The insurance company came through...

[Wolf]

Well, thanks to Mac at Maidstone Yamaha's awesome valuation on my burned out fizzer and AMI Insurance giving me a Market Valuation policy, rather than an agreed value one (I pay premiums based on a $4000 value) I now have $5000 to spend on my next bike.

Glad to hear it. So you'll be changing your handle to "Phoenix"?

All the best in finding yourself the right bike. Good "wish list", too.

[TonyB]

Although you can squeak 100hp out of a 90-93 VFR, they usually measure around 80-summat at the wheel, depending on who you talk to.

Tis a good point- I had an 86 VFR before the FZR, with an overlap of about a month. If I hopped on the VFR and twisted the right grip I'd be thinking "Well come on- DO SOMETHING"- much less power everywhere.

[F5 Dave]

The later single sided sw VFRs are much more powerful than an older one I believe, but a thou, esp an exup will whup one every time.

For solo use the VFR are still a nice bike to ride if you can find a decent one.

[Joni]

This is indeed good news Simon! Nice to hear something like this...
Have fun finding the new bike... and of course lots of pics needed when you do find it!

[sels1]

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDe...as=bikepointnz

How about tryin something diffirent - see more of the country

[vifferman]

The later single sided sw VFRs are much more powerful than an older one I believe.

Not significantly, but the 86-89 model was the lightest by far, and the most track-orientated. The 90-93 was the heaviest of the VFRs, so despite being more powerful than the prior model was less nimble.
The 94-97 VFR was slightly more powerful and had a better torque spread than the 90-93, courtesy of 2mm smaller carbs, and was possibly the best looking. The most powerful is the 98-01 VFR800 at a claimed 110PS, and a measured ~100hp.

[riffer]

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/DesktopDe...as=bikepointnz

How about tryin something diffirent - see more of the country

$750 over my budget. And its a beemer. I'm only 38 - I'll consider a BMW when I join Ulysses...

I still have a bit of boy racer left in me yet.

[Wolf]

$750 over my budget. And its a beemer. I'm only 38 - I'll consider a BMW when I join Ulysses...

I still have a bit of boy racer left in me yet.

Impertinent young whippersnapper!

[Ixion]

Impertinent young whippersnapper!

Second that. Mate,you're goin' down. Mr Wolf, you take the right and I'll take him on the left! (PT)

[ManDownUnder]

RF 600 or 900

Good fund and good prices (if you go private).

'course I might be biased, but I like it
MDU

[riffer]

RF 600 or 900

Good fund and good prices (if you go private).

'course I might be biased, but I like it
MDU

Yeah, the RF900 is a possibility, but to be honest the only ones I've seen in my price bracket are around the 85-90,000 kms mark, and that's a lot of kms. Theres a good review of the RF900s here.

I've heard of a few alternator problems with the RF's. The RF600 is discounted as its a bit of a horsepower lightweight, not to mention bloody rare so parts are tricky to find.

If I could find an RF900 with 45000 kms for $5000 I'd be seriously thinking...

[geoffm]

I used to have a GSXR750L - the 1990 model which was the first to have USD forks. Great bike. I had 91hp at the wheel on mine, suzuki claimed 100 of course.
Reliable and pretty easy to work on and get parts for. Excellent suspension as well.
The 91 model was very similar, with bodywork differences. They then went to water cooling with the WP, which are a rare bird indeed, and a stop gap before the SRAD models (T series) which were a better bike.
The FZR Exup would be another good choice, if y ou can find one for the money
Geoff