Next bike selection?

[Ants]

Thanks for all the comments so far. Would consider the ER6 if the price is right, but nothing in my budget on TradeMe at the moment. Was looking also at the Suzi GSR600 (mainly due to lower rego) but again not seen many in budget lately (though they're not as much at the ER6). Any thoughts on that one? What about Hyosung GT650 - any good?

So ... no takers for the VFR800 or GSX-750F - I guess that's ok as I didn't really want a bike that old anyway

Anyone got any idea what the insurance difference is likely to be between, say, teh SV650 and CB900? Is the latter going to cost more, or are they both just "big bikes, big bucks" ?

[Furyos J]

The 2000ish pre vtec VFR 800 is a very good bike, fuel injected, cool mono swingarm,nice touring/sports all rounder,gear driven cams, i realy rate them, but thats just me, i dont mind older style bikes,im a fan of the 2000ish era, I rekon if ya going to pay big bike rego, get a bike 800 or over,altho i cant talk, cause i went for the cheap rego with a 600, but then again, whats an extra $150 a year if you really want a 650. Also my 600 is $3 per month for third party, and $25 per month for full cover

[Urano]

Was looking also at the Suzi GSR600 (mainly due to lower rego) but again not seen many in budget lately (though they're not as much at the ER6). Any thoughts on that one?

avoid the gsr.
the olds er6 frame cracks, but all the gsrs beautiful alu frame cracks ON THE STEERING.
and this is waaaaay worst... and, even worstER, kawa changes the frame in warranty, suzuki doesn't.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/784...gine028tq7.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/599...gine026sp7.jpg
http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/980...gine025tm4.jpg

What about Hyosung GT650 - any good?

nope.
clunky, bulky, slow...

So ... no takers for the VFR800 or GSX-750F - I guess that's ok as I didn't really want a bike that old anyway

...and, believe me, so thirsty...

[GrayWolf]

Hello everyone.

Looking for a little advice on my next bike. Currently on a Suzuki GN250 which I have been riding since I learnt 5 years ago. Finally have the $$ for a step up

A quick browse through TradeMe shows me the following are within budget ($5k):

'99 Suzuki GSX750F
'04 Suzuki SV650
'99 Honda VFR800
'04 Honda CB900

This bike will be 90% commuter, so key factors are ease of riding (will be every day rain or shine), reliability and running costs (maintenance & fuel).

I'm leaning towards the SV650 as it's (probably?) the most frugal, cheapish to maintain being a twin, and relatively modern compared to the others. Also probably a more comfortable ride with the more upright seating position?

Thoughts? Is there something else that should be on the list but just happens to not be up for sale right now?

Cheers,
Ants.

Hi Ants,
The SV, Hyo GT650, Kwaka ER6 etc are good bikes for a step up. Yes the 900 Hornet etc are good bikes, BUT from a GN250? I would be highly cautious of the 'step up' in weight and power. You may be fine with it, however I would err on caution! Some here are saying certain bikes will soon seem low power, but as you have ridden the GN for 5 yrs? I cant see a 5/600 cc bike being that for you. Ther Hyo 650 may be 'slow' compared to similar japanese bikes, but its adequate enough. Another serious contender I would suggest if you are serious on a large capacity machine... the Suzuki SV1000

Cheers!

[Ants]

Thanks for all the advice so far guys

A friend at work is selling his 2004 Kawasaki Z750 - how does that stand up to the other bikes mentioned so far?

[Berg]

Add another recommendation for the ER6n. That was my "step up" bike. I now have the Z750 and find it not as easy to ride or as forgiving as the ER6.

Mrs Berg now rides the ER and she stepped up from a GN250. After 20,000kms on the ER she is only now comfortable riding the Z

[Ants]

Broken frames sound a bit worrying - I assume this is only really after some abuse, or else the manufacturer would be recalling them, right?

I've seen a few more CB900s up for sale, though I take on board the comments about how big a "step up" they might be. My GN is 135kg, and some of these bigger bikes are over 200kg dry weight - that's like a whole extra wife They look good though ...

Still no sign of an ER6 in my price bracket

Anyone got thoughts on an RF900 - albeit a bit long in the tooth.

Are there places other than TradeMe that are worth looking? Or does TM pretty much have the market sewn up?

[supa.m]

The CB900 and the SV650 are both great bikes, my choice in your situation would be the SV, light simple, a great fun ride and a good step up from where you are.

...... except....

Against all logic and sound reason you may yearn to own a bigger bike (there may be no logical reason for it, you just may) if you think that might be the case then go for the 900 or keep looking......

[supa.m]

Anyone got thoughts on an RF900 - albeit a bit long in the tooth.

RF 900, awsome and much under rated for its day, I think your better off with the SV650 though.....

[Ants]

Thanks for all the advice so far guys

A friend at work is selling his 2004 Kawasaki Z750 - how does that stand up to the other bikes mentioned so far?

Apparently this bike is actually a ZR750/ZR-7S ... Is that any better/worse for me? He hasn't stated a price yet, but looking at TM I think it'll probably be over my 5K budget. Looks nice though

[Berg]

Bugger, there was a mint 08 ER6n in green on Tard Me a few days ago. Only 2000kms and up for grabs for $6k ono. A pinch right there and gone already.

[Juzz976]

Would the GS500 be an option?

For me the CB900 would be the go to suit my style of riding.

Although I will buy a VFR800 V-tec one day....and very likely not the CB if that makes any sense.

[ducatilover]

VFR800 = great at everything, looks awesome, goes great, sounds the tits, super reliable, comfortable, has more buttons and gimmicks than the others on your list.
CB900 = Goes great, comfy, cheaper than the VFR to run (Not as nice a bike IMHO) and yet again, reliable.
SV650 = no contest against a CB900 in terms of bike to dollar ratio, it'd be the bottom of the list for me, suspension isn't exactly brilliant either.
GSX750F = the most "old fashioned" of the lot, not water cooled, more power/torque than an SV yet is cheap enough to run.
RF900 = Grunty and very capable. Very reliable and very solid bike. Bang for buck it wins hands down, no contest.

I don't know what you ride like though, the CB, VFR, GSX and RF are all a very big step from a GN, even the SV will feel like a monster to you.

You cannot go wrong with any of them and don't let "old" put you off.
My advice is; Get out there and test ride all of them, plus some more. Make sure you spent a decent time in the saddle of all of them.
Go home, write down the pro's and con's of all of them.

I'd also recommend you expand the group a bit, try the "older" bikes also to compare with the newer bikes. Try a ZZR600 and the Hyosung GT650R. The GT650 isn't as god-awful heavy as people tell you, it's lighter than most of the bikes mentioned above and has a strong motor.

[Ants]

Still on the lookout for a bike ... sold my GN already, so that's progress at least.

Seen a few CB900s for sale like this one:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-417705163.htm

... but not much of interest elsewhere of the right type/price/age ...

Would ths ER-5 be any good? It seems the drum brake at the rear is frowned upon, but is there anything else I should know about?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-418456883.htm

[Grasshopperus]

That hornet also has some non-standard handle bars; they look lower and a possibly wider than stock. A lot of people do this mod as it makes it feel a little sportier and more comfortable.

I can't recommend a hornet enough to you. I went from a 250 to a hornet900 and I'm still loving it to bits a year (and 30k) later. It is a big step up but as anyone will tell you, it's your self-control that determines how fast a bike goes not how many cc's it has got.