Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

If anyone is bored and/or wants to offer their opinion - help me choose my next bike.

Pros and Cons (IMO):

1) Keep my bike.
Pros: Cheap. Saves hassles of buying and selling. I can always upgrade later.
Cons: Bike keeps getting older. More and more kms put on her until she's practically unsellable.

2) Get the '02 ZX6R.
Pros: I always wanted the '02. Love the bike - sporty, yet comfortable for long rides. I only got the '01 because finances couldn't stretch to an '02 at the time. I can afford to get a very nice '02 with all the bling I want
Cons: Upgrading to a bike only one year younger seems a little odd/weird.

3) Get the '06 ZX6R
Pros: It's a sexy bike that's very nice to ride. There's something very appealing about having a brand new bike. I like the bike a lot.
Cons: Seating position is a little more aggressive than I'd like - I think I'd die riding to PI in two days in that position! I can probably only afford the new bike - the bling would have to wait six months. I don't love the bike - it's nice and I like it, but I didn't fall in love with it when I test rode it.

I'm happy to hear other's opinions. I keep swinging between each option, depending on what mood I'm in

Go the 02 i got a spin on my friends 06 636 and didnt like it much felt like i was on a paddle pop stick.

Technically the 06 will be a much better bike for fanging. You dont always get the impression of a bikes full qualities if only taken for a short ride as it takes time to learn how to use it. I am confident with the 06 your riding style will evolve into getting what you want from the bike?
That said you generally know straight away if the aesthetics and riding position appeal to you?

For me it's 50/50 between looks and ride, and the 06 is very sexy.

If you are to stick to 600's go the newie IMO.
Spend the cash, you could get hit by a bus tomorrow!!

Would you go bigger? 900?

L3raven wrote:Go the 02 i got a spin on my friends 06 636 and didnt like it much felt like i was on a paddle pop stick.

I wont question what you use for comparison

My 2c, go the 06...... you don't need bling on one of these, they are shit hot out of the box. The 02 would be like selling your bike to buy it back for more money. I'm guessing the 03/04 doesn't enter the equation? you could do an awful lot to one of those for the price difference from an 06.

Hiya Cath,

Personally I'm not fond of the 05/06 shape but thats just my opinion.

If neither is really lighting your fire then keep what you have, if its not worth much in a year or 2 so be it, make it a trakkie.

You'll be really pissed off if you by the 06 and then 6 months later find something you really couldn't live without.

Cheers
Matt

matchan wrote:Hiya Cath,

Personally I'm not fond of the 05/06 shape but thats just my opinion.

If neither is really lighting your fire then keep what you have, if its not worth much in a year or 2 so be it, make it a trakkie.

You'll be really pissed off if you by the 06 and then 6 months later find something you really couldn't live without.

Cheers
Matt

Bugger, I'd like to pick holes in this......but I can't.....good advise.

My suggestion Cath is to test ride more bikes

I wanted an 06, until I sat on it, I just didn't fit, so I looked at other bikes to see what grabbed me

option 2

if ya dont love it dont buy it!

but what about like on 04 or something? are they the same as 02 but newer?

i like the one Tanya had, and red-dave has.

Yeah an 04 is AWESOME! No offence to the earlier models, but the 03/04 is waaay hot.... Im not a huge fan of the 05/06 shape...

I like the 05 / 06.. But thats cause they suit the riding I do, short fangs and track days.. They also look great..
If your gunna use it as a daily ride, long trips and want to carry stuff the 02 would be better.
You'll end up losing more $ on an new bike than an older one but as Hoffy said, its only money. Buy a 2nd hand 05 to reduce your losses.
Remember the current 6 could be the last 636, rumour is they will be 600's again next year. Get one while you can..

oh and the light weight and superior handling of the 05 / 06 will more than compensate for the extra power of a ZX9..

and Dave is looking for a track bike, the 05 /06 would be a great one..

Wattie wrote:option 2

if ya dont love it dont buy it!

but what about like on 04 or something? are they the same as 02 but newer?

i like the one Tanya had, and red-dave has.

The 02 is what Cath already has but with the 636 engine...

03-04 shape is what Cheeky, Stereo and I have.

I briefly rode Mr Stompy's 05 the other day and it was a little more comfier than mine. They do also have a slipper clutch.

I.M.H.O. Unless you were really wanted a newer bike, i'd keep your current one. There would be no real noticable difference to yours with the 02 model.

You're also welcome to take mine for a fang for rreasearch purposes...

Cath, i found a picture of the bike you should ride. My little turtle dove!!!

On the other hand, go the 02' as its a bike you love

red_dave wrote: The 02 is what Cath already has but with the 636 engine...

Thats what I thought, I dont think there would be a difference between the 01 and the 02....

Or option 4, wait for 5 months and get the '07 model

I see you haven't put the 10 on your list...are you just trying to fake us out pretending you're going to get a 6? You know you want the 10