SV650 (1000), VFR 800, TCat, Falco, ST4s - which ?

I am currently riding a 125 varadero (biggish 150 kg bike with small
engine). Have had it for about 3 months - a month of country a roads -
followed by a couple of months commute into london. Going well - but
bike is sluggish at lights sometimes and gets you into trouble if the
guy in car decides to keep up and not let you in.

Therefore I am doing my DAS and want to upgrade to something with
better low/midrange - not bothered about ultimate topend. Needs a
comfy upright position. So :

What are your arguements for/against the above for me - are any of
them too much too soon ? Am I paying for stuff I wont appreciate on
any of them ?

Cheers,

Karl

 

kw1976 wrote in message ...

I know it's not on your list, but if you're still doing country roads as well you'll find a BMW F650
very comfortable, and with a lot more 'oomph' than the 125, especially as you're used to the
'Trailie' style 125 Varadero.

OK so it's not a 'rocket-ship' but it a very versatile bike.

Have a peek at http://www.BMWF650.co.uk to see some of the 'fun' we have.

 

Naked SV650 (for the upright position) - goodd low-down power, sensible
insurance. Or a Fazer 600.

 

I think you might be overestimating how big a bike you need. Almost anything
above 250cc will give a huge improvement over what you're currently riding,
and tbh a thou could be overkill.

Like AndrewR said previously, check insurance prices first. You may well
find that something like an ER-5 or CB500 is your best/only option.

 

Seconded for obviously biased reasons. Excellent in town - easy to
carve through traffic.

Excellent out of town too. I've only ever been left beind by others in
flat out acceleration at high speeds on dual carriageways.

Not too bad on the insurance.

Consider fitting a fly screen.

I would also say, depending on budget etc that you consider a 600 Bandit.

--
John

SV650
Black it is
and naked

 

dixit kw1976:

what everyone else said, plus

1. they're all way too much except possibly the sv650 and the thundercat.
2. they all have a sporty-ish riding position except the svs.

recommendations: f640gs/cs, pegaso, freewind, or transalp - upright
position, decent torque, cheap to run and easy handling.

 

The SVS (faired) has a sportyish riding position...

the naked one doesn't.

 

As others have said, you're probably falling into the "I need loads more
stomp" feeling that we all have riding 125s. I'd recommend a CB500, but then
i have one so that's prolly a bit obvious. If you like the style/layout of
your 125 then perhaps try a Transalp?

Cheers,

Jon H.

 

I am currently riding a 125 varadero (biggish 150 kg bike with small

OK, I come from a Thundercat, now on a Big Varadero.

I would happily suggest a Tcat as a first big bike. They are very 'user
friendly' in that they have superb brakes, good midrange(so you don't have
to screem it everywhere) decent handling and tends to be a little more
stable at the cost of the latest in 'flickability'. It will still seem a
massive jump the first time you get on one as any 600 will. Tcats also have
a brilliant community at http://groups.msn.com/yamahathundercats who will be
more than happy to answer in detail any questions you may have.