Which bike...... GSX-R 600, ZX6R or CBR 600 F4?

Question

GSX-R 600, ZX6R or CBR 600 F4 (all year 2000)
Which is best & why?

I will be taking off the faring & adding MX style bars to get the Streetfighter look but want to know which is the better bike to start with.
As it would be a streetfighter setup it would not be for track use (well... maybe once or twice) & it will not be used for stunts either, I'm no good at that stuff on a motorbike. It will be for just normal street riding.

Answer 1

gsxr.because i have one.

Answer 2

I agree that the Triumph Datona 675 is the best bike in that class, but you won't find a used one, at least not for a good price. The CBR600F4i and CBR600RR are the best street bikes out of the group. They will be the most comfortable and they have very nuetral handling. The Yamaha is the best race bike, and the Suzuki is somewhere in the middle. The Yamaha and Suzuki will be a bit quicker than the CBR, but the better rider will win most drag races anyway. I would get the Honda because I mainly ride on the roads, and Hondas are known for reliability and quality.

Answer 3

Gee, I have this feeling of deja vu! Anyway, you're talking about 6-7 year old 600 cc class sport bikes, which have probably lived a typical sport bike life - rode hard, put away wet, modified and re-modified, crashed multiple times, had the daylights run out of them, etc. Although they all started out with different strengths and weaknesses, and are all capable of thrilling performance, they are now old bikes with a lot of miles and, probably, warts, visible and hidden. At this point, I would think you'd be concerned with three main items: 1) condition of the individual bike, more than the make or model of the bike; 2) overall reliability reported for that year, make and model, and; 3) manufacturer's support and parts availability. Condition of the particular machine would be most important; however, you've got to be able to get parts (and, probably, a lot of them, given consideration to the age and typical history of a 6-7 year old sport bike), as well as technical info. Generally, the Honda and Suzuki (in that order) have the best reputation for reliability and resiliency to inappropriate rider demands. They also rank, generally, in that order for manufacturer and parts support. Kawasakis of that vintage and model have a greater reputation for being "finicky" and, although most parts can probably be obtained, the company is not noted for exactly stalwart support of its older (or even current) models, especially as to ready availability of parts. Given those considerations, I'd be most inclined to go for the Honda, with second place to the Suzuki; however, it really comes down to the condition of the individual bike. You want to make sure that the frame is straight, the forks are straight, the swingarm isn't bent, wheels are true, etc., as well as more obvious considerations, like engine and transmission health.

I'm sure you already know this, but converting a sport bike to the "naked," or "street fighter" look entails quite a bit more than removing the fairing and changing out the bars. All that tupperware on the front of the bike hides a whole lot of ugly wiring, tubing, etc. that just doesn't look good, and you'll spend a lot of time and effort in rewiring, rerouting things, etc. Most people are very surprised to see what evil lurks in the hearts of fairings (with apologies to Lamont Cranston, aka The Shadow).

I'll have to reiterate my earlier suggestion: test-ride each bike for a reasonable distance, both to ascertain that everything is working the way it should and that there are no undue noises, but also to make sure you can ride it comfortably and safely. This includes reaching the ground so you can "flat-foot" it when stopped. As I said before, the riding position for these bikes, although optimized for speed and handling, is not conducive to comfort (although it will help you develop a close relationship with your chiropractor), and you really should have a friend videotape your rides so you can review them from a different perspective.

BTW, it almost sounds as though you are approaching this with the idea that a 2000 is the latest machine of that genre that you can afford to buy. Just remember to budget a significant amount to make your machine "whole," properly operational, and safe. Like I said, they are 6-7 year old sport bikes, so the purchase is just going to be the first stop on your spending expedition - the real "fun" will come next, and will probably continue for another year or so, as you keep discovering unforeseen problems. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 4

Most street fighters are 1000 cc plus. The best bikes for street fighter are Kawasaki ZRX 1200R and Suzuki Bandit 1200. I think the Bandit is also made in a 600

Answer 5

People usually turn sports bikes into Streetfighters because thay have trashed them and can't afford to buy new panels. Why not buy a naked to start with? Both Suzuki and Yamaha make good 600 nakeds. I wouldn't bother with the Kawa or Honda offerings.