How do you choose your bike(s) [Archive]

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Pwalo

3rd February 2005, 10:04

It's always fascinated me how we all like bikes but we all have very definite opinions on what we think is a proper machine.

I had a few idle moments when I was recuperating and got to thinking about getting a replacement bike. Did the usual short list of bikes, you know, GSXR, R6, CBR, FZ, Hornet. (Then I bought another GS.)

Then I tried to truthfully figure out what makes me like certain bikes, and came up with four main caterogies:

1. Looks (how shallow)
2. Size (important. I seem to be a wee bit smaller and lighter than a lot of riders - even at my advanced age)
3. Handling (whatever that means)
4. Power

I was a bit suprised that power rated so low, but I guess any bike is quick enough to escape from the traffic lights, and I spend most of my time commuting in all conditions so excess power could just be more hassle.

But as we all know it all comes down to looks (image I guess). I really like sports bikes, but being a product of the 70's and 80's it's the naked sports bikes that I prefer. CB1300s, GSX1400s, ZRX1200s (only in Eddie Lawson green), and I guess Bandits and Hornets. Apologies to any cruiser riders out there but it's just never appealed. Don't know why - perhaps because my Dad rode English bikes.

Unfortunately possessing a small frame myself most larger capacity bikes are just too heavy (anything over 200Kg), or too large. After my accident my wrists make it difficult to wheel around heavy bikes. Or to ride anything too sporty.

Anyway to cut a very long story a bit shorter the choice came down to a Hornet 600, Bandit 600, or another GS. Personally I found the Bandit to be a bit heavy,and not as nimble as my previous GS. The Hornet is a great little bike, but reasonably 'vibey' and all the samples I saw were older, higher mileage examples.

In the end I purchased a later model GS (K1). Much better sorted bike than the earlier GS'. Uprated front suspension, sorted carbs, nicer body work, but most importantly it looks kind of like a mini GSX1400 (especially in blue). Even better it was a hell of a lot cheaper, and my insurance pay out almost covered the entire replacement costs.

Guess I really am just a shallow man after all. :unsure:

vifferman

3rd February 2005, 10:09

Happy Birthday, Pwalo! :2thumbsup (You old bastid :Pokey: )

Bikes? Choosing??
By the riding, I guess. Go to a dealer, check out ones that interest me (and often some wildcards, like a cruiser, or some bike that others have raved about), then ride them, and choose the one that feels right.

The last couple were a bit different - the vifferbabe came along, and vetoed ones that weren't pretty enough, and tried to get me to buy ones I wasn't interested in that had nice paint.:shit:

White trash

3rd February 2005, 10:13

Simple.

I see what latest GSXR Suzuki NZ has in stock, in which colour, then I buy it.

Some crash their mint 750K3, then decide it's all a bit much for them and go for a itty bitty Gixxer Six.

bugjuice

3rd February 2005, 10:20

when I chose mine, I had ridden a few bikes before this one. This put the biggest grin on my face (and unfortunately the biggest dent in the wallet) which hasn't shifted yet, plus thru traffic and the quiet bits, it seemed to be ok with everything. I found a lot of bikes have a lot of similar characteristics to them, so which ever bike you choose, you'll grow to like it I reckon.
Next on the list for me, was looks. If you're gonna blow a wodge, you don't want to be ridin some bushpig of a bike. Each to their own, I agree, so for me, my bike was kinda what I wasn't.. till now.. if that doesn't make sense..

mattt

3rd February 2005, 10:27

Not really rocket science.
1. Japanese
2. 900cc or more
3. Full Fairing (duh)

Figure out what sort of coin you got, and work backwards till you find a minter in your price range.

Then save some more, mod it out, sell it for less, stir, shake and repeat till your either on next years model, bankrupt or single :blink:

dhunt

3rd February 2005, 10:28

For me it came down to money and availablity. What could I afford to spend and what was around when I was looking, for example I was looking at getting a gixxier 750 or something similar when I saw the bike I've got currently and thought it wasn't too bad so bought that instead.

Blackbird

3rd February 2005, 10:56

i.e
- has to be able to carry my wife in comfort on moderate distance runs
- reliable
- FAST (wanted a super fast machine with the emphasis on blistering acceleration before I get too old to handle it)
- good looking enough to press the right buttons. I honestly can't tell you what does this - purely a gut feeling. There are plenty of other machines I admire, but the only other machines to really press the right buttons are the Benelli TNT and the '05 Triumph Speed Triple and I can't tell you why! I'm certainly not a one-eyed Honda (or Suzuki, Kawasaki etc) fan at any cost.

Did the Blackbird meet these criteria? In almost all respect except that the seat height is a bit high for my legs :mellow: and it's a tad heavy for me being on tip-toe but I can live with it.

bear

3rd February 2005, 11:08

Recently brought my first over 250cc bike, things that dircted me were power output (limited myself to around the 600cc's, <60kw), jappa and price, following this based on appearance - as in did the bike look tidy and big enough (thought the hornet looked small, purely opinion). Ended up with the Bandit 600s, liked the heavy feel, had enough turps for me, and fitted within the price range.

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 11:16

RIDE THEM ALL.....thats if you have the money

other wise all my bikes have been the right price at the right time

750Y

3rd February 2005, 11:24

for me it was a matter of lining up all the bikes I was considering and rating them all on different aspects then adding up the scores and choosing the winner. of course when i arrived at the wrong bike i promptly re-diddled the scores so i could get the gsxr1000 8-).

Biff

3rd February 2005, 11:26

Blakamin

3rd February 2005, 11:37

I went to the Ducati shop... looked around and said "I'll have that thanks"
combination of name an colour.... :whistle:

Hitcher

3rd February 2005, 11:38

I don't choose my bikes, they choose me. As I move quietly amongst them, some nuzzle my legs, others invite me to sit astride and fondle them. Gently but with firm authority. Others are more fullsome and take me riding with them, taking special care to impress me with their athleticism and user compatibility.

vifferman

3rd February 2005, 11:40

bugjuice

3rd February 2005, 11:41

- fanny magnet (alledgedly)
mine apparently came equiped with one of those too, but I think it's broke.. anyone know how to fix these things?

Skunk

3rd February 2005, 11:52

Unfortunately possessing a small frame myself most larger capacity bikes are just too heavy (anything over 200Kg), or too large. After my accident my wrists make it difficult to wheel around heavy bikes. Or to ride anything too sporty.I have a ZRX (Eddie colours) and don't find it too bad (at 235kg) for my 64kg frame (to pick up when I drop it. :whistle: )
Wheeling it around in tight spots I'm just more careful than with the KLX... :sweatdrop

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 11:54

mine apparently came equiped with one of those too, but I think it's broke.. anyone know how to fix these things?
Na its not broke its just some brands of magnets are better than others....i think you will find the Yamaha fanny magnet works a treat :buggerd:

750Y

3rd February 2005, 11:57

....i think you will find the Yamaha fanny magnet works a treat :buggerd:

yeah it's attached to the seat 8-) lol

Waylander

3rd February 2005, 12:34

Tradition.... My grandpa bought a bike from his dad, my dad bought his first bike from my grandpa, so i bought my first bike from my dad. And hopefully my first born son (the gods permiting) will buy his first bike from me and so on.:beer: :apint: :drinknsin

Fryin Finn

3rd February 2005, 13:04

When I bought my first bike I wanted a trail bike having ridden a friends Yamaha 175. I read all the comparison tests in the magazines and the bike I selected came out the winner in all of them. I would have been better off buying my mates 175. Later I bought his CR 125 which was a good buy.
I bought an RD350 because it was the bargain sportsbike of the century probably ever.
I bought the TRX850 because it was a Ducati without the expense and Hassles - It's still my favourite road bike.
I bought the XJR because Rex was dead and I wanted something to enhance the size of my wizzer.
I bought a Honda XR650 because I wanted to do adventure rides and it was highly competent off road. I traded it in on the WR450 because it was a handful when I rode fast in the tight stuff and it didn't have a leccy start and it didn't fit in with the two Yamahas in my garidg. I only ever did one adventure ride.
I want an MT-01 or KTM 990 Super Duke but I have to spend my money on other things like retirement savings and taxes.

riffer

3rd February 2005, 13:05

Na its not broke its just some brands of magnets are better than others....i think you will find the Yamaha fanny magnet works a treat :buggerd:

I think the magnet on mine has worn out over the years.

Bloody lucky for me actually, or else I'd be in all kinds of shit. :pinch:

Mine was a combination of right place, right time, and the name, and history of the model.

Always wanted a 20-valve Yamaha. Couldn't afford an R1.

And then I read on the net how to derestrict them to liberate another 30 horses. And it's been all downhill since then... ;)

bugjuice

3rd February 2005, 13:13

Na its not broke its just some brands of magnets are better than others....i think you will find the Yamaha fanny magnet works a treat :buggerd:
what, bright orange cross-eyed bikes don't do it any more..?
I had wondered about all that actually - they say about them being bird-pullers, with wheelies and stoppies and showing off etc, but you pull a wheelie to impress a bird and before you know it, you're outta sight.. how's she gonna get your number then?!?! :wavey:

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 13:14

I think the magnet on mine has worn out over the years.

Bloody lucky for me actually, or else I'd be in all kinds of shit. :pinch:

Mine was a combination of right place, right time, and the name, and history of the model.

Always wanted a 20-valve Yamaha. Couldn't afford an R1.

And then I read on the net how to derestrict them to liberate another 30 horses. And it's been all downhill since then... ;)
you dont want a cheap FZ1 do ya??
i hapn to have a 2004 with only 3000k on the clock sitting in my shed, needs a tank and some cosmetics tho but still very ridable

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 13:18

what, bright orange cross-eyed bikes don't do it any more..?
I had wondered about all that actually - they say about them being bird-pullers, with wheelies and stoppies and showing off etc, but you pull a wheelie to impress a bird and before you know it, you're outta sight.. how's she gonna get your number then?!?! :wavey:
she will get it on ya return trip when ya do ya stoppie :2thumbsup ....i actualy quite like the orange 636's, i test rode a 636 dwn here but it was green...and as far as kwaka's go im over the green. :sick:

bugjuice

3rd February 2005, 13:25

she will get it on ya return trip when ya do ya stoppie :2thumbsup ....i actualy quite like the orange 636's, i test rode a 636 dwn here but it was green...and as far as kwaka's go im over the green. :sick:
When I first saw mine, I wasn't overly sure about it, but then soon quickly grew on me. It helps that it's metallic too, not a solid finish. I've updated my pic in my profile from the ride last weekend. Now I have it, I really don't want anything else. Not saying it's the worlds best, but suits me to a T. I reckon that's the most important thing about biking. Each to their own, but as long as it suits what you want it for and your riding ability, what more can you ask?
Still to pull chicks on it tho, must try that sometime.. May be the Mission Bay ride tonight might change things, then I'll be going home :yeah: happy

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 13:31

When I first saw mine, I wasn't overly sure about it, but then soon quickly grew on me. It helps that it's metallic too, not a solid finish. I've updated my pic in my profile from the ride last weekend. Now I have it, I really don't want anything else. Not saying it's the worlds best, but suits me to a T. I reckon that's the most important thing about biking. Each to their own, but as long as it suits what you want it for and your riding ability, what more can you ask?
Still to pull chicks on it tho, must try that sometime.. May be the Mission Bay ride tonight might change things, then I'll be going home :yeah: happy
looks good my profile pic is all dodg....as long as you like it thats the main thing....as for picking up the birds, i find just a toot will do the job, sssshhhhhh dont tell my wife

bugjuice

3rd February 2005, 13:36

looks good my profile pic is all dodg....as long as you like it thats the main thing....as for picking up the birds, i find just a toot will do the job, sssshhhhhh dont tell my wife
yeah, had a laugh at your pic. Did you get off it? What was it for..?? :banana:
RE: the toot, tis ok, your secret is safe with me!! :2thumbsup

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 13:47

yeah, had a laugh at your pic. Did you get off it? What was it for..?? :banana:
RE: the toot, tis ok, your secret is safe with me!! :2thumbsup
My pic is from xmas day,,,a mate crashed his fz1 and the coppers turned up at first i asked them if i could sit in the back for a photo, but dam coppers no sense of huma, said no so just looks all bad but not realy

outlawtorn

3rd February 2005, 13:48

I've never really liked sports bikes or high performance bikes, but when it came down to choosing my first 250 bike I really did my research, not with miles per gallon and all that crap or power ratios or anything like that, it boiled down to:
How does it look? :cool2:
How does it ride? :2thumbsup
Is it comfortable? :yes:
It might look great, handle great but if your butt goes numb after 20 mins then you have a problem.

Hence the reason I chose the Suzuki GZ250, it looked nicer than the GN250, has great handling, but really loosens up after 1000 miles and it is comfortable. Got my eyes set on a Marauder when I qualify, once again done my research and the Marauder comes out tops for almost everything.

I sound really shallow having just read over what I'm about to post, but lets face it, we buy the bike/car we'd like to be seen on/in.

Biff

3rd February 2005, 15:03

mine apparently came equiped with one of those too, but I think it's broke.. anyone know how to fix these things?

Well Aaron had some radical new operation. I think it was called a strapadicktome or something similar. Thinkng about it, he started pulling the ladies around the same time he stopped wearing skirts. There may be a link there. I dunno :spudwhat:

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 15:16

Well Aaron had some radical new operation. I think it was called a strapadicktome or something similar. Thinkng about it, he started pulling the ladies around the same time he stopped wearing skirts. There may be a link there. I dunno :spudwhat:
Look buddy i told u they are called kilts, not skirts, and now that i no longer wear it there are no more BIG scary things for the ladys to see, so they are more willing to jump on the sack. ooooppps i mean back

jrandom

3rd February 2005, 15:19

I boughted my Zeal because it was red.

Although my favourite colour is black.

But there wasn't one in black.

So I got the red one instead.

Paul in NZ

3rd February 2005, 15:32

I do hours and hours of research, read books, magazines ask opinons, perform complex calculations to estimate the optimum balance of weight, capacity, power and fuel economy and then totally ignore it all and leap on the first brazen hussy that flashes a sexy exhaust pipe in my direction and makes me go Phrooaar! I fancy a bit o dat!

A bit like dating really...

Paul N

White trash

3rd February 2005, 15:38

I do hours and hours of research, read books, magazines ask opinons, perform complex calculations to estimate the optimum balance of weight, capacity, power and fuel economy

....and then it's thirty years after the bike was released and you buy it......

Mongoose

3rd February 2005, 15:47

....and then it's thirty years after the bike was released and you buy it......

Still makes it a young bike when compared to the owner :banana: :thud:

ching_ching

3rd February 2005, 16:45

Eenie Meenie Minie Mo...

:doh:

inlinefour

3rd February 2005, 16:45

I take it for a ride, feels good and handles well?
I check for problems, sometimes getting others to check it out mechanically also.
Funny thing is that so far they have almost all had the Honda badge on them
:2thumbsup :rockon: :banana: :wavey:

Rainbow Wizard

3rd February 2005, 17:53

Around 1972 I bought a 125 Honda, I was convinced by the dealer (Collison?) that it would be much more appropriate than the cheaper 100cc model after I told him I was likely to be doing a fair bit of Auckland/Tauranga weekend commuting! 30 odd years later I figured I'd limit myself to 600cc, and I'd recommend anyone in a similar position follows suit.

I love naked bikes, V twins, shaft drive, low maintenance, and reliability... AND I'm a tight bastard that's sometimes happy to wait for the right thing to reveal itself to me. I downloaded pages & pages of reviews from the UMG site and read & re-read the comments (that dude whitewashes most of 'em) and also walked up and down those rows & rows of bikes at Paeroa a few times and got a feel for what felt right. But the rarity of a fit to most of those criteria found me eventually buying the Yamaha Radian 600. Boy was that ever a wolf in lambs clothing!

A few years later at my first Puke Track Time I eventually tracked down the owner of a 600cc Honda Revere (V twin, shaft drive) and when I suggested he sell it to me when the time came to quit it he looked up into the sky in false contemplation and said "Never!", that he'd sold a BMW to buy it and that it had done 132,000 with only a head job at 100,000! What better recommendation. But he did point me in the direction of an older cheapy that I've since replaced with a stolen/damaged/recovered 1995 NTV650cc version I brought in from UK. Despite now owning the Voxan it's still my favourite bike: heavier but feels lighter, reliable, handles brilliantly, plenty of power & torque (only marginally sedate), comfortable and very forgiving. Now where can I find a woman like that?!!!

The Voxan on the other hand was an ankle tap from seeing an ad photo that Lindsay of Chch M'cycles placed. Voxan? What's that? Who makes it? From where??? How many cc? The questions keep coming and they're always the same, only they aint mine any more. After months of net research (with only 2yrs of schoolboy French under my belt) and lots of chats with Lindsay I was convinced that "these guys have got it right". And my suspicions have proven correct, if only they made it in shaft drive.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways:
A Vincent reborn 50 years later, a Ducati without problems, a Guzzi with the motor pointing the right way and without problems, the spirit of naked Pommie bikes from the late 50's & 60's touched by years of experience, a Yamahonda that's arrogantly French & stylish. Sure I've only done 6000 odd km but those froggies have clocked up heaps of trouble-free miles. OK I admit it, since I've joined the voxan messageboard I've discovered the earlier versions were a bit fussy in the fuel injection and White Power forks have replaced Paoli. Now I reckon these babies are going to turn a few more heads here once people realise what they've been missing. Get in while the dollar's high I reckon.

OK, I'm a raver, I admit it. Hope you were entertained. :banana:

Monsterbishi

3rd February 2005, 17:54

Bikes I buy speak to me, we all know the feeling, when you rock into a bike shop, and there it is, for some reason, more obvious than any other ride in the shop...

**R1**

3rd February 2005, 19:21

Jackrat

3rd February 2005, 19:27

Gott'a be a twin,a vertical twin.
Should be black,but we can repaint it the proper colour late if need be.
Electronic ignition,Carbs,Chain drive.
NEVER any fairings,no electric start.
Prefer spokes over mags, but can live with the poxy things if I have to.
Bloody hate stepped seats, an it's going as soon as I get a replacement.
Need more power,gott'a have more power,I got a plan!!

Skyryder

3rd February 2005, 19:38

Went in looking for a Hog walked out with a Goose. Just fell in love with the Guzzi

Skyryder (rides a Drake)

Sensei

3rd February 2005, 19:54

Spot the dude that hasnt riden an R1, GSXRthou, ZX10, RSVR, :devil2: :whistle:

You hit that one right on the head Arron . Get the same SONG every time
I suppose you only go " FAST IN A STAIGHT LINE " What ever . Haven't meet anyone !! that own's a 1000cc Sport's bike that cann't ride it like it was meet to be , {black line's in black line's out } AMEN
SENSEI :sly:

Motu

3rd February 2005, 20:13

I don't look for bikes,they find me,kinda like stray cats...and I'm a sucker for a homeless waif.I don't care about looks at all,two wheels and an engine,that's all it takes.I bought the XLV750 because...well shit,who wouldn't! I bought the XT400E because I sat on it and it was cheap - I think it was the bike I was looking for before the XLV750 wagged it's tail at me.

Skyryder

2nd October 2005, 18:00

The same way I chose my women...................lust.

Skyryder

Bonez

2nd October 2005, 18:21

Even better it was a hell of a lot cheaper, and my insurance pay out almost covered the entire replacement costs.

Guess I really am just a shallow man after all. :unsure:Value for money
is a big factor for me when concidering bike purchases. "Bang for my buck" and on going maintenance tasks- do as much as possible myself including the odd tyre change. Sounds like the GS500 is that kind of bike well done. :drinkup:

Timber020

2nd October 2005, 20:46

Bang for buck is the key for me.

I usually have a set budget, and hunt out a bike, but then sometimes I see that buynow button on trademe and just end up buying a bike when Im meant to be looking for something completely different.

Economical, fast, fun

Lou Girardin

3rd October 2005, 11:53

For me it's;
comfortable
fairing
easy to maintain
can tour two up
torquey
cost less than $15,000 new
Only one bike meets these criteria. (unfortunately. I'd like a choice)

dawnrazor

3rd October 2005, 13:40

I think most folks would agree that one bike can't provide everything all the time, and that ultimatley an "all rounder", is a comprimise in so much as it will do everything to a degree, but will excel at nothing except its all-roundness. So you can commute, tour and race on a CBR600F but a fazer, gs1200 and gsxr will do each job better. So depends what you want your bike for really, factor in money and peoples size and options start to close down. Take into account engine size and styling and options are less. Its concievable that for most people buying a new bike, their options as they see them are quite slim.

I used to think I wanted "exclusive" bikes, like hard to get models or uncommon bikes, but after a aprillia pegaso 125 and a moto guzzi V5, I have decided that, that way madness lies and financial ruin. Managed to get rid of those to with my shirt intact, and now am commited to riding something that will not cost the earth for spares and servicing and that I will be able to sell. I know its boring and soulless, but I don't have the time in my life for my bike to let me down or wait 6 weeks for parts.

Lets face it if we could, we'd all have 2 or 3 bikes in the garage, go with what works for you most of the time.

Kittyhawk

20th October 2005, 00:18

If it goes fast, has lots of thrust and idles with a good vibration and sound in the exhaust I'm sold and it has to look manly and growl hahaha
I like it I buy it

Karma

20th October 2005, 00:44

Speed is obviously an issue... but to be honest all I saw was the mass amount of Kawasaki Green, and a couple of Ninja stickers and that was me done for... money is a secondary concern

Bonez

20th October 2005, 18:02

My second way of selecting a bike- Go for and inpromptu ride, see a bike with a "For Sale" sign on it, buy it :niceone: .