Moving on from my first bike - suggestions?

[MrMarko]

Fair point I didn't consider parts and I am bias towards these lovely wee machines. Look up fuel stats online if you are gas cost sensitive and parts availability is a good suggestion. Most of the older race bikes are likely parts issues waiting to happen. Hornet perhaps. There are some decent singles out there often for cheap that might work well I had a BMW F650 for ages that was a good reliable horse and cheap not sure on parts for them but they are still common (because they just keep going mine had 130ks and was still a runner).

Certainly, as much as i agree the rf900 is a good bike, its just one of those bikes becoming few and far between, in cars it's not such an issue as you can buy a 1992 corolla now and the parts are still dime a dozen, with such low numbers of bikes around by comparison you end up chasing all over the planet just to find a part.

Thats bikes in general to an extent though. they are a luxury toy at the end of the day, anybody riding a bike to save money is fooling themself in my opinion.

I'm not saying you cant get a decent bike for 4k plenty of decent ones out there for the money, its all well and good until you need some obscure electrical part or the gas tank rots out etc, a prime example is i had a gpx250... prior to the fresh production models back in around 05/06? trying to find a gas tank that wasnt rotted for my old 87 gpx was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

In all honesty i havnt looked into this market heavily in quite a while, so its a case of researching, i usually start by looking on trademe at what is available in the price bracket for me. then go okay well there's only been one of those in 3 months... vs theres been 40 of that bike... narrow it down to a few that you like within budget that are common and then start test riding and pick your poison.

I think the biggest mistake you can make is rushing into it and getting yourself into strife down the track as a result. the second biggest mistake is going and buying the first or 2nd bike you view... where there is one there is 100. be patient and pick the right bike. gems turn up if you're willing to wait.

[nzspokes]

Bandit 1200s go real cheap. I got a K4 for $2000, rode it for 20,000ks and sold it for $3200. Basic servicing and they go forever.

[nzspokes]

Also look at VTR1000s. Cheap, reliable and a ton of fun for not much.

I have one which I love, but sadly a medical condition means I cant ride it much. I may sell it one day or just mount it on the wall to look at.

[Drew]

Also look at VTR1000s. Cheap, reliable and a ton of fun for not much.

I have one which I love, but sadly a medical condition means I cant ride it much. I may sell it one day or just mount it on the wall to look at.

I knew someone was gonna lower the tone by suggesting one of these.

[GrayWolf]

in all honesty from the zzr's ive ridden its docile and ploddy around town and i was in 4th gear merging got an opening and pinned it up to 280 and it was a beautiful smooth quite linear pull... its the dream tourer really. i really have no need to pull from 40kph in top gear lol

I think that is what I said?? down a cog or two on the Zed? Linear pull?? Well depends what you call 'linear'? There is a huge 'jump' at 6k in urge, but yes from then the power just keeps coming all the way to the 11k line.
I'd agree it's power is amazing as a tourer, but if you ride one back to back with say, an FJR1300, you'll see the difference between a low down/mid range grunter and the Zed. In reality 280km is beyond normal riding usage, that's where the 40km 'grunter' comes into it's own. I owned an FJ1200abs right before the ZZR, and the Yam was a 'better' bike in many ways at real road speeds {motor wise}.

[Swoop]

OP -> I think you are on the right track. Even something like a 600 Hornet...

Yup. A good choice when on a student budget.

[Banditbandit]

Good fucken reason for that. They're cheap, reliable, fast as all fuck, and can be toured apon...and do sick as all fuck wheelies.


RF is a friggin great bike, I've got two now.

A spare in case one breaks down?

[Drew]

A spare in case one breaks down?

One to race, one for the road.

[mossy1200]

Somewhere around 4k, I'm a student so working with a pretty tight budget!

I've seen a couple of GSX750f's floating around on trademe, about 70k on the clock, for just under 4k. Have seen a few bandits around too.

Thanks for the feedback!

Paid 3k for a 2006 gsf1200.
There is likely a few of them for sale at good prices.
You could even have mine for 4k

[granstar]

Honda Hornet 600 if you want to pull wheelies and mostly round town use, or a common 919 CB900f if you want a good all-rounder. Put an extra cog on the front and a set of road pilot 4's and you have a good open road-town-commuter bike (what I did). Plenty around with reasonable k's at good prices.
Older bikes often come with issues mainly perished rubber and wiring, stanchions etc. I had two high k XJ750 Yamys recently (81 and an 82) , both bulletproof bikes (attested to by mechanic who did his apprenticeship on them servicing cop bikes and some 30 years later has never had to pull one apart,says something). Both very nice to ride but moved up for more get up and go passing power with the bigger 919, it's a breeze to ride (and i'm short arse). Not ridiculously fast like a race bike but get you from a to b reliably and cheaply.

[russell_ags]

Just as another point of discussion, I'm pretty tall - 6'5" - so if there are any specific suggestions based on fitting for long legs, they would also be appreciated!

[mulletman]

Just as another point of discussion, I'm pretty tall - 6'5" - so if there are any specific suggestions based on fitting for long legs, they would also be appreciated!

Mossy1200 has the bike for you then.

[MrMarko]

Just as another point of discussion, I'm pretty tall - 6'5" - so if there are any specific suggestions based on fitting for long legs, they would also be appreciated!

How on earth do you fit on the gpx 250.