Bandit 650 to GSX-R600 or CBR600RR?

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by kay

In my case, I was VERY nervous....almost in tears....every time I rode my bike up until I hit around 5000 to 6000km. And during those rides, I didn't just ride. I attended lots of riding schools, in the hope that one day, I will become more comfortable. And surprise!!! After I hit that distance, the bike suddenly felt like it had finally synched with me. And ever since then, I was never nervous nor uncomfortable.

So like others are saying, I feel that it's really not the weight that is making you uncomfortable. It's just that you are not used to riding and in that case, trading your bike (which is a great starter bike) for something else will only disappoint you. Other bikes that are lighter may solve your bike weight issue, but will bring forth lots of NEW issues that you'll have to deal with.

So, trust me. I've gone through the same feeling. Maybe worse, as I am a lot shorter than you are. You will get used to it and start to feel comfy. And after you've ridden it for a good distance (maybe more than 5000-6000km if you're not repeating riding schools), you still feel uncomfortable, then you can think about trading your bike and you will know what to get or in which direction you should go, much better than now.

Wow! OK. That will take a while for me to put that many kms on! Again, I really appreciate your advice!

[inspiron]

It's a real shame that Kawasaki doesn't sell this model in the USA. It's the Kawasaki EN-6R, an inline 2-cylinder 650. It's one of the best "newbie" bikes I've ever seen. It weighs just 174 kg (383 lbs) dry, and can be purchased (in Europe) with ABS.



Here's the Kawasaki UK page: ER-6n

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by RC Fan

Looks like you have both bikes! How much does your Bandit 600 weigh?

450 lbs or so dry. The GSXR weighs 396(?) lbs I think. Due to the different riding positions (and the fact that I've only got 1500 miles or so on the GSXR), I don't really sense the weight difference unless I'm pushing them.

The 600 (650, whatever) Bandit is a very good (IMO) bike to start on. You can pin the throttle without spinning up the rear tire on a corner exit, and the upright riding position allows a newer rider the option of spending an entire day in the saddle working on their chops. The GSXR can be ridden for and hour or two, but then you really need to get off and let your back have a rest.

[wookie]

The seat height still sucks with this one but at least the weight is more within the range....


THE 2008 KAWASAKI ZZR600

On the other hand, this bike is like the Ninja ZX-6R from about 3 to 4 years ago so it still packs a big punch and might not be suitable for newbies.

Jim: The bike you mentioned is available in the States (not sure about Canada, though). It just weighs 10 lb more....

Ninja® 650R : Specifications

[tricker]

oooooooooo new zzr 600.........

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by wookie

The seat height still sucks with this one but at least the weight is more within the range....

On the other hand, this bike is like the Ninja ZX-6R from about 3 to 4 years ago so it still packs a big punch and might not be suitable for newbies.

I never considered the ZZR either--it is nice. I have sat on a 650R.

[tricker]

i like my zzr and it was my first bike.. but mine's an 04 model. wasn't too hard to move around and what not.

[KD57]

One advantage of a light bike is that if you have to lean the bike a little to reach the ground w/ just one foot, it won't be as apt to keep going to the ground. Some bikes are just better balanced and can accept more of a lean w/o letting go. A top heavy bike won't allow much lean, and takes more strength to hold up once it goes past the breakover point. Low center of gravity bikes are easier to keep up even if they do weigh more.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by KD57

One advantage of a light bike is that if you have to lean the bike a little to reach the ground w/ just one foot, it won't be as apt to keep going to the ground. Some bikes are just better balanced and can accept more of a lean w/o letting go. A top heavy bike won't allow much lean, and takes more strength to hold up once it goes past the breakover point. Low center of gravity bikes are easier to keep up even if they do weigh more.

Yeah, it seems like a heavy bike is less forgiving--once it starts to go, it is gone. I guess I didn't realize when I bought it that the Bandit is so much heavier than the competition.

[Thundurburd]

I've just quickly scanned through this thread and find it curious that no one has mentioned a small cruiser, other than the fact I suppose that the OP didn't mention one, and doesn't seem interested. While a small cruiser wouldn't weigh much less than a Bandit if at all, they would have a lower seat height.

At 440# my S50 isn't light (it's light for a cruiser) but with a seat height of 27.6" I find it very manageable even though I had a knee problem last summer. The Honda Shadow VLXs have seat heights of 25.6" which are the lowest I know of. I do understand it is a matter of personal preference. I knew what I was going to buy before I even went into the first motorcycle dealership.

For what it's worth.

[KD57]

Originally Posted by tricker

i like my zzr and it was my first bike.. but mine's an 04 model. wasn't too hard to move around and what not.

I'm considering another bike, and the ZZR is on my list. Pretty high on the list too. Only thing I don't like is it is a carbed motor, not really a bad thing I guess, but EFI's are much better in elevation changes.

[RC Fan]

Originally Posted by Thundurburd

I've just quickly scanned through this thread and find it curious that no one has mentioned a small cruiser, other than the fact I suppose that the OP didn't mention one, and doesn't seem interested. While a small cruiser wouldn't weigh much less than a Bandit if at all, they would have a lower seat height.

At 440# my S50 isn't light (it's light for a cruiser) but with a seat height of 27.6" I find it very manageable even though I had a knee problem last summer. The Honda Shadow VLXs have seat heights of 25.6" which are the lowest I know of. I do understand it is a matter of personal preference. I knew what I was going to buy before I even went into the first motorcycle dealership.

For what it's worth.

Cruisers are not for me, but I appreciate your input.

[kay]

Originally Posted by inspiron

It's a real shame that Kawasaki doesn't sell this model in the USA. It's the Kawasaki EN-6R, an inline 2-cylinder 650. It's one of the best "newbie" bikes I've ever seen. It weighs just 174 kg (383 lbs) dry, and can be purchased (in Europe) with ABS.



Here's the Kawasaki UK page: ER-6n

Yeah, those bikes have had really good reviews here also. The seats are a bit on the high side (or feels like it) but I hear it handles very well.

And ZZR suggested by Wookie is also another one that people love here too. But like Wookie, it's not really a newbie bike.



By the way, I told you that I was always so nervous that I was almost in tears. But I didn't mention that on my very first ride on public streets (and a couple more), I had the engine on, shifted to 1st gear and all ready to go.....but just sat there for 45 min!!!! I was so scared to take off.

So you're not the only one that is nervous and I do believe it's really the length of experience. You'll get over that and you'll be fine. So don't worry too much. You just have to get over that stage and one day, like me, you will feel that you have finally come to grips with your ride.

[inspiron]

That's because everyone in Japan rides on the wrong (left) side of the road!

[kay]

Originally Posted by inspiron

That's because everyone in Japan rides on the wrong (left) side of the road!

I thought YOU were on the wrong side!!

[inspiron]

Nope, we drive on the RIGHT side!

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by inspiron

It's a real shame that Kawasaki doesn't sell this model in the USA. It's the Kawasaki EN-6R, an inline 2-cylinder 650. It's one of the best "newbie" bikes I've ever seen. It weighs just 174 kg (383 lbs) dry, and can be purchased (in Europe) with ABS.



Here's the Kawasaki UK page: ER-6n

Newsflash. They do. Its called the Ninja 650R.
Ninja® 650R
I plan to make it my next bike. Unless I get a Aprilia Shiver.

They also sell the Versys here.
Versys™

[inspiron]

A Kawa or an Aprilla? YMBK.

A Kawa is a bike to ride. An Aprilla is a bike to take space in the garage while you wait the entire summer for some stupid part to be delivered.

[Barbarian]

There are a couple things you could do to make life around the garage easier.
The first is getting stronger -- squats, pushups, pumping iron. If you spend the next few months working out, even one day a week, not only will you look better for bikini season, but moving that bike around will be easier too

The second is to get some sort of motorcycle turntable for the garage. One of the hits on the first page of google is a Canadian vendor...

[tricker]

Originally Posted by Barbarian

If you spend the next few months working out, even one day a week, not only will you look better for bikini season, but moving that bike around will be easier too