Weapons of Traffic Destruction!

[Coldkiwi]

Lots of us commute each day on our bikes (including me) but I'm interested in what people think is the all round BEST bike for getting into/out of town (say Auckland) where you have to do suburban streets, 2-3 lane arterial roads and motorway before getting into the CBD etc. Say a 20-30 minute ride with reasonable levels of lanesplitting.

What have you ridden in the past? How does it measure up in the following criteria? Rate your ride out of 5 on each one you've tried where 1 is pants, 3 is not bad, 5 is 'you little beauty!'

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)

[Coldkiwi]

Based on those criteria, I'd rate the GSXR600 as follows:
Comfort: 3 (good seat, woeful position)
Economic: 2
Stop: 5
Go: 4 (needs a bit more torque)
agility: 5 (specially with the supercorsa on the frnt)
looks/sound: 4 (still not italian)
Insurance: 2 ($930/yr)
Dream machine?: 4 (fuel guzzling and backaches take 2nd place to funtimes)

Total: 29/40

[Cajun]

Based on those criteria, I'd rate the GSXR600 as follows:
Comfort: 3 (good seat, woeful position)
Economic: 2
Stop: 5
Go: 4 (needs a bit more torque)
agility: 5 (specially with the supercorsa on the frnt)
looks/sound: 4 (still not italian)
Insurance: 2 ($930/yr)
Dream machine?: 4 (fuel guzzling and backaches take 2nd place to funtimes)

Total: 29/40

Okay i can't say about auckland but i did communt from end of north western to auckland city for one week on my gixxer

Comfort: 4
Economic: 3(it be a 4 compared to the wifes vtr1000f) (fuel light on about 210ish needs gas by 250)
Stop: 5
Go: 4
agility: 5
looks/sound: 4
Insurance: 4(espically since its under my father in laws name who is uyssles member but i am a named rider)
Dream machine?: 5

TOTAL = 34

I do alot of open road communting in tauranga on it, not really motorways but highways so its easy to get thru traffic, and you can at faster speeds, other than that it matches everything above

[James Deuce]

Interesting idea - Have to do this from a Wellington perspective though :msn-wink:

Nothing like a thoroughly subjective opinion, but then that's bikers for you.

TRX850:

Comfort: 3 (ave. seat, ave. pos.)
Economic: 3.5 (250-260km on 18lt in commuting traffic)
Stop: 4
Go: 3.5 (plenty of nelly to deal with traffic)
agility: 4
looks/sound: 5 (sounds Italian:))
Insurance: 4 ($320/yr)
Dream machine?: 2 (perfect bike for me at the mo, but I rather have a rat bike to commute on.)

Total: 29/40

[vifferman]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
VF500: Very comfy, soft seat, good upright posture. 4
VFR750: As above, but lower bars, so 3.
VTR1000: Hard seat, low bars, legs cramped: 2.
Much of comfort comes down to assuming the right posture, and can be worked around, but I had to buy some risers for the FahrtSturm's bars. Later models have higher bars with a different angle.

2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
VF500: Reasonable economy. 4-5
VFR750: 40ish mpg. 3
VTR1000: 30 mpg or less. 1

3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
VF500: 3
VFR750: 3
VTR1000: 4-5 (braided lines and a brake rebuild worked wonders).

4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
VF500: ~52 ponies. Plentynough for commuting. 3
VFR750: ~86 horsies. See above. 4
VTR1000: Too much for commuting. Gets me in trouble. 5

5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
3 for all. Except that lazy VFR. Give it a 1.

6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
VF500: Old, but sounded good (custom cans): 2
VFR750: Classic good looks, but needed an aftermarket can to liberate that V4 roar. 3
VTR: Ugly, but sounds OK. 3

7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
5 for the VF, 4 for the others.

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)
I reckon a SuperRetard would be the best commuter, as long as the bars weren't so wide they caught on cars. :msn-wink:

Totals: VF500 = 24.5; VFR750 = 20; VTR1000 = 20.5

[vtec]

1990 Honda CBR 250 RR

Comfort: 3 (good seat, not brilliant position but more upright than your 600 cold)
Economic: 4.5 (Depends how I ride but I get about 19km/l)
Stop: 4 (Brakes take ages to work in the wet)
Go: 3 (needs a lot more torque, but if you ride in the right rev range it's fine)
agility: 4.5 (seem to be able to flick it around alright)
looks/sound: 3.5 (sound not important to me but a nicer set of fairing would go down a treat)
Insurance: 2 (I'm just guessing, I don't insure my bike)
Dream machine?: 3 (I think I need an engine at least twice as big)

Total 27.5/40

You forgot to add reliability, so far mines been perfect 5/5

[k14]

For my 91 cbr250rr

Comfort: 2 (bad seat, cramped position)
Economic: 4 (6l per 100kms is pretty good in my books)
Stop: 5
Go: 3 (needs alot more cc's)
agility: 5
looks/sound: 3 (might be better with a racing can)
Insurance: 3 ($340/yr)
Dream machine?: 2 (but my learner dream machine)

Total: 27/40

[Coldkiwi]

interesting reading! Yeah, I reckon its a good idea Jim

Don't forget the total at the end guys.

ps. K14- if you reckon a 12yr old 250 has good brakes, you need to get a post 2000 supersport machine for your 21st! (Happy Bday btw)

[Motoracer]

ps. K14- if you reckon a 12yr old 250 has good brakes, you need to get a post 2000 supersport machine for your 21st! (Happy Bday btw)Same goes with the difference between K3 600 and K4 600.

I don't commute on my bike so I can't comment.

[MikeL]

I haven't done the sums but I'm pretty happy with my CB-1 for commuting. The XJR is O.K. too - has much better brakes, looks, sound, but not as nimble or cheap to run. A 400 has power enough for city/suburban riding, while the XJR has too much and is much harder to keep at the speed limit.
For day in, day out riding to and from work cheapness and reliability are more important than comfort, performance or looks, but you still want a certain amount of "fun factor" for those occasions when, coming home from work, the spring sunshine makes you want to take the long way home...

[StoneChucker]

R1

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
4 Gets a little cramped after a long, long ride, but nothing major.

2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
3 About 14.5 kms/litre

3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
5 Stops like the clapper, I have to wait for time to catch up with ME.

4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
3 Plenty of grunt, no issue there, but, it's much happier on the open road

5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
3 Good agility, but it is a big bike (than say a 250 or 400), so not the best for lane splitting

6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
4 Looks the shit, the sound is a little quiet, unless you're at the sprints that is ;)

7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
1 $2400 (Used to be about 1600, before the first claim)

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use
(3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)
5 I love it, and, well I don't use it to commute, so I'm basing all these answers on the little town riding I do.

28/40

[sAsLEX]

oh and K14 who does your insurance again?? think i still have that form somewhere

[k14]

interesting reading! Yeah, I reckon its a good idea Jim

Don't forget the total at the end guys.

ps. K14- if you reckon a 12yr old 250 has good brakes, you need to get a post 2000 supersport machine for your 21st! (Happy Bday btw)

Yeah thats a pretty good point actually, it does stop fairly well. Although compared to the RS125 i raced on sunday its nothing. I was too scared to use its full braking as I had a sore crutch "region" from the first time I used the brakes at the start of the day. I must "test" one of these "modern sportsbikes" in the very near future. Only 4 months to go till i can get my full :Punk:

[Hitcher]

1) How Comfortable? 4
2) How Economic? 4
3) How good does it stop? 5
4) How good does it go? 4
5) How good does it let you avoid others? 4
6) How does it look/sound? 4
7) How expensive is it to insure? 3
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? 4

31/40

[Motu]

A dirt bike makes an ideal commuter,you sit tall with plenty of visability,stand up to look over the bloody Pajero...

1) comfort? why do you need comfort to comute around the city?,I don't feel like a stretch till after 150km - a dirt bike is made to ride standing up as well as sitting down..so just stand up and stretch,you are still in total control.

2)Economy? you gotta be joking,it's a small single cyl,20km/litre plus.

3)Stop? as good as it's tyres can handle,what more do you need?

4) A single cyl made for gobs of low down grunt,they respond instanly to a stab of the throttle,perfect inner city squirter.

5) Agile?...a dirt bike?...well,yes,there is nothing more agile at the low speeds of commuting traffic.

6)How does it look? fuckin cool mate - sitting at the lights in your MX gear,the little boys eyes light up,you just know what they are telling Mum they want for Xmas...the teenage girls?...well,let's just say I've seen that before look before.

7)Insurance? I've never insured a bike in my life ...WTF for?

8) A motard would be a better comuter than a dirt bike,but we are talking almost the same thing eh?

[NordieBoy]

1993 Gilera Nordwest.

1) How Comfortable? - 4.
2) How Economic? - 4 - 18-20km/L.
3) How good does it stop? - 5 - Boat anchor stuff - Twin 4 pot front calipers and light bike.
4) How good does it go? - 4 - After a session on the dyno it would probably be a 5 - ~50hp 140kg.
5) How good does it let you avoid others? - 5 - Very agile.
6) How does it look/sound? - 5 - 558cc single - Supertrapp with race core - Big and meaty but not obnoxious.
7) How expensive is it to insure? - 5 - ~$350.
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? - 5 - For anything less than 2 hours, twisty and less than 150kph then it can't be beaten and that's the commuting I do so that's why the 5.

[Storm]

1990 Suzuki Across

1) 4
2) approx 16-17kpl 4
3) 3.5
4) 5 -Can be smooth or a screamer
5) 3.5
6) 3
7) 5 $30 a month
8) 5

31/40

[DEATH_INC.]

99 gixx 750
00ZX12r
1)how comfortable; gsxr 5 real good,not too laid over for a sportbike
zx12 4 good seat,but a long reach to the bars
2)how economic; gsxr 5 not too bad if you're no going hard
zx12 1 sucks gas like a hoover on steroids at any speed
3)how does it stop; gsxr 5 like an anchor
zx12 5 ditto,harder to stop at excessive speeds though
4)how does it go; gsxr 4 great power to weight
zx12 5 the words missile and bullet come to mind
5)how does it let you avoid others;gsxr 5 very light and quick handling
zx12 3 very tall and clumsy at slow speeds,ok once up and running.
6)how does it look/sound; gsxr 4 looks good for an older bike,sounds great with the kerker
zx12 5 good looking beast,very big and imposing,sounds awesome with a kerker and filters,makes the ground shake and small children run for cover...
7)how expensive to insure; gsxr ???
zx12 :killingme
8)would you rather use anythig else; gsxr 4 not really,maybe a motard...
zx12 1yep,prolly anything else would be better to fight the traffic on,sweet if you've got some room though....

[badlieutenant]

[QUOTE=NordieBoy]1993 Gilera Nordwest.

1) How Comfortable? - 4.
2) How Economic? - 4 - 18-20km/L.
3) How good does it stop? - 5 - Boat anchor stuff - Twin 4 pot front calipers and light bike.
4) How good does it go? - 4 - After a session on the dyno it would probably be a 5 - ~50hp 140kg.
5) How good does it let you avoid others? - 5 - Very agile.
6) How does it look/sound? - 5 - 558cc single - Supertrapp with race core - Big and meaty but not obnoxious.
7) How expensive is it to insure? - 5 - ~$350.
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? - 5 - For anything less than 2 hours, twisty and less than 150kph then it can't be beaten and that's the commuting I do so that's why the 5.[/QUOTE
thats a sweet ride there NordieBoy. Can I ask how much you paid for it ? Im thinking my next bike should be one something along those lines, less chance of upsetting policemen and more likely to embarrass people on flash bikes on the twisty stuff :D Plus I think there ideal for NZ's B roads and unmarked cowshit :apint:

[rodgerd]

Granted, I have a pretty limited basis for comparison, and my commute is bugger all compared to an Aucklander.

GSF250V Bandit

1/ 4.5 - Dead comfortable. Like sitting on a bar stool; the bike could be made for me.

2/ 4 - about 16 km/l in town, about 20 on mostly open road, about 18 with a mix.

3/ 3 - Stops better than a car, but you can only achieve so much with a single disc up front.

4/ 2 - 3. Torque's a bit lacking at the lights, but goes like a cut cat if you ask it to and give it some revs. Even from the lights it'll eat most cages with less than a six or turbo four tucked away (and some sixes, too). The VVT setup means it's got "dawdle" and "hustle" personalities.

Couldn't keep up with any bike actually designed for performance, though.

5/ 4. Chuck it around like a dirt bike. It's light, it's agile. It doesn't have the "you look there, it goes there like a train" handling of a sportsbike, but you can muscle it around tight Wellington streets, get a foot down in best supermoto fashion if you're an agricultral rider like me, correct in corners without upsetting it, and it copes with being ridden over wet road markings and cat's eyes without missing a beat. Loses point(s) for suspension, which leaves it tracking poorly on rough roads.

6/ 3.5. Has nice baby streetfighter looks. Gets admired by people who normally hate Japanese bikes. Has even once attracted small crowds of other riders.

7/ 4. About $600/yr.

8/ 3. I'd consider an SV650, an SV400, an RF400 (with the VVT engine), or a Bandit 400, mostly for the extra grunt, especially when I'm running two up. Sports bikes don't appeal at all as commuters; the RF would be as close as I'd want.

24.5 - 25.5.

[marty]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)
1 = 4
2 = 3
3 = 3
4 = 5
5 = 4
6 = 5
7 = 2.5
8 = 4 . . . . . wouldn't mind a VOR 650 motard, or a duke monsta, but the TL really is the bomb, as it can carry big pack racks without complaint, with a spare helmet for picking the kids up from school, which they think is GREAT!

TL total = 30.5

[Lou Girardin]

Bandit: Grunty, manouverable, good vis, good brakes, loud.
RF900: Less grunty needs revs, poor vis typical semi-racer crouch, good brakes, loud.
Insurance for both = less than $600
Eyed up? Shit, get a Harley.

[stunz]

1) How Comfortable? 3 (num-bum if I take the long way...)
2) How Economic? 4 (180-200ks / full tank / $12, not counting reserve)
3) How good does it stop? 4 (but apparently not recently...?)
4) How good does it go? 3 (avg for a 15yr old bike, certainly don't pull wheelies!)
5) How good does it let you avoid others? 4 (real light, and real easy to change direction...)
6) look/sound? 4 (stickers plastered all over the fairing make it look better, sounds awful, like an asthmatic dog...)
7) How expensive is it to insure? 3
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? 3 (I reckon Motu has a valid point about road/trail being a good commuter)

Overview=Not being a terribly wide bike, commuting at rush hour in the finest city in NZ is a breeze (pardon the pun, but it is windy here...) and lane splitting on the fizzer is as easy as pie :Police: cos theres always some car somewhere thats rear-ended a van or something and stopped the traffic.

But all the same, I reckon its time to trade up...

[manuboy]

SV1000

1) How Comfortable? 2.5
For long time riders with cast iron assses and all, it's probably okay. For me, after 25 mins of putt, putt, putt, its time for bed, and panadol.

2) How Economic? 2.5
FI helps i guess... haven't ever worked it out really but about 13-14km/l ish. Might be (totally) wrong tho...

3) How good does it stop? 3
Pads are barely scrubbed in, but it stops awright. Not like throwing out an anchor, more like a gigantic block of cheese, a nice blue of some sort. Might improve with time and me stomping on them...

4) How good does it go? 4.5
Ahhh. there's plenty of guysngals here with faster machines, but i dunno WTF for! Even in it's tight running form it scares 200% of the bejeesus outta me. Way too much round town at any revs.

5) How good does it let you avoid others? 3
It's okay. It's not a 2-fiddy or a dirtbike, but it ain't a busa either.

6) How does it look/sound? 4
Many people say it's an ugly mo-fo (some on this forum)... i reckon it doesn't get any better short of an expensive red thing. It turns my partner on, which is one better than me.... and the yoshi pipes are the clincher. Oh yeah!

7) How expensive is it to insure? 3
$800

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? 5
Nup... its ma baby. Fits me like a glove (well.. a glove that'd strangle my own hand if i wore it rond town for too long, but still a glove)

Total 28.5/40

[bgd]

1) How Comfortable? 5
2) How Economic? 3 (I suppose, never really thought about it - significantly cheaper than the car or train)
3) How good does it stop? 5 (Servo assisted with ABS)
4) How good does it go? 5 (Does everything well)
5) How good does it let you avoid others? 4 (think big traillie. Fairly wide but bars are higher than car mirrors and it will go through all but silly gaps)
6) look/sound? 4 (I like it but probably an aquired taste)
7) How expensive is it to insure? 4 (Beemers over here are relatively low on the insurance scale)
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? 5 (just as well as this has to last me a while)

35/40

Commute (Kent to London) is 35 miles with country, motorway, fast A roads and at least 5 miles of filtering (on a good day!)

[White trash]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)

1986 CG125

1 Comfort 4
2 Ekunemical? Should be a 7!
3 Braking? Fuck no! 0! It's absolute pants.
4 She'll wheelie off the clutch in 2nd, and it smashes mountain bikers on the cycle tracks I use to get to work on over Mt Vic :Police: 1
5 Very agile at avoiding tree roots. 5
6 Looks like shit. Is shit. 1
7 What's insurance? 5
8 KTM 660 Supercomp Motard.4

27. Almost as good as Cajuns Gixxer :finger:

[Cajun]

1986 CG125

1 Comfort 4
2 Ekunemical? Should be a 7!
3 Braking? Fuck no! 0! It's absolute pants.
4 She'll wheelie off the clutch in 2nd, and it smashes mountain bikers on the cycle tracks I use to get to work on over Mt Vic :Police: 1
5 Very agile at avoiding tree roots. 5
6 Looks like shit. Is shit. 1
7 What's insurance? 5
8 KTM 660 Supercomp Motard.4

27. Almost as good as Cajuns Gixxer :finger:

NOthing beats the banana gixxer BOY!!!

[Posh Tourer :P]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?

5. Beyoodiful. Could do with a better fairing at higher speeds though.

2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)

3. I've come off a CB125, so nothing really compares...

3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?

2. Twin non-drilled discs and one pot calipers with soft rubber lines trying to stop 200kg of meat. Still stops well enough for me, but compared to a sprots (sic) bike, not even close.

4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?

2. 1983's 650cc trying to haul above. Still, great for commuting, as there is no end of torque, and it'll pull that rice pudding from as low as 1500rpm.

5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?

4. Pretty damn good, apart from a lack of clearance on the left. Wider bars than sprot bikes make it easier to point where you want it.

6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?

2. I reckon it looks/sounds pretty good, but nobody else appreciates it.

7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)

3. I think my quote was $600 or so with AMI, so not too bad, but they have no idea what they are on about, and it should be lower.

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)

4. I like. Lotsa torque, and easy to scoot around. Would prefer something a little smaller without the bags hanging out the sides and the wide bars, to help with splitting, but thats ok. The CB125 was great except for its lack of power...


Overall 25/40

Thats a pass mark. Still like it though :D

[Pwalo]

Geez, something that the GS can rate well in.

1) Comfort - 5 really comfortable, easy reach to the bars, relaxed ergos for most people to about 5'10'' or so.

2) 5 - Very economical - 65/60 mpg commuting - I think that's about 23 k/litre

3) 4 - No prblems with braking once you've upgraded the front suspension, otherwise it's stoppie territory.

4) 5 - Perfect for commuting. The GS isn't hugely powerful but the power available is pretty linear from about 3k revs on, in any gear. (This was after I had the pilots replaced - US model with jetting to meet Californian regs)

5) 5 - Surprisingly good. GS only weighs 190kg gassed, and has a 1405mm wheelbase (close to an older CBR600), so it's a breeze to chuck around. Deceptively quick in the corners, and very narrow for carving up the traffic (if the bars fit through the gap so will you).

6) 3 - I haven't had any negative comments, but it's probably a bit quiet for most tastes. I prefer it that way as it doesn't attract any attention. Looks wise I've been surprised by how many people reckon the GS looks ok (even a few other bikers!).

7) 5 - Even full cover is pretty minimal - but then again GS' aren't exactly expensive bikes, and don't appear on any lists as being higher risk. No plastics etc. Still more than my car, house, contents etc.

8) 5 - I'd love to have a sports bike (I really like those Alstare reps) but the truth is that I would keep the GS for commuting. It's just so easy, cheap, and reliable - besides it's got the GS part of GSXR.

The GS is the commuter par excellence. Reasonably sporty, quicker and more manouvearble than the cages, comfy, and more FUN than anything on four wheels.

Paul S

[Posh Tourer :P]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?

5. A bit too small really. Still very comfy to ride though.

2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)

5. Its a 125....

3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?

2. Single pot floating (one fixed pad) cable operated single disc brake. Only stopping 130kg of bike though....

4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?

2. enough grunt higher up until you get into third (70kmh). So yes, ok for commuting if you wring its neck, but anywhere else, no.

5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?

5. Its tiny!! I could pick it up and hoist it through a tight gap if I needed to... Definitely agile!

6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?

2. Looks nice except for that MASSIVE taillight. Too small to get eyed up though.

7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)

5. $350, and thats for a 19yr old (when I got the quote) with no history, with AMI.

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)

4. More torque would be good, but for anything else, great :)


Overall 30/40

Would use it if I had the money for two or three bikes, but for now I need to compromise.

[Coldkiwi]

interesting how many different styles of bikes make people happy with 4's getting awarded. Old ones, new ones, singles, fours. different strokes for diffferent folks!

[JohnBoy]

comfort
600ss- shite, have sat on park benches that are softer - 2
ZX7R- awosme, but wrist start to hurt after 150km - 4

Economy
600ss - dosnt matter if on track or street always got 240k to 16l - 4
ZX7R - put it this way, im on first name basis at the local servo - 2

Stopping power
600ss - shit hot, saved my ass from a few errant cars, but single sided rotor pulled the front wheel to the side on heavy track applications- 5
ZX7R - hmmm, not very convincing when considering how fast it can go. - 3

how much go
600ss - hey, 65 hp?? next question - 1
ZX7R - flat carbs make inner city riding an experiance... but at high RPM its all worth it! - 4

Agillity
600ss - not bad, very well balanced but never put good tyres on it - 4
ZX7R - very nice, has got fully adjustible susp. front end you could bet your house but the rear end is a shambles... torque steer anyone?? -4

Look/sound
600ss-you either loved or hated em, liked it but only a 600 so sounded tinny- 3
ZX7R- pretty cool in a 90's kinda way.... but not when alongside some new kit. when cold can sound like a rotary (race spec carbon pipe) always a laugh when the rotar hoes are out inforce!!! -5

Insurance
600ss- lost licence while owning it... but never told. state had the pleasure at 580$ PA - 4
ZX7R- had to change companies cause of the licence now getting raped by two bit company ($1321 PA) -1

Anything else?
600ss- sucked ass to commute, cost the earth to run and was only a 600. sold it at first chance and brought 7R. -1
ZX7R- was for sale but dont think i could let it go... (hence the high price).
this is the best thing i could find for the money, got a really good deal on it (finance) so its the one for me. -5
sorry its a bit long winded but if you got this far good on you! :not:

ZX7R:28/40 600ss:24/40

[DebK]

1) How Comfortable? 5 - Too comfortable. I tend to start daydreaming and have given myself a couple of scares when I realise the traffic has stopped in front!
2) How Economic? 5 - $8.00/week travelling Paparangi-The Terrace-Tawa-Paparangi
3) How good does it stop? 4 - As only weighs 110kgs it stops very well - disks front & rear.
4) How good does it go? 3 - Get's me around just fine on the motorway for a scoot. If we were rating scoots only it would have to be a 5.
5) How good does it let you avoid others? 3 - Agile but is a chronic understeerer (tyre pressures?) so need to watch myself. Little wheel up front tends to want to fold over on itself if low speed tight corner.
6) How does it look/sound? 1 - Sounds crap - 180cc 2-stroker but not a high pitched buzz sound like other scoots. Looks like a giant ant.
7) How expensive is it to insure? 4 - $400+ first year but now just over $200.
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? 3 - could think of a few bikes I'd rather use.

28/40 - but on reading how uncomfortable most of you are you your bikes, maybe the scoot isn't so bad. Would keep it for daily use but would also like a sports bike for weekend fun.

[Yokai]

1) How Comfortable?
Comfy, need to sometimes sit self upright - good for posture! 3
2) How Economic?
5 - I get 250 K out of 13litres, and I'm a learner doing everything wrong
3) How good does it stop?
Prolly a 3 - I haven't hammered it yet, but it stops fast enough to scare me! ;)
4) How good does it go?
[color=royalblue]3ish - I don't know if I work it right, it accelerates nicely, runs pretty good, but I don't wanna try it over 100 (and I'm not allowed to go over 70 at the mo.)
5) How good does it let you avoid others?
[color=royalblue]Doesn't like weight being thrown around too much, but I've missed a lot of things so I would say 4
6) How does it look/sound?
Beautiful - I love it... needs a little repaint job but really nice - people ask me about it. 4
7) 4 - I think (it's all rolled into the deal I got)
8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? I Luuuurrrvvvveee IT!

[Omega1]

1) How Comfortable? Do you need to stretch or stay active otherways to avoid backpain?
ZX7R - short rides are ok rides over 100kms I need a Chiropractor, people say It looks as if I am lying down on it.
FXWG -Like your Grandads favourite armchair

2) How Economic? Do you get 10k/litre (give it a 1) or 20+k per litre? (give it a 5)
ZX7R -Now its Dyno tuned and setup it gets about 220kms from a tank
FXWG - does about 300kms to a tank

3) How good does it stop? Is it like throwing an anchor out or would waving a holed umbrella work better?
ZX7R -Damn good
FXWG -Its a Harley....

4) How good does it go? Plenty of grunt and torque or would it struggle with a rice pudding?
ZX7R- For me, like a cut cat but a Gixxer thou rider or R1 rider would disagree
FXWG- "We cannee do it captain"" wee dont have the power!!!" (yet)

5) How good does it let you avoid others? Is it agile or a barge in disguise?
ZX7R-fairly agile though she weighs aprox 200kilos
FXWG -bit of a barge,not sure on the lanesplitting tactics on this yet

6) How does it look/sound? Do you get eyed up in town at the lights or is it a dirty dog?
ZX7R - full Arrow system -howls like a banshee
FXWG -"potato" potato"

7) How expensive is it to insure? Less than $400/yr (give it a 5) or more than $1400 (that'd be a 1)
ZX7R -$500 a year
FXWG -$1500 a year Gulp!

8) How much would you rather use something else to commute on? Wouldn't trade it for any bike of any age (5), could think of a few bikes I'd rather use (3), Can't wait to upgrade to almost anything else (1)

Love them both, very happy at the moment.

Cheers O1