So my friend bought a 2009 Honda CBR600RR...

[py2e]

It was so fun to ride... I might have to graduate from the 250 soon


The power delivery is very smooth, and the riding position is more aggressive. I haven't taken it on the hwy yet, so I haven't had a chance to really maximize its potential.


...and here we go!


Showing some love to my own bike too.


What a fantastic day!

[00v_Lucky]

I too have a crush on the cbr600

[kkim]

learn to ride first.

[capt_bugaloo]

When you see those two fotos back to back you really can see the difference in the sitting stance - the CBR has you leaned forward a lot more with your legs tucked up tighter. I wonder which is actually more comfortable after you've been riding all day...?

[CC Cowboy]

learn to ride first (I second that)

[py2e]

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

When you see those two fotos back to back you really can see the difference in the sitting stance - the CBR has you leaned forward a lot more with your legs tucked up tighter. I wonder which is actually more comfortable after you've been riding all day...?

I can't tell you that yet, but I'll let you know when my friend lets me ride it on the highway. To be honest, the 250R has a bit of play in the throttle and I can't really feel the exact point when the clutch kicks in (I just rev to 4k and slowly let go of the clutch). I felt more comfortable on the CBR because the controls felt more tighter and predictable. I also like the smooth power delivery of a 4 cyclinder FI engine and the more aggressive riding position.

I think the 250 is a fantastic starter bike... easy to ride, good looks, cheap to maintain... so don't get me wrong... I understand that it is important to learn the basics. I just don't think I'll stick with a 250 forever (I know some of you are horrified, and giving me dirty looks right now ).

[muffinman]

That is my next bike... CBR600RR ABS in red/black. It's gonna be a while before I can scrounge up the cash though.. good opp. to keep improving on my ninja

[k-os]

When/if I decide to upgrade I'll definitely be looking at the CBR's.

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by py2e

To be honest, the 250R has a bit of play in the throttle and I can't really feel the exact point when the clutch kicks in (I just rev to 4k and slowly let go of the clutch). I felt more comfortable on the CBR because the controls felt more tighter and predictable.

IMO that tightness is what makes the supersport bikes dangerous for novices like us....with our twitchy, undisciplined hands and feet.

I love the CBR's as well....but i think my upgrade is gonna be a street triple.

[mcteague]

I sat on an '09 CBR600RR at a dealer the other day and thought it the best fit of the supersports. Still, look how many riders tool along with locked arms. Not much fine control there I'm afraid. You need to keep a bit of bend in your arms. To do that on a supersport you have to have a pretty agressive lean.

It would be nice to try one on the road for an hour or so to really evaluate it. At 6'1" my 250R hurts my lower back after a short while. I may get a different bike at some point but I can't see spending 2 to 3 times the 250's price without really knowing how the new bike would feel on the road.

Tim

[1hardryder4life]

rev to 4k and then let the clutch lever out? theres got to be something wrong if you have to do this.

[py2e]

Originally Posted by 1hardryder4life

rev to 4k and then let the clutch lever out? theres got to be something wrong if you have to do this.

I guess I'm one hard rider for life too... or it could be that I just don't want to risk a stall in the middle of jersey traffic. Anyways it's under control. Thanks for your concern.

[sometimesido]

isn't 4k kinda low to switch gear?

[Viper-Byte]

I agree, learn to ride well on the 250 first, I have got over 10,000kms on my 250 and I am feeling very confident on it, but I am by no way ready to move up to a bigger bike.

Insaying that, I am already saving for my next bike and deciding what it will be Either CBR600RR, ZX-6R, GSXR600 or R6. I am leaning to the ZX-6 and CBR600RR at the top of the list with the GSXR600 and R6 down the bottom. I guess it depends on the years model between the ZX-6R and CBR600RR as to which bike I get.

[py2e]

Originally Posted by sometimesido

isn't 4k kinda low to switch gear?

I'm talking about 1st gear from a full stop.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by py2e

I'm talking about 1st gear from a full stop.

Ever replace a clutch? You will.

Do you think the Honda is better made (put together), better craftmanship than the Kawi?

[py2e]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Ever replace a clutch? You will.

Do you think the Honda is better made (put together), better craftmanship than the Kawi?

I do, it is $5 -6k more so I expect it to have better craftsmanship. I like the honda because it delivers the power well, and not because it has crazy power as most people is (possibly) criticizing me for. I'm not a .

All I'm saying is that I was impressed with the honda. It didn't frighten me when I was riding it, and I was able to enjoy it. I think it's good to check out different bikes when possible, so I'll know what I want when shopping for my next bike.

[CC Cowboy]

I find the craftmanship on all Honda bikes is better than the Kawasakis.

[capt_bugaloo]

Originally Posted by mcteague

It would be nice to try one on the road for an hour or so to really evaluate it.

If these guys have a location near you
http://www.sportbikerental.com/motorcycle_rentals.php
you can rent one for $169 per day and see what you really think of it.

[sometimesido]

even on a 45 minute ride, my buddies in gsxr600 and R1 was moaning about their wrists...
power is definitely addicting, but i don't see myself sacrificing comfort.
I'd go sport touring, but that's just me. I ride my bike daily so it's a little different story.


oh, and riding the 250 for 3 years(this june), I still don't think I have all the bike control down.
I'd spend the money on schools first.

that's just me. If getting the CBR is what makes YOU happy, then by all means go for it!

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I find the craftmanship on all Honda bikes is better than the Kawasakis.

That may be true--but the Honda is beaucoups more expensive. Checked out a Yamaha FZ6R at my local dealer--he carries Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha. Nice bike--but I would not trade my Ninjette for one. I think that after 50 years of riding, that one gets to the point where one does not buy what one does not need. My son, for example, has a stereo that has 500Watts RMS. My stereo is 30 years old and has 120Watts RMS. It does not have a bunch of flashing LEDs and does not look quite as futuristic, but will outperform his in a heartbeat. I have a Mac system with a tube amp. Less is more.

[andrewwoo]

oo wow i love the bike!!! oo i know that friend.. its STEVES! im jealous! haha

oo that bike is furious! haha

oo i might be considering the zx-6r.. or the gsxr 600 or even the R6.. so we'll see.. after say.. a year? haha after i get my 250... haha

no homo

Originally Posted by py2e

It was so fun to ride... I might have to graduate from the 250 soon


The power delivery is very smooth, and the riding position is more aggressive. I haven't taken it on the hwy yet, so I haven't had a chance to really maximize its potential.


...and here we go!


Showing some love to my own bike too.


What a fantastic day!

[Flashmonkey]

Hey how did you find the brakes of the 600RR? What makes me nervous about the supersports isn't so much the power, but the potentially fatal braking.

[py2e]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Hey how did you find the brakes of the 600RR? What makes me nervous about the supersports isn't so much the power, but the potentially fatal braking.

it braked fine. I didn't try any emergency stops, nor any stoppies

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by py2e

it braked fine. I didn't try any emergency stops, nor any stoppies

Awww no stoppies? That's no fun!

[Kurosaki]

09 CBR yaaay

[kkim]

bah... that thing looks like a menace.











.... so does the bike!

[py2e]

which one do you ride more?

[Kurosaki]

Originally Posted by py2e

which one do you ride more?

Usually one on saturday and the other on sunday so far.

The 250 is too much fun.

I'm not having the same fun on the CBR yet. I need to get the suspension set up better to my liking and tires. I'm not synched with the bike like I am on the 250.

[Verus Cidere]

I wouldn't move up for a while. I'm sure you had fun and you were impressed, but let me ask you this: How many near-collision experiences have you had on your 250? How easily and calmly did you react and deal with them. How often have you had to practice your emergency stopping in any situation with your 250? What about hard swerving, etc.? The power in all areas of performance is very different in bigger bikes. I understand wanting to get a bigger bike, but it's not worth your life. Be absolutely sure you can handle the bike you have before you move up to a bike that can get you in bigger trouble faster.

IMO though, I'm probably gonna get one of the last gen ZX-6R's when I upgrade, just because they're a little cheaper than a new bike, and I'm not going to be racing, so it's good enough for me.

[Sound Wave]

pete, it is cool that you can flat foot that honda. i tried sitting on one at the dealer's. i just didn't like the fact that i had to tip-toe to reach the ground. still, i really like that bike too. i doubt my next bike will be a sports bike, but if it was, it would be that cbr.

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by Verus Cidere

I wouldn't move up for a while. I'm sure you had fun and you were impressed, but let me ask you this: How many near-collision experiences have you had on your 250? How easily and calmly did you react and deal with them. How often have you had to practice your emergency stopping in any situation with your 250? What about hard swerving, etc.? The power in all areas of performance is very different in bigger bikes. I understand wanting to get a bigger bike, but it's not worth your life. Be absolutely sure you can handle the bike you have before you move up to a bike that can get you in bigger trouble faster.

IMO though, I'm probably gonna get one of the last gen ZX-6R's when I upgrade, just because they're a little cheaper than a new bike, and I'm not going to be racing, so it's good enough for me.

The 2009 CBR's come with the option of Honda's new C-ABS system (check out the rave reviews)... it excels in emergency braking situations (under bad conditions - gravel, rain, etc.)

Also, the 2009's are down on power.. ~96bhp, which is a HUGE jump over our ninjettes but not as powerful as the other supersports (6R's, Gixxer 600's, etc. all have 105~115bhp)

Sound advice otherwise though

[miks]

I love Kuro's bike, it looks better everytime I see it.

Also didn't know that CBR's came with those graphics.

[Verus Cidere]

Originally Posted by muffinman

The 2009 CBR's come with the option of Honda's new C-ABS system (check out the rave reviews)... it excels in emergency braking situations (under bad conditions - gravel, rain, etc.)

Also, the 2009's are down on power.. ~96bhp, which is a HUGE jump over our ninjettes but not as powerful as the other supersports (6R's, Gixxer 600's, etc. all have 105~115bhp)

Sound advice otherwise though

I know about the CBR ABS. I also know how amazing it works (I've seen it save a life). This doesn't change the fact that without practice in knowing how the bike is going to react to this sort of braking, being sure to squeeze, not pull, and being sure to avoid unintentional stoppies are still beneficial. Having good technology counts for nothing if you don't know how to use it properly and safely.

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by Verus Cidere

I know about the CBR ABS. I also know how amazing it works (I've seen it save a life). This doesn't change the fact that without practice in knowing how the bike is going to react to this sort of braking, being sure to squeeze, not pull, and being sure to avoid unintentional stoppies are still beneficial. Having good technology counts for nothing if you don't know how to use it properly and safely.

Not totally true. While it's good to have that general knowledge, you can yank, pull, grab the CBR's brakes with no ill effect.

.. in an emergency braking situation, I'd take the CBR600RR ABS anyday over the Ninja 250R.

I'd like to hear that ABS story though.. sounds interesting

[Verus Cidere]

Hehehe.... Guy in town has an '09 CBR. I was stopped in traffic right after school got out at one of the high schools in town (I had a travelling class so I was headed there from my school). The idiotic kids decided to cross over the street right in front of the oncoming traffic AGAINST the light. There were about 4 cars in front of me, and only 1 in front of him, which had already started going. It had to slam on the brakes, which forced him to slam on his brakes. Apparently, his rear tire or the pavement in that specific area were crappy or something, because that tire started skidding to the side a little, but you could tell that every bit of his braking was centered perfectly on the ABS under his front end! I was very impressed, but had to continue on as the traffic started moving again.

I still think it's better to learn how to handle a bike without ABS before moving to one with ABS. What happens if you ride a different bike sometime? One of my math teachers explained it well after dragging us through the finding of a formula. He said, "I want you to know how and why it works, not just the basic idea of how to use it." This made me think about a lot of things, but my main conclusion has been this: It's better to learn how to use the lesser technology before moving up to the greater, because the greater may not always be available. Again, just my

[py2e]

I understand the risks of getting a bigger bike. Some of you guys sound like those people who are against motorcycling. Well stop being hypocrites... motorcycles are dangerous but we do it anyways, because we understand the risks involved and we take precautions against it. What make you think I won't do the same thing when I move to a bigger bike?

That's it man, I'm not going to reply anymore when someone writes "learn to ride first.", because obviously I'm gonna go out and buy hayabusa and pop wheelies on the highway... with flip flops, shorts, and a ninjette.org t-shirt.

[Cali619]

I say if you have the confidence to upgrade , ride your own ride and do what you want. You are risking your own ass out there, so as long as you dont mess up anyone elses life live yours and do what makes you happy man.

[Rynownd]

Originally Posted by py2e

I'm gonna go out and buy hayabusa and pop wheelies on the highway... with flip flops, shorts, and a ninjette.org t-shirt.

Learn to ride first, dude. That sounds dangerous! hahaha sorry

[mcteague]

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

If these guys have a location near you
http://www.sportbikerental.com/motorcycle_rentals.php
you can rent one for $169 per day and see what you really think of it.

They don't have a location anywhere near Maryland.

Tim