[scout_about]

I am new to this site. I just wanted to get opinions of what people think of the ZZR 600 as a first bike? From what I have been told from a salesman and from a few buddies of mine who have ridden for years, is that the ZZR 600 would be fine for a new bike. They told me that it is a crisp excelleratorbut that it is not as unforgiving as a ZX-6R or a CBR600. Also they pointed out that because I am 6’3” 230 pounds I will need more power than a say a 250 or 400. I am looking for more opinions. Thanks

[megaspaz]

Not a noobie bike. Never has been. If you’re worried about comfort and your weight, look at a ninja 500 instead (or a 650r or sv650 if you have some recent riding experience). Sorry, but you’re being fed bad info by the sales guy and your buddies. supersport != noob_friendly.

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If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Matt]

Absolutely not a good bike. It is simply an older ZX-6R. Read the “Why a 600cc is not a beginners bike” article.

At your size, you do not need a bike bigger than a ninja 250.

Having sat a ZZR-600, it is actually more cramped and less comfortable than a ninja 250.

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The problem with the internet: Everyone gets the same font size.

[Ben]

I own and currently ride a 2001 ZX6R which happens to be the same bike as the modern day ZZR600. I can say hands down this is NOT a beginner friendly bike!

I will whole heartedly agree with Matt when he says that the new ninja 250 is a lot more comfortable than the ZZR. I rode my bike down to take some pictures and test ride a friends 250 and that bike feels very spacious. I felt like I had tons of room, unlike my ZZR which feels a little cramped.

If you think that a 250 won’t have enough power to get you around (it does, but for now lets just say it doesn’t) then maybe consider getting a ninja 500 or a gs500. My first bike was a 2002 GS500 and it was a great beginner bike (although in hindsight if I had to do it again I would start on a 250).

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[scout_about]

Thanks for the info.

[WeaponZero]

as Ben said the Kawasaki ZZR600 is the previous generation ZX6R Ninja. Since the early ’90s Kawasaki has kept up a tradition of keeping the previous generation 600 Ninja in their lineup everytime it went through a major redesign and calling it the ZZR600. While there are people who have started out on 600cc bikes and been fine, it’s really not a good idea in most cases (aside from the 650cc twins and various older model bikes such as the 650 Nighthawk from the ’80s).

Bottom line is that they are bikes that are bred for the racetrack and have racetrack style powerbands, meaning that there’s a sudden almost uncontrollable rush of acceleration that happens more than halfway thru the RPM range and below that (the “street” side of the powerband) they pretty much run like crap. While there are exceptions to this rule such as the Bandit 600 and Katana 600 (discontinued suzuki models that used older style air-cooled 600cc four cylinders tuned for midrange rather than top end power) four cylinder bikes in general are most definately not beginner bikes.

If ergonomics are an issue then you must know that when it comes to supersport style motorcycles the ergos are generally VERY unfriendly taller/heavier riders, especially in the middleweight class. It isnt until you venture into the 1000+cc “hypertourer” class (Hayabusa, ZX-14, ZX-11, Honda CBR1100XX) that you really find sportbikes with ergos made for larger riders. The Ninja 250 really is an oddbal ergonomically speaking as it is a 250 with ergos that really are “one size fits all”. Most other 250s would be cramped, however. You really should be starting on a standard-style motorcycle. They’re comfortable, practical, and can handle like sportbikes.

[Author]

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