to those of you who have upgraded...

3265 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by S. Blunt, Aug 22, 2011

insaniti

Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2011

and when I mean upgraded, I mean to a bigger bike. how many of you traded your 250 in? how many of you sold it out right? Im starting to keep watch for a few bikes to see if any deals jump out at me, and Im just curious how others have approached the situation.

I feel that Im in a great situation when it comes to upgrading. I LOVE my bike, so Im not in any huge rush. This will allow me to search for that one great deal that I can't pass up, all while still enjoying the time I have with my little ninja.

The biggest thing about my ninja is highway riding, and I do and will do A LOT of it. Sure it will keep up with traffic, and it will even do more but it really doesn't have a lot to offer once you are up to 70 mph or so.

anyway, the two main bikes I'm looking for are 2009+ Ninja zx6r and 2007+ CBR600RR. These two bikes are the most interesting to me because of their high scores from all magazines, websites, blogs, etc when it comes to street riding. they hold their own and then some (in the case of the zxr) on the track, but are more comfortable and rider friendly on the streets than the other 600's.

any advice to be passed along while looking is always appreciated.

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Aysee

· #2 · Aug 1, 2011

I know someone with a 2010 ZX-6R and I've had the chance to ride it briefly. It's a very aggressive riding position (a bit of a stretch to the bars) and the engine hasn't got much until you rev it's head off and then it wants to launch you into outer space. A very fast and capable bike but not well suited to the road compared to a CBR or GSX-R. Most magazine reviews I've read seem to support this.

I also know someone with a 2007 CBR600RR and although I've never ridden it, I've sat on it and it felt much more comfortable than the ZX-6R.

Both bikes are great, but I think the Honda would be a better street bike while the Kawasaki would serve as a better track weapon.

insaniti

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 1, 2011

first let me say that I don't like GSX-R's at all. I think they are ugly, uncomfortable, and heavy. second, most blogs, websites, and magazines I've read and give real weight to their opinion seem to agree with those (well maybe not the ugly part). they are very common around here, overpriced, and I will never own one. ever!

next, two of the biggest influences I look at are sport riders middleweight shootout, and cycle worlds 600 comparison tests. both take the bikes to the dyno, track, street, back roads, etc. have multiple riders rate them, and average the data.

both of these sources are constantly putting the honda and the zxr at the top of the class on the street, the GSX-R is left behind in all of these. as for the "stretch" to the bars, it's not a stretch for me with my long and lanky build. even at just 5'10", my wingspan is around 6'3"-6'4". I've ridden the CBR, but not the zxr yet. right now the zxr is easier to find in my area to buy (my area being within a few hours of driving distance), the honda is a little harder to come by.

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Navy Ninja

· #4 · Aug 1, 2011

Interesting... the last middle weight shootout I read had the GSXR ahead of the cbr and the zxr...

insaniti

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 1, 2011

Navy Ninja said:
Interesting... the last middle weight shootout I read had the GSXR ahead of the cbr and the zxr...

Because of the track results. If you look at just the specs (weight, wheel base, seat height), and street results, the gsxr is near the bottom. If you want a track bike, the gsxr its a good option, if you want a street bike, the zxr and cbr are clearly better. Smoother power bands, better mid range, and rider friendly ergonomics

metbandit1

· #6 · Aug 8, 2011

insaniti said:
and when I mean upgraded, I mean to a bigger bike. how many of you traded your 250 in? how many of you sold it out right? Im starting to keep watch for a few bikes to see if any deals jump out at me, and Im just curious how others have approached the situation.

I feel that Im in a great situation when it comes to upgrading. I LOVE my bike, so Im not in any huge rush. This will allow me to search for that one great deal that I can't pass up, all while still enjoying the time I have with my little ninja.

The biggest thing about my ninja is highway riding, and I do and will do A LOT of it. Sure it will keep up with traffic, and it will even do more but it really doesn't have a lot to offer once you are up to 70 mph or so.

anyway, the two main bikes I'm looking for are 2009+ Ninja zx6r and 2007+ CBR600RR. These two bikes are the most interesting to me because of their high scores from all magazines, websites, blogs, etc when it comes to street riding. they hold their own and then some (in the case of the zxr) on the track, but are more comfortable and rider friendly on the streets than the other 600's.

any advice to be passed along while looking is always appreciated.

funnily enough I had that one great deal which made me trade my bike in,

The shop gave me £2600 trade in for my bike (with damage on the side) and £3500 on 0% finance for my GSX-R600!

spooph

· #7 · Aug 10, 2011

Have you ridden a Daytona 675 yet? Also, what about nekkids? There is truth to the super sport not friendly on the open road thing. I've found the Daytona to be livable on the street, and a joy over 20mph, but I haven't found anything that can touch my 250 in parking lots and such.. yea yea, what's Spooph talking about? - When you live on your bike as I do, run errands, take it work, etc, etc, it's the small things that make every trip worth it!

insaniti

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 18, 2011

I haven't even SEEN a Daytona in person. As for nekkids, not a fan... not that I'd find any around here anyway. There aren't a variety of bikes or bike shops in the area. You have your Harley's, and they are EVERYWHERE around here. You have THREE Suzuki dealers, so the GSXR is another popular ride, and then a Honda shop, and a Kawi shop. Funny thing is the Kawi shop is also one of the Suzuki shops. They have a few Yamaha's every now and then but that's it.

I've been looking within a 2 hour radius lately, private sellers, found four bikes I'm very interested in. Went to the bank about a loan, should find out in the next few days. 2008 Honda CBR600RR Graffiti Edition, 2009 Honda CBR600RR Phoenix Edition, 2007 Honda CBR600RR White with grey, and a 2009 Honda CBR600RR Movistar Edition. Catching a trend? Yeah, I'm getting a CBR. All the bikes are $6000, with a few "obo". Leaning towards the Phoenix as it's the best condition, least miles. Although the white and grey comes with a seat cowl, front and rear stands, helmet, jacket, and cover. It also has 10k mi tho.

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Onslaught

· #9 · Aug 18, 2011

The best way to find a bike that fits you best is to go to a bike show like I did when I was looking to upgrade. They will have everything, all makes and models that you can sit on to get the feel of what will fit you best. I sat on EVERYTHING that I was allowed to and came to the conclusion that the CBR was going to be my next bike without a doubt.

But everyone is different and ride/uses their bike in different fashions. It's good to get advice from others but in the end you have to pick what best fits how you ride and what will appeal/fit you best.

Good luck with the upgrade.

insaniti

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 18, 2011

I have sat on a 2006 GSXR 750 (was "ok"), 2011 GSXR 600 (hated it), 2010 Ninja ZX6R (was nice), 2010 Honda CBR600RR (mmmmmm), and rode a 2007 Honda CBR600RR (mmm again), 2009 Yamaha R6S (comfy seat, yuck everything else), 2009 Yamaha R6 (nice looking, HORRIBLE comfort).

The honda is the only bike I've been able to ride, but given I like the comfort and layout the best that is what I'm going with. The Kawi would be next if I HAD to (but I don't). Price wise, I see a lot of 2004-2008 GSXR 600 for $5k or under, so if I can't get the $6k for the honda, it might be an option. But as of right now, the Honda is the clear winner for me, and what I'm putting all my efforts into getting next.

Onslaught

· #11 · Aug 19, 2011

Stick with the mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm .

Felix

· #12 · Aug 19, 2011

Hard to buy a bad sports bike these days, it all comes down to how it relates to you. I had my heart set on a CBR600RR 06-07 when I was selling my 250r, I rode it, an R6, GSXR and then finally a ZX6R... the ZX6R, even though not the highest scoring of the year (magazine wise) spoke to me, it was a COMPLETELY different ride, the Honda (my first choice) was very very nice, but did everything sooooo well and smooth it was almost not fun for me, where as the ZX6R felt like it was trying to buck me off and kill me!

Sold me on the spot

Felix

Onslaught

· #13 · Aug 19, 2011

Felix said:
where as the ZX6R felt like it was trying to buck me off and kill me!

Sold me on the spot

Felix

Sounds like something I would do, haha.

Zandit

· #14 · Aug 19, 2011

Yeah, I wonder if he used that same process to pick out his missus??!!!

insaniti

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 22, 2011

Officially have a loan application in for a 2009 Honda CBR600RR Phoenix Edition (not my fav graphics). Only 2,400 miles, not a scratch on it. $6,000... :crosses fingers:

S. Blunt

· #16 · Aug 22, 2011

Same here Insaniti,

I'm definitely in no rush to upgrade but after sitting on that Cbr about 2 weeks ago, I got the same feeling I got/get each time I sit on my 250. The difference for me is that, I'm almost sure that I won't sell my 250 because it will always be my 1st bike and the fact that it doesn't even have 2k miles on it just say something to me. I've also been looking at the ZX-6r's for sale around town. I think either would be a good fit for me considering I'm roughly 6'2" and the reach to the handlebars wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I guess I don't make much sense because I simply enjoy riding and don't have a need for speed BUT when people are trying to run me off the road here in town, the piece of mind to know that a slight twist of the wrist will get me out of harms way is comforting.

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