First big bike recommendations needed

[NinjaNanna]

well what have you seen that floats your boat. Maybe we can comment specifically on them instead.

Though I say late nineties ZX9r for the win.

[Rych]

Ideally I'd like to test ride a heap but location limits that. Commuting is the first priority, followed by long rides followed by track days. (Order may change as I become a better rider)

If I dont find something suitable I'll start looking at naked bikes but my heart is with sports bikes.

Get a sports bike if you want a sports bike, not a sports tourer. I commute 80km a day from Whangaparaoa into the city and I love the ride, lane splitting in traffic etc no prob. I haven't done more than 300km in a day but that wasn't too bad, little sore on the legs and wrists but I was still adjusting to the bike so some of that is just newbie to aggressive positioned bike pain with a long break from riding beforehand.

Haven't gone to the track yet but don't really need to to know an R6 owns the track, 100's of reviews out there.

I don't care so much about comfort as I like to enjoy riding what I'm riding and hang of the bike out on the open roads, so sacrificing a bit of comfort for a sports bike you like is all good!

Go sit on CBR, GSXR, ZX6R, R6 600's, test ride them, go sit on CBR, GSXR, ZX10R, R1 1000's, test ride them, see what you like and get get it!

Also don't forget the Daytona 675, may be bit pricey but I have seen a few nice ones for around 9k...

So many people recommend sports tourers, but if you got your mind set on a sports bike get one, I've only had a ZXR250 and my current R6 and I wouldn't want anything else, until maybe later in life when I want to settle down and get something a little more cruiser.

[NinjaNanna]

lot of bike here for the money couple of hundred to respray the rash on the side and you're away.

Mighty tempted myself, I've put it on the watch list.

[NinjaNanna]

So many people recommend sports tourers, but if you got your mind set on a sports bike get one, I've only had a ZXR250 and my current R6 and I wouldn't want anything else, until maybe later in life when I want to settle down and get something a little more cruiser.

And the million dollar question is how tall are you and what do you weigh?

The OPer is 6'3" and 130kg.

[Rych]

And the million dollar question is how tall are you and what do you weigh?

The OPer is 6'3" and 130kg.

hehe only 5ft9 80kg... That's why test them all.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Commuting is the first priority, followed by long rides followed by track days. (Order may change as I become a better rider)

If I dont find something suitable I'll start looking at naked bikes but my heart is with sports bikes.

Get a sports bike if you want a sports bike, not a sports tourer.

Going by what he just said I would get a sports tour... Many of todays sports tourers are yesterdays sports bikes anyway... and will give most other bikes a run for there money through the twisties anyway.

As we have all said go sit and test ride as many bikes a you can... it may suprise you that the bike you thought would be comfortable and mets your needs isn't so comfofy and vise-versa

[khabel]

like the looks of this a lot
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-330810637.htm

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Going by what he just said I would get a sports tour... Many of todays sports tourers are yesterdays sports bikes anyway... and will give most other bikes a run for there money through the twisties anyway.

As we have all said go sit and test ride as many bikes a you can... it may suprise you that the bike you thought would be comfortable and mets your needs isn't so comfofy and vise-versa

If you do go for the VTR get any model 2002 or after (like the one here 03) as it has the bigger tank, fuel gauge and better dash, better shocks and a few other things have been upgraded...

[Toaster]

And the million dollar question is how tall are you and what do you weigh?

The OPer is 6'3" and 130kg.

Exactly. A 600cc bike will feel like waving a flyswatter in a bathtub of maple syrup at that weight.

750cc is a good balanced engine for those not up to the 1000cc+ mark with enough get up and go for the big lads carrying a bit more in the gravity department.

[DMNTD:Me]

I'm inclined to recommend a naked Bandit 1200/1250, Z750, Hornet 900 etc styled bike....if you're going to be doing more pleasure riding than commuting.
Commuting...Hornet/Bandit/GSR etc 600 or similar.
They generate a load of torque (especially the first options) that you choose to use or not but piss all horse power (for their cc rating). As long as your right wrist is mature then you'll be absolutely fine.
I recommend that your first proper ride is 'open road' to get used to it.
I also recommend going to see Jimmy (White Trash) or Pete (Crasherfromwayback) and having a frank and open conversation with them.

[Brett]

For your size, budget and experience I think that something like a K4/K5 GSXR600 or ZX636 would be worth looking at. Both a very reliable bikes and the ZX636 has the advantage of a bit more up and go. I am about 6ft 3 and 100kg and have owned a GSXR600 now for nearly 4 years and still love the thing.

[Brett]

Exactly. A 600cc bike will feel like waving a flyswatter in a bathtub of maple syrup at that weight.

750cc is a good balanced engine for those not up to the 1000cc+ mark with enough get up and go for the big lads carrying a bit more in the gravity department.

Actually what you say makes some sense. GSXR 750 would be on the money. I took one for a 600km blat and found that it made up for the 600's lack of power quite nicely but was not nearly as brutal as many of the thou's I have ridden. Still need to be shown a bit more respect than a 600 though.

[Juzz976]

I like the thou twins, good low end torque with a reasonably flat torque curve.

Good for fast acceleration and touring, they sound awesome too.
I knew I'd be more likely to take push a 750 or 600.

The SV1000s is a good bike for the price but found it not as comfortable as my TL1000R.
Found the VTR a bit ugly but the SP1 SP2 are nice.
The RSV I got put off by people saying they're expensive to maintain, although no one with one has confirmed that for me.