First off Hello.
So I have been riding a 1998 Smoking Joe CBR600 for the past 3 years that was a family bike. I recently relocated to another state and I am now in search of a new/used ride for myself. I am 25 and about 6ft 185lbs.
I am currently debating on both these bikes as my dealer has both. After I was able to sit on a few different mfg's and loooked in to them over the past month these are the two that stood out for me. I am concerned after riding the Smoking Joe that the FZ6R may leave me wanting more. I am not that familiar with bikes and am just getting "into" the scene so to speak. I started on a 250 then worked my way to the Smoking Joe, so have about 7yrs experience.
My bike will be primarily transportation to work and back as I just relocated and no longer have the cbr at my disposal. It's about 3 miles streets and 40 miles highway. Avg speed about 70mph give or take I would assume. I really dont want a naked bike due to the highway miles. Everything I read and find says the FZ6R is geared more towards beginners, but personally I liked the way it felt just sitting on it. The sales guy tells me its been their most popular bike. He also said he's had more than a few guys trading in R6's that just ride street. He's a salesman though, and I am looking at new left over FZ6R in Team Blue vs a slightly used R6S in Team Blue. The dealership I am sure would love to move a new bike vs a used one. The upright position was kind of comfy. One of the reasons I want an R6S intead of the newer R6 chassi/frame is due to the position as well. I am going to be honest. I am looking at getting into a sport bike riding group here to ride with some riders. While I have yet to experience that and know I am going to be a newb much like I am here on the site. Showing up with less than legit gear is never the best idea. I plan on keeping the bike for a while and progressing more and more, but not really interested in the race aspect as I don't have the time or the funds. Just want to progress as a rider as its fun for me and challenging at the same time. I am just looking for some input from you guys who ride the FZ6R consistantly and others that may have some R6S experience on which way to lean. I was able to sit on an R6S with my buddy holding it . From what I can find I am just really worried about missing the zippiness of theat Smoking Joe going to the FZ6R due to the midrange build of the FZ6R and the amount of HP it took from the engine to get there. As a far as seat comfort I think I would appreciate the more leaned posistion on the R6S on the highway at speeds. If I were a regular city rider, with stop and go traffic most of the time I would def be going FZ6R due to all the above mentioned reasons of low end, midrange torque, and an upright comfy position. However being almost 90% of the riding is on the highway was wondering if that will still benefit me as much seeing as shifting and banging through the gears will be negligeable.
The one thing I really really didn't like at first glance was the handlebars on the FZ6R. They almost look like the belong on a bicycle. I went through the mod section and there really wasn't much info except for one clip on mod which I reallly dont want to be taking chunks of my cowling/fairing out to do. Any other ptions out there beside the FZ1 bars?
Been reading the site for the past month or so trying to aide in my decision and it has been great. I dont have the opportunity to test drive due to the weather here. While I know waiting til spring is best to test ride, the deals and the 2 bikes I am considering are priced right for me and I have the cash in hand now. Who knows what the future may hold.
So I have been riding a 1998 Smoking Joe CBR600 for the past 3 years that was a family bike. I recently relocated to another state and I am now in search of a new/used ride for myself. I am 25 and about 6ft 185lbs.
I am currently debating on both these bikes as my dealer has both. After I was able to sit on a few different mfg's and loooked in to them over the past month these are the two that stood out for me. I am concerned after riding the Smoking Joe that the FZ6R may leave me wanting more. I am not that familiar with bikes and am just getting "into" the scene so to speak. I started on a 250 then worked my way to the Smoking Joe, so have about 7yrs experience.
My bike will be primarily transportation to work and back as I just relocated and no longer have the cbr at my disposal. It's about 3 miles streets and 40 miles highway. Avg speed about 70mph give or take I would assume. I really dont want a naked bike due to the highway miles. Everything I read and find says the FZ6R is geared more towards beginners, but personally I liked the way it felt just sitting on it. The sales guy tells me its been their most popular bike. He also said he's had more than a few guys trading in R6's that just ride street. He's a salesman though, and I am looking at new left over FZ6R in Team Blue vs a slightly used R6S in Team Blue. The dealership I am sure would love to move a new bike vs a used one. The upright position was kind of comfy. One of the reasons I want an R6S intead of the newer R6 chassi/frame is due to the position as well. I am going to be honest. I am looking at getting into a sport bike riding group here to ride with some riders. While I have yet to experience that and know I am going to be a newb much like I am here on the site. Showing up with less than legit gear is never the best idea. I plan on keeping the bike for a while and progressing more and more, but not really interested in the race aspect as I don't have the time or the funds. Just want to progress as a rider as its fun for me and challenging at the same time. I am just looking for some input from you guys who ride the FZ6R consistantly and others that may have some R6S experience on which way to lean. I was able to sit on an R6S with my buddy holding it . From what I can find I am just really worried about missing the zippiness of theat Smoking Joe going to the FZ6R due to the midrange build of the FZ6R and the amount of HP it took from the engine to get there. As a far as seat comfort I think I would appreciate the more leaned posistion on the R6S on the highway at speeds. If I were a regular city rider, with stop and go traffic most of the time I would def be going FZ6R due to all the above mentioned reasons of low end, midrange torque, and an upright comfy position. However being almost 90% of the riding is on the highway was wondering if that will still benefit me as much seeing as shifting and banging through the gears will be negligeable.
The one thing I really really didn't like at first glance was the handlebars on the FZ6R. They almost look like the belong on a bicycle. I went through the mod section and there really wasn't much info except for one clip on mod which I reallly dont want to be taking chunks of my cowling/fairing out to do. Any other ptions out there beside the FZ1 bars?
Been reading the site for the past month or so trying to aide in my decision and it has been great. I dont have the opportunity to test drive due to the weather here. While I know waiting til spring is best to test ride, the deals and the 2 bikes I am considering are priced right for me and I have the cash in hand now. Who knows what the future may hold.
Last edited: