I need a big but sensible bike

**quattro** · 9th August 2011, 11:51

Hi all,

I'm planning to hit NZ around Oct/ Nov. I want to buy a bike wherever I land in NZ and want to spend a few weeks having a right good look around before I settle down somewhere there's work going. I don't know how long I'll actually stay thereafter but the plan is stick around until my 1 yr holiday visa expires.

Firstly, bikes are a s**t load more expensive over there. My 02 Busa cost me $5,000, ffs. My mint 01 GSX1400 is worth about the same! My scruffy with low mileage Blackbird was $3,900! I'm a big dude and I have big bikes. I'm really concerned that I might decide to leave NZ early and will end up lumbered with a sale-proof bike so I could do with some advice on which types or brands of bike are most popular or considered a 'safe bet' for selling on later.

Do bikes sell on a reasonable pace or are they very niche? In other words, would I have to give a bike away to shift it or will a popular bike sell if it's sensibly priced?

I like big nakeds. I've seen a couple of CB1000s and the like. Any other suggestions?

Many thanks

**quattro** · 9th August 2011, 11:52

Oh, I think I'll have about $5,000 to spend. What I get for my Busa here can cover my bike in NZ.

**JimO** · 9th August 2011, 12:00

how much will it cost to bring the busa over, you could sell it here to cover that cost?

**Bikemad** · 9th August 2011, 12:05

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes

check out bikes for sale on that site mate
5K aint gonna get you a great deal i suspect

**Katman** · 9th August 2011, 12:26

There's always this one.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...uki-GSX1200-FS

**monkey99** · 9th August 2011, 12:38

Originally Posted by Bikemad

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes

check out bikes for sale on that site mate
5K aint gonna get you a great deal i suspect

Have to presume he's either quoting his price in Euro's, Irish Punt or Pounds ($NZD8,600 - Eurp/Punt or $NZD9,900)

That should open up the market a bit fir ya

For $NZD10k you could get a very nice second hand CB1000R or something

**Indiana_Jones** · 9th August 2011, 12:58

Could get a tidy late 80s early 90s beemer for that kind of money?

-Indy

**The Pastor** · 9th August 2011, 13:40

My gsx1200 would suit you to a T. Might already be sold bt nothing is tied down as of yet

**Ender EnZed** · 9th August 2011, 15:59

You want a Bandit 1200. Here are 5 of them.

**Banditbandit** · 9th August 2011, 16:41

$10k NZ would also get you a Bandit 1250 .. (I recommend them ...)

**ExpertoCrede** · 9th August 2011, 16:49

V Strom DL 650 will do unless you're doing long distances with a pillion.

Check the Trademe auction site as linked elsewhere (the NZ version of E-bay). $5K may not make it though. Between $6.5 and $8K (NZ) should do it.

Good luck.

**skippa1** · 9th August 2011, 18:14

Originally Posted by quattro

Hi all,

I like big nakeds.

hmmmm a chubby chaser aye

**riffer** · 9th August 2011, 19:25

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

$10k NZ would also get you a Bandit 1250 .. (I recommend them ...)

Likewise, but like BanditBandit I'm biased. NZD$5K should get you some okay bikes, but I daresay they'll all be carburetted.

**quattro** · 10th August 2011, 02:36

Originally Posted by Katman

There's always this one. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...uki-GSX1200-FS

That looks like the kind of thing I'd have in mind alright. I really couldn't commit to anything yet and I probably won't be heading over until between one and two months.

Originally Posted by JimO

how much will it cost to bring the busa over, you could sell it here to cover that cost?

I looked into it a little. I was getting quoted about $1,000 to transport a bike from Oz to NZ so I dare say it would be a large sum and a considerable amount of time to ship. I'm hoping that with the help of some clever and handsome Kiwis, I should be able to identify a bike I shouldn't lose too much cash on for my stay.

Originally Posted by monkey99

Have to presume he's either quoting his price in Euro's, Irish Punt or Pounds ($NZD8,600 - Eurp/Punt or $NZD9,900)

Irish punts. I remember. I remember.

Nope- I'm afraid it's €3,000/ NZ$5,000

Originally Posted by Indiana_Jones

Could get a tidy late 80s early 90s beemer for that kind of money?

-Indy

I was assuming that an old bimmer would be a minefield? Are they a safer bet than I was assuming, do you think?

Originally Posted by Ender EnZed

You want a Bandit 1200. Here are 5 of them.

They seem downright reasonable compared to other bikes I seen.

**quattro** · 10th August 2011, 02:37

Many thanks but let me ask another question: Are there bikes or brands that I should just stay away from? I'm more concerned about buying a bike that Kiwis consider undesirable bike that I can't shift if I decide to go home

What does the average biker down the pub say? Can it be said that 'you'll always shift a Honda on' or 'Triumphs come with a wedding ring' or 'Once a bike has more than X amount of KMs it's sale-proof?

So far, the shortlist of bikes I've been thinking might be in my budget and might work are;
CB1000
CB1300
SV650/ SV1000
Bandit 600/ 1200
Fazer 600/ 1000
Varadero 1000
Transalp
Do you not have the KLE500?

My budget clearly prevents me from getting newer bikes but it would have to be in good condition, I'm sure.