What to look for next?

[robzilla]

Im getting bored with my zzr 250 and my full licence is looming, so now is the time to think about my next purchase...

Not that the zzr hasnt been fun, but even after riding a mates cbr250 the kwak has felt a bit feeble.

I should be able to scrape $6000-$7000 together (maybe more if something amazing comes along) and am looking to buy something along the lines of a 600 four cyl (think zx-6 gsxr etc..) or a 1000 twin maybe (think TLs or VTRs)

Ive seen a lot of TL 1000s and mid-late 90s ninjas on trademe for what seems like good prices, but dont really have any experience of riding(or buying) bigger bikes - so dont really know what i should be looking for (e.g how do i know what is good?)

Can anyone give their reccomendations or experiences?
Just something to point me in the right direction as im not too sure...

[98tls]

If looking at a TLs check the mounting point for the rotary damper for cracks as its a known flaw in many....Awsome bike though...have had mine for years and cant ever imagine selling it to be honest....

[bladez]

i would vote for the tls as owned one and the most fun i ever had :2thumbsup

[Macktheknife]

I should be able to scrape $6000-$7000 together (maybe more if something amazing comes along) and am looking to buy something along the lines of a 600 four cyl (think zx-6 gsxr etc..) or a 1000 twin maybe (think TLs or VTRs)

Ive seen a lot of TL 1000s and mid-late 90s ninjas on trademe for what seems like good prices, but dont really have any experience of riding(or buying) bigger bikes - so dont really know what i should be looking for (e.g how do i know what is good?)

Can anyone give their reccomendations or experiences?
Just something to point me in the right direction as im not too sure...
Personally I reckon you would be mad to go from ANY 250 to a 1000 anything. The step up to the 600 will scare the hell out of you as it is, take your time going to the bigger bikes, and you should have plenty of time to enjoy the difference.
The gsxr and cbr, are very good and the zx6r is really nice too. Go out and ride a few and see what fits you best, then you can decide what to go after.

[imdying]

250 to 600 four or 1000 twin will be fine. Won't take you long to realise that they go bloody quick, bloody quick, and that it takes a long time to stop from bloody quick. And if you don't, no matter, you'll be dead any way :yes:

I had a 97 ZX6R, it was an excellent bike, I would totally recommend one.

[kiwifruit]

what about an sv 650?
they are a good step up from a 250, handle well, easy to ride, sound good, are hard to kill, you'd get a fairly new one for that sorta money.

[gamgee]

I was in sort of the same position, and ended up getting a VFR400 NC30, for $1500 needs the fairing replaced (done) and painted (pending) chain and sprockets replaced (saving for) and fork seals done (probably this week)
when I'm done with it I'm expecting the resale will be around the $3500 - $4000 mark as everything else on the bike is absolutely mint, have had the engine checked by a few bikie mates and they all said it sounds perfect.

Anyway enough rambling, what I mean to say, is don't discount the 400cc 4's they are a good stepup between a 250 and a 600, plenty of power, I got a bit of a suprise the first time i took it for a test run, it accelerates so quick compared to my ninja, i'm planning on riding it for about a year until I get a good handle of the power stepup, then go for another stepup to a zx6r hopefully meaning I'll be in a better position to ride the zx6r a lot better

[madmatt]

the zx6r 06 will scare the shit out of ya for sure and you wont look back, you dont need a 1000 really, the 636 will keep you learning for a long time.

[iwilde]

Try test riding the bikes that you're keen on and go from their. Everyone has an opinion on what you should get but, you're the only person who knows whats right for you. Some people can step up to a 1000, some can't. Find the bike that you feels suits you and ask the questions about that bike and I'm sure you'll get some great advise as 98tls has given.

[Toast]

A 600 will cure your boredom for sure, but a non-restricted 400 is a massive amount of fun as well, normally for half the price (although admittedly, twice as old).

[MSTRS]

Check out the FZR400 that Frosty has for sale....you'd have shitloads left over to get yourself all nice new leathers etc and in a couple of years you'd get back near what you paid to jump onto a 750
This is closer to you... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=799918#post799918

[Damon]

I went from my CBR250 to a VTR1000, it takes a couple of mins to realise that too much fist will have you facing skyward but as long as the first buck doesn't throw you you'll be fine

[Squeak the Rat]

At the risk of being lambasted (? mmm lamb), if you go straight to a thou then what have you got to look forward to? More of the same only newer.....

Opinions are like arseholes - every c*nt has one nearby. This one's is to get a mid-size bike that has enough power and handling to see you through a couple'a years. Eg vfr400, sv650s, or a 600 sports if you wanna go reallly fast. If you really want a thou get one but don't do so because of peer pressure......and don't expect to be able to use it anywhere near 100% for a while....

Happy choosing - but watch out for paralysis by analysis!

:mellow:

[XP@]

250 -> 1000 -> Hospital.

If you are really serious about riding and would like to keep riding for a long time then try an "in-between" bike first.

[Wenier]

i reckon ya better off with a 600 for the step up youll learn to ride that to its maximum well before a 1000, and itd take a lot longer if ya went straight to 1000. I went from my 600 from a zxr250 which probably has more go than the zzr and that was a big step up and cant really see the point in 1000 now.

[Fisherman]

That was exactly me a few months ago. Ive got a 97 zx6r if you want to meet up sometime to give you an idea of what to expect and I could take you for a quick ride. Send me a PM if your interested.

[imdying]

That was exactly me a few months ago. Ive got a 97 zx6r if you want to meet up sometime to give you an idea of what to expect and I could take you for a quick ride. Send me a PM if your interested.
I miss that bike :crybaby: I hope you're getting out on those beautiful Otago roads!

[Fisherman]

Beautiful is streching it a bit. Seems as soon as you get south of Oamaru they get bumpy as hell. I just go inland instead. Nothing wrong with the long way to anywhere on a bike.

[imdying]

Beautiful is streching it a bit. Seems as soon as you get south of Oamaru they get bumpy as hell. I just go inland instead. Nothing wrong with the long way to anywhere on a bike.Yep yep, Tekapo to Arrowtown for sure.

[robzilla]

Yeah from what ive been told + heard, a tourqey litre twin straight after a slow tourqeless 250 mite not be wise (something about 'riding may cause death or similar health problems')

Cheers fisherman for the offer but i'm thinking now i should actually get my licence first then go for a few test rides...

But for one final thought - just saw this on TM
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-74645302.htm

62,000 kms on a 600 seems kinda high but sounds well looked after (from the description + photos :mellow: ), and could always get experienced family members to test ride /inspect.

Anyways thanks for the feedbak

[XP@]

Beautiful is streching it a bit. Seems as soon as you get south of Oamaru they get bumpy as hell. I just go inland instead. Nothing wrong with the long way to anywhere on a bike.
Does NZ have bumpy roads? I can't remember finding one...

["D" FZ1]

Should be able to pick up an older R6 for that sort of money.

[Lazarus_sv]

If you like twins you should consider an SV650. I just made the step up a couple of months ago from a 250 and found the transition reasonably easy (except for the fact that I am a short arse!). They are a great all round bike, have the great v-twin rumble and are very affordable - you should be able to get a pretty good one in your price range.

[Crazy Steve]

Last of the full HP ones..

And go hard...

You will pick one up with high kms for just over $7k ish..

327kph was the claimed top speed...

You will be fine...After all...You will have a FULL LICENCE!!

Crazy Steve..

[thealmightytaco]

You're so crazy steve