Upgrade time soon

[TerminalAddict]

ok guys I want some comments.

I'm after a normal bike.
Nothing fast, nothing slow ... somewhere in between
I don't want super agressive steering (afraid of the slap :) ) and I don't want to get a sore arse/back/legs on long rides.

I want something I can commute on, do the weekend 500kms ride, and be comfortable etc.

The V has been a good bike, and very easy to learn on, with the occassional scare :2thumbsup and will be a fine bike for the wife ;)

I've got my eyes on a 06 919 hornet .. looks like a normal bike, that I can push (when I get the balls) to have a bit of fun on. Has a 25 degree rake (not to freakish .. altho' a big change from my 35 degree rake on the V ) and I read BD's article in KR last night .. and he raves about it (taken with a grain of salt .. .coz it is a mag after all .. and he's not going to call it a complete piece of crap is he :D )

I looked at a Triumph T'bird .. but would really like to buy new.
Bandits are also an options I guess .. I'll do some research today.

Anyway .. .I'd like to hear your opinions / suggestions / comments

I haven't ridden anything yet ... maybe next weekend

[MSTRS]

I rode a GSR600 a few weeks ago. Felt very nice, handled well, very comfy & responsive (fuel injected I think). Only dislike was an annoying 'buzz' at round-town speeds.

[TerminalAddict]

so today I am dedicating to reading about the GSR600, the ER-6n and anything lese I stumble across that fits the bill

[Kendog]

Having two of them, we kinda like the Hornet, a great 'do everything bike', and fun to modify and make personalised! Take a few different bikes for a test ride and see what you like.

[Devil]

Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Dont go an pass it off as some useless, wobbly "dual purpose" bike without trying it.

Its a great package. Comfy, plenty of on-road performance and a great engine. Good on the gas too. Very easy to ride.

[beyond]

ok guys I want some comments.

I'm after a normal bike.
Nothing fast, nothing slow ... somewhere in between
I don't want super agressive steering (afraid of the slap :) ) and I don't want to get a sore arse/back/legs on long rides.

I want something I can commute on, do the weekend 500kms ride, and be comfortable etc.

The V has been a good bike, and very easy to learn on, with the occassional scare :2thumbsup and will be a fine bike for the wife ;)

I've got my eyes on a 06 919 hornet .. looks like a normal bike, that I can push (when I get the balls) to have a bit of fun on. Has a 25 degree rake (not to freakish .. altho' a big change from my 35 degree rake on the V ) and I read BD's article in KR last night .. and he raves about it (taken with a grain of salt .. .coz it is a mag after all .. and he's not going to call it a complete piece of crap is he :D )

I looked at a Triumph T'bird .. but would really like to buy new.
Bandits are also an options I guess .. I'll do some research today.

Anyway .. .I'd like to hear your opinions / suggestions / comments

I haven't ridden anything yet ... maybe next weekend

Mate, you obviously need a GSX1400. Good prices too. :)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26613

Go to this link and scroll down to Suzuki, go the archived items and find four to five reviews on the GSX1400. It's not the pig you think. Once ridden, you'll be hooked :)
http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/clasqm/

[skelstar]

THeres quite a few comparos between the Hornet and other bikes on this forum (SV1000, Bandit, Firestorms...you name it). Just do a search.
Have fun deciding.

[TerminalAddict]

Mate, you obviously need a GSX1400. Good prices too. :)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26613

http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/clasqm/

eek .. front wheel skipping through 2nd, 3rd and 4th :D

This has already made my research list ;) :2thumbsup

[Switch]

I think you need something small, to fit your ball size...:laugh: get that triumph rocket 3 ;)...i do like your research list so far :P you gona stop me from getting a sports bike? :P

[TerminalAddict]

I think you need something small, to fit your ball size...:laugh: get that triumph rocket 3 ;)...i do like your research list so far :P you gona stop me from getting a sports bike? :P

fuck you are such a forum whore .... you been here like 5 seconds .. and check your post count ...

WHORE !!!!

:nya:

[TerminalAddict]

Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Dont go an pass it off as some useless, wobbly "dual purpose" bike without trying it.

Its a great package. Comfy, plenty of on-road performance and a great engine. Good on the gas too. Very easy to ride.


methinks I'll be spending a day or two at road and sport :)

[Switch]

fuck you are such a forum whore .... you been here like 5 seconds .. and check your post count ...

WHORE !!!!

:nya:

Just because i have better skills than you :nya: oi coming to Pukekohe On Sat?

[TerminalAddict]

mebe .. could good for a laugh :)

free entry for a spectator ;)

[Macktheknife]

Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Dont go an pass it off as some useless, wobbly "dual purpose" bike without trying it.

Its a great package. Comfy, plenty of on-road performance and a great engine. Good on the gas too. Very easy to ride.
I rode one for a while and really enjoyed it, same engine as the SV and super-comfy to ride. Give it a try. I also recommend the Bandits, great all round bikes, excellent tourers and comfy around town, got loads of power when you want it too. Only criticism of them is they could use another gear.

[ZeroIndex]

what time does puke on saturday go through till? if i don't end up on a ride, and i finish work early, i might feel like coming for a look..

[beyond]

I rode one for a while and really enjoyed it, same engine as the SV and super-comfy to ride. Give it a try. I also recommend the Bandits, great all round bikes, excellent tourers and comfy around town, got loads of power when you want it too. Only criticism of them is they could use another gear.

That's why you get a 1400. You get six gears, fuel injection and truckloads of loverly torque? You can ride all day and do it again without getting a sore arse and yep, they actually do handle. (Bandits do too, of course)

[Lou Girardin]

Hornet, GSX 1400, CB1300, XJR1300, and far from least - Bandit. My personal favourite.

[MD]

Hornet, GSX 1400, CB1300, XJR1300, and far from least - Bandit. My personal favourite.
Strewth, I hope Lou and beyond are pulling your leg. The last thing you want to do is go from a 250 to a 1400cc!
Try the middle weights for size first. You can always move up a size later when you feel ready, but it's not so easy to move down a size after that first big moment on your first big bike kills you.
The Er6 thingy is good value and the likes of the SV650 Suzuki.

[myvice]

Sounds like you are after what I was looking for...
Go into every bike shop you can find and ride everything.

[Burger]

ER6 n or f

I'll ave mine soon... (Black, Faired)

I did a hell of a lot of reading on middleweight bikes, and it was either the ER6 or the SV-650.

Both are very good from everything I've read.

[myvice]

Hey Burger, whats the DNA like?

[Burger]

Lots of fun....

...for riding around town.

And unfortunately thats about it. Forget about riding it on the motorway, which is what I use it for the most (to get to work 20k's away). You really have to wind it out to stay around the 100kph mark. If there is oncoming wind you have to hug the false tank, and if it's strong then it's more like 80kph. But for zipping around town it's awesome, no gears, no clutch.

So I'll be upgrading to the ER6F/Ninja 650R in a short while (damn licence waiting times). I've done the research and the Kawasaki won me over.

[TerminalAddict]

what are peoples thoughts about a Yamaha FZ6N ? for what I'm after

[Edbear]

I'm after a normal bike.





?????????? Wot's that? Do you realise you're asking KBers? Normal..!!!??? You're definitely in the wrong place for NORMAL!!!:doobey:

[Motig]

Iremember this fun when the bank manager said "Yes, we'll buy a bike for you" I decided I wanted the more upright riding position for less weight on the wrists (old age). Decided what I liked was Hornet,Kawa ZR750,Bandit and the new GSR Suzuki. Finally brought none of them as another bike came up and the price was too good but otherwise if the GSR checked out I'd have gone for it cause its a bit different followed by the Hornet. So I guess I'm saying Get what you like and take everybodies completely unbiased advice with a pinch of salt. Good Hunting!:scooter:

[Lou Girardin]

Strewth, I hope Lou and beyond are pulling your leg. The last thing you want to do is go from a 250 to a 1400cc!
Try the middle weights for size first. You can always move up a size later when you feel ready, but it's not so easy to move down a size after that first big moment on your first big bike kills you.
The Er6 thingy is good value and the likes of the SV650 Suzuki.

Nah, they're just big fluffy pussy cats. And when you need serious grunt, it's there.

[skelstar]

Reckon theyre a good bike. They get good reviews etc. I sat on one (couldnt test ride at the time) and thought there was too much chrome etc. Just the asthetics mostly. They werent cheaper either (about $14k). Could have bought a new 04' R6 for that at the time..

[TerminalAddict]

so far (without riding) the picks are
Hornet 919
FZ6N-S (with the wee fairing)

[WickedOne]

ok guys I want some comments.

I've got my eyes on a 06 919 hornet .. looks like a normal bike, that I can push (when I get the balls) to have a bit of fun on. Has a 25 degree rake (not to freakish .. altho' a big change from my 35 degree rake on the V ) and I read BD's article in KR last night .. and he raves about it (taken with a grain of salt .. .coz it is a mag after all .. and he's not going to call it a complete piece of crap is he :D )

I haven't ridden anything yet ... maybe next weekend

The Hornet's are certainly enjoyable bikes. Shop around and ride some other bikes as well, you will know the right bike when you get on it.

[kiwifruit]

hornet would be good, grunty tho after a 250!
what about a gs500? cheap enuf new

[skelstar]

I went from a 250 good for 140km/h to my Hornet with no troubles at all. Still dont use at full-throttle and dont have too (although should on the track :))..

[WickedOne]

I went from a 250 good for 140km/h to my Hornet with no troubles at all. Still dont use at full-throttle and dont have too (although should on the track :))..

Yeah, I went from a GN250 to my Hornet without a problem.

[XP@]

Up to you, and depends where you are riding, but i find the adventure tourers pretty damn good in NZ because there is nowhere they can't go.
Happy on a commute, fire in the twisties, gravel & nz's crap roads are soaked up in the awsome suspention and decent riding position. The only thing they don't do to well is 200+kph.

[Devil]

FZ6n: Rode one of these while test riding. i'd give it 4/5. Good engine (not much bottom end though). Well set up suspension (despite its limited adjustability) not bad to ride. What held it back for me was the vibes. Top gear at 100km/h made my hands go numb. That and any bike with a digital tacho gets points off. Cant read the thing when you've got a bright sun behind you!

GSR600: Had one of these as a loaner yesterday. Great for carving up traffic. Next best thing to a motard around town. Engine was ok. Gearbox very smooth.
The seat was crap, forced you towards the tank. The mirrors shook like mohammed ali. Couldnt see shite in them.
Nifty having a gear position indicator. Speedo was a little small for my liking.
Those indicators look expensive.

I've got the Vstrom650 as a loaner again. Cant re-iterate enough what a great bike this is.

[skelstar]

mate, how come youve got several bikes on loan...troubles with the 4 still?

[Devil]

3 Warranty jobs (single day jobs), two services, one chain and sprockets (took the last two days as they ordered the wrong sprockets on day one).
Plus I'm a cheeky bastard when it comes to loaners. Dont ask dont get!

...a few of the recent bikes have been me tyre kicking and also talking about when I was test riding before buying the Triumph (in the case of the FZ6)

Thanks Holeshot for putting up with me and loaning me nice bikes :D

[TerminalAddict]

2 months on:
still no upgrade, still can't decide .. fuck this hard :) but enjoyable :P

short list:
hornet
hornet 600 (not sure about this .. haven't seen one)
bandit (either 600 or 1200)
sv1000 (the 650 doesn't do it for me)
vtr1000

unfortunately my $$$ have dropped tho' :cry:

I've now got $4000 difference with my trade

the GSR600 does it for me in looks .. but i can't quite stretch to $13K :cry:
I guess I could wait a year or 2 until second hand ones turn up on the market <_<

["D" FZ1]

The FZ1-N obviously is my personal favourite but we also have both the FZ6-N & FZ6-S in stock. Plus a couple of late model FZ1 Fazers or a new XJR1300. Spoilt for choice :ride:

[TerminalAddict]

yeah spoke to some there already (can't remember name .. grey hair :) )

the used fz1's should've been on my list .. I like those .. but every thing is slightly out of my price range at your place ....
unless you can work some magic :)
$4000 + 2005 xv250