love the look of the 2nd gen R6, I'd dare say my favorite styling of them all (I could be biased because thats what I have!) but how the bike looks will most likely be the deciding factor. One thing to consider as well is what you want to do to the bike, I know having a 2005 R6 finding some aftermarket parts can be a bit of a pain, although with the 05 it shares most of its parts with the 03 and 04, as well as the 06-09 R6S so finding used OEM stuff hasn't been too difficult. Another plus with the 05 is that it has the projector headlights, so its ideal for upgrading to HID lights without worrying about blinding any other driver on the road. Only thing the other bikes on your list have that I would want that the R6 doesn't is that sexy undertail exhaust!
 
All are excelent bikes and none will provide a huge learning curve other than learning to run higher rpm's than yu have had to in the past riding a twin.
Yes the R6 only makes power in the upper top end and will be noticeably weaker anywhere away from a racetrack. You'll be slipping the clutch more than the others when leaving lights but who cares when it looks so good right?
Sit on (and hopefully ride) all of them and get the one that feels right and you fall in love with.
 
BTW, just curious but what's your reason for "moving up" to a 600SS?

Just wondering if you're hoping for a nice bump in power because if this bike is going to be run in the city a majority of the time it'll likely feel WEAKER than your SV650.
Here's a couple dyno graphs for you to peruse.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/28427...Photo/2006-Supersport-Shootout-IV-Street.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2415/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery-Photo/2006-Ninja-650-SV650-Comparo.aspx

At 7000rpm your SV makes about 65hp while an R6 makes about 40hp. And at the same speed your SV's torque is around 48 while the R6 is around 30 (not to mention the R6 never reaches your SV's max torque). You'll have to keep a 600SS spinning a lot higher than your SV just to make it feel as strong. Just something to think about.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
BTW, just curious but what's your reason for "moving up" to a 600SS?

Just wondering if you're hoping for a nice bump in power because if this bike is going to be run in the city a majority of the time it'll likely feel WEAKER than your SV650.
Here's a couple dyno graphs for you to peruse.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/28427...Photo/2006-Supersport-Shootout-IV-Street.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2415/Motorcycle-Photo-Gallery-Photo/2006-Ninja-650-SV650-Comparo.aspx

At 7000rpm your SV makes about 65hp while an R6 makes about 40hp. And at the same speed your SV's torque is around 48 while the R6 is around 30 (not to mention the R6 never reaches your SV's max torque). You'll have to keep a 600SS spinning a lot higher than your SV just to make it feel as strong. Just something to think about.
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I don't like the SV on the track and I plan on making a lot more track days in the coming years. When I have the money I'll probably get an SV1000 for the street/touring.

Thanks for the replies everyone, and as far as GSX-Rs it's purely a cosmetic thing. I've also ridden a K6 GSX-R and it didn't really turn my crank.
 
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Macs said:
Which do y'all think would have the smallest learning curve coming from an SV650S (fully faired)?
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Having come from an SV650S myself (see siggey), I can tell you that the learning curve won't be sharp at all. The SV has already accustomed you to a somewhat forward-leaning position and I remember the SV loving to lean in for the twisties.

The bikes you are looking at are designed for twisties so you're already prepared for that. The major difference you will notice is the higher amount of raw power once you hit mid-rpm and climb. It's a drastic difference compared to the SV.

Also, less hand-numbing vibrations, 4 cylinders are much smoother. I always figured "SV" stood for Sweet Vibrations.

As others have mentioned though, the number one thing to look at is comfort. Try to sit and ride on all of them. Then consider price/age and maintenance.

Best of luck!
 
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Hardwrkr13 said:
At 7000rpm your SV makes about 65hp while an R6 makes about 40hp. And at the same speed your SV's torque is around 48 while the R6 is around 30 (not to mention the R6 never reaches your SV's max torque). You'll have to keep a 600SS spinning a lot higher than your SV just to make it feel as strong. Just something to think about.
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The SV redlines around 11,500 though, so to compare power delivered at a specific rpm for two completely different types of motors is sort of irrelevant.
For day-to-day riding, the SV will rev lower than the R6 in the same situation.
For track situations, the R6 is only getting warmed up at 7k rpm while the SV is already 70% of the way there.

116kmh on a stock 99-05 R6, 6250rpm.
116kmh on a stock 03-05 SV650S, 5160rpm

Source: gearingcommander.com
 
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Macs said:
Not really a newb question, but it fits best here.

Been watching old MCN shootouts online, but I can't really decide between: 2003 CBR600RR, 2006 CBR600RR, 2009 R6, 2005 R6, 2006 ZX636

Which do y'all think would have the smallest learning curve coming from an SV650S (fully faired)? I hear the 06-07 R6 has a ridiculously high power band but haven't really been able to find the answers I'm looking for.

I find the 05 R6 most comfortable, but haven't ridden one
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Dont make a decision on which bike to get just based on magazine reviews or people's opinions. The guy who's always owned hondas will tell you to get a cbr, the yamaha guy will tell you go with the r6 etc...

Reality is they're pretty much identical in performance, some on the other hand are more prone to problems than others.

What you need to do is ride each one and figure out which one is the most comfortable and which one you like the best.

Then look at how they rank in reliability and pick a bike you feel the most comfortable on that has the least problems!

The learning curve for all those bikes is pretty much the same. All similar size, same engine size and pretty much same handling.



From my experience id stay away from the yamahas. Every yamaha i ever rode had problems. From transmissions problems on the first gen, to electrical on the second, shutting down for no reason, to engine problems on the latest generation. Yamaha fan boys dont be offended, this was just my experience. And btw, who the hell designed this thing? After 10 minutes of riding the latest generation you get so uncomfortable you lose all interest in riding.

The kawasaki was always a blast to ride, especially the 636. Has that little bit of power above everything else, however ive always hated the looks.

Hondas are hondas what can i say. Id rank it at the top with reliability, like the looks and i find it comfortable. ****, thats why i own one lol

I noticed you dont have a gsxr 600/750 up there with your choice. Ive owned 3 suzukis and rode plenty of others and in my opinion you can't get a better bang for your buck! If you can deal with the appearance and find it comfortable to go with id go with a gsxr 600/750. Actually id go with a 750 because its the exact same bike as a 600 +5lbs or so and has about 25%more hp up top over the 600. After having ridden everything from a 250 to 1000cc supersports in my opinion the 750 is the best bike all around.

Hope that helps.
 
Paul1000RR said:
Dont make a decision on which bike to get just based on magazine reviews or people's opinions. The guy who's always owned hondas will tell you to get a cbr, the yamaha guy will tell you go with the r6 etc...

Reality is they're pretty much identical in performance, some on the other hand are more prone to problems than others.

What you need to do is ride each one and figure out which one is the most comfortable and which one you like the best.

Then look at how they rank in reliability and pick a bike you feel the most comfortable on that has the least problems!

The learning curve for all those bikes is pretty much the same. All similar size, same engine size and pretty much same handling.



From my experience id stay away from the yamahas. Every yamaha i ever rode had problems. From transmissions problems on the first gen, to electrical on the second, shutting down for no reason, to engine problems on the latest generation. Yamaha fan boys dont be offended, this was just my experience. And btw, who the hell designed this thing? After 10 minutes of riding the latest generation you get so uncomfortable you lose all interest in riding.

The kawasaki was always a blast to ride, especially the 636. Has that little bit of power above everything else, however ive always hated the looks.

Hondas are hondas what can i say. Id rank it at the top with reliability, like the looks and i find it comfortable. ****, thats why i own one lol

I noticed you dont have a gsxr 600/750 up there with your choice. Ive owned 3 suzukis and rode plenty of others and in my opinion you can't get a better bang for your buck! If you can deal with the appearance and find it comfortable to go with id go with a gsxr 600/750. Actually id go with a 750 because its the exact same bike as a 600 +5lbs or so and has about 25%more hp up top over the 600. After having ridden everything from a 250 to 1000cc supersports in my opinion the 750 is the best bike all around.

Hope that helps.
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Sooo... what you're saying is... GO HONDA! Or is GO SUZUKI? :lmao:
 
Paul1000RR said:
Actually id go with a 750 because its the exact same bike as a 600 +5lbs or so and has about 25%more hp up top over the 600. After having ridden everything from a 250 to 1000cc supersports in my opinion the 750 is the best bike all around.
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My 750 gets a lot of compliments and a lot of "best all around bike" comments.
For some reason people are more enthused when they find out it's a 750. :)
 
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