What bikes are the best?

[NaVamous]

Hi guys, I'm now just starting to get into bikes, I was wondering which types of racing bikes are the best on the market right now?

[scourge]

Depends on your size, skill, budget, and purpose. All of them are adequate. But, I am partial the Suzuki, as in the GSXR 750, 600, and 1000.

http://www.suzukicycles.com



Scourge:(

[Mr Rogers]

personally i am a honda guy, i like the RC51, but also the Yamaha R-1 is off the hook. i also like the CBR's. but i thinkkk the bike i want the most is a Ducati 996 or Aprilla Mille R. bad ass bike.

http://www.2wf.com/html/bikes/latesttest/00ApriliaMille/ApriliaMille_Page1.shtml that's the article on it.

[scourge]

The Aprillas are nice, as are the Cagivas, Laverdas, Bimotas, and MV Agustas. However, you can get similar, if not outright better performance for less money with Japanese bike manufacturers.

Scourge:(

PS. I omitted Ducati because although they make nice bikes, they are expensive and require too much maintainence to be be practical for anyone not a racer.

[mrhello]

Sorry Scourge, but I am going to have to disagree. Ducati had gotten this aura of unattainability and high maintainence due to their exotic nature, but is unfounded. In the Ducati lineup, the only 2 bikes that require "extra" expensive maintence are the desmoquattro engined 748's and 996 models. These bikes only require one extra (in relation to other bikes) piece of maintainence which is VALVE ADJUSTMENTS. They dont have pushrods and the valves need to be checked for clearance and "tighten-ence" more often (every like 6,000 miles as opposed to guys who go 15,000 with out one on a japanese bike). This work does cost about 100 to 200 dollars more than a normal Japanese bike. The other bikes like the monster and the 900ss's etc are just as user friendly as any other bike. But DO NOT let the the rumor of extra maintainence Ducs fool you. I have never had any reliability probs with my Duc, and scheduled maintence is not ridiculously expensive. On the other hand, of the guys I know:
Several have had to take in their CGR 929's for recalls, as have the Hayabusa owners, anb gsxr owners with subframe cracks. Of my Ducati and 2 friends with 748's none have had a problem.
I had to address the notion of Ducs being to high maintence for anyone but a racer or even a mechanic. Although the Duc DOES require more maintence than your average Japanese bike, one has to remember: the 748's and the 996/916/s are top of the line RACE trim bikes. They are fancier and more exotic than a mass produced GSXR or YZF, and you WILL have to spend a bit more to keep it up. In the long run howvever, you are talking a few hundred more a year, not much.

BUT, Bimotas and laverdas are not much more maintence free. And in fact that maintence on a Bimota or other Euro exotic would probably run more, due to their relative rarity in terms of supplies and parts in America (even thoug some most bikes from Bimota are based around a Japanese engine, i.e. the TL1000 twin). Not to mention a Bimota sb8r costs ohh about 28,000 dollars!

Scourge is right, for the money you can but a faster, lighter, quicker bike from the Japanese big four. The gsxr 750 will out run a 748 with equal riders, and the gsxr costs less. The only difference is riding a Duc is its own experience, kind of like being in a lambo or ferrari.

As for naVamous, the best bike or a beginner would probably be a ninja 250/500 or perhaps an older cbr f2 or fzr. You do not need to start on a top of the line 600 or larger. Some people do, but from my experience it is better to pace yourself than start out as mr hotshot on a new gsxr1000.

[Dv5GreddyCivic]

For the money and the performance.....

I would have too say its the 2001 Honda CBR F4i.

This is the bike i am gettin once i finish my C.C. Riders course, which is going to be this comin up April.

For the pricetag around $8000.00 its not such a bad bike. Its fuel injected, the only problem is, is that you can get a regular carbeuratored F4 and it has the same power. Thats about it.....If I cant get that F4i I was lookin at a F2 - F3- or a F-4

[SpeedAccordingly]

I'M SORRY TO SAY BUT YHE F4I IS CRAPPLY BUILT. MY FRIEND AND I INSPECTED THE BIKE AND IT IS BUILT CRAPPLY. NOTHING LIKE THEM OTHER 600'S. IT LOOKS COOL BUT DO YOU WANT TO DIE LOOKING COOL? U COULD GET THE F4I IN OAKLAND FOR $8900 INCLUDING TAX AND LICENSE. BUT I WOULD SAT THE TOP BIKES IN THE 600'S ARE THE GIXXER AND R6 WITHOUT A DOUBT.

[134K]

Well to start off, a good bike for a beginner would be some old Gixxer or even the new F4i, by no means is a 996 or a 748 a good bike for any beginner. You are talking about a bike that is not made for everyone and is heavy at low speeds. It is however the pinacle of superbikes. As for a Gixxer 750, or 1000, that is not a good bike for beginners. I would seriously start off with like a 600 and below.

Bimota is going out of business, if I hear right. Cagiva is buying the tooling and tx it over to the MV Augusta line. If you are talking about the all out serious bike you are talking about the new MV Augusta ORO with limited availability and not legal in CA by the way. You are talking about a $40K bike with dealermarkup. This bike is the closets you can get to a european GP bike but road going. All out the Benelli Tornado is coming out as well but with limited production as well. I'm hearing like $36K for this bike too.

I had a Duc 916 before I sold it to get my car, and it was the greatest thing. But it was not a practical bike and anything more than 4 hours of riding on it, made me sore. If you buy a Ducati, expect maintenance costs. If you want reliability then get a Japanese bike. Also the Gixxer has more aftermarket parts available than any other bike out there. It's kinda like the Integra of the biking community. By the way the GSX-R1000 is on backorder at most dealers.

The R1 and R6 are played out because now you see them everywhere. Don't be a follower be a leader and get something different. The R1 would win at the light, but the 996 will kill it at the canyons.

[mrhello]

I think the original post was about what are tight bikes, but not really about whats a great beginner bike. Even on that note old gsxrs are not great bikes to begin with. Maybe the old 600 but not the 750 or 1100 gsxr's.
Im not sure which bike you are talking about 134k, the augusta mv oro? There is no bike called the augusta Oro per say. There is the augusta MV f4 Oro, the higher version of the f4. There is also a MV augusta Raptor Oro, the higher version of the raptor. As for them being GP bikes, the f4 is far from it. Gp bikes are bikes that are part regulated by FIM, and they consist of all 2 stroke machines under 500cc's. Although they are allowing v5 4 strokes in this year. But even the Augusta f4 oro cannot hang with a 2 stroke nsr500. In fact the f4 Oro cannot even hang with a new gsxr750 in terms of lap times and straight up horsepower. I have seen some regular Augusta F4's for sale in Cali for about 15 grand. In fact there was one the other say online but has already sold.
You can actually find registered road 2 strokes around california. I know a guy who has a street going nsr 250, and he can absolutely smoke guys on 600's around skyline.

[NaVamous]

Best Bike!
For the money and the performance.....

I would have too say its the 2001 Honda CBR F4i.

This is the bike i am gettin once i finish my C.C. Riders course, which is going to be this comin up April.

For the pricetag around $8000.00 its not such a bad bike. Its fuel injected, the only problem is, is that you can get a regular carbeuratored F4 and it has the same power. Thats about it.....If I cant get that F4i I was lookin at a F2 - F3- or a F-4


__________________
VENGEANCE RACING

AIM = TVRdvsDragGeI2

Vengeance Racing

I saw one of those in a magazine, the critiques say it's worth every bang for the bucK? Looks nice too, wondering how fast does it go from 0 to 60, and it's top speed?

[NaVamous]

I was wondering, for a beginner like me, I was thinking about getting a dirt bike for like 1000 bucks or so, learn everything on there and then graduate to a better bike, such as a CBR F4i...or something to that standards? Do you think thats a good idea guys?

[jexser]

I'd recommend that you buy an older 600 that you won't cry over if you splatter it a good one. A 600 won't have enough power to scare the absolute hell out of you, but they are very forgiving and will leave the bigger bikes in the dust in the turns. Once you have gotten the hang of the used 600, move on the a new 600 or maybe a 750 if you have learned enough.


As far as the new bikes go, you couldn't go wrong with the current crop of Japanese sport bikes. But, in my mind the Suzuki's have it all over the rest of them, they just plain kick ass. And as far as the GSXR-750, my boy has a 996 Ducatti and says the GSXR is the better bike. The new 750 is a ****ing Mack! And I absolutely loved my 99 GSXR-600.

BUY A SUZUKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[NaVamous]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, really appreciate it. I'm really taken by the Honda CBR's though, I haven't researched into the 600's and the 750's. I will surely look into them as well. Thanks again..

[Angel5]

Honda CBR929
Kawasaki ZX-12R
Suzuki GSXR-1000 (or Hayabusa if you're a crazy f*ck)
Yamaha R1

Sure a Ducati 996 is nice, but who's going to shell out that kind of money?

[sac racer]

just because a lot of people have an R1 or R6, does not mean that it is a bad bike. bad ass maybe!! hehe. if you are experienced, get a gixxer 1K, or an R1, hands down. and winning in the canyons does not depend on the bike, it depends on the rider. the R6 (my next commuter bike :-] ), is obviously the best 600 on the open market, and even embarasses 750's. either way, any bike out there is going to be great, so dont worry about subtle differences, worry about being a better rider. peace. -sac racer

[scourge]

Originally posted by sac racer
just because a lot of people have an R1 or R6, does not mean that it is a bad bike. bad ass maybe!! hehe. if you are experienced, get a gixxer 1K, or an R1, hands down. and winning in the canyons does not depend on the bike, it depends on the rider. the R6 (my next commuter bike :-] ), is obviously the best 600 on the open market, and even embarasses 750's.

I don't remember the magazine, but there was an article where the writer was an owner of an R6 but admitted that the Suzuki GSXR 600 was a better all around bike. Now, if you wanna be on the track - I will concede the R6.

But, in a way all this is moot as most bikes are so close together performance wise choice boils down to personal opinion and comfort - like if the bike has enough butt room or the angle of the foot pegs. Ride before you buy to see what bike fits you. (My friend has a GSXR 750 and I could ride a hayabusa and he would still kick my ass as he has greater skill than I do. Don't try to make a bike try to fit the way you wanna ride it, get one you can handle)


Scourge

[mrhello]

i think im going to address this idea of the greatest bike.

for example when sac racer says"the R6 (my next commuter bike :-] ), is obviously the best 600 on the open market, and even embarasses 750's".
One could say that was true like ayear ago. But now, isnt the gsxr600 the best 600 out? It has the most hp, the most power, lighter, handles better, doesnt have any of the twitchy front end that the r6 is "notorious" for.... and the zook 750, isnt that the best 750 ever created, so great it takes on liter bikes easily? ( NOTE* im not saying sac racer is wrong or anything, hes voicing his opinion)

But look at this. A year ago, NO ONE ever complained that the r6 had a twitchy front end, at that point the r6 was just praised as the BEST, with no problems. No one talked about its lack of down low power under 7k. BUT NOW, in all the reviews thats the complaint, " down the low the r6 bogs, but above 7 its great, you just have to wail it...unlike the zook 600 which is just grrrreaaat."

the point is..every mag sucks the dlck of the newest bike out. Year after year, i have been into bikes for a while now, and have been following the mags for years. You can trust me when I say they are always on their knees and blowing the newest bike manufacturer. On the other hand, if you ever pick up a mag from across the pond, (europe), they do wail into bikes if they have probs, new or not.

DO not believe the hype. you do not need any sportbike on the street, theyre fun toys. The fact that the 01 gsxr600 will smoke a 01 r6 by .01 of a second at willows with pro riders, just means on the street your buddy is going to say he is faster than you. like sac racer said it is more or less the rider, especially in the corners...Granted yes a wrist monkey on a gsxr1000 is going to beat you in a straight line if your on a f4, so what? a bigger goof on a gsxr1300 busa or 12r is going to smoke that gsxr1000, at that point its just the bike, and any one can go straight ( not always actually, i see TONS of guys who can go fast, but cant slow down or perform evasive manuevers).

....dont fool yourself into thinking you need the best or fastest. You will find that an attitude like that will get you into trouble...get what bike you like, that is comfortable, and you feel looks good. Riding bikes is not the best thing for guys who have a big ego, or need to prove their the best.

Enjoy cycles and keep you head level. Gear is very important, and those who have been down can attest to that.

[sac racer]

i apologize if seeming upset, becasue this is what i wanted, a discussion. i have ridden the old gixxer, but not the new one, and have also not researched it. i was a lot more comfortable (not the ass, the brain) on the r6, and it can be thrown around like a back talking child. however, thanks to you guys, that might have to be the next commuter. hehe. so what are your personal opinions on it. i prefer from those who have ridden one; however, remember that everyone has a different riding style, and some bikes fit them better. well, time to go see one of the boys for a test ride. peace. -sac racer

[mrhello]

Personally, I like the r6. I think it is one of the nicest bikes out, looks wise.
I have ridden them, and I do not see any problems with the down low power. Yeah it does need to be slipped a bit under 3500, but so what it redlines at like 10 more grand. The r6 handles well, and corners well, the bike just falls right in to lean.
My only complaint is the the lack of wind protetion for taller folks, like me. The supposed performance of the new gsxr600 is interesting, 100 hp for a stock 600 is good. Looks wise, I do not enjoy the tail all that much. And the wide tank feels a bit porky, but thats the cost of parts sharing among 3 bikes (600,750,1000).

...Like most mags do say, it is all a matter of preference.

I think scourge is talking about the 600 review in sport rider mag. One of the tester says that he has a r6, and for a TRACK bike the gsxr 600 is tops. The other guys like the f4i, the r6 and I think 6r for an all arounder. I can check later if someone really wants to know. But what I do remember is that the gsxr600 is the most RACEResque of all the bikes in seating postition, and is apparently the most uncomfortable. Well heres the order from comfortable to uncomfortable.
1.CBR f4 (although thy say new f4i seat gets too hot)
2. ninja 6r
3. r6
4.gsxr600.

Best performance:
1. gsxr600
2. r6
3. 6r/f4/f4i are always mixed at the bottom
4. tt600. always dead last

the cbr f4i is getting extra jocked since its new. But I read a review somewhere, and apparently the bikes have the same lap times and all around performance ( cbf f4 and cbr f4i)

[sac racer]

thanks for the info. yup, its the riding style. i took the new gixxer out, and it rocks, but i am still a bit quicker on the r6. plus the new r6 has more power than the gixxer (a claimed 108 at the wheels), and the front end has been retouched. it fits my style better, but to others the gixxer will. either way those are the 2 best 600s around. peace. -sac racer

[SiN-6]

i dont understand, well seems only me, i hate drive bikes over 600cc (make HD an exception), its just way too bulky.

well, recently i took a test on friends fireblade, the power almost freakin me out when trying a hard accel. :p

peace.

[ovaYahead]

..

[Edited by ovayahead on 05-18-2001 at 09:34 AM]

[ovaYahead]

Originally posted by scourge
Originally posted by sac racer
just because a lot of people have an R1 or R6, does not mean that it is a bad bike. bad ass maybe!! hehe. if you are experienced, get a gixxer 1K, or an R1, hands down. and winning in the canyons does not depend on the bike, it depends on the rider. the R6 (my next commuter bike :-] ), is obviously the best 600 on the open market, and even embarasses 750's.

I don't remember the magazine, but there was an article where the writer was an owner of an R6 but admitted that the Suzuki GSXR 600 was a better all around bike. Now, if you wanna be on the track - I will concede the R6.
Scourge

I thought this was about the 2001 Gsx-r600 but it's about the 2000, thought you still might want to read someones opinion on the r6 vs gsx-r600. Not saying I agree with it or anything, my opinion remains bias. Or just the obviouse thought that "they are 2 different bikes"

http://www.epinions.com/content_7494209156

[Spyderman]

for 600-01 Yamaha R6 or Honda CBR F4i
750-00-01 Suzuki GSXR 750
900and up Suzuki GSXR 1000 or Yamaha R1

[Spyderman]

Originally posted by ovaYahead
..

[Edited by ovayahead on 05-18-2001 at 09:34 AM]
I'd definitly get the R6 over the Gsxr-600. I rode both, and the R6 is the way to go..

[Dv5GreddyCivic]

Hopefully, the 1996 YAMAHA YZF 600 is gonna be good, cause that is the bike that i am gettin....

What is a good price for this bike fellas?

Throw em at me, 10,000 miles

[Angel5]

Probably below $3,000.