new R6 - ADDED PICS

Picked mine up today! Oh my god!!!!

I have to say that it has got me grinning like never before! The sound is incredible - tip-toed out of the car park and then wham! - even though I'm limited to around the 9000rpm mark!

Comparisons to the SV.

Riding position:

You feel like you are perched on top of the bike. It is a combination of a high rear end and a very low screen, but the riding position is extremely focused. I also found myself slipping around quite a lot - The seat seems way more slippy than the SV's, though I want to get some Stompgrip so I can hang on with my knees. It also seems way more roomy than the SV - I couldn't push my @rse back that far before hitting the pillion seat, but on the R6, there is a lot of room. You are sat far more forward. At first I found this a little disconcerting turning into corners, but given the amazing handling, this quickly passed.


Handling

Is unbelievable. Unsurprising on a bike that costs twice as much, but this is probably the thing I noticed the most. Absolutely composed through any corner. By comparisson, I never found the SV bad or lacking (particularly as I has made a few front end mods) but the R6 just takes in to a new level. Confidence inspiring is a understatement.

Speed/Engine

I have to shamefully admit that I have always preferred a screaming 4 to a thumpy twin, and this bike sounds awesome. At the moment I'm keeping the engine to under 9000 rpm, but there is so much more to give. The sound is very deceptive and on the ride home I had to double check the clock to make sure that I was doing 30! The bike magazines have often mentioned the 'revvy' nature of the new R6 and while I can see what they mean, it is in no way a slouch in the lower part of the rev range. Fair enough, it's never going to be that great on the motorway, but then I didn't buy it to ride up the motorway. Maybe it was the sound illusion again, but it seems way quicker than the SV even around the low end of th rev range.

Looks and Finish

I have never owned a new bike/car before, but there is something really exciting about a brand new bike. Sure there is the depreciation hit, but there is something very special about a bike with 0 miles on the clock. I haven't had a chance to have a good look at all the bits yet (too busy riding it), but the build quality looks superb. I'm still a little scared to get on it in case I scratch it - hasn't really sunk in that its mine yet! I love that they give you a seat cowl and pillion seat as standard, though my GF has yet to test out the former!

Overall, I feel completely overwhelmed by this bike (but in a good way!) It was almost like sitting on a big bike for the very first time. I'm looking forward to taking it out for another blast tomorrow and looking foward even more to the next trackday, but there is much to learn. In hindsight, I wish I had taken some of the other ss600's for a test ride (just for a point of reference really), but regardless of that, I still would have bought the R6.

congrats on the new bike wheres the picys?

sounds like u r happy

[Stu]

Change your sig.
Congrat's Luke!
enjoy & stay safe.

Nice one Luke - was it the fast red one? Get some pics up.

Originally Posted by Gmonsta

Nice one Luke - was it the fast red one? Get some pics up.

Matt black! - Pics tomorrow, though it's completely stock.

[Stu]

Can I ask why you chose the R6 over the other SS600s?

Originally Posted by lukemillar

Matt black! - Pics tomorrow, though it's completely stock.

Lovely stuff Luke.

This is what my mates are telling me to get... mainly for the handling. My bike chatters about and gets quite anxious in corners when i give it some.

Keep it shiny side up mate .

nice one! hope you manage to get a nice run on it this weekend

nice one matey! just get a tail tidy and bin that alloy thing thats on now

Nice one.

I'd have gone for the black too ... Mucho jealous!!

I fancy a new style R6 or GSXR6, but just can’t justify one to myself!!

I bought an NEW R6 when they were first out (late 98/99) as you say something special about having a new bike, not just a new bike but a new breed. Not sure I’d take the depreciation hit ever again, but you have to do it at least the once!!

If it is anything like its predecessors then you wanna wait till you hit 13k+ now that will take you into another dimension!!

I suppose the YPVS will mean that it is a little more linear, but even still its gonna take you by surprise if you have never ridden a 600 before!! Warp-Speed Mr Sulo!!

Keep us posted with your progress and see you at a trackday soon!! (there is one at Brands Indy on Thursday )