Rode an R6

[Malicious Logic]

Well, for the last 2 weeks, I had been looking forward to going to the Yamaha Demo Truck they were hosting 30 minutes from here. Everything was going as planned until Wednesday night when I decided it'd be cool to just slam myself into the back of an SUV. Anyways, I feel pretty good w/o the drugs and this was probably going to be my only chance to try a super sport before just blindly buying one so I just went for it.

The ride itself was only 7-8 miles, took maybe 15 minutes and only got up to about 65 but it was AMAZING, lol. The R6 is SO different from the 250r. The riding position is so much more aggressive than I thought. I felt like I might as well have been sitting up on the dash. The power was ridiculous. I knew they were fast but man, it was like a rocket once got on it even a little. My friend is planning on buying an R6 for his first bike and all I can do now is pray for him. I've preached all I can about starting smaller but he's getting it for the image so...

All that being said, I was hoping some of the Ex-Ninjetter's might see this and grant me their wisdom. For starters, are all super sports like this as far as power? The R6 has such a reputation for being a track monster that I don't know what to separate as being uniquely Yamaha and what is shared by the CBR, ZX6R, etc.

[austexjg]

They are all relatively the same - Kawasaki(s) are HP junkies being at the top of most HP charts just about every year. The ergos and the power bands might be slightly different, but they will all put a smile on your face and tear up the track.

[choneofakind]

Yes, of the SS bikes I've ridden ('97 CBR, '11 ZX6R, '99 ZX6R, '04 R6), they all have that same feel. The R6 was more peaky than the others though, with the '11 ZX not far behind. The CBR had the most linear delivery of them. I didn't ride them all back to back, so I might be a bit off in my analysis of them though

I'm guessing that was your first time ever on a supersport?

[Soujyu]

Yes, they are this way for the most part, and it definitely takes some getting used to.

[Malicious Logic]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I'm guessing that was your first time ever on a supersport?

Yup! Good to know that they're all like that. It's definitely something to get used to. I don't know about the other but the R6 is loud. I kept shifting early cuz it started to sound like the Ninja does around 9k rpm but then I look down and see that it was just getting warmed up.

[choneofakind]

Just wait till you crack the throttle open above 9

[CC Cowboy]

I've haven't ridden a 600 (always thought it was a girl's bike). I have ridden a few other bikes though. My understanding is that they are like riding an old 2 stroke. You have to be in the power band or there is no performance. In saying that I mean that if you ride it outside the power band it must be pretty tame. If you ride it in the power band, hold on. There must be a small power band because I always hear them way up in the revs. Only you can control the throttle.

[Apex]

The Yami is a turn in king. That thing loves to turn. Take a spin on the R6, feathering the clutch and doing low speed maneuvers. You will fight the bike to stay upright. It relates to that on the track. The thing wants turns, and a lot of them.

I almost purchased a friends R6, but it was going to be a nightmare with the title. Apparently he didn't have a title, and I wasn't going to spend the cash to get one, or on a bike that could be "not a good investment". I did take it for a spin a few times though.

[Soujyu]

Kind of as an addendum, I don't know that my experience is representative of everyone else as the bike I'm on now isn't a I-4 like all the other bikes mentioned.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Soujyu

Kind of as an addendum, I don't know that my experience is representative of everyone else as the bike I'm on now isn't a I-4 like all the other bikes mentioned.

Great answer. Tell it like it is.

[Soujyu]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Great answer. Tell it like it is.

I think the primary difference between my bike and the other bikes mentioned (besides from the increased displacement) is that it's much beefier on the low-end in terms of the torque/horsepower curve. This makes it even more difficult to control on the low-end and requires even more throttle control.

[ninja250r81]

if you like the yamaha go and get an aftermarket ecu and tune it normal on map 1 setting
then a little docile on map 2 setting.

the 2013 ZX-6R has two selectable power modes.

“Full” makes available all of the bike’s power
“Low” limits the ZX to 80% of its max power.

note*
TC and power modes function independently, resulting in eight possible TC/power mode combinations.

just like the zx10r with the power modes.

"low" on the zx10r has the same power as the zx6r on "full" power

sweeeeeeet, for when you first get the bike and you are getting used to the bike.

[Jiggles]

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Soujyu

I think the primary difference between my bike and the other bikes mentioned (besides from the increased displacement) is that it's much beefier on the low-end in terms of the torque/horsepower curve. This makes it even more difficult to control on the low-end and requires even more throttle control.

I have a V-4 and I think it is easier on the low-end because of the torque.

[Gurk]

If anything, you tested the tamest low rpm supersport. If you only took it to 65 and kept it under 10k rpm you didn't even ride it yet

r6 feels like 250 out of corners if you're in the wrong gear (larger than you want to be in). If you're in the sweet spot however...... better hold the f*ck on!

[robertkh100]

I'm still kind of scared of mine lol. it keeps me from driving recklessly so it's all good

[robertkh100]

Originally Posted by Gurk

If anything, you tested the tamest low rpm supersport. If you only took it to 65 and kept it under 10k rpm you didn't even ride it yet

r6 feels like 250 out of corners if you're in the wrong gear (larger than you want to be in). If you're in the sweet spot however...... better hold the f*ck on!

so true

[Soujyu]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I have a V-4 and I think it is easier on the low-end because of the torque.

You know, when you've got people at work asking me to do torque wheelies in the parking lot knowing the bike (which you know doesn't take much with this bike).

(of course, I have the anti-wheelie control set to max because the cops here will pull you over for doing wheelies on the road, and slap you with an "aggressive driving" charge, and I'm NOT about to get tasered)

Edit: Oh, and all the discussion of traction control does not mean that you respect the bike a little bit less. Ask me how I know about this.

[Aggrotech]

i really want an R6 but at 5'7 the bike is really makin me stretch everywhere lol. the riding position is fcking crazy compared to the 250 i feel like im on my stomach in the superman position, Cant touch the ground really at all. Makes me sad


Dont forget to post pics if/when you get one

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Soujyu

. Ask me how I know about this.

OK, how do you know this?

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

i really want an R6 but at 5'7 the bike is really makin me stretch everywhere lol. the riding position is fcking crazy compared to the 250 i feel like im on my stomach in the superman position, Cant touch the ground really at all.

Do you know the average pro racer is 5'4". If those little wimpy guys (and girls) can manage, I'm pretty sure you can.

[choneofakind]

I love watching the MotoGP grid in the pits before races. They're all on their tippy-toes, or having someone hold the bike for them so they don't fall over.

[xSean13]

Originally Posted by Malicious Logic

My friend is planning on buying an R6 for his first bike and all I can do now is pray for him. I've preached all I can about starting smaller but he's getting it for the image so...

Tell your squid friend that us here at ninjette wish him the best of luck and hope that idiot doesn't kill himself.

[Goom]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Do you know they average pro racer is 5'4". If those little wimpy guys (and girls) can manage, I'm pretty sure you can.

To be fair, they don't have stoplights. As long as you can get a knee over the top of the seat, you can ride the bike. However, I wouldn't want to have to constantly slide off and on the bike in traffic if I was a shorter rider.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by Goom

To be fair, they don't have stoplights. As long as you can get a knee over the top of the seat, you can ride the bike. However, I wouldn't want to have to constantly slide off and on the bike in traffic if I was a shorter rider.

they don't have slow moving traffic either, or potholes...

[csmith12]

What everyone said above is pretty spot on about the R6 powerband

Here is may take on the differences of the 600's from "my" point of view.

CBR
Great all around bike, Entry, midcorner and exit balance, built to carry speed anywhere on the track
Balanced ergo
Feels like a midweight everywhere on track; 0mph -140mph straight up or at max lean
More linear power band
Great brake feel (when everything is right)
Crashes well
Front and rear sticks equally in the corners at pace

GSXR
Torquey bike, will pull on faster bikes on corner exit
Ergo makes the rear feel heavier
Feels heavy at first, then lightens up at pace, takes muscle to make post apex steering corrections due to high load/power to rear wheel
Hard torque based pull early in the powerband
Average brake feel even with things are perfect/not 100%
Crashes like a tank
Rear sticks in the corners at pace, the front is floaty

Yami
Sluggish in lower rpm range, feels like kick in the ass at 10k, bike loves to turn and is sensitive to even the smallest if steering input
Ergo is front loaded
Feels light until powerband kicks in and then gets hard to turn due to power to rear wheel
Peaky power band that kicks in all at once
Amazing brake feel when everything is perfect, horrible brake feel when not right
Street setup does not crash well
Front sticks in the corners at pace, the rear is floaty

From my point of view, the R6 was a perfect step for me as a rider. A lot of the mindset that I had about the 250 directly applied to the R6; keep the rpms up, carry the speed, be aggressive with the throttle and so on... I basically ride my R6 like I ride my 250. IMHO you just can't do that 100% with the other manufactures.

Like Gurk, I have pounded the crap out of my R6, if you have any specific questions, let me know.

[choneofakind]

Nice post Chris. What are your feelings on the ZX6R?

Is crashing like a tank a good or bad thing?

[fixxervi6]

Inline 4 super sports have explosive top ends, I think that is what gets a lot of people in trouble.

Down low in the revs the mache is tame, easy to handle, get the RPM's up and the throttle becomes very twitchy, a tiny crack of the throttle when your already putting down 14,000 rpm can be a major disruption to the bike depending on what your doing.

The 250, you can do pretty much anything you want at any RPM and there is no sudden explosion of power.

The gap between the 250 and the 600 is huge, the 600 has over 4X the horsepower of the 250 and it's an inline 4.

That being said, I've used a 2001 250r on the track and passed modern super sports

[csmith12]

I have never really rode kawi in general (aside of the 250 and non-sport bikes) or ZX6r on the street or track, so I can't render an opinion. Only a few of my track buddies ride kawi too. Not really sure why because from the one kawi die hard buddy, he loves his. Maybe next year I will put some seat time on a kawi. I may not even know what I am missing.

Crashing like a tank is overall a good thing, takes a licking and keeps on ticking ya know. Crashing like a tank has a dark side though. When something does break, it's gunna be big and expensive.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by fixxervi6

That being said, I've used a 2001 250r on the track and passed modern super sports

Given equally skilled riders, this becomes incredibly hard to do. Unless your on a very small/tight course.

[fixxervi6]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Given equally skilled riders, this becomes incredibly hard to do. Unless your on a very small/tight course.

I was riding my daughters 250 in the beginner group, just had to time it right in the straights for when they bunched up in the corner, just stay in the gas and zip, right around the outside.

[csmith12]

Yea... that's typical of the beginner group. But that just don't happen as often in the advanced group.

[fixxervi6]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Yea... that's typical of the beginner group. But that just don't happen as often in the advanced group.

I've never seen a 250 in the advanced group. I run upper intermediate/lower advanced on my GSXR, I dropped down to beginner with the kids bike just to have some fun.

I do wish there were a step between the 250r and 600, it's a huge huge gap.

[csmith12]

Rick!!!! Ride that 250 in the I/A group man. It's mad hatter type of fun. The main problem will become clearance with lean angle. And you for realz have to plan out your passes a few corners in advance. Because those front pack I riders and A riders just don't slow down as much for the corners like the N group riders do. And they are harder on the throttle post apex, so they are right back on your tail.

Seems most riders go for twins for the "go between" bike. Like SV's and the like. I really like the naked SV's, next year imma ride one on the track.

[fixxervi6]

on the 2001 clearance was a major issue, I left a nice mark in a local track through a hairpin turn that dug in so deep the local instructors use it as a reference point for the line. (the line is just to the outside of the gouge). I removed the center stand so it wouldn't keep dragging and then I ran into problems with the front pushing and couldn't hold a tight line. I don't know why the front pushes on it, I didn't bother talking to the suspension guy since there is 0 adjustment on the 01 250 and I was just playing around for the day.

I have a 2010 in the garage with woodcraft rear sets, clip on's and over sized BT003's that i'm probably going to take out on the track at some point. About the only thing that bike lacks is race plastics and suspension otherwise it's full on track material, I may take it out on the small twisty track (MSRC 1.3) next season.

Couple of friends of mine on the 1.3 with 250's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUH7PE2Purw

I would say the 650r is a good step between the 250 and the SS600 but it's taller, nothing like a super sport, really bad brakes, the suspension is even worse. But I guess there isn't really anything else, they don't make SV's any more, which is a damn shame.

I'm crazy excited about getting a ninja 300 in the garage, not sure how I can swing an excuse for that one for a while.

[csmith12]

You sound like me. 92 and a 2010 in the garage but my 92 is in 1000 pieces and the 2010 is mostly stock right now waiting on race parts.

I got no valid excuse to get a 300 either. hahahahah I feel ya.

[Aggrotech]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I love watching the MotoGP grid in the pits before races. They're all on their tippy-toes, or having someone hold the bike for them so they don't fall over.

exactly...its one thing to do that in the pit its a whole nother thing to do it on the road with retarded drivers all around you lol. When im at a light i dont want to have to fight the whole time to keep the bike up (especiallly on a highly slanted road,) should be worried about other things, wich is what i was getting at in my post, Cowboy just couldnt figure it out

[Malicious Logic]

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

exactly...its one thing to do that in the pit its a whole nother thing to do it on the road with retarded drivers all around you lol. When im at a light i dont want to have to fight the whole time to keep the bike up (especiallly on a highly slanted road,) should be worried about other things, wich is what i was getting at in my post, Cowboy just couldnt figure it out

Lol, don't feel bad. I'm 5'10" and the R6 made me feel short. I have pretty long legs but I was on my toes on both feet.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Malicious Logic

Lol, don't feel bad. I'm 5'10" and the R6 made me feel short. I have pretty long legs but I was on my toes on both feet.

Welcome to my world.

[choneofakind]

I must have long legs. I've never had problems flat-footing any of the sport bikes I've ridden, including Chris's R6 that I briefly sat on to see how tiny it was.

[CC Cowboy]

I've had a bunch of bikes I couldn't flat foot. It never bother me. I don't ride in traffic often if I can help it.