GSX-R600 as an only ride, year round???

What do you people think about getting a GSX-R600 as an only ride? I heard that its alright... but what about when it rains and stuff. How you gonna ride to go work or school or where ever?

P.S. ...Im not riding the bus    

well I guess that it really depends on where you live.  I live in Reno, so when it snows there is no way to ride a bike of any kind.  So as long as you have the right gear and you keep up on services the bike should do you just fine year round.  There are people out there who do it.  Though a sport tourer might be more comfortable for year round riding.  

So would a sportbike like the GSX-R600 be ok in rainy conditions like on the freeway?  

I live in washington and is there a certain type of helmet (and other gear) that works better in the rain and other yearly conditions?  

That right there comes down to tires.  Do some research and check the wet traction capablities on several brands.  Your hands would get really wet from the faring shape as well.  It should do fine in the rain, and hell if you really want a GSXR-600 that bad just get it.  It sounds to me like you really want it.  

Since a ZX-6R is my only transportation I suppose I should chime in.  I love riding to work and everywhere else I have to go.  I've learned to get very creative when it comes to hauling stuff around since my trunk space is measured in cubic millimeters not cubic feet.

When it comes to riding in the rain I just know that I'm going to be soaked to the bone when I reach my destination.  I recently got caught in a torrential downpour with winds so strong the rain was falling horizontally.  Temperatures were in the high 70's yet I was freezing because I was so soaking wet.  Due to the ram air on the Kawi my airfilter was as wet as I was.  Not a big deal because I knew this was a possibility and was prepared for it.

I have one helmet (Shoei Z-II), one pair of gloves (Alpinestars SP-1), and one pair of boots (Sidi Vertebrae 2) that I wear for all of my riding.  I have a full leather suit for track days and rides, and two jackets for commuting.  I have a textile jacket for the hot summer months and a leather jacket that I wear as soon as my body can tolerate the heat in it.  I prefer the leather jacket but as I've gotten older I find I'm much less tolerant of the heat but refuse to ride without a jacket.  I have a tank bag that goes everywhere with me and carries whatever I need it to carry.  I also have a one-piece rain suit and glove liners but only take them with me on long trips.

As far as tires go you need to pick tires that suit your riding style yet are capable of handling whatever weather conditions your commuting schedule may throw at them.  I really like the Dunlop D208's in dry weather but have found the Bridgestone BT014's far superior in wet weather and not lacking anything in dry weather.  However, most riders are better off using a sport touring tire because for the majority of the riding they do they don't lose any performance and gain a tremendous amount of mileage (simultaneous tire and oil changes can get old fast, not to mention expensive).

Something to keep in mind is that should repairs need to be made a motorcycle isn’t as easy or inexpensive to fix as a car.  Most car parts can be picked up at your local favorite auto store while most motorcycle parts aren’t stocked by the local dealer and there aren’t aftermarket alternatives to many of them.  I’m currently on a 3+ week waiting list for a part from Japan and one of the parts that arrived last week was machined incorrectly.  Not exactly the delay I was expecting.

No, this isn’t the first time a sport bike has been my only mode of transportation, I was just supposed to have learned the first time.  Old enough to know better, too stupid to care.  

If a bike is your only mode of transport, it's worth investing in some decent gear, and some spares. You can get good waterproof boots, gloves, jackets and pants, for reasonable prices. After a few rides you'll learn the tricks to keeping dry.

Here is a story from a couple of years ago about gear:

 What to wear - and when

Keep a complete change of clothes at your office, as well as whatever old, spare gear you have. Nothing's worse than putting on a wet pair of gloves for the ride home.

AT  

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So would a sportbike like the GSX-R600 be ok in rainy conditions like on the freeway?

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I have to disagree, I have a GSX-R 600 and ride it on the freeway in the rain sometimes. Its usually when I get caught by accident, I dont purposely look forward to riding in the rain but it is "ok" to do. Common sense says just like when in a car you slow down and be alittle extra careful. Get a gixxer there *** awesome!  

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Trust me
NO

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I'm not sure I understand. Why wouldn't any motorcycle with tires in good condition be okay in the rain on a freeway?

 

it can be done. but personaly i wouldnt do it. in the rain, and on the freeway especialy visibility becomes an issue. not just how far you can see. but how well others can see you. and then you always get those asswhole cage drivers doing 80 in the rain. i think its just too much of a risk to ride on the freeway in the rain. but as long as you got good tread depth you should be ok. the main concern is other drivers.  

not to mention you get soaked head to toe. so youd need water proof gear or a change of clothes at work. if where you commute is reachable from your house by back roads itd be better. id just avoid the freeway in rainy weather.  

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i think its just too much of a risk to ride on the freeway in the rain.

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No wonder the sport-touring types think sport riders are wusses. A little rain and we leave our bikes parked.

 

lol. im not afraid of the rain. just how people in cars drive during the rain. like i said if he can take back roads to work id drive a bike all year round. i just dont like the freeway people drive like retards.