Yamaha R6 vs Firestorm?

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Tempest
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Yamaha R6 vs Firestorm?

Post by Tempest »

Just wondering (though of course I should not even ask such questions) ;)

Does anyone know what a Yamaha R6 (2000 ish model) is like in comparison to a Firestorm?

The obvious or course, is we're looking at 600cc vs 1000cc.
And 4 cylinders vs 2 cylinders.

I seem to have read something about the R6 being bike of the year (during some years/times) so that sounds good.

I guess the R6 is lighter, and handles very good.

But then, would you have to rev like mad on a R6 to get the power on stream, whereas just opening the throttle (at almost any revs) makes the Storm Storm forwards :)

I have heard the Firestorm performs (in some ways) the same as a 600.

Just Wondering how they compare?
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Kitch
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Post by Kitch »

If you want to be "on it" and feel like a racer, then an R6 will be better. That 4 cylinder top end rush and a very sweet handling and rev-happy nature means you'll be caning it around grinning like a loon.

If banging it into 3rd gear and leaving everything for dead on corner exits is more your bag whilst you left foot does its own thing and rumbling past people sounding like a thunderstorm is more your bag, the R6 just can't cut it.

They both make similar power but the storm trounces the smaller Yammy on torque, so I guess it's down to your riding style. Everywhere in the red on the tacho or lazy with a smug grin that a big handful at any moment will make anything on the horizon get bigger very quickly.

As I hear from some folks, the Yam, being a 600 supersport track based weapon can be uncomfy as a day to day bike. The storm is much more layed back - still a sporty riding position, but relaxed enough to make a long ride or lots of use much more friendly.

As really, the handling advantage the R6 has only really show up when you're nailing it or are a very good rider, the storm will handle just as well even when you're going fast through the twisties.

If we're just chipolata waving, equal riders on both machines, the storm takes it purely cos it has 400cc more grunt.
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Stratman
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Post by Stratman »

with a smug grin that a big handful
I wish I could be smug with my big handful :evil:
Two bikes, still only four cylinders!

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sirch345
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Post by sirch345 »

Stratman wrote:
with a smug grin that a big handful
I wish I could be smug with my big handful :evil:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
DoodleBug
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Post by DoodleBug »

Well my track bike is a thundercat which is almost an R6 :roll: . The two main differences I notice are the engine braking (seemingly none on an IL4) and the torque. The 'storm is as chuckable as my 'cat, doesnt stop quite as well, even with the extra engine braking, but the engine braking does give you more feel going into a corner. Where on the storm you roll off into a corner, brake, then bang on the power coming out of the bend all without losing too much engine speed, on the 'cat I have to do all the stopping with the front brake, drop a gear or two, corner, then rev the nuts off of it coming out of the bend.

My 'cat out accelerates the storm, and has a higher top speed but that is only because I have fettled with the heads a bit (lot!).

On the road I prefer the twin, on the track the four.
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