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View Full Version : Advice on cheap bike upgrade.


howdamnhard
28th June 2008, 01:43
Looking to upgrade from GN250 but on limited budget.I need a bike which is suitable for commuting and the weekend fang with missus on the back.Got to be reliable,economical and have at least double the grunt of the GN250 without fairings to get scratched up.Narrowed it down to Suzuki GS500, Honda NTV650(favourite) and Honda CX400(85).Has anybody owned any of these bike and could they please point out what their pros and cons are,fuel economy etc.Thanks.
Drew
28th June 2008, 13:01
I've got a Hornet 900 for sale, meets your criterea perfectly.
nico
28th June 2008, 13:32
get a vfr 750 or 800 strip it down to a sreet fighter kool as
AllanB
28th June 2008, 14:33
Buy the Hornet 900 - there are some bargins here on the market mid winter and its a lot of bike for the $
mouldy
28th June 2008, 14:40
Go the GS500 , simple but effective , Honda always looks for the hardest way to make porridge although the CX land maggots have a following you can ride circles round them on the GS
Oakie
28th June 2008, 15:08
Yeah. GS500 is a good option and could well be my next bike. (I have already test ridden one from a dealer so am serious). More rideable than the CX in my humble opinion. If you're looking for a good practical bike I think you'll be quite happy with a GS.
xwhatsit
28th June 2008, 15:37
SEE EX FUNF HUNDAAAAAAAAAART!!!

Or, get the 400 if there's one kicking around.

NTVs are kewl little compact things, also have a shaft drive like the CXs, so there's cheapness and low maintenance.
Bonez
28th June 2008, 15:57
Get the GS500.

This advise is bought to you by an old Honda nut............:sweatdrop
puddytat
28th June 2008, 19:48
Dont get a CX as I had a new CX500 Euro years back & it was a fat gutless pig...Nt650 is the chaindriven single sided swingarm model,NTV is the Revere not the Bros & was a 400 0r 600 shafty. Both models are based on the legendary Transalp motor.:msn-wink:
howdamnhard
1st July 2008, 02:13
I've got a Hornet 900 for sale, meets your criterea perfectly.

Probably out of my price range,but they are nice.
howdamnhard
1st July 2008, 02:17
Thanks for all the replies guys and gals.So the CX is out.I know I said no fairings but the Kawasaki GPX(400 thru to 600) looks like it can do the job too.Anybody ever owned one and what are their pluses and minuses?
Pwalo
1st July 2008, 09:00
FWIW buy the GS500. I've had two of them. They're probably as economical as the GN, and as easy to work on.

They certainly twice as quick, and the best thing is that they are still being made. Parts etc aren't the problem that they will be with the Hondas.
Nasty
1st July 2008, 09:18
GPX 500 lovely .. great communter and nice for the two up if your butts both ain't too big :)
MSTRS
1st July 2008, 10:25
Yungatart may part with her EX500 if the price is right
howdamnhard
1st July 2008, 10:29
Yungatart may part with her EX500 if the price is right

More info?
MSTRS
1st July 2008, 10:32
PM'ed stuff...
The Pastor
1st July 2008, 10:52
gs500, they look pretty cool, and in the right hands they appare to be pretty quick.
fatzx10r
1st July 2008, 11:47
sv 650, they are good we bikes and fun to ride
howdamnhard
2nd July 2008, 01:46
gs500, they look pretty cool, and in the right hands they appare to be pretty quick.
Yes they do look nice,apparently their build quality is not the best though,could anyone who has had one please enlighten me.
Pwalo
3rd July 2008, 10:01
Yes they do look nice,apparently their build quality is not the best though,could anyone who has had one please enlighten me.

If you park one uncovered in a field for a year it'll be a mess. Mind you so will an MV Augusta. Look after it, clean it, and it'll be fine.

Like most Suzukis the GS is built to a price, and gets basic suspension, etc. The basics (frame and engine) should get you through a few years trouble free running. Build quality seems to be better on the later (K1 onwards) models.

Must have someting right to be still going after 19 years in production.
Squiggles
3rd July 2008, 11:03
CX500 is better than the 4, 4 doesnt have enough grunt for the weight
howdamnhard
3rd July 2008, 20:20
If you park one uncovered in a field for a year it'll be a mess. Mind you so will an MV Augusta. Look after it, clean it, and it'll be fine.

Like most Suzukis the GS is built to a price, and gets basic suspension, etc. The basics (frame and engine) should get you through a few years trouble free running. Build quality seems to be better on the later (K1 onwards) models.

Must have someting right to be still going after 19 years in production.

Thanks for that.Yes I own a Chinese built Suzuki GN250 so know all about keeping it clean and protected.