Im undecided between a cbr600f 99-01 and a zx6r G1. I’m currently on an sv650s and previously a bandit. The ZX6r’s seem to be a fair bit cheaper generally but i understand the honda’s build quality is better?
I believe both these models have a relatively low seat height which is important as i like to be able to plant feet flat. Any info gratefully received, and maybe opinions on how the ride differs between the 2?
thanks
Both bikes will be nearly 13 years old, and in most cases it’ll show. You’ll be on carbs either way, with not much option on adjustment on the suspension, standard old style forks, and both shocks will probably be shot. You’ll either end up running a bike that rides like crap, or spending hundreds improving it. My advice would be to spend a bit more and get a newer bike…it looks like Honda brought in fuel injection in 2001, the 6r was 2003
fair point, ideally i would go for the fuel injection cbr. But i have to consider how desirable the bike is to thieves as im storing on the street in a relatively high risk area. I think the zx6rr’s have an inch higher seat compared to the previous model so i might struggle
i’m resigned to riding old cr@ppy bikes to i settle down somewhere with secured parking!
Old blade maybe?
they look nice but insurance group 17!
I would go with a 2001 CBR6f if I could afford (can be had for £2k if you are smart) or maybe even as old as 1999. Better than the ZX6R of a similar age. If you can stretch to a 636, maybe, but I guess you can’t.
Don’t think carb ones are that bad, better than early FI as they hadn’t quite got the hang of the technology for bikes that early - a bit snatchy apparently.
If you can stick a jelly-mould it will be a lot cheaper.
You will need to budget for a new shock, but don’t think the forks are that bad on the CBR. Just need a refresh.
I vote zx6r B1h or B2h 
I had a 1995 ZX6R and it was pretty high maintenance with
old style tappets and carbs it had a 3500 mile service interval
to keep it running sweet.
It was a brilliant bike, at the time though
Changed to an R6, with buckets and shims which only need
adjustment every 20k miles and saved a fortune. But then
I’m lazy, you can do tappets yourself and with a set of
vacuum gauges the carbs as well.
I don’t know about the Honda.
That’s funny, I thought shims were a ballache, my old GSXF was a breeze in comparison, feeler gauge and a spanner and you could do valve clearances! So it had to be done 3X as often, but it’s a short job…
ive owned both bikes, they are about the same really, apart from the zx6 is quicker than the cbr, the cbr suffered a lot of problems with timing chains and tensioners at that time but most got sorted under warranty.if i had to pick even again now i think to ride and look at i preferred the cbr to be honest
I’d go with this if you could stretch to the insurance as an older blade is a lot of bike for the money you can get them for these days. Very reliable too and 45mpg when not going mental. My 2000 RRY cost me £1700 and as Alex said as an older bike I had to spend some money to get it the way I want but it has no trouble keeping up with the latest stuff. User friendly to ride too. I have short legs but have fitted a Lust Racing lowering kit for £50 which means I can get both feet on the floor. The only bike I’d sell it for is a newer Blade. BTW you were on the royal wedding rideout weren’t you? Mine was the black and silver one with the fat bloke on it.
I was being lazy, getting the mechanic to do the shims and buckets every 20,000 miles was much easier on the pocket than getting the mechanic to do the tappets every 3,500 miles :rolleyes:
You can get fairly mint cbr fy’s (99-00) for not much even on ebay.
Its a lot of bike for the money, really reliable, parts are cheap. You can get the rear shock rebuilt for around £110ish.
I’ve had mine a year now and its been fine.
Just listen to a tappety sound at start up or a bit of a vibe around 5k. its the timing/cam chain rattling and will need a new tensioner fitted (£45 oem or £65ish for a manual cct) its a diy job or an hour for a mech.
No grief with seized calipers over winter, I think the kwakers arent as problem free.
great stuff thanks
lots to think about
yep I remember your bike Rob, was very nice, but the insurance is an issue…
heart still says zx6r, but head says cbr. If if go for cbr i shall certainly keep an eye out for the cam chain / tensioners as mentioned
Just to contextualize the CCT is not a drama or expensive.
I’ve done it on mine and I’m a lazy twat who usually has to do everything twice to get it right.
The ZX-6R is a better bike than the CBR in every way, IMHO
The engines are absolutely bullet proof (same as used in the J1/2 models, and Jools currently has hers at 59k), build quality is good and they’re properly quick
The CBR6 isn’t a bad bike, but it’s no Ninja
The much-vaunted Honda build quality is largely a myth - certainly for the last decade they’ve been no better than other Jap bikes (with the possible exception of Suzuki)
The last really well made Honda was the VFR750…
what about a Thundercat?
again a bit tall, and reviews seem to say the others are better value/outclass it…thanks for the suggestion tho
Cannot agree. I have a 1998 ZZR6 and a 2001 VFR8. The VFR has been sat in someone’s front garden not being ridden for about the last three years, and a part from a few bits of rust and a few stuck bolts (nothing that my drill and some decent drill bits couldn’t fix) but looks better than the ZZR has for years, and feels better. The brakes on my VFR are single sided, but stop so much better than the ZZR, on the original hoses too (my ZZR has well bled braided hoses and new pads). I really do believe in the Honda build quality ‘myth’.
