When drunk on trademe last May, I purchased a 2004 GSXR-1000 way out in the 'naki and by fluke loved it. I put 15'000km on it since then until a gentleman was kind enough to drive into the side of me on the motorway. She is now a write off and I am looking about.
So - here is what I like and don't like.
I like pretty.
I like fast.
I like good fun in the twisties and am prepared to accept a heavier bike requiring more work to corner well.
I like reasonably comfortable for 500km/day.
I like feeling planted on the road.
I liked the Yoshi pipe I had.
I don't like sitting upright riding.
I don't like really short wheelbase, light bikes that don't make me feel planted on the road, albeit awesome to corner.
So - what I've tried.
GSXR-1000 2015.
Hated it. Sounded like a diesel. Felt cheap - figured they'd spend 10 years making it cheaper rather than better.
GSXF-1250.
Great engine.
Not my style of bike though - too sit up for me. Not sporty enough.
'Busa.
Hate the styling (tolerable in White or yellow though).
Love the cockpit though.
Love the engine and the way it rides (didn't get to try out of town twisties though).
Probably lose my license but then again probably would on my Gixxer too.....
2013 GSXR-750 (or was it a 600?)
Same review as the 1000 but slower.
2008 Fireblade.
Actually rather liked it - this example had a stupid short exhaust that offered no back pressure and made it splutter at low revs. Nice bike though but heavy on the wrists.
New Daytona
God is was beautiful.
Sex on wheels.
Handled like a dream, cornered like a dream, felt like it was on rails. Even sounded good with the stock pipe.
A bit slower than what I am used to but meh....
$17k Gulp. Not budget.
Kawasaki 636 2008
Lovely bike.
Really liked it.
Would love it if I'd come from my 250 to it but from a 1000, just felt too slow.
New R1.
Way out of budget but the salesman said "don't care - take it for a few hours and tell your mates how awesome it is!"
It is awesome.
Goddam awesome.
Fast, planted, sex on wheels, even turning it on looks cool on the dash.
Too much tech though - felt like I was riding a laptop and all it was making me have to do was squirt and lean, computers did the rest of the riding for me which was actually kind of sad. It doesn't sound too fantastic with stock pipe either.
And way too expensive and I needed to rest my wrists after an hour.
It is a truly awesome bike though.
BMW K1200 S. 2006
I approached it having spotted it in the street and wondered if I found what I was after.
Tourer then unhook the panniers, harden and lower the electronically adjustable suspension and boom - sports bike.
I initially thought a bit unremarkable to ride but actually, 0-100 was under 3 secs. Mid range torque was actually pretty fun too for overtakes in 5th and 6th when actually you "should" have used 4th. She's got a great engine.
Maintainable easy as hell (shaft drive and 10'000km oil changes).
Exciting to ride though? Showed potential.
So - shortlist looking like:
'Busa
K1200S
Daytona (always wanted one)
Another K4 Gixxer! ( to be honest - if I'm forced to buy a new bike, I may as well change....)
Anyone got any ideas/observations/feedback/suggestions?
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