Ok, well I have been looking into buying a street bike and well just let me say this I'm pretty much torn between 2 "classes" of bikes and 2 bikes in each "class". The first "Class" is the 600 cc area. I have always wanted a Honda CBR From when I was small and the two brothers 900 RR came out. so I was looking at the 600 F4i. But in going to the track I have always LOVED the yamaha's so I was looking at the new R6 (or even old for that matter) so in the 600 CC class I was looking at these 2 bikes R6 and F4i.

The other class is the 1000 cc class and it is between the R1 and the CBR 954. Now I was talking to a friend that went to some motorcycle school in Florida (It's pretty well known) and he says that the CBR's are mainly stunt bikes, so he would recomend the Yamaha's. Now I have also been to the track with a buddy of mine who has 2 R1's and races at VIR for most of the track days. Well, needless to say you know he recomends the R1. Now I have ridden Dirt bikes since as long as I could walk and in Cali I was riding junior motocross I have also been riding with friends street bikes for a while and so know I want my own!! but I know how to ride I would have to buy all the gear but mainly I'm concerned about the Bike (the most important part). I'll ask you guys for suggestion on gear later. Thanks.

Later,

Sean C.

Oh and if the R1 would be the best I know someone selling a 2000 for $7000 with only 3k mi. on it and a polished frame, a Slip on and that's pretty much it.

 

i would stay away from the r1 if your going to ever do any stunting in the future...it has a lot of peaky power and totals out easily due to the frame design. the cbr's have a stunting image becuase they have a very broad powerband and are very manuverable (sp) and everyone rides one. the 954 is an awesome bike period. it does everything well. i would stay away from liter class bikes as a first bike...theres nothing wrong with the f4i although i find it feels a little short and i really can't get comfortable on it. i def recomend the r6 i'm 5'8" 31" the lbike feels like it was made for me i have a new 03 r6 on order...and from the looks of it many r6 riders are trading in there "old" r6's so i'm sure you could get a killer deal

 

Thanks for your input. I was not looking to do any stunting... JUst maybee in thefuture a little track riding at V.I.R. in Danville, or out in WV (forgot thename of the track) but it would be for the track no stunting... So I guess it's between the Yamaha's I really like the R1, and R6 (expecially since they've been so much alike...) but as far as power, what's the difference going to be? Right after I turbocharged my teg. Boosting 6lbs. I drove my old SOHC VTEC Del Slow and my god the difference was SOOOO dramatic. Is it going to be a big difference like that? Cuz if so then it's the R1 for me, I have taken the class and I have been riding for a long time, plus I consider myself to have a pretty level head and I won't do anything too stupid. Thanks for all your help again.

Later,

Sean C.

 

Think carefully about how important power is. You've got a sub 400lb bike making 90ish horsepower to the wheel. How's your b18@6psi's power to weight compare to that? That's the r6 btw. Worry more about the riding position, price and perhaps race classing.

 

what have you been riding for a long time? dirt bike ? cruisers?

strretbikes like the R1/6 CBRs gixxers and zxr's are very different monsters compared to dirt bikes and cruisers. They handle very differently and even 600's of the early 90s did 0-60 in just over 3 sec.

if you think your going to get tired or "grow out" of a a 600cc, your wrong) you will probably never ride a 600 sport bike at ITs limit.

In my opinion if you wanna start doing track days on a bike I'd start with a 600 rather than the liter bikes. youll learn quicker and easier and in no time you'll probably be running laps around the guys who just wanted the fastest machine out there.

oh yeah and while the CBR954 is probably a lil esier to do "stunts" with it by no means is any lesser of a track bike than the R1. I acually think its easier to ride fast.

and just to show I'm not impartial to either the honda or the yami, If I had money for a newer bike right now, I probably get a gixxer600....that is until I see the new 2003 models.

 

The best person to turn to for advice is yourself. Don't let others make decisions for you. Remember, you're the one riding it, not them(your friends).

 

Yah, I grew up on Dirtbikes and I realize they are very different but it does give me just a little more experience with riding bikes. Yah, I always reserve my 60% but I just like to know other peoples input because they have been riding street bikes a lot longer than I have, so I respect and value their opinion. Well again, thanks.

Later,

Sean C.

 

I'd give thumbs up for either the f4i or the r6. Definetely killer deals on the 02s and older. You might even consider an yzf600r. Don't count out a zx7r/gixxer750 if you feel a need for more pickup. I personally am quite content w/ passing liter bikes on my 250 let alone the 600. Corners only of course. Keep that in mind. Middleweight 600s are the ultimate corner carvers. 7s are very close w/ a good amount more power but the liters are getting quite nimble these days. The other guy mentioned the R1 frame. It basically makes the bike. Course it does total easily, a local guy just wrote one off last week. I'm suprised b/c he was actually a responsible rider. Pretty skilled too. Well there's my 1%, hope it helped. If you really want to and decide to go liter then more power to you. Just try to keep one wheel down at all times or I'll have to see another sad "broken baby" picture and the story that goes w/ it.


[Modified by tonydatyga, 10:32 PM 10/5/2002]