Just to get people posting again lets see what you would choose as the best 600cc sport touring bike from the following.

I'm sure you could add bikes like the V-strom or the FZ-6 or whatever. But I'm trying to keep this shoot out with low tech 600's in a bargin price range. I'll give the Katana a pass because I don't think anyone would choose the 600 Kat, so we'll let the 750 take it's place.

Discuss!

My vote is for the YZF because of it's awsome fuel economy (50mpg), comfortable seating position and mid range power.

out of the three listed, YZF for me

Out of those listed i'd take the zzr600.

I've ridden an older katana and they're fine bikes, but i can't stand the new styling. Looks like some sort of retarded/bloated sea creature.

The YZF is doubtless a decent bike, if a bit heavy for a middleweight (~420lbs - as much as my 919). It's a tried and true design that hasn't been changed in many years which means it's a good overall design, but definately on the aged side. It also looks it's age, IMO, and isn't extremely attractive (but light years ahead of the katana - that thing looks like something out of SeaQuest DSV).

So that leaves the ZZR600. Usually i'm not a Kawa fan (especially with those digital tachs, ugh!), but i like the design of the bike overall. It looks sporty with the split seat, but not as aggressive seating position as a lot of sportbikes. It's also got some hefty brakes, accentuating the sporty nature of the bike, and just plain looks good.

zzr600 for me...

Oh, and i wouldn't really call any of these bike sport tourers. They're more of the bargain middleweight sportsbikes, imo. Shoot, my 919 is more of a sports tourer (i.e. relatively much more comfortable) than any of these...not to mention faster (which has nothing to do with anything...just saying... 8) ).

agreed yep yep !!!

I can't speak for any of these bikes, but I do believe anything with the word "touring" in it needs to have a fairing for wind protection. I can't see spending many hours cruising at highway speed on naked bike.

I probably wouldn't tour on a 600 but if I had to pick one of these three for long hauls, it would be the YZF. The ZZR is a fine bike but lack of fuel gauge or even a fuel warning light would bother me when touring.

My sons both have sport bikes--one a CBR600F4I and the other the ZZR600. The ZZR is a pretty comfortable bike. I haven't ridden a long distance on it, but I am sure that I could. (It is certainly more comfortable than my 599, but I wouldn't trade!)

I actually bought a '01 F4i here recently with the intention to flip it (in the financial sense of the word), but love it so much that i think i'm gonna keep it. They're really a lot more comfortable than i thought...not NEAR as bas as some of the newer sports bikes (ie Honda RRs, R6, etc). Everything is just so...effortless.

I think if I wanted to head in that direction with a bike purchase, I'd hold out for an interceptor. I really like the white one from last year.

I agree with the Hokie. BTW you are close to me we should try to ride together sometime.

I've ridden a friend's Kawi ZZR 600. It's an ok bike, but certainly not as nice as the 599. I'd pick it over the others (and I agree with the comment about the Katana being like an ugly sea creature -- a mutilated sea cucumber is my choice.) I just do NOT understand, however, why people think that you need "wind protection" in order to "tour". On the ZZR, the wind off the fairing bats my helmet around. NOT GOOD!!!! In fact, it's terrible. It would wear me out in no time. On the 599, there is NO turbulence, and I can ride (and do ride) forever in perfect comfort.

Don't fall into the trap of assuming that bigger is necessarily better. Some people may in fact fit better on a larger bike, but the 599 has ample power and accommodations to serve as a touring bike if you set it up as one. You simply need to understand how to set up a bike (and your own self) so that it fits and is comfortable. Most people don't get this, so they don't try.

The 599. I can do 500 mile days with no worries.

In addition to being partial to Hondas I am also partial to Suzukis. I chose the Kat 750 because even even though it is "older" I love those old Gixxer motors. Suzuki really did overbuild them and they are basically bulletproof. I also would like the extra torque of a 750.