questions about the hybrid.

[whiteboy19]

well my 2 year restriction is coming to an end and im really stuck on what i want to do next. the way i see it i have 2 options.
1- buy an fzr 600 and strip the 400 down clean up paint etc ready for the 600 engine to drop in and sell the 600 for parts.
or
2- just buy a "newer" 600 and sell the 400.

iv never ridden anything biger than my 400 soi wanted peoples views on bigger bike. just really want to know how the hybrid handles compared to say a 2000 r6? and speed asw ell are they as quick off the line etc? how easy is the swap to do meaning if i have the frame ready sat there just waiting for engine to go in how long would it take to transfer one engine to the other?

know they really newbie questions just quit new to all this.

thanks

[Rammy]

Buy the newer R6 or similar. They do exactly what they say on the tin the r+d work by the manufacturer is massive and they will suit a new rider better for getting miles under your belt on a bigger bike. I would rather be spending time riding a lighter faster r6 than working on ratios and bloody carb problems on a hybrid. I would save the tinkering until you get the lust for something to ride nobody else has. Thats what hybrid and specials are about really????? is that right guys????

I moved straight from a DT125 lc to a 1998 R1 nothing different apart from road holding and the sheer speed and aceleration in a sports bike. Take your time ride alone for a few months and keep it safe!

[plodder]

Even after my 3TJ hybrid was built and went like sh1t off a stick I still was not sure about keeping it for the simple reason that I was having trouble getting it insured.

In the current Health & Safety obsessed, risk averse world we live in, anything they (that is the suits that look at nubers and do;t want to know the difference between a deathtrap and a work of brilliance) can't pick off a list is too big a risk for them, so they turn you away.

And that's me, an old fart with a full bike licence for more than half my life. I don't know your story but I'm assuming you're young and what the insurance would class as a high risk. So that would be 2 factors against you.

So I would be very cautious and would say to get your insurance position clear before you started such a project because you may end up effectively bikeless at the end of it. Bikesure (Adrian Flux) were the only insurer I found who would cover the bike.

Besides, it's summer soon and unless you've got everything ready to go, you'll be well into the season before you get the bike built and will miss a load of the fun. And remember that nothing in specials is ever easy or standard fit. Unless you've got time or money to spend making or finding parts, the little things will cause problems.

So if I were you, I would get hold of an early ZX-6R, GSX-R600 SRAD or R6 and leave the specials stuff alone for a while. That is unless you've got the cash, time & space to do both, in which case, I wish you luck.

Oh, my 3TJ/600 hybrid handles like it's on rails and picks the front wheel up off the throttle. Top speed doesn't match newer 600s... only 140 but to be honest with that little screen 140 feels like it's going to spit you off the back . But the point is that it's 1989 G registered and it annoys new people on new stuff when they can't lose/catch an old duffer 400

[Evilchicken0]

I'd agree with the above. A hybrid is a bike you built, a wolf in sheeps clothing but it won't be better than a 2000 600. Maybe not the R6 just have a look at the insurance and add in a 750 SRAD or YZF750 and ThunderAce ... just for giggles

[whiteboy19]

thanks for all the replies. taking in everything said im taking your advise and leave the hybrid till got bit more riding experince and confidence. have been rinding for 4 years from a a reg 50cc 3 speed scooter then a 125cc chopper untill i got my beloved fzr. now really cant decide on what to get though. dont really want to spend anymore that a couple of grand. not the biggest of builds and what somethign i can chuck around corners on one knee and come out the other side with a big kick. been steering away a little from gsxr and cbr purely as they look quite bulky and heavy again having only ever ridden a 400 i wouldnt really know. but if you could point me in the right direction of bikes that will do the job for me that would be great. just out of interest what are the fzr600 like? worth a look?

thanks

[fzrtim]

I am lucky enough to own a few bikes, a 3tj 400, 3tj hybrid, fzr600, gsxr600 srad, zx7r, zx6r, and an aprilia rsv factory r. Out of all the bikes i have i mostly enjoy riding the 3tjs, mainly as im fairly short i find them well suited and they handle like they are on rails. Even though the 400 is lower powered than the bigger bikes, with the british speed limits i find it adequately fast enough for the road and a lot easier to ride than the aprilia (it demands respect!).
Its hard to say what bike you would be best with, as previously said most the 600s on the market are excellent off the peg. My srad for instance is an excellent all rounder, quite fast and forgiving bike, You can easily ride it all day long. Its a bit bulky compared to the newer 600s (huge after the 3tj) but it is really well ballanced and doesnt really feel too heavy. Its just from an era when bikes were made to look big.
My FZR6 is a 93 3he genesis. In comparison it is a handfull to ride fast. Steel frame, very pre mass centralisation. But has given me many years riding pleasure (even though i broke my back on it, my fault not the bike!) The fzr600r was a lot more refined and had an alloy frame unlike the thundercats that followed.
I would advise to try a few 600s out and if there not your thing think about the hybrid conversion. I love mine.
Oh and my srad is for sale, and the zx7, zx6 trackbike anyone...... :D

[Alex.]

The fzr600r was a lot more refined and had an alloy frame unlike the thundercats that followed.

I would agree with most of what Tim says, except that the FZR600R Foxeye had a steel frame, not ally!

The frame of the bike I broke for the engine in my hybrid, was flippin' heavy...

Alex.

[Evilchicken0]

Although the FZR600 has more torque it's quite a bit heavier ... so the net result isn't any better than the 400 ... just different.

Most of the 600's in your price range are going to be similar it's really just the styling and the different bias (ie more sport or allrounder).

Of course there's the other option ....

[cagiva996]

buy the best cbr600 you can afford,good handling plenty of novice freindly power and are finished very well.bit bland maybe but theyre feckin good,wont rot or rust and if you look after it you wont lose too much on it when you sell it cuz its a honda!cant beleive i just said all that-nurse!!!!!

[Evilchicken0]

buy the best cbr600 you can afford,good handling plenty of novice freindly power and are finished very well.bit bland maybe but theyre feckin good,wont rot or rust and if you look after it you wont lose too much on it when you sell it cuz its a honda!cant beleive i just said all that-nurse!!!!!

But they're so booooorrrriii zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz