600 v 1000

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Kwacky
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600 v 1000

Post by Kwacky »

I'm reading a thread on Facebook on the old topic of 600cc v1000cc.

I do wonder how many slagging off one type of engine size have ridden the other in recent years?

It's all the old arguments.

"600s got no power, they need revving, nothing low down, too slow, constant gear changes"

"1000s too fast, wont get our of 3rd, need to be rossi to ride one, licence takers, will highside"

Surely these arguments are pretty much redundant now? Modern sportsbikes have really come a long way. There are loads of options with electrfical riding aids. 600s are torqued up now. Both handle better than 99% of riders can ride them.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Perkles »

I was really impressed by your 600 engine,with modern electrics I think the divide is a lot closer now.I do think 600s make better track bikes for us mere mortals. I never felt I was going to highside mine at Donny but thats probably because I was so slow !
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by DaytonAndy »

This is a question I keep asking. Still haven't ridden a 1000 though. Are they as intimidating as I imagine?
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Kwacky »

It depends on what you're riding. Personally I find big V twins easier than an IL4 as the delivery seems to be smoother. That said I haven't ridden an IL4 1000cc with electric gizmos on it. I've no idea what something like the S1000rr is like to ride.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by C00kiemonster »

DaytonAndy wrote:This is a question I keep asking. Still haven't ridden a 1000 though. Are they as intimidating as I imagine?
600 is still the right size il4 for the road IMO. Litre bikes are fun but you can't use all the performance.

I have my big bike purely because I can, not because it's faster.

The most fun I've had on a road bike is the KTM duke 690, it's about mood, ability and the roads you are on tbh though.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Deegee »

As said this is an old argument and its a load of old cobblers, both sizes of bikes will have you in jail in seconds if you let them. I've ridden both and chose the 600 class this time around, depending on finances it'll be a litre+ bike next time.

As Kwacky says both sizes handle better than most road riders can ride, both have got more power than will ever be required on a modern road system, it's down to the actual bike itself, what you'll do with it and the size of your penis/ego.

I'll explain; if the bike I want is only available as a 600 I'll buy that, if it's only available as a litre that's fine too, if I'm going to a racetrack with lots of straights maybe a litre is better, a track with no straights a 600 or even a 250 is better, if I'm commuting 4 miles up the road I'll buy a scooter, if I'm riding B roads (my favourite) I'll test every suitable bike and decide which one I like riding best, irrespective of size. Not wishing to sound trite, but I've been riding too long to want a bike because of how people view me because I own it. Anyway bikes are all about the bends, not the straights, capacity does nothing for improving corner speed.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Monty »

For me I enjoy opening the taps to the stops and knocking on the rev limiter's door. I couldn't do that on a litre bike around Derbyshire, well not for very long at least.

I probably should get a supermoto and would do if it was as a second bike, but it's just too limited for anything other than ragging around b roads.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by D6 »

I like the compromise my speed triple gives me. Has all the shove and instant power of a big bike, but not the top end. I am really happy with the balance.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by rocket »

I think you have to be some thing special to get everything out of either a 600 or a 1000.
"80mph" sorry officer I possibly could not have done that I'm no Valentino Rossi.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Itchy »

I'm with Deegee on this one. I'm not really bothered about the size of the engine as such, it's me about the whole bike. I bought the Zed because I liked the look of it, and it did everything I wanted.

Having said that, I am enjoying the extra torque that 1049cc gives. I'm lazy so if I don't have to mess with the gears as much then I'm happy.
Although being the Walking contradiction that I am I took it up to the limiter several times today!
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Jimmy Mc »

The only time I've ever really noticed the difference is on parts of the TT course where you're accelerating hard at well over a ton. I'm talking 1000cc IL4. Personally, I love a bit of character to a bike, hence I've mainly had twins in England and will get another (probably keep triple too if I can as its different). Just get a bike that grabs you :)
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Monty »

I've never ridden a litre bike on the road so I don't really know what it's like, but imagine you can't just open the taps everywhere with 170bhp at the wheel.
Last edited by Monty on 25 Jul 2014, 23:02, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Blade »

600's are not torquey. They make similar torque to they did 10 years ago, they simply have more bhp, extended rev ranges and different gearing so maybe the midrange seems stronger.

I don't agree vtwins are smoother than il4's. Surely this is a typing error as twins are lumpy and snatchy when compared to the buttery smooth turbine like delivery of an il4.

Regard 1000 biles being intimidating not so IMO. The throttle goes both ways and they will genuinely tootle along at 30mph in top gear if you want them too.

At the end of the day its a personal choice. I love 1000 bikes as they allow you to be lazy and ride the torque where as 600's need working harder and are more involved which some people prefer. As I say personal choice but IMO a lot of myths out there which really aren't true.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Perkles »

Yes. Twins are definitely snatchier on and off the throttle,mine has about 90 ft torque and 150 bhp and it doesn't intimidate me at all on the road but maybe a little on the track until I get used to it
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Bratty »

I was happy with my 600 sportsbike I had 5 cbr600rr's and they were more than enough for me on road and track but it was the riding position that made me change to a naked upright bike as having back and neck problems on ride outs.
I get knocked down but i get up again.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Kwacky »

Your neck problems were caused by you snapping your neck each time we rode past a fittie. (inlove)
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Bratty »

Kwacky wrote:Your neck problems were caused by you snapping your neck each time we rode past a fittie. (inlove)

Who me (angel)
I get knocked down but i get up again.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Blade »

Unless your name is John McGuiness or Micheal Dunlop there is nothing in it between a 600 and 100 on the road, there both very quick machines its just the method of extracting that speed is different and the 1000 always has some in reserve as it can't all be used unless your A, one of the two previous named chaps or their colleagues or B, your mental and have a life expectancy of 5 minutes.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by StMarks »

I would be more than happy with a 250, if it was the bike I wanted.
Anything smaller & there is a chance that it may limit me in certain circumstances.
Anything larger is an unnecessary luxury IMO.
The newest 1k I've ridden was a 12 plate Gixer. It was fine, and had loads of power, but when would I need it.?
My 675 has far more performance than I can ever use on the road, & is more than adequate for my limited skilz on track. I personally get far more buzz from beating a bigger bike on the track, than I do from doing 180mph on the straights.

If Triumph brought out a HP4 beating 1k version of my bike, I would not be that interested. If they brought out a 330cc version, that was at least as highly spec'd I may well carefully consider the option.
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Re: 600 v 1000

Post by Monty »

Blade wrote:600's are not torquey. They make similar torque to they did 10 years ago, they simply have more bhp, extended rev ranges and different gearing so maybe the midrange seems stronger.
True, without a turbo or intercooler the calorific value of petrol and the engines displacement limit the torque an engine can produce and that hasn't changed.

BHP = torque x rpm / by a number I can't remember
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