[S. Blunt]

Sooooooo...
My girl wants my bike next year :banghead::banghead: and I've managed to find two other bikes I'm interested in. This is what I have to decide between:

1. 08 Zx-6r-2200mi, black, frame sliders, scuff on lower right front fairing (actually) looks like some weird design.:thumb:

2. 07 650r -2000mi, burnt orange, everything still stock & flawless.:thumb:

So now I'm debating between waiting until next riding season to buy another bike or getting one of these two registered, plated, winterized & stored to begin the next riding season? Also, the deals on both bikes are literally $100 difference. Factors I'm taking into account are, city/highway riding & the ocassional 175mi trip back home during the spring & summer to see family.

Now the dilemma-do I go super sport or sport tourer because this is going to be my last bike for at least the next 3yrs & I have no plans on going higher than 6 anything later on in life. Opinions are welcome & encouraged because I consider you guys a great resource when I'm thinking out loud (like I am now). Just didn't make sense to buy another 250 next season when my plates are good for the next 2yrs & that bike is already paid for.:nonono:

 

[Zandit]

Firstly mate, there is a world of difference in performance with these bikes, as well as the riding position. You are comparing 65-70hp with 120+hp, and while the 650 is very predictable in it's power delivery, the SS bikes will very quickly catch out the unwary.
If you are comfortable on the 250, you find the 650 to be more upright, which played havoc with my lower back. I have since changed over the bars to sportbars which has lowered the height by about 3-4". The SS is even more bent over, and for some people, that can be too much.

 

[spooph]

also consider the market. Currently is the end of the bike season... Bike's are quite a bit cheaper now than they will be in Spring time when the demand is higher....

 

[S. Blunt]

Zandit & Spooph, thank you both. This is why I throw my ideas out on here. I view the 650r tomorrow & the Zx-6r on Wed. Zandit I'm heavily considering the 650r now that I've seen a few with lowered handle bars & it's ability to adapt to it's surroundings. Spooph, you're not lying on the prices, people are practically giving bikes away that they were asking ridiculous numbers for in July & August.

 

[Navy Ninja]

Wish I could get the wife to take my 250 so I could upgrade...lol but she wants a cruiser or something of that nature...

 

[S. Blunt]

Navy Ninja,

Wasn't quite ready to start looking for another bike so soon, but I guess it'll 1 less thing to do next season. She surprised me she said she wanted the ninjette next season. Hopefully, I get to test ride both of the above bikes this weekend-extensively would be nice of course.

 

[Navy Ninja]

Personally I would go with the ZX6R. Either way you should be happy your girl wants to ride and your ninjette none the less!!! lol

 

[S. Blunt]

Navy,

Crazy thing is I'm really trying to talk myself out of the Zx-6r but that damn bike says something to me each & every time I see one.

 

[Zandit]

Something else to take into account, is there any chance your girl will want to ride on the back with you? If so, the 650R is the only choice! I can guarantee she will not travel 100miles on the back of a supersports!

 

[Aysee]

If you think you'd have no problem with the riding position then go with the ZX-6R. Not only do you get more power but you also get better suspension, brakes and tyres. The 650R is still a very good bike but I think you're getting more for your money with the ZX-6R (even factoring in the cost of repairing the scuffed fairing).

 

[S. Blunt]

@Zandit good point and the question becomes would I want to or be able to tolerate 100 miles on a SS? I usually tend to ride solo and I remember the discomfort I had riding the 250 before I got the seat redone:nonono:. I was able to test ride the 650r today & first gear felt like a canon compared to my tractor geared 10mph ninjette 1st gear. By the time I hit second, I was smiling from ear to ear.

@Aysee I was thinking about that and even started pricing fairing bolts to replace the one the owner lost.

Now for the bad news-Apparently the previous owner of the Zx tampered with the electrical system of the bike and there's supposed to be some type of pressure problem within the transmission. The current owner says that it's an easy fix for the trans and the electrical issue is nothing to worry about. Now, I'm not afraid of a healthy risk but, :ermm:this seems like a costly gamble, especially if this turns out to be more problem then solution on either account. In the meantime, I've uploaded a picture of the bike I test road. I'm sure Spooph wouldn't be opposed to the color one bit:dance:. He may even give a :thumb:

 

[insaniti]

you think bikes are cheap now, wait until Oct. People really pushing the sale to avoid storage.

 

[Zandit]

That's a neat looking 650R!!!
Unfortunately there is not many bikes around that haven't been tampered with in some form since everyone wants their bike to be individual!
Are you still looking at the Zx? It may not be too bad, but it certainly can't hurt to look!
Another thought, just buy your girl another 250R, then you both will have the same!!!

 

[S. Blunt]

I haven't seen the 6 yet because the owner's put of town for another 2 days. I'm scheduled to see it as soon as he gets back. I may not get a 2nd 250 just because the prices for an 08-10 250 are nearly the same as larger bikes.

 

[Navy Ninja]

I would be cautious of the zx too but I agree with others... look for another zx it shouldn't be hard to find one. On the topic of her.vein a passenger... she wants his 250 I would say if she wants to go then she should ride her own...

 

[S. Blunt]

Navy Ninja,

You're absolutely right and I've got a feeling that I'll end up putting the 250 up for sale by the middle of next riding season. Call it a gut feeling, but if I know anything about my girl, she'll start learning, get a little distracted by something else and lose interest. Worst case scenario being that I ultimately end up selling it to 1 of my coworkers that's been eye-balling her since day one.

 

[Navy Ninja]

Since I just got to ride on an R6 this last weekend...I would go for a ZX6R rather than the 650. Just my opinion though...

I understand what your saying man. I doubt my wife will ever actually start riding her own, but oh well...

 

[spooph]

Blunt, indeed, the best color out there!

Also, let the bike choose you, make sure to ride the 6 before deciding, and if you like the 6 more, look for a different one... Electrical gremlins are no fun, and although it might not be a problem now, it's sure to become one in the future... Also, transmission venting issues? Um, WTF? It's a freakin hose into the airbox.... Pressure issues is definite alarms! Internal plugged ports are pricey to fix. If external vents are causing issues something much bigger and worse is in the happenings, so go find an unmolester 6....

Also, if it were my decision, I would go with the 6 hands-down, cause I wouldn't have to mod it in any way... I'd have to do a lot of ergonomic work to the 650R to make it comfortable for me....

 

[Navy Ninja]

YAY!!! The Spooph agrees with me!!!! WOOHOO!!!! lol

 

[jkv45]

(SNIP) Now for the bad news-Apparently the previous owner of the Zx tampered with the electrical system of the bike and there's supposed to be some type of pressure problem within the transmission. The current owner says that it's an easy fix for the trans and the electrical issue is nothing to worry about. Now, I'm not afraid of a healthy risk but, :ermm:this seems like a costly gamble, especially if this turns out to be more problem then solution on either account. In the meantime, I've uploaded a picture of the bike I test road. I'm sure Spooph wouldn't be opposed to the color one bit:dance:. He may even give a :thumb:

How many owners has it had? Is the Title clear and in the current owner's name? If it was an easy fix, why didn't he fix it? Is there such a thing as an "easy fix" for a trans?

Electrical problems? Like what specifically? Why was he messing with it in the first place? Pressure problem with the transmission? That's a new one...

There's more to the story than he's telling you. Adding it all together I personally wouldn't even consider purchasing that bike - just too many odd things going on...


Nothing wrong with a mid-sized bike that's not a Super Sport if you aren't out hitting the corners all the time. Especially true if you like to do some miles and it's your only bike.


Jay