Dumb question number 09357239075

[Aitch]

I am planning on buying a new bike, hopefully some time in march or april. (I'm waiting for a piece of land to sell, but you don't want to hear THAT story!)
I haven't ridden for about 20 years (yes midlife crisis, blah blah blah), and I'm really not sure what to buy.
The main use will be for commuting between Pukekohe and Papakura, but I also want to be able to take the odd trip to Cambridge, New Plymouth Whangarei. Super bikes don';t do it for me, any suggestions???? (Is this one of those how long is a piece of string questions?)
I want a brand spanking new bike, but can't a fford more than about $13k.
Any hints on which bike dealers are good/bad or indifferent would be a big help too.

[Waylander]

What ever you do don't get the Honda Rune!! (sorry its from another thread) Um.... Yammy Roadstar is pretty good.

[Silage]

(yes midlife crisis, blah blah blah), and I'm really not sure what to buy.
The main use will be for commuting between Pukekohe and Papakura, but I also want to be able to take the odd trip to Cambridge, New Plymouth Whangarei.

Hey H
You are far too young for a mid-lifer, better come up with a better excuse.

I expect mine to last for some time. Last year I started looking also, something around 600-900cc and new. Ended up wiv a GS1200 cos of the pricetag ($9k cos had done 600km by the bikeshop manager on a trip to the Coast) - normally $10k. There might still be some new ones around. I find it too big (ie idling in 1st) for around town commuting, but on the open road its great. Once you get back on (and hooked up a bit with the loopies :grouphug: on this site) you will probably do a lot more miles.

Welcome aboard.

[MSTRS]

Most of the 600/750 bikes would fill that spot. Small enough to be nimble in town, big/fast enough to not be embarassing on a tour. Oh and welcome

[TLDV8]

How about a SV1000

[toads]

What ever you do don't get the Honda Rune!! (sorry its from another thread) Um.... Yammy Roadstar is pretty good.

yammy roadstars are great bikes but you won't get a new one for that price eh

[Aitch]

errrrrrrrrrr what's an sv1000?
I thought that V-Strom looked good, and the Marauder too....
Thanks for the welcomes too!

[zeRax]

yea, welcome dude,

must be excited getting a new bike huh :O! >_< jealous

[Biff]

How about a CB600 or 900 (Hornet's). Great fun. Good value & great handling.
I've done a 1000 mile tour on a 600 over 3 days. The bike was wedged with camping gear, fold up chairs and such like. No problems.

[bane]

II want a brand spanking new bike, but can't a fford more than about $13k.
Any hints on which bike dealers are good/bad or indifferent would be a big help too.

my suggestion would be a SV650S (doubt if you really need 1000cc!)
Im sure riff raff can give you the lowdown.

I think about 11-12k from your friendly suzuki dealer

http://www.bikepics.com/suzuki/sv650s/

[MD]

Aitch, are you related to Mr Spock? Or maybe you are a Systems/Business/who cares analyst
Your approach is so practical and logical whatever you buy will put you to sleep.
Always buy bikes from the heart not the head. It's got to be a spontaneous "whoaa that's so cool I've gotta have it" Later, to the saleman after you've bought it, "and if someone asks me what have I bought again?
Heaps of choices out there. Try visiting a few bike shops for starters and just go with the flow. Being rational has no place around motorcycling!

[MacD]

errrrrrrrrrr what's an sv1000?
I thought that V-Strom looked good, and the Marauder too....
Thanks for the welcomes too!

The Suzuki SV range comes in both 650 and 1000 cc versions, and naked and half-fairing versions.

Have a look here: Suzuki NZ (http://www.suzuki.co.nz/motorcycles/motorcycles.html)

Suzuki also does the Bandit range, 600/1000 naked/half-fairing, and these can be bought for pretty good prices at the moment. The naked Bandit 600 is advertised at $8995 in Suzuki's Summerfest catalog. These are very popular in the UK.

Have fun looking!

[loosebruce]

I know of a TL1000S going cheap, most of the parts are brand spanking new :spudbooge
Shes a hard row trying to find the perfect bike mate, just keep having a look round and something will jump out at ya.
But as a few people have mentioned already, the SV1000/650 are excellent bikes all round, reckon you cant go wrong. Go test ride one if ya like the look of em, chances are you'll like the sound :2thumbsup

[crashe]

Welcome to KB land..

Well, you have a month or two before you can actually buy a bike, so can I suggest to you, to start going around all the bike shops, when ever you have a free moment.
Bike shops are shut on Sundays.

Start getting a feel of all the bikes and take them out for a test run...
You must be totally comfortable about and on the bike. Dont get talked into buying a bike....until you know its the one for you.

Just come on back in here and ask everyone in here for their opinions on the bikes that you have looked at. They will be honest with you.

All bikes are different... and only you will know when you sit on the bike and have both feet firmly on the ground to know which bike is for you....

The guys here can certainly suggest so many bikes.... and some of them will naturally be biased about certain bikes... (come on guys admit that you are really partial to your own bike).

Hop onto cruisers, tourers, sports etc etc... you just never know, you may be surprised at what you will end up with.

After being away from bikes for 20 years, and then getting back on one again, do take it easy..... and ride safe out there.
:spudwave: :wari: :banana: :niceone:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

. :banana: A Suzuki GSX-R 750 is what you need :banana: Nothin else will do it for :niceone: you just go and get one. :2thumbsup The rest of em think those twin things are great but the Gixxer rocks and you know you want one. :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
By the way welcome to the mad house. :spudwave:

[カワサキキド]

Go round all the bike shops and test ride every bike you can.
Then you can write us some reviews.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Welcome to KB land..

The guys here can certainly suggest so many bikes.... and some of them will naturally be biased about certain bikes... (come on guys admit that you are really partial to your own bike).
:
Absolute fecking bullocks. Everyone would love to own a Gixxer 750 but have not goten around to sitting on one yet. No predisposed ideas here :cool:

[MSTRS]

Hey young man, did no-one tell you that it's not the size that's important..... :wari: :wari:

[andyw]

errrrrrrrrrr what's an sv1000?
I thought that V-Strom looked good, and the Marauder too....
Thanks for the welcomes too!

:eek5: .........checkout www.sv-portal.com

Here's a pic of mine....few more mods since that was taken.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Hey young man, did no-one tell you that it's not the size that's important..... :wari: :wari:
I already know that :banana: and that's why I ride a 750 not an 1100....................... Its how you use it not how big it is.................so I have been told. :2thumbsup

[Aitch]

I'm off to Colemans tomorrow to see what they got.....I won the Draggin Jeans january draw, so I'm getting some free gear too!!!! :banana:
I'll let you guys know how I get on...thanks for all your advice.

[Aitch]

Always buy bikes from the heart not the head. It's got to be a spontaneous "whoaa that's so cool I've gotta have it" Later, to the saleman after you've bought it, "and if someone asks me what have I bought again?
Heaps of choices out there. Try visiting a few bike shops for starters and just go with the flow. Being rational has no place around motorcycling!


I've found it! Took a Suzuki Bandit 1200 for a ride...nice bike, quite grunty, a little heavy maybe. Then a Honda VT750...nice bike, too windy, a good midlife crisis bike!
THEN I took a Kawasaki z750 for a spin...wow! Nimble, grunty, responsive...I just want one...but I think I'll get the Z1000S, it's got a ll the above and it looks as sexy as hell too!!!!! :2thumbsup

[MD]

I've found it! Took a Suzuki Bandit 1200 for a ride...nice bike, quite grunty, a little heavy maybe. Then a Honda VT750...nice bike, too windy, a good midlife crisis bike!
THEN I took a Kawasaki z750 for a spin...wow! Nimble, grunty, responsive...I just want one...but I think I'll get the Z1000S, it's got a ll the above and it looks as sexy as hell too!!!!! :2thumbsup
That's the spirit Aitch. Totally irresponsible, irrational shopping. Woman do it all the time so why can't we. See your emotions lead you in the right direction. The Z750 and Z1000 are top bikes and the thou has the better looks and parts (USD fr forks, twin mufflers like nothing else on two wheels).
I suspect you could get away with making a below list price offer as well on the Kawasakis, just a rumour I've heard that some shops are trying hard to move them. It's worth a try anyway. Good hunting, happy riding. :2thumbsup
MD

[gav]

Personal opinion, I suppose but I actually think the Kwak Z750 looks better than the thou, spec in red!
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/Kawasaki/Z750/Z750_RHF_1024.jpg
Those pipes on the zed one just look gay......(ducks for cover....) :spudwave:

[Krusti]

Personal opinion, I suppose but I actually think the Kwak Z750 looks better than the thou, spec in red!
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/Kawasaki/Z750/Z750_RHF_1024.jpg
Those pipes on the zed one just look gay......(ducks for cover....) :spudwave:
You better duck big time before I come around and Bitch slap you all the way back to Honda land. :wari: :banana:

[gav]

http://users.bayarearidersforum.com/~valgar/random/screaming.gif
yeah, OK , your little orange toy is kinda pretty, too. That belly pan is cool, when are you ditching the pipes?
Don't tell me.....
http://www.1077thebone.com/jocks/lnt/goofy/images/hell.jpg

[Krusti]

Youre probably right gav. At least they make people take notice. I never liked them either till I got one. hehehehe

See in the latest Rapid bikes mag there is a NOS ZX12, 300hp. Bloody nutta. He's gonna turbo it next! :2thumbsup

[Aitch]

got the windscreen and funny little grab handles and I don't know what else, but but I like the windscreen!
And by god that 750 did piss all over the bandit for handling.......and yup, the red is very sexy! Don't red bikes go faster too????????????????????

[Aitch]

Personal opinion, I suppose but I actually think the Kwak Z750 looks better than the thou, spec in red!
Those pipes on the zed one just look gay......(ducks for cover....) :spudwave:
hmmmmmmmmmmmm see waht you mean about the pipes...and no windscreen either. And do my eyes deceive me, or is there no pillion on the Z1000 (and no S?!) :spudwhat:
I feel a confusionoply coming in.... :confused:

[moko]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm see waht you mean about the pipes...and no windscreen either. And do my eyes deceive me, or is there no pillion on the Z1000 (and no S?!) :spudwhat:
I feel a confusionoply coming in.... :confused:

Havn`t seen an N.Z. market thou mate but here they all have screens fitted as standard and have same seat set-up as the 750,maybe the one you saw has some kind of seat-cowl,which probably comes off.Must admit I think the Mickey-Mouse pipes ruin the 1000.Both bikes have had rave reviews in the Brit press,particularly the 750 which finally sees Kawasaki competing in the massive Fazer/Hornet/Bandit market where it`s bigger motor than the 600`s has it looking good against some very stiff opposition.I`d have one as it`s more in the spirit of the much-loved old Fazer(see my avatar)than the newer model Yams which are a bit too slick.(look I`m a biker,we dont do logic).Actually if that`s the kind of thing you`re looking at try the Yam FZ6 as well,not as torquey as the 750 but a good bike,Hornet 900 worth a go as well,they`re not too popular here but a nice user-friendly bike with a really sweet motor.

[gav]

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Kawasaki-Z750Sc.jpg
hmmm, not to sure about the fairing, think I'd prefer the look and style of the ubfaired red one. Each to their own :yeah:

[Aitch]

Havn`t seen an N.Z. market thou mate but here they all have screens fitted as standard and have same seat set-up as the 750,maybe the one you saw has some kind of seat-cowl,which probably comes off.Must admit I think the Mickey-Mouse pipes ruin the 1000.Both bikes have had rave reviews in the Brit press,particularly the 750 which finally sees Kawasaki competing in the massive Fazer/Hornet/Bandit market where it`s bigger motor than the 600`s has it looking good against some very stiff opposition.I`d have one as it`s more in the spirit of the much-loved old Fazer(see my avatar)than the newer model Yams which are a bit too slick.(look I`m a biker,we dont do logic).Actually if that`s the kind of thing you`re looking at try the Yam FZ6 as well,not as torquey as the 750 but a good bike,Hornet 900 worth a go as well,they`re not too popular here but a nice user-friendly bike with a really sweet motor.

But I really really really like the z750!!!!!!!! corners like my old CG 110 and surprisingly enough a lot more brm brm! :done:

[Aitch]

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Kawasaki-Z750Sc.jpg
hmmm, not to sure about the fairing, think I'd prefer the look and style of the ubfaired red one. Each to their own :yeah:

I half agree with you....I still like the fairing, but I do like the red.

[Aitch]

Hey H
You are far too young for a mid-lifer, better come up with a better excuse.

I expect mine to last for some time. Last year I started looking also, something around 600-900cc and new. Ended up wiv a GS1200 cos of the pricetag ($9k cos had done 600km by the bikeshop manager on a trip to the Coast) - normally $10k. There might still be some new ones around. I find it too big (ie idling in 1st) for around town commuting, but on the open road its great. Once you get back on (and hooked up a bit with the loopies :grouphug: on this site) you will probably do a lot more miles.

Welcome aboard.
Got a GS1200SS!!! Rode lots of others, but the GS just did it for me! And only 10k! Picking it up next week.
brm brm