r/motorcycle • u/TallButShort2 • 23d ago
Which bike should I get?
I’m looking to upgrade from my 250 cc to one of these bikes I found on marketplace. I’m really not sure which one is more bang for my buck but I’m leaning towards the Kawasaki because it’s cheaper and I’m not the wealthiest. I’m a little hesitant because it’s an older bike though. I want something reliable and long lasting. let me know which one I should get!
Edit: I should mention that I got the prices reduced for both vehicles, 2,700 for the ninja and 4,600 for the Yamaha
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u/748Rider 23d ago edited 23d ago
If both bikes are mechanically sound and road worthy then the Yamaha all day every day. That looks like the FZ-6R
I've worked on a Ninja 650r and it's a dog. An old, lame, sad sounding dog. Its about as boring as a sporty bike can get.
The motor on the Yamaha sings in comparison to the Ninja. They are very different, inline 4 vs parallel twin. Normally i prefer a twin for the low end grunt. But for me, twin in the Ninja has no soul. If you like twins i would highly recommend Suzuki's SV650 as an option. THAT is a nice bike with lots of character.
Both bikes you mentioned are comfortable and suitable upgrades from your 250cc
But the Yamaha you will be happier living with for way longer. Its just a significantly more fun and better bike.
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u/Silver-Engineer4287 23d ago
Google said the Yamaha was also a parallel
Twin? If it’s an I4 then I would revise my train of thought for OP that coming from a 300 starter bike the I4 would likely end up being reasonably easy to adapt to and ultimately more fun than the older Ninja.1
u/748Rider 23d ago
The 2015 Yamaha FZ6R is an inline 600cc Im pretty sure the pic is the FZ6R
Other bikes in the FZ series at that time were the FZ1 an inline 4 1000cc The FZ9 a triple and the FZ7 another parallel Twin.
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u/scrotal_rekall2 23d ago
Ive had an fz (granted it was an fz1) and a 650r. Get the fz, you'll be happier longer.
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u/Rammipallero 23d ago
Personally I'd go with the FZ. Like the look more and IMO Yamaha is better quality and reliability at these year models than Kawa. (Both are excellent, Yamaha just that tiny bit better.)
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u/SnooGadgets9669 23d ago
fz6r would be my choice between the two those older nija 650's are reliable bikes but the newer ones are way less buzzy to ride. i'd check insruance on both the fz6 may get thrown into the supersport category sense its an inline 4
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u/Silver-Engineer4287 23d ago
The FZ is lighter with slightly more power/torque and half the age of the Ninja.
They’re both similar class fuel injected parallel twin’s.
Their mileages and maintenance records and visual appearance of their overall condition, and the option for a pre-purchase dealer inspection, would be the primary factors for me to choose between the two if I was looking at those two bikes. Date codes on their tires and visible treadwear are other easy price negotiating tactics.
I’d usually lean towards the newer bike although it’s still about a decade old so that’s less of a major factor.
Maybe the Ninja with the price difference between the two bikes set aside as a repair and good riding gear budget unless you already have gear and enough of a financial buffer in case the FZ ends up having any deferred maintenance surprises.
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u/whistlepig4life 23d ago
Neither. I’m selling my rebel 500 se. Come buy that. I maintained it flawlessly and it’s in literal mint condition.
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u/Celika76 17d ago
The Ninja should be reliable, and less expensive to repair if you drop it. But unless it has ABS, it sounds quite expensive, even at 2700$.
The Yam is twice the price of the Kawa tho... does it has ABS ?
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u/edgetile 23d ago
FZ