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Could someone help me and my son decide on a couple of bikes. We were shopping for a good 2007 middleweight. We both weigh around 150 lbs. My son has never rode a bike before so safety is a big concern for me as far as he's concerned and I thought you were the person to ask. We are having trouble choosing between the SUZUKI GSXR 600, the YAMAHA YZF R-6, and the HONDA CBR600RR. I hear really good things about the Honda and how comfortable it is to ride, but it has no slipper clutch. How important is this? I thought it was designed somewhat for safety. Is that true? I hear people had some trouble with vibrations and heat to the legs on the Yamaha R-1. Is the same true for the R-6 and is this in anyones opinion a good street bike? And finally the Suzuki. I could probably pick a 600 up a little cheaper, but is this a better bike than the other two? If someone could just give me a little advice or some pros and cons to sum it up I would really appreciate it. Thank you very much.

I think the 2007 CBR600RR is the best of the bunch.

I know that none of these is a starter bike, and will suggest that you read the stickies at the top of the forum. Then I will say that I cannot recommend any of them as a first bike for your son especially where safety is a concern.

I'd seriously reconsider buying any of those bikes for your son's first bike. To put it bluntly, if/when he crashed and crashed hard on it, I can't even imagine the guilt you'd feel.

Sev wrote:I think the 2007 CBR600RR is the best of the bunch.

Did I miss a shootout?

The ZX-6R is supposed to be pretty hot "poo poo" too.

Ninja Geoff wrote: The ZX-6R is supposed to be pretty hot "poo poo" too.

The latest issue of Motorcyclist mag did a shootout between the CBR600RR, Ducati 1098, ZX-6R, GSX-R1000 and YZF-R1; and the ZX-R6 came in dead last place. They basically said over and over again "we really want to like it, but we just can't"

Ninja Geoff wrote:

Sev wrote:I think the 2007 CBR600RR is the best of the bunch.

Did I miss a shootout?

The ZX-6R is supposed to be pretty hot "poo poo" too.

I work at a Kawi Dealer remember? I want to like it, I really do, but the ZX10R is just soooo much better haha.

Sev wrote:

Ninja Geoff wrote:

Sev wrote:I think the 2007 CBR600RR is the best of the bunch.

Did I miss a shootout?

The ZX-6R is supposed to be pretty hot "poo poo" too.

I work at a Kawi Dealer remember? I want to like it, I really do, but the ZX10R is just soooo much better haha.

lol. well, 400cc DOES make quite the power difference Though I like the way the 600 looks in the tail section better.

I'm liking it due to the 125cc inspired chassi set up. Among engine development. What can I say, I like advancements and the such.

Though, if i were to get a 600, it'd be an F4i or R6S/last gen R6. Though it has to be black. All black. Looks like i may be painting an F4i... What were talking about again?

Let me put it this way, something on Kawi's 6 just feels off. But the 10 feels right, ahaha.

Sev wrote:Let me put it this way, something on Kawi's 6 just feels off. But the 10 feels right, ahaha.

Hmm... I think a test ride is in order... For both bikes. Though now I'm thinking GSX-R600, in black I'm too freakin fickle.

The only way you'll notice the benefits of a slipper clutch is if you're racing. It keeps the back end from hopping into the corner when you go off throttle.

I raced a CBR 600 and I put a slipper clutch on it. As far as mods go, this would be one of the very last things you need, along with an electric shifter. My bike had $25k in it and the last $1k was the slipper clutch and electric shifter. You can certainly race without it, you just have to be a little more careful with downshifts from redline.

The manufacturers started putting them on the 600s because if it came on the bike originally, it was legal for AMA supersport. Originally, it was not allowed. Now the CBR can run one too even though it doesnt come with one because all of the others do.

For any street rider, its just techno stuff that will never be used.

To be perfectly honest, an SV650 or the new Kawi 650 would be more appropriate bikes for your son.