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CaptainAmerica · 08-20-2007, 06:41 PM

Hey There - been on a Harley for years, currently ride an 04 Deuce. I love it, the feel, the image, etc. However.. I feel the need.... the need for speed!

A few months ago I test drove a BMW Sport Touring Bike, the K1200GT, which was very sweet and oh so quick. Although I didnt buy the bike, it kinda gave me the speed bug. I am thinking about either a CBR600RR or a GSX-600R. I know both of these are extremely powerful agile bike but I'm pretty sure I can master them quickly (I've been on bikes my entire life and lets just say I have a few miles on my tires).

The one bike that looked interesting in addition to these two was the Suzuki GSX-600F with its more upridding position... anyone know about that bike? Thanks!

Buzglyd · 08-20-2007, 07:06 PM

As a H-D guy you might want to consider some of the available Vtwin sportbikes. Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Aprilia all make great Vtwin sportbikes which for a Harley rider will have a much more satisfying sound and powerband.

sachiwilson · 08-20-2007, 07:18 PM

That's a pretty open ended question. CA! (BTW, you're supposed to be dead now.)

There are a LOT of fun fast bikes out there -- 600, 750, liter, liter plus. They are all plenty fast. The smaller ones will be lighter and more flickable; the bigger ones will have more power (duh) and be less controllable (by the inexperienced, I mean.)

Buz has an excellent point, too, that the V-twins will be very different from the I-fours.

They are all good -- it just depends on what you want. Got more hints for us??

ER1B · 08-20-2007, 07:24 PM

I used to have a R1. The 'plan' was to have the R1 and the FLHT. Unfortunately, the R1 met an untimely demise. However, I too often feel the 'need for speed' as well. I've ridden some of the 600cc repli-racers and for as inspiring as they are on the track, they are a pain in the butt on the street. I would look Ducati, Suzuki, or even the new Buell looks very interesting!

longride · 08-21-2007, 05:16 AM

The only real way to find out the bike you would like is to ride as many different ones as you can. Most dealers will let you test ride used bikes. I do it all the time even though I'm not interested in buying. Lots of bikes look good on paper, but you will never know if you REALLY like it until you take it for a spin.

Kenneth_Moore · 08-21-2007, 06:32 AM

Hiya Captain! Love the tights.

I can really relate to your position. After many years of riding HDs exclusively, I finally felt the need, and found the opportunity, to get a more sporting bike, in my case, a Concours. Not exactly a superbike, but compared to any HD, it's quite a change. If it's at all possible, consider owning two bikes. I really enjoy being able to get that HD feeling when I want it, and having the Conster available for longer or faster rides.

BTW: add the new Concours 14 to your list of bikes to look at. It seems to be a terrific combination of supersport and touring.

pdad13 · 08-21-2007, 07:09 AM

Boy, you've got lots of choices. If you want something completely different from your Harley, an I-4 is about as far away as you can get. Or, if you don't want to step quite as far away, take Buzz's suggestion and go for a twin. Or split the difference and get a Triumph triple.

There are tons of sportbikes and naked sports out there now that will satisfy your need. And all will be very fast and very different from your Harley.

Give us a bit more info here.

bbtowns · 08-21-2007, 08:28 AM

I'd consider a standard, they've got all (or 95%) of the speed of the sport bikes and are a hell of a lot more comfortable (especially for one that isn't used to a forward leaning riding position). That or a sport tourer as K Moore said. The FZ6 that you're considering is an excellent consideration, as is the SV650/1000, V-Stroms, Honda 919, etc. I think the FZ6 is a bike that likes to be run at high RPM's so you'll have to decide how that fits your riding style. I've only ridden a friends FZ6, so you'll get as much experience out of a test ride. I think a lot of the sport based 600's like the RPMs.

trenttheuncatchable · 08-21-2007, 10:34 AM

I'll answer the question you actually asked. The GSX600F is more commonly called the Katana. It's on the heavy side and is not fuel-injected. It's also discontinued now. They're much less expensive and cheaper to insure than a GSX600R. There's also the 750 version of the Katana, which isn't much heavier than the 600, so you might want to consider that one instead. And if you are looking at a new bike, for 2008 Suzuki is replacing the Katana with the new GSX650F, which is fuel-injected and looks a bit like a GSXR.

Kenneth_Moore · 08-21-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenttheuncatchable

I'll answer the question you actually asked.

Please don't do that. It flies in the face of the longstanding MO tradition of babbling about stuff that has nothing to do with what people want to know. Sarcastic remarks and insults are always welcome if you can't think of anything else.

08-20-2007, 06:41 PM	#1
CaptainAmerica Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 1	Harley Rider thinking of a Sport Bike Hey There - been on a Harley for years, currently ride an 04 Deuce. I love it, the feel, the image, etc. However.. I feel the need.... the need for speed! A few months ago I test drove a BMW Sport Touring Bike, the K1200GT, which was very sweet and oh so quick. Although I didnt buy the bike, it kinda gave me the speed bug. I am thinking about either a CBR600RR or a GSX-600R. I know both of these are extremely powerful agile bike but I'm pretty sure I can master them quickly (I've been on bikes my entire life and lets just say I have a few miles on my tires). The one bike that looked interesting in addition to these two was the Suzuki GSX-600F with its more upridding position... anyone know about that bike? Thanks!

08-20-2007, 07:18 PM	#3
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	That's a pretty open ended question. CA! (BTW, you're supposed to be dead now.) There are a LOT of fun fast bikes out there -- 600, 750, liter, liter plus. They are all plenty fast. The smaller ones will be lighter and more flickable; the bigger ones will have more power (duh) and be less controllable (by the inexperienced, I mean.) Buz has an excellent point, too, that the V-twins will be very different from the I-fours. They are all good -- it just depends on what you want. Got more hints for us?? __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

08-21-2007, 05:16 AM	#5
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	The only real way to find out the bike you would like is to ride as many different ones as you can. Most dealers will let you test ride used bikes. I do it all the time even though I'm not interested in buying. Lots of bikes look good on paper, but you will never know if you REALLY like it until you take it for a spin. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

08-21-2007, 06:32 AM	#6
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	Hiya Captain! Love the tights. I can really relate to your position. After many years of riding HDs exclusively, I finally felt the need, and found the opportunity, to get a more sporting bike, in my case, a Concours. Not exactly a superbike, but compared to any HD, it's quite a change. If it's at all possible, consider owning two bikes. I really enjoy being able to get that HD feeling when I want it, and having the Conster available for longer or faster rides. BTW: add the new Concours 14 to your list of bikes to look at. It seems to be a terrific combination of supersport and touring. __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

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08-20-2007, 07:06 PM	#2
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,850	As a H-D guy you might want to consider some of the available Vtwin sportbikes. Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Aprilia all make great Vtwin sportbikes which for a Harley rider will have a much more satisfying sound and powerband.

08-20-2007, 07:24 PM	#4
ER1B Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The great state of Houston Posts: 41	I used to have a R1. The 'plan' was to have the R1 and the FLHT. Unfortunately, the R1 met an untimely demise. However, I too often feel the 'need for speed' as well. I've ridden some of the 600cc repli-racers and for as inspiring as they are on the track, they are a pain in the butt on the street. I would look Ducati, Suzuki, or even the new Buell looks very interesting!

08-21-2007, 07:09 AM	#7
pdad13 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,753	Boy, you've got lots of choices. If you want something completely different from your Harley, an I-4 is about as far away as you can get. Or, if you don't want to step quite as far away, take Buzz's suggestion and go for a twin. Or split the difference and get a Triumph triple. There are tons of sportbikes and naked sports out there now that will satisfy your need. And all will be very fast and very different from your Harley. Give us a bit more info here.

08-21-2007, 08:28 AM	#8
bbtowns Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 540	I'd consider a standard, they've got all (or 95%) of the speed of the sport bikes and are a hell of a lot more comfortable (especially for one that isn't used to a forward leaning riding position). That or a sport tourer as K Moore said. The FZ6 that you're considering is an excellent consideration, as is the SV650/1000, V-Stroms, Honda 919, etc. I think the FZ6 is a bike that likes to be run at high RPM's so you'll have to decide how that fits your riding style. I've only ridden a friends FZ6, so you'll get as much experience out of a test ride. I think a lot of the sport based 600's like the RPMs.

08-21-2007, 10:34 AM	#9
trenttheuncatchable Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 891	I'll answer the question you actually asked. The GSX600F is more commonly called the Katana. It's on the heavy side and is not fuel-injected. It's also discontinued now. They're much less expensive and cheaper to insure than a GSX600R. There's also the 750 version of the Katana, which isn't much heavier than the 600, so you might want to consider that one instead. And if you are looking at a new bike, for 2008 Suzuki is replacing the Katana with the new GSX650F, which is fuel-injected and looks a bit like a GSXR.