Help this old dude

[OLD MAN BJ]

HI guys,

Just new to the forum, but I would really appreciate your advice about buying a new bike. I havent owned a bike for about 8 yrs, and my last one was an R80,(old tractor but reliable ) but have had various bikes over the last 25 yrs and have ridden a K1000 and a Honda CB1000 ( although not for any length of time) I want to buy a new bike to do a bit of touring arround the North Island with the missus, but since Ive owned a bike, technology has moved on and I dont want to bite off more than I can chew.(power wise) Within my price range I have been looking at a Hornet 900 or Suzi GSX750 F. How important is fuel injection , and liquid cooled V air cooled for longevity etc. Any thoughts would be welcomed as well as any other suggestions. I do want a comfy bike with a decent amount of torque rather than outrite power.

Anyway, cheers in advance

[zadok]

Welcome to K.B, BJ. If the bank balance can go the distance, a Honda ST1300 or Yamaha FJ1300 would be the go. I settled for the poor man's equivalent, in the Kawasaki 1000GTR, but they aren't making them anymore. I used to have a 650, but I didn't like it for two up. IMO a bigger capacity is needed.

[T.W.R]

Welcome to the nuthouse oldman BJ enjoy,

out of the two bikes you mentioned & the intended purpose of your possible new mount, consider the GSX750F over the Hornet.
the suzuki is more of a captain sensible allrounder compared to the Hornet, more comfortable also. the Hornet is a great bike none the less but if your of a sizeable nature one of these can be quite cramped & their a bit more sporty in performance too.

[sels1]

Welcome aboard the site Old Man BJ. Have you had a look at the Triumph range?
http://www.triumphnz.co.nz/

I have just bought a Tiger - ideal two up tourer that is comfortable and performs well over any road surface - a bit like the big BMWs but not as bulky (or as expensive!)

[madboy]

I vote for the Hayabusa. Or if you want something smaller, the GSXR1000 K6.

Oh, wait, you're sensible... well in that case, you can't beat a... Harley... for class. There, I said it.

Now back to the thread on pig bashing and runners...

[pritch]

Within my price range I have been looking at a Hornet 900 or Suzi GSX750 F.

Well I'm biased of course but the Hornet offers more bang for the buck currently than just about anything else in the market.

The Bandit would be another good choice. If yer budget stretched a bit further you could look at the SV1000 or the VTR Honda although I don't think either of them has a tank range that compares to the Hornet. (Don't know about the Bandit but I haven't heard anybody complaining.)

Any of those bikes should have power characteristics suitable for touring two-up and, of course, you don't have to use all of the power all of the time.

There are some bargains around in new bikes at the moment so have fun checking them out.

[TLDV8]

What about a retro style along the lines of a GSX1400 or XJR1300 ? (or smaller)...the seating might be more comfortable for two up and hauling gear.

[OLD MAN BJ]

Thanks guys for all your replies. And a big thanks for making me welcome.I know there are more suitable bikes, but at the moment thats my budget. Is there much advantage to fuel injection or liquid cooling? All my bikes of past were carbies and air cooled. Like I said, technology moves on, but those old bikes lasted well and were reliable. One other thing, if you cant get aftermarket seats like Corbin in good old NZ, are there Upholsterers in AK that can alter a seat for you. I intend to take a few bikes for a test ride, but all too often you only get to know a bike well after owning it for a while.

BJ

[ducatilover]

welcome to the site dude.:yes:

i would say go for a bandit 1200 as theyre rather cheap, the fjr1300s are quite high priced from what i've seen.

if you want an older aircooled bike go for the fj1200, they are mint touring bikes and are bloody comfy. but i would recomend water cooling... at the end of the day its up to you so i might as well not say much except, make a list of all the bikes you are interested in, do some research on parts prices [i know that one from buying a honda:slap: ] and then ride them all:2thumbsup good luck:bleh:

[NhuanH]

...
I used to have a 650, but I didn't like it for two up. IMO a bigger capacity is needed.
To that I say "Nae". A humble 636 can readily ferry a 7xkg pilot and his 110kg girlfriend.

BJ,
Welcome to KB. For the dollar, I'd say you are hard pressed to top a CB900 at the moment. Just remember it is a Fireblade engine of not many years back, so certainly a lot more pep than the last bike you lived with.

[madboy]

If you're into the specs and haven't come across this site before, check it out... not too bad.

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/

[ducatilover]

If you're into the specs and haven't come across this site before, check it out... not too bad.

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/
yeah i use that site for most bikes.... except it doesnt have my honda nt650/bros650/hawk gt650 blah blah:oi-grr:

[Timber020]

I think it depends on your budget, if you have 6k or less, you can pick up an rf900 pretty easily.

[et al]

Is there much advantage to fuel injection or liquid cooling? .............
One other thing, if you cant get aftermarket seats like Corbin in good old NZ...
BJ
I can recommend the Hornet as best bang for buck, but can't comment on how she would be 2 up as I don't carry a pillion. As for the seat, suggest you send a Private Message to Groins because I know he got an aftermarket seat for his Hornet and he also carries a pillion so he will be the expert in that regard. Also try search this site for previous threads on the Hornet 900. Good Luck - you will no doubt have fun trying to find what is best for you, but I think you need to narrow it down to a couple of choices - which it seems like you already had done as per your original post. Fuel Injection & liquid cooling: don't get hung up on this - just have to say welcome to the 21st century!

[et al]

FYI - This is one of the threads I suggest you look at, and it also includes the seat info from Groins:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=16852&highlight=hornet+900

[crash harry]

How important is fuel injection , and liquid cooled V air cooled for longevity etc. Any thoughts would be welcomed as well as any other suggestions.

Injection is not important at all. Maybe helps a wee bit with fuel economy and throttle response, but a good carb setup can do almost anything injection can.

Liquid Cooling helps to keep the engine temperature more consistent, reduces engine noise, and allows more efficient cooling. Generally allows greater power for the same displacement because the heat can get out better so the engine can run harder. Anyway, I doubt you'll find many air cooled road bikes these days.

I assume you're looking at a new bike? The Hornets are awesome for the money. I don't know much about the GSXF but I assume it's a typical suzuki (ie. good value for money)

[Zapf]

depends on how much you value weather / wind protection....

CB900 is a good bike... the only down side would be the lack of effective wind protection vs the likes of GSX750... and you'll also find that seats are longer on the GSX750... and well as the max load carrying capacity.

CB900 has a limit of 180kg according to the manual. Which you might be pushing with 2 up and lots of hard luggages.

[What?]

Liquid Cooling helps to keep the engine temperature more consistent, reduces engine noise, and allows more efficient cooling. Generally allows greater power for the same displacement because the heat can get out better so the engine can run harder.
Liquid cooling helps to keep the engine temp more constant which means tolerances can be tighter which is where the longer life comes from (the moving parts aren't slopping about so much).

[Lou Girardin]

Injection is simple and near fool-proof these days. Although carbs don't need much attention anyway. I went to an air-cooled Bandit because a stray stone won't make your air cooling leak onto the road.
Hornets are great value, but I preferred the better protection and greater torque of the Bandit for touring. (especially 2 up)

[quickbuck]

The GSXF's are technically air cooled. It is called SACS, and basically uses oil running around to take the heat off the internals of the engine. Even though I ride a Honda I did heaps of 2 up touring on a 98 GSXF600, and it went very well. No need to worry about anti freeze for the Brass Monkey, and you change your cooling medium every oil change. I would rcommend the 750 in actual fact. Both biles are very good, but the fairing of the 750 will provide a bit of comfort. Welcome back to motorcycling.

[geoffc]

HI guys,

Just new to the forum, but I would really appreciate your advice about buying a new bike. I havent owned a bike for about 8 yrs.... Any thoughts would be welcomed as well as any other suggestions. I do want a comfy bike with a decent amount of torque rather than outrite power.

Anyway, cheers in advance
Hi
Welcome to Kiwi Biker. I am very new to the KB forum and have been back on bikes now for the last two and a half years. Your story is similar to mine so I thought you might appreciate my comments.
Firstly take your time, do what you are doing, talk to people, even dealers who are not too pushy. Good dealers let you take bikes for test rides and not just around the block.
Check out members of the local Ulysses club, go to one of their meetings. There are bound to be some wise heads among them with good advise or maybe knowledge of a good local privately owned machine for sale.
I started back on a old yet tidy & low mileage Honda CBX 750. Why? Because I didn't want to spend much if the bike idea didn't work out. It was air cooled, less to go wrong and with very little plastic fairing for me to break if I fell off. (I'm a realist)
Trademe gave me a chance to see what was available and importantly a guide to market prices.
Happy hunting.