Best Type of Bike for NZ?

[Winston001]

I've been away from motorcycles for a few years so have been pleasantly suprised - astonished really - at the power and sophistication of modern bikes.

My teeth were cut on mates Titans, Bonnevilles, CB350 , 750/4, Z1900, etc. Those machines were lots of fun, especially the Z1 which was a headturner for a few years.

But modern bikes seem to have vastly superior power-to-weight ratios, more comfort and better handling.

It used to be that about 1000ccs was the desired size of all-round bike but I'm wondering if that is true today. NZ is a motorcyclists paradise. Reasonably good roads, lots of corners, low traffic density.

But............the current speed limit enforcement by the Police means that a 250kph machine becomes rather academic. Most of its high end speed will never be used.

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

So what is the ideal bike for NZ? Something like the Kawasaki 636? Whaddya reckon?

[skelstar]

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.
Youre 140km/h implies that your passing power/speed/capability is low. Compared to cars out there its not quite enough. My machine has a top speed of 140km/h...and in a headwind 100-110km/h dont happen all that quick. Would be nice to have a bit more go in that situation.

I hear what youre saying though. Had the pleasure of riding a 1000 sprotsbike and wondered at the point of having that much power/urge. I got over it and just had a blast anyway :).

[gamgee]

rode a cbr600f (tourer model) plenty of power, but i didn't like the seating position, too upright for my liking and too high up, i guess the rr model would be lower and more sporty, but i certainly wasn't hooked on that f model

[TLDV8]

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

So what is the ideal bike for NZ?

:ride:

<img src=http://bmwdean.home.att.net/rider-mag.jpg>

[madmal64]

I suppose it depends on what type of riding you want to do most of the time. If its short (day) trips then something like the 636 is probably a good machine. For me and the type of riding I do I need something a little bigger all round as I do get away for weekendst rips or longer and do a few rallies so I tend to throw a bit of luggage on.
I think the revvy 600,s are great but the larger cc's are far more comfortable on the longer stints I do. I like being able to just roll on the power without having to drop a gear to get it all going.

[Zed]

So what is the ideal bike for NZ?It's really entirely up to you as the rider. "Ideally" it would be nice to own 4 or so different bikes, 1 for touring, 1 for the road/track, 1 for off road, and 1 for commuting, and even with commuting it comes down to how far you have to travel as to which bike would be ideal!

What do you want in a bike? Have you ridden any of the modern bikes you speak of? Probably a good idea to start test riding some bikes fella! :yes:

[Sniper]

Ignore anyone who says GSXR..... :bleh: (PT)

IMHO The best bike for touring plus hitting some twisties at speed would have to be a GSX750F.

[VasalineWarrior]

An rg 150 will do 140km/hr mate, and go round a corner just as fast or faster than a 1000cc superbike. What is sounds like you need is a v-twin of sorts. Maybe something along the lines of an sv 650 or ducati monster? Something with comfort and punch out of corners without having to see ridiculous figuires on the tacho to get a buzz (and with a better chance of licence retention)

[thehollowmen]

New Zealand is such a long country we cover almost a half of all terrain types. We stretch over 1000 km in a banana shape, over 12 degrees of latitude (thanks tristank). That's a lot.

We stretch from arctic down my end of the country, large dry flat plains perfect for cruisers to mountains and sprotsbike twisties up at kikora... turn left and you're in rainforest on the west coat for the trailbike.

The north island has a platau, dessert, tropical forest, plains...

I don't know if there is a 'best type of bike for NZ' because NZ varies so much.

[Sniper]

Well said hollowmen

[Troll]

An rg 150 will do 140km/hr mate, and go round a corner just as fast or faster than a 1000cc superbike.....


try a harley sportster

good fuel economy, heaps of torque and best of all cheap parts and zero depreciation

and if its not fast enough there are catalogues full of ways to spend money on it

[What?]

...and if its not fast enough there are catalogues full of ways to spend money on it
Whaddyamean IF???? :blank:

[RiderInBlack]

IMHO The best bike for touring plus hitting some twisties at speed would have to be a GSX750F.Would disagree with that, having tried both the GSX750F and the VFR750. Ended up with the 1990 VFR750. It had well earned it vote as the best allround road bike of it's year. Good commuter. Used it working as an RN in Tuaranga. Made easy work of the traffic. Did day hoons with it, Track days, and toured. No complaints. Would have another one if I was not so much into long distance Touring.

[jimdaworm]

I have owned and rg 150 and currently have a cbr 600.

The rg was a lot of fun! and it had plenty of get an go on the flat when it wasnt windy (I believe I got it to a real 160km/h)

As soon as it gets windy and you want to go up hills and or you want to carry pillions, or all three I think a bigger bike is better:sherlock:

I love my cbr :love:

Those 636's are 250km/h machines arnt they?:devil2:

[Motu]

If you want to ride all the roads and conditions this country offers and aren't too concerned about mega high speed,then an adventure bike is perfect.They can take any road surface in their stride,are well set up for lugage...and can show a clean pair of heels to a sportsbike in the real tight twisties.

[Ixion]

Depends on whether you need to use it as a communter , and how far you think a "long trip" is. And whether you plan on seeing a lot of gravel.

Agreed with the top speed, but for touring you need the *possibility* of more, so as to be able to maintain that speed uphill aginst a headwind after slowing for a cage etc.

If a "long trip" is 200km , then the 636 is reckoned good. If a "long trip" is 1000km non stop and you don't need to prove anything to people, then BMW can't be beaten for effortlessly eating up the miles. And they can take luggage, which saves having to have to trot along behind on hundreds of little legs.

If you want long distance and gravel is important, the Triumph Tiger or Buell are well thought of.

Incidentally, the Titan is STILL damn good for touring !

[clint640]

If you want to ride all the roads and conditions this country offers and aren't too concerned about mega high speed,then an adventure bike is perfect.They can take any road surface in their stride,are well set up for lugage...and can show a clean pair of heels to a sportsbike in the real tight twisties.

Yup. If you want 1 bike to rule them all it's gotta be gravel capable in my book. Just 'cos it's not a 1000cc sportbike don't mean they're not fun to ride on the tar neither.

Really 3 bikes are required, A sportbike/tourer/cruiser depending on your inclination, a middleweight adventure bike & a lightweight trailbike. Ah well, 1/3 of the way there...

Cheers
Clint

[Finn]

An rg 150 will do 140km/hr mate, and go round a corner just as fast or faster than a 1000cc superbike.

I should have bought an RG 150. Would have saved me a whole pile of folding. :doh:

I agree with your v-twin recomendation and there's alot a variety around now.

But as someone else said there is no such thing as the perfect all rounder or the "best" bike for NZ. You have to go for what you will spend most of your time doing. I have a full on dirt bike and sports bike but there's a huge gap in between...

[SPman]

up to about 140 kph.....hmmm......top gear roll on......90 - 140 in about 3 secs.........hmmmmmm.........effortless touring, Auckland to Welly and back............wheelies till the cows come home..............GSXR1000 I'd say! :moon: :dodge:

[riffer]

Take your pic:

BMW F650GS
Ducati Multistrada (if you can handle the looks)
Buell XB12S Ulysses
Yamaha XT660

and a few other types of bikes I'm sure I could find if I had the time.

Definitely an adventure bike.

[Troll]

Whaddyamean IF???? :blank:

well how fast do you want to spend?

[Aiolos]

well how fast do you want to spend?

How about $13995 (http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/motorcycles.html)

[Hitcher]

The best bike for most New Zealand riding conditions? No contest. It would have to be the "Forgotten Suzuki" -- the DL1000K6 V-Strom.

[Skyryder]

I looked into this. You need to know what style of riding you want to do. Sports or cruising. If it's sports I can't help but cruising I have one opinion. The Harleys do have some finer points. There's no doubt they hold their price and there are more Harleys on the road than any other cruiser so when I first started looking 'them' is what I started looking at. But the simple fact is that they are not made for NZ roads and as such I rejected the brand for this reason. The Jap Harley clones in some ways are better than what they copy but again in general are not made for NZ roads. The closest I came was the Guzzi EV. Eurpean roads in some ways are not dissimular to here, or so I have been told so I went for the Guzzi. Wheel base and rake are very close to the Harley Sportster. So if Harleys are your thing the Sportster 1200 is the way I would go. Short fast and light.

At the end of the day choose a bike that not only suites your style of riding but one that ''fits.'

Skyryder

[Winston001]

I've been on Stewart Island for a few days with my children - excellent fun. Scooters can be hired for $26/hour. :argh: So we walked. :D

Excellent discussion and you are all right to say that it depends on the type of riding. I'm not seriously looking at trading the R80 but it is fun to consider the options. Some of my friends whose children have left the dribble and crawl stage are now looking at getting bikes again so we tend to discuss whats best - generally on the older second-hand market.

I think Vasaline Warrior makes a good point suggesting a V-twin. Torque and power.

Never thought about adventure bikes but it is a good suggestion. I go offroad but usually on an old XR200 or in a 4wd truck. Gotta take the children along cos they enjoy offroad too.

I'd guess that most bikes are used either for commuting daily, or as a fun machine for weekends/rallies.

[Motu]

The adventure bikes we are suggesting are not off road bikes,but all road bikes,there is a differnce,and as you ask about the best bike for New Zealand conditions they are the obvious choice.

[Swoop]

Would disagree with that, having tried both the GSX750F and the VFR750. Ended up with the 1990 VFR750. It had well earned it vote as the best allround road bike of it's year. Good commuter. Used it working as an RN in Tuaranga. Made easy work of the traffic. Did day hoons with it, Track days, and toured. No complaints. Would have another one if I was not so much into long distance Touring.
Im in love!!!!!:2thumbsup (Said in best Blackadder voice... "I love you and want to have your babies!!!")
Shame about the fact it's not an all-round bike though. Moto has got the solution though!

[Bonez]

I've been away from motorcycles for a few years so have been pleasantly suprised - astonished really - at the power and sophistication of modern bikes.

My teeth were cut on mates Titans, Bonnevilles, CB350 , 750/4, Z1900, etc. Those machines were lots of fun, especially the Z1 which was a headturner for a few years.

But modern bikes seem to have vastly superior power-to-weight ratios, more comfort and better handling.

It used to be that about 1000ccs was the desired size of all-round bike but I'm wondering if that is true today. NZ is a motorcyclists paradise. Reasonably good roads, lots of corners, low traffic density.

But............the current speed limit enforcement by the Police means that a 250kph machine becomes rather academic. Most of its high end speed will never be used.

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

So what is the ideal bike for NZ? Something like the Kawasaki 636? Whaddya reckon?

Well having only owned late 70s and early 80s air-cooled Japper 4 strokes no greater than 750cc's for the last 20+ years. They still seem to scoot around this fine country of ours with aplum at the speeds you desire.:Punk:

[Edbear]

There's gotta be about as many "ideal" bikes as there are "ideal" bikers! My own old GSX600F was not my first choice when I decided to return to biking, but a mate offered it to me at a price I really couldn't refuse! Being a fussy old blighter it was in superb nick and had only 30k on the clock! I had intended to buy a cruiser, but after riding with mates on their cruisers and being used, now, to the handling of my sports bike, I doubt I'd be happy with a cruiser, or an adventure bike either! Yes, though old now, the GSX is streets ahead of the old T500 Suzuki I had back in the dark ages, with twice the power - and handling the T500, and my old XS750 Yamaha, could only dream of! It hits 200kp/h real quick and sits nicely at 110k where there is enough torque to waste the cages in most passing situations. The riding position suits my aging portly bod and is comfy for all day tours. It also is a peach on the gravel, being rock steady and easily controlled at handy speeds! I've racked my feeble old brain trying to decide what to upgrade to, and each time I ride it it just does everything I want, so with the staggering choices available today, I just can't seem to better it! I'd love to ride a GSX-R thou, though, just for the experience, and am rather taken with the latest HD 1200 Sporty, but how can one choose? If you've not had much to go on, just try a few different styles out and pick one, the joy of riding will overcome any minor imperfections in whatever you ride!

[marty]

as hitcher says - the DL1000, or for a more sportbike-like ride, the VFR800.

[Winston001]

There's gotta be about as many "ideal" bikes as there are "ideal" bikers! My own old GSX600F was not my first choice when I decided to return to biking, Yes, though old now, the GSX is streets ahead of the old T500 Suzuki I had back in the dark ages, and my old XS750 Yamaha, could only dream of! I've racked my feeble old brain trying to decide what to upgrade to, and each time I ride it it just does everything I want, so with the staggering choices available today, I just can't seem to better it!

Well said. Really my reason for the thread is to find out what other people think. I used to have an XS650B which was a lot of fun but in all honesty wouldn't go back to it.

Life would be boring if we all agreed. I'll admit to a irrational bias against Japanese bikes whilst also admiring their style, performance, and reliability. Indeed at the right price a Jap bike could discover my garage.

If I have a complaint about the BMW it is that with a full RT fairing it is underpowered. But on the other hand the weather isn't a problem so even if I moved to another bike I'd probably get another fairing anyway.

Ultimately two bikes - a sports bike and a cruiser would be the business. Like that will ever happen. :msn-wink:

[TONO]

The best bike for most New Zealand riding conditions? No contest. It would have to be the "Forgotten Suzuki" -- the DL1000K6 V-Strom.
Here, here, I have the DL650 V=Strom and it has a ton of guts and is comfortable on both tar-seal and metal roads. :2thumbsup Which if you are going to go touring around NZ is a must.
It is comfortable and economical to ride. Great allround bike.:rockon:

[Hitcher]

Here, here, I have the DL650 V=Strom
Presumably you mean "Hear, hear"...?

The wee-strom looks the goods and reviews well.

[terbang]

Get a 1200 Bandit..! Does everything including loose metal.. Be Carefull it may also find the hoon lurking in you..

[TONO]

Presumably you mean "Hear, hear"...?

The wee-strom looks the goods and reviews well.

Yes i do.....Freudian slip,:weird: actually not paying attention, must have been tired.
My apologies.:hug:

[Mooch]

Couple of mates have made the recent change from years of sports bikes. One owned a 636 for 9 months the other an R6 for a similar period (Jim2).
Both have chosen the Kawasaki Z750 as replacements (See Jim2's ride report). They are both enjoying the Z's which sound far easier to live with.
One bike you may want to consider is the GSXR1000, These are easy to ride and are reasonably comfortable. Handling is very neutral. They are fine if you want to do 500- 600 kms a day and they have no trouble carrying gear. Forget the speed potential, can be ridden sedately when required. Pricing isn't that far a jump from a 600.