Brainstorming

[Mikkel]

So I have this upcoming project in about 6-9 months time... And I was wondering if anyone could help me with a bit of a brainstorming session here.

I'm of course talking about what bike I should get myself when I get my full license.

I've been looking around and obviously have noticed some sexy machines out there. So I've thought about it for a while and decided that I probably wouldn't want to go as big as a 750cc or 1000cc sportsbike for my 2nd bike. I'm still keen on a fully faired sportbike (although that may change when I've tried on a couple of naked ones here and there)...

At the top of my wishing list right now is:
<img src=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2006models/2006-Triumph-Daytona675a-small.jpg>
The Triumph Daytona 675 - 2006 onwards.

Pros: Sexy looks, fast, sexy sound, british, sexy...
Cons: Newish model -> expensive and not many 2nd hand around.

Another thing I've been thinking about (and yes it's a honda sorry!)
<img src=http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Honda_RVF400_NC35.jpg>
The Honda RVF400 - '94-'96

Pros: Looks like a lot of fun, not as expensive as the Daytona, fits the bill
Cons: Expensive for a 400cc, pretty hard to find in good nick, it's a honda... ;)

These are just initial thoughts - I know there are heaps of run-of-the-mill jap sportsbikes out there in the 400-700ccm bracket... But don't know enough about them to have a clue as to whether I'd like them or not.

So that's where I'd appreciate some input from some of you guys! Any suggestions as to what bikes I should put on my "to check-out" list?

[madandy]

Do you prefer a solid midrange or screaming top end?
Kwaka 636 are noice

[James Deuce]

Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head.

It's all speculation. You might buy an RVF and find it painfully uncomfortable after 10 minutes or find that the 675 feels like toy instead of a bike or you test a HD Nightster and absolutely fall in love and have to have it.

You won't know until you've ridden them.

[Mikkel]

Do you prefer a solid midrange or screaming top end?
Kwaka 636 are noice

Yeah, I shouldn't forget the 636... I'd say I don't mind something high-revving, but I'd prefer to have ample power without having to rev it's nuts off all the time. That's why I'm considering the IL3 and V4 of the bikes I mentioned above.


Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head.

It's all speculation. You might buy an RVF and find it painfully uncomfortable after 10 minutes or find that the 675 feels like toy instead of a bike or you test a HD Nightster and absolutely fall in love and have to have it.

You won't know until you've ridden them.

Yes, that is all true - and I wouldn't ever buy anything without testriding it thoroughly first.

All I'm asking for are suggestions about what bikes I should put on my list of bikes to consider. I'm just looking for inspiration really... :)
I'll think about the Nightster, but I doubt that's going to be my cup of tea for at least a few years to come :yes:

[madandy]

What's this 'project' you've got planned? That might help select the right bike.

OT: what's the subject matter for your Phd?

[GaZBur]

Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head....
You won't know until you've ridden them.

Jim2 is almost right. But you test them out and decide what you WANT to buy. Its an emotional decision usually just ask any top salesman, then you use your brain to make up good reasons for why you made your decision.
So just enjoy the testing you are gonna have to put yourself through before you make your clearly considered and not at all emotional decision. Yeah right!!!

[Mikkel]

What's this 'project' you've got planned? That might help select the right bike.

OT: what's the subject matter for your Phd?

This project: ;)

So I have this upcoming project in about 6-9 months time... And I was wondering if anyone could help me with a bit of a brainstorming session here.

I'm of course talking about what bike I should get myself when I get my full license.


Sending PM about the PhD stuff...

[car]

<img src=http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Honda_RVF400_NC35.jpg>
The Honda RVF400 - '94-'96

Pros: Looks like a lot of fun, not as expensive as the Daytona, fits the bill
Cons: Expensive for a 400cc, pretty hard to find in good nick

*sigh*

Go and get one, right now, and then come back and tell me what a great time you're having on it, and watch me cry into my beer about how I shoulda shipped mine over...

:'(

If I had the budget, I'd buy one at the drop of a hat. The only downside for me is that, as you say, they're just a bit expensive, both to buy (if you're looking for a decent one) and to run. If you're not doing the work yourself, servicing them according to book is a pain in the ass and the wallet. f you do it yourself, it's mostly just a pain in the ass, or the knuckles, depending on how you hold your screwdriver.

but mine was expensive to buy, in the context of the market I bought it in, and I never regretted the purchase for a moment.

Other than servicing, I never had any complaints. Looked and sounded the dog's bollocks, had enough oomph to keep me happy, inspired confidence at every turn. Needs a slightly fruitier exhaust than the Honda stocker but, apart from that, pretty darned perfect.

[Dave-]

same boat as me mike.

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k

[Mikkel]

The RVF400 seems formidable, but finding one is going to be an issue! There is a RVF750 on trademe - but I think that is out of my league both powerwise and pricewise ;)


same boat as me mike.

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k

The Daytona 650 from before 2006 doesn't float my boat to be honest...

And the 675 are pretty dear from new and used they'll still be around $15k I guess...

[skelstar]

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k
As was I before buying my Hornet. Darn hard to find, but loved the looks of the thing. Was convinced that it would be a nightmare finding parts for it should the need arise.

Its almost a good idea to buy something super-generic for your first 'big bike' so you can sort out what you want, and not get stung on resale/small market.

[jrandom]

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

Mikkel, just buy the newest bike you can afford, and leave the finickity enthusiast type machines for later on when you can have two bikes in the garage.

[car]

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

As long as you feed it $150 worth of spark plugs every 4000km, it'll be just fine.

;)

Seriously, reliability was never an issue with mine, but I bought one that had been treated well, and I continued to service it every 4000km. YMMV.

[Mikkel]

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

Mikkel, just buy the newest bike you can afford, and leave the finickity enthusiast type machines for later on when you can have two bikes in the garage.

If I just want a new "bike" I could go for this (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/UsedItemDetails.aspx?Ne=3&N=81&Ns=P_PricePOA&item=8023&sid=116CA07EF7A3)! :sick:

But I hear what you are saying - and I am of a mind to buy something newish. Still I think the RVF looks like an awesome machine (if a bit on the small side, but hell I'm still learning here!). And if the bike has been taken good care of I don't think age is too much of an issue.

[jrandom]

If I just want a new "bike" I could go for this (http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/UsedItemDetails.aspx?Ne=3&N=81&Ns=P_PricePOA&item=8023&sid=116CA07EF7A3)! :sick:

And why not, indeed.

If there wasn't the sticky problem of the Auckland harbour bridge to contend with, I'd have a 50cc scooter for commuting.

:yes:

[Mikkel]

What I like about my ZXR is that it is significantly faster than my bicycle...

I borrowed a scooter once while my bike was at the workshop and by dog I hope I won't have to go on one of those again!

[007XX]

And why not, indeed.

If there wasn't the sticky problem of the Auckland harbour bridge to contend with, I'd have a 50cc scooter for commuting.

:yes:

Bwaha haaa hahaha..."Fark!!"...I think I pulled a muscle in my jaw while laughing...

I would pay to se you on one of these my friend :yes:

All kidding aside...Mikkel, personally I would not anywhere else than the 675, but as you stated, she is an expensive little mount...

So, what about the SV650? You get plenty of them second hand in good nick for close to bugger all, they look bloody horny, sounds even hornier as generally someone has put after market pipes on it if preloved, plenty of power, and little if no troubles service wise...

It's a whole lot of bike for little money...Take one out for a spin, she might just surprise you.

[jrandom]

I would pay to se you on one of these my friend :yes:

Pop by my office in Newmarket sometime and you can watch me hooning around on the Peugeot we keep here, then.

[007XX]

Pop by my office in Newmarket sometime and you can watch me hooning around on the Peugeot we keep here, then.

Excellent!!!! I was given one of them for my 14th birthday :love:

49.9cc of ligth hearted breezy fun......*sigh* the fun we used to have, her an I...Riding along the beach in New caledonia, checking out all the boys! :cool: Looking fabulous while doing it too...

I miss her :crybaby:

Now, what do you think of my suggestion for Mikkel?

[Mikkel]

All kidding aside...Mikkel, personally I would not anywhere else than the 675, but as you stated, she is an expensive little mount...

Yeah - and getting a second hand is very much depedent on rich fellas getting bored with theirs inside the first two year... But still, *sigh*.


So, what about the SV650? You get plenty of them second hand in good nick for close to bugger all, they look bloody horny, sounds even hornier as generally someone has put after market pipes on it if preloved, plenty of power, and little if no troubles service wise...

It's a whole lot of bike for little money...Take one out for a spin, she might just surprise you.

Yeah, that's something I have thought about as well! One of my mates back home has a SV1000S and he recommended the SV650 for having fun... I'll chuck it on the to-test-in-6 months-time list. :D

[imdying]

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.Give it one thorough service an maintain it correctly and I doubt it'll suck much money... it's a Honda, and they always had a hard on for V4s so they spent a lot of time making them just so. Well, that's been my experience of the 400cc V4s, of course many are neglected now.

Mikkel, just buy the newest bike you can afford, and leave the finickity enthusiast type machines for later on when you can have two bikes in the garage.I would agree with that.

As long as you feed it $150 worth of spark plugs every 4000km, it'll be just fine.Or you could pull the heads and find out what's wrong with it :lol: Hell, even my 2 strokes haven't eaten plugs that fast :no:

[jrandom]

... that's been my experience of the 400cc V4s, of course many are neglected now.

Yes, I didn't explain myself very well.

I'd imagine that a well-maintained RVF would be an extremely reliable bike, but I would also be very suspicious of the ones on the market; it wouldn't surprise me in the least if Mikkel bought one and then discovered a necessity for rings and a top-end rebuild a few months down the track.

However, as you put it, YMMV.

But that's what I'd worry about.

Certainly if one was purchasing such a bike one would want to spend a bit of cash to have a good mechanic give it a thorough going-over, including checking valve clearances and compression as well as wear and tear on the suspension.

[imdying]

I'll buy one. I'll rebuild too if I have to. Unless of course I find an RC45 and a stash of cash. I'd even contemplate a low sided one, I'll be making a tyga bodied Rothamns replica out of it anyway... which is a bonus, means there's no good reason why I can't start with an NC30 base instead of the NC35, the differences are minimal (except the USD front end, of course).

[jade]

there is an RVF 400 EXACTLY the same as the one in your picture at holeshot suzuki, I would even go as far as using the word ' mint '

[Mikkel]

Hmm sounds interesting - but now is not really the time... Still have 6-9 months to go depending on whether I can manage to cut my restricted time down from 6 to 3 months.

Too bad Orkland is so far away - otherwise I'd go and have a look!

[car]

Or you could pull the heads and find out what's wrong with it :lol: Hell, even my 2 strokes haven't eaten plugs that fast :no:

I was joking, just a bit. However, from what I remember of the maintenance schedule, it called for new plugs every major, and a major was 8000km. I replaced my plugs as a matter of course for the first three majors and then started cycling the old ones back in, because they were still in good nick. They were bloody expensive little plugs, though not "Ducati" expensive, thankfully.

[discotex]

So that's where I'd appreciate some input from some of you guys! Any suggestions as to what bikes I should put on my "to check-out" list?

I'd put every bike I rode during my recent shopping on your list. If you haven't read it already I reakon that thread is a good start.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=61905

I'd guess a VFR400 is gonna feel slow as soon as you start riding a modern 600 supersport.

As a former ZXR rider I think you'll be into the R6 or CBR. If you like usable mid range with sharp nimble handling like I do then the '07/'08 CBR is the bike for you :)

Either that or go gixxer 750. Buckets of torque without being as totally nuts as the thou.

Just don't get suckered into deciding on a bike before you ride at least 5.

[Mikkel]

Cheers, I'll probably read that tomorrow. :)

No doubt that the modern 600ccms are nice machines... Dunno how much difference there is between the CBR, YZF (R6), ZXR and GSX-R. Probably quite - but then again I have no way of knowing... for a while yet.

[Renegade]

ive heard that the 636, cbr600 etc have about the same horse power as a v-twin thou, such as the vtr or sv1000, is this true??????????

[madandy]

Yup. Similar power output, with much less torque and lots more rpm. Torque x rpm/5252 & all that math...

[Renegade]

Yup. Similar power output, with much less torque and lots more rpm. Torque x rpm/5252 & all that math...

really? cool i like torque as a opposed to rpm, those quick starts from the lights without any effort is me, i was looking at a 675 (im so in love with it) and a few others like the new gsxr600 when someone said "but you like the sound of the v twins, and the thous only have the same power as those same 600's"

so the real question is, when people say "a thou WANTS to kill you"

are they referrring to multi thous?? not the v twins??

[Cajun]

Cheers, I'll probably read that tomorrow. :)

No doubt that the modern 600ccms are nice machines... Dunno how much difference there is between the CBR, YZF (R6), ZXR and GSX-R. Probably quite - but then again I have no way of knowing... for a while yet.

If you are comparing the 600 together they are all pretty simlar, just ride all 4 and buy which ever one turns you on and you enjoy riding, since they are all so simlar bikes.

[jrandom]

when people say "a thou WANTS to kill you"

are they referrring to multi thous??

Yes.

But it's very silly. Any bike will only do what you tell it to. They don't have minds of their own.

By all means buy a 150bhp motorcycle if that's what you want to ride.

:sunny:

[discotex]

Cheers, I'll probably read that tomorrow. :)

No doubt that the modern 600ccms are nice machines... Dunno how much difference there is between the CBR, YZF (R6), ZXR and GSX-R. Probably quite - but then again I have no way of knowing... for a while yet.

They're all very very similar. The major difference I noticed was ergonomcs. The power and handling is noticably different but only riding them back to back. If you had two weeks between riding each one you'd be hard pressed to clearly remember the differences.

I did find the motorcycle-usa.com 2007 shootout pretty much dead on so check that out for some advance reading. http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=4514

Looking forward to see if the Honda slips back in the 08 one when it comes out as the gixxer 600 was top in 06 then last in 07.



so the real question is, when people say "a thou WANTS to kill you"

are they referrring to multi thous?? not the v twins??

In a nutshell yes. But as jrandom said it's up to the rider. What they really should say is "thous expect you to let them kill you". Don't be fooled into thinking a 600 is a slow bike though. They're just as capable of doing 100km/h in first and highsiding your arse if you gas it too hard lent over and close the throttle.

I put the vtwin thou in the supersport camp power wise but they're not even close to as sharp to ride. Think of an SV as a chef's knife but the 600's as a scalpel. The IL4 thous are scalpels the size of a chef's knife.


If you are comparing the 600 together they are all pretty simlar, just ride all 4 and buy which ever one turns you on and you enjoy riding, since they are all so simlar bikes.

Yep can't get better advice than that. The seat/pegs/bars/tank are all different and until you ride them you just don't know how you will fit on the bike.

[Mikkel]

Thanks a lot for the feedback... Although it has accomplished nothing but make me even more impatient having to wait those 6-9 months :(

I might still keep an eye out for an RVF400 - I'm sure it would be a lot of fun if in good nick. :niceone: