Returning to riding

[southernfrosty]

Hi everyone. Just joined KB. Great site. I'm returning to riding after a break of about 20 years. Been too busy working and raising the kids. I've been looking out for a suitable bike to get rolling again on. My past bikes were GT250, RD350, 500/4, GS550E...So you can see I prefer something nimble...not really into cruisers. I'm thinking of getting a "sports/tourer" around the 600/750 size. Have about $5k to spend. Possibles include: VFR750, GSF600, GSX750F, CBR600 etc
Main use will be weekend rides around top of the south. My wife also hopes to get a bike for herself again...so my bike doesn't need to be big enough to tour with a pillion. (I won't need a 1200 bandit for instance). I would be grateful for any suggestions from other KB members on the best mid-sized bike for the money.

[Oakie]

Welcome from another 'returned biker'. I think there's more of us here than any other demographic so you'll feel right at home.

I ride a CB400/4 and I've been thinking about upgrading. A 600 or 650cc Bandit is my preferred option at the moment although that'll be a wee bit more than the $5k you mentioned.

Good luck on your search and enjoy your time at KB. (Word of warning ... don't open the fourth door on the left.)

[98tls]

Welcome,500/4 damn that brings back fond memories indeed.you have mentioned one of my first pics ie a VFR awsome bike whatever the year.$5000 buys alot of bike these days.

[MVnut]

OMFG is KB (the World) big enough for two 'Frostys'? :gob: Good luck with the bike search:rockon:

[MVnut]

Oh, and welcome to KB

[Edbear]

Ah nostalgia!!!! Great list of bikes, mate, bet you wish you still had them now!

I "returned" in '03 with a 1989 GSX-F600. Picked it up for $3k with 32k on the clock in near mint condition! Rode it for 3+ years until I finally got the Missus back on pillion with the "help" of persistent friends. She decided she wanted more room and comfort in her old age, so reluctantly sold it and bought the C50T.

Now for us the Boulevard is about the perfect bike, but for solo work I loved the GSX-F! Good ride position and plenty of power with a 220km/h top speed should you need it, yet able to be pootled along at the legal limit without pain.

A 20lt tank means good range and the old air-oil-cooled motors are bulletproof!

[southernfrosty]

Cheers. Anything in particular to watch out for on a VFR750?

[CookMySock]

Hello Mate, I'm a returning rider also. If you have a full license, take a look at one of these ;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-146914420.htm

My mrs and I have his n' hers ones ;

http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/paua/DSCF3138.JPG

Cheap fun !

DB

[southernfrosty]

Yep...although they were far from mint by the time I was finished with them!
I have looked at the GSX600F option. Nice looking bikes, and seem like a lot of bike for the money. The suspension on my old GS550 was a bit soft for my liking though...does the F suffer from this? Obviously a very different bike to the R version.

[Edbear]

Yep...although they were far from mint by the time I was finished with them!
I have looked at the GSX600F option. Nice looking bikes, and seem like a lot of bike for the money. The suspension on my old GS550 was a bit soft for my liking though...does the F suffer from this? Obviously a very different bike to the R version.


Yeah, a different bike altogether, but definitely softer than the 'R's. I found in hard riding around the Coro loop for example, the forks could have been a bit stiffer, but overall, with the rear adjustable for preload it worked well for me and I was 90kg+ at the time.

Not sure how good a rider you are, I consider myself middling okay and could scrape the pegs when having fun, but others here would probably think the old 'F' a tad weak and soft compared to the more modern bikes. I'd suggest riding one, you should get a late model for $5k.

Oh, PS. Welcome to the madhouse that is KB! As long as we take our medication we're usually okay...

[heyjoe]

Welcome to kb and back to riding. You will find all sorts in here. Have fun and ride safe.

[fire eyes]

:banana: Welcome!

[98tls]

Cheers. Anything in particular to watch out for on a VFR750? If i was after one i would check out a few VFR riders forums,and i bet theres a few of them.Simply do a web search for Honda VFR forums and i bet you will find a ton of info on them.

[helenoftroy]

Hi there southernfrosty.From a fellow oldie returned to the fray -welcome!!

Best thing I ever did :devil2:

You'll get fantastic advise on a great bike choice

My brother had a 400/4 that I would beg to ride whenever I could as a teenager,awesome bike....ahh the memories of the olden days:banana:

[Rogue]

Welcome Dude

Take a CBR600F for a ride had a 94 and realy enjoyed it :woohoo: only problem as with most 600cc sport bikes go two up and they seem to be lacking.

The later VFR 750's are ok mine tankslapped at 190km

GSX750F's are a good alround bikes will behaved and cheap to service had as much fun on it as the CBR and went ok two up

had a GS550E many moons ago had forgoten must be getting old :doh:

[ynot slow]

Know the feeling returning to two wheels after family and so on.

I grabbed a GSX750ES well priced for me,plenty of grunt and goes ok two up if needed,will change in time but will probably keep it still.