So I rode a GSXR-600 Today

[E1Allen]

So I don't remember my last riding experience on a sportbike other than the FJR. It was a few years ago anyways, thats all I can remember about that. Anyways one of my coworkers let me ride around base. As soon as I got on the damn thing there was a problem. Somehow I was supposed to fit my 6'2" frame on a bike for a toddler. (I pictured myself on one of those pocket bikes while I was on it) I seriously doubt I could ride a bike with my knees hitting my helmet. Plus it severly lacks the torque provided by the FJR. I really wish I had a picture of that. You could say I am still at that age where riding a bike like that would be fine, but where does that leave someone my age that is taller than 6' ? Makes me glad that I didn't go out and get a GSXR-1000 like I wanted to a little while ago. I think i'll stick with the FJR.

 

[boardsNbikes]

Those 600 bikes are small. Still, I want one, probably the new CBR600RR but I'd have to consult with my SV650S before purchase

 

[FJRMGM]

when I see bigger guys riding a 600 sportbike I somehow start thinking about a monkey doing something dirty with a football..... :lol:

 

[E1Allen]

I just dont see how it is possible, safe, or comfortable to ride like that for any length of time. Who's them guys that ride the little bikes around in parades?

 

[tstaff]

The very reason you see the 600's crashed so often.

Small, light, it's a toy...right?

When in fact they are very narrow focused weapons, don't let them fool you.

You are right about the size, they keep getting smaller, I had a 01 GSXR-1000 that I rode for five years. I'm 6' & could do 350/400 mile days with little effort, I got to set on the 07 Gixer 1K & it feels as narrow as a dirt bike & very cramped compared to my old 01, I can't imagine doing much distance, but I'd sure love to have one for track days.

 

[red2kcbr]

A full-on 600 sportbike like the GSX-R, or CBR, or ZX, or YZ is a fun toy, but make no mistake, it's a bad motherfucker. No torque? Maybe so, but wind it up and watch it scream! Any of them are over 100 HP at the wheel, and weigh a little more than half what the FJR does. Any of them will do over 160 mph, and low tens in the quarter. And they handle like a dream if you get the suspension set up right.

That's why the squids kill themselves on them so much. "It's just a little 600, Dad. I can handle it...." Then bam, our insurance rates go up again!

I like 600s. But I like liter bikes, too. And I like the FJR. Dammit, I need more motorcycles!

 

[Chips]

I just dont see how it is possible, safe, or comfortable to ride like that for any length of time.

My secret is lots of sit-ups and keeping generally fit. I have done 500 mile days on my 600RR with the stock seat and handlebars without issues. Granted I am 5'7" and 170# but I also belong to the (gulp) 45 year old club. I'm about to head out for back-to-back rides to the WV mountains this weekend on the 600. The FJR needs a rest (it's coming up on 4 months old and has over 5K miles) before I head down to the Gap in a couple of weeks to hang with my FZ1OA friends.

I just love winding up the revs on it. Keeps me young.

 

[ZZR12]

I agree; all the 600 and 1000 cc track-derived supersports feel like manufacturing screwed up when they were reading the plans and built them to 7/8 scale. I love a more aggressive sportbike, but there aren't many that fit and feel comfortable. This was my choice:

Big and comfortable, feels like an actual adult-sized bike, but still nimble and pornographically fun. A very nice complement to a touring bike. :yahoo:

 

[E1Allen]

Only room in the garage for one bike right now though I just might consider something like that otherwise.

 

[pawtracks]

Who's them guys that ride the little bikes around in parades?

Shriners I think

 

[E1Allen]

Who's them guys that ride the little bikes around in parades?

Shriners I think

Yeah, those guys. I couldn't think of the name. I remember watching them on their little bikes in a parade when I was younger.

 

[wheatonFJR]

One of Smitty's friends - Skinny Dave, lead a bunch faster group of riders on his R6 for the 400 miles of the Hooterville 400. He had a track day the next day.

 

[UweRoss]

It all depends what floats your boat. Last summer a buddy and I did this:

My buddy is 6'2". He rode this:

Yep, a 600cc "crotch rocket". He was perfectly content on it and still has no desire whatsoever to get a bigger or more comfortable bike.

-Uwe-

 

[dean]

So I don't remember my last riding experience on a sportbike other than the FJR. It was a few years ago anyways, thats all I can remember about that. Anyways one of my coworkers let me ride around base. As soon as I got on the damn thing there was a problem. Somehow I was supposed to fit my 6'2" frame on a bike for a toddler. (I pictured myself on one of those pocket bikes while I was on it) I seriously doubt I could ride a bike with my knees hitting my helmet. Plus it severly lacks the torque provided by the FJR. I really wish I had a picture of that. You could say I am still at that age where riding a bike like that would be fine, but where does that leave someone my age that is taller than 6' ? Makes me glad that I didn't go out and get a GSXR-1000 like I wanted to a little while ago. I think i'll stick with the FJR.

i was with a bunch of buddies last weekend with my new-to-them fjr. they all wanted to try it out, so i obliged. one of the guys was on a kawasaki zx636 or whatever. by the time i hopped on his, he and the rest of the crew were rolling down the road, out of sight. the very _instant_ i hopped on that bike, i said "oh, this is bad, this was a big mistake". i'm a good rider, but i couldn't ride that thing for shite. i felt like i was an ape on a football, ready to just spring off of it. now i know what they mean when they say you feel like your hands are on the front axle, not the bars, as i felt like i was just going to fall off the thing, and i'm only 5'9". i gave kudos to that dude for riding it as long (per day) as he does.

 

[E1Allen]

crazy riding that long on a sportbike. Maybe if you gave me that bike and said ride all of this and it's yours.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

It all depends what floats your boat. Last summer a buddy and I did this:

Yep, a 600cc "crotch rocket". He was perfectly content on it and still has no desire whatsoever to get a bigger or more comfortable bike.

-Uwe-

That particular Kawi is designed to have better ergos that a true all out super sport. The riding posture on that is more akin to a FZ6 than an R6, not that I'd want to cram my 34" inseam legs onto that for a 5000 mile stint

 

[RadioHowie]

It all depends what floats your boat. Last summer a buddy and I did this:

Yep, a 600cc "crotch rocket". He was perfectly content on it and still has no desire whatsoever to get a bigger or more comfortable bike.

-Uwe-

That particular Kawi is designed to have better ergos that a true all out super sport. The riding posture on that is more akin to a FZ6 than an R6, not that I'd want to cram my 34" inseam legs onto that for a 5000 mile stint

The ZZR 600 is worlds-away more comfortable than the typical 600 tupperware torpedo. Great long legged bike for the smaller of stature.

 

[drew231506]

I saw a new R6 outside the gym the other day...and I couldnt believe how small it was. It looked fake. I see them in the dealers all of the time but seeing it in a parking spot was different.

I'm looking now for a smaller bike to add to the FJR. I want something light to play on and take to the track. We'll see.

 

[UweRoss]

That particular Kawi is designed to have better ergos that a true all out super sport. The riding posture on that is more akin to a FZ6 than an R6, not that I'd want to cram my 34" inseam legs onto that for a 5000 mile stint

It was just over 9000 miles.

The ZZR 600 is worlds-away more comfortable than the typical 600 tupperware torpedo. Great long legged bike for the smaller of stature.

If you say so. I grew up on standards and now own a 'Strom and an FJR. To me, that's a race-replica. B)

-Uwe-