Hello guys!
Currently, I am riding a Kawasaki Ninja 650 that is limited to 35kW. That limit will be lifted in a few weeks due to my age (23 almost 24). I am thinking of upgrading to a ZX6R 2024 or a BMW S1000RR 2020-2024. I am not entirely unfamiliar with higher-powered motorcycles, although I haven’t ridden a supersport before. I have ridden a bit on an MT-09, a Street Triple, and a Triumph Rocket 3. just swapping bikes for a bit with friends.
I will be using the bike for daily commuting and, once or twice a year, a longer road trip. My main focus is more on having fun than being comfortable.
Which of these two would you recommend? Do you guys have any other suggestions? I like the S1000RR more than the ZX6R, but I’m not sure if the powerband of a supersport is so different that it would be unwise to choose the S1000RR over the ZX6R.
I would personally take the ZX6R. I'm actually surprised at how little weight difference there is between the two, but either one should be fast enough for any purpose, both will have very race oriented ergonomics that will make them terrible for long distance trips so if you're already committed to that there's nothing to be gained or lost there. The ZX6R has a noticeably shorter wheelbase and should be more nimble at low speeds, e.g. commuting.
But at a $5896 price difference between the two, you could use the change left over from buying the Kawasaki versus the Beemer to buy another entire bike. Or failing that, a lot of oil, tires, fuel, chains, jackets, and helmets.
That, and I do not relish the thought of having to wrench on a modern BMW anything. That's just me.