57 y/o wants a commuter

[fishb8nz]

Hi People
Looking for some advice. I've had a Suzuki GN125 for 18 months that's great around town and commuting 35 km each way to work, giving 38 km per litre.
However, I need a bike that will cruise comfortably at 100k and handles well. I broke a wrist a (fell off a mountain bike!) and I can't do a crouching sporty stance. I'm 1.7m, 72 kg. Want to put a top-box on for shopping. Don't want a rocket or anything thirsty but capable of 300 kms travel in a day.
Any suggestions, please.

[White trash]

I'd say something like a GS500 Suzuki might be right for ya, or a naked SV650 if you want to spend some more.

[Keystone19]

Welcome fishb8nz.

I have a neat little VTR250 that will be coming on the market in about two weeks time...

One careful lady owner...

How much were you looking at spending?

[justsomeguy]

Hi People
Looking for some advice. I've had a Suzuki GN125 for 18 months that's great around town and commuting 35 km each way to work, giving 38 km per litre.
However, I need a bike that will cruise comfortably at 100k and handles well. I broke a wrist a (fell off a mountain bike!) and I can't do a crouching sporty stance. I'm 1.7m, 72 kg. Want to put a top-box on for shopping. Don't want a rocket or anything thirsty but capable of 300 kms travel in a day.
Any suggestions, please.

What's your budget??

I was thinking of a SV650. (not a 650 S)

And welcome to KB:yes:

[froggyfrenchman]

Are you still on a 250 restriction? So you want a cruiser? How much do you want to spend? These are all points to be taken into account before we can give the best advise...

[Bonez]

Hi People
Looking for some advice. I've had a Suzuki GN125 for 18 months that's great around town and commuting 35 km each way to work, giving 38 km per litre.
However, I need a bike that will cruise comfortably at 100k and handles well. I broke a wrist a (fell off a mountain bike!) and I can't do a crouching sporty stance. I'm 1.7m, 72 kg. Want to put a top-box on for shopping. Don't want a rocket or anything thirsty but capable of 300 kms travel in a day.
Any suggestions, please.GB400/500 Nice wee bikes.

[justsomeguy]

Fark - 4 of us post at almost the same time with almost the same advice ----------:violin: :wari:

[Sniper]

Whew, you gave me a fright when I saw you rode a GN125. You don't want to upgrade to a harley OK!. Lol.

It does come down to what you want to spend, but keystone19's VTR would be great.

[justsomeguy]

GB400/500 Nice wee bikes.

Yup they're alright too.]\

Fishb8nz - take down all the names of the bikes here and test ride all of them until you find something you like.

When you find something there's always someone here who can help you check it out and make sure you get a good deal.

[fishb8nz]

PS a full licence for 35 years but before the GN125, last year hadn't ridden a bike for 20 years. Also want some sort of screen. Tried a Honda CB400FSV and enjoyed it. bit too sporty, though but don't want a GN250.

[Jackrat]

Welcome fishb8nz.

I have a neat little VTR250 that will be coming on the market in about two weeks time...

One careful lady owner...

How much were you looking at spending?

Hijack,sorry.
KS,Cheak your PMs.
Cheers.

[James Deuce]

I just bought a CB400 and rode it back from New Plymouth today.

Fine Machine. GB400/500, SV650, EL400.... There's loads of stuff out there, but make sure you ride more than one option before you buy. Your age will help there.

[FROSTY]

a few suggestions for ya.
Honda VTR250 -good light bike but 100km/h all day -will need a little screen type fairing for the wind.
kawasaki GPZ500. parralel twin a bit of a fairing -light and well balanced
Suzuki gs500 again parallel twin -will need a fairing
SV400 V twin nice power delivery
Hyu sung comet 250 --copy of the vtr again will need a lil fairing.

I cannot suggest the SV650 to you given your recent riding experience.

[fishb8nz]

What a stormy day for riding. How did you find your bike?

[fishb8nz]

Now I've got a few suggestions its time to test a few (when the weather settles down).

[James Deuce]

What a stormy day for riding. How did you find your bike?

It wasn't actually as bad as it seemed, thankfully. I found the bike through this website. Keep an eye on the "For Sale" (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/trader.php?s=) section.

[fishb8nz]

Looked at Yamaha 650 xtrail, I think, a road/enduro. $9950 - looks and feels good.
Hyosung 250/650 but look really good. Felt welds and details and they pass. Price is good too.
VTR250 looks very nice, also the Transalp .
Will test ride when the weather's looking better.

[SARGE]

a few suggestions for ya.

Suzuki gs500 again parallel twin -will need a fairing


I cannot suggest the SV650 to you given your recent riding experience.


i have a GS500 in the store with a full fairing. $8995=orc.. demo will be available for sale in a month at a lower cost

[fishb8nz]

Test rode a couple, so far. The Honda VTR250 and Hyosung Comet 650. I thought the Honda went very nicely, even though a cop pulled me up. Only doing 85-90 km. He had no reason to stop me but I'd left my licence behind at Boyd Honda. I think he felt a bit embarrassed when I lifted my visor and saw I was an old fart. Asked me how the bike went. Dick head Felt very comfortable on it.
The Hyosung really went well. Accelleration was way beyond any of the old Brit stuff I'd been riding 25 years ago. Riding position make my wrist feel uncomfortable and I was glad to get off it after 40 minutes.
A cruiser, maybe?

[oldrider]

Hi People
Looking for some advice. I've had a Suzuki GN125 for 18 months that's great around town and commuting 35 km each way to work, giving 38 km per litre.
However, I need a bike that will cruise comfortably at 100k and handles well. I broke a wrist a (fell off a mountain bike!) and I can't do a crouching sporty stance. I'm 1.7m, 72 kg. Want to put a top-box on for shopping. Don't want a rocket or anything thirsty but capable of 300 kms travel in a day.
Any suggestions, please.
Go and have a look at my post in your other thread on TransAlp. Cheers John.

Edit: I am 66yrs old this month and prefer upright riding position because too many potential breeding demands have ruined my back. The T/A is perfect for me in that respect. (Life is not so demanding anymore, damn it).

[fishb8nz]

Found a bike to suit my needs and got a really ugly BMW F650CS scarver. Couldn't get a Freewind or Trans Alp with the right credentials. T/A a bit too tall for me.
Bought it from Wellington way on Wednesday. A 2003 bike registered last August, 4500 km on clock - $9K. Seemed like a good buy. Handles to a degree far in excess of my needs, belt drive for low maintenance. Fitted the Givi box from my old GN125. Went on really well.
I rode up from Levin with another buddy who had bought a GN250 and we shared bikes. We both gasses up in Levin and again in Turangi and the BM used 1.5 litres of fuel less than the GN250. Mind you, it's a long drag up the central plateau on the Suzy, but it went ok.
I have to be really careful around town as I was in a 50 km area and doing 70, so easily.

[Fishy]

Good stuff Fishb8nz!. :niceone: