www.zxrworld.co.uk

I have been informed by the wife that I can soon get my dream bike. A new ZX6R (2008 model) I have seen one with 441 miles and a lowering kit already fitted. My only concern is the ride height is still a touch to high (see sig) I really would love a ZX6R but am worried I won't be able to enjoy riding it for fear of dropping it. I have been looking into getting the seat shaved as well which would make it almost the perfect height.

So what should I do? Go for it as I will get used to it and enjoy the new power, or look for a really low mileage ZXR400 and get it done up exactly how I want it. Looking at around £4500 to spend?

I think there may be biast answers

Get the zx6.

Get the 6R - you wont regret it!

I'm a bit of a short butt with my gixer - can only just about get the balls of my feet on the ground, I'm certainly no where near getting my feet flat on the ground. I manage just fine.

I assume that you can touch the ground?

if you're worried about dropping it, stick a full set of R&Gs on, and a set of rearsets - wont damage your panels then if you do drop it

oh and lowering links should be fairly readily available.

Caz wrote:I assume that you can touch the ground?

The one in the picture above already has a lowering kit on it and I am just touching with the balls of my feet. With a seat shave I could almost get the heels to touch bar a centimetre or 2.

My main worry is the state of the roads like potholes at the traffic lights etc.

Fully comp and crashbungs will be a definate

My mate has that exact bike in black , he is taller than you and is very nervous while parking and at slow walking speed as his toes are just touching and he is a bit portly.
He does not like it as much as his previous bike which was a 2001 ZX6.

There appears to be a problem with this model of ZX6 as well as his has been in to the dealer twice now inside a year to have an oil leak fixed at the valve cover. Only 6,000 miles on the clock.
Search the net and it seems to be a common problem.

CarneyUK wrote:

Caz wrote:I assume that you can touch the ground?

The one in the picture above already has a lowering kit on it and I am just touching with the balls of my feet. With a seat shave I could almost get the heels to touch bar a centimetre or 2.

sounds pretty much what I am like on my gixxer - i manage just fine

My main worry is the state of the roads like potholes at the traffic lights etc.

Fully comp and crashbungs will be a definate ct
how often do you put both feet down at traffic lights at the same time? I put one down and lean the bike a little - its no problem at all. You adapt your riding quite quickly

rear sets are also good crash protectors - the fixed pegs give another contact point before your panel goes down.

hay, i have a CBR6 rr and cant get my feet fully on the ground, its ok just steadying it on the balls of your feet you get used to it, its not that bad really...

defo go for the 600, almost same weight as the 400 with bags more power

If it's your dream bike and you CAN get it - you have to!!!

The power will intimidate you for a few weeks until you get used to it. I used to think the 400 was tearing my arms out of their sockets under accelleration, then I thought the same about the 750... now I'm pinning open a 900 whilst my mind is thinking about whether we've got a Jiff lemon left for pancake day! If you got a 600hp twin-turbo nitrous beast you'd still be wanting more from it once you're used to it!

Get it lowered, and get some crash bungs for peace of mind.

6R!
Rip out that lowering kit, so long as you can get one foot on the ground all will be good .

How tall are you? 6R is low compaired to my bike lol, i can get both feet down no problems

Well I think it is in the bag ..... 6R it is then.

Jamz, one of my concerns was the next thing once I get used to a 6R is a 10R At the moment the idea of a 600 is a little worrying but you are right, I was exactly the same when I first got the ZXR400.

Oli, I'm 5 ' 3 " and most of that is not my legs I did own a Honda Xl600 but dropped it a few times so sold it. Wasn't bothered as it was an old off road bike designed for laying down. The idea of dropping a virtualy brand new 600 that just cost me £5000 at the lights

Watch this space (for at least 2 months he he)

The 10R will not necessarily be taller than the 6R.
The 06 R6 is taller than the 06 R1.

stug wrote:The 10R will not necessarily be taller than the 6R.
The 06 R6 is taller than the 06 R1.

I think Jamz was referring to getting used to the power

Caz wrote:

stug wrote:The 10R will not necessarily be taller than the 6R.
The 06 R6 is taller than the 06 R1.

I think Jamz was referring to getting used to the power

I know what you mean but I was just reffering to the seat heights.
If a bike feels too big for you it will not give you confidence, its not just down to engine size, your right hand controls the power.

My wife was thinking of getting an R6 after she is finished with the ZXR but after sitting on one she did not like the height of the seat and said she would be more comfortable with a lower bike. Although once you are moving it doesn't really matter how big the bike is ..there is a lot of the time where you have to move the bike around with your feet on the ground like while parking which she felt she would be paranoid about dropping it.
She has ridden my R1 and said it was really easy to get used to, with a bigger engine you do not need to try so hard to go quick which makes it easier to ride.

stug wrote:

Caz wrote:

stug wrote:The 10R will not necessarily be taller than the 6R.
The 06 R6 is taller than the 06 R1.

I think Jamz was referring to getting used to the power

I know what you mean but I was just reffering to the seat heights.
If a bike feels too big for you it will not give you confidence, its not just down to engine size, your right hand controls the power.

My wife was thinking of getting an R6 after she is finished with the ZXR but after sitting on one she did not like the height of the seat and said she would be more comfortable with a lower bike. Although once you are moving it doesn't really matter how big the bike is ..there is a lot of the time where you have to move the bike around with your feet on the ground like while parking which she felt she would be paranoid about dropping it.
She has ridden my R1 and said it was really easy to get used to, with a bigger engine you do not need to try so hard to go quick which makes it easier to ride.

A very good point. I have also sat on a ZX10R and found it to be smaller than the 6R. So maybe I should get a ZX10R

You do say the right hand controls the power ... agreed, all I would have to do is sneeze and I'd be off the back

CarneyUK wrote:
You do say the right hand controls the power ... agreed, all I would have to do is sneeze and I'd be off the back

I hear u on that one mate

After picking my zxr up and vanning it back from dumfries i thought i'd atleast ride it into the garage, however after going from 11bhp(125 cruiser) to 65bhp i almost threw the thing into the garage wall Im glad to have the restriction kit in it as i wouldn't make it to my 18th if i had the full 65bhp under my butt