'07 Kawasaki ZZR600 or '06 Honda CBR600 F4i

kirby0818 · 05-21-2007, 12:53 PM

All right boys, here's the deal... I took HD's Rider's Edge course and have now been on my Buell Blast for 2 seasons. I'm looking to step up to either a Kawasaki ZZR600 or a Honda CBR600 F4i. The CBR is an '06 because they were dropped for '07 but both bikes are brand new.

I'm leaning toward the ZZR mainly due to its price. At $7600 (OTD), it's about a grand less than the CBR though I've done no negotiating yet. I also slightly prefer the ZZR's looks over the CBR's. My only concern is that the ZZR is carbed while the CBR is fuel injected.

I don't know much about motorcycles so will one be less of a hassle for me? Is living with a carbed bike that big of a deal for a relative noob to motorcycling?

If someone can't talk me into a CBR... I'll most likely get the ZZR.

ZZR600

CBR600 F4i

bigw00dy · 05-21-2007, 01:52 PM

<<my opinion is biased>>
I have never owned/ridden a Honda 600f4i. With that said, I happen to have owned a 98 zx6 and put close to 20,000 miles on it before getting rid of it. Then when it came time to get another bike, I jumped for the opportunity to get the zzr600.(which by the way is the same as a 98-02 zx6)

The fact that the zzr is carburated, makes me like it even more. I am familiar with the setup and I am able to do most of service work.

The only problem I have had with the zzr has been the clutch -saftey switch. Twice it has took a dump on me. But the dealer where I had bought it took care of me. Kawasaki warranted the item.

Good luck.
I probably see you on Rt. 38

lemosley01 · 05-21-2007, 02:07 PM

They are booth excellent bikes and will entertain you (especially on the track) for several years unless you are one of those rare birds who is exceptionally talented.

As far as carbs vs. FI, it's not a huge deal. Carbs in a bike are old tech but they work really really well. It is only recently that FI has been able to replicate the smoothness of carbs.

Get the one that you like the best and can work the deal on. They are basically new versions of both manufacturer's old supersport bikes. The F4 descends from the F2/F3, while the ZZR is the old ZX-6E (I believe).

Get the Kaw in blue or green though.

06CBR1Ltr · 05-21-2007, 02:31 PM

Definately team green IMO! I've never liked those banana seats on the early honda's. However they are extremely reliable bikes. Go with whatever you can get the best deal on. They're both good bikes.

kirby0818 · 05-21-2007, 02:57 PM

The ZZR is only available in black or the red I posted. I can definitely get a better deal on the ZZR. The lowest price I was quoted was $7600 OTD. From what I've been told, I can expect to get them closer to 7K.

kirby0818 · 05-21-2007, 02:59 PM

...also, I've heard that I'd have to be more careful storing a carb'd bike. What exactly would that entail?

lemosley01 · 05-21-2007, 03:09 PM

Drain the carbs, shut the gas off, put stabil in the fuel (the stabil goes for pretty much any bike). It doesn't take long and is really no big deal.

FI does have the advantage when it comes to tuning - with carbs, you have to physically rejet them, whereas FI just requires uploading a map to a power commander and plugging it in.

Most carb setups are fairly well known, so you'll typically get advice from the vendor as far as what jets to use based on what is installed to your bike. The realy payoff is if you get a custom tune done - FI is faster to work on.

Fargin_Bastige · 05-21-2007, 07:44 PM

The Honda will have better resale value and is a great bike. It's a bit more expensive, but you should be able to get a deal.

The FI is a great thing to have from a mechanical standpoint, but carbs have smooth response and, if jetted right, can be better than FI from a response standpoint.