so im looking for a 600cc bike right off the showroom. i checked out the r6 and i love the looks but the seat seemed kinda high for me (im 5'9, 140lbs) just wondering what bike you think would best fit my build. i know they are all so close in performance and its just what you prefer for looks but what do you guys think would be the easiest to learn on. ive ridden 125cc dirtbikes and thats all my experience.

 

I've been riding for ~20 years now, including track days, and honestly I wouldn't want a hardcore 600cc sportbike as a streetbike. Seat too high, riding position is perfect for the track, imo unsuitable for the street. No fun at 6/10ths riding and below.

Broken record here, but how 'bout an SV650? Light weight, low seat, plenty sporting enough for *very* spirited street riding. Oh yeah, it's a lot less $$$, too!

Will never understand why so many people are willing to shell out $9k for their FIRST street bike! Particularly when it's going to be the kind of bike that won't be as FUN on the street as plenty of way less extreme and way less expensive alternatives.

 

Sport bikes look cool, but they are expensive to insure and not so comfy. Lots of people get them for image and drag racing though.

 

What are you getting the bike for? Looks, performance, how will you be riding it? Track days? Cruising, city riding?

 

I don't consider my bike to be uncomfortable until about mile 110...the 600RR is a great overall 600. The engine is flexible and the chassis is very responsive. It's not overly racy like the R6. Great looking bike though.

 

that's why I love my F4i

the F4i has comfy ergonomics, yet it can still haul ass

the latest race replicas are torture racks

 

id be doing a little city but mostly highway driving. i want to go fast on the freeway and look good in the city.

 

Those two mission profiles (around-town cruising and nary-a-curve high-speed trips on the freeway) aren't exactly what narrowly-focused hardcore 600cc sportbikes are optimized for.

Used Interceptor, maybe?

 

Have you considered a Suzuki SV650 like ZDan said? Decent engine size - good for a starter bike, but big enough to keep, enough power on a highway, easy to maneuver in a city, more comfortable than a sport bike, nose fairing to keep the wind off you at highway speeds, but no body fairings to get dinged and broken if you drop the bike. Less expensive to insure, easy to find, easy to sell, and pretty good looking to boot.

 

if you want the racey, but some what practical look at FZ6R,

or just an FZ6