Naked middleweight on a budget

[Milts]

So the time is coming to upgrade from my 250 to something more capable of taking pillions, heading to the track and basically not needing to hit 11,000 RPM to get anywhere. Given my uses and income, I think a 600-ish cc naked street bike to be the best option.

The main contenders are a Kawasaki ER6-N, Suzuki GSR-600, Triumph Speed Four (going cheap) or.... a street triple.

My budget WAS about 7-8k but new employment means I could afford a loan and maybe spend 11-12k. Beforehand I was keen on the Speed Four because it appears to have crushed the competition when it was new, but if I can afford a Triple should I pay the extra? I'm fairly confident of my ability to control my right wrist, so user friendlyness is not the largest factor. I intend to take it very, very easy (fortunately I've already experienced what happens when you push it when you're not ready).

I'm after a bike for commuting, weekend rides and track days when I can afford it. I'm looking to learn as much as possible on the track over the next few years, so a cruisy commuter might not cut it. A full on sports bike would be nice but less useful around town and possibly harsher on my license.

Should I be forking out the extra for a triple, or am I better off having my first larger bike as something cheaper with a few less horses? Are there other contenders I should seriously consider? And are the maintenance costs for a any of these bikes prohibitively expensive?

Oh and..... anyone got a Street Triple going dirt cheap?

[spajohn]

We purchased a bike last week for my fiancee who was upgrading from her learner bike. We didn't ride too many but personally I would pass on the ER-6 if I was you. I liked the Z750 but she settled on the GSR600 which I also quite liked to ride. Plenty of top end but a nice ride around town as well.

I didn't manage to get her on a Street Triple but I would seriously consider one of those if I was you.

[kowhai]

GSR600 also looks the bees knees as well. Great bike and hugely underrated.

[cheesemethod]

SV650? Was a strong contender when I was looking for a new bike until I fell in love with my Firestorm.

[James Deuce]

If you're on a budget, stay under 600cc to save on rego as well.

[Gibbo89]

the twin will stop you not mean you'll have to rev it as hard.
here's a triple in your price range once the new job kicks in:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-336106602.htm

you have not mentioned a cb600f or cb600, it's a honda hornet

here is one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-338778883.htm

the sv650 might be a pretty good option as mentioned above.

edit: as james says, staying under 600cc might be important to you. that rules out the er6n, the triple and the sv650. which leaves the 600 hornet, gsr600.

Also look at the fz6 (this also has a model with a small bit of fairing around the headlight for the touring aspect. Yamaha also have released the xj6n or xj6s. I believe that the xj's won't be as fast as the fz6's so the xj's might be a better 'all rounder'

[HenryDorsetCase]

you missed the SV650.

But if you want a Street Triple you want a Street Triple.

[bistard]

So the time is coming to upgrade from my 250 to something more capable of taking pillions, heading to the track and basically not needing to hit 11,000 RPM to get anywhere. Given my uses and income, I think a 600-ish cc naked street bike to be the best option.

The main contenders are a Kawasaki ER6-N, Suzuki GSR-600, Triumph Speed Four (going cheap) or.... a street triple.

My budget WAS about 7-8k but new employment means I could afford a loan and maybe spend 11-12k. Beforehand I was keen on the Speed Four because it appears to have crushed the competition when it was new, but if I can afford a Triple should I pay the extra? I'm fairly confident of my ability to control my right wrist, so user friendlyness is not the largest factor. I intend to take it very, very easy (fortunately I've already experienced what happens when you push it when you're not ready).

I'm after a bike for commuting, weekend rides and track days when I can afford it. I'm looking to learn as much as possible on the track over the next few years, so a cruisy commuter might not cut it. A full on sports bike would be nice but less useful around town and possibly harsher on my license.

Should I be forking out the extra for a triple, or am I better off having my first larger bike as something cheaper with a few less horses? Are there other contenders I should seriously consider? And are the maintenance costs for a any of these bikes prohibitively expensive?

Oh and..... anyone got a Street Triple going dirt cheap?

We have both a Street Triple R model & a ER6N in stock, give me a call at Wgtn Motorcycles 043844149
Regards
Barry

[Milts]

Cheers for the input guys.

The SV doesn't do it for me for some reason. It could be it's far too practical, and I don't aim to buy a bike purely for the practicality...

The rego is a good point, but all in all it averages out to remarkably little per year when you take into account the running costs of a bike for the same period.

I do like the hondas, but they seem higher priced than an equivalent GSR600 which IMHO is a nicer looking bike. Unfortunately I suspect Henry might be right, and I'm doomed to spend my money on the shiny ugliness which is a street triple simply because they seem so addictive.

[James Deuce]

Ahh, so you're not actually on a budget then, are you?

[Milts]

Ahh, so you're not actually on a budget then, are you?

Yes, it's just *cough* flexible. You can live off noodles, right?

I guess I was waiting for everyone to tell me it was too expensive, costs too much in maintenance, and I should be sensible and buy something else. That would give me an excuse not to splash out. However, that hasn't happened and so I guess I'll have to look at shipping costs for a triple to Wellington for a few of the bikes I've seen on trademe.

[James Deuce]

Only if you budget the noodle expenditure correctly.

[R-Soul]

Cheers for the input guys.

The SV doesn't do it for me for some reason. It could be it's far too practical, and I don't aim to buy a bike purely for the practicality...

The rego is a good point, but all in all it averages out to remarkably little per year when you take into account the running costs of a bike for the same period.

I do like the hondas, but they seem higher priced than an equivalent GSR600 which IMHO is a nicer looking bike. Unfortunately I suspect Henry might be right, and I'm doomed to spend my money on the shiny ugliness which is a street triple simply because they seem so addictive.

Take a VTR Firestorm for a ride - it has the same power as a 600 sportsbike, and more torque but the torque kicks in much earlier. The suspension is competent (and upgradable over time) , and the grin factor is UNBELIEVABLE. You see many at the ART days on track and they hold up well. And you can get good late models ON your budget without a loan. At 189 kgs its not too heavy either.

It has a nice linear power delivery, that is easy to control - no power bands making you spin wheels coming out of corners- - ideal for a learner/someoen getting used to big bike torque.


It is also ridiculously good in traffic-you just think about a gap and you are in it. Its low down torque has saved my ass in a few situations too. It offers decent weather protection too. its a bit on/off at walking speed, but if you can feather a clutch you are good. It is also quite narrow at the waist, and can take any gap a scooter can.


It is also reliable (it is a Honda) and cheap to service. The fuel consumption is not so good, at 7.5- 8.5 l/100km, but the good news is that it doesnt change much on track days...
Also, depending on ow you ride it, you can chew through tyres and chains. But ITS WORTH IT!

Many reviews say that with some new springs, and a steering damper, it can hang with the best. On road riding in the twisties, you only need use 3rd, leaving you free to focus on your riding technique. it also sounds awesome (especially with aftermarket pipes).

You wont fnd one ex-owner that didn't regret letting theirs go...

[avgas]

ER-6n would be my pick

I am a big Speed Triple fan, but the street triple I found a bit rev happy for my liking. Engine suits the daytona 675, but feels funny naked.

[Devil]

I'd love to have my Speed Four back (pic in avatar and my profile). That was my first big bike and I love it to bits.