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[Evil Result]

So me and a couple of friends did some browsing at the bike shop and i saw, found, and sat on the zzr600. Although a bit more aggressive seating position i still found it to be comfortable if need be one could get clip-ons. The seat, also comfortable, and the wind screen is largely better suited for wind protection. I do believe it has been placed into a sport tourer class, and it feels like it, so in the future i do believe that the ZZR would be my next future investment.

I don't believe i could or would want to ride on any other bike, both the CBR (aggressive seating) and the ZX (painfully aggressive). But i'm torn...I have now felt out the ZZR but there is still the CBR600 F4i which from what i understand is also in the sport tour class that i have not has a chance to sit on; how does that feel?

I'm wondering if anybody could help quell my mind about which is the better/best investment in the future.

The ZZR my be carburated and the F4i fuel injected but what about the aftermarket cost of parts repairs or mods, also touring additions luggage racks packs.

Although i'm not looking now i would like to see one of these bikes in my future.

[Administrator]

I'd go with the F4i anyday.  FI is a big plus for me, and seating position, reliability, and access to parts are all great.

[bikesbaseball]

I'd probably get whichever i could get the best deal on.  They are so similar youd be happy with either.  yes the f4i is FI but honda no longer makes it so youd have to buy used.  not sure but the zzr might be less to insure too.  might be something to look up.

[maverickwolfe]

the F4i is an old bike, and the ZZR is 'old' technology (after Kawa face lifted the zx6, the old model became the zzr - same deal with Yamaha's R6 and R6s[old r6]), so I'm not sure the insurance would be that much different.  But IMHO the zzr is gorgeous - I want one but don't have the money.

[redkow97]

as has been said:  The ZZR is an old ZX-6.  read reviews of the 2000 ZX-6.  112hp, 370 dry (newer SS bikes are 350ish).  Lots to like.

If you can tolerate a carburetor, I have read that it has very GOOD carbs.  It'll never beat FI on a cold morning though.

And because it's considered a sport tourer, insurance is MUCH lower than a (new) ZX-6.

I actually liked the more aggressive seating positions on the R6 and CBR600RR better than the ZZR, but you can't beat the used market for the ZZR.  Look into older ZX-6's as well. 

I believe 2000 was the last major change to that generation ZX-6, so that's basically when the current model ZZR was 'born.'  The insurance should still be low because of the age of the bike.

[Tommy69]

I actually had a thread on here a while back about the same bike , if and when I can scrape up the money or find a good used one I will have one , I just really like these bikes , the only other 600 that even feels as good is the YZF R6S ,but its still not the same.

[DarkNinja75]

The ZZR's insurance is quite a bit less than the F4i's. My guess is because F4i's are wrecked more often (being considered a beginner bike by some).

I've sat on both since I'm shopping around for a new bike and both of those are being considered. The F4i has a lowe seat height, which is cool to me since I was near my toes on the ZZR.
The fuel injection is pretty cool on the F4i, but only if you get a later model. I heard the first year models were a bit twitchy.

Really though, they're so similar it comes down to whichever one you can get the best deal on.

[ZEDhead]

If you can tolerate a carburetor, I have read that it has very GOOD carbs.  It'll never beat FI on a cold morning though.

Personally, I still like the reliability and ease of adjustment (if ever necessary) with carbs.

I never thought it was too difficult to put the choke on in the morning....

[Evil Result]

Personally, I still like the reliability and ease of adjustment (if ever necessary) with carbs.

I never thought it was too difficult to put the choke on in the morning....

Indeed if something were to happen with the ECU and the increase in the wiring would lead to more problems down the road....carbs are good for fuel in power out

[Dubcity]

its all about honda

[redkow97]

If you can tolerate a carburetor, I have read that it has very GOOD carbs.  It'll never beat FI on a cold morning though.

Personally, I still like the reliability and ease of adjustment (if ever necessary) with carbs.

I never thought it was too difficult to put the choke on in the morning....

point well taken, I just meant that most FI bikes will fire up right away and don't need to be left warming up.  If you allow warm-up time, there's nothign wrong with carbed bike.  LIke my initial post said, i have read that the ZZR was 'the best carbureted motorcycle (the reviewer) had ever ridden.'  as in, if he hadn't been told it wasn't FI, he wouldn't have known.  Good throttle response.

And you're definitely right about the maintenance.  FI might be more reliable, but if it does break, you're screwed as far as working on it yourself...  well, I am... maybe you know more than me.

[91ex500]

I'd definitely go with the Kawasaki and good ol' carbs. A couple of minutes warming up in the morning is nothing to me, and believe it or not the carbs on the Kwak get much better fuel economy than the FI on the Honda. Sounds backwards, I know - but it's true.

Honda's fuel injection is notoriously thirsty. The carbed 1999-2000 Honda F4 has better than a 200 mile range, while the later F4I doesn't go nearly that far on the same size tank.

If you plan on sport touring a good tank range is a must, and the Kwak will go way farther than the F4I. On the other hand, if you can find a '99-'00 F4 in good shape you can have the Honda and enjoy a long stint between fill-ups too. The older F4 only makes a few less horsepower than the F4I, and it weighs only a few pounds more meaning on-road performance is virtually the same, so I would prefer the older carbed model if I were looking for a Honda.

Mike

[Dubcity]

i looked at the zzr on youtube , its seems pretty cool after an aftermarket exhaust. i like that yoshimusa sound. i dont know , it would be cool to have one, it  seems jusy like a fuel - injected , but handles a little different. i like the ram - air intake system

[TwinTalon]

When the current ZZR was the ZX-6R from 00-02, It won every championship it was in. World Supersport, AMA Supersport, BSB Supersport. It's a fantastic motorcycle if you're looking for something sporty that will do it ALL and has full fairings. The F4i is also a really nice motorcycle, but the FI isn't the deciding factor here at all, at least it wouldn't be to me. You can count on the Honda being heavier, because Honda's are just heavier. If you want to do any real touring, and usually cruise around 75-80mph, you're gonna wanna gear either one taller a little so it's not staying at 6-7K rpms.

I think it really comes down to price. I personally like Honda the least out of The Big Four. That's just my personal views on their attitude and engineering. They have made some fantastic and wondrous motorcycles, but looking strictly at the Japanese Manufacturers, I put Honda last. Again, not trying to insult anyone, ride what you wanna ride, that's just my personal opinion.

In the end, you'd be Really Happy with either one.

Have you considered a VFR? That's one Honda I couldn't say a bad word about.... And from the little you've mentioned, sounds like it'd fit the bill even better than the ZZR or F4i.

[redkow97]

I read something yesterday on the ZZR/ZX-6 models, and allegedly the ZZR's suspension is softer than the older ZX-6.

So the recommendation was get a last gen ZX-6 if you're tracking it, and a ZZR if you're touring.