And the next question is......

[ukiwi]

Had some great advice so far on buying a new bike as a step up from my 250. However I am quickly coming to understand that, unless you have the patience of a frikin saint, its not so much what you want as much as what you can find. That said what should I be considering as an alternative choice to a hornet 600/900. Something I can ride to work in welly everyday on, enjoy the twisties on and do a bit of south island touring on (I dont want much eh).

[Taz]

Had some great advice so far on buying a new bike as a step up from my 250. However I am quickly coming to understand that, unless you have the patience of a frikin saint, its not so much what you want as much as what you can find. That said what should I be considering as an alternative choice to a hornet 600/900. Something I can ride to work in welly everyday on, enjoy the twisties on and do a bit of south island touring on (I dont want much eh).

Pretty much any bike will do that. Considered an advebture tourer? Opens up a heap more country and will stick with sportsbikes through the twisties.

[ukiwi]

I've tried a couple but my legs are to short to be completely comfortable.

[honda929]

Look at a honda VFR, mines a 96 and it does everything well, even keeps up with pure sports bikes, but tours very well to.

[ukiwi]

Is the riding position ok for the long rides?

[Wingnut]

Look at a honda VFR, mines a 96 and it does everything well, even keeps up with pure sports bikes, but tours very well to.

I agree - VFR800 - Such a nice ride - pretty good in the twisties - enough power to gwt you out of the poos - comfortable - Then again there is probably a dozen other similar bikes on the market out there. Good luck - and get out there on a few demos before you make you choice.:2thumbsup

[James Deuce]

Set your budget and go ride everything you can get your arse on in that price range.

Look with your heart

Test with your bum

Buy with your head.

Take overall cost of ownership into account. Service frequency, consumables, etc. If it has 100hp or more then you're looking at rear tyre every 4-8000kms at about $3-400.

Most of all - don't ask us, we're idiots.

[ukiwi]

Look with your heart

Test with your bum

Buy with your head.

Some good advice.
Vfr looks like a goer, but then again so do about another 50 makes and models.

Who would of thought it would be so f*****g hard

[idleidolidyll]

buy a cheap as shit scooter to commute on and a motard to play on for the weekends

[McJim]

If you're not tall have you considered a Ducati Monster?

They come in a really wide variety of engine sizes to suit everyone. From the gutless aircooled 400cc Desmodues to Multi Valve liquid cooled technology pumping out large numbers of ponies.

They have the seat near the ground - I wanted one...until I sat on one. I'm 6'1" :( Had to get a sportsbike instead for the higher seat.

[idleidolidyll]

They come in a really wide variety of engine sizes to suit everyone. From the gutless aircooled 400cc Desmodues to Multi Valve liquid cooled technology pumping out large numbers of ponies.


there was a loverly chrome 400 monster at haldanes the last time i was there

[ukiwi]

I had thought about a ducati but was told the service costs and general upkeep costs were kind of high

[idleidolidyll]

I had thought about a ducati but was told the service costs and general upkeep costs were kind of high

urban legend nowadays

change the oil, change the filter and have the valve clearance looked at evry 20,000; prolly don't even need adjusting

anyway, how many kays you gona do in a year?

[McJim]

I had thought about a ducati but was told the service costs and general upkeep costs were kind of high

It's cheaper than a Japanese bike these days - my Honda 250 air filter was about 4 times the price of the Ducati one. Broke a honda Indicator got quoted $125 for a new one. Ducati indicator was $50. A 2006 Honda service interval was 6,000km but the 1997 Ducati Service interval is 10,000 km.

The old record of Ducatis cost a lot to maintain is just bullshit these days. I can't believe how many people still fall for it.

[Winston001]

Another vote for Ducati but if you are doubtful, the VFR 800 is a highly rated bike.

Usually it is reviewed against 1000cc bikes and compares well but...... Not quite fair to the VFR.


But really, JD says it best = try heaps of bikes. If instead you set your heart on one model, and can't find it, you'll always feel short-changed by what you buy instead. Plus Murphy's Law says a Hornet will come available as soon as you buy a different bike. :devil2:

Much better to have some fun and test a range.

[ukiwi]

Thanks for all the advice, got plenty to think about. Just as well I'm not desperate, this is gonna take a while, mind you I can think of worse ways of spending my weekends.

[2Slow50]

Hey mate,

If I remember correctly there is a 600 hornet (http://www.motorad.co.nz/the5thdimension/vehiclelistings.asp?page_size=1&current_page=6&categoryID_list=20)for sale at Motorad located on Vivianne st, Wellington city. They're a really good bunch of people there who will be able to offer you some great advice.