I dont think anyone can tell you which of these to like. They both have such obvious differences. For me, I dont like 600cc in traffic. No motorcycle should be an adventure (in a bad way) leaving a stop light. I feel the 600's are. Not that there is no power. The power is there, but you need to rev the bike to get it.

Look at a dyno chart. At 4000 rpm, the 600 offers up 25 hp. The Ninja closer to 50...really more like 60 if you let Ivan remap the ecu. Which do you think is more fun, and easier to ride in traffic? Maybe even safer, but who can answer that?

I think the 2013 zx6 is better, but why buy new when there are so many used bikes around in the class?

I believe in the correct bike for the riding conditions. I dont like my Ninja 1000 on the supercross track. I dotn like 600's in town.

 

Given the bigger displacement of the Ninja 1000 and the price difference between the tow bikes as well, I think that I would go with the Ninja 1000.

What is making you consider the ZX6R?

 

the difference is sport vs supersport. the ZX6 will blow N1K off the road, ZX10 is a different story. It depends on what your intentions are. The Ninja 1000 will be a hands down more comfortable bike, something more than capable of laying down a couple hundred miles comfortably in a day, where as the ZX6 you're looking at very hunched over ergos. Cool for shooting around town but your wrists will hate you.

 

Alright calm down, a ZX6 will not blow an N1K off the road. If you mean on twisty's or on a track then yes of course. But doing freeway pulls with my 2022 N1K I've taken every 636 gen to gapplebee's. Of course my N1K has a stabilizer, lithium battery(-4.5lbs), sprocket change(1 up in front and rear), 520 chain(-.2lbs rotational weight), Puig windscreen, fender eliminator/block off plates, and a full arrow exhaust(-22lbs), dynotune/custom eco remap(2-5hp). But even stock doing pulls IN STRAIGHTS I'd keep up with any 600 only 2-3 car lengths behind no problem. I believe I've set the record at 167 speedo on my 2022 N1K, the gearing change and 50->55 tire I forgot to mention also makes the speedo read more accurate than stock. I got sato racing rear sets coming in which should shave off some additional weight. After I drop another 5-10lbs body weight I'm expecting to see 168-169 speedo. I understand at redline a 636 of new gen and even older will read the same if not higher. However, their speedos aren't set up to be as accurate as mine. Of course I'm only talking about straights here. Cause of my gearing a 636 may catch me in a 60-80 roll for a half car length until my top end matches them then pulls ahead. Any pulls done above 90, my N1K and a 636 are dead even. Thank you for your time everyone lol. Wish me luck in making the fastest N1K y'all have ever seen. I'm sure a 636 will all these mods would make it feel like mine was somewhat stock again, but I haven't found a modded 636 to test this theory.

 

^ good way to put it.
it will help a lot of people to sit on both to really get a feel for it with their height and weight and to know what will work best for them

 

I wouldn't say the 600s have no power.. They have pretty decent power in my opinion

1000ccs aren't all that much better in traffic. Especially 4 cylinders.

Get a twin if you want to have fun in traffic.

But you are comparing a super sport to a sport

Go sit on both. Maybe get a test ride if possible.

 

600's are good, they're not too powerful, still practical for every day riding and even good for newbs once they're careful enough

 

If it wasnt for the awful ergos I'd say go for the ZX6R, the power delivery is awesome.

 

This is pretty much the crux of the dilemma. I'd ride my old GSXR everywhere and anywhere and all the time but it's just not practical due to ergos and storage.....

If I ever get around to putting the helibar clip ons, that's gonna change things enough comfort wise, with time I bet I could get some sort of reasonable storage on it that doesn't look out of place. Pure ride experience the sport just doesn't touch the little SS. Sure it's one of if not THE most impractical bike for street, pulling out from a stop requires a ridiculous amount of throttle.

People own them for the cool factor. It's by far being my first SS, the coolest bike I've ever owned. It overrides the impracticality times ten lol.

 

Yea very different ergonomics

Sit on both and compare.

 

Very different bikes after looks. Like most have said, the 1000 will give you more power and comfort while only weighing a little more. Now if track days are a big part of your life I'd steer towards the 600 but if not the better day to day bike would be the 1000.

 

Agreed. For day to day the 1000 would be better

As a track bike or carving the backroad everyday the 600 would be better.

 

I agree with most, comparing these two bikes is like comparing a sport sedan and a 2 seat roadster. One bike is sporty but a lot more practical and comfortable. The other is just pure aggressive sport you can ride to the edge.
If your intent is doing a lot of track days and riding with aggressive riders in isolated country roads the 600 is the bike.
If you are looking for more realistic riding somewhat within the speed limits and some traffic, the N1K makes more sense.
I test rode the R1, and after 20 miles, I was tired not just at the wrists but my neck holding my head up. Needless to say I'm older and not in shape to ride this bike for sustained amounts of time. I will, however, ride my Ninja for 400 to 500 miles a day still.

 

So... I just traded a 2013 ZX6R in for a 2014 Ninja 1000. These bikes are extremely different. For everyday commuting use, the ZX6R is an absolute back-breaker - especially with a backpack on. If you have a long commute, you'll start to feel the hurt everywhere. It's an amazing machine, and loves the twisties. The 600-class power and heavy engine braking help greatly to reduce entry speeds, encouraging throttle through the turns. By contrast, the Ninja 1000 is noticeably heavier, and has almost zero engine braking (at least from 7k RPM and lower). I could go on forever, but the experiences are as different as night and day.

 

"almost zero engine braking"

You have got to be kidding me! I'm not sure we have the same bike.
My 2014 is obnoxious with regards to engine braking.
Engines make for very expensive brakes and it's too easy to unsettle the chassis for my tastes. I'm going to do an ECU flash to smooth out the on/off throttle efi issues and to REDUCE engine braking.

To each his own...

 

Haha for what it's worth, I did say "By contrast" (to the 636), so no - I'm not kidding at all. If you think this engine braking is bad, you'd be completely blown away by a supersport.

 

No Doubt...especially a poorly tuned one that still has EPA stuff in place.

 

This engine braking is so interesting. My stock 2012 ninja had a lot.

Ivan reflashed it and reduced it 50-75%.

THEN, he updated his flash, and its down another 50-75%.

I dont quite know what to think. If its tunable, its not just the nature of the bike, is it?

I wish you guys could try an original yamaha yzf400f. It would send you over the bars if you shut the throttle off. ANYTIME, anywhere.

 

I have both.

If I had to give up one of them I would keep the Ninja 1000. It's a better all around street bike by far.

The Ninja 1000 is more comfortable, has more power where you need it and capable of taking you far from home for days at a time while still being a pretty capable bike for attacking the twisties. It is however a bit of a compromise.

The ZX6R is a focused super sport bike and is much better for attacking corners and has enough power to keep you grinning! Good for an afternoon of strafing backroads. It is almost 100 pounds lighter than the Ninja 1000.

It really all depends on how you plan to ride and what you want from a bike.

 

Looks like I have similar bikes to what you're talking about. I have my Ninja because it's similar to my GSXR 600, and I like to ride a lot further and longer so hence the Ninja, but it's not THAT similar.

For the pure ride I highly doubt anything would ever come close to my old GSXR lol, no way not for me anyway. Some days I get off of it feeling a buzz.

Leaving every stop light an adventure lol how true. I've had the 600 long enough now but still just stalled pulling out two days ago. The Ninja pulls out like my last Harley don't need no throttle...

With the SS you probably won't be doing any full day rides or over nighters.

The ZX6R appears to be a thoroughbred. It does one thing and most likely does it poetically.

When I first got the Ninja I thought I'd probably be selling the SS, but that's just not happening....

 

JJs, I know we have proof of everything you said. If we didn't, what you said sounds like one of those fishing stories.

I can't think of many bikes where an exhaust system would offer an extra 5 hp. +17 is not at all normal.

That can't be an accident. I would bet Kawasaki wanted this bike at 120-130 hp. When the engine was built, they restricted it to their lower limit.

Like you said, the added power just helped the bike. It wasn't like an engine tuned to the ragged edge like you get if you add that much power to most engines.

 

JJs, I know we have proof of everything you said. If we didn't, what you said sounds like one of those fishing stories.

I can't think of many bikes where an exhaust system would offer an extra 5 hp. +17 is not at all normal.

That can't be an accident. I would bet Kawasaki wanted this bike at 120-130 hp. When the engine was built, they restricted it to their lower limit.

Like you said, the added power just helped the bike. It wasn't like an engine tuned to the ragged edge like you get if you add that much power to most engines.

My numbers were exactly what Ivan said they would be.

 

Make your buying experience an event. You're shopping for something you're going to live with. Give it a few weeks, weekends, hit the used market, put cash in their hand and RIDE anything that catches your eye. Make it fun. Don't fall in love with the first bike you see there's too much option out there.

I rode a few with cash in hand. Soo happy I walked away from the FJR. From there I learned I wanted a sport bike I could lightly tour on, not a sporty touring bike !!!!

I generally hate shopping but strongly encourage you to take as much time and ride as many bikes. There's ALWAYS another good deal coming up. Just check FBMP once a day, you'll only get new listings first in your searches (create many) and be ready to MOVE when something that looks good comes up. The best deals don't last long.

Also IMO strongly advise buying used, even if it's almost new the first guy took the big hit money wise, not you...

I got a $12,000+ bike, four years old, 540 miles, for $9000. It's showroom condition. I feel really good about stuff like that..

 

I am seriously considering a Ninja 1000, and another bike that keeps coming to mind is the ZX6r.

I like the fact that the Ninja 1000 is cheaper, and has a bigger engine.

Any suggestions ?

I currently have a ZG1000.

Given you have a z1000. I bet the 1000sx is very similar. Mine performs very nicely in canyons with all the weight I cut off, she’s still quite a heavy monster. But she’s very comfortable and the power is always there, no need to rev up or go down a gear like a zx6. Both are amazing bikes, I own an R7 and Ninja 1000sx both stage 1 dynotune. Instagram: dgreen462