Yesterday my friend bought a 2002 Yamaha R6 and I had to ride it home for him. There was a lot of hype about the R6 as its renound for being a revvy bike with the expected Yamaha "powerband". Before I bought my 900RR I was almost conviced to buy the R6 but opted for the 900RR becuase I am torque hungry and love the Honda feel. All I can say is I have never been so dissapointed in the performance of the Yamaha. There was no kick anywhere in the powerband even when I revved her up to 12000rpm in third gear (the clock gave a 14000rpm red line and a 18000rpm max!!!). Riding this Yamaha just reminded me how much I love my 1993 900RR. After riding the Yamaha I rode my bike and there was absolutely no comparison whatsoever. The Yamaha R6 is a beautiful bike and great to learn on, but I will take my 900RR anyday hands down!!. Plus the bike is only a 5 speed and it definately needs a sixth gear.

On paper it should not have been that far behind. Yamaha at 120bhp and CBR900RR at 124bhp. Torque at 68.10Nm for the Yamaha and 88.26Nm for the 900RR. So there shouldnt have been a big difference? Wrong! It was the difference of driving a Fiat Panda and jumping into a Mustang GT. (info got at www.bikez.com)

Please bear in mind that I do realize I am comparing a 600cc to a 900cc, but on paper they shouldnt have been that much different. I also have a stage 1 jet Kit installed as well as a Hindle slip-on as well. The Yamaha was stock besides a Micron slip-on, which means that I did have a few Nm added to my torque reading.

To all riders reading this who also have Yamaha R6's, please dont feel offended. The R6 is a wonderful bike to hit the twisty mountain routes, and to start off with. This is only my biased opinion on the difference I felt between the two bikes. I am posting this so that anyone who was willing to move to a 600cc bike might see this and think again, because I know for a fact that they will definately miss the kick in the *** when they twist the throttle of the 600cc that they used to get from their 900's.

Thats all folks

 

I totally agree with you Duke!

Apart from the sexy look of the R6, the power band is nowhere to compare to the 900. A buddy of mine had the same year R6 and each time we ride together, he will be struggling keeping up with me. Be it in any speed, a twist in the 900 throttle will leave the R6 trailing.

Don't get me wrong too, The R6 is a very powerful bike to hit the track and twisties but for us with a 900 certainly will be a huge downgrade to switch to the 600, even the latest model.

 

Not a fair comparison at all for the R6

Duke I totally agree with you.

I rode an '05 600rr and was actually gonna buy itand really, really wanted to believe in it, that it truly was the superbike everyone said it was.

And I wasn't disappointed...it had everything, felt featherlight, turned and stopped on a dime.

The most maneuvarable bike i'd ever ridden and the lightest...but it had absolutely no grunt down low.

No pickup at all and I had to wind that engine waaaaaaayyy high and I honestly still didn't feel that much power.


Not sure how to feel about that, being a 1993 900rr owner and all

 

Hey MT Wallet

Yep I agree with you on that point as well. The R6 was very light and manouverable. Yeah it was a cool bike but riding the bike at cruising speed (120 km/h) the engine was revving way to high, and my foot kept on going for the gearshift expecting a sixth to be there. Even for the CBR600RR I would hate the fact that I would have to scream the engine to get anywhere. I took my friend on the back of his own bike to show him what it can do. I could hear him screaming in his helmet behind me on pillion, yet I was in front saying "ok, power is coming any moment now.....um.....ok, now!!.....um...o...k....now!!"

I guess being a 900RR owner my body is conditioned to that torque and anything less is a yawn.

 

asdf If your buddies R6 only had 5 gears it needs fixed because as with any modern sport bike, it has a 6 speed gear box.

 

^^ yes, its a R6 not a R5.....

 

But the point he is making is that the R6 pales in comparison to the mighty, fire-breathing 900rr

And to a 1993 no less......

 

^ yeah but losing a gear making it even a more difficult comparison............. and geez MT, I dunno yours is a firebreathing 900rr, mine is a fireblade 900rr.

 

Yep, but losing a gear only affects his top end on the Yamaha. I was talking about the missing grunt that we all love.

Damn its difficult to post on the forum!!! When is it gonna be fixed?

 

^ very soon..... thats what the mods been telling! [&:]

Can't blame them though, they are doing the best and of coz they want the best out of it.