[k2m]

I've been riding a Ninja 650. Plan on keeping it as I really like it, but I am tempted by a super sports Does anyone have experience moving from a 650 to ZX-6R ? What was the learning curve ?

 

[Rcfanatic07]

I bought a 2012 650 back in December, put 6000 miles on it and loved every second i was on it but I got bit by the ss bug and ended up trading it in a couple of weeks ago for a 2011 zx6. There's definitely a huge learning curve goin from the 650 to a zx6 as I found out. The main ones being that you have to keep the rpm's up if u want good acceleration out of turns. This is also where u have to respect the bike and don't do anything to far out of ur comfort zone cuz if ur not comfortable enough on it and don't know what it is capable of you'll quickly end up on the ground. Also u have to remember this is a race bike so it is designed for one thing, the track. That's one of the reasons why I got one is cuz I plan on doin some track days but not until I get a few thousand more miles on it. I'm still in the process of learning the bikes capabilities and getting used to it. But if ur interested in gettin a zx6 I say go for it but be careful and don't go crazy on it right away. Take it down some back roads and get used to how it handles in the turns. If u have anymore questions about the learning curve or the bike let me know and ill try and answer it to the best of my ability cuz I'm still learning the bike myself. Ride safe


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[xSpecBx]

I second everything said above. I went from an 07 650 to an 07 zx6r. Biggest thing you will see first is the steering is much tighter. You need to lean to turn, more so than on a 650. You cant do some of those uturn moves you did in the msf course, the bars just don't turn enough. Next thing you will see is the acceleration. It can be dangerous as stated. I love the zx6r and I'm glad I bought it. I don't do track days. Just use it for commuting and for casual riding and its a ton of fun. Just take it easy and give yourself time to adjust until youre comfortable.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[venom400]

I've been riding a Ninja 650. Plan on keeping it as I really like it, but I am tempted by a super sports Does anyone have experience moving from a 650 to ZX-6R ? What was the learning curve ?

Hi .

There is no learning curve, it is just getting used to the new bike.

I have a thread going on about this.

The bike will be :

-More uncomfortable, and you will never truly get used to it but you will get used to be uncomfortable.

-Brake much better.

-Be more jumpy (suspension wise)

-much more uncomfortable for the passenger and for you when you have a passenger

-use a bit more gas

-be a bit less powerful on the bottom rpms and double as fast once it gets passed 11k rpms and really take off at 14k to 17k (about 50% faster than the 650 at full throttle)

-smoother with less vibration.

-a thief magnet.

-better shifting with less clunky components.

-lighter.

-more exposed to the wind for the rider and passenger.

-sound better.

It is really not an"upgrade" it is a different bike , it is like jumping from a cruiser to a 650 and say that you are upgrading.

If you really like what you ride now as far as comfort but want more power with a better sounding engine then look no further than a Ninja 1000 (not the super sport) you can find a 2012 model now for 10k out the door easy,get the green , you will never get another bike in your life.

Get the Zx6 if you are planning to do track days and race people on the track.

There you go.

 

[Rcfanatic07]

Hi .

There is no learning curve, it is just getting used to the new bike.

I have a thread going on about this.

The bike will be :

-More uncomfortable, and you will never truly get used to it but you will get used to be uncomfortable.

-Brake much better.

-Be more jumpy (suspension wise)

-much more uncomfortable for the passenger and for you when you have a passenger

-use a bit more gas

-be a bit less powerful on the bottom rpms and double as fast once it gets passed 11k rpms and really take off at 14k to 17k (about 50% faster than the 650 at full throttle)

-smoother with less vibration.

-a thief magnet.

-better shifting with less clunky components.

-lighter.

-more exposed to the wind for the rider and passenger.

-sound better.

It is really not an"upgrade" it is a different bike , it is like jumping from a cruiser to a 650 and say that you are upgrading.

If you really like what you ride now as far as comfort but want more power with a better sounding engine then look no further than a Ninja 1000 (not the super sport) you can find a 2012 model now for 10k out the door easy,get the green , you will never get another bike in your life.

Get the Zx6 if you are planning to do track days and race people on the track.

There you go.

Completely agree with everything u just said! Couldn't have said it better.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[RacinJason44]

Hi .

There is no learning curve, it is just getting used to the new bike.

:Laughing rolling::Laughing rolling::Laughing rolling:

If you ride slowly and in straight lines you can do it just as easily on both bikes, I guess.

I personally went from an EX500 that I put 3,500 miles on to a Ninja 650 that I put a little over 20,000 miles and a half dozen track days on and now have both the 650 and my R6 race bike. I also owned a dirt bike and a 250 as well, in addition to having ridden a shit ton of other peoples bikes, from sumo's, 600's, liter bikes, big bikes, etc. Pretty much every kind of motorcycle you can think of. I have been on the track with my R6 about 14 times in the last year, and I am still working on the learning curve. I went through a season racing as a novice, and now have my expert license and I am not as comfortable on a 600 as I am a 650. The 650 is just easier to do everything on.

If you can safely and comfortably ride a 650 you can do the same thing on a 600 if you use your head. But, they will catch you out easier if you make mistakes.

 

[RacinJason44]

The bike will be :

-Be more jumpy (suspension wise)

What does this mean??

 

[venom400]

What does this mean??

Stiffer , when going over pavement the bike will transfer more of the road to the rider than the 650


Sent from Motorcycle.com App

 

[venom400]

:Laughing rolling::Laughing rolling::Laughing rolling:

If you ride slowly and in straight lines you can do it just as easily on both bikes, I guess.

I personally went from an EX500 that I put 3,500 miles on to a Ninja 650 that I put a little over 20,000 miles and a half dozen track days on and now have both the 650 and my R6 race bike. I also owned a dirt bike and a 250 as well, in addition to having ridden a shit ton of other peoples bikes, from sumo's, 600's, liter bikes, big bikes, etc. Pretty much every kind of motorcycle you can think of. I have been on the track with my R6 about 14 times in the last year, and I am still working on the learning curve. I went through a season racing as a novice, and now have my expert license and I am not as comfortable on a 600 as I am a 650. The 650 is just easier to do everything on.

If you can safely and comfortably ride a 650 you can do the same thing on a 600 if you use your head. But, they will catch you out easier if you make mistakes.

Well obviously a rider like you that pushes a bike to its limits will see a huge difference , but not your average street rider ,


Sent from Motorcycle.com App

 

[k2m]

Thanks much for your detailed responses. I do have a few more questions

Someone mentioned that you have to "lean" more into turns. I race bicycles on the road and that is something I miss a bit in the twisty descents. My bicycle is about 90% lean, 10% countersteer. The 650 feels about 80% counter steer, 20% lean. If if I got a little bit more lean in that mix, I think I would enjoy the turns even more. Any comment on that aspect wrt to the 650 ?

What will I use the bike for ? I could see myself doing some track days but maybe for my own rider education not so much for racing and it would be occasional.

Riding position: the ss riding position is closer to what I have on my road race bicycle, so I think it would be fairly natural. (I've never ridden one, but when I sit on one at the dealer, it feels pretty comparable.)

One more thing..I will be using the bike for commuting and some short touring (maybe one or two days trips), not just completely RR riding in the mountains nearby, so it needs to be able to do that - at least carry a tank bag or rear seat top bag.

Based on this info, I'm wondering if there are more comments ?

 

[Rcfanatic07]

When I had my 650 I liked to get off the side a little and lean into the turns. I felt more comfortable doing that than just staying on the seat and counter steering. Here's a video of me riding some twisties to give ya an idea. I'm the one in the front wearin red just to let ya know and sorry in advance for the quality, its not the best.
http://youtu.be/tV6hMpeNwyg



Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[venom400]

Thanks much for your detailed responses. I do have a few more questions

Someone mentioned that you have to "lean" more into turns. I race bicycles on the road and that is something I miss a bit in the twisty descents. My bicycle is about 90% lean, 10% countersteer. The 650 feels about 80% counter steer, 20% lean. If if I got a little bit more lean in that mix, I think I would enjoy the turns even more. Any comment on that aspect wrt to the 650 ?

What will I use the bike for ? I could see myself doing some track days but maybe for my own rider education not so much for racing and it would be occasional.

Riding position: the ss riding position is closer to what I have on my road race bicycle, so I think it would be fairly natural. (I've never ridden one, but when I sit on one at the dealer, it feels pretty comparable.)

One more thing..I will be using the bike for commuting and some short touring (maybe one or two days trips), not just completely RR riding in the mountains nearby, so it needs to be able to do that - at least carry a tank bag or rear seat top bag.

Based on this info, I'm wondering if there are more comments ?

Ninja 1000 is your answer , specially for two day touring trips , ouch ...


Sent from Motorcycle.com App

 

[sportyaccordy]

I havent ridden a 600 yet but I do have clipons on my 650 now. Steering is different. With big bars you can just manhandle the bars and the bike will tip in. With clip ons you have to brace yourself a bit, lean more and push the bars more. You def have to commit more to lines and turns. The upside is instead of feeling like you are perched on top of the bike and kind of just along for the ride, you feel more connected and integrated. I took my bike out to the twisties a few weeks back I loved it.

Again I havent ridden a 600 but I feel like for the street something with more low end + midrange torque would be better. 650 is OK in that regard but it gets really shakey and juddery around ~3-4K. I think the Ninja 1000 would be a good upgrade... shame it's so damn ugly though.