Venom XR Turbo
New Member
Hi all,
with a view down the track to undertake regular track days on superbikes, I am looking for key pros and cons of these three bikes to start out with (under the Australian 47hp cap LAMS scheme). The FZ6R here in Australia is only registered as a restricted Learner motorcycle.
Price is within $1K of one another for all three, so lets remove it from the equation.
From what I gather, and my opinions:
CBR500R:
- essentially a very user friendly, softcore sports bike that is still trackable, and one of the most versatile options for learners and experienced riders alike.
- going to be best quality of the three, and most reliable
- enough pep in its 45hp to keep things interesting, however no option to 'derestrict' like with a FZ6R (so pow could become a little boring before long)
- sets the rider up as a nice intro to the world of sports bikes
- uninspiring twin engine sound
KTM 390 Duke Forum:
- crazy paint scheme! (luckily no one can see you behind your visor!).
- awesome pow-weight, 44hp and being far far lighter than the CBR
- more a super motard/naked, than a sports/sports tourer, yet can still carve a track
- low top speed (150kph).... not so fun on a circuit
- probably the most telling bike to learn how to push the limits/tires on
- set to keep exciting the owner long after 12 months because of its handling
- its light weight might be super fun, but may not best prepare me for the next jump to a 600 or 750 super sports bike like the other two bikes here
- sounds like a refined dirt bike with its single cyl - not a nice sound at all to my ears.
FZ6R (second hand):
- a proper grown up bike with a (restricted) older gen R6 engine derivative
- has the (risky for insurance and legality) option of de-restricting, unleashing 78hp which will be nice after getting used to the bike and partaking in a few advance riding courses on circuit (although I am not sure how 'track' orientated this bike is?)
- has a great 600cc sound, especially with a 2Bros exhaust - just the sound I always imagined when I would one day be carving the great ocean road each morning...
I have always been quick to get bored of the power iv got, whether it be jet skis, snowmobiles, or (my extremely quick, modified to 680hp) car, and have a background in circuit (car) racing. HOWEVER, I plan on learning to ride correctly and form a good base for the future, allowing for circuit training, and I certainly have the experience to know to respect the power beneath me.
In saying that, whilst learning to handle a bike properly, after a short while I will certainly want to feel a little more exhilarated that what your average Ninja 250 (yawn) offers in terms of power.
What I am after here is not advice on how I shouldn't be worried about power before starting to ride etc etc - I have experienced much more powerful bikes than these, however am restricted to LAMS bike right now, and do not entertain pushing the law while I learn how to explore a bike's true potential.
So, are there any major points I might be missing, or advice from those who have a) sampled these bikes on the road and/or circuit, and b) faced the same or similar dilemma?
Cheers guys,
Venom
with a view down the track to undertake regular track days on superbikes, I am looking for key pros and cons of these three bikes to start out with (under the Australian 47hp cap LAMS scheme). The FZ6R here in Australia is only registered as a restricted Learner motorcycle.
Price is within $1K of one another for all three, so lets remove it from the equation.
From what I gather, and my opinions:
CBR500R:
- essentially a very user friendly, softcore sports bike that is still trackable, and one of the most versatile options for learners and experienced riders alike.
- going to be best quality of the three, and most reliable
- enough pep in its 45hp to keep things interesting, however no option to 'derestrict' like with a FZ6R (so pow could become a little boring before long)
- sets the rider up as a nice intro to the world of sports bikes
- uninspiring twin engine sound
KTM 390 Duke Forum:
- crazy paint scheme! (luckily no one can see you behind your visor!).
- awesome pow-weight, 44hp and being far far lighter than the CBR
- more a super motard/naked, than a sports/sports tourer, yet can still carve a track
- low top speed (150kph).... not so fun on a circuit
- probably the most telling bike to learn how to push the limits/tires on
- set to keep exciting the owner long after 12 months because of its handling
- its light weight might be super fun, but may not best prepare me for the next jump to a 600 or 750 super sports bike like the other two bikes here
- sounds like a refined dirt bike with its single cyl - not a nice sound at all to my ears.
FZ6R (second hand):
- a proper grown up bike with a (restricted) older gen R6 engine derivative
- has the (risky for insurance and legality) option of de-restricting, unleashing 78hp which will be nice after getting used to the bike and partaking in a few advance riding courses on circuit (although I am not sure how 'track' orientated this bike is?)
- has a great 600cc sound, especially with a 2Bros exhaust - just the sound I always imagined when I would one day be carving the great ocean road each morning...
I have always been quick to get bored of the power iv got, whether it be jet skis, snowmobiles, or (my extremely quick, modified to 680hp) car, and have a background in circuit (car) racing. HOWEVER, I plan on learning to ride correctly and form a good base for the future, allowing for circuit training, and I certainly have the experience to know to respect the power beneath me.
In saying that, whilst learning to handle a bike properly, after a short while I will certainly want to feel a little more exhilarated that what your average Ninja 250 (yawn) offers in terms of power.
What I am after here is not advice on how I shouldn't be worried about power before starting to ride etc etc - I have experienced much more powerful bikes than these, however am restricted to LAMS bike right now, and do not entertain pushing the law while I learn how to explore a bike's true potential.
So, are there any major points I might be missing, or advice from those who have a) sampled these bikes on the road and/or circuit, and b) faced the same or similar dilemma?
Cheers guys,
Venom
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