New Bike

[John_H]

Hello all,

Well not been riding for very long but already thinking about my next set of wheels. I think I will do the accelerated course to get me off restricted in 3 months. Anyway, I dont know an awful lot about bikes and need some advice. I want a bike with a bit of power, looks cool and is comfortable for the Mrs to ride on the back. I wasn't sure if the sports bikes were very comfortable for passengers for long rides??? Not really keen on a full blown cruiser. Am I asking too much in a bike?? Any suggestions on what to start to look for would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[N4CR]

Welcome mate. Everyone says sv650 at some stage so i'll say it now - vtwin and a hot nakid bike. I have only ever rode a 7r (scary) so can't comment much.

Seen the new Kwaka ER-6N? That's very nice looking, can't remember what engine. Check out the zzr600's etc for touring as well.

[merv]

Sounds like you want a sports tourer - Mrs will never be comfortable on a sports bike unless she is still used to being in the foetal tuck with her legs up around her ears.

[John_H]

Sounds like you want a sports tourer - Mrs will never be comfortable on a sports bike unless she is still used to being in the foetal tuck with her legs up around her ears.


Cool thanks. Can you give me some examples of sports tourers please?

[mini_me]

Cool thanks. Can you give me some examples of sports tourers please?

kawi er-6n - got a 600cc parallel twin motor
yamaha xj 650 - 900 (old but still solid)
" fj1200
" xjr1300 (really nice and new)
suzuki sv 650 and 1000's (vtwins and quite purty)
honda vtr 1000 (another vtwin with shocking fuel range)

[mini_me]

oh and i forgot the honda vfr800 with its wonderful v4 engine
m/m

[Wasp]

i tried a cbr600 the other day, was great!

welcome to kb and hope to see you on the thursday night welly rides!

[merv]

Cool thanks. Can you give me some examples of sports tourers please?

Well as someone else mentioned there are the VFRs - I have a 750 and its perfect, later models are the 800. Triumph Sprints fit this category and other are mentioning such things as the old XJ900s. Depends how big and ho much money you want to spend.

Otherwise the nakids have been mentioned like SV650, ER6N.

For two up riding you really don't want to be leaning too far forward to clipons while your Mrs is perched up high on a tiny little seat with high footpegs and she is stuck out there all alone in the breeze.

[SPman]

kawi er-6n - got a 600cc parallel twin motor

Its a new 650, actually - no resemblance to the ER/GPZ 500 motor

[Sniper]

Welcome mate. You can't go too wrong with a VFR

[kiwifruit]

Welcome John,
i agree with all the suggestions above
it all comes down to how much you want to spend....
(and what sort of riding style you have)
you could get a gs 500 (suzuki twin) from the early 90s for around the 3k mark
or a zzr/cbr600 (read gsx600)from the same era for a little more
right up to a near new sv650 for around 8k
or a brand spanking new sv1000 for about 14k

i cant seem to stop talking about suzukis! Off topic

good luck, and keep us posted
cheers, Allan.

[zadok]

The trick will be to get something decent for two up stability and power. I doubt that a 600 would cut it in the two up stakes (power & comfort).
My GTR is the perfect combo. Perhaps something in that realm might be the go.

[cousa1]

what about the CB900? I see Honda is selling them cheap

[Lou Girardin]

Don't forget the Blackbird, they're a bargain at the moment.

[MidnightMike]

Dont forget the bandit.:ride:
http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/bike.gallery/gsf1200sk5.m.jpg

[The Stranger]

Cool thanks. Can you give me some examples of sports tourers please?

The easiest bikes to ride are either a Hayabusa or if that scares ya, a Blackbird.

[HDTboy]

Seeing as you're on a volty 250 and say you haven't been riding for long, I thought I'd suggest the Suzuki 250 Across (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=45672915&key=165227). It has the same seating position as the bigger sports tourers, but won't kill you and your missus as quick.

I don't know a hell of a lot about these bikes, but there's bound to be people here who do.

If you want a bit more boogie than that, and much better looks, there is the Suzuki RF400 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=46469343&key=165227), again similar riding position, and it looks very similar to the RF900

[John_H]

Thanks for all these relies, very useful. I thought these bikes you were describing came under the sports category but I stand corrected. Are they comfortable for a passenger? I know their not going to be as comfy as a cruiser but could you spend 1-2 hrs as a passenger on one?

[HDTboy]

Mate, most of the bikes people have described here are designed to go across continents two up

[Blackbird]

The bikes might be designed to go across continents two up, but unfortunately, saddle design/construction often lets them down. The Blackbird is one such machine. That's why there's a thriving aftermarket seat industry. I have one on my bike now and numb bum is a thing of the past, irrespective of k's covered.