Everyone who prefers motorcycles, sooner or later, will think about how to get a bike that has the character and soul of a wild mustang. Naturally, even beginners dream about this, but in fact, not everyone is ready to drive a model whose power reaches 100 hp. After all, 125 cc models are very convenient and comfortable to drive, 250 cc models are not much different from them, but 600 cc motorcycles are already models that require a special attitude and experience of a biker with confident driving. A mistake while driving can cost your life, so be careful and try not to be a hero on the road.
Choosing a 600 cc model for a beginner
Here we need to make a small reservation - if you have never ridden motorcycles before, then there is no question of any bike for a beginner with such power. It’s another matter if you already have some experience driving weaker models (at least basic training at a driving school). It is worth noting that experienced specialists have more than once encountered a situation where an experienced biker, having ridden several hundred kilometers on a 600 cc, switched to a less powerful model. And we are talking here not about ordinary “everyday” bikers, but about experienced riders.
But what to do if you are going to try your hand at this field? First, decide why you need a bike of such power. It is definitely not suitable for driving around the city or commuting to work. But for motorsports or traveling around the country it’s fine. So, 600 cc motorcycles for a beginner should be comfortable and have no “surprises”. Moreover, you can not take all models, but only the most low-power and non-aggressive ones.
Therefore, you will have to choose from:
- Honda Hornet CB 600 - comfort, style and the presence of the popular CBR 600 sports engine. 6-speed gearbox, 102 hp. Yes, in terms of its characteristics it is inferior to its sports counterpart, but it is important to remember that it is easier to drive, and it will not be driven by a professional;
- Yamaha FZ6 is the second option, although it is very similar to the previous bike (even with the presence of a derated engine, albeit of a different model - YZF-R6). It is a little more powerful and is used not only for tourism, but also for sports. The main features are a streamlined, laconic design.
This is where the beginner's choice ends.
Road
From chopper drivers you can often hear the contemptuous “less than a liter is not a chopper,” and this point of view can be understood. This class of steel horses almost always uses deformed V-shaped 2-cylinder engines, low-speed and high-torque, so they need a large volume to achieve sane power. For this reason, bikes with engines of one and a half liters or more are popular, and “six hundred” are considered equipment for beginners. The most popular common representatives of this category are the Honda Steed 600 and Yamaha XVS 650 Drag Star. The Suzuki LS650 Savage is much less popular, and Kawasaki has never had a cruiser in this segment. It is worth noting that the above-mentioned Hondas and Yamahas are built on the same platform as their 400 cc counterparts, and differ from them mainly only by the CPG. Suzuki Savage, on the other hand, stands somewhat apart, and differs from its 400 cc counterpart not only in its engine, but also in its belt drive instead of a chain drive.
The best 600cc sport bikes
So, you already have experience and want to subjugate a more powerful bike. In this case, here are the best 600 cc motorcycles that will allow you to quickly get used to it and start racing confidently in the city, outside the city and showing miracles on the track, without risk to others.
And here are these stories:
- Kawasaki ZX6R - appeared in 2000, the design is very similar to the ZX9R, the power is equal to the Triumph, but it is more aggressive in driving - it picks up speed aggressively, is distinguished by long gears, more powerful brakes and a pronounced sporty position. In 2003, modification 636 appeared and, although the design remained familiar, the engine became even more powerful - 120 hp. Many bikers consider it really cool, and the cost remains quite reasonable;
- Honda CBR 600 RR is equipped with a 4-cylinder power plant, a 6-speed transmission and is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 3 – 4 seconds. The CBR 600 RR generation engines were developed until 2008 and are now capable of producing 118 hp;
- Suzuki GSX-R600 is a distinct sports bike with a top speed of 259 km/h. In appearance it is very reminiscent of the GSX-R1000 - a clearly visible “broken” design of the plastic body kit. It is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine, with a fuel consumption of 6 liters per 100 km;
- Suzuki GSXR 600 K1-k3 is another good option. The engine produces 115 hp, which allows it to accelerate to a speed of 263 km/h. It has a streamlined oval shape and is almost 7 kg lighter than the CBR, which has a positive effect on handling;
- Yamaha YZF-R6 is a Japanese legend, famous throughout the world. The latest version appeared in 2017 and boasted better aerodynamics, modern traction control and ABS. Accelerates to 100 km/h in 3 – 4 seconds, maximum speed is 260 km/h. What is important is that it takes turns very well (not smooth, but sharp turns) due to convenient controls and high-quality brakes.
It’s difficult to say unequivocally which bike is better. However, experts are still inclined to think that this is a Yamaha. Moreover, not only for athletes but also for those who are just improving the technique of driving such powerful cars.
600cc road bikes
So, you are not interested in motorsports, but you want to have a modern motorcycle for driving around the city, with a powerful enough engine so as not to remain behind the traffic flow. In this case, it’s worth taking a look at the “classics” and 600 cc motorcycles can offer the following choice:
- Honda CBF600, or more specifically, the simple CB600FA and the Hornet subtype. This is a fairly heavily modified and improved generation of the “C-Bihi”, well known to all bikers of the 90s. Moreover, the control remains just as convenient, one might even say unsurpassed (after all, it is not without reason that this motorcycle is used as a teaching aid in almost all motorcycle schools in the world). And this is completely justified for a road bike - almost “primitive” control, which allows you to quickly master the basics of riding and safely move on the roads at the required speed (experienced pilots will appreciate both the suspension of the new models and the powerful engine). In terms of filling, it is an in-line engine with 4 pistons, with a torque of 60 Nm, and high-quality liquid cooling. The suspension can withstand even a very well-fed pilot, and also shows excellent handling even on our roads;
- Suzuki Bandit - this model is the key one from the manufacturer. Its working volume is already more than 600 cubic meters, which increases power and allows the model to be used on the highway, and not just in the city. The Suzuki Bandit S modification is also suitable for city dwellers who sometimes go out of town. It is a kind of compromise between a sportbike and a classic, and the existing plastic body kit provides good aerodynamic characteristics on the highway without interfering in dense city traffic;
- Yamaha XJ6 Diversion - presented in several versions (classic without a body kit and with it, despite the fact that it is quite conventional, but suitable for confident driving at high speeds). It has excellent responsive handling, which is suitable even for inexperienced bikers. Well, experienced pilots, by the way, will be able to reveal their potential as racers. It features a comfortable fit and a comfortable seat, which is extremely important for long trips. And this is one of the best options for a first motorcycle in this “weight” category or for those who are tired of the aggressive behavior of sports models;
- Kawasaki ER6 - also available with or without body kit. Its predecessor is the ER5, which is characterized by simplicity and confident handling, a high level of comfort and a truly unusual design. What is really quite interesting is that it is extremely comfortable for a biker of any height. It has a balanced suspension and a high-power motor, so it will provide ease of use not only in the city, but also outside it. One of the useful abilities is to easily pass winding roads, but it is better not to drive on broken roads, because the suspension may not withstand it.
As a result, if you want to use 600 cc monsters in urban conditions, you have to choose from the same Japanese models. These bikes are of high quality and can provide pleasure to a pilot of any size and regardless of gender (since you do not have to exert excessive physical force to control).
It is also important to understand that the classic bike is a universal motorcycle. This is something between low-power city and high-speed sports models. Of course, more “nimble” models have been developed specifically for the city, but they are less powerful and do not correspond to motorcycles with a 600 cc engine. Not to mention the fact that as the volume decreases, the power and, therefore, the speed decreases. By the way, today classic motorcycles can be called “road” or “city”, and each manufacturer (and even more so each seller) positions these models differently.
Enduro and tourenduro
Imagine a motocross motorcycle with a molded 600 cc engine! The result will be a real monster, angry and rebellious, which is why a similar technique exists, but it is only used by motocross professionals. And regular enduros are usually equipped with smaller engines, around 400 cc. see, because an increase in cubic capacity inevitably entails an increase in mass, which is critical when driving off-road. Attempts to create a large enduro have been made, for example, the Suzuki DR800 S Big, equipped with a huge single-cylinder engine that vibrates like a Friendship chainsaw. But this model was not popular, so off-road bikes to this day, with rare exceptions, are equipped with engines of smaller capacity.
If you are not interested in even the best road motorcycles, but in your dreams you see endless steppes and mountain paths, you should pay attention to the tourenduro. Motorcycles in this class are usually distinguished by their large weight, powerful power units and large size, but there are also lightweight fighters among them. The most popular models are the Honda XL600V Transalp (there are also motorcycles with 650 cc and 700 cc engines) and the Kawasaki Versys 650. The Chinese from CFMoto have also released their competitor into the ring, offering the public the CFMoto 650MT model. But you can only choose a bike “for yourself” and understand exactly how many cubes you need through experience.
Chinese models 600 cc
Let’s say you need a bike exclusively for the city, and you don’t plan to show “character” on a country road, or even go outside the city. In this case, you can take a look at the 600 cc motorcycles produced in China.
And here the choice will be very interesting and unusual, since there are no original Chinese models of such power. There are only two Italian options, which were purchased by Chinese concerns. The result was modern design bikes with 80 hp. One has a 4-cylinder engine, the other has only 2. The maximum speed does not exceed 180 km/h, which is ideal for the city. However, the handling of such motorcycles at maximum permissible speeds leaves much to be desired. However, girls can easily cope with them at medium speed.
However, in any case, the choice of motorcycle should depend not on the brand, model and prestige of the company that produces the bikes, but on the qualities of the driver himself. The classic, sports or road version requires some experience and a solid assessment of your own capabilities.
