Bikes

[HungusMaximist]

Hey there.

Just like your input in purchasing a second hand bike around the 4-5K range.
I've been looking alot on trade me because of it's convenience.

The things I've been liking are the sports tourers as I like to bring my g/f along for rides and plus it's a real a bonus to have back and side panniers to put stuff in.

Bikes that have caught my interest are, SUZUKI 91 GSX750F, 96 BMW F650, 88 HONDA NTV 600, 88 CBR 1000 and of course there's a few sports ones that caught my eye SV, TL1000's, the Bandits around the price mark, give or take a thousand.

Like I mentioned I can give or take another thousand but originally I was wanting to get a newer bike by the end of the year after I've saved a few more thousand.

I am going for the ones with panniers but it's not going to stop me getting a bargain if it was a straight sports bike, be it old or new. What would you do if you had 4-5k to blow on a bike. Would you wait another year to gather a couple more? Any inputs? Any of your mates selling their bikes? Any other sources that I should check out? Secondhand dealerships? People I should ring?

Btw I am in Auckland City and I've done most of my riding in Melbourne, Australia and currently in need of a commuter bike.

[Madness]

Lots of ZZR1100's around the 5k mark. Good all rounders and the D models are pretty bulletproof.

[Edbear]

If you're doing a lot of commuting, the GSX-F Suzuki's are great. I just sold my '89 600F for $3k with only 42k on it. Was great, had it 3 years and of course they're bulletproof! Top speed of 220k and good on gas if cruising. More comfortable allrounder than a R.

Quite a lot to choose in your price range, though.

[Pwalo]

Go around the bike shops and get some demo rides on the bikes that you're looking at. It's the only way to see what you like.

The Bandits, and GSX-Fs are as 'bullet-proof' as you can get and ideal for commuting, but I found them to be a bit cumbersome (hence the SV). Mind you my better half doesn't feel the need to travel on the bike with me so the minimal pillion accomodation wasn't an issue.

Your price range should give you a reasonable range if you buy privately. Good luck.

[HungusMaximist]

Just on that note, I've actually gone out and purchased the GSXF, with top and side panniers, thick chunky lock, wof till July, Haynes Manual, I think he's throwing in a tank bag.

Now the right hand indicator plastic cover on the front needs replacing, anywhere I can get one for peanuts? It's just a 5 by 3 piece of yellow plastic. Cheers.

[HungusMaximist]

Yea, also some minor scratches on the fairing, what do you recommend? If you have cosmetic scratches on your bike, what do you use?

I think top up paint is the way to go should do the job as opposed to replacing the shiny plastic layer on the fairing.

I think I'll go with the top up paint, where can I get some?

[Pumba]

It's just a 5 by 3 piece of yellow plastic. Cheers.

Yea it is but its not quite that simple. Go to a bike shop and see what the price of a new one is and then mayby call a few of the wrecking places around to see what they have in stock.

The key is all the little numbers they have printed on them, no numbers and you are going to fail your WoF its that simple.