Thinking of moving to the dark side

[sjw]

Well I've had R6's since they were first released in the UK in 1999, but unfortunately I am thinking of moving to a CBR600RR.
Before you lay into me, my riding seems to be going more towards touring than scratching, half of my miles last year were done on a 9 day thrash into the Alps.
I have looked long and hard at the latest R6, but they have just gone too radical for me. (Mine is an 02 plate)
Any serious comments comparing the earlier R6 with a CBR600RR would be gratefully received.

[mattyr6]

I would imagine you would find a CBR600RR just as revvy and extreme as an R6. All the current 600's are the same in that you have to rev them to get anywhere.

If your looking into touring more, think about going up to 1000cc class. Noticably lower revving and you can leave them in 3rd/ 4th gear and ride the torque, unlike on a 600 where your more like a tap dancer!! (part of the fun for me)

Also think about GSXR750

[R6spike]

I have had the 600rr and to be honest it was a 04 model and the mid range was crap.
The later bikes got a bit more mid range and lost a bit of wieght so was alot better, all I did was drop one tooth on the front and it was good to go from say 7k.
Went to the ring with rik and he has an 06 (i think) and I was leaving him for stink in a roll on coming out of the towns as his took soo much longer to get going as all the power is top of the rev range.

As matt says if you can afford the insurance go with a litre bike, so much easier to ride and not up and down the box as much.
My mate just bought an 05 blade and boy is it quick, I just traded the RR for an R1 and it is much better.

The RR is supposed to be the best of the bunch at the mo though so well worth a look.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Good bit of advice though ride them all 600 and 1000 all models you just never know what you might buy.

[JonToms]

GSXR750........

Best of both worlds, not that i am thinking of getting one of course

[fractureman]

If you are selling and bling of your 2006 r6 Jon let us know.

I am fine with the race bike in 2006 r6 trim, it was fine and left a basic 2008 r6 race bike at Angelsey at the weekend according to one of my riders. Full race report to follow soon qualified 2nd in class and finished 4th

For the road I would laso recommend a tourer style bike, triumph or a kwack spring to mind mate

[rainbowwalker]

SJW,

I did a similar thing recently, had a 2005 R6 (USD forks) for 3 years, and did 30K in total, with a European tour to Austria last year. Wanted to change it, tried the 2007 R6 and thought it was too extreme. Engine was very revy compared to mine.

Went to look at a GSXR750 (as already suggested), but the 750 has the same size chassis as the 600. Whats that next to it, a GSXR 1000cc ? Had a sit on that, and it felt much better, more room, less head down arse up.

Took it for a test ride and loved it, couldnt believe how smooth it was, and I reckon it will be a lot easier getting that up the stelvio pass than the R6. Biggest surprise was not the engine (which is great ), but the chassis.

Brought it in October, done 4K since, and absolutely love it.

Dont let anyone tell you the K7/K8 GSXR1000 is an animal, its not, its a pussycat (the K5/K6 less so !). Also you get the power mode switch to drop the power down in bad weather/new tyres etc..

I havent looked back, but do miss my R6 for different reasons.

If you've done a few miles on your R6, consider it... but get shares in Bridgestone....

Cheers.

RBW.

[sjw]

If I do this I would be going from an '02 R6 (no USDF) to an '07 or '08 CBR600RR, so I am hoping mid range has been sorted.

Some good comments here, and yes quite a number of people have suggested a blade or other 1000cc bike, but I just dont need the extra cost, extra insurance, and extra speed, and quite frankly, as mattyr6 concurs, I quite like the up/down shifts. I feel I would be just too lazy and never bother changing gear on a litre bike.

I have a very tight garage, with bike to the far end on the right, my Lotus Exige does not get much more than an inch either side of its front wings, R6 peg on one side, wall on other... and no its not full of junk like most garages

Must say I have done Stelvio in an Elise, and wouldnt try it on a sports bike

Intrigued by RBWs comment "I havent looked back, but do miss my R6 for different reasons"

Steve

[R6spike]

What you need to do then is get out there and test ride all the 600's as one might be better for what you need it for.
Donot forget the 675 cracking bike from what i am led to believe

[rainbowwalker]

Originally Posted by sjw

Must say I have done Stelvio in an Elise, and wouldnt try it on a sports bike

Intrigued by RBWs comment "I havent looked back, but do miss my R6 for different reasons"
Steve

Steve,

I bet the Elise was great fun at Stelvio, was flippin hard work on the bike, but perhaps that was me. A guy with me on a Hayabusa made it look easy.

I miss the R6 because I really 'bonded' with the bike, and it was the first bike that I felt completely comfortable on. It went as fast as I wanted (and some), and flattered my riding.

The GSXR1000 is brilliant, but I get 2K from a rear tyre, and there is no way I can ride it hard on the public roads. I was getting to the point with the R6 where it felt 'right' and could cane its arse and have a blast.

My bike is still for sale in the dealers, and Im tempted to offer them silly money to see if I can get it back in addition to my current bike, but probably a pipe dream.

The R6 introduced me to sports bikes (had a Fazer 1000 before that), and I cant fault it in any way shape or form .

Still, the GSXR is rather good..

Cheers..

RBW

[sjw]

Originally Posted by rainbowwalker

I miss the R6 because I really 'bonded' with the bike, and it was the first bike that I felt completely comfortable on. It went as fast as I wanted (and some), and flattered my riding.

That is pretty much where I am coming from. Whilst I have had bikes for getting on for 20 years, I just get on well with what I have got. Its just I want a new bike, and dont like the latest incarnation of the R6. I am also not fond of the stubbie pipe on any bikes.

BTW an Elise on the Stelvio is an absolute hoot

Test rides are all well and good, but in this country you cant do 150 miles in a day on twisties from your average UK dealer.

I will only find that I have made the wrong decision because I'm struggling with comfort levels 1000 miles and a ferry crossing away from home.