| Author | Message | ||
     Bikertrash05 |
Yup. Seriously though, I am trying to find the pros and cons, mostly about maintenance, longevity, and mpg. The power and handling debate has been beaten to death, and I really haven't ridden an IL4 in the twisties to know the difference. BTW, I am considering a ZX-6R. | ||
| Slaughter |
New? The ZX6R is a great bike - but I wouldn't buy one used UNLESS I knew the previous owner personally. The I-4 600-class bikes are very often THRASHED. They are OFTEN ridden hard and put away wet. They do tend to hold up pretty well though I think the bad rap the 600-class bikes has gotten is largely BECAUSE they tend to be ridden closer to rev limit than the litrebikes and so they just tend to break more often... opinion only, not fact. Why the ZX6R and not the R6? (Message edited by slaughter on February 16, 2009) | ||
| Texastechx1 |
cant stand the 600r type bikes... they have NO balls until about 8k rpm, its SOOO annoying but then again... thats just my .02 I wouldn't buy one used UNLESS I knew the previous owner personally. The I-4 600-class bikes are very often THRASHED. They are OFTEN ridden hard and put away wet. X2! couldn't have put it better myself. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Take a look at this thread over on the XB topic: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/436446.html?1234807906 Typical IL4. Trashed for 25,000 miles, no maintenance, still runs fine. Will run a even better with some TLC, and become a good track bike with thousands of racing miles left in her. Only problem with these puppies is that when they do break, you really can't fix them. But you don't have to. You just buy another used motor. Believe me, they way these bikes are crashed, there is no shortage of used motors. Low mileage, know what I mean? Real low mileage.  | ||
| Bill0351 |
I have an '04 GSX-R1000 and an '02 Cyclone. Oil changes, plugs, and air cleaners are a royal PITA on the GSX-R. It also has manual valve adjustments that need to be done instead of the hydraulics of the Cyclone. Brake pads are just as easy, the the GSX-R needs another set for the extra rotor. The engine of the Cyclone and the GSX-R actually feel similar in power delivery until near redline of the Buell. Then the GSX-R delivers a nearly insane level of power that peaks somewhere around 11,000 RPM. You could never compare the power of the Cyclone to the GSX-R, but the Buell is more fun and gratifying to row through the gears. The GSX-R is an extremely focused machine that makes previously challenging Cyclone roads seem relatively easy, but it also encourages you to push things farther than you should when you don't know the surface conditions around the next curve. I have never actually found the limits of either bike during street riding though. The GSX-R suspension is just more confidence inspiring. The Buell gets significantly better fuel economy. The Buell uses significantly more oil. The GSX-R is harder on tires, but that is just a function of the softer compound tires on my GSX-R and the way I ride it. Nobody but other rice rocket riders give my GSX-R a second look, and people often ask about the Cyclone. The GSX-R has 30,000 miles on it, and it feels like a new bike. At a little over 10,000 miles, the Cyclone is not as tight as it was when I got it, and it's using slightly more oil. I never keep motorcycles for very long. I am always looking to try something else, but these two bikes may well be the best two I have ever owned, for completely different reasons. Bill | ||
| Fast1075 |
The word carnage is well defined by what is left when a motor sucks a valve at 15,000 rpm....lol  | ||
| Limitedx1 |
my opinion would be that the average 600 rider does not take care of the bike unlike us persistant buell enthusiasts. ask any squid where his oil plug or what the standard service mileage is and they just scratch there head at you and then fire it up and hold it redline sitting still | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
The 600's are usually bought by younger riders and noobs. Cheaper in buying price and in insurance. I'm not saying discriminate against a young person, but I'd be leary about buying one used unless I met the original owner. I'd never buy one used from a dealer. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Thanks for the replies. Why the ZX6R and not the R6? I like the Kawi dealer (MCM), and I don't really like the gold wheels on the R6. The R1 sounds really tempting with the new motor, but I don't know if I can trust myself, or afford insurance. I am just researching now, probably wait till the fall and pick up a leftover '09. | ||
| Cowtown |
I forgot the source but one publication said the Buell is the best gas & go street bike on the market. Air cooled, self adjusting valves, belt driven, just change the oil and check the primary every 5,000 miles (by the manual anyway). | ||
| White79bu |
I went from an 07 GSXR 750 to an 1125r. And I love it. But I love almost anything with two wheels. With that being said I wouldn't mind a new R1 with the crossfire or a new ZX-10. | ||
| Rubberdown |
I love a a twin on the street but GD I love the screaming revs of a middleweight I4 in the races! |
