XJ600 versus Bros650 versus GPZ500

[howdamnhard]

Looking for a cheap , reliable and thrifty commuter with enough grunt and handling for the weekend blast.Narrowed it down to Yamaha XJ600 , Honda Bros or Kawasaki GPZ500.Tending towards the Honda or Yamaha as I think the GPZ maybe a bit heavy on the juice.Anyone ever owned any of these and what should I look out for.Any pros and cons etc.
Cheers

[Bonez]

Xj600. Simple, reliable IL4 with no particular vices.

[Kickaha]

Xj600. Simple, reliable IL4 with no particular vices.

It'd be my pick of that bunch as well

[CM2005]

GPZ500 by a long shot, i have one which is pretty economic as long as you dont cane it everywhere.
It idles along a 4'500RPM at 100k's, but pulls well at 6'500 - mine does 150kmh on closed road fairly easily.
Mine has done 30'000 miles (its american import EX500) and needed an alternator replacement, which are prone to failing on the older ones, but arent too expensive to buy/fit.
I've got a 2-1 from cycleworks on it as the original pipes have rusted away under the front of the engine. Otherwise the bike is very original, and in good nick.
Not for sale though!:laugh:
Good bike though, go on forever, and carry some kit.

[MSTRS]

Yungatart has a 96 EX500 (same engine). It is very economical and will do close to 400km on a tank IF you don't cane shit out of it. It's gearing puts it at 5000rpm/100kph and it basically has no stick below 4500. Nice handling, reliable and easy to ride. With that very handy Kawasaki positive neutral finder system.

[dino3310]

XJ600 is my vote, i regrett letting go of my one.
very economical and will really get up and boogie when you need it to,
handles like a sports bike but with a more uprite riding position which i found very comfortable.for the time i had my one i couldn't say a bad thing about it great bike.
dont know anything about your other choices but most bikes of that error
were pretty bullet proof.

[F5 Dave]

GPZ would be most fuel efficient easily.

But just try to find whatever is in best cond with least miles. They are all 20yrs old & it will be very easy to find one that is worn out & give no end of troubles if you are unlucky. Keep your options open for best value for money.

Having said that I'm listening to a GPZ start outside as I type this (really) that has given everyday service for a couple of years with only the starter giving out & sundary stuff.

[MSTRS]

Just occurred to me...
The Honda Bros is a 650 V-twin and shaft drive. There is a 400 version as well, I think? Has another name but is often still referred to as a Bros.
The XJ is an in-line 4.
The GPZ is an inline twin BUT if it has an R (GPZ500R) it is an inline 4.

[F5 Dave]

There was the Revere n some markets.

GPX will be the 4.

[Jacko2]

Just sold the old (1990) GPZ500, 221,000 km and still pulling strong.
Haven't had either of the others, but am sure someone will give feedback.
Luck,
JACKO

[MSTRS]

GPX will be the 4.

No. GPX and GPZ are both twins. But with the R added when they are both 4's
See here http://www.ukbike.com/BrowseReview.aspx~name~Kawasaki_GPZ_(400cc)~page~4 ~makeid~4~modelid~1274
The Z or X are more to do with where they were sold.

[MaxCannon]

I'm surprised the Bandit 600 isn't on your list.
I was looking for similar attributes and the Bandit ticked all the right boxes.

[ducatilover]

Just occurred to me...
The Honda Bros is a 650 V-twin and shaft drive. There is a 400 version as well, I think? Has another name but is often still referred to as a Bros.
The XJ is an in-line 4.
The GPZ is an inline twin BUT if it has an R (GPZ500R) it is an inline 4.

the revere was a shaft drive [bros has a chain] and most are a 600cc variant and crap. id pick the bros but im biased. the 400 was called bros aswell. the gpz isnt very sportingly inclined.

[howdamnhard]

Just been to Wild West Honda in New Lynn.Took a Bros650 for a test drive.Very nice ,light easy handling,torquey .Gearbox is a little clunky,probably just me.Still got to try a XJ600 and GPZ.The XJ I tried out previously was in bad nick and it"s handling felt very heavy.Only sat on a GPZ,bars seemed comfy but not sure about my legs.The GN sure sucked after my Bros test ride,in comparison.

[vifferman]

Gearbox is a little clunky,probably just me.
Nope.
It's not uncommon for Hondas (especially older ones) to be clucnky, and the same goes for bikes with shaft drive.
There's probably a knack to getting the gearchange smoother, but you may not be able to entirely avoid clunks.

[puddytat]

The Bros (NT650) is a single sided swingarm with a 650 motor & a chain. The Revere is a 6oo with a shaftdrive. Both models came out with a 400 variant.
Bros is the way cooler of the 3...& responds well to a suspension tickle up & alot lighter than the others

[howdamnhard]

Motor was really nice and smooth with nice low down torque so I could live with a clunky gearbox.

[howdamnhard]

I'm surprised the Bandit 600 isn't on your list.
I was looking for similar attributes and the Bandit ticked all the right boxes.

The bandit is nice and so is the SV650 ,but both are a little newer and thus more expensive.

[puddytat]

www.hawkgt.com is the place for Bros info...it was known as the Hawk GT in Europe & the States....the VTR thou is sold there as the super hawk.
I had mine for 4 years & thrashed the shit outta it & as far as I know there is no issues with them, same motor as in the Transalps.
Check out hawkgt.com & you'll get an idea of what you could do to them if you wanted :shit:
Take out the snorkels & drill holes in yer airbox,Drill holes in your exhaust,lift the needles,get the right springs up front & get a CBR900 shock & put the Bros spring on it & it'll change from a very capable bike to a farkin awesome fang gadget...:yes:

[ducatilover]

Motor was really nice and smooth with nice low down torque so I could live with a clunky gearbox.

try another bros, mine didnt have a clunky box.

[howdamnhard]

try another bros, mine didnt have a clunky box.

Will do.:niceone: Steve is going over to Japan next week and said he would keep a look out for me.

[howdamnhard]

Thanks puddytat,I'll check out the sight.

[ducatilover]

Will do.:niceone: Steve is going over to Japan next week and said he would keep a look out for me.

good luck:jerry: nothing wrong with a bros. except the name....