[DirtRider]

I am looking at getting either a 2001+ gsxr 750 or a honda 929 or 954. I know this group is biased toward the fireblades but I am looking for some good feedback as to what are advantages and disadvantages of going with either bike. From what I have heard they are all reliable and fairly comparable so I am having a hard time deciding.
Some things I already know:

Pro Suzuki:
1. The 750 is nearly as powerful as the 900 class hondas and kicks butt. This 750cc rating is very favorable for insurance since it will save me a few hundred a year as I am 22 (even with a perfect record). State Farm insures by cc not by classification of bike so it saves me quite a bit.
2. The fuel injection is right on for the gsxrs vs a slight surge on the low end on the 929s (not sure about 954).


Pro Honda:
1. I have owned hondas before and they have the rep of best reliability.
2. The hondas are a bit more comfortable.
3. The hondas have a bit more torque for around town riding.

I am sure I am missing lots more so let me know.

Thanks

[Babrone]

Like you said, this may be the wrong forum to get a non-biased answer. I checked out the 750 and the seating position was very uncomfortable. Secondly, I have State Farm and they actually charge less for bikes above 900 cc's, since statistically more people/squids wreck the smaller 600 sport bikes.

[pczach]

DirtRider, I can't give good advice without first asking you some questions. How much street riding experience do you have, and on what bikes? Do you plan on riding solo all the time, or do you take a passenger often? What are the roads like in your area? Urban or rural? I think we should start off with a little info from you before I can give my opinion. I own a 2003 954, so you know that I obviously had the same decisions to make just a few months ago.

Yes, I am a Honda man!

[stegen]

Babrone : Secondly, I have State Farm and they actually charge less for bikes above 900 cc's, since statistically more people/squids wreck the smaller 600 sport bikes.

Wow, my state farm is different than yours. mines lower the less ccs

[asiliat]

I think as a riding experience, GSXR750 is bang for buck. Great handling, very competitve HP delivery, and frankly, even for stock, the noise is hype. GRFX (yellow/black) is spot on too. IMO of course.

However, everyone knows the general consensus for quality would go to Honda. Honda also owns the 750 in terms of brakes, which IMO is more important for street sportbikes.

I've not ridden the 750 before, so I can't say what the ergos are like after an hour. The Honda on stock suspension settings, aren't the most comfortable, and once the rear is jacked up for even better turning capabilities, it is downright painful if you're a wimp such as I. :> I can't imagine riding to NYC w/ my buddies this yr. 8 hr of hurt I imagine.

I'm just spewing poop, but I honestly believe all three bikes you listed are more fun than you can shake a broken stick at. You couldn't go wrong with either/or.

As a parting shot, I love, love, love my 929 trunk space.

[DirtRider]

pczach : DirtRider, I can't give good advice without first asking you some questions. How much street riding experience do you have, and on what bikes? Do you plan on riding solo all the time, or do you take a passenger often? What are the roads like in your area? Urban or rural? I think we should start off with a little info from you before I can give my opinion. I own a 2003 954, so you know that I obviously had the same decisions to make just a few months ago.

Yes, I am a Honda man!

Very intelligent questions....

I have ridden street for about 3 yrs straight. In dirt, I have ridden cycles for 2 years and atvs a couple years before that. I had my first 50cc yamaha zinger when I was 6 but my Dad decided to get out of motorcycling for over a decade so I had to as well. So basically I have been riding cycles for about 3 years.
I own a 95 honda magna and an 01 xr650L. I ride with chicagolandsportbikes.com members and I am the only one with a cruiser. Each time I go they say there is no way you will keep up and the only time they are ever right about that is when they go over 120. I can keep up through very fast twistys quite well as my very first ride of 250 miles with them 2 of 7 went down and it wasn't me and I was riding #3. I am not trying to brag about my riding skills because I have much I could improve on but I am just trying not to get any of the 'well you should start on a 600 type of responses'. I want more power to be able to grow into and not have to sell and buy a new bike within a year. I also don't want to have to rev the heck out of a 600 to go anywhere or always worry about being in a lower gear.
I live in a suburb of Chicago so much is urban riding. I do ride out over 100miles away occasionally to get to some nice roads. Most of my rides aren't over 150miles but I will sometimes go 300.
I do not take a passenger often but I would want to be able to do so once I find a girl worth taking along.

[jafo]

I agree that you cannot go wrong no matter which one you pick,each has its strength/weaknesses.That being said,I would buy the one that you get the best deal on,lowest mileage,well maintained,mature owner and of course $.
State farm also charges me by cc's,when I went from the 600 to the 929,my insurance almost tripled.I guess a vtx1800 is not in my future.

[ConqSoft]

Get the gixxer.

[nedro]

Not saying what to get. Just stating that the 929 is the easiest out of the three to ride fast. It's the most forgiving.

[stegen]

ConqSoft : Get the gixxer.

[pczach]

Thanks for the info!

The first thing is that you've made it obvious that you don't want to start on a 600. I think the latest 600's are much more bike than you are giving them credit for, but that is your call. With the info you gave me, the bike I would recommend is the 929/954. The reason is the low and midrange power that these bikes have. They are much better suited to stop-and-go riding when in town, will handle the additional weight of a passenger better with their superior torque, and have better brakes and a much more comfy riding position. The Suzuki 750 is an awesome bike, but does need to be kept at high revs to wring the most out of it. Not nearly as picky about gear selection as a 600, but definitely more needy than either of the Hondas. The Hondas are THE BEST street bikes out there. They are at their best on the streets because of their versatility, comfort, and performance.

I don't know how important looks are to you. Only you know which bike really does it for you. If you really have your heart set on the 750, go for it, but understand that they require more effort in the riding conditions you stated above. It's a great bike.....just different for the reasons I have stated. If you do track days, and love winding out the engine at high rpm's, the 750 is the bike for you. It is really fast under controlled conditions at the track.

The other thing to consider is resale value. The Hondas are one generation in a long line of never-ending literbike evolutions. The Suzuki 750 is discontinued, and the entire 750 displacement may never come back. This is going to hurt the resale value of the bike, and may even make finding parts hard and expensive down the road if you keep the bike a long time. Again, the Honda has the edge.

In the end, you have to get the bike that really screams to you. The one that makes you smile the widest when you ride it, sit on it, clean it, or just look at it. Choose wisely my friend, and enjoy whatever bike you decide on. Just be very careful, because either of these bikes will kill you in a heartbeat if you get reckless. The bikes you have ridden to this point don't even begin to prepare you for the power that will be available at your throttle hand. Be very aware of the right hand at all times until you are completely comfortable with the bike. I want you in one piece even if you are on a Suzuki!

I hope this helps.

Let us know what you decide!

Pete

[Keith1K]

You still looking for a dirt cheap bike, get the Gixxer

[BDA116]

I'm getting rid of my 954 for a 600.
If you're worried about insurance costs, it's cheaper still for a 600 than the 750. Also, have a little look see at how the Kwak 636 compares to the gixxer.
I've always had more fun on a 600 on the track than the bigger bikes, and get more satisfaction smoking bigger bikes on 'little 600s'.
A 600 also takes a lot more rider skill and ability to ride quickly than any liter bike.

That said, screw any numbers and pick the bike you think looks best. You won't be riding any of them to their limits.

[Mako]

My buddy has a new 2002 Gsxr 750 (stock) and I have a 2002 954 with Arata full system and Dan Kyle map, PCIII, and damper, and heli bars. I rode his bike for a bit on a recent ride. My impressions:

1. 954 has MUCH more power and a much fatter power band;

2. 750 feels taller and skinnyier (sp?);

3. Seat on the 750 is more comfortable;

4. 750 comes alive at about 8k rpms;

5. 954 feels rock solid and connected to the road, whereas the 750 feels like it is floating on top; and

6. Yellow and Black on the 750 is nice.

In a zillion years, I would not trade bikes for the 750. In fact the ONLY bike I would think about in lieu of the 954 is the gxsr 1000.

Good luck!

[Rigger]

if your going to get a gixxer spend the extra and just get a 1000 . and learn throttle control real fast. it's not the size of the bike its the size of your brain . i can waste my buddy on a 120 k run from calgary to canmore on my sisters r6 and he is rideing a gsxr 1000 . i make like five minutes on him . out and out on the straits he pulls away from a stop . but that is the only place he does. top speed he has me by 25 km/h but he can't ride it top speed on this route . so get a big bike, use your thinker and ride it for years to come , you will be happier in the long run

[Rigger]

but if you want chicks too swoon get a cbr 9xx

[Babrone]

Hmm, I guess State Farm has different policies in each area, I actually got quotes on a 600 and a 954, and the 954 was cheaper for me to insure.

[BizJetGuy]

Babrone : Hmm, I guess State Farm has different policies in each area, I actually got quotes on a 600 and a 954, and the 954 was cheaper for me to insure.

When I lived in Dallas, my State Farm policy was based on cc's as well... big difference from my F4 (read: increase).

Sorry for the *