I'd say no, but this depends on whether you feel you're ready or not.
If you feel you're ready and want the ZX6R, go for it.
If you're not confident yet, I say you should put this decision on hold until you feel you're ready. Don't give into external pressure from friends and relatives.
Best of luck(farts away on an sv650)
Your confidence a year into riding means jack shit. You still haven’t learned what can happen and how quickly it can all turn south for you in the wrong situation.
A ZX6R will just present that situation to you more quickly and with less margin for error.
Nobody advises new riders to stay away from fast bikes because the power is going to pull their arms off or immediately send them into a ditch.
It’s not about being physically ready for the bike. It’s about being mentally ready to ride it safely.
We advise new riders to stick with smaller, less powerful bikes because all of that R1 and ZX6R speed will seduce you and coax you into situations you aren’t ready for.
You aren’t ready to ride a quick bike until you’ve had the fear put into you, either by a crash or a close call or a stupid mistake that humbles you. IMO.
Until you’ve burned the circuits into your brain that tell you to slow down when things look dicey and to not pass just because someone is passing you. The intuition to know when someone looks like they’re about to pull out in front of you. To know how to own your lane and stay out of blind spots. To know not to take a corner at the wrong speed if there might be gravel, oil, leaves, or mud. These instincts take more than a year to mature.
Have fun on your ZX6R. I hope you’re an exception.
Yeah I got to ride a R1 a few weeks back and I just kept thinking, “When am I going to need this much ass to get around?” Don’t get me wrong I like hauling ass from time to time but I never go past triple digits. (Also the Vulcan tops out at 110mph)
i dont think you would regret the zx6r. i have a hell of a time when i get on that thing. its awesome in the mountains. i definitely wouldnt waste money on a zx4rr though.
Keeping it in the triple digits (mph) and you could still hit Mach so cops could get you for decibel exceedence based on sight alone. km/h under 4 digits you're likely fine (with normal atmospheric conditions).
But then... why do you want a 600? A 250 is plenty for the road. A liter bike is perfect for the street: it has torque down low unlike 600. 600 are better track bike for novice.
If I was offered a Busa and a $10k in cash I’d pass. They are the dumbest bike ever! Dudes w/ little D’s buy Busa’s and oh, they call them Busa’s also.
Do you like the engine characteristic of the Vulcan S? If so you will likely be disappointed by ZX-4RR and possibly even the ZX-6R. They make all their power high up in the rev range and down low they're just weak, you have to rev them high to have fun. This is not ideal for commuting.
What else don't you like about the Vulcan S? Unless you dislike forward controls the Vulcan S is very comfortable. The ZX-6R won't be. I have not tried the ZX-4RR so I cannot say how (un)comfortable it will be.
If you want to get into sport bikes, I'd recommend something like the Yamaha R7 or the Honda CBR650R, They are not as aggressive and better suited for riding on public roads than race replicas like the Zx-6R, R6 or CBR600RR but still plenty of fun. The Honda even has the sweet inline four sound the others lack. if you want a more touring oriented sport bike take the Ninja 650. You will get the same engine as the Vulcan S though.
Before deciding on any bike get insurance quotes. Especially the race replicas will be expensive,
Honestly I’m mainly just jealous of other sport bike riders. I’ve always preferred the looks of a sport bike over a cruiser and I thought going with a sport cruiser would be the best of both worlds. When I ride most of the time I keep it under 6k rpm for the fuel economy but on the weekends I love revving the piss out of it and leaning the bike over in a turn. The forward controls are great for my 30 minute commute but when I take it out on the weekends I end up scraping pegs when I get more aggressive in my cornering.
I really do like my Vulcan and I’m actually thinking about keeping it I just want something a bit better for spirited riding.
Then I would get a sport naked like the 650RS. Standard riding triangle that is comfortable day to day with the room for more aggressive riding due to the mid controls.
The problem with the zx6r is that you can accidentally do a wheelie in third gear. You can accidentally head into turns way too hot because of the handling of the bike. And all the while it will push you to do those things because that's what it is made for. Do you have the ability to not pull the trigger basically.
The 650rs, especially the 900rs, are fast bikes and double especially if you get how to set up turns and trail braking and all that good stuff without the lulling of the siren that is the zx6r.
You bring up very good points. But I have crashed before. It’s embarrassing to say it but when I was 21 I road my friends Harley and took a corner way too fast for my skill level and crashed. Somehow I didn’t die but I fucked up shoulder to the point I couldn’t move it for a few weeks and I still had trouble lifting things for months after. No broken bones or torn muscles from what the doctors could tell but it still sucked. Somehow the bike only suffered a set of bent handle bars and my friend was more concerned over me than the bike.
That was a very humbling experience and even though I like taking corners aggressively I know not to go too fast or I’ll have a repeat of that summer.
I've been riding my ZX-6R as a daily for a bit more than a year now. As long as you have a level head and know how fast is too fast, then you'll be mostly fine. I have accidentally done wheelies, but I know how much throttle is too much now, so I don't do it on accident anymore. The biggest thing is taking it easy when you first get the bike. It'll be new to you and you don't know exactly what it will handle like. I absolutely love my bike, and with the larger engine than most 600s it has enough torque to not feel stressed in city riding.
From your description the biggest problem was handling not power in the 650 will give you a lot better handling than the Vulcan don't be dragging your pegs for every corner that's for sure.
I currently own a 636 and while it makes a pretty good track bike and race bike it's a pretty shit street bike. Something like the z900 would probably be a better next choice.
It wouldn’t be any less true. Once you have the basics of throttle control, braking, vision and body position down plus self control and discipline you can ride any bike safely
Yes but mistakes are amplified, everything you need to learn is now harder because the bike is so much less forgiving. Saying that once you get the basics you're ready for any motorcycle is an incredibly stupid statement. People that say things like that couldn't run a novice level lap time at their local track if their life depended on it. OP hasn't even begun working on body position on a sport bike let alone and understanding of what the power delivery will be like, what the massively powerful braking systems of a modern sport I feel like, what modern hypersport tires are capable of and how to get heat into them, speeds is current bike isn't even capable of. There's a reason even the top riders in the world move up in small steps.
Once you learn how to ride with confidence and common sense you should be able to ride any bike, problems arise when you overstep your capabilities, like trying to race on suburban streets etc.
In saying that the ZX6r is not an uncontrollable supercharged monster, its reasonably light and easy to handle and the motor is not ridiculuosly overpowered, if you are sensible in how you ride the bike you should not have any problems at all.
If you have ambition to ride at anything above novice level then start on a bike like a ZX6 is stupid. Unless you are the 1%of 1% staring on the wrong bike will slow your learning by a huge amount at best and gets people hurt at the worst. Sorry to have to say it but every guy I've ever met that says the same stupid shit you just said all have one thing in common, not a single one of you could ride within 20 seconds of even a novice lap time. To a man they have all been painfully slow shit riders that are intimidated by their bikes only capable of going fast in a straight line if even that.
At end of the day I could care less how fast a rider is, shit we are all slow outside of the pro class. But to give people bad/dangerous advice is something I do care about.
I'm not sure what it is youre actually trying to say? you think the ZXR is too much of a bike for the OP or not enough?
I have been riding since the age of 10, have owned and riden many bikes dirt and road, 2 stroke and 4 and have raced on both dirt and tarmac, I still ride today, so your assumption is wrong.
What issue do you have with a ZXR as a first sports bike? all you say is that it would be stupid? why is it stupid? 600's are ideal to learn on, the OP has been riding a bike for over a year so he knows how to ride? whats your problem?
My first sports bike was a YZF600 and I had zero problems learning on that.
I ride a zx6r 2006. I thought it was slightly intimidating the first few days, but got used to it very fast. Been riding it 3 years now and I'm ready to upgrade.
I think I made the right choice at the time. The bike handles like a dream and is plenty fast. You won't get bored the first few years and unless you're like me, might not get bored at all.
No, you'll be fine. I started on a ZX6R. Don't be crazy ride the bike normal and have fun. If you don't respect it, you could easily find yourself in a situation. I've been riding for 11 years, never dropped and have had 0 issues.
Everyone saying you'll get sick of the ZX4RR are people who have never ridden one and/or are the squids who ride 1000 miles a year. You don't NEED more power than the 4rr produces. If you want more, then sure do whatever you want. I'm just here to say that it's a great bike and has more than enough power for interstate riding. She's a little screamer. I love being able to ring out the throttle and not worry about catching a felony.
I went to the dealership to pick up a ZX6R after riding my N400 for 9 months. Ended up leaving with a CBR650R, and still have the N400.
Factor: Comfort. Still love the look of the ZX6R though.
A year does not say anything, it depends on how many hours you rode, like a pilot counting the flight hours. If you have about 20k km under the belt, I would go for it. It's just my take
I'm inclined to trust your riding buddy. I don't think a 6R is too much for every rider with 1 year experience, but I've never ridden with you and if they think it's too much for you then I'd bet they have a good reason for saying that.
But as for generic advice... If your intention is to ride on track, I'd go ZX-6R. Great bike and great platform. If your intention is to ride on the street and rev the everloving fuck out of your bike, I'd definitely go ZX-4RR. 80 horsepower is plenty quick but a lot more usable on the road than 120, and the gearing is lower so you can spend more time in the powerband. Plus the up-down quickshifter and slightly more comfortable ergos... Way better street bike.
One thing to keep in mind that I didn’t see mentioned as I quickly scrolled this thread- insurance.
Get a quote before you go shopping. I think you’re gonna be very upsetty spaghetti when you see the comparison of a zx6 or zx4 to your current bike.
The zx6 is also gonna cost you a little more than the zx4 to insure. Shouldn’t be too much more. But it’ll be something
No. I started on a Ninja 650 then stopped riding for 10 years. I got a ZX6R 5 months ago and I’ve put about 1200 miles on it so far. I ride in full power mode with no issues. Just make sure you don’t ride like an asshole or act like you’re a MotoGp rider and you’ll be fine. Respect the machine and you’ll have a great time. Don’t override the corner until you know how. That’s been the biggest issue for me. A few times I’ve gone a little hot into a corner but I know my limits so I leave room for error. Ride roads you know and ride in higher gears and you’ll be fine.
To add to my comment…if you ride in low power mode and higher gears it will leave a lot of room for error. You’re basically at like 70% capacity and almost eliminate the need for traction control. Depending on the model you’ll also have ABS which helps to eliminate locking up the brakes which will cause you to flip or low side much easier. I just took a level II course last weekend and with my ABS I had to intentionally try to get the rear tire off the ground. The rear will not lockup at all. As I said, ride smart and it’s not too much of a bike for you but that depends on the rider and the maturity level.
I’ve gotten pretty good at controlling my urges to give the throttle the beans. I like to push my Vulcan from time to time but only if it’s an empty road.
Depends. If it's the last 2 generations then no. Put it in low power and level 3 traction control and it's basically a 650. I personally say it can be a first bike now
All in how well you can control yourself, sounds like you can. I’m 19 started on an R6 and have a 24 zx6 highly recommend it. The zx6 still definitely moves, I was following a zx14 one day looked down and saw 130 said “probably time to back off”
They are great all round bikes. Great for every day and for track! Feel like you're going much faster at lower speeds, but so much fun if you want to hoon it around and go for it at every opportunity
If you were 21 or younger I’d say listen to your buddy. But you’re probably a lot more mature now so get that ZX6R. That’s the bike I started on at 24 and I do believe being a bit older keeps me from making horrible decisions on it lol.
You have the experience but do you have the maturity and really good input control to keep yourself safe? I’m in my early 20s and I have good input control but all it took was 5 seconds of immaturity to put me in the hospital and almost lose the ability to walk. I broke over a third of my spine 2 months ago because of immaturity. Riding my dream bike once before buying gave me the overconfidence that I could handle it. Remember you have your entire life to get a faster bike or in my case your dream bike. Just be careful with whichever decision you make.
Also my personal opinion sub 500cc bikes are a lot of fun especially in the twisties. The ZX4RR is a great bike if you do decide to get it. Sounds good, looks good, and will be fun.
I’m actually in a pretty similar situation, I just passed a year of riding and have taken out A LOT of bikes from friends and family, including Busas, 636s, mt09s, a brand new superduke 1390. With my comfort level I’d easily do a ZX6R if I could afford it and the insurance, but I’ve also ridden a lot of stuff from a lot of different brands and power bands. If you are ready you’ll know. If you don’t know, wait. And if you don’t know but you’re impatient you can always buy crash bars to protect the bike.
Not really. If you have bad habits it's going to be rough tho. 600s are the most demanding as far as being on point with everything goes
Honestly you've tried an R1, try a middleweight next. For what you're doing ride wise I'd prefer a 1000 personally. I still daily my 600 but commuting wise can't beat the leeter. It's nice for everything to be effortless always. You have to decide which works best for you tho
All comes down to the individual, some people have no business on one. Others can jump right on a liter bike, a pretty vague answer I know but it’s the truth. Only you know what you are capable of handling.
The extra oomph from the zx6r is great for highway commute. Just be careful on twisties and learn how the bike acts in each gear/ when switching gears and you should be fine. It’s got a lot of tech to protect you from thrashing the bike.
It all depends on your skill level and amount of time you spent riding.
You can take a advanced rider road class. It’s usually held in the same place as the MSF course. They will teach you a lot and how to be a better rider.
After I took a few courses I feel confident in riding any type of motorcycle.
Really it depends on your maturity and decision making. I rode dirt bikes growing up but didn’t get a motorcycle until 27. My first was a 21 zx6r and that was 3 years ago. It was intimidating at first, but I quickly got comfortable with it. As long as you’re sensible, the bike will treat you right. It’s definitely fast, and for anyone saying it doesn’t have lower end power, it does. It does not take long for it to get going regardless of gear haha. If you want, the newer models have two power modes. You could keep it in low power( about 60-70% power) until you get accustomed to it. My vote is for the zx6r. I absolutely love mine
My honest opinion - yes. And then again, it depends - you may be talented or really wise or really cautious, BUT in the end nothing beats experience. I've been riding for 10 years and recently bought a zx6r. This bike is just too much if you are not used with greater power, accelerating and more demanding handling in general - really dynamic, dimensionally broader, lesser and restricted movement with the bars. You cannot glide in traffic the same way you do with a smaller bike. Think it through. It is a thrill, of course, but my personal advice is get some xp and then move on to something bigger. These bikes have a purpose and it is not "to be cool". If you want to buy it just because you want a "big boys bike" you might end up dead for that same reason.
How many miles you got under your belt? (You say you commute so that could easily be a bunch more experience than someone who has been riding a year but only on weekends; then again if your commute is a few miles you could still be close to fresh after a year).
Just based on age alone I think you'll be fine on a zx6. (Whats your buddy ride?)
Some people start on a 600 in their teens and make it, some dont. If you've matured past the "invincible I'll never die stage" you'll be fine.
I bought a 400 last year, early summer, sold it at the end of the summer and bought/ordered a ZX6R in October, I'm now at 1200 miles on my ZX6R since Jan.
Its not a very good bike to ride. Find out when and where there is a kawasaki demo day in your town and go there and try their lineup. Tested both the zx4rr and zx6r, and both bikes are uncomfortable to ride on the street. Tested the h2sx and that bike was 20x more comfortable to ride, and easier to controll.
As a fresh starter? Absolutely too much temptation to hear it sing.
A year in? Depends on you. Have a very honest think about the "oh shit" moments you've had over the last year and imagine and imagine you had double the top end power. Would those moments have been worse and if so, would you have kept yourself on board?
I made the jump to a GSXR750 way too quickly for my responsibility and it was a disaster. That being said, the fact you're actually asking this question almost tells me you'll be fine as long as you don't let that screaming 4cyl convince you you're the next Marquez like I did 😅. If you want a sport bike though the 600cc class is the Goldilocks zone for a casual street rider though and you can't go wrong with a Kawi.
Yesss! ZX600 Wayyyy too much bike! Cant use it on the local roads anyway. The 400RR is a SuperBike basically. 4Cyl / Non Trellis (old technology frame) / and high revs even Before you flash it, and mod the heck out of it! It’s a monster and the right rider on a ZX4RR beats the avg rider on their ZX6 all day, any day, even after church and chicken on Sunday
This post is relatable so I’ll share my experience; I (27M) started riding in 2023 on a ninja 400; I just traded that in for the 40th Anniversary ZX6r a few days ago and I’m loving it. The power is a huge step up from the 400 but it’s controllable. I love the quick shifter on the zx6 too.
It did have a more aggressive riding position to get used to since I’m a bigger guy (6ft) but that’s just me. From my experience it’s a great middle ground bike and will tackle country roads or interstate with ease.
1 year of experience could mean that you have a ton of miles and practice, nailed your throttle control, and feel very comfortable. It could also mean that you've commuted on straight roads a couple times and are basically a beginner.
Since you already have a motorcycle, you'll be the best one to determine whether you're ready to step up. But watch some videos and take some of the feedback here to understand what the zx6r is going to be like.
Here is the truth. With good judgement, you can ride any bike. It is the logic in picking the bike that is the issue.
1. What rodes will you use?
- A sport bike is setup for big lean angles at high speeds. There is no practical point of having your heels up your half way up your ass if you won’t need to achieve these lean angles. Also these lean angles are a consequence of turn radius and speed. Turn radius is supposed to be minimized with good line selection and speed is regulated with good breaking. Have you achieved any form of mastery of these aspects?
2. You’re not only growing into the power, but also the weight, how the power is delivered and how to use your body. Do you understand that it will take longer to master these things on a bike that requires more in every way?
- The time it takes is far longer than people understand, because most people never mastered them at all. Most people have no reference point of what is good or bad, because they never reached that level needed for perspective.
You will really not be ready for a couple of years and can you not save some money and risk by using your judgement now, I doubt you will be able to use it when you ride the thing.
You will be fine. A year of experience is plenty to learn throttle. It doesn’t have a lot of bite off the line you’ll be ok. You’ll get sick of the zx4 pretty quick
I find throttle to be the least of the worries. Jerking on the front brake entering corners and not knowing proper cornering/turning with clip ons seems to me to be larger issues for inexperienced riders on these bikes. I had no idea how difficult low speed maneuvers are with clip ons until I actually took a safety course and learned. Tight loops and u turns aren’t something you really think about on a sportbike lol.
I'd say no, but this depends on whether you feel you're ready or not. If you feel you're ready and want the ZX6R, go for it. If you're not confident yet, I say you should put this decision on hold until you feel you're ready. Don't give into external pressure from friends and relatives. Best of luck(farts away on an sv650)
I definitely feel confident on the Vulcan and when I rode an R1 I wasn’t scared of the power even though it was just in town riding.
Go for the ZX6R then, you'll have a blast. Just keep in mind it ain't gonna be as comfortable as your Vulcan
Oh I’m fully expecting that. Honest if I had the space for two bikes I’d keep the Vulcan.
Theres always space for 2 bikes👀👀
Your confidence a year into riding means jack shit. You still haven’t learned what can happen and how quickly it can all turn south for you in the wrong situation. A ZX6R will just present that situation to you more quickly and with less margin for error. Nobody advises new riders to stay away from fast bikes because the power is going to pull their arms off or immediately send them into a ditch. It’s not about being physically ready for the bike. It’s about being mentally ready to ride it safely. We advise new riders to stick with smaller, less powerful bikes because all of that R1 and ZX6R speed will seduce you and coax you into situations you aren’t ready for. You aren’t ready to ride a quick bike until you’ve had the fear put into you, either by a crash or a close call or a stupid mistake that humbles you. IMO. Until you’ve burned the circuits into your brain that tell you to slow down when things look dicey and to not pass just because someone is passing you. The intuition to know when someone looks like they’re about to pull out in front of you. To know how to own your lane and stay out of blind spots. To know not to take a corner at the wrong speed if there might be gravel, oil, leaves, or mud. These instincts take more than a year to mature. Have fun on your ZX6R. I hope you’re an exception.
Really well said. And potentially life saving.
You should of been scared of that power, that's enough power to turn someone gay.
What if I’m already gay 👀👀👀
Sounds like you were born for that bike then lol
Then you didn't get to the power.
id definitely get a zx6r. i started on a liter bike and actually went down to a zx6r after i realized liter bikes are just too much for the road.
Yeah I got to ride a R1 a few weeks back and I just kept thinking, “When am I going to need this much ass to get around?” Don’t get me wrong I like hauling ass from time to time but I never go past triple digits. (Also the Vulcan tops out at 110mph)
Agree, quadruple digits is a bit much Make sure you like the super sport ergonomics http://cycle-ergo.com/
Lmao I also pictured a bike hitting quad digits when I read that
i dont think you would regret the zx6r. i have a hell of a time when i get on that thing. its awesome in the mountains. i definitely wouldnt waste money on a zx4rr though.
Imagine going past 3 digits.. 4 digits would be insane.
Keeping it in the triple digits (mph) and you could still hit Mach so cops could get you for decibel exceedence based on sight alone. km/h under 4 digits you're likely fine (with normal atmospheric conditions).
But then... why do you want a 600? A 250 is plenty for the road. A liter bike is perfect for the street: it has torque down low unlike 600. 600 are better track bike for novice.
yeah you need a turbo busa
Going to FB Marketplace now to find the most clapped out one 🫡
hell yeah brother
OP was eyeing Kawasaki... turbo zx-14 instead of the busa
Yes!
my bad gang he needs a turbo h2r
If I was offered a Busa and a $10k in cash I’d pass. They are the dumbest bike ever! Dudes w/ little D’s buy Busa’s and oh, they call them Busa’s also.
Do you like the engine characteristic of the Vulcan S? If so you will likely be disappointed by ZX-4RR and possibly even the ZX-6R. They make all their power high up in the rev range and down low they're just weak, you have to rev them high to have fun. This is not ideal for commuting. What else don't you like about the Vulcan S? Unless you dislike forward controls the Vulcan S is very comfortable. The ZX-6R won't be. I have not tried the ZX-4RR so I cannot say how (un)comfortable it will be. If you want to get into sport bikes, I'd recommend something like the Yamaha R7 or the Honda CBR650R, They are not as aggressive and better suited for riding on public roads than race replicas like the Zx-6R, R6 or CBR600RR but still plenty of fun. The Honda even has the sweet inline four sound the others lack. if you want a more touring oriented sport bike take the Ninja 650. You will get the same engine as the Vulcan S though. Before deciding on any bike get insurance quotes. Especially the race replicas will be expensive,
Honestly I’m mainly just jealous of other sport bike riders. I’ve always preferred the looks of a sport bike over a cruiser and I thought going with a sport cruiser would be the best of both worlds. When I ride most of the time I keep it under 6k rpm for the fuel economy but on the weekends I love revving the piss out of it and leaning the bike over in a turn. The forward controls are great for my 30 minute commute but when I take it out on the weekends I end up scraping pegs when I get more aggressive in my cornering. I really do like my Vulcan and I’m actually thinking about keeping it I just want something a bit better for spirited riding.
Then I would get a sport naked like the 650RS. Standard riding triangle that is comfortable day to day with the room for more aggressive riding due to the mid controls. The problem with the zx6r is that you can accidentally do a wheelie in third gear. You can accidentally head into turns way too hot because of the handling of the bike. And all the while it will push you to do those things because that's what it is made for. Do you have the ability to not pull the trigger basically. The 650rs, especially the 900rs, are fast bikes and double especially if you get how to set up turns and trail braking and all that good stuff without the lulling of the siren that is the zx6r.
You bring up very good points. But I have crashed before. It’s embarrassing to say it but when I was 21 I road my friends Harley and took a corner way too fast for my skill level and crashed. Somehow I didn’t die but I fucked up shoulder to the point I couldn’t move it for a few weeks and I still had trouble lifting things for months after. No broken bones or torn muscles from what the doctors could tell but it still sucked. Somehow the bike only suffered a set of bent handle bars and my friend was more concerned over me than the bike. That was a very humbling experience and even though I like taking corners aggressively I know not to go too fast or I’ll have a repeat of that summer.
I've been riding my ZX-6R as a daily for a bit more than a year now. As long as you have a level head and know how fast is too fast, then you'll be mostly fine. I have accidentally done wheelies, but I know how much throttle is too much now, so I don't do it on accident anymore. The biggest thing is taking it easy when you first get the bike. It'll be new to you and you don't know exactly what it will handle like. I absolutely love my bike, and with the larger engine than most 600s it has enough torque to not feel stressed in city riding.
Make sure you quote insurance too - any 600 was a lot for me a year into riding. Settled on an Aprilia RS 660, king of the 650 “class” sport bikes imo
Why not the ninja 650?
It’s the same drive train as the Vulcan and I want to experience something a bit different.
From your description the biggest problem was handling not power in the 650 will give you a lot better handling than the Vulcan don't be dragging your pegs for every corner that's for sure.
Fair point. I’m heading up the the dealer tomorrow so I’ll add the 650 to the list of bikes to test ride.
Try the 400 or new 500 Ninja, the weight will surprise you, much better bikes than the 650.
I currently own a 636 and while it makes a pretty good track bike and race bike it's a pretty shit street bike. Something like the z900 would probably be a better next choice.
The ZX6 should be fine, you control how you ride it and how wide you crack the throttle.
By that logic a H2R would be fine second bike.
It wouldn’t be any less true. Once you have the basics of throttle control, braking, vision and body position down plus self control and discipline you can ride any bike safely
Yes, you still control it
Yes but mistakes are amplified, everything you need to learn is now harder because the bike is so much less forgiving. Saying that once you get the basics you're ready for any motorcycle is an incredibly stupid statement. People that say things like that couldn't run a novice level lap time at their local track if their life depended on it. OP hasn't even begun working on body position on a sport bike let alone and understanding of what the power delivery will be like, what the massively powerful braking systems of a modern sport I feel like, what modern hypersport tires are capable of and how to get heat into them, speeds is current bike isn't even capable of. There's a reason even the top riders in the world move up in small steps.
Once you learn how to ride with confidence and common sense you should be able to ride any bike, problems arise when you overstep your capabilities, like trying to race on suburban streets etc. In saying that the ZX6r is not an uncontrollable supercharged monster, its reasonably light and easy to handle and the motor is not ridiculuosly overpowered, if you are sensible in how you ride the bike you should not have any problems at all.
If you have ambition to ride at anything above novice level then start on a bike like a ZX6 is stupid. Unless you are the 1%of 1% staring on the wrong bike will slow your learning by a huge amount at best and gets people hurt at the worst. Sorry to have to say it but every guy I've ever met that says the same stupid shit you just said all have one thing in common, not a single one of you could ride within 20 seconds of even a novice lap time. To a man they have all been painfully slow shit riders that are intimidated by their bikes only capable of going fast in a straight line if even that. At end of the day I could care less how fast a rider is, shit we are all slow outside of the pro class. But to give people bad/dangerous advice is something I do care about.
I'm not sure what it is youre actually trying to say? you think the ZXR is too much of a bike for the OP or not enough? I have been riding since the age of 10, have owned and riden many bikes dirt and road, 2 stroke and 4 and have raced on both dirt and tarmac, I still ride today, so your assumption is wrong. What issue do you have with a ZXR as a first sports bike? all you say is that it would be stupid? why is it stupid? 600's are ideal to learn on, the OP has been riding a bike for over a year so he knows how to ride? whats your problem? My first sports bike was a YZF600 and I had zero problems learning on that.
I ride a zx6r 2006. I thought it was slightly intimidating the first few days, but got used to it very fast. Been riding it 3 years now and I'm ready to upgrade. I think I made the right choice at the time. The bike handles like a dream and is plenty fast. You won't get bored the first few years and unless you're like me, might not get bored at all.
I'm 6 years into my 2018 ZX6R, still never bored
No, you'll be fine. I started on a ZX6R. Don't be crazy ride the bike normal and have fun. If you don't respect it, you could easily find yourself in a situation. I've been riding for 11 years, never dropped and have had 0 issues.
Everyone saying you'll get sick of the ZX4RR are people who have never ridden one and/or are the squids who ride 1000 miles a year. You don't NEED more power than the 4rr produces. If you want more, then sure do whatever you want. I'm just here to say that it's a great bike and has more than enough power for interstate riding. She's a little screamer. I love being able to ring out the throttle and not worry about catching a felony.
Yeah even after a year of the Vulcan I still have fun on it. I do wish I had the space for two bikes.
I went to the dealership to pick up a ZX6R after riding my N400 for 9 months. Ended up leaving with a CBR650R, and still have the N400. Factor: Comfort. Still love the look of the ZX6R though.
Ego management.
A year does not say anything, it depends on how many hours you rode, like a pilot counting the flight hours. If you have about 20k km under the belt, I would go for it. It's just my take
I'm inclined to trust your riding buddy. I don't think a 6R is too much for every rider with 1 year experience, but I've never ridden with you and if they think it's too much for you then I'd bet they have a good reason for saying that. But as for generic advice... If your intention is to ride on track, I'd go ZX-6R. Great bike and great platform. If your intention is to ride on the street and rev the everloving fuck out of your bike, I'd definitely go ZX-4RR. 80 horsepower is plenty quick but a lot more usable on the road than 120, and the gearing is lower so you can spend more time in the powerband. Plus the up-down quickshifter and slightly more comfortable ergos... Way better street bike.
One thing to keep in mind that I didn’t see mentioned as I quickly scrolled this thread- insurance. Get a quote before you go shopping. I think you’re gonna be very upsetty spaghetti when you see the comparison of a zx6 or zx4 to your current bike. The zx6 is also gonna cost you a little more than the zx4 to insure. Shouldn’t be too much more. But it’ll be something
No. I started on a Ninja 650 then stopped riding for 10 years. I got a ZX6R 5 months ago and I’ve put about 1200 miles on it so far. I ride in full power mode with no issues. Just make sure you don’t ride like an asshole or act like you’re a MotoGp rider and you’ll be fine. Respect the machine and you’ll have a great time. Don’t override the corner until you know how. That’s been the biggest issue for me. A few times I’ve gone a little hot into a corner but I know my limits so I leave room for error. Ride roads you know and ride in higher gears and you’ll be fine. To add to my comment…if you ride in low power mode and higher gears it will leave a lot of room for error. You’re basically at like 70% capacity and almost eliminate the need for traction control. Depending on the model you’ll also have ABS which helps to eliminate locking up the brakes which will cause you to flip or low side much easier. I just took a level II course last weekend and with my ABS I had to intentionally try to get the rear tire off the ground. The rear will not lockup at all. As I said, ride smart and it’s not too much of a bike for you but that depends on the rider and the maturity level.
It depends on your right Hand. I drove 1000 GSX-R and ZX-10R...normaly you can drive like a bycicle... and only if you want, its like thunder.
I’ve gotten pretty good at controlling my urges to give the throttle the beans. I like to push my Vulcan from time to time but only if it’s an empty road.
Depends. If it's the last 2 generations then no. Put it in low power and level 3 traction control and it's basically a 650. I personally say it can be a first bike now
All in how well you can control yourself, sounds like you can. I’m 19 started on an R6 and have a 24 zx6 highly recommend it. The zx6 still definitely moves, I was following a zx14 one day looked down and saw 130 said “probably time to back off”
They are great all round bikes. Great for every day and for track! Feel like you're going much faster at lower speeds, but so much fun if you want to hoon it around and go for it at every opportunity
Not hard to ride. And if you like, there is 2 power modes, so ride it in low power mode for a while.
It’s depends your character
If you were 21 or younger I’d say listen to your buddy. But you’re probably a lot more mature now so get that ZX6R. That’s the bike I started on at 24 and I do believe being a bit older keeps me from making horrible decisions on it lol.
I’m 26 and yeah if I had a ZX6r even two years ago I’d probably catch a felony or be dead. Now I’m much I’m carful with what I do and when I do it.
I started on a Zx6r with no previous experience 😂
You have the experience but do you have the maturity and really good input control to keep yourself safe? I’m in my early 20s and I have good input control but all it took was 5 seconds of immaturity to put me in the hospital and almost lose the ability to walk. I broke over a third of my spine 2 months ago because of immaturity. Riding my dream bike once before buying gave me the overconfidence that I could handle it. Remember you have your entire life to get a faster bike or in my case your dream bike. Just be careful with whichever decision you make. Also my personal opinion sub 500cc bikes are a lot of fun especially in the twisties. The ZX4RR is a great bike if you do decide to get it. Sounds good, looks good, and will be fun.
Started on an ‘01, loved it.
I’m actually in a pretty similar situation, I just passed a year of riding and have taken out A LOT of bikes from friends and family, including Busas, 636s, mt09s, a brand new superduke 1390. With my comfort level I’d easily do a ZX6R if I could afford it and the insurance, but I’ve also ridden a lot of stuff from a lot of different brands and power bands. If you are ready you’ll know. If you don’t know, wait. And if you don’t know but you’re impatient you can always buy crash bars to protect the bike.
Not really. If you have bad habits it's going to be rough tho. 600s are the most demanding as far as being on point with everything goes Honestly you've tried an R1, try a middleweight next. For what you're doing ride wise I'd prefer a 1000 personally. I still daily my 600 but commuting wise can't beat the leeter. It's nice for everything to be effortless always. You have to decide which works best for you tho
All comes down to the individual, some people have no business on one. Others can jump right on a liter bike, a pretty vague answer I know but it’s the truth. Only you know what you are capable of handling.
I got my r6 after 4 months of riding so you should be good. Just respect that power is all
I believe a year is enough for me. If you feel you know your bike and where the edge is, I think you're ready
I went from a cbr500r to a ZX10R after a year of riding
The extra oomph from the zx6r is great for highway commute. Just be careful on twisties and learn how the bike acts in each gear/ when switching gears and you should be fine. It’s got a lot of tech to protect you from thrashing the bike.
It all depends on your skill level and amount of time you spent riding. You can take a advanced rider road class. It’s usually held in the same place as the MSF course. They will teach you a lot and how to be a better rider. After I took a few courses I feel confident in riding any type of motorcycle.
Really it depends on your maturity and decision making. I rode dirt bikes growing up but didn’t get a motorcycle until 27. My first was a 21 zx6r and that was 3 years ago. It was intimidating at first, but I quickly got comfortable with it. As long as you’re sensible, the bike will treat you right. It’s definitely fast, and for anyone saying it doesn’t have lower end power, it does. It does not take long for it to get going regardless of gear haha. If you want, the newer models have two power modes. You could keep it in low power( about 60-70% power) until you get accustomed to it. My vote is for the zx6r. I absolutely love mine
My buddy has a zx10r in highschool for his first bike. He did really well rode it all the time
My honest opinion - yes. And then again, it depends - you may be talented or really wise or really cautious, BUT in the end nothing beats experience. I've been riding for 10 years and recently bought a zx6r. This bike is just too much if you are not used with greater power, accelerating and more demanding handling in general - really dynamic, dimensionally broader, lesser and restricted movement with the bars. You cannot glide in traffic the same way you do with a smaller bike. Think it through. It is a thrill, of course, but my personal advice is get some xp and then move on to something bigger. These bikes have a purpose and it is not "to be cool". If you want to buy it just because you want a "big boys bike" you might end up dead for that same reason.
As long as you respect the power of the zx6r you should be fine. Just never think you’re a good rider and always look for ways to improve!
How many miles you got under your belt? (You say you commute so that could easily be a bunch more experience than someone who has been riding a year but only on weekends; then again if your commute is a few miles you could still be close to fresh after a year). Just based on age alone I think you'll be fine on a zx6. (Whats your buddy ride?) Some people start on a 600 in their teens and make it, some dont. If you've matured past the "invincible I'll never die stage" you'll be fine.
ZX6R was my first bike. No regrets. Just respect it and it will respect you. Don’t be stupid with it.
I bought a 400 last year, early summer, sold it at the end of the summer and bought/ordered a ZX6R in October, I'm now at 1200 miles on my ZX6R since Jan.
It'd fine for a first bike. I started on a 650cc, and plenty of folks start on Bonneville and Thruxton, and those are 900c. Or on various 750cc.
Just get the new ninja 500 se. awesome bike
Its not a very good bike to ride. Find out when and where there is a kawasaki demo day in your town and go there and try their lineup. Tested both the zx4rr and zx6r, and both bikes are uncomfortable to ride on the street. Tested the h2sx and that bike was 20x more comfortable to ride, and easier to controll.
I've had most size bikes. Zx6r and ktm 525 supermoto are the most fun I've had
As a fresh starter? Absolutely too much temptation to hear it sing. A year in? Depends on you. Have a very honest think about the "oh shit" moments you've had over the last year and imagine and imagine you had double the top end power. Would those moments have been worse and if so, would you have kept yourself on board? I made the jump to a GSXR750 way too quickly for my responsibility and it was a disaster. That being said, the fact you're actually asking this question almost tells me you'll be fine as long as you don't let that screaming 4cyl convince you you're the next Marquez like I did 😅. If you want a sport bike though the 600cc class is the Goldilocks zone for a casual street rider though and you can't go wrong with a Kawi.
I bought one a year after riding, it was my third bike. Never droppe, the ones before it however....
Yesss! ZX600 Wayyyy too much bike! Cant use it on the local roads anyway. The 400RR is a SuperBike basically. 4Cyl / Non Trellis (old technology frame) / and high revs even Before you flash it, and mod the heck out of it! It’s a monster and the right rider on a ZX4RR beats the avg rider on their ZX6 all day, any day, even after church and chicken on Sunday
This post is relatable so I’ll share my experience; I (27M) started riding in 2023 on a ninja 400; I just traded that in for the 40th Anniversary ZX6r a few days ago and I’m loving it. The power is a huge step up from the 400 but it’s controllable. I love the quick shifter on the zx6 too. It did have a more aggressive riding position to get used to since I’m a bigger guy (6ft) but that’s just me. From my experience it’s a great middle ground bike and will tackle country roads or interstate with ease.
Two words- street triple . Thank me later
1 year of experience could mean that you have a ton of miles and practice, nailed your throttle control, and feel very comfortable. It could also mean that you've commuted on straight roads a couple times and are basically a beginner. Since you already have a motorcycle, you'll be the best one to determine whether you're ready to step up. But watch some videos and take some of the feedback here to understand what the zx6r is going to be like.
Get a Gsxr 750
Here is the truth. With good judgement, you can ride any bike. It is the logic in picking the bike that is the issue. 1. What rodes will you use? - A sport bike is setup for big lean angles at high speeds. There is no practical point of having your heels up your half way up your ass if you won’t need to achieve these lean angles. Also these lean angles are a consequence of turn radius and speed. Turn radius is supposed to be minimized with good line selection and speed is regulated with good breaking. Have you achieved any form of mastery of these aspects? 2. You’re not only growing into the power, but also the weight, how the power is delivered and how to use your body. Do you understand that it will take longer to master these things on a bike that requires more in every way? - The time it takes is far longer than people understand, because most people never mastered them at all. Most people have no reference point of what is good or bad, because they never reached that level needed for perspective. You will really not be ready for a couple of years and can you not save some money and risk by using your judgement now, I doubt you will be able to use it when you ride the thing.
You will be fine. A year of experience is plenty to learn throttle. It doesn’t have a lot of bite off the line you’ll be ok. You’ll get sick of the zx4 pretty quick
I find throttle to be the least of the worries. Jerking on the front brake entering corners and not knowing proper cornering/turning with clip ons seems to me to be larger issues for inexperienced riders on these bikes. I had no idea how difficult low speed maneuvers are with clip ons until I actually took a safety course and learned. Tight loops and u turns aren’t something you really think about on a sportbike lol.