[AirForceTeacher]

Ok, we've got a first bike thread, what about people looking for a second bike?

I still tend to agree with the old beginnerbikes.com mantra that the second bike shouldn't be a modern supersport for most people either, unless you have multiple years experience in dirt bikes before street riding. That doesn't describe me, so I'm looking for something in between.

I'm currently riding a 93 Seca II - 600cc, carburated inline 4. It's supposedly got about 50-60hp. I'm looking for something sporty to get next. I keep on getting steered toward the SV650S, but it's also got only around 50-60hp. The problem is that the next step from there is the r-gix-zx-cbr realm of 95-105 hp. That's quite a jump from what I've got now.

Where are the 80-85hp sportbikes? Or am I fooling myself by looking at horsepower?

Right now my short list is the SV650S, the FZ6, the CBR600F4i (if I can find one in yellow) and the ZZR600 (which I guess is a 2001 ZX6R reskinned.) I would put the Thundercat (YZF600R) on that list, but I'm not a big fan of the front, especiall the headlight.

Goal: I want sticky and flickable. I want to be able to accelerate out of corners with a lot of thrill but not a lot of chill or drama. I will do the occasional track day, but this is primarily for street and when I get back to Colorado, a whole lot of canyon-carving! (if anyone wants to take a summer trip to canyon carve next year, let's go! I have lots of friends, relatives and riding buddies in Colorado!)

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Roach954]

Just get a 600 of some type. Its really nothing to be scared of unless you are completely unconfident with your riding abilities.

 

[r1sharknose]

this bike probably only has 80ish horsepower~http://www.twowheelforum.com/showthread.php?t=4668

 

[JK_DILLA]

Alot of SV lovers on here, and you cant go wrong with it. 70hp (feels like more) 360ish lbs makes a nice package in a twin. FI on 03 and up is a plus.

The f4i is good as well. Sticking with the I4 motor will be familiar and fuel injection will be great for colorado and altitude changes. Also it more easily translates to a trackbike than the ZZR and the 600R.

Or if you want another thrasher/ experiment bike, you can pick up F4's (pre 'i' model) and pre 2001 gsxr 600s for cheap. Carburated bikes all.

hope i said something new to you. :luck:

 

[Mudpuppy]

Get a 66 panhead - should get you about 30 hp.. lol..

 

[scorpion]

I'm kind of in the same boat... I'm nowhere near maxing the limits of my Bandit 600 I ride, but I want something a bit sportier... I don't want an R1 or gixxer either... too much power...

I'm looking towards the Ducati 800ss... not too much higher on HP than what we've got right now, riding position isn't too extreme, but it's handling is much better...

That may be something to look at...

Or consider a Triumph Daytona 600 or 650... they're a bit lower in specs than their SS cousins R6, 636rr, etc... they're considered as I understand it, to be more street friendly SS replicas...

 

[AirForceTeacher]

I love the looks of the Daytona, especially in yellow. I've seen a lot of reviews that say that while it doesn't have the power of the big 4, it equals any of them in handling and has much better day-to-day ergos.

 

[AirForceTeacher]

Get a 66 panhead - should get you about 30 hp.. lol..

Thank you Mudpuppy - you're always so helpful uke:

 

[AirForceTeacher]

Just get a 600 of some type. Its really nothing to be scared of unless you are completely unconfident with your riding abilities.

(thread is evolving)
Regarding confidence: I've been riding almost 3000 miles, but it sure doesn't feel like it when I ride. I've only ridden two bikes: the dirtbike at the MSF and my Seca, so I don't know if it's me or the bike, I just don't fel as comfortable or as proficient as I expected to be at this point. It's discouraging, because I went on a group ride three-four weeks after I started and tey said they couldn't believe how well I was doing.

I know that my biggest problem was the really awful tire combination on the bike when I bought it, which I believe caused my two lowsides. Even now though, with matching Metzlers on front and back, I still don't feel like the bike handles the way I always expected a bike to handle. Is it just me? Maybe. I know some people have ridden this bike on the track. I'e even heard that there's a racing circuit for it. I just don't feel the way I think I should, so I'm looking for things to do to fix it, fix me or get a new bike.

A friend who has been riding for years (currently on a 954RR) highly recommends the SV650S. He even goes so far as to say that it would be safer than the Seca because it would handle so much better. He actually thinks I should get an F4i instead, but has high esteem for the SV.

Part of me says just go get me the Yami credit and grab an R6 - it's supposed to have fantastic handling, right?

 

[Mudpuppy]

Thank you Mudpuppy - you're always so helpful uke:

Hey I try.. My next bike is an R1.. Of course I am now riding my sixth bike.. I owned 3 dirt bikes (Yamaha of course), dual sport (Yamaha of course), Katana 600 (first street bike and it was $500 I couldn't pass it up) and of course now the R6.

The Ducati 749 is supposed to be a good bike if you are not concerned with hp or speed. Same with the Daytona. I heard the SV650 is a nice bike..

 

[Mudpuppy]

(thread is evolving)
Regarding confidence: I've been riding almost 3000 miles, but it sure doesn't feel like it when I ride. I've only ridden two bikes: the dirtbike at the MSF and my Seca, so I don't know if it's me or the bike, I just don't fel as comfortable or as proficient as I expected to be at this point. It's discouraging, because I went on a group ride three-four weeks after I started and tey said they couldn't believe how well I was doing.

I know that my biggest problem was the really awful tire combination on the bike when I bought it, which I believe caused my two lowsides. Even now though, with matching Metzlers on front and back, I still don't feel like the bike handles the way I always expected a bike to handle. Is it just me? Maybe. I know some people have ridden this bike on the track. I'e even heard that there's a racing circuit for it. I just don't feel the way I think I should, so I'm looking for things to do to fix it, fix me or get a new bike.

A friend who has been riding for years (currently on a 954RR) highly recommends the SV650S. He even goes so far as to say that it would be safer than the Seca because it would handle so much better. He actually thinks I should get an F4i instead, but has high esteem for the SV.

Part of me says just go get me the Yami credit and grab an R6 - it's supposed to have fantastic handling, right?

It probably is the bike bro.. If you are not comfortable then you probably never will be.. I would HIGHLY recommend the R6 and yes it does have superb handling.. Go for it.. I have put over 10k on my R6 and have loved every mile.. If you are not comfortable get something else.. Take some test rides, etc. But as far as experience and 3,000 miles - maybe your expectations are too high.. Just enjoy the ride and ride in your limits.. Seat time breeds experience and comfort.. Don't think about it so much.. Forget about the lowsides - it happens to most of us - hell I lowsided twice last year - once out of necessity and once out of stupidity..

 

[Roach954]

If you would jump on a newer sportbike with the bazillion improvements over the years, you would probably see an immediate difference. I would say that a lot of the problems you are experiencing are probably coming from being a little under-experienced and the outdated ride. You'll be amazed at the difference once you get on one.

 

[Gas Man]

The next bike at my house will probably be for the wife and it will most likey be a R6... does that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside..MP?

 

[AirForceTeacher]

The next bike at my house will probably be for the wife and it will most likey be a R6... does that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside..MP?

Hey, if I could get my wife on a Rebel, it'd make me all warm and fuzzy inside! She took the MSF with me, passed (did better than me even) then decided not to ride because it's just too dangerous and not worth the enjoyment she would get. Very bummed.

She likes the way they look, I'd buy her a Shadow in a heartbeat if I thought she'd ride it. In fact, she doesn't like sportbikes at all, but when I was on Honda's website looking at the F4i, when I moused over the color block accidently and it changed to silver, she went "ooohhhh, that's nice!"

Maybe that's my answer ... about which bike to get, I doubt it's the answer to get her to ride.

 

[Gas Man]

My problem with my wife is that she is always cold...so she'd definately be a fair weather rider!

 

[Grafixx01]

The Ducati 749 is kinda expensive IMHO. But it's still a nice bike, I'd get it. But I'm already looking down the road to modding my R6 and then eventually getting a litre bike in like two years. So I guess I'm not that much of a helper on this subject. Plus I don't know I I have enough seat time to say do this or do that. :2cents:

 

[scorpion]

Hmm... I thought the daytona was the most rider friendly for the street, but the most down on power compared to the big 4 of honda, suz., yam, and kawi...

Oh well... my next bike will probably be a Duc 800ss, Daytona 600/650, maybe an MV Brutale...

but those Aprilia RSV Milles are so pretty too...

 

[Guideon72]

+1 on the SVS. Stock it sits around 71hp and adding a full, aftermarket exhaust you can get it up in the mid/high 70s, probably rejet the injectors and get it into the low 80s if that's what you're lookin' for.

I LOVE my SV. The only other thing with that bike is that unless you're 5'8" and built like a broomstick, you are gonna need to redo the front end (new springs, minimum).

 

[AirForceTeacher]

+1 on the SVS. Stock it sits around 71hp and adding a full, aftermarket exhaust you can get it up in the mid/high 70s, probably rejet the injectors and get it into the low 80s if that's what you're lookin' for.

By rejet, you mean Power Commander, or something else?

I LOVE my SV. The only other thing with that bike is that unless you're 5'8" and built like a broomstick, you are gonna need to redo the front end (new springs, minimum).

Well, I'm 6'2" and 210lbs (built like a bundle of broomsticks!) so that may be an immediate upgrade need for me.

Wow, more and more it seems like an R6 with aftermarket risers is the way to go for me. Love the way it looks, just need to honestly decide if I can handle the throttle...

 

[JK_DILLA]

Dont you wish you could just detune an R6 till youre ready for all of it.