Dumb question number 09357239075

**Aitch** · 10th February 2005, 16:51

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** · 10th February 2005, 17:52

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

**Silage** · 10th February 2005, 18:04

Originally Posted by Aitch

(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

on this site) you will probably do a lot more miles.

Welcome aboard.

**MSTRS:Me** · 10th February 2005, 18:11

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** · 10th February 2005, 18:13

How about a SV1000

**toads** · 10th February 2005, 18:15

Originally Posted by alucard_draken

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** · 10th February 2005, 18:27

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

**zeRax** · 10th February 2005, 18:48

yea, welcome dude,

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

**Biff** · 10th February 2005, 18:55

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** · 10th February 2005, 18:55

Originally Posted by Aitch

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 · 10th February 2005, 18:57

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** · 10th February 2005, 19:25

Originally Posted by Aitch

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

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** · 10th February 2005, 19:45

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

**crashe** · 10th February 2005, 20:04

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: