"Aahhh...now we're getting into my home turf. No, the FZR600 does not handle like an FZR400, and has little in common with a YZF-R6 (the aluminum frame alone sets the other two bikes apart). However, this bike still works as well or better on the road than any of its modern counterparts, at least until speeds are pushed beyond reasonable limits. And I have a rather generous definition of reasonable, especially when the roads involved are far from populated areas, clean, and offer a clear view through the apices and vertices of the fun stuff.

The 600's long-stroke mill is much better suited to street use than those of its recent competition. Even the highly-touted CBR600F4 feels a bit flat compared with the FZR until the tach needle sweeps past ten grand. And though the Fizzer is about the same weight as its contemporaries, it's narrower and runs on slender wheels, giving it a light yet precise feel at the bars. The suspension is compliant and quite comfortable on the freeway, yet still works fairly well when the horizon starts to tilt. A tankbag and tailpack transform this bike into a respectable week-long sport-tourer; an aftermarket shock and a pair of Bridgestone's marvelous new BT56 SS-Type or Metzeler's MEZ1's turn it into an extremely competent canyon carver.

The Verdict
Just do it. Let your friends spend thousands of extra, hard-earned dollars on their R-this and GSX-that. Take the extra dough you save, buy the best protective gear, and put yourself through several riding schools. If you still think you need the extra 25 horsepower of the F4 and its ilk to keep up with your buddies on the street, you're a prime candidate for one of our Final Analysis columns. Besides, there aren't enough R6's to go 'round, anyhow."