Triumphrat

timyjimy

So, I'm interested in the input of others My brother is interested in picking up a new bike and he is interested in the following bikes:

S4 (which I'm partial to)
TT600
Daytona 600
Hondas 600 seris (CBR/F3)

Any thoughts or responses? What does everybody ride and why? Which is preferable for an all around good sport bike. What problems have you had with your bikes? Any suggestions you would make? Anything in particular he should look for when looking at all these bikes?

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Practice safe motorcycling. If you can't ride safe, Ride faster.

WcS

buy an s4...

well, that was easy enough

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"If you are not living on the edge, then you're taking up too much space."

Or buy a tt600 and rip off the fairings

"friends don't let friends buy hondas"

What kind of riding will he be doing and what is his skill level? The answers to these questions make all the difference in the world. The Honda CBR600RR is the best track bike of the bunch with the Daytona 2nd. The CBR 600F3 would be easier to ride at anything less than fast, expert level and easier to live with day to day or as a commuter/touring middleweight. The TT600 would be better on the track than the S4, because of the higher power output and better aerodynamics. The S4 (which I also own) is the best street/play bike of the bunch but rewards primarily advanced to expert input. In summary, if your Bros is less than an expert level fast rider (be honest) the 600 F3 is probably the best bet.

Will

I am biased, but from what I know of Triumph quality and what I have seen of recent Honda quality, I would steer him toward the F3 or a Triumph. I have heard too many F4 and F4i stories to want anything to do with a recent Honda 600. They have also had some pretty bad quality problems in other lines of bikes, including bottom ends letting go, bad welds, etc. Not to mention the overheating problem with Gold Wings that they finally (I think) acknowledged. There are occasional little problems with Triumphs, and if you look around this board and over at tt600.org you will get a flavor of what goes wrong and how serious it is. There is also a Daytona 600 board, and they air out any and all issues with those over there. I cannot speak to Honda boards, since Hondas don't interest me at all (could you tell?)

As far as cost, you will be lucky to find an old stock new TT600. If you do, you can probably pick it up pretty cheap. Daytona 600s have not sold well in the US, so you might get a pretty good deal on those, too. S4s just got some really good press, and all of them disappeared out of dealerships around here, so they might be hard to find. Hondas are expensive and don't sell at a discount. They are always in demand, so you can sell them quicker if you ever decide to change bikes. On the other hand, a used Triumph will cost less than a similar used Honda. You can probably pick up a used TT600 for about the same price as an F3, and the TT600 will run rings around the F3.

The one advantage that an F3 or F4 has is that they have carbs instead of fuel injection, so it is easier to tune out the on/off throttle snatch that is there for EPA reasons. I don't think the snatch is worse on my bike than any other injected bike that I have ridden, including Hondas that have a much better reputation for smoothness.

I use my bike as a commuter, long distance traveller, track bike, scratcher, and everything else. It does fine at all of those things. So will the rest of them, so what does your brother like?

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Will
It's a squid thing. You wouldn't understand.
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Joe275

i tend to disagree a little with will on the Honda's. since i was looking around for a bike recently, i noticed a trend with them, most people who own a used bike have no idea what they have, that can be a good or bad thing. i have seen some with ridiculously high prices, and some low enough to make you suspicious. one guy had all the service records, every single receipt for anything he had ever bought for the bike, it was basically stock with sliders and a tank bag, but in near new condition, with a near new price. another guy was asking about $3700 less than the other guy, and although he didn't have a single receipt or service record, the bike had fresh tires, custom paint, and a little carbon fiber tucked here and there, upgraded brakes, etc.... just seems that Honda has the market flooded with their products, and they tweak and improve on them so much, the dated versions don't hold their value. i personally chose my S4 over an F4i, ZX-6R, and Buell because it fits me the best, i am 6'2" and have always had a problem with my knees hitting the curves on the tanks, and basically just fitting on them really awkward, the fit sold me...

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"when i let off the throttle it gets all squirrely, so, i just stay on the throttle.."

Will

Attitude problem about H**das? Who, me???? :???: Nah, I just can hardly say that name! So, tracking prices on used Hondas isn't exactly a priority! You are probably right about them, Joe. You are exactly right about the used bike market. If you try to sell one, potential buyers are all over the map, too. Most are a real PITA, so I pay the premium to trade at a dealership if I am selling an older bike to buy a newer one. Buying a used bike from a dealership doesn't necessarily get you the best deal, but it sure saves a lot of headaches!

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Will
It's a squid thing. You wouldn't understand.
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Go soothingly on the grease mud, as there lurks the skid demon.

pantablo

oooh, heres a subject I can respond to.

I was looking at buying an S4, including having test ridden one. I was very pleased with it overall and it was top of my list. THEN, I realized one day, while riding my gs500 that I hated naked bikes-or more accurately, I longed for wind protection. While I didnt do much freeway riding there was enough of it getting to the various canyons on SoCal that it became unpleasureable to ride sometimes.

SO, I looked at the Daytona 600, having test ridden that one as well-RED of course. What a beautiful bike. Definitely was top of my list for a long time...took too long to get the money together for the new bike.

While I was waiting for the money I kept reading various 600 supersport comparisons. Generally everyone rated the daytona 600 and the cbr600rr near equally, with the d6 coming out on top for track sometimes. I was quite surprised it was THAT good. Then I tried on a cbr600rr, and it FIT me so much better than the d6.

The d6 is much bigger bike, probably biggest physically feeling bike of the 600 bunch. Almost like the early 90's gsxr's-that wide in the tank. Long reach to the bars for me too (5'6", 30" inseam). The 600rr is a much smaller bike physically, with a shorter reach to the bars and much narrower through the tank and seat.

I bought the honda.

Now, the 600rr is a completely different machine than the F4i (new or of the last few years) and worlds apart from the f3-which is old technology and wasnt made past uh, maybe 97 was the last year?

Honda not being reliable Will? I think not. They have some problems with certain issues but you can get on any board, daytona600.org, 600rr.net, this board, r6-forum.com and so on and you'll find people with niggling problems. I found it here with the S4 as well. Thats not to say any of these bikes are unreliable.

I couldnt be happier with my purchase of the 600rr. if your brother is looking at that list of bikes then the cbr that is their equal is the RR, no the f3.

Things to look for?
-Well the f3 is a great club racing platform so look for signs of racing/track use.
-The S4's have issues with oil seepage, throttle cable routing is poor and causes problems, chain swingarm protector wears unusually fast.
-the D6 has some small issues as well but I cant remember them
-the 03 cbr600rr has rectifyer/regulator problems fixed under warranty. they hold their value well

is this a FIRST bike for your bro? then go with a f3.
If not, then determine what kind of riding he'll mostly be doing like trispeed4 says.

Good luck.

me on left--V

pantablo

Here's an interesting read:
daytona 600 vs cbr600rr vs R6

http://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.c..._shootout.html

I ride a TT600, with which I'm extremely happy. Before buying it, I tried all the bikes you mention except the Daytona 600. As other people mentioned, the best bike for your brother depends very much on what he intends to do with it.

The reason for my choice is that both TT600 and S4 just felt more comfortable than the Honda, which has a much more forward racing position and I am not interested in track days. The handling also suited my riding style better, but that's obviously personal, as is the fact that I think both look much better than the Honda. I chose the TT600 over the S4 because I wanted better wind protection, but I think both make very good alround sports bikes, just as adequate for commuting in a city or riding on both fast and twisty roads.