First big bike recommendations needed

[khabel]

I'm about to get my full license shortly so need some help in purchasing my first big bike. I'm after a fully faired sports bike used mainly for commuting with the odd track day and long ride thrown in, I've been recommended the SV650S but I'm not fond of that.

I'm in my late 30's and my doctor tells me I'm a 'big unit' 6'3" 130kg and have ridden motocross for the last several years if that makes a difference.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Latte]

If you're capable of restraint get a big twin. You'll get used to it pretty quickly. VTR/SV Thou etc.

[Little Miss Trouble]

I'd take the VTR over the SV thou any day, chuck a couple of scorpion pipes on it

[khabel]

I've been looking at a few VTRs on trademe, only concern is comfort

[DEATH_INC.]

You don't mention your budget, or what mx bike you've got.
If you honestly think you're ready for the bigger stuff, try a ZX636. If trackdays are on the cards you'll really want a sportsbike.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I've been looking at a few VTRs on trademe, only concern is comfort

It's all what you get use to, I use to have VTR and clocked up so big touring and huge days 800km days and feeling pretty refeshed. But it is also personal taste. I personally found the VTR more comfortable than the SV, but again thats all personal... you need to take both out for a decent ride and compare...

Many people also forget that they can adjust much of the the bikes little things to change riding comfort like, levers positions, gear and brake positions, adjusting the shocks to suit... etc

Add more comfort to any bike, sheep skin or Gel Seat pad, make sure your riding gear is comfortable, boots trou, and jacket even helmet... do you use ear plugs? no ear plugs you may get a head ache after a long ride and then blame it on the bike when ear plugs make fix the problem, or you jacket is a bit to tight and you cant reach the bars as easily as you should and makes the ride uncomfortable...

Riding conditions can also effect the comfort, wet weather gear leaking makes you squirm about a bit more, is it windy or is it just one those pure awesome of awesome days... as you need to add all these factors and have the same on both bikes to find out what is comfortable over all...

Add in all this and personal taste what you find comfortable and what every one else finds comfortable are two totally different things

Basically take as many bikes out for as along as you can to see which one mets your needs, wants and requirements, which is comfy for you, but also remember the little things you can adjust to suit once you have to fine tune that comfort

[khabel]

You don't mention your budget, or what mx bike you've got.
If you honestly think you're ready for the bigger stuff, try a ZX636. If trackdays are on the cards you'll really want a sportsbike.

Sorry forgot to mention budget, around $8kish, MX bike was a yamaha YZF450 as well as a Kawasaki KX250.

[NinjaNanna]

VFR800 would suit you well, its not a 1000cc rocket but has more balls than a 600cc to haul your 130kg arse around.

Triumph Sprint 900cc would also be a good option as would an older (pre 2000) Honda Fireblade or Kawasaki ZX9r

You should be able to get good examples of these for your $8000 budget

[White trash]

Come see me again on Saturday mate, I've got a couple to show you that may suit perfectly.

Cheers

Jimmy

[Bounce001]

I know of a nice 04 Daytona under what you want to spend. PM if you are interested.

[Banditbandit]

Go with something like this .... and you'll never regret it

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-329555057.htm

And spend the rest of the money on the lower fairing paerts (which are available) ...

[DEATH_INC.]

Sorry forgot to mention budget, around $8kish, MX bike was a yamaha YZF450 as well as a Kawasaki KX250.

You'll be sweet on a 6 hundy then.
Go see that wt character, he won't set u wrong.

[NinjaNanna]

I've never ridden a Bandit, but I did test ride the ZX12 which I'd assume would be much the same power wise.

I certainly do not recommend buying a 1200+ cc bike as your first big bike.

I personally passed on the ZX12 - everything about it was perfect for me except the power, it was too much, and that was after owning 2 VFR 800's and the ZX9. I ended up settling on an 04 R1.

I personally went from a ZZR250 as my first bike to the VFR800, I'm 6'2" myself albeit only 85kgs. The step up to the 800cc sports tourer was fine. 1200cc would not be. But of course thats personal opinion.

[ckai]

Sorry forgot to mention budget, around $8kish, MX bike was a yamaha YZF450 as well as a Kawasaki KX250.

Well before you said this I was gonna say go a Daytona 675 but the budget blows that up. They're great for a first real bike...and second

I reckon it depends on how serious you are about the trackdays. Most sports tourers (eg Suzzy GSX650F) will be sweet on the track and cool for commuting etc. If you really wanna focus on track days then you can get a more focused super-sport (ie. Daytona, R6's, top Ninja's) but you'll sacrifice a little comfort for the commutes.

Like what is said though, you get used to it. A mate commutes every day on his Daytona and wouldn't have another bike. Another loves his SV.

I've always loved sharp handling and torque, that's why I have what I have. My body gets used to anything.

See what you want it to mainly focus on (track or comfort) and like everyone says go ride some bikes that fit the bill.

I'm special, I only rode one bike before buying it

[khabel]

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.