New Bike Suggestions/Tips

Hi all, I am considering getting a bike after a 6 year absence from
Riding. I am looking for something that is good for the daily commute
and for some week-end fun. I no longer have a burning need to go fast or
to hang off the bike when cornering I think something between 600 and
900cc would do.

I am cost constrained as I don't want to spend a large amount of money
and am budgetting around $12-13K for the Bike which should get me
something ok. I'm a heavy set guy around 6'2" so low-riders and smaller
bikes are out

I am looking at the following bikes and would welcome any opinions on them:

Suzuki GSF750F (I had a 600 version of this in the early 90's and was
very happy with it.) I can get one new for $12K On Road - price, power
and size are about rite currently tops my list.

Suzuki SV650S(I kinda like the idea of a V-Twin and the sound of em).

Honda VFR800 (probably second hand as it is outside my price range new).

Honda VTR1000F Firestorm (again probably second hand given its price new).

Over the next few weeks I'll test ride these but am interested in
hearing any opinions on the current range of bikes (sport/tourers) out there

Cheers

Rob

 

All good choices on your parameters- also consider Triumph Sprint, BMW R1100,
TDM850/900.

A touch outside your parameters but consider Bandit 1200, ZRX1200, Monster, and
the chookies on steroids brigade (DL650/1000 etc)

JL

 

s/h CBR600F4i, ZX636 might work well. I had a CBR600F2 as my
commuter/weekend bike and it did two years of solid riding with a few oil
changes, a couple of tyres one or two workshop services (to do the valves
clearances) and it never missed a beat. I am 6'4" and was 100kg and it was
comfortable and nimble, had good power for the weekend, withstood thousands
of backfires and scrubbed up well after getting covered in mid winter grit
and grime.

You could also try a Tarax 850, (or TDM900 as John Littler has suggested),
s/h BMWR1100S, s/h SV1000. If you're commuting and weekend riding a second
handy with 3000 k or so on it isn't going to make much of a difference to
what you'll rack up over the next couple of years and you'll escape a chunk
of depreciation.

 

Don't pass up a ZX9R either if you're looking in thar league. They're
definately not super sports oriented. Or a ZX6R of course, one of my all
time bikes of choice, as many will know well.

Cam
'03 954

 

But for the fact they're butt-ugly to look at. Last week I was quoted $11k
on the road, by the way.
- sanbar

 

2003 VTR1000F can be obtained for 12999 ride brand new away from honda.

 

Yeah, was able to get a hold of 03 run out ZX9's when i was looking, on road
for a tad over 13K... so im sure a s/h 02 would be a good price.

 

I wouldn't consider a Triumph unless you want continued aggravation over
warranty issues and pay rip off prices for normal consumable spares.
My 02 Speed Triple is crap I would never touch another Triumph.
S3

 

I don't think you can go past the 02/03/04 Honda CB900 hornet for the duties
that you mentioned;
- Strong, Torquey engine that will run forever and a day.
- Fantastic build quality
- Good brakes
- Good seating position (even for someone 6'2")
- Nice handling.

You could probably pick up a second hand one of these within your budget - a
much better bike than the GSF750 you mentioned imho. Go and have a ride of
one - you might be surprised.

Cheers,
Rob
01' 929RR

 

In the same price range is the 1200 Bandit. You should be able to ride away
on one of these brand new for < $12K

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

snip

You were first


Bandit ($1000 cash back going at the moment, probably '03 models, who
cares...) will be on the money.
Stevens/ Dandenong has a 955 based NEW Tiger ('03 model), one-only for
13999, if you talk hard and fast, you should get it onto the road for
that...
Similar deals at Action/ Stevens on the V-Stroms ('03 models), slightly
higher than the Tiger.
With 6'2 you're perfect for one of those big chookies.
Not sporty enuff? Ride 'em !! first before judging.
cheers
pete

 

Actually the Bandit probably cheaper than the TDM... Yamaha dealer I was at
this morning had a brand new TDM900 (not sure if it was 03, 02, 01) for $12990
(it didn't say if that was ride away price or + ORC so I guess it is safe to
assume it is + ORC)

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

Thanks for all the input. I'll try and check some of these out this
weekend. Wow so much choice!

Thanks

RobM

 

F4i allegedly has big problems with cam chain tensioners
breaking. I know of a couple that have gone, and word seems
to be that it's a known common failure. Honda are on their
third revision of the part, and it's still not good. Don't
buy one without plenty of warranty left on it methinks.

G

 

As an ex TRX850 owner I would happily recommend them however they don't really
meet his criteria - a comfy touring/commuting bike they ain't (although I did do
Briz - Syd in one hit on it so it's a matter of pain threshold in that regard,
and commuted on it for 18 months <shrug>)

JL

 

....snip

Ahhh, you'd be Biggus' brother then ? Or Hatz' cousin ?

Sorry to hear you haven't had good service from Triumph, that's often more to do
with your dealer than the distributor, and there's certainly plenty of happy
Trumpy owners and ex-trumpy owners around (paging Doug, Alx and Clem....)

JL

 

Prolly, but then the TDM prolly meets his criteria better than the Bandit does


JL
96 Bandit 12
89 KR1

 

Yeah, but the bandit is so .....nothing. Nothing but a fuckin great
engine....left me cold.

 

The SV650 should also be grouped with the smaller bikes. I am the same
height as you and find long rides on the sv650 rather uncomfortable.
Any longer than an hour in the saddle and my knees and wrists are
knackered. The naked version of the SV has a slightly more upright
riding position which might suit a little better. Good luck.

Salih
SV650s

 

....snip

Trolling for a bite ? I won't argue - the engine is fantastic, but if you're
looking for something sporty it ain't it. It lacks ground clearance and the
suspension is soggy. On the other hand it's great for what I bought it for -
it's excellent two up, it's comfy it's cheap to run and maintain, it's a wheelie
monster without chewing tyres like your two bikes do.

Put it this way, it's extremely popular with middle aged blokes who've been
riding for years going by the demographic on the Bandit list (I was one of the
youngsters.....)

JL