Help me decide...ZX-6R or GSX-R 600

[vrturbojake]

Alright guys, I sold my SV650 about a month and a half ago and in the mean time have been riding my friends YZF600R and GSX-R 750 and have the itch to get my own again now that some debt has been paid off. The two bikes, possibly three, that I'm trying to choose between are a 2011 ZX-6R, GSX-R 600 & GSX-R 750. I'm kind of partial to the Suzuki's since that's what 90% of my riding time has been on, but always loved the Ninjas.

A little riding background for what I would need out of the bike. I commute 65 miles one way to and from work, on the SV it was comfortable and the ergonomics were never an issue. I know that will be entirely different with these bikes, but I'm willing to sacrifice that for the better performance of a SS bike. On top of all the commuting, I take many long rides on the bike in the evening or weekends, basically whenever it's nice and I get the chance I'm carving up a back road somewhere.

Any help or input is appreciated, thanks!

Jake

[hrama803]

No poll??

Anyway im not biast or anything but zx6r .

I have ridden the 2011 GSXR and '11 ZX6R. I really like both. I have not ever rode on a 750 but I would love to try it out.

I have 25k miles on my 09 ZX6R and had only one issue with the Stator. For about 2 years I commuted to work 60+ miles and no issues.

Kawasaki

Everyone and their mom has a GSXR around here which is probably the same everywhere.

Other then that I cant be that much help.

[SGelshawno]

Have you ridden all of them? If you've been riding the 750 and are thinking about the gsxr 600 just remember its a little smaller and slower. From my experience the gxsr's are usually the lowest sitting bikes. The zx6r would have more power than the gsxr 600. Not sure about handling ive only rode an older zx6r. It was more comfortable than my bike but thats all I can say about it

[Spinnaker]

I think last time I was in a showroom (early spring) Suzuki was having some pretty attractive offers on the 750s. I would buy one of those.

[vrturbojake]

If only I knew how to create a poll...haha. I have not ridden a ZX-6R or a GSX-R 600 actually, just my buddies R6 (terribly uncomfortable) and the 750. I've sat on both and as far as I can tell they are pretty similar comfort wise, but hard to say without really riding them. I'm not too concerned about which has a little bit more power, both 600's would be plenty.

Price wise, the dealer I'm looking at has them listed at these prices:

2011 ZX-6R - $8200
2011 GSX-R 600 - $9500
2011 GSX-R 750 - $9999

The price tag on the Kawi has me leaning a little more toward that but I'm still partial to the Suzuki's and find myself trying to justify the extra for that. But like you said, everyone and there mother around here has a GSX-R as well.

[hrama803]

The price tag on the Kawi has me leaning a little more toward that but I'm still partial to the Suzuki's and find myself trying to justify the extra for that. But like you said, everyone and there mother around here has a GSX-R as well.

For me it was price. I am short and the Suzuki felt about the same height has the zx.

It may just need adjustments or how that particular rider liked it but, I didnt like the clutch feel on the GSXR. It lets out really really early. My hand got tired faster.

This is the bike I rode: Which is my favorite body style. The one in the video is ugly IMO.

[vrturbojake]

My buddies 750, the clutch is that way, releases very early. Even with messing with the adjustable levers it didn't change that. Although it didn't seem to bother me that much.

I like the color scheme of the one in video, that's just like the one I'm looking at. Although if they have an all white one in stock this weekend I may jump on that. The ZX-6R is the Plasma Blue paint scheme that they have at the dealer, which I'm also fine with. I like the older green ZX-6R's but the black on that top fairing kills it for me on the lastest one.

[hrama803]

Not sure if this one is the same as the video. This belongs to a female rider here locally.

Not to fond of this bubbly front end.

[vrturbojake]

I see what you're referring to now, I agree, the one with your bike looks much better. I still don't mind the look of the newer ones though, not a deal breaker for me. I'll get a good look at them this Saturday at the dealer.

[SGelshawno]

no daytona's in that video

[hrama803]

no daytona's in that video

Not sure why. I rode my friends 675 and loved it. Although he has had nothing but trouble out of his, he

even had to get triumph involved.

[SGelshawno]

I've heard of a couple problems but nothing major. What exactly happened? These bikes are REALLY easy to work on and if there's something I cant do the dealership near me is cheap. $160 for a valve job. and parts are all over ebay like entire low mileage engines for about 1k

[hrama803]

He has about 8k miles on the bike. This is what I remember:

- Bike shuts off in traffic.
- Leaks

I will have to ask him about it and get back to you.

[Knock Sensor]

Get the 750, extra oomph on the lower end and people/mags always say the suzukis are some of the more comfortable SS bikes.

If you're getting the 600, go with the zx6r. Kawasaki makes beastly motors.

[joefrompa]

My brothers 675 has the same traffic stalling issue with less then 1k miles on it.

I just picked up my Zx6r last week and im loving it.

[vrturbojake]

Made up my mind, looks like I'll be picking this one up on Saturday...

[Spinnaker]

Nice! Congrats

[taymk2]

i miss my zx6 loved that bike id say ....go with the kaw

[03GTI4Me]

The design language on the ZX6R really bugs me for some reason. I am a huge Kawi fan, but I much prefer the 03-08 designs over the new one. Im sure functionally it is excellent, but that grill makes me want to punch it in the face. Long live the 636!

[hrama803]

Made up my mind, looks like I'll be picking this one up on Saturday...

Congrats...

I have not seen a blue one outside of the dealer.

[vrturbojake]

Picked the bike up this morning. Put about 40 miles on it today and so far I like it a lot. So much better about this bike than what my SV650 had to offer. Handing, brakes, power, etc.. I'm interested to play with some of the settings on the Ohlins steering dampener to see how well this dampener works. I bought some rear spools, frame sliders, fender eliminator and rear seat cowl for it, next I'll be getting an M4 slip-on for it, the stock piece is hideous and the M4's sound great. A few pics below, 20 miles on it and I took it apart to put the fender eliminator on it.

[Knock Sensor]

Looks great, digging that plasma blue color.

[Mk1Racer]

You had to park it in front of that butt-ugly trailer when you took the pics?

[hrama803]

I have a M4. Its a tad lout but sounds great!...

IMO the best looking 6R exhaust.

[vrturbojake]

Is there a silencer in your M4 exhaust?

Don't hate on the ghetto trailer, makes for a beautiful backdrop.

[hrama803]

No silencer. I have gotten to the point of riding with music at all times. If I have to listen to that loud exhaust all day ill get angry.

[Village Idiot™]

Meh...be different...Daytona 675.

[abawp]

Picked the bike up this morning. Put about 40 miles on it today and so far I like it a lot. So much better about this bike than what my SV650 had to offer. Handing, brakes, power, etc.. I'm interested to play with some of the settings on the Ohlins steering dampener to see how well this dampener works. I bought some rear spools, frame sliders, fender eliminator and rear seat cowl for it, next I'll be getting an M4 slip-on for it, the stock piece is hideous and the M4's sound great. A few pics below, 20 miles on it and I took it apart to put the fender eliminator on it.

Congrats and nice bike!

Some things to consider, if you get the M4 exhaust you can get rid of the passenger foot pegs to finish cleaning up the back-end. Also the rear fender bolts, the short black ones, are interchangeable with the front fender so if you wanted to get rid of the front reflectors you could. Best of luck with the new ride

[vrturbojake]

Good to know about the bolts being interchangable. I'm going to the dealer to pick up my seat cowl Saturday so I was just going to get two new front fender bolts to replace them. The only thing is they have a tag there with the inspection sticker, so I may leave that bolt in there but take off the reflector.

I ride 2-up every now and again so I'll leave the rear pegs on most likely rather than swapping them back and forth.

[AshyLarry]

Nice! Looks great, always think the ninja's have it best in the looks department (although the new R1 is pretty awesome).

FWIW, I have a Ohlins dampener on my Duc and I leave it on the lowest setting 99% of the time, you won't need to to be very stiff at all for daily riding, even when I get aggressive (well as aggressive as I can be!) I leave it as is or turn it 1-2 notches stiffer.

[hrama803]

lots of Volkswagen and Kawasaki love..

First picture I took of the bike at my house.