Yamaha YZF 600R

As per the post "New riders please read this", one of the bikes recommended was YZF-600R, though under "*" was mentioned that they can be a handful.
My understanding is that its one of the more sedate sportsbike from Yamaha's stable. And is classified under sport touring bike. Probably comparable to Suzuki Katana 600, though considerably lighter. It seems to have a higher re-sale value compared to Katanas.
I could not find anything on this model of motorcycle on this forum. And would appreciate if someone could send their experience and input or a link.
thnx  

Here is a test of the YZF:

Middleweights in Real Life

AT  

I had a '99 for a while that I really enjoyed.  It had a very comfortable seating position and aside from really poor suspension it was a good bike to ride.  I did some long distance commuting on it and it worked out great for that.  Wasn't my first bike but it was an enjoyable ride.  

SWAT - Really poor suspension?  I had an '01 but never had the suspension anywhere close to being set up right, but I remember reading several reviews it seemed like where they mentioned that the suspension pieces were pretty good.  Now obviously they're not going to be as good as a R6/ZX6R etc but what I remember reading was that the YZF's pieces had good adjustablity and you could really feel the changes in the different suspension settings?  I know it was a bit more softly sprung than the GSXRs/CBRS/Ninja of its day and also had a little more weight to carry around...that's not gonna help the suspension when people start thrashing it around.

Gizmodude - My first bike was a Yamaha Blue '01 YZF600R.  I think I read a Katana600's wet weight is around 495lbs?  The YZF600R's is about 485lbs, so it's not that much lighter.  Again I think I remembering reading that a Katana600 puts down around 70rwhp, a YZF600R should put down atleast 85rwhp and maybe up to 90rwhp stock.  YZF600R should have better suspension and brake components too, plus I think the YZF600R looks insanely better than any Katana.

All that said, my second and current bike is an '03 SV650S.  I really think the SV650S is a better beginner bike than the YZF600R.  Mainly because of it's power delivery, but also because it's lighter and smaller.  A SV650S weighs a good 50-60lbs lighter than a YZF600R and being a v-twin it's got a nice & narrow waist.  Back to the power delivery though, as with any 600 you have to spin them up a bit to get into their powerband.  IMHO at times that can encourage you to speed or atleast pick up the pace, so you can be in the bikes powerband and feel it's power.  Besides possibly helping you get an unwanted speeding ticket I think it at times can be distracting.  The SV's motor, while it doesn't have as much horsepower uptop (SV650 has about 70rwhp vs 85-90rwhp for the YZF600R), it has a much better power delivery downlow and in the engine's midrange.  Because of the power delivery of it's V-twin, being atleast 50lbs lighter than the YZF600R and because the SV650S has shorter gearing (SV650S is geared for 135mph where as the YZF600R is probably geared for 155-160mph), (to me) the SV650S is faster when riding around town and at anything below highway speeds, and thus more fun to ride at sane/legal paces.

Ofcourse that's just my opinion, others may not agree 100% with it.  You may not even agree with it after you've had the change to ride both a SV650 and a 600, but I just thought I'd share  

for the most part i would have to agree.  i owned a 1999 for three years & did some long hauls & some track time with it.  it's a great real world sportbike.  comfortable seat, relaxed ergos, and pretty good handling considering the weight.  as far as the sv, it's more of a personal preference.  the engine character is very different between a v twin & a inline 4.  i think it comes down to where you like the power more.  despite the weight, on the track, every time it opens up the yzf walks away from a sv pretty easily. the katana really isn't very competitive for either.  

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SWAT - Really poor suspension?  I had an '01 but never had the suspension anywhere close to being set up right, but I remember reading several reviews it seemed like where they mentioned that the suspension pieces were pretty good.

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I really think the SV650S is a better beginner bike than the YZF600R.

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