Full License, Upgrading from 250cc to 600cc. Which is the best bike?

[simfish]

Hi, I have been a member for almost a year and really enjoy hearing peoples thoughts on this forum regarding bikes. I presently have a Honda VTR 250cc. I am getting my full license soon. I would love to upgrade to a 600cc bike. I only have less than $10000 to spend. I want to get a sports bike. I have less than 15km to travel to work. I am a teacher so I have access to change room facilities. I would like to get a 675cc Triumph Daytona. It may be out of my price range. I also am concerned with it being European, the cost to maintain it. What about the other 600cc Sports bikes, the Suzuki 600 GSX R, Yamaha R1, Honda CBR600RR and the 600cc Kawasaki ninjas. I want a bike that's as young and low milage as possible.

I would really appreciate some advice on a suitable upgrade to a sports bike. I am a husband and a father, therefore always responsible on the road. I just love the look and sound of the newer sports bikes.

Can you help me, by sharing some experience or advice? Thanks... :)

[Gibbo89]

Hi, I have been a member for almost a year and really enjoy hearing peoples thoughts on this forum regarding bikes. I presently have a Honda VTR 250cc. I am getting my full license soon. I would love to upgrade to a 600cc bike. I only have less than $10000 to spend. I want to get a sports bike. I have less than 15km to travel to work. I am a teacher so I have access to change room facilities. I would like to get a 675cc Triumph Daytona. It may be out of my price range. I also am concerned with it being European, the cost to maintain it. What about the other 600cc Sports bikes, the Suzuki 600 GSX R, Yamaha R1, Honda CBR600RR and the 600cc Kawasaki ninjas. I want a bike that's as young and low milage as possible.

I would really appreciate some advice on a suitable upgrade to a sports bike. I am a husband and a father, therefore always responsible on the road. I just love the look and sound of the newer sports bikes.

Can you help me, by sharing some experience or advice? Thanks... :)

sit on as many as you can, some won't feel as comfortable as others and that will rule some out.

you only have around 10k to spend?? that's alot of bike you'll be able to get...
good luck

[emerald]

Hi , i goot my full licence in June. Purchased a new street triple $12,995. Great bike 675 cc and comfortable to ride. Relaxed upright position, lots of power but safe and not as crouched foreward as the Daytona. You could get a second hand one. AMPS in Grafton road have some. The new one was on special reduced by $2,000. Trademe has some as well.

[davebullet]

Do you like the upright naked riding style of the VTR? The Street Triple would be my recommendation. Same engine as the Daytona but detuned (like all nakeds). Getting a second hand one should get you under $10k. As far as maintenance / cost - Triumphs have a 10,000km service interval so shouldn't cost you anymore. (I am hoping they are more reliable).

The other option is the Honda CB600F Hornet (inline 4). They have them apparently discounted to $11,995 in the latest bike rider magazine.

Nothing wrong with all the other jappa inline 4 600s. My mate had an R6 - bloody brilliant bike - 16,000rpm redline! (although I'm not into full on sports position bikes).

[rie]

Does the bike have to be new? If you buy second hand, 10K is plenty. Does this budget include say, extra reg and upkeep (basically more expensive petrol, servicing, tires, etc)? Actually that's a bit presumptuous, purely based on what a cheapskate I was with the 250. NB: The gsxr 600's true displacement is 599cc so you won't suffer the increased reg. I'm not sure about the R6.

Good luck. :)

[simfish]

NB: The gsxr 600's true displacement is 599cc so you won't suffer the increased reg. I'm not sure about the R6.

Good luck. :)

Can you please explain this a little more? The bike definately does not have to be brand new. I definately do not want another naked bike. I definately want a sports bike, basically and "R". As I am travelling short distances I am not too concerned with riding stance, however a little comfort is not too bad. All things seem to point to a Triumph Daytona 675. I am just concerned with cost of servicing and anything else that I may be ignorant off.

Thanks in advance for all the advice... :)

[ellipsis]

....sounds more like you need a commuter....do you intend to ride the bike more than the 30ks a day you mention....or do you just need to do them 30ks really fast and lookin good...serious question...

[tigertim20]

Hi, I have been a member for almost a year and really enjoy hearing peoples thoughts on this forum regarding bikes. I presently have a Honda VTR 250cc. I am getting my full license soon. I would love to upgrade to a 600cc bike. I only have less than $10000 to spend. I want to get a sports bike. I have less than 15km to travel to work. I am a teacher so I have access to change room facilities. I would like to get a 675cc Triumph Daytona. It may be out of my price range. I also am concerned with it being European, the cost to maintain it. What about the other 600cc Sports bikes, the Suzuki 600 GSX R, Yamaha R1, Honda CBR600RR and the 600cc Kawasaki ninjas. I want a bike that's as young and low milage as possible.

I would really appreciate some advice on a suitable upgrade to a sports bike. I am a husband and a father, therefore always responsible on the road. I just love the look and sound of the newer sports bikes.

Can you help me, by sharing some experience or advice? Thanks... :)

10k gives you alot of options, just look on trademe, for sports bikes, 500-750cc between 6 and 10k, you might be surprised at whats available.
Its good that you already have some idea of what you want, thats always a good start!
Heres a few pointers. strat by looking on trademe at whats available in your price range, this will give you an idea what bikes of each year, make and model are worth, accept that dealers will be more expensive, but youll get warranties etc.
secondly, ride at least ten different bikes. if youre getting a 600 for the first time, youre probably going to keep if for at least a couple years, ride heaps of different bikes. If you find one you like, try and compare it to one the same thats a year older and a year younger, personal taste will dictate what you prefer, e.g., some people prefer the 05 R^, over the 07 or 08 R6.
The obvious, make sure you take someone mechanically inclined to look at a bike, check oil, water and brake fluid colours, ask for receipts or proof of servicing, check bearings in the headset, swingarms, wheels etc. look at chain and sprocket condition. make a list and make sure you check EVERYTHING. you dont want to have to buy a bike for 8k, then have to soend $500 on a new chain and sprockets 6 weeks later.
Lastly, if you are serious on a particular bike, make sure you take it for a good LONG ride, about an hour or so should be sufficient to let you see how it feels. For the first ten minutes riding a bike that might be your next one, all youre thinking about is how fuckin cool it will be to have it. You need a longer distance to see how it responds to different roads, terrain and conditions, twisty B roads, highways and city riding. This will also let you know if it will be a suitable bike for you for longer roads.
Good luck in your hunt, and come back with photos when youve made your purchase!!

[rie]

Can you please explain this a little more? The bike definately does not have to be brand new. I definately do not want another naked bike. I definately want a sports bike, basically and "R". As I am travelling short distances I am not too concerned with riding stance, however a little comfort is not too bad. All things seem to point to a Triumph Daytona 675. I am just concerned with cost of servicing and anything else that I may be ignorant off.

Thanks in advance for all the advice... :)

Lol it turns out I was acting on outdated information!!! I thought that 600cc bikes had to pay the increased rego along with litre bikes, and that a 599cc bike got to pay the same as the 250s. But it turns out the rego fees go up to AND including 600cc. So as long as you buy any bike up to and including 600cc you will pay the same rego as the VTR (I know, minor point, since you're saving mere pennies.)

[rie]

...
Lastly, if you are serious on a particular bike, make sure you take it for a good LONG ride, about an hour or so ...

and if you are a serious buyer they sometimes let you take one for even longer. like, overnight. :)

[simfish]

:niceone: Thanks Guys,

I really appreciate all your feedback. As I am absolutely not mechanically inclined. Can you please let me know where I should take or call for a bike inspection. E.G. like how one does a "CAR INSPECTION" by a qualified service centre.

Does anyone know if a "Triumph Daytona 675" costs more than the japanese preferred bikes to service and maintain. I read somewhere this bike only needs to be services every 10 000 km, is this true?

Thanks once again :)

[Rych]

Does anyone know if a "Triumph Daytona 675" costs more than the japanese preferred bikes to service and maintain. I read somewhere this bike only needs to be services every 10 000 km, is this true?
bump I'd also like to know this as I'm very interested in the 675 and would like to know if it's going to cost much more than a jap 600 to own, cheers.

[Gremlin]

From my point of view, having Triumph NZ being responsible for the stuff like warranty etc, is the biggest turn off, to the point I don't even look at the models. Heard some absolute shockers about them...

Best bike? Depends from person to person. Two people can be absolute opposites on the exact same tyres... the same is true for bikes. What one person loves, another hates, so because its your first big bike, you'll need to test ride a few, instead of riding one, and thinking its awesome.

You'll soon figure out what you do and don't like.

[crazyhorse]

Just find one you enjoy riding and do it :yes:

[BuzzardNZ]

would you consider going old school?

highly recommend a kawasaki kh750, triple 2 stroke.

[MD]

:niceone:
Does anyone know if a "Triumph Daytona 675" costs more than the japanese preferred bikes to service and maintain. I read somewhere this bike only needs to be services every 10 000 km, is this true?

Thanks once again :)

Unfortunately the 675 Daytona costs LESS to service than Jap bikes, which means you have leftover cash and have to find another outlet to spend that on. This in turns leads to excess consumption of drugs, booze or whatever.
Seriously, I've owned over 30 bikes and the 675 is the best..at everything. The 10k service is about $220 and the 20k service about $450-$550

I've done 52,000km with the ONLY hiccup being a failed retifier/regulator at 24k that was immediately replaced under warranty. Triumph have sorted this part with later models (2009+).

The bike is no less comfortable than any other race replica sportsbike. Gentle riding will return close to 300km tank range - not something I have experienced since completing the 1000km run in.

Take one for a spin and if you aren't seduced by the triple cylinder engine then...better check if you have a pulse at all.

[Rych]

Unfortunately the 675 Daytona costs LESS to service than Jap bikes, which means you have leftover cash and have to find another outlet to spend that on. This in turns leads to excess consumption of drugs, booze or whatever.
Seriously, I've owned over 30 bikes and the 675 is the best..at everything. The 10k service is about $220 and the 20k service about $450-$550

I've done 52,000km with the ONLY hiccup being a failed retifier/regulator at 24k that was immediately replaced under warranty. Triumph have sorted this part with later models (2009+).

The bike is no less comfortable than any other race replica sportsbike. Gentle riding will return close to 300km tank range - not something I have experienced since completing the 1000km run in.

Take one for a spin and if you aren't seduced by the triple cylinder engine then...better check if you have a pulse at all.
wow sold, that clears that up, if it feels good I'm getting one! :yes:

[simfish]

Unfortunately the 675 Daytona costs LESS to service than Jap bikes, which means you have leftover cash and have to find another outlet to spend that on. This in turns leads to excess consumption of drugs, booze or whatever.
Seriously, I've owned over 30 bikes and the 675 is the best..at everything. The 10k service is about $220 and the 20k service about $450-$550

I've done 52,000km with the ONLY hiccup being a failed retifier/regulator at 24k that was immediately replaced under warranty. Triumph have sorted this part with later models (2009+).

The bike is no less comfortable than any other race replica sportsbike. Gentle riding will return close to 300km tank range - not something I have experienced since completing the 1000km run in.

Take one for a spin and if you aren't seduced by the triple cylinder engine then...better check if you have a pulse at all.

Thanks so much for that, it really clears up a lot of questions, I know a little more, with regards to what to look for... Cheers :woohoo:

[p.dath]

My CBR600F was a shade under $7k from a dealer. The CBR600F became the CBR600RR in later generations. It has carbs as opposed to nice fuel injection. Is fully faired. Has the sports styling, and the leaning forward riding style.

Compared to the 250 you have, it will go like the clappers.

[Juzz976]

I take you don't want to go over 600cc for rego reasons, otherwise a 650 ninja or SV650 might be worth checking out (twins gonna sound better than an i4 IMHO) problem is they're lacking in power.

I'm in same boat as you are and after test riding many bikes I've dropped the 600cc idea and gonna go with either an SV1000, RSV1000, SP1/SP2 or TL1000R.

Value for money is a priority at this stage so the SV is the likely option.
My advice is test ride lots,it turns out I don't actually want what I wanted.

[Mudfart]

yep i had the same idea in august when i got my full.
i thought me being a rider meant looking bling by riding a rice burning crotch rocket, R6, GSXR 750 etc..
I was really drawn to the honda sale on predators so i went and checked one out, the guy was obviously reluctant to let me ride it, so he sent me out on a hornet 600, brand new at 11995. it was cool, and the exhaust note really buzzes, the name is perfect for the machine.
I went to hamilton motorcycles first, but they didnt have a street triple to demo, or infact anything to try!.
on me way home i stopped at boyds. i wanted to try a gsxr 750, but they didnt have one, and greg suggested i try the gladius 650. i mucked around coz it kinda looks girly and wasnt bling enuff.
then i test rode it, and it pulled me fucken arms off.
i couldnt sleep, thinking of the power and that damned exhaust.
next day i got it, however after 5 weeks, im maximising the revs and speed so maybe will get something more revvy soon. going back to the rice burner crotch rockets. nutting wrong with v twin though!.

[slofox]

The bike is no less comfortable than any other race replica sportsbike.


Not for me...

I found it less comfortable than the GSX-R600 by quite a margin. I felt as though my head was way out in front of the front wheel on the Daytona even though I am not the tallest of men. It is also quite a bit taller than the gixxer.

However, your point regarding the triple engine is right on the nail. If it'd been a better fit for me I'd've got me one licketty-split.

Still, I do enjoy the gixxer - 16,000rpm red line is "interesting"...