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Zx6r buying tips needed

2K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  Timpo 
#1 ·
Hello guys,
I am a long time lurker here and this is my first post :)

I am looking to purchase my first bike , I saved up good cash and looking to buy a new Zx-6R.

However I am in a dilemma as I am searching for a black zx6r 2016 with ABS but can't find one right now (small market here) . As for the 2017 ,I think nothing major was added to the 2016 model and it comes in white (I hate white).

There was talk last year of an updated model in 2017 however we didn't get it.

I saved up for a long time for this, so I am looking on making a smart purchase. Should I wait for 2018 model? is it expected to be a refresh (like the 10r) since its a couple of months away now.
Any news source where we can see what's coming?

I am between finding a 2016-black model, buying brand new 2017-white (which I am not so excited about but meh) or wait for 2018-hopefully-
black refresh.

Any advise would be welcome.
Thanks!
 
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#3 ·
OP,

I really admire your determination, saving up enough to buy a new bike. That's a heck of a thing to do. I commend you on that effort.

A couple of questions: How much have you saved up to pay for your riding gear, and have you factored in taxes, registration, etc? If you were to walk into a dealership with the MSRP in cash in your hand -- do you think it very likely that you would ride away on your brand new steed, without being in some additional debt?

A new bike is only new, for the seconds that it takes to ride it off the lot for the first time. From that point forward, it is used. Depreciation on a motorcycle is brutal.

If you were to buy that new bike, and decide 2 days later that you had made a bad decision and tried to sell it back to the same dealer that you bought it from.... you would lose thousands of dollars on the transaction.

If you were to have a minor accident, and decided to do as described above, it would be even worse. More so yet, if you have spent money on after market goodies as well.

Should you enter the motorcycle experience with a used bike, your financial pain is likely to be a lot less; and if this is your first bike, the fear of dropping your baby is reduced if someone else has already marked it up to some degree.

Gain experience on a beater, so you can treat the cherry bike with the degree of respect you probably want to.

Keep as much of your cash in the bank as you can, and keep saving.... when the time comes, you'll be able to use your used bike for a trade in and get nearly all of what you paid for that back. Spend money on gear and training, if you want to ride long term.
 
#5 ·
@jackzx There have been really few changes since 2013. Any of those bikes are going to have almost the same stuff as the 2016. No one has any solid info on the 2018 yet.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a low miles 2013+. Dealers might have these on trade in with a few thousand miles, or you might find one on CL. If it's an option, it'll save you a lot, and you won't miss anything with a 2014 or 2015 v the '16. Plus I think the 14 or 15 comes in all black.
 
#6 ·
There's a good chance 2018 will lose power if they were to do any change due to Euro 4.
I think the 2018 YZF-R6 will be losing about 6hp.

I don't know how much of improvement you can get, ZX-10R did get some minor updates but can you feel the dramatic difference? Probably not.

As for R6(I know it's a bit off topic), this review says he couldn't tell the difference between 2017 and previous gen (2006-2016) which kinda tells that bike was already damn good that it was so hard to make further improvements.
 
#11 ·
Jack, we have alot in common. My name is also Jack, I wanted a black 2016 ZX6R as well and did not want to go to the white and titanium.... but everywhere I searched, the black units were not to be found. I really thought hard about a 2017... and after seeing one in person, sitting on it and soul searching, I now own a 2017 ZX6R in white, non ABS. I love it. the white is MUCH easier to clean as it is gloss and not a matte texture. and I have already carbon fiber vinyl wrapped a few of the "Raw Titanium" parts so its starting to take the color effect I want. The other posts on this threat are solid. yo saved the cash, you are the boss and will make your choice. We cant make it for you.

as for the Yamaha R6...


There's a good chance 2018 will lose power if they were to do any change due to Euro 4.
I think the 2018 YZF-R6 will be losing about 6hp.

I don't know how much of improvement you can get, ZX-10R did get some minor updates but can you feel the dramatic difference? Probably not.

As for R6(I know it's a bit off topic), this review says he couldn't tell the difference between 2017 and previous gen (2006-2016) which kinda tells that bike was already damn good that it was so hard to make further improvements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnVgF1n-G2c
The 2017 R6 is the exact same engine, suspension and specs other than new body panels and relocation of lights and a tail job. all 4 major yamaha dealers in pheonix arizona confirmed this, as well as a few videos online. the R6 is even more of a track bike than the ZX6R, and much less comfortable

Happy hunting and I truly hope you find your Bike that makes you the happiest. Ride smart, ride safe.


(p.s. what country are you in? you said "In my country")

Jack
 

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#9 ·
Good riding gear will cost roughly $1000, between the helmet, jacket, gloves, riding pants, and footwear.

This is the most likely area a person will compromise In order to get on the bike.

Protecting the rider is more important than protecting the bike.

I'd suggest buying the gear, before the bike if you have to finance. It's tough to get properly fitting gear on the first try, and that can make it into a distraction. Sort that out first.

The gear is your last line of defense. Training should reduce the need to test the gear. The bike may help some, but it is ALWAYS the rider who decides.

A used bike may increase the budget for gear......
 
#13 ·
Yeah, if you could find a 2015/16 with ABS at a dealership, especially old stock, that would have been perfect. Understandable if you have limited selection this might not be easy.

Additionally, if you really want a Black bike, yeah, going out and buying a used green or red one, part of you is always going to be looking for that black bike. So that doesn't make sense. But if you don't want white, and you find someone selling a Black one and it's been well cared for, I wouldn't be too afraid of a used bike.

In the end you do have a lot of options, but at some point you'll hopefully decide, "Yeah, this is what I'm going to do." The doubt will be gone and you'll be confident and excited. Go get that bike, and learn to ride it.



And yes, there's a good chance you drop it. You could go forever and not drop it, but not learn to ride, either. As you seek to improve as a rider, you'll come upon skill or mental barriers you have not yet refined. When you push these appropriately, you can broaden your skillset as a rider, but it's at these points where you are taking a small risk. I didn't drop my first bike only because it was a 250 and was light. Otherwise I would have had a 0mph tip over. My 2nd bike I low sided because I was learning to lean more, and leaned right through the gravel patch.
 
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