Bike Recommendations

Hi people ,

I am in the market to get a new bike and want to get a naked bike with a
more of an upright riding position.

I have reduced the list down to 5 bikes , but I can't really get any
satisfactory reviews of the bikes because they are either too old or from
outside Aust where the road/weather conditions are different from Aust.

So my list is :
CB 900F Hornet
CB 1300F ( naked , no faring )
XJR 1300 Yamaha
GSX 1400 Suzuki
GSF 1250 Bandit ( naked , no faring )

I have a bit of a preference towards the CB 900F and the CB 1300 and have
ridden them , but I don't know anything about the other bikes.

Has anybody got experience/comments/opinions of these bikes ?


Thanks.



--

 

Owned a Bandit (1200S though not the new 1250), have ridden the XJR
for quite a few miles and the CB900 and GSX1400 for a quick test ride.

Are you definitely looking at the 1250 (ie less than 1 or2yr old IIRC)
or are you looking at the older 1200 bandit - there's quite a
difference I'm told - the new one is lighter, water cooled and better
ergonomically. My only real complaint about the bandit was poor fuel
economy (quite thirsty), and the seat slid you down towards to the
tank. I'm told (although I didn't get around to doing anything about
it to find out) that the emulsion tubes wear into an oval shape in the
carbs and that's what causes the poor fuel economy (ie it's fixable)

The short answer is none of them will let you down they're all pretty
much bullet proof, none of them are particularly light or nimble, but
short of chasing hard arsed sports bikes it'll do as much as most
people want.

I had to take the centre stand off the bandit as it had insufficient
ground clearance with it on, however my bandit had better clearance
than the GSX14 and possibly a smidgen more than the XJR. CB900 is the
sportiest of the lot.

All of them used old school long model run motors bar the CB900 so
parts are easy and cheap.The 1250 however is I think a new motor so it
wouldn't be as available or cheap (but I'm pretty sure based on your
blurb that you meant the 1200).

All of them bar the XJR have fairly rudimentary suspension, the XJR
has entry level ohlins which put it well ahead of the rest. Money
spent on suspension setup would be well spent.

JL

 

Are you talking new new?

If so you might have to grab a 900 Hornet while you can.

It seems that Honda Oz are going back to importing the 600..... not that
that would be a bad option.

I suppose, if you are seven foot tall, built like a brick dunny and have
an SO to match, you need to look at the big bore beasties, but the
smaller nakeds are pretty good fun too.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

I'd got the Hornet. Runout deals according to the guy at my Honda dealer
today. $12k ride away was the figure mentioned before haggling.

Fraser

 

Thanks for the reply.

I am looking to buy a new bike , the Bandit that I was thinking of is the
1200 without the faring that was around last year or so .
What you have written is the type of info that I want to know , particularly
for the Bandit and the XJR and CB900 , it will give me something to think
about before I decide on what I am going to get.

I have read quite awhile ago that the XJR has a old type of motor and it's
old technology , but it's interesting about what you have said about the
suspension.

Basically the type of bike that I want is similar to the CB1300 , XJR 1300
and the GSX 1400 , naked without faring and with of than upright riding
position , I would have preferred a bike around the 750 - 900 cc range , but
they don't really make them so I have to go up to the 1200 - 1400 cc bikes.



--

 

Yes , I am talking about a new bike.

I can get a 900 Hornet for $12500 ride away with some extra stuff on it ( in
Perth ) , yeah , they are good value at the moment.
The 900 Hornet is a fairly quick and nimble bike and after riding the CB
1300 , I have found that the CB 1300 has a few extra refinements and that
the throttle is a lot smoother and less jerky than the 900.

Basically I can't really decide on the 900 Hornet or the CB 1300 , they both
have good qualities and a few things that I am not keen on , it would be
good if all the good things could be combined into one bike.

The 600 Hornet sounds interesting , I have heard that Honda will be
importing them to Aust , but I would have to wait too long before they are
put on the market.

Thanks for your reply.



--

 

Yeah , I was quoted $12500 ride away for the 900 with a few extra bits and
pieces on it in Perth.

It looks like I will need to take the 900 for a demo ride to see how it
goes , I have ridden a demo bike one about a dozen times when I have had my
bike in for a service , but that was quite awhile ago .

Thanks for the reply.


--

 

Go see Rowan at Rick Gills.

Fraser

 

In aus.motorcycles on Wed, 5 Dec 2007 17:24:56 +0900

<innocent look> 850 Griso </innocent look>

Zebee

 

The Triumph Street Triple. ~~~

justAL

 

Thanks , but I don't believe a bike should have 3 cylinders.



--

 

Go away...

 

The extra cylinder you're asking for is going to waste then!


justAL

 

Some of the best bikes do, Laverda Jota, triples are inherently smooth, BMW
K75's were highly regarded and a favorite of ageing old farts now.

Boxer

 

Dial up what 2nd-hand 900 Hornets are selling for (the few that actually
SELL!!) before you define that "bargain"......

 

As opposed to all that "new" technology like pistons and spark-plugs and
stuff?

 

Get fucked!

 

Maybe I should rephrase that to old design type of motor.


--

 

In aus.motorcycles on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:43:06 +1100

For some reason I thought the T had heated grips... but apparently
not.

Breva panniers fit fine although the bracketing is slightly uglier
when removed as they have a longer bracing bar at the back.

The official rack for the topbox (Breva or Norge) is ruinously
expensive and you should probably find someone who has one and get the
rack copied by a welder. If it's mate's rates it should come at less
than the $500 they want for the rack.

It is.... You also get a little more plastic. THe plastic at the
back is useful as otherwise the rear tyre can throw mud at you in bad
conditions and have a little get through, but a $250 hugger from
Skidmarx in the UK (local agent streetfighter.com.au who also do a
bigger screen) will solve that.

I note that Aitkens (www.aitkens.com.au) still has the T demo on the
floor with panniers fitted and maybe even topbox I can't recall.

It won't have much if any warranty left and has some mileage on, but I
bet if you offered 'em 18 with the amount of rego left (which is
bugger all but you want to re-rego it anyway) they'll take it.

Zebee

 

So did I. It doesn't?

I got one from Mario. I think it was about $150-200. I'm using my 12 yo Givi
box.

Theo