Have money will spend

[fische]

So I've nearly got the money to buy a bike. There are a lot available and I don't know which one I want. Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki… Shit I don't know enough to make a descision. I like bikes and they go fast & I can ride. I've got up to $5k and I want around a 1000cc Sports/Tourer because I'm a bit bigger than avg. I want the best buy for my money (although it's not much) and that's as far I am going to go. What's good for that sort of money? I've been told that any of the bikes above would be good.
Hopefully I'll be able to get something that'll last for a couple of years

[James Deuce]

Yamaha FJ1200. There's a good one at Sawyers in Wellington for less than $5k. Other than that the RF900 is your best bet for that money. It will be "higher" kms at that price, but not really a big deal for the under-stressed 900 engine.

[kiwifruit]

ZZR1100, what a bike!

[Hitcher]

Out of the four you've got listed, I'd go with the ZZR.

[Macktheknife]

Out of whats listed I would go the ZZR as a first choice, followed closely by the RF900 as a second. Good luck.

[Cajun]

like anything, its the less milage bike you can get for your cash i think. vs best condition.

All be great sport tourers with massive amounts of grunt

[madmal64]

Out of the ones listed the RF. Bloody good all rounder. Had one of these of years. PM me if you want any more info.

[Colapop]

It's the same question I've been thinking about for awhile. Have you considered a GS1200? I saw one of those on tardme at a good price the other day. But out of those listed I'd say the RF900 or ZZR1100 would be the best. Comfy for a big 'un too!

[Toast]

Go the YZF, they're deceptively quick bikes, especially 96 onwards. Failing that, I've heard good things about the RF900. Pig ugly, but I'd still buy one given what I've heard.

[Dooly]

RF900. Best all round bike I've ever owned.
Make that, best bike ever, for me, so far for user friendliness.

[cowpoos]

I'ld get the yamaha if it was mint....and well looked after... that where you'll get ya most bang for buck...other wise the zzr1100...they dam reliable and powerful bikes...and comfortable!!!

[James Deuce]

I'd be deeply suspicious of a YZF1000 being sold for $5k. It's a better bike than all those listed in terms of build quality and equipment. Usually go for $7-$10k depending on mileage and condition.

[gamgee]

i know someone with a yzf, he swears by it, he's owned it for about 4 years or so, so out of those choices i'd go the yzf

[T.W.R]

Thunderace for under $5g would be suspect. ZZR would need to be thoroughly checked over 1st and an RF would OK, pretty solid bike just the love it or hate it styling that lets them down. Another option in that era would be a CBR1000FN as a good allrounder.

[Blackbird]

ZZR 1100 would be my choice. A mate had one and it was unburstable apart from a gearbox which gave grief twice. Perhaps one of the ZZR owners on the site would care to comment as I believe that it was a known fault on one version.

[SARGE]

go for the Thunderace or FJ1200 if your looking for a big fast Sports Tourer.. lotta bang for the buck and pretty easy to upgrade

[The_Dover]

But Sarge, don't you want to sell that RF900 sitting in the shop?

[98tls]

RF900,one of the most underated bikes of all time,GSX-R1100 donated many engine internals so plenty of power and reliable as hell.great all rounder.damn things handled so good they could give plenty of sports bikes the hurry up.

[SARGE]

But Sarge, don't you want to sell that RF900 sitting in the shop?


Trigger rides one ..


need i say more?



I'd be deeply suspicious of a YZF1000 being sold for $5k. It's a better bike than all those listed in terms of build quality and equipment. Usually go for $7-$10k depending on mileage and condition.



10 Grand??

down the road they are selling for almost $13k!!!

love to get one ..

[ghost]

YZF, lived with one for 7 years, swear by them, but like the rest say I'd be dubious of one under $5000.

Next would be a ZZR, very fast for their age, probably why they lasted so long in production.

[fische]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I saw two GSF1200 bandits on TradeMe that look good. I dunno - lots of thoughts.

[jtzzr]

absolutely loved it , except for 2nd gear (or lack of) otherwise an awesome allround bike,definately have someone look at it for you, have you thought about a blackbird , 5k is a damn good deposit if you wanted to spend a little more , I`m surprised you didn`t suggest a bird Geoff (blackbird).:scooter:

[Blackbird]

absolutely loved it , except for 2nd gear (or lack of) otherwise an awesome allround bike,definately have someone look at it for you, have you thought about a blackbird , 5k is a damn good deposit if you wanted to spend a little more , I`m surprised you didn`t suggest a bird Geoff (blackbird).:scooter:


He didn't ask, so I was being strictly neutral:nya:

[Madness]

I love my ZZR1100. Power to burn, comfortable as a Briggs & Stratton 2-seater couch and pretty much bulletproof. They are a heavy arsed bike though and if you're looking to go scratching 'round goat-tracks with one, be prepared to replace the tyres every 4-5000k. The '92 model will be a C, as opposed to the D model that took over in '93 and ran in production pretty much unchanged until 2001. The C is by many regarded as a lemon, with lubrication/siezing problems on No.2 bottom end, the D model had the bugs pretty much sorted.

$5000 is just a couple of grand below the threshold of many good value used Jap bikes. My best advice would be to save another $2000 and see how much your options open up. Easily said when you've got a bike in yer shed already, eh?

[Clivoris]

Bro. You might have to keep test-riding bikes for sale in that price range until you find one that's been looked after and rides well. With the bikes you are considering, that is going to be more important than the specific make or model. I would imagine that it would be too risky to use tardme as well, unless you get to have a look at the bike first.
Now I get 98 cents change from a dollar. :scooter:
Good luck bro, but it seems to be a buyers market at the moment.

[fische]

It's looking like the RF900 will win the day. Just got to check it out and have a bike shop check it over before I fork out some cash...

[MSTRS]

Perhaps it's overpriced, but worth a look....
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=689582&postcount=1