Alternative sports bikes to a GS500?

[superjackal]

Hi

Appreciate some quick suggestions of bikes similar to the Suzuki GS500. Have looked at a few, and it seems a great LAMs step-up, but struggling to find a decent one near Wellington. Prefer sports bikes as I'll end up on a Street Triple one day.

Cheers
GNJ

[Glowerss]

Hi

Appreciate some quick suggestions of bikes similar to the Suzuki GS500. Have looked at a few, and it seems a great LAMs step-up, but struggling to find a decent one near Wellington. Prefer sports bikes as I'll end up on a Street Triple one day.

Cheers
GNJ

I think you'd have a hard time getting somebody to tell you the GS500 was a sportbike with a straight face :shutup:

But some decent alternatives would be things like RVF400, ZZr400, XJR400, Honda Cb400 superfour vtec, Honda Bros 400/650, LAMS hyobag 650, just off of the top of my head.

It depends what your budget is really.

[superjackal]

I think you'd have a hard time getting somebody to tell you the GS500 was a sportbike with a straight face :shutup:

But some decent alternatives would be things like RVF400, ZZr400, XJR400, Honda Cb400 superfour vtec, Honda Bros 400/650, LAMS hyobag 650, just off of the top of my head.

It depends what your budget is really.

Budget up to $15K.

Hey, Trademe classifies them as sport bikes. Compared to my GN they're rocketships.

[hayd3n]

Budget up to $15K.

Hey, Trademe classifies them as sport bikes. Compared to my GN they're rocketships.

600 ducati?
650 hyo?

[Maha]

Are 600 Hornets a LAMs bike?...2010/11 models for under or around $10K.

[FJRider]

Budget up to $15K.

Hey, Trademe classifies them as sport bikes. Compared to my GN they're rocketships.

Save the money for the Street Triple ... A step up bike is just that. $3000 will get you a good 600/650 bike that will be easy to ride and cheap to maintain. And road legal/LAM's legal.

Some even cheaper.

[hayd3n]

Are 600 Hornets a LAMs bike?...2010/11 models for under or around $10K.

nope to many kw

[Glowerss]

Hi

Appreciate some quick suggestions of bikes similar to the Suzuki GS500. Have looked at a few, and it seems a great LAMs step-up, but struggling to find a decent one near Wellington. Prefer sports bikes as I'll end up on a Street Triple one day.

Cheers
GNJ

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-559149869.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-553305168.htm

Is a GS500 and an ER5N (same damn thing) both in welly. Either would do you fairly well.

[superjackal]

Save the money for the Street Triple ... A step up bike is just that. $3000 will get you a good 600/650 bike that will be easy to ride and cheap to maintain. And road legal/LAM's legal.

Some even cheaper.

Not as easy as you'd think. I've been using Motorcycle Trader, this site and Trademe. Is there somewhere else to look?

[Akzle]

[QUOTE=gnjackal;1130494080]

homie, there's a lass on here just up the road shifting to OZ with one for disposal

pay me beer and i'll ride it to ya. (think she'll throw it at ya cheap ish, too) mystikeagles.

but for 15k, fuck that, buy a mini monster.

(gs will be easy as for you, same riding position as the gn, basically, similar power delivery, but more hache pees.)

[Jantar]

I do know of a very nice GSF500. It is around 4 years old, with less than 5000 km on it. The owner used to use it to commute to work on fine days only, and only then during summer months. It has been dropped once while trying to do a U-turn in a driveway and as a result cracked the fairing around the indicator. This has been professionally repaired. The owner has recently been transferred from Central Otago to Wellington, and doesn't want to ride it in Wellington traffic, so is selling it. I think the asking price is around $5K.

If you are interested pm me and I'll give you the owner's email address.

[Icemaestro]

Do you want something faired or naked? Theres a kawasaki ER6-f for learners restricted or the older er500 /er5 is fine the way it was built, otherwise yes the RVF is absolutely brilliant, I think that the previous post was correct in saying hyosung 650 is on the list too? there is a faired GB400 but they are hard to find. naked - the list is rather long...

[jellywrestler]

honda bros hands down a great motorcycle, revere is also cool too

[Icemaestro]

Agreed if you want naked for the bros, only the 400 is LAMS compliant, though I believe the revere is (same engine, just half a fairing on it, bigger tank), hard to find the revere though. I moved from a bros 650 to a cbr600 to a er6f, and I would take the newness of the er6f + fairing hands down if you are commuting (long as you get one without a fairing buzz of the early models)

[Glowerss]

Agreed if you want naked for the bros, only the 400 is LAMS compliant, though I believe the revere is (same engine, just half a fairing on it, bigger tank), hard to find the revere though. I moved from a bros 650 to a cbr600 to a er6f, and I would take the newness of the er6f + fairing hands down if you are commuting (long as you get one without a fairing buzz of the early models)

The normal ER6f is not a LAMS bike. Only the specially restricted models are, which will run you a good 14k+ NZD.

[Icemaestro]

Agreed though he said he was looking new and budget up to 15k (goodness knows why you would spend that much though!) I was just trying to suggest faired learner models above 250cc :-)

[GrayWolf]

Hi

Appreciate some quick suggestions of bikes similar to the Suzuki GS500. Have looked at a few, and it seems a great LAMs step-up, but struggling to find a decent one near Wellington. Prefer sports bikes as I'll end up on a Street Triple one day.

Cheers
GNJ

GS500 or the EN/ER kwaka is not a sports bike, what it is, is a good solid reasonable performance machine. They dont have many vices, and compared to a Ginny, the GS will feel like a rocketship, similar power delivery as in good low torque, doesnt scream through the rev's and will behave 'predictably'.

A GS or similar will be a good bike as a step onto a speed triple, I think you are too hooked up on the sprotbike idea, fast bikes can be/are fun.. but they are not always practicle and they are not always the FASTEST on a lot of stretches of road....

[ducatilover]

On that budget:
RVF400. It's the best

The Bros650 and CB400 SF are not LAMS compliant, the older CB400 (397cc, not 399) is.
The GS is a great bike
The ZZR400 is a great bike, I'd recommend one, especially a '93 onwards one
The RF400R might be on the list, worth a look

The newer 250 and 300 offerings are in no way sports bikes, so don't bother.

But RVF wins, time and time again

[koba]

On that budget:
RVF400. It's the best

The Bros650 and CB400 SF are not LAMS compliant, the older CB400 (397cc, not 399) is.
The GS is a great bike
The ZZR400 is a great bike, I'd recommend one, especially a '93 onwards one
The RF400R might be on the list, worth a look

The newer 250 and 300 offerings are in no way sports bikes, so don't bother.

But RVF wins, time and time again

Absolutely.

I read that list and thought WTF? an RVF, no waaay!

It stands out as better than all the other bikes on the list and many that aren't, it's faster than my non LAMS compliant 400?!

The logic is a bit strange but one might as well use that!

[ducatilover]

Absolutely.

I read that list and thought WTF? an RVF, no waaay!

It stands out as better than all the other bikes on the list and many that aren't, it's faster than my non LAMS compliant 400?!

The logic is a bit strange but one might as well use that!

It's faster than my old SuperFour, which isn't LAMS.
Something to do with the errr... slightly unkind figures when Honda released it?
Claimed 59hp, but I've seen one do that at the wheel in standard condition.
And supposed to be 180-something kg I think, my ZX6 is now 175 dry, and feels heavier by a fair bit.

[koba]

It's faster than my old SuperFour, which isn't LAMS.
Something to do with the errr... slightly unkind figures when Honda released it?
Claimed 59hp, but I've seen one do that at the wheel in standard condition.
And supposed to be 180-something kg I think, my ZX6 is now 175 dry, and feels heavier by a fair bit.

Yeah, that must have something to do with it.

Most weight figures are so damn far off it's hilarious.
A set of scales, bunch of bikes and a few beers makes for great entertainment.

That reminds me, I must weigh my VFR...

[EJK]

Get a busa

[ducatilover]

Yeah, that must have something to do with it.

Most weight figures are so damn far off it's hilarious.
A set of scales, bunch of bikes and a few beers makes for great entertainment.

That reminds me, I must weigh my VFR...

Could be a bit of fun to wiegh a bunch of bikes.
I'll weight the GNsilly again, was 130, w/o oil, battery or mid pipe. But with a 12l tank of gas

[haydes55]

Agreed if you want naked for the bros

That's what she said. :corn:

[superjackal]

Agreed though he said he was looking new and budget up to 15k (goodness knows why you would spend that much though!) I was just trying to suggest faired learner models above 250cc :-)

Well, up to $15K, I don't mind a little depreciation, and can sell the bike to fund new bike purchase when I have my full.

I'm still pretty new to bikes so if you guys don't mind putting on the manufacturer as well when making suggestions?

As an aside, am considering a Ninja 300 too. Seem to have good power/fun, but seems like a lot of $$$ for a small bike. Anyone recommend it?

[superjackal]

GS500 or the EN/ER kwaka is not a sports bike, what it is, is a good solid reasonable performance machine. They dont have many vices, and compared to a Ginny, the GS will feel like a rocketship, similar power delivery as in good low torque, doesnt scream through the rev's and will behave 'predictably'.

A GS or similar will be a good bike as a step onto a speed triple, I think you are too hooked up on the sprotbike idea, fast bikes can be/are fun.. but they are not always practicle and they are not always the FASTEST on a lot of stretches of road....

Aren't Striples "sort-of" cruisers (I mean sooooort of)? After 12 months of aborbing everything I can I still gravitate towards the Striple. Saw one in the shop the other day and it was stunning.

What else would you suggest? Some BMWs look nice and an adventure tourer could be a good idea...?

Are there any classic bikes (70s/80s era) that handle and brake well?

[ducatilover]

Aren't Striples "sort-of" cruisers (I mean sooooort of)? No, not in the least. They're on of the most bonkers fun bikes you can buy.

What else would you suggest? Some BMWs look nice and an adventure tourer could be a good idea...?


Are there any classic bikes (70s/80s era) that handle and brake well?

Take Graywolf's advise, the GS etc are a great way to get to know real bike dynamics (trust me, the GN lacks a lot here...) and how to ride a decent size bike, without face ripping power
The RVF will also be a great step up as it's a proper sport bike with plenty of go

Some older bikes will out perform the GN, but by today's standards they're all relatively junk (might add, I prefer older bikes, they're fun and sexy)

[ducatilover]

As an aside, am considering a Ninja 300 too. Seem to have good power/fun, but seems like a lot of $$$ for a small bike. Anyone recommend it?

I wouldn't. They're not worth the extra coin over an old one, or the extra coin over the RVF, or any coin really. They're a basic commuter in a tacky frock

[Glowerss]

On that budget:
RVF400. It's the best

The Bros650 and CB400 SF are not LAMS compliant, the older CB400 (397cc, not 399) is.
The GS is a great bike
The ZZR400 is a great bike, I'd recommend one, especially a '93 onwards one
The RF400R might be on the list, worth a look

The newer 250 and 300 offerings are in no way sports bikes, so don't bother.

But RVF wins, time and time again

Whoops, I remember reading somewhere that the newer CB400 SF Vtec models were lams compliant in aus, so I figured they would be here. Teach me not to double check :bash:

Anyway the RVF will definitely win because A) it won't depreciate much if it all because they're sort of classics, and B) they're proper sports bikes and C) they really shouldn't be LAMS compliant, at all. They're above and beyond anything else on the LAMS list.

That said, they're hard to find and tend to be snapped up fairly quickly. People who have them tend not to want to get rid of them. best bet would be to throw up a thread in the bike trader section advertising your interest in one and see what happens really.


I wouldn't. They're not worth the extra coin over an old one, or the extra coin over the RVF, or any coin really. They're a basic commuter in a tacky frock

+1 to that. The ninja 300 is a 5k bike being sold for 10k that's not really anything special. They'll depreciate like a rock as well. The parallel twin engines in those suck. You have to rev the absolute nuts off of them to go anywhere. I had a ZZR250, and that fuckin thing needed 8k+ revs to go anywhere. Sat at 9k on the motorway and was a buzzy fuckin thing.

[ducatilover]

Whoops, I remember reading somewhere that the newer CB400 SF Vtec models were lams compliant in aus, so I figured they would be here. Teach me not to double check :bash:

Anyway the RVF will definitely win because A) it won't depreciate much if it all because they're sort of classics, and B) they're proper sports bikes and C) they really shouldn't be LAMS compliant, at all. They're above and beyond anything else on the LAMS list.

That said, they're hard to find and tend to be snapped up fairly quickly. People who have them tend not to want to get rid of them. best bet would be to throw up a thread in the bike trader section advertising your interest in one and see what happens really.



+1 to that. The ninja 300 is a 5k bike being sold for 10k that's not really anything special. They'll depreciate like a rock as well. The parallel twin engines in those suck. You have to rev the absolute nuts off of them to go anywhere. I had a ZZR250, and that fuckin thing needed 8k+ revs to go anywhere. Sat at 9k on the motorway and was a buzzy fuckin thing.
I think, with a CB you will get away with it as on the LAMS list it doesn't state the years/chassis. All the water cooled SuperFours are non compliant, which is gay because I would have kept mine and sold it for more. If we can get 'em LAMS legal though (I'll re-check the specs) I'd recommend one to everyone, flippin brilliant bike it was, I'd have on over a GS or any 500 twin. Mine ran perfectly at 78,000km, was turbine smooth and went pretty well for what it was, then there were the asthetics... om nom nom

RVFs rule

The ZZR are okay little bikes and solid, well worth half the money of an EX250 :bleh: easy to get parts for and from memory quite comfy. Yeah, they're not grunty, but only 2 250 twins actually go well.

Anyhoo, on topic:
If the Honda CB400 Super Four can't be LAMS approved, look at the Hornet 250, lovely bikes with a similar feel (very vaguely similar) to the likes of a Striple
:Punk:

[Glowerss]

I think, with a CB you will get away with it as on the LAMS list it doesn't state the years/chassis. All the water cooled SuperFours are non compliant, which is gay because I would have kept mine and sold it for more. If we can get 'em LAMS legal though (I'll re-check the specs) I'd recommend one to everyone, flippin brilliant bike it was, I'd have on over a GS or any 500 twin. Mine ran perfectly at 78,000km, was turbine smooth and went pretty well for what it was, then there were the asthetics... om nom nom

RVFs rule

The ZZR are okay little bikes and solid, well worth half the money of an EX250 :bleh: easy to get parts for and from memory quite comfy. Yeah, they're not grunty, but only 2 250 twins actually go well.

Anyhoo, on topic:
If the Honda CB400 Super Four can't be LAMS approved, look at the Hornet 250, lovely bikes with a similar feel (very vaguely similar) to the likes of a Striple
:Punk:

Nah, the normal CB400 superfours can't be LAMS compliant. The 1992-2008 versions are 151 kw/tonne, which is a whole 1 KW over.

They've sold them new in AUS since 2008. The ones being sold in AUS would obviously be LAMS compliant, but not worth the dosh to import one im sure.

Bit stupid the 1kw over disqualifies it. Give it a litre of fuel and it would be sweet. Ahh well!

[ducatilover]

Nah, the normal CB400 superfours can't be LAMS compliant. The 1992-2008 versions are 151 kw/tonne, which is a whole 1 KW over.

They've sold them new in AUS since 2008. The ones being sold in AUS would obviously be LAMS compliant, but not worth the dosh to import one im sure.

Bit stupid the 1kw over disqualifies it. Give it a litre of fuel and it would be sweet. Ahh well!

The ZZR400 was over by 1-2kw, by my calcs, but they let it in :innocent:

[Glowerss]

The ZZR400 was over by 1-2kw, by my calcs, but they let it in :innocent:

Nah, the ZZR400 is a fat bitch. ZZr400 is 38kw but 197kg. Comes in at like 133kw/tonne.

Whereas the pre 08 superfours are 38kw but 168kg = 151kw/tonne.

ZZR400 makes it in easily, whereas the superfour is JUST over.

HOWEVER, if you were a sneaky bugger, the 08+ super fours have basically the same specs as the ZZR400.

You could submit the 08 and later CB400 superfours as LAMS compliant (which they are) and that would piggyback the earlier CB400 superfours into LAMS as well unless they do an oddy and designate specific years.

But even if they did that, unless they start putting LAMS compliancy on rego stickers, no cop is going to know the difference between an 02 CB 400 SF and an 09 CB400 SF.

Somebody far more ambitious then I should submit em using the 08+ specs and see what happens. Submitting a bike is piss easy you just email a form in.

[ducatilover]

Nah, the ZZR400 is a fat bitch. ZZr400 is 38kw but 197kg. Comes in at like 133kw/tonne.

Whereas the pre 08 superfours are 38kw but 168kg = 151kw/tonne.

ZZR400 makes it in easily, whereas the superfour is JUST over.

HOWEVER, if you were a sneaky bugger, the 08+ super fours have basically the same specs as the ZZR400.

You could submit the 08 and later CB400 superfours as LAMS compliant (which they are) and that would piggyback the earlier CB400 superfours into LAMS as well unless they do an oddy and designate specific years.

But even if they did that, unless they start putting LAMS compliancy on rego stickers, no cop is going to know the difference between an 02 CB 400 SF and an 09 CB400 SF.

Somebody far more ambitious then I should submit em using the 08+ specs and see what happens. Submitting a bike is piss easy you just email a form in.
Where are you getting those figures? My figures say 195kg and 43kw (59hp) for a 91-93 400k
My Superfour was a heavy bugger, for a 400. Will have to look at the specs again
You can bolt a 600 lump straight in to the ZZR though :innocent:
My Super Four didn't say it on teh rego, just CB400, so if you have a CB400, and get pulled, on the LAMS list it just states CB400... so it's kind of a silly way to be legal? :shifty:


EDIT: The '93 onwards 400n is compliant at 53hp/197kg, the early (like mine was) 400k has 58hp/195kg, so possibly borderline, CBF doing the math

[GrayWolf]

What else would you suggest? Some BMWs look nice and an adventure tourer could be a good idea...?

Are there any classic bikes (70s/80s era) that handle and brake well?


Adventure tourer? Very different from a Striple, but if you wanted to go down that road? The GS650/KLR650/DR650?XT(z)660.. all mighty fine bikes.

Classic bikes from the 70's 80's that handle?? :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:: laugh::laugh::laugh:

[neels]

Saw a presentable GSX400X for sale the other day, it's on the LAMS list and a very nice 400 four, naked version is butt ugly though.