Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Well, it seems that Honda are the only manufacturer that make a bike in the style/design I am looking for when I upgrade from the GPX250

I am looking for a 600 with good performance, a semi sporty/yet fairly releaxed riding position and something that isn't a bloated "tourer" style (ZZR600 for instance)

The CBR600F4i seems to fit the bill for me perfectly

I have had a history of back problems, I had an operation on my left wrist a few years back and it is not going to be 100% again - so I can't have something that puts too much weight on the wrists etc.

I had thought of maybe a ZX6 and putting some clip-ons on....anyone done this?

So does anyone have any thoughts on the CBR?

The F4i is a very, very good bike. Still a great sports performer but very user friendly at the same time.
The ZX6R is an extreme sports/race bike, and the latest incarnation is getting awesome reviews for performance and handling, but you'll have to try one to see how your wrist/back copes.


If you do decide to go the Honda though..........goodbye

I don't know how Fi would compete with 2000-2003 zx6r comfort-wise Rode the '04 RR and not too impressed with the engine.

Don't put the horse before the cart and think that any particular bike is going to cause you problems or be less comfortable. The only way you will get any idea is a simple three step process...test ride, test ride and test ride

Just get a zx9 and be done with it Gotta luv the 9

I had the F4 (1999-2000), not ballistic by any means, but seriously comfortable

Try a few bikes. Find one you're most comfortable on. I have a friend in a similar situation - broke his neck in a car accident many years ago, and can't ride sports bikes because of the pain he gets. So he rides naked "standard" bikes because of the upright seating position.

F4i's are awesome bikes and well respected in the stunting community (if that's your thing). They were also surprising a lot of people as a touring style sports bike that could still hang with the big boys when required.

And remember you can get "heli risers" that raise the bars for most bikes these days...

EDIT:
oh, and Javaman - the CBR600RR is a totally different bike, totally different engine. I believe the only thing the engine shared with the F4i was the bore and stroke.

Mick C wrote:The only way you will get any idea is a simple three step process...test ride, test ride and test ride

And even then that might not reveal all, you might need to take it out for a couple of hours to reveal there are any problems associated with the bike and not a shitload of dealers want you to take a bike out for that sort of period..

How much are the "heli raisers"? just a ballpark figure is good.

Punisher summed it up nicely, I am after something with good sports performance - yet usable/friendly.

Scottatron wrote:
Punisher summed it up nicely, I am after something with good sports performance - yet usable/friendly.

zx9r

If you are worried about the comfort of a sports bike there are some things you can do to make it better if it does turn out to be a problem.
for really long rides eg MotoGP run i put on a vista cruise control so i can rest both hands occasionally.
You could fit helibars (like someone said above)
i had the front suspension rebuilt on my zx6 and i found that the bike is actually more confortable to ride now (as well as handling improvements)
so sorting the suspension will probably help as well.

have you ruled out the Zeds? i owned a z750 and it was super comfortable and got along pretty damn well.
i never had any problems with comfort on that bike.

I have considered a z750, though I do prefer faired bikes....

Another option is the 2000-2002 ZX6's, a bit less racey than the 2003 - present one's

dont be too concerned about your back on the bike.
you may be surprised that it doesnt bother you like you think it would.
i have a back full of titanium and it plays up for all sorts of reasons but it doesnt seem to bother me on the bike..

When im riding the bike though the only thing that gets really sore is my throttle hand.(thats why i use the cruise control now).
Around town my wrists will get sore with the stopping and starting but on the long trips the wind takes the pressure off them.

As a fellow rider with "Greek" back, I also had to sell my 636 for comfort reasons. I must say, I just love the 9! Try one you may find it suits as well as it did my back!!!!