A moment of your time..

[Jimmy B]

Righto,

This is my first post and want to say that this place looks like quite the business.

I am 39 year old, live in Akl with my Wife and 3 year old son. As is appropriate for someone approaching 40 I have decided to get back onto a Bike (once the application and approval process with the treasury dept has been completed) and have a few questions.

I have riden since I was about 8, variuos 2 wheelers KDX175, RM250, PE250, XR200, XR250, XR600, motorcross, enduro but mainly hacking around and fallen off all of em. Fifteen years or so ago shifted from Hawkes Bay to Auckland and general lack of gravel saw me onto an early 80s XJ750. This was followed by CBR750R '88 and CBR1000RF. Plenty of happy Ks until I sold the CBR1000 about 5 years ago after a bout of brainfade.

Anyway, looking at GS1200SS, XJR1300 or maybe a Blackbird or Kwaka ELR. I would appreciate some advice. The affordable XJRs seem low Ks (15000) but 1994 , Blackbirds 1997 60,000Ks while the GS's are kind of newer for the same money plus low Ks and the ZRX is kind of new but higher Ks (59,000)

My question is am I better off with a newer machine (2004) with moderate or High Ks or a "better" Bike (IMHO) that has lower Ks, in good condition but the thick end of 12 years old.

What is high Ks anyway?, my XJ had 70,000 and went fine.

Confused, I am

Cheers

JB

[James Deuce]

Look with your heart.

Test with your bum.

Buy with your head.

All the bikes you mention are as close to bullet proof as one could ask for. Buy on condition, not mileage.

[SlashWylde]

Look with your heart.

Test with your bum.

Buy with your head.

All the bikes you mention are as close to bullet proof as one could ask for. Buy on condition, not mileage.


I second that

[sels1]

What Jim said. Try a few out and you will know the right one when you ride it.
With your experiance you will have a fair idea if something is a major problem, minor problems are usually easily fixed. It comes down to how much you want to spend. There is a lot of good miles left in some of the older bikes.
Welcome aboard the site btw

[skelstar]

Find a style of bike you like the look of...research your nuts off on the net (the 'off' part is optional)...test ride...look for a good example of what you want.

Its likely that theres about 10 people on here that already have the bike you may like...its likely Jim2 has written an 'indepth' about it too. Narrow options, then question the masses I reckon.

Good luck, and enjoy.

[sels1]

What is high Ks anyway?, my XJ had 70,000 and went fine.JB

A good question, and it has been discussed on here before - you can use the search function to find it.
Here is one thread it is mentioned:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=27122&highlight=high+kms

[Motig]

First thing I'd do is work out how much I want to spend, what you want to do with the bike, does it have to be the biggest/newest or just something to bring back memories on a sunny days ride. then spend hours lovingly researching each bike you like the look off.( thats half the fun) Take heed of all the advice you get from here then just go for it.

[Lou Girardin]

Welcome to the asylum. I tend to go for the newest, lowest k's I can afford. Don't forget to check out Bandits.

[Jimmy B]

Guys,

Firstly thanks for the reply's.

The main reason for my post is that this Bike will likely be "the one" for quite a while. So to initiate the launch sequence on this sucker I wanted the opionion of guys such as yourselves that would help my thinking. I plan to use mainly on the weekends and hope to sock a few longer trips away on occaision.

Heres what I thinks

GS1200SS - Evil Darth Vader retro style that I totally get. Probably the best value for late model, low K bullet proof bike around. More than enough grunt to keep me interested long term. Concerns about luggage but I will probably ride solo, and that seat on my boney ass - Have considered a Bandit but for some reason they just dont do it for me, but hey right bike at the price...

Blackbird - Just plain sexy and have riden earlier CBRs. Prolly a bit pricey for low K and an excellent way to loose my license...

XJR1300 and ZRX1200, well these remind me of the kind of Bikes that I grew up around, Big Block Muscle and Nakid Big Fun.

Does anyone know these bikes, ridden these bikes, can make a recommendation or give me a feel for known faults or shortcomings

Thanks again

JB

[ManDownUnder]

What Jim said - and welcome aboard.

I'm prone/biased toward the RF as well... bangs for bucks it's a goodun.

I'd peroinally go for older with low k's no matter what bike - they depreciate less, have plenty of spares and are genrally in good nick.

My 2c.
MDU

[Motu]

I only have one criteria - cheap.I don't care what the bike is,I don't care what condition it's in....all I need to know is how cheap.

[Jimmy B]

Thanks mandownunder,

Hadnt factored an RF into the equation as mainly looking at 1 litre plus, I like the torque, no I really like the torque. That was why I moved on the CBR750, had to wring it to get the best out of it.

How does the RF go 2 up with luggage , up hill, into a 50 knot headwind, 50 meters to get past a milk tanker from a rolling 80kph?

[skelstar]

Hornet for Monsieur?

[Jimmy B]

Skelstar,

Hmmmmn:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/25april02honda2002919review.html

fark - check, add Hornet to list

happy days Gents - Off to scolly fest in whitianga now, stay safe, thanks again and see you next week

[James Deuce]

Jantar had Givi luggage on his GS1200SS. PM him and he should be able to give you an idea of how that worked for him. Personally, between the RF and the GS, I'd rather have the GS to look at in the gargre (sic - deliberate - you'll learn the lingo). I really "got" those when they came out, and almost bought one. In retrospect I should have.

The RF is fine two up. Imagine a bike with the bottom end torque of a GSXR1100 and the top end rush of a GSXR750. The RF also probably has a better pillion perch. F5Dave has made some really good touring mods to his RF.

[Biff]

What Jim said.
In other words buy a Blackbird.
If you're after a relativley new one (05) - I'm open to reasonable offers.

[Blackbird]

What Jim said.
In other words buy a Blackbird.
If you're after a relativley new one (05) - I'm open to reasonable offers.

Discovered that your willy isn't big enough for a 'bird at long last Rhod?:Punk:

[Big Dave]

A clean and tidy 7-10 year old motorcycle is not brand sensitive.
Service history and how hard it's been flogged are more important than the badge.

Whatever it is if you're talking a 70,000k unit it probably needs a cam chain or tensioner as a matter of course. The rear shock is probably shagged too.

If possible check the compression, look for oil, listen to it, give it a rev and a test ride.
Check your normal service items - pads - hows the wheel and swingarm bearings, steering head all OK etc etc - or need factoring?

Due dilligence and then just buy something you like and suits your needs.

[mikey]

buy what ever is hceapest, wheelies best, an pulls the chics

[Bonez]

Welcome the the jungle.

[TerminalAddict]

+1 for the hornet ...
you get a whole lot of bike for not much dosh

[MD]

Ignore the mileage thingy. My VTR1000 motor seemed to gain more horses as it passed 60,000km ! That's another bike you might want to check out. Nothing wrong with going for a newer bike with high mileage. Bikes keep coming out better every year from the manufacturers so why dwell in the 90s?
Oh and condolences that you had to move from the beautiful Bay to Auckland. Was in Napier yesterday, fantastic warm sunny day- NO WIND.
And welcome back to riding.

[jtzzr]

Welcome Jimmy B , like some of the others have said take some bikes for a test ride and see which one suits you , youve got a good list of bikes you are leaning towards , a sports tourer , Personally (and only personally I bought a bird (1) Its a good looking bike (2) A person on this site told me they were good bikes(blacksomething )or rather was his name,(3)it has everything you need for a tourer,) but thats just my opinion , get what suits you.

[beyond]

Welcome Jimmy B.

Sounds like you are into largish naked bikes mate. :)

If that's the case, you honestly and sincerely cannot go past a Suzuki GSX1400. Don't let anyone tell you they can't handle. Get away from the factory settings on the shcoks and dial some proper settings in for the bike and your weight and these things can boogie. Grunt? A tad less torque than a Busa but not much in it.

See my ealier review. I've done 35,000kms on my bike in a year and a half and all for fun. It's up to 42,000kms now but she's basically just run in. :)
This bike is fantastic to ride and you can ride it all day, hard without getting uncomfortable.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=26613

[Clivoris]

Welcome man. I echo the sensible suggestions above. There are some real bargains out there if you have the cash in hand, a bit of patience and a ruthless bargaining style. If you can live with the styling those GS1200's are a lot of bike for the money. They also seem to be hard to sell so should be cheep. A mate of mine bought an RF back in the day. Since then he has owned many bikes including a VTR1000, Ducati S4R monster, XJ1100 (or summit like that). He still rates the RF as the best bang for buck he's had. Good luck.

[Edbear]

Look with your heart.

Test with your bum.

Buy with your head.

All the bikes you mention are as close to bullet proof as one could ask for. Buy on condition, not mileage.




Good quote! I like it! Can I steal it?:sunny:

[James Deuce]

Be my guest.

[Jimmy B]

Well Guys,

Back from Whitianga Scolly fest, primo weather and a couple of things stick out in my mind:

Thanks to the chick who climbed the rock wall wearing a mini, slipped and gave all and sundry a 3 minute slow, revolving, harness assisted panty flash….nice.

Plenty of bikes out, most turning off to head to Whangamata. If there is a KB member out there in this group, wearing Repsol Leathers who popped a 200 meter mono as I pulled left (to let the group thru) along a straight out of Tairua, please accept my thanks, not my cup of tea but simply awesome to watch, just awesome.

MD – Yes the move was a initially bit tough but got to go where the work is, despite the weather. A big plus with Akl is proximity to the Gulf and up north, I am big on fishing and diving and for that it is hard to beat.

Beyond, yeah I am and yes I have had a look, very cool, but really setting the budget sub 10K. I think I would be lucky to get a good example at that price.

I think I will hop on an RF for a spin given the positive comments. I hadn’t considered an RF cause my main criteria has been Naked or Semi, with plenty of grunt and its been so long since I have ridden that I am sure that I will fall in love with the first bike I hop onto and potentially compromise my initial feelings.

The Blackbird is an exception, I don’t know why, it just is.

So as a result of feed back my list to research is as follows (in no particular order):

Blackbird
GS1200SS
Hornet
RF900
Bandit
GSX1400
XJR1300
ZRX1100 or 1200

Of these, within reason, mileage and vintage will play a smaller part that condition, history and price.

I will let you know how it goes. I am doing a refresher riding class this weekend to get into mode (on a 250!!) and looking forward to that.

I am quite taken back by the warm welcome to this site and the helpful advice put forward. Thanks to everyone and I will look forward to contributing where I can.

Luck

Jimmy B

[TerminalAddict]

BTW: I paid $9300 for a 3 month old hornet with 3000kms .. never been registered (I bought the shop demo)

so well within your budget

[Biff]

Discovered that your willy isn't big enough for a 'bird at long last Rhod?:Punk:

The problem is my willy Geoff - my willy is too big. I keep getting it caught in the sprockets. Best I ride a bike that'll shrink my willy. Like a Bluebird.

[Jimmy B]

Biff,

My problem is the opposite, I need a big naked bike to compensate. Thanks for the offer for your 05 Blackbird. Prolly out of my price range and my wife is spending quicker than I can earn it at the mo' so will likley execute the trade late 06.

[Blackbird]

You can pick up carburetted Blackbirds (1997/1998) for quite a reasonable price (< $8000) and even the 1999 injected ones are quite reasonable. The motors are absolutely bullet proof and have a huge lifespan. The early ones were sometimes a bit snatchy on and off the throttle because of the clutch cush drive rubbers but I think most were fixed under warranty. The early regulator/rectifiers sometimes fried themselves but once replaced with a later version, didn’t give any more problems. The cam chain tensioner starts to rattle around the 70000 km mark but replacing it is only a half hour job and inexpensive.

If you look seriously at a ‘bird, I can give you some info on a few mods you can do to improve them, especially fitting a ride height spacer under the shock to improve the speed of turn-in. However, all the bikes you’ve mentioned are top notch and you’d be pleased with any of them. Jim 2’ s advice about “heart, head, bum” is spot on.

If you’re ever in the Tokoroa or Coromandel areas, I’d have no problem if you wanted to try mine.

[dawnrazor]

You might want to factor into the equation service costs and consumables like tyres and chains, the Blackbird is likely to be harder on these but it service costs might be cheaper then the GS. Take a cross section of replacement parts like mirrors, levers and bodywork and compare replacement costs - we all fall over at some stage or another, its worth having an idea which bike might break the bank!!

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Razor, thats good advice and something that I hadnt really considered. While on the topic of running costs would a 'Bird cost about the same to insure as other 1 litre plus bikes or is it deemed by insurers to be of higher risk and therefore more expensive?

[James Deuce]

Insurance categories are defined by cc rating. A BMW R1100S is more expensive to insure than a Suzuki GSXR1000 becazuse of a combination of market value and cc rating.

I don't see that dawnrazor's anology stacks up either. A GS1200 will be much easier to live with in terms of costs than a Blackbird. Less fairing panels to remove to do an oil change for a start. There's $40-$80 saved, assuming you get your servicing done by a dealer because they don't have to remove fairing panels to get to the oil filter and spark plugs. Plus it is less hard on tyres.

Also if you do have a tumble or low speed fall it isn't going to cost a fortune on the GS, particularly if you fit crash bungs.

[Jimmy B]

Cheers Jim 2, I guess razor was making referrence to the extended service period for the 'Bird being every 30,000K once run in. I dont know what the recommendation is for the GS, if its the same then the point is immeterial I guess, regardless I think the GS would be a more economical proposition from a number of angles and is still very high on my shortlist

[Blackbird]

Thanks Razor, thats good advice and something that I hadnt really considered. While on the topic of running costs would a 'Bird cost about the same to insure as other 1 litre plus bikes or is it deemed by insurers to be of higher risk and therefore more expensive?

Andy, my '99 'bird is about $550 p.a fully comp with full no claims discount through the Honda Riders Club and I think the insurance value is ~$11000. My chain and sprockets have been on for over 35000km with little sign of wear thanks to the Scottoiler. You take your pick with tyres. You'll cut out an Avon Viper in 4000 km or less if you're trying hard. An Avon Azaro can last 8000 km or more as it's a harder compound. Major service costs at 30000 km intervals are ~$600. My fuel consumption on the 4000 km Southern Cross ride averaged 16.6 km/lt. In short, I don't find the Blackbird particularly expensive to run.

Cheers

Geoff

[dawnrazor]

I don't see that dawnrazor's anology stacks up either. A GS1200 will be much easier to live with in terms of costs than a Blackbird. Less fairing panels to remove to do an oil change for a start. There's $40-$80 saved, assuming you get your servicing done by a dealer because they don't have to remove fairing panels to get to the oil filter and spark plugs. Plus it is less hard on tyres.

Also if you do have a tumble or low speed fall it isn't going to cost a fortune on the GS, particularly if you fit crash bungs.


Firstly there was nothing analogous in my original post, I was just suggesting a look at the bigger picture can some times be useful when deciding between bikes.

Wasn't trying to be specific, but was encouraging a look at service costs, consumables, insurance costs for each option and see which comes out on top.

Chances are there won't be anything in it, but you won't know until you do the math.

I had an aprillia once that would rape my bank account every six months, it was heart breaking, especially when it put out 34bhp from a 125cc 2 stroke - shit I can smell it now, hmmmm 2-stroke. Anyway if i"d looked into all the BS that came with it I would have bought something japanese instead, actually who am I kidding I was twenty, it was Italian - chicks loved it.

So how does that stack up?

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Geoff, Insurance and running cost sound pretty reasonable to me and considering the amount of use the bike will get I can certainly live with the higher tyre wear. I have only ever insurered the CBRs and that was through a work scheme - All bikes above 750cc where tarred with the same brush and it was costing me circa $85 per month. I looked into it wth the XJ but figured it could get nicked, I could get another on my credit card and repay that cheaper than the premiums.

I am not planning to drop the new bike but I certainly have dropped every one of my previous bikes at least once. I guess this one will be no different and will worry about that if (when) the time comes.

Thanks again - Andy

[sexy beast]

Congrats on your first post JB and a late welcome to KB and also to Auckland. well I also go for the condition of the bike (structure in particular) and ks dont matter as long as the engine is sweet. but others here will be able to give you better advice. and happy hunting!

[Jimmy B]

Dawnrazor, I think I understood your post and I found it valuable. It is for reasons such as you have described that I have chosen to stay away from the more exotic bikes. Hell you can pick up cheap low K Ducati et al imports that are very sexy but I would hate to think what replacment parts and consumables would cost...

[Blackbird]

No worries Andy. Both Jim2 and dawnrazor raise completely valid points. As a matter of interest, I do my own oil changes, it takes less than half an hour and you apparently don't need remove fairing parts. I always take the right hand one off, simply to eyeball other components at the same time, such as hose clips etc.

I too have dropped the 'bird. The crash bungs prevented all but a few scratches but couldn't bear being reminded that I am a pillock. The complete respray of the side panel with all its translucent coats cost nearly $500.:gob:

[dawnrazor]

Dawnrazor, I think I understood your post and I found it valuable. It is for reasons such as you have described that I have chosen to stay away from the more exotic bikes. Hell you can pick up cheap low K Ducati et al imports that are very sexy but I would hate to think what replacment parts and consumables would cost...


No worries Andy. Both Jim2 and dawnrazor raise completely valid points. As a matter of interest, I do my own oil changes, it takes less than half an hour and you apparently don't need remove fairing parts. I always take the right hand one off, simply to eyeball other components at the same time, such as hose clips etc.

I too have dropped the 'bird. The crash bungs prevented all but a few scratches but couldn't bear being reminded that I am a pillock. The complete respray of the side panel with all its translucent coats cost nearly $500.:gob:

The VFR is nice as well especially the pre VTEC model, thats almost a classic now - Hayabusa would put some fire in your belly as well.

I can testify to the brilliance of crash bungs, Mr Black bird got off lightly - my 5kph drop has cost me close top a grand, crash bungs would have saved me over half that maybe. i HAVE THEM NOW - WHATEVER YOU GET PICK UP A SET, Oggy Knobs are a good make.

[Jimmy B]

Thanks Sexy Beast. I think the length of this post, but more importantly the nature and quality of the replys is fantastic and reflects the willingness of like minded poeple to share their experiences in order to help someone out. In fact I have had someone come through by PM who has supplied additional interesting information. Well and truly over and above any expectation I had when I signed up.

Best

JB