600cc vs. 1000cc, what are some pros and cons of each?

Question

And how is a 600 a more forgiving than a 1000?
Thanks.

Answer 1

600 and 1000 are standard racing sizes, so all the Japanese mfgrs make hot sportbikes in those sizes. The 600 is more like a sword, the 1000 is more like an axe. The 600 is lighter and nimbler, more about handling. The 1000 is more about brute strength. But 600s these days have like 120 hp, which is more than enough to get you into trouble.



The 600 is better for negotiating a twisty mountain road, throwing it into corners, zipping up hills, etc. The 1000 is a little more stable for the highway. The 1000 is heavier, so it's a little harder to manage at 25 mph on a city street.



I would recommend you don't get a hot sportbike for your first bike. They are built to sacrifice everything to speed and handling. They have small, hard seats, because you get some feedback through your butt. They have very sensitive steering geometry, not forgiving for beginners. They have high performance engines so you have to keep them revved up close to the redline to get the HP out of them. They have an extreme riding position that puts stress on your wrists and lower back. And if you drop a bike that's all covered with 'tupperware', replacement plastic can cost $1500 or $2000! (The whole 'naked bike' movement began with sportbike riders who scratched up their body panels and decided not to replace them!)



If you just HAVE to have that GSX-R or R6, I can't say as I blame you, but see it as something to work up to. Get a used Kawasaki Ninja or Honda 599 or Suzuki GS 500 or SV 650. After six months or a year you can sell this bike for about what you paid for it, and by then you'll have a better idea what you really want.

Answer 2

In a racing environment, a 600 takes less strength to ride, because it's lighter. Transitioning a bike from a tight left to a tight right is harder than you would think at triple-digit speeds. Less power also lowers the chances of spinning the rear tire on corner exit and "high-siding." A high-side occurs when you get on the gas too early, or with too much lean angle, and the rear spins and then slides. The natural tendency is to react to the slide by letting off the gas. That causes the rear tire to regain traction, and the rider is thrown into the air as the bike rotates over that point of traction: the tire that just regained grip.



If you're talking about more of a sport-touring bike (Yamaha FZ1 versus an FZ6, for example), then the difference in power and weight still make the 600 "more forgiving," because you have fewer ways to make a mistake.



Where a 1000cc bike can lift the front wheel by accident pretty easily, it's not as easy to make that mistake on a 600cc bike with less power. The same is true of heavier vs. lighter. If you get a heavy bike off-balance, it's harder to hold upright than a lighter bike.



Realistically, most modern 600cc bikes are more powerful than is safe for a new rider. We are spoiled and fooled by technology in America...



Personally, I find that racing 600's is more fun than 1000's. It's easier and cheaper. (not to mention lower insurance, if you're riding on the street).



for a new rider though, look into a smaller bike. a 650cc twin is the absolute largest sportbike I'd consider for a new rider. Even that's more power than you need. Modern "beginner" bikes have as much power as racing bikes from 10 or 20 years ago. How fast are you really planning to go? a 650 twin will hit 60 in 3.5 seconds and do almost 140mph... A liter bike has DOUBLE the horsepower. Where are you going to use it?

Answer 3

Per your other question you are not ready for either. Riding somebody else's 750 safely once or twice does not mean you are ready. I let a guy ride ride my gsxr 1000 once in a fairly safe environment and he got this idea that meant he was ready to get a similar bike. Fact is he is a crappy rider who doesn't even know where the powerband is on it. It is really an annoying attitude when people think they are somehow good enough to ride these things when they obviously are not but somehow they are "special." But go get whatever you want because you obviously will anyways just to have a "cool" bike. When I see you riding it I will just be thinking about what a poseur you are.

Edit: I don't think you get it Jimi. You won't learn very quickly on those bikes. You have no business on them. I don't even like riding them on the roads most of the time because it is like using an F1 car to get groceries with. If you get a smaller slower bike you will be much happier. Drop the sportbike thing.

Answer 4

I'll answer the first part of the question directly based on my experience and try to ignore the fact that you may be a beginner.....

I presume you are talking about sports bikes. 1000s have a longer rev range and you need to change gear less than on a 600. With that in mind personally I prefer larger cc bikes for on the road.....but I've been riding nearly 20 years so I can make that call. If you have to rev the nuts off a bike to make it go, you are going to be in a more dangerous position than if you are only on half revs....just my opinion. That said there are few bigger thrills on a motorcycle than gassing a litre sportsbike in top gear from 4,000rpm all the way to the redline. Also 1000s eat tyres, chains, fork seals etc etc alot more than 600s. They are also way more to insure.

The most important thing to think of I think is you can only make the call when you've ridden both. I don't think anyone that has never ridden either should even entertain the larger bikes.

Answer 5

ive been riding bikes since i was 14. im 27 now and have a 600 that im very content with. i could very well ride a 1000 and ride it well but its just not necessary. a 600 is too big of a bike for a beginner and will hurt you if your not experienced. a 1000 is too much for the street unless you run straits and highways often. if your life is not very important to you start on a 600 or 1000 supersport race bike. if you want to become a good rider and live to be good on the bigger bikes get something like a ninja 250r or simular.

Answer 6

a 600 is a popular sized bike probably for those with some experience . a 1000 is definitely for someone who is very well at home on a bike . in this way a 600 is more forgiving than a 1000

Answer 7

A 600 is more forgiving because of it's size. It's lighter which makes handling quicker and makes the bike easier to handle which makes it more forgiving when you make a mistake and have to recover from that mistake. Also insurance is cheaper and better gas mileage. The 1000 is heavier but it has much better low end grunt because of it's size and more comfortable on longer rides.

Answer 8

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Having owned and ridden many motorcycles, liter bikes are usually heavier and not as nimble. That doesn't matter unless you drag your knees which you shouldn't on the street anyways. A heavier bike is a little more stable on the highway and more forgiving with wind gust. The roll on torque will be much appreciated with the extra 400CC's. You will love the extra torque when you crack the throttle in 6th gear at 60 MPH without going down a gear. It's addictive.

Answer 9

the 600 will go faster than you will ever need on back roads,its lighter and a little easyier to handle,they run higher rpms witch allows you to run lower and higher gears without overbearing power on decieving turns and such where that heavyweight and horse power with that momentim,can want to drift and pull you to wide into the shoulder and it being a little harder to pull down and slow down becuase of the wieght can create tragety,and dissaster.the 600 bikes are awsome too they road race them professionly,and they will really perform.the 600cc is probly perfect for what you want to do.and you can get out on that open highway just as well,they are just a little i think but thats just my opinion those suspensions,and breaking systems are fantastic.good luck with it.a smart practicle rider,and safe one,gets my respect.

Answer 10

""and I'll learn and get better,""





you would want to hurry up the learning... can be a smear on the road in 10 mins or less..



in Australia we would call you a mobile donor..



get a second hand 250cc bike & learn to ride for a year or so... before you even consider the 600 sports bike..

Answer 11

I agree with the 600cc bike to start. Dont buy a 1000cc bike until YOU know you are ready.

Answer 12

don't get a 1000, it will kill you sooner or later. my mother's van has a smaller engine than that. also, if a 1000 falls on you you might lose your leg. a 600 is slightly more manageable. but still oodles of power to pull wheelies and smoke muscle cars on the drag strip (if you're into that kind of thing).

Answer 13

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