What's the perfect bike? [Archive]

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 08:42

I am considering an upgrade from the SV650S. I'm interested in people's thoughts on the perfect bike for the following:

- daily commute (country twisties for the most part - no sitting in traffic)
- touring - South Island etc
- the odd weekend blat

Not interested in a naked. I don't tend to thrash my bike on the road but I enjoy a little bit of power. Don't have a whole lot of money either - say max $10000. I'm not averse to another SV650s if this is the best bike for the job.

This is all dependent on selling my SV of course, so if anyone is keen, PM me.

Any ideas out there?

Cheers!

skelstar

24th October 2006, 08:45

You were touring on Pauls K4 fine in Feb....so what about something like that?...
plenty of 04 636's around for (about) that kind of money.

ManDownUnder

24th October 2006, 08:45

What's you preferences re performance?

Kick in the pants (i.e. a V twin) or longer smother revving inline 2 or 4 cylinder?

Hard to beat a Gixxer I'll bet, although if I had the cash I'd be steering toward a good 2nd hand Duc...

adiddy

24th October 2006, 08:48

mmm duca.. yeaht here was a few on tardme last time i looked aye. otherwise r6

James Deuce

24th October 2006, 09:00

Well, my Z750S does all those things and it has a slightly more relaxing riding position than an SV.

Motig

24th October 2006, 09:13

Sorry,the only perfect bike you'll get is the one you like after extensive research etc. On the forum you'll only get everybodies opinion on what they think the perfect bike is which probably 90% of the time coincides to be the same bike they happen to own at the moment so their opinion will change when they get their new best bike. So you cant trust them, their like the weather-changeable and unpredictable:dodge:

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 09:23

Yes Motig, you are indeed correct. However, what this thread does give me is ideas about what bikes I haven't thought about yet. Jim2's suggestion of the Z750S is excellent and one I had not thought of. Hence already the thread has achieved it's purpose. Of course there is no perfect bike - but many people will have ideas around what might be!

Please, continue with the suggestions people. All are welcome.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 09:26

You were touring on Pauls K4 fine in Feb....so what about something like that?...
plenty of 04 636's around for (about) that kind of money.

Have ridden the 636's of that era and didn't like the fact that I couldn't see the dash for a start! The K4 is fine, but largely out of my price range at this stage.

What's you preferences re performance?

Kick in the pants (i.e. a V twin) or longer smother revving inline 2 or 4 cylinder?

Hard to beat a Gixxer I'll bet, although if I had the cash I'd be steering toward a good 2nd hand Duc...

I don't really mind if it's VTwin or other. Not really interested in the VTR1000 but will try the SV1000.

mmm duca.. yeaht here was a few on tardme last time i looked aye. otherwise r6

Duc's are too expensive to maintain and not reliable enough for a technophobe like me who has to ride ti to work every day. R6 is nice.

The_Dover

24th October 2006, 09:35

if you can raise a coupla grand more then crazy steve is selling his gixxer

XP@

24th October 2006, 10:13

If you liked the SV650 then try its cousin the DL650, or a Transalp.

IMHO:
* Commuting they are easy to ride, and high to give you a good view over all baring the tallest cages.
* Easy to sling bags over for the weekend, week, month or year...
* Can hold their own against any other bike on NZ roads (unless they are willing to risk your licence).
* Oh, and they don't get all ansy or twitchy when you hit some gravel.

kiwifruit

24th October 2006, 10:14

2004-5 Kawasaki ZX10R

The_Dover

24th October 2006, 10:26

2004-5 Kawasaki ZX10R

Yes, a very good choice for the ladies.

kiwifruit

24th October 2006, 10:27

Yes, a very good choice for the ladies.

lmao :lol: :finger:

zadok

24th October 2006, 10:29

I've seen some good reviews about the Ducati Multistrada 620

"The Multistrada and Multistrada Dark are the perfect machines for riders who demand the versatility of these unique motorcycles that is even easier to ride than its 1000cc counterparts".

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2005/146_05_ducati_multistrada_620/

McJim

24th October 2006, 10:47

Try a SP1 - not the regular VTR1000.

Devil

24th October 2006, 11:13

I think you should try my bike, Jill :P You're insured for it so you may as well take it for a blat. Could swap for a few days if you like, take it on your work run.

marty

24th October 2006, 11:22

VFR800. probably the best mid-range sports tourer. awesome fuel economy, pretty cool V4 engine which gives a good mix of v-twin and 4 cylinder performance. stretch to the under seat exhaust model (post 02 i think). i doubt whether you'll find a bad review about one anywhere

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-74724059.htm

Motig

24th October 2006, 11:23

Alright, how about if your happy with the 650 but just want more power get the 1000 like you were thinking. But then again if you want a proper change would that be like too similar to the 650?

Devil

24th October 2006, 11:37

SixPackBack

24th October 2006, 11:38

Talk to Duc-girl Jill, she has an SV1000. Prolly plenty around in your price bracket and would be similar to the 650.

marty

24th October 2006, 11:40

i used to ride with a mate who had a 2000 model. we often swapped bikes (i have a TL) and i loved riding it. much better behaved than the TL everywhere, nicer riding position, sounded nearly as good with satantune zorst.

had done otorohanga-palm.north on a tank of gas (riding nicely....)

skelstar

24th October 2006, 11:40

The V-Tech scares me on those bikes. Not founded in experience or fact, just feel that complicated mechanisms in motors can often ask for trouble. Why not just increase the capacity by 200cc. I can see the merit in putting V-Tech in car motors, but not bikes (that I can see anyway).

SPman

24th October 2006, 11:57

i seem to recall seeing somewhere that there was no recorded v-tec system failures on any honda machine ever. can someone refute this? not an engine failure per se, just a failure of the v-tec
The Vtec is pretty bulletproof. I prefer the earlier gear drive VFR800. The Vtec 800 , to me, sounds like a combine harvester when the vtec comes in, and why would you go back to chain drive cams when the earlier model has that lovely piece of engineering in the engine dept? If I could find a good VFR, 99-2002 at the moment for a reasonable price, I would seriously consider one.

sels1

24th October 2006, 12:04

I am considering an upgrade from the SV650S. I'm interested in people's thoughts on the perfect bike for the following:

Tried a Triumph 955i Daytona? or a Sprint ST?

Riff Raff

24th October 2006, 12:10

You could follow in my footsteps and get an R6 like me!

steved

24th October 2006, 12:20

Why no naked? How about a Hornet 919?

SPman

24th October 2006, 12:35

Tried a Triumph 955i Daytona? or a Sprint ST?
She did say she had around a $10K limit............

carver

24th October 2006, 12:35

If it was me i would head to MT eden MC and get the new ER6N for 10k!
a tiny bit ugly, but that engine, and riding position are good around town, as they are in the country.
it should do a shade over 200kph, i did 192 with a passanger and got the front wheel fairly airborne over a fairly big hill! :shit:
the best thing about it was the compact size of it, and the balanced package.
great brakes, handling was mint, power was as much as your most likely to use by the sounds of it. :gob:
oh, great torque too!
try one! you honestly must!:shutup:

boomer

24th October 2006, 13:17

YOU CAN GET ONE OF THOSE SUZUKI (1400'S ) LIKE PAUL(BEYOND) HAS BRAND NEW FOR ABOUT 10K jILL.

HAPPY HUNTIN

adiddy

24th October 2006, 13:26

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-74971059.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-74725642.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-73826287.htm

mmm all of this are nice:yes:

boomer

24th October 2006, 13:28

wanna buy my baby Jill?

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:33

Very Rare and very rarely under 10 grand. Also for the same amount of money you can get an Aprilia which has that extra something.

What about a gsxr750 or a 600? lots going for under 10grand. Nicksta just went for a gsxr600 might wana chat to her.

Yep, all nice bikes and I'm quite keen on Bartman10s (the first one you list). Just don't want to muck him around so won't do anything until I've sold mine.

I think you should try my bike, Jill :P You're insured for it so you may as well take it for a blat. Could swap for a few days if you like, take it on your work run.

I take it that means you've checked your insurance then!

VFR800.

Yes, I would seriously consider one if I could find one in my price range. Would have to compromise on high kms.

You could follow in my footsteps and get an R6 like me!

Yes, that's a possibility. They're a nice bike.

Why no naked? How about a Hornet 919?

Don't like naked because of the wind factor. Not a huge issue and keeps the speed down I know but being a relative light weight I prefer to have some control of my neck muscles upon finishing a ride. I find the naked hard work.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:34

wanna buy my baby Jill?

Well at least the sides of the tyres are rarely used. How much?

Hitcher

24th October 2006, 13:37

I hate these "What's the perfect bike" threads. Particularly if the person asking the question doesn't want to spend more than $7,000, which is generally the case.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:39

I hate these "What's the perfect bike" threads. Particularly if the person asking the question doesn't want to spend more than $7,000, which is generally the case.

Hah, it's $10,000 thank you very much. And I personally think the price is irrelevant. A perfect bike is what you define it to be, not what the price is.

XP@

24th October 2006, 13:41

Dare you to look at this...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-72919079.htm

motobob

24th October 2006, 13:42

I hate these "What's the perfect bike" threads. Particularly if the person asking the question doesn't want to spend more than $7,000, which is generally the case.

So Hitcher why are you reading this thread. You one of those self flagellation types.

I predict K19 will buy something completely different to what anyone will suggest. :innocent:

Hitcher

24th October 2006, 13:42

Hah, it's $10,000 thank you very much. And I personally think the price is irrelevant. A perfect bike is what you define it to be, not what the price is.

And what are you defining it as? Clearly not new. Preferred engine size? Style of bike -- do you want a Harley? Do you want to carry a pillion? How tall are you (seat height) and other "fit" requirements? Etc.

The_Dover

24th October 2006, 13:44

Well at least the sides of the tyres are rarely used. How much?

yeah, buy boomer's bike then the poofta can get a thou!!

Devil

24th October 2006, 13:47

She wants a girls bike. Hah.

Just took a VFR800 for a ride (03 model). Awesome riding position, very very comfy, you could ride on that all day I think. Engine was nice, if a little quiet. Good spread of torque. The VTEC kicking in is fairly obvious, nice engine note change!
Couldn't test it in the twisties because the tyres were so square it gave me shivers in the corners. Will find another one. From reports, it's a very good handler.

Hitcher

24th October 2006, 13:47

So Hitcher why are you reading this thread. You one of those self flagellation types.

I guess I am either a "self-flagellation" type or one who is attracted to emotional discussions to which there is no answer. People will buy what they buy. Particularly in the secondhand market where availability of a "preferred" bike is often the issue. The "perfect" bike to the list of attributes stated in the first post is an FJR1300, a bike that the enquirer neither wants nor can afford. They are clearly not seeking perfection, they are seeking a workable compromise. Such is life.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:47

And what are you defining it as? Clearly not new. Preferred engine size? Style of bike -- do you want a Harley? Do you want to carry a pillion? How tall are you (seat height) and other "fit" requirements? Etc.

I'm not defining the perfect bike. I'm asking others to define it. What do people suggest may be the perfect bike for the requirements I list. Perhaps it is a Harley? The aim of the thread is to get some suggestions from other people about the types of bikes that they think might work. This will allow me to consider possibilities that I may not have previously. For example the VStrom and DL are also a couple I hadn't thought about recently.

Devil

24th October 2006, 13:49

Oh yeah, that reminds me. Go try the DL650 :P

Jill, the VFR's seat height is very good too, easy to paddle around on.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:50

The "perfect" bike to the list of attributes stated in the first post is an FJR1300, a bike that the enquirer neither wants nor can afford. They are clearly not seeking perfection, they are seeking a workable compromise. Such is life.

How do you know I don't 'want' an FJR1300. It is clearly a suitable bike for the purposes I outline. If it does not meet the price criteria then unfortunately it is not the perfect bike for me. A worthy suggestion however.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 13:50

Oh yeah, that reminds me. Go try the DL650 :P

Jill, the VFR's seat height is very good too, easy to paddle around on.

Where did you get that VFR from to test?

skelstar

24th October 2006, 13:53

It does help to read this thread and understand its intent if you have ridden/managed to keep up with Jill.

kiwifruit

24th October 2006, 13:53

I hate these "What's the perfect bike" threads. Particularly if the person asking the question doesn't want to spend more than $7,000, which is generally the case.

hate is such a strong word!

Devil

24th October 2006, 14:06

Cyclespot, but as I mentioned the tyres are so square it's just ridiculous. I cut my ride short because you wouldn't want to take it round any corners. Previous owner must have stayed on the motorway!

Pester them about putting new tyres on it, or find another one to test. But very very nice bike.

Scouse

24th October 2006, 14:41

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 14:44

A Hardly Davison! If you want that sorta thing at least get something like this

Hmmm....Buell....

Stroker Girl

24th October 2006, 15:45

Hi KS

My partner has a VFR800 (pre v-tec model). I've rode it a few times (recently to Port Waikato) and was quite surprised how easy it is was to handle considering it is quite a bit heavier than my 400.

The seat is nice and low and riding position is very comfortable. It makes a nice growl when you open it up and has a smooth gearbox with heaps of torque.

It does have the dual braking system (which takes a bit of getting use to), and you do have to man handle it a bit more through the tight stuff but really there's not too much complain about.

If you're keen on a test ride, let me know and I'll see if I can sort something out :whistle:

As you mentioned earlier it can be hard to find the low km models. We were looking for about 6 months before a good one came up. Good luck with your quest!

boomer

24th October 2006, 16:22

Well at least the sides of the tyres are rarely used. How much?

yeah, buy boomer's bike then the poofta can get a thou!!

indeed Dover!!! i have a feeling i need to kill myself, teh mid life crisis has kicked in! i've packed work in, got myself a mohawk and want a thou...

Jill, I was hoping for a a couple over your budget; But if teh bikes a go-er then its gotta be worth teh extra coin huh???!!! and you know shes never been thrashed only loved and adourned :love:

unhingedlizard

24th October 2006, 16:46

My 2 cents?
A VFR800 sounds about right. How tall are you? If you can manage it get a test ride on a TDM850/900. Might be what you are looking for.

Bonez

24th October 2006, 16:57

Good luck with your quest Jill. You mentioned the SV650 in your first post. It would be good for what you want to do. You know, not too big, not too small, just right.

Keystone19

24th October 2006, 17:32

My 2 cents?
A VFR800 sounds about right. How tall are you? If you can manage it get a test ride on a TDM850/900. Might be what you are looking for.

At the risk of sounding dumb, what is a TDM850/900?

Oh, and I'm about 167cm tall - 5'7" for those of you still living in the dark ages...

WINJA

24th October 2006, 17:50

Either Street Magic Or Svx5.5 Aprillia

Quasievil

24th October 2006, 18:21

Well Jill, you dont want a 636, it would be a hard tour in the sth island.
I would look at the VFR800 but it wont be a new one, personally I have issues with the linked brakes and Vtec thingy.
If you want something a little gentler for touring try a dual purpose bike ?
ie a Transalp of the New kawasaki KLR 650, new at $9290
Great tourer (guy just went around the world like 5 times on one or summit)
http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/kawasaki_custom.cfm?modelcode=KL650A7F&do=list

Your offroad ability will bring a whole new dimension to your riding and those skills can be taken to the track!!

Just a thought, but hey you can get a new one with a warranty!!

merv

24th October 2006, 18:35

I still have my VFR750 having bought it new and I marvel at how great that bike is every time I ride it. I'm shorter than you and while I know the 800's have a slightly taller seat height, you will fit fine. The power delivery of the V4 is pleasurable. As long as mine has the right tyre pressures it handles like it is running on rails - totally neutral and just goes around corners. If the newer models are as good, they will be a fantastic choice. I can't see me selling mine any time soon and that is not a bad recommendation after over 12 years. Even without V-tec mine has quite a noticable power kick at 7,000rpm but the V4 is totally tractable right off idle and its light on gas running 350 - 400km on a tank of 91.

Is it perfect? Nah, I don't ride it on dirt so have to have a few other bikes to satisfy my desires.

madmatt

24th October 2006, 18:50

has been, once was, not even.

The_Dover

24th October 2006, 18:53

Get a Husky TE510 with motard rims. There are run out ones at about ten grand, 05 models brand new.

might not be best for touring the south island

Zapf

24th October 2006, 19:01

I'm considering one of the new ones at the moment. Looks like a good piece of kit. I'll have to go test one.

220kg... from experience they are slower than the SV650 out of corners.

Have you looked at the CBR1100XX or CB1300S ?

Zapf

24th October 2006, 19:05

KS,
How about a CBR954?

Good handling, small, and I have one :)

its comfy too, rode to NP and around the west cape and back to Auckland in 1 day. And knees felt fine

Clivoris

24th October 2006, 19:13

What a delicious dilemna. The world is your oyster mate. With $10k to play with you have a large range to select from especially if you have the nouse to buy privately. If you can live with a bit of weight on the wrists you definitely owe yourself a ride on a GSXR750 and SV1000. Although I used to find the SV seat a bit hard on my buns of steel:rolleyes:
There are some Bandit bargains to be had out there as well. I don't think the ER6 will give you significantly more than the SV650, but one of the Yamaha parallel twins might be the ticket. I can't help thinking of "bang for buck" arguments, so a pre CBR1000 fireblade might be an option if you could find a good one.
If you have time up your sleeve ride as many as you can. In my experience dealers have been really happy to tempt me with test-rides even if I buy from elsewhere. So don't be shy. As long as you aren't buying a 250, it's a buyers market out there. I sold my SV1000 for under $8k.
Good luck.:2thumbsup

NinjaBoy

24th October 2006, 19:19

Well Jill, you dont want a 636, it would be a hard tour in the sth island.
I would look at the VFR800 but it wont be a new one, personally I have issues with the linked brakes and Vtec thingy.

Admittedly I haven't toured the SI on mine but have done 6-700 kms non-stop (except fuel stops) trips on mine. Not nearly as painful as I thought it would be. Also know of some 636s that may become available soon ...you know carefully ridden on Sunny Sunday afternoons only :innocent:

I recently tried a VFR ( thinking this is what I may go to after I'm too old for a full-on sports bike). Very refined and easy to ride is the best way to describe it. Although the thought of 200+kg does make me cringe a bit on the slow stuff.

Something left field .. is the CBR600 F4 I had. Quite upright seating position but smooth silky engine/transmission. Bullet proof engines and have been around for a while so lots of aftermarket parts/accessories available. Maybe the F4i and later CBR are similar ?

kiwifruit

24th October 2006, 19:31

KS,
How about a CBR954?

Good handling, small, and I have one :)

there ya go

Devil

25th October 2006, 08:34

220kg... from experience they are slower than the SV650 out of corners.

Have you looked at the CBR1100XX or CB1300S ?

:P You need to ignore the figure (I just passed it off the first time I looked at it) and just go and ride one. You cant feel the weight at all. Gets along really well. Top quality bike.

Keystone19

25th October 2006, 10:13

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions guys. I have got a few bikes that I need to go and ride to narrow down the selection a little. There is definitely some here that I hadn't thought of and will definitely look in to.

Might need to take a day off work to do some testing me thinks!

Toast

25th October 2006, 10:23

A ZX6R like the blue one I used to own is a pretty mean roadbike, I reckon. Big fairing is good for touring, got 100hp at the wheel, 5l/100kms cruising economy, 260+ top speed for ditching police, really comfortable for a sportsbike...sweet.

Alternatively there's a 929 for sale in your price range as soon as the bloody insurance company fixes it...never been on the track or crashed on the track Jill :) Perish the thought...

fazer

25th October 2006, 10:42

Try the 2001-2005 Fazer 1000. Comfortable upright seating position, handles well, stable, and driven carefully get 52mpg (whatever that is in kms per litre), (has a bigger fuel tank than new ones) and has a fair turn of speed if required. I think they are very underated. ...my 5c

vifferman

25th October 2006, 11:03

The Vtec is pretty bulletproof. I prefer the earlier gear drive VFR800. The Vtec 800 , to me, sounds like a combine harvester when the vtec comes in, and why would you go back to chain drive cams when the earlier model has that lovely piece of engineering in the engine dept? If I could find a good VFR, 99-2002 at the moment for a reasonable price, I would seriously consider one.
Yeah, the Vtec itself is robust, but Honda camchains and tensioners are not. Also the VTec had a few issues with seat subframes, the stators, brake valves, etc. Much as I like the styling of the Vtec, all those things were enough to make me choose the pre-VTec model instead, even if it does sound a bit too cake-mixery. (Due to the camdrive gear being shifted to the end of the camshafts, thus making more noise, which is why Honda went back to camchains on the VFR).

I bought my VFR (each of them) for the very reasons Keystone's mentioned: it's an excellent all-rounder, plus reliable, comfortable and offering reasonable performance.

Zapf

25th October 2006, 15:24

:P You need to ignore the figure (I just passed it off the first time I looked at it) and just go and ride one. You cant feel the weight at all. Gets along really well. Top quality bike.

Know what you mean... rode that whale of a CB1000F remember :)