What do you prefer & why...

[Boob Johnson]

Im looking at a new bike purchase & wanting to get some feedback on the good, the bad & the ugly on the dif types in interested in.


Sports/Tourer:

GSX750F is of interest. Good looking, 100BHP is more than enough for me at present & it's a good cross between comfort for long rides as well as throwing it round in the twisties.


ZXR750 is also of interest as I love that shape but it's a full sports bike so not sure about comfort on longer rides.


Butt naked street figher: Honda Hornet is of interest, love that shape. Either the 600 or the 900, probably the 600 id say as im stepping up from a 250 so 600 will be more than enough.


My riding this time round will be sunny days only (as ive bought a car now) to work on the odd occasion but mainly a wee ride with the lads on the weekend to Whangamomona pub etc.


What im wanting is some feedback on owners of these types of bikes and why you think one style is better than the other.

Im in "test ride" mode at the mo so am on the look out to try as many bikes as I can prior to making the leap.

Cheers in advance :niceone:

[ManDownUnder]

Anything of acceptable handling, style and power that's comfortable out to at least 4 hours riding...

[Boob Johnson]

Anything of acceptable handling, style and power that's comfortable out to at least 4 hours riding...Insightful post :Pokey:

[crashe]

Yep go and test ride all the bikes that you like.........

Then go and test ride other bikes......


Find the one that is comfortable for you to ride.......
You will know which one it is when you sit on it...


Good luck in finding your new bike.:scooter::scooter::scooter::scooter:

[ManDownUnder]

Insightful post :Pokey:

Sorry wasn't taking the piss at all..All the machines you mention are good ones. The 600cc vs 900cc question is about the only thing I failed to address and I'd suggest you take both for a ride noting the difference in their handling (heavier around corners for the 900, harder to get really flying on the 600).

[Karma]

ZXR750 is also of interest as I love that shape but it's a full sports bike so not sure about comfort on longer rides.


The 7rs are big girls for sure, not too bad on long rides, but she's a fat one... you'll wanna test ride this one for sure if you're thinking about buying one.

[Kendog]

Here are a couple of recent threads that may be of interest to you:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53759

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53752

[Coldrider]

750's & 900's tend to be quieter exhaust wise, and only half the gear changing required, that is a great relief on a long ride.

[banditrider]

How's about a Bandit? Great bike - big pussy cat, easy to ride.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?bikead=yes&p=1122266

[Boob Johnson]

Here are a couple of recent threads that may be of interest to you:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53759

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53752Good reads there Kendog, cheers mate.


One question left to be answered is the dif between naked & fully faired bikes. Handling differences etc? Or any other difference other than visual I need to know?

[Boob Johnson]

How's about a Bandit? Great bike - big pussy cat, easy to ride.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?bikead=yes&p=1122266Yeah some of them are quite nice for sure. That one is out of my price range at present.

Not wanting to spend more than $5k and I don't believe in getting finance. Can't save for it, don't have it :no:


Only things that should be financed are homes & investment properties

[spookytooth]

The only prob/hassel with a full naked is the wind It isn't too noticable till over 80 mph {wat ever that is in ks }I have never ridden anything with a screen or fairing so cant coment on them sort of bikes :)

[canarlee]

try the new half faired bandit 1250!

[Kendog]

Yep, wind is a big difference between the two, mainly when you are at speed.

[shafty]

try the new half faired bandit 1250!

Find one for 5 grand and I'll take one too!:gob:

[Boob Johnson]

try the new half faired bandit 1250!They cost $5k or less do they :oi-grr:


Yep, wind is a big difference between the two, mainly when you are at speed.Mmm ok, so you get blown round a bit at speed? Or just not as stable?

[spookytooth]

not so much as blown about it just hits hard, lifts your lid up pushs ya in the chest can put a fair old bit of stress on your arms holding on,a small deflector would fix most of it,If i put my hand above the speedo/tac the wind goes rite over my head.Just saty below 80 mph :)

[Kendog]

Yep, its amazing what a small screen will do when you don't have a fairing.

[ZeroIndex]

Im looking at a new bike purchase & wanting to get some feedback on the good, the bad & the ugly on the dif types in interested in.


Sports/Tourer:

GSX750F is of interest. Good looking, 100BHP is more than enough for me at present & it's a good cross between comfort for long rides as well as throwing it round in the twisties.


ZXR750 is also of interest as I love that shape but it's a full sports bike so not sure about comfort on longer rides.


Butt naked street figher: Honda Hornet is of interest, love that shape. Either the 600 or the 900, probably the 600 id say as im stepping up from a 250 so 600 will be more than enough.


My riding this time round will be sunny days only (as ive bought a car now) to work on the odd occasion but mainly a wee ride with the lads on the weekend to Whangamomona pub etc.


What im wanting is some feedback on owners of these types of bikes and why you think one style is better than the other.

Im in "test ride" mode at the mo so am on the look out to try as many bikes as I can prior to making the leap.

Cheers in advance :niceone:
that is not a street fighter... it is a "naked bike"... a streetfighter is a bike that has actually had mods done to it

[rogson]

Should include a GSX750Y on your list to try.

Basically the same motor as the GSX750F in a naked/retro style, with the following main differences:
Engine tuned for midrange - i.e. more midrange grunt
Weighs less
Lower seat height
Bigger diameter front forks (43mm verses 41mm)
Wider rear wheel (takes 180 section tyre)
Looks great (IMO)

I think they are a great first big-bike. Very easy to ride, plenty of power - but not scary, agile/handle well, easy to customise/tailor to suit, bullet-proof.......and cheap, although you may have to pay more than $5000 if you want a low-mileage mint one.

Only downside is there are not many in NZ.

[nudemetalz]

The GSX750F you mention would be more than adequate I would think.

Don't rule out machines like the excellent SV650s or even 1000s.

[Boob Johnson]

that is not a street fighter... it is a "naked bike"... a streetfighter is a bike that has actually had mods done to itOh ok, learn some thing new everyday. In saying that my fav one ive seen has def been modified, fricken sexy beast. I cant show you a pic just now as im baby sitting my sisters motel.


Should include a GSX750Y on your list to try.

Basically the same motor as the GSX750F in a naked/retro style, with the following main differences:
Engine tuned for midrange - i.e. more midrange grunt
Weighs less
Lower seat height
Bigger diameter front forks (43mm verses 41mm)
Wider rear wheel (takes 180 section tyre)
Looks great (IMO)

I think they are a great first big-bike. Very easy to ride, plenty of power - but not scary, agile/handle well, easy to customise/tailor to suit, bullet-proof.......and cheap, although you may have to pay more than $5000 if you want a low-mileage mint one.

Only downside is there are not many in NZ.Don't like that shape, if its naked needs to look more aggressive for my taste.


The GSX750F you mention would be more than adequate I would think.

Don't rule out machines like the excellent SV650s or even 1000s.Yeah have seen an SV650 on trade me, good looking. Won't consider a thou or bigger it's just madness to go from an SR250 straight to a HUGE bike. I would think 600 to 750 is WAY more than enough to come to grips with. I like a thrill & some excitement but I do like my body in one piece.

[Pancakes]

There is a Yamaha naked 600 that I had a roll on because I was looking at the simalar style Sukuki (which I haven't got on yet) but then looked at the back of it and it's ass is yuck!! Two tubey things for rear lights and two pipes, like a eeeuh scooter bum! Don't know bike names to save myself but some el-braino will have the make, model and vin #'s of my weak descriptions up in no time! Have ridden Bandit 250, and the 600 and they are nice, smooth and predictable, both tests of these limited to a few days so take what I say with a grain of salt.

[ZeroIndex]

Oh ok, learn some thing new everyday. In saying that my fav one ive seen has def been modified, fricken sexy beast. I cant show you a pic just now as im baby sitting my sisters motel.
All good dude... it is interesting that some bikes do come out with the title of "Factory Fighter", and although those do stand out from a standard naked bike, you will always notice a proper streetfighter in a crowd of standard bikes.

[SARGE]

always been HUGE fan of the Kawasaki Z750 and 750S models .... upright ..easy to flick, ... aggressive looking beast ( for the non-"S" version) and enough power to induce a giggle and not enough to make you wet yourself and park it up


the Yamaha Fazer 600 is another killer option, as is the GSr600 from Suzuki ( the induction noise on the Suzy is worth the price of admission)

[Boob Johnson]

always been HUGE fan of the Kawasaki Z750 and 750S models .... upright ..easy to flick, ... aggressive looking beast ( for the non-"S" version) and enough power to induce a giggle and not enough to make you wet yourself and park it up


the Yamaha Fazer 600 is another killer option, as is the GSr600 from Suzuki ( the induction noise on the Suzy is worth the price of admission)LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT & LOVE IT!!!! All of them, especially the Kwaka & the Suzi, just awesome. But sadly at this present point in time out of the budget. Very shortly they won't be as it's looking very likely that ill be working for an oil company who INSIST on paying silly amounts of cash :Punk:

But im bustn a nut to get back on the horse so will get another bike asap then just trade it or re sell it :innocent:

[colsan1]

I'd forget the gsxf750, not a great bike to ride and dont for a minute believe the 100bhp thing.they make around 80.
not a comfy bike to ride, very sluggish in the steering dept and brakes are very dated (read that as crap).
zxr750 is a much better option but much more sport orientated, very hard ride,especially the rear suspension but that can be softened up.The zx7r is a much better bike in every dept and has a fantastic front end set up thats gives tons of feel especially when pushing it on the brakes into corners.
bandit 1200 is a great bike no matter what model you get and can be made to look more aggresive with a few bolt on bits.
some of the 600's are fine for short trips but they can be a bit whiney and buzzy at speed on longer trips, this makes them a little tiring to ride if your doing any distance.
kawasaki zr7 is a good compromise as is the 750 bandit but that was a jap only model and you might have to look hard to find one.
Faired bikes are much more comfrtable for longer rides, they also offer protection should the weather change, on any naked bike you will get piss wet through even in the lightest of showers.
Nakeds can be fitted with screens, the main benefit of these is they reduce the amount of buffeting your head gets when riding at speed (60+mph).
the best thing to do is get yourself down to the biggest dealers you can and get you bum on as many seats as possible, what i like and find comfy you may hate and vice versa

[Boob Johnson]

I'd forget the gsxf750, not a great bike to ride and dont for a minute believe the 100bhp thing.they make around 80.
not a comfy bike to ride, very sluggish in the steering dept and brakes are very dated (read that as crap).
Interesting. Ive read they are a perfect step up from a 250. Each to there own I guess. Suzi stats state 106BHP, even if it's 80 that's still gunna be fine for me. We'll see, ill be riding one this week, time will tell :scooter:

[Kflasher]

I have an older GSX750F and it is comfy with the power(just) for two up, it is like sitting in an armchair compaired to my other bike.
Being an ex ZX7 owner... they are carring a little weight these days and as for comfort you'll stretch about 200K's per tank and you will need a rest by then... hope it helps.

[Pancakes]

The Aprilia Shiver 750 on the front of the Motorcycle Trader is right up my alley! Have a peek.

[terbang]

For that sort of coin (under 5K) then scope out a Gen one (1996-98) 1200 Bandit. There are quite a few that are still around that havn't been flogged and they are not worth all that much more than 5 grand. Still fantastic bang for your buck and guaranteed to put a grin on yer dial. Lots of aftermarket stuff available too and they go for years.

[Roj]

I like older bikes, they have a different appeal but get around and don't cost alot.:scooter:

My CB750 is 28 years old, but still going well, alot depends on how much riding you are going to do, comfortable to ride but not the same handling as a modern bike. cheap to own, full insurance is less than $200 per year, mainly in case of idiots:shutup:

Just working on my goldwing, going to take a bit of work to get back on the road but should be interesting:scooter: