Hello guys!
Currently, I am riding a Kawasaki Ninja 650 that is limited to 35kW. That limit will be lifted in a few weeks due to my age (23 almost 24). I am thinking of upgrading to a ZX6R 2024 or a BMW S1000RR 2020-2024. I am not entirely unfamiliar with higher-powered motorcycles, although I haven’t ridden a supersport before. I have ridden a bit on an MT-09, a Street Triple, and a Triumph Rocket 3. just swapping bikes for a bit with friends.
I will be using the bike for daily commuting and, once or twice a year, a longer road trip. My main focus is more on having fun than being comfortable.
Which of these two would you recommend? Do you guys have any other suggestions? I like the S1000RR more than the ZX6R, but I’m not sure if the powerband of a supersport is so different that it would be unwise to choose the S1000RR over the ZX6R.
I think all I was trying to get at on the subject of displacement, is when that ridiculous amount of power is available, the temptation to use it is strong. You can die on a Yamaha Zuma. But the 600s are plenty powerful, very fast, very nimble, but they do put at least some ceiling on the trouble your right hand can get into.
I don’t think a 1000 is any more a right hand risk than a 600.
I’ve had both, and the 600 will accelerate as much as a 1000, it just won’t have the top speed.
The 1000 is much more challenging to ride safely in my experience, not because of power, but because of its weight and (usually) a higher center of mass - so they typically take more effort to maneuver/maneuver well.
Though a lot depends on the type of bike, largely the rake angle which really influences the effort required to steer, and it also affects low speed stability.
For me, going to a 1000 was about long ride comfort and 2-up riding. Two up on a 600, even the more cruiser-like bikes, just isn’t as comfortable. There’s less room, pillion footpegs are more cramped, etc. But the price paid is the effort to ride it.
It really depends on the bike. If I were OP, I’d look for the features I want and not worry about engine size so much. If it happens that what I want comes with a 1000, so be it. Just take the time to learn to ride that bike well.
Decades ago I found the top speed of my small bike (I forget, maybe a 450?). It would’ve killed me just as fast as taking my 1000 to the same speed (which I simply don’t do).
I totally get where you are coming from and hope I didn’t come across as a dick. Going back to the example of my daughter, I would be equally terrified of her getting any size displacement bike if she can’t get her temper in check, and I hope that switch from passenger to driver on a motorcycle would give her the focus to mentally chill out. To your point, kids get these large displacement bikes and then decide that they are not only invincible, but the baddest thing on the planet and end up learning the hard way that they are neither of those two, and large displacement bikes are like magnets to that personality. I completely agree with you too, if you can get the 600cc bike and be responsible, then eventually when you feel like it’s not a danger, move up to something larger. All good advice and replies here.
Nah i totally got where you were coming from, and yeah, all good advice. I think the winning advice is “go for the features you want regardless of displacement so long as you can exercise self control”