Which 600cc Sportbike?

Maybe it's the rider

It's more fun to outride guys on bigger bikes, hell some of the best times I've ever had was toying around with guys on 1000's while I was riding my girlfriens old Ninja 250!

 

Agreed

 

no im a big guy a 600 just wont get moving...my harley sportster was faster till about 65 than the r6's i played with

 

All in good fun my man, don't want to sound like I'm bustin chops.
But I do know a few big guys who really fly around the track on 600s. I'm talking high 200's and even 300+ pound guys who can and have won Expert level races.
I know one guy in particular is around 250 and when the flag drops he is fighting in the front into turn one. Dusts my ass and leaves me trying to play catch up even though I'm 100lbs lighter! (key word trying, I'll admit it)

 

I test rode a couple of your choices. Gsxr750, r6, and zx6r. I ended up purchasing the zx6r. Low speed street manors felt more comfortable than the others.

I'm 5'11 at 220 lbs and sit comfortably on the ninja.

 

i have a 09 r6 and 08 600rr

my quick opinion
09 r6- not ergo friendly, more aggresive looking.. loves to be rev'd high, sits really high due to the wide seat and tank
08 600rr- more trq than the r6, the instrument cluster feels outdated compared to the r6

 

nope...got deployed instead...still waiting to return.

I'm leaning towards the 600RR or the ZX-6R

 

600RR!!! Ride Red!!!!!

 

Take it to the track for a track day with a respectable organization. (NESBA is who i've ridden with in the past). You will learn so much more about how to ride your bike than you ever will on the street.

 

So true!
I'm actually a coach for Team ProMotion

 

I agree. In all honesty, they are all the same bike for all intents and purposes. Find the one that you fit on best then find the one that you prefer the aesthetics of. They are all brilliant motorcycles far more capable than only a handful of riders on the planet.

My personal advice on buying motorcycles is to listen to your heart. Dont' get too caught up in comparing spec. sheets. Buy the one that "spins your wheels".

dp

 

I was just recently in a similar position as you, I was looking at buying my first street bike after many years of dirtbike riding. After a lot of looking I decided I really wanted a 600rr or zx6r, but ended up buying an 06 gsxr 750, mainly because I got a really good deal and it was extremely clean. I've had it for about 2 months and absolutely LOVE it. I'm also 5'8 and it is very comfortable to me. I'm sure you'll love whatever bike you get, but after looking at a lot of bikes and eventually buying a 750, I'm really glad I did. From my experience the 750's are a little harder to find than other bikes, but if you find a good one don't rule it out, go take a look. Good luck finding a bike and thanks for your service to our country!

 

This is very true. It's why i drive a TL1000s. The grin factor is why i keep it. I will probably never sell it. It's a v-twin with the hp of a 600 and the torque of a liter bike. It makes for a very interesting ride.

 

Ha! I had a TLS! Put over 30k miles on it before selling it. Fantastic motor, but miserable handling manners. You should switch to something a little more modern.

dp

 

That twin is soooo much fun. I might buy a track bike at some point, but i don't have the time to go as much as i'd like so it would be a waste of money.

 

You missed the ONLY superbike in the 600 class? WTF.

Triumph Daytona 675 is THE BEST bike in the 600 class. Incredible low-end, light, narrow, fast, great suspension.

 

^^THIS^^
I know if I were in the market today for a new supersport, it would be the D675R fo sho! I wouldn't agree with the incredible low end part, but I prefer the v-twin grunt. Now if I could have the chassis of the Daytona with the motor from my 848...

 

x2

 

and motors that explode on track days. The 675 is notorious for blowing up.

 

...and on Dyno's.. Seen' a lot of 675 go boom, even brand new ones. Even despite that, I really dislike the handling characteristics of the 675, and I've ridden them a lot.

They are pretty, but for the same money, I think the 848 is a better bike all around. Although, to make the 848 behave properly you need to make some adjustments to the geometry.

dp