need advice - F4 vs ZX6R vs TT600

2893 Views 16 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Sixxer, Aug 30, 2000

BBQ Dave

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2000

Getting a new bike this week or next and the dealers have all came down to about the same price (a little under 7,000). I am looking for a bike thats comfortable to ride for long distances, good power, realiable, good ergos, reasonable insurance, etc.

Little background: I am 5'10, 185lbs, occasional long trips, do the daily commute to work, and my wife wont be romantic for weeks if I buy one - wasnt the last two times but a risk I am still willing to take.

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Dave

600 Bandit

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Tristan

· #2 · Aug 16, 2000

TT600- nice try, but iffy reliability and uggglyy!
F4- Never before has supreme competence been so bland!
ZX6R- We have a winner! (and most magazines agree). Get a red one, be different.

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'98 Superhawk

Spitfire

· #3 · Aug 16, 2000

Don't know much 'bout the TT (except that it's more or less the British version of the CBR), but going by your description, I would probably choose the Honda.

Then again, the Kawi is good, also. Just sit on all of them and see which you like best.

My guess is you'll probably end up going with the one that you think looks best.

If it were me in your situation, I'd wait a little bit and get the 2001 Gixxer instead. Price would probably be pretty high, but who gives a sh*t.

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BBQ Dave

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 16, 2000

Thanks, did sit on all of them & was down to the F4 and 6R but one of the dealers today had a TT. Part of me wants to get the newest 01 liter sized torque monster but really like the comfortable ergos and the price of the ones I am looking at.

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Dave

600 Bandit

His_Suzuki

· #5 · Aug 17, 2000

BBQ,

Here are a couple of bikes to try out for the reasons that you stated, I can think of these 2 right off the top of my head.

2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200
2000 Suzuki Katana 750

Both bikes are under $8000, very comfortable especially if your wife ever does ride with you, excellent wind protection, low insurance rates, sufficient power esp. the 1200. Not everyone has one of these and they are very nice bikes for what you want and for your size, too. Try them out, I'll bet you a dollar that you will like the Bandit 1200, best.

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Todd Hoffmaster
'00 Katana 600
39 speeding tickets and now I have a V1.
So, uh, you "on the take", or what?

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jk6672

· #6 · Aug 17, 2000

sportbikes arn't made for long distance comfort, but if you want comfort in a sportbike buy a R6 (right price range) slap some sissy bars on so you can stretch out them legs, get rid of those stock handle bars, add some gorilla bars with the cool shreded leather at the tips to flap in the wind, and lose the passanger seat so you can mount a backrest. Now all you have to do is kick back and enjoy the comforts of your hybred.

Shall I dare say the name of what type of bike is sounds like your looking for? Ahh, what the hell. A cruiser maybe?

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John

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -Albert Einstein

[This message has been edited by jk6672 (edited August 17, 2000).]

Rug Burn

· #7 · Aug 17, 2000

If you can stand the looks a TT600 might be a choice. Went to a BMW/Triumph dealer the other day and the showroom was full of them--probably can barely give 'em away. They had an Agusta MV in the window, that's why I stopped. Pure sex!

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"If everything's coming your way-
you're in the wrong lane"

Clark

Tungue

· #8 · Aug 17, 2000

My vote is the F4. I have one and I love it. For long rides and especially general commuting, my opinion follows in line with what you may have read about the comfortability of the F4. The general riding positioning is not as agressive as other bikes, but when you want to ride hard, you've got room to get yourself into a more agressive position.

As for reliability, it's a Honda. They've been producing high quality bikes for a long time now. The odds of getting a "lemon" or having a lot of mechanical problems are very low. Well in all honesty, I don't think you'll have much or any mechanical issues with either the F4 or ZX6R. Bikes tend to be very well put together now a days

If your wife won't be riding much with you, then you won't care that there's no "Oh $hit" bar on it.

My vote is the F4. Just go sit on them again, and take the one that you feel comfortable on and looks best in your mind.

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BBQ Dave

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 17, 2000

Thanks, do really like the bandits(have had 2 so far) and anxious to see how good the 01 models front end will look. The 600 looks much better with the new nose. Am shying away from the kats cause a buddy has had problems with his 750 but not totally ruled out.

As far as passengers, my wife got on a bike with me for the first time last weekend - my brothers duc. - but has no interest in ever riding. And my boy will make a good harley rider someday - wont go more than a few miles, wont go fast, but really likes for people to see him riding.

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Dave

600 Bandit

photobug

· #10 · Aug 17, 2000

Are you paying cash or financing? If you're financing look closely at the Triumph. They have 9.99 APR until the end of August. This could make a substantial difference in your payments.

I just bought the Sprint RS and have a set of ST handlebars on the way. The RS ergos are much better for long distance riding than the 600s, and the optional huge ugly top box holds 45 liters of gear. Triumph also has some nice soft-sided saddlebags for the Sprint RS.

If you're paying cash the APR is a moot point, but the Sprint RS will make a much more comfortable long-distance bike than the 600s. I'm only 5'8" but after riding the TT600 and the Sprint RS back-to-back I opted for the larger bike. The extra torque is nice all the time.

Triumph is also knocking $1100 off the price of the Sprint RS through the end of the month. If I were choosing a 600 for all-around use I'd go for the Kawasaki, all other things being equal. But not having eight grand to cover a check I had to consider the finance rate too, which led me back to the Triumph store.

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"I was born yesterday, but I was up late last night."
Gary P. Nunn

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Rug Burn

· #11 · Aug 17, 2000

Photobug, I got the same finance rate through my credit union, I thought it was pretty standard too. Never get financed through a dealer unless they have something lower than your bank.

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"If everything's coming your way-
you're in the wrong lane"

Clark

#2f4

· #12 · Aug 17, 2000

i sure wouldn't let your method of payment be a factor ! big deal if your saving a buck or two.
if your still thinking about the TT600, check out motorcyclist, Aug. 2000 pg 54,..engine trouble's, who knows could be isolated, but still something to take in consideration

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texas tornado #2

BBQ Dave

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 17, 2000

Thanks, paying cash for the bike so not worried about financing. The more I research the TT the more questions about reliability. I bet it will be a much better bike as they work out some bugs.

As far as jk6672's comments about comfort - good advice! Am sawing my full-face helmet into a nazi helmet. Look for my how to post on getting a spike to stay on top of a helemt. You will be glad to know whatever is the next bike I am practicing posing, will loosen nuts to get it to leak oil and taking out two plugs to slow it down a little.

I do take longer trips and like the comfort as much as preformace through twistiees. simple fact - some have better ergos than others

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Dave

600 Bandit

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TN Jed

· #14 · Aug 23, 2000

Just get what the one you like best. Why buy something that you aren't 100% satisfied with and have to ask these questions again in a year or two.

If your wife will only ride Ducatis, buy one. Perhaps she has a thing for Italians.

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Joe4speed

· #15 · Aug 24, 2000

I have to say the ZX-6R... I have one and love it.... but I'm sure whatever you get you will be ultimitely happy with it... good luck with your decision! This is a 9R but they look about the same... I think they're sweet!

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Joe
1999 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, 4,100 miles, Vance and Hines Titanium slip on, synthetics, more to come soon!!!

1988 Mustang GT
www.joe4speed.com

[This message has been edited by JL1314 (edited August 23, 2000).]

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Irishbiker_R1

· #16 · Aug 25, 2000

Without doubt, its gotta be the Kawasaki ZX6R. Best 600 out there with a good strong midrange and a fantastic induction noise. best looking, best handling and the best all-rounder. The triumph is absolute crap (major fuelling problems (that Triumph have not yet been able to fix) and overheating concerns also). CBR very good but not good enough. Too bland, poor midrange and very coomon.

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Irish, I edited out your last statement, just a tad inappropriate. Thanks.

Pete

[This message has been edited by Pete (edited August 25, 2000).]

Sixxer

· #17 · Aug 30, 2000

Hand down, it's got to be a 6R. GOt one myself, and I'm still breaking it in, but still I can feel the power that lies beneath this beast. There was an article about the 600s and the 6R came out first. I can't remember where, but I'm sure someone else knows about it.
peace out.

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