Another one of those 'I just got my full, what bike next' threads!

[SilentDtH]

So... I passed my full a couple of weeks ago, and am now looking for a bigger bike!

Riding Style
The type of riding I do is the occasional bit through auckland traffic and one in four weekends up to Whangarei. I mostly ride my push bike to work if its a nice day, the ride is only 10km.

Yamaha Er6n
I first had my eye on the Yamaha Er6n. Unfortunately I am only interested in the 2009 model in white. The price is $12k though and I am really wanting to spend under $10k ... we shall see.

Gladius
Also the gaydius reviews as a better bike online than the Er6n, but would highly likely not be seen riding one haha (apologies to gladius owners in advance).

KTM 690 SM
Really interested in some of these super motards like the KTM 690 SM, but not sure on comfort on long trips and the vibrating engine. Any comments here...?

Honda Super Four 400
My first bike was a Honda Hornet so I'm used to this bike shape. I was hoping to steer away from the 4 cylinder bikes towards a V-Twin for some extra torque. I didn't like the 250 Hornet around town, far too revvy, but great on the open road and VERY comfortable for the trip to Whangarei. Good price point as well on these, but kinda boring as I've already had a similar style bike albeit 250cc.

Suzuki DR650SE
I really like these types of bikes because they are skinny for filtering traffic, and supposedly very torquey running one cylinder? Also easy to park in the garage next to the cage! Concern here is the same as the super motard concerns.

Suzuki SV650
Quite like the look of this V-Twin. My friend just got one and said its great fun!

Bikes with Fairings?
No thanks. Really like the naked style

Have I ridden any of the bikes yet?
No. Perhaps I should! haha

Thanks for reading - and perhaps some of the feedback here will be good for others looking for a new bike after getting their full, unless there is another thread around here somewhere that I missed :(

[Slyer]

I found the bike for you:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=255233629
Looks so clean with the pipes gone!

Also, the ER6 is a Kawasaki, don't know how you messed that one up. :bleh:

Failing that 690, get an ER6 or an SV.

[SilentDtH]

Wow that bike is so sexy.

Do you think it would be alright for the haul to Whangarei?
Can you two up on one of these?

[Slyer]

From what I've heard the new 690 engines are much better for vibration.
Here's a review for the 690smc, identical engine.
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/ktm/2009-ktm-690-smc-ar50838.html

He goes two up at the end of this:
YmseLU0P06A

[Dirty Heathen]

I don't like the look of the SV with the front flaring but have seen a few naked ones man they look nice.

[YellowDog]

I don't like the look of the SV with the front flaring but have seen a few naked ones man they look nice.
No I don't either, but they do have a good long pedigree.

Hey SilentDth, congrats on getting your wings.

I cycle a lot and I must say that there are some skills that can cross over really well.

The bikes you are looking at are certainly fit for purpose. I do like the ERN-6 too.

Yes you should ride them all. You'll be surprised at how comfy and easy to ride the Gladius is. IMO - A perfect commuter bike.

You may also get some surprises in that the most sexy looking aren't generally the best rides.

Good luck.

[SilentDtH]

Cheers Slyer for the links, good research will take a look at this when I get home tonight!

Hey thanks YellowDog, yes stoked on getting my wings :D

How far do you cycle... how often?

You are definitely correct, I really do need to ride them all. I don't like being a tyre kicker though so kinda feel rude asking the shop if I can ride every bike !!

[gijoe1313]

Or you could do what so many of the lil'ol'hornet owners have done ... and upgrade to the bigger brother the 900 :msn-wink:

But, seeing as you got a lot of other choices in the list first, go with what tickles your fancy! :niceone:

[SilentDtH]

Yeah gijoe was considering that... was steering away from the IL4's but hearing good things from the bigger models. Apparently quite different to the 250?

I took a look at your hornets in your profile pic, nice !

Slyer: That vid is really good. I don't think I can ride like that (yet) !! Yes - two up at the end, looks like the business.

Dirty Heathen: Yeah faired is no good, naked is goooood!

[gijoe1313]

Well go to Botany Honda and go for a test ride on their Hornets (they got two at the moment!) ... get Richard all excited heheheh :msn-wink:

As you well know, all the 900 Hornet owners only have good things to say about them! :yes:

Riding a 900 from a 250 is a pleasant and a relatively easy transition ... its the 250 on steroids!

[DarkLord]

I upgraded from a Hyo 250 to an '01 SV650S (the half naked one) and it is awesome. I love it. Would highly recommend these bikes - I've heard nothing but good things about them.

[merlin]

Triumph Speed/Street triple?....

Almost got the revs of a 4, the torque of a 2 and a sound that's really something else! :)

[chasio]

I found the bike for you:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=255233629
Looks so clean with the pipes gone!

Also, the ER6 is a Kawasaki, don't know how you messed that one up. :bleh:

Failing that 690, get an ER6 or an SV.

I know the bloke that owns that baby and if I had the dough, I'd buy it.

[Slyer]

I know the bloke that owns that baby and if I had the dough, I'd buy it.
I'm jealous eh...

[crazyhorse]

Congratulations, and I hope you have managed to find a bike you want :yes:

[SilentDtH]

Thanks for all your replies!! wicked.

I will definitely be test riding some of these when I get back from overseas :D

[meteor]

Mate, your stats, usage, new full licence etc sound exactly the same as me with the only exception being the highway riding which I don't do...

I'm heavily leaning toward a new DRZ400sm at $8000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=254810051

But also looking at a very nice GSR600
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=256344627

2 others on my watchlist are
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=256429585
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=254454199

Think I could be happy with any of them... let us no which you go for!

[SilentDtH]

Hey meteor - just been overseas but have read your reply thanks!

I ended up getting the KTM 690 SM PRESTIGE that was linked by Slyer, I took it for a couple of test rides and it was so much fun just had to get it :)

Took it on the Northern motorway to silverdale and it went really well eh, loved it. Hopefully gonna be good to commute on as well being a bit narrower.

I also test rode a firestorm, hornet 600, and a cruiser style bike that was 1200cc forgot what brand though haha. I found the firestorm fun and easy to ride but way too bulky for commuting purposes. The hornet 600 was nice but felt too much like my old hornet 250 (funny that). The cruiser was super comfortable!! I just didn't think it would be practical for the commute.

Thanks everybody who posted in this thread for your help much appreciated.

[Morcs]

Mate, your stats, usage, new full licence etc sound exactly the same as me with the only exception being the highway riding which I don't do...

I'm heavily leaning toward a new DRZ400sm at $8000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=254810051

But also looking at a very nice GSR600
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=256344627

2 others on my watchlist are
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=256429585
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=254454199

Think I could be happy with any of them... let us no which you go for!

How about:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-259967265.htm

[meteor]

How about:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-259967265.htm

Hey Morcs, yup like them too... Already put deposit on a motard tho'

[KelvinAng]

Went through this exercise recently. Wanted a medium bike too. After tonnes of research, I think it's likely my next bike is a big Hornet (or... a Monster, but not so sure about Italian "characteristics" although my little Vespa has proven to be ultra-reliable). And yea my learner bike is the small Hornet.