Decisions, decisions, I hate decisions!

[Bad Biker]

Decisions, Decisions I hate decisions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now have my full licence and time to find a new bike and get rid of my GN250 (toy).
Today was a day of test riding to assist with decisions????

When I left home this morning I was leaning towards a Honda CBR 900 fireblade, now at the end of the day I have no idea and got to work through a process of elimination.

Honda CBR900 Fireblade (1998) 65,000km

I took this for a test ride and confirmed that I liked the look of it, liked the size of the bike and felt comfortable on it. I could tell that before I even started it.

Got out on the road and again confirmed the above and found that I loved the power and response of the throttle and the way it handled.

The gear box felt a little ‘clunky’ but it is 14 year old.

Over all I liked the bike and could see myself owning this and having some great fun and enjoyable rides.

Honda VFR800 (2007) 33,500km

I got shown this bike and thought I would take it for a test ride (give me some comparison). Like the way it felt good size comfortable to sit on.

Started it up and first thing noticed was – lot quieter than the fireblade.

Went for a ride and the response through the throttle was a lot different than the fireblade especially in the lower revs but she did have some ‘get up and go’ in the higher revs and performed a lot better in the higher speeds.

Much smoother gear change and handled well, I did feel like it wanted to pull the front wheel under me when corning to the right but fine when going left? Never noticed this problem on any other bike so could just be my riding style, tyre or imagination (buggered if I know).

Over all I liked the bike and could see myself owning this and having some great fun and enjoyable rides.

Cruiser NEW

Wanted to take a cruiser for a ride just to check I didn’t want to go that way rather than a sports or sports/cruiser.

Final decision – Would borrow or rent one for a day to go for a ride with a group, don’t want to own one!!!!!!!!!!

Honda CBR1100 (1999) 26,000 miles

While I was out test riding this bike had just been traded, so it was suggested I took this for a test ride.
Bike was a good size, felt comfortable, and looked good. European import therefore speedo in miles and km is smaller (no major I can get use to that)

Started it up, sounded good nice feel on the throttle. Went for a ride felt really good very good response to throttle handled nicely and plenty ‘get up and go’ Had to remind myself on a couple of occasions that when the speedo said 100 that was miles and not km. (could be big ticket).

Felt comfortable on it and happy with the power and response.

Over all I liked the bike and could see myself owning this and having some great fun and enjoyable rides.

Decisions, Decisions I hate decisions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I know what I don’t want but no idea what I do what. I liked all 3 bikes and liked things about all 3 and as it would be impossible to find the perfect bike all 3 had some aspects I didn’t like so much but could live with.

[Boob Johnson]

Get the Honda...






































if you're gay

[Bad Biker]

I am leaning that way.

Still open to testing others

[rustyrobot]

Oh what a fantastic decision to have to make!

I'm guessing there's quite a difference in price between the VFR and the CBRs so don't know how that will influence your decision, but really if you read up on the web you'll find many positive things said about the VFR. A fantastic all-rounder with plenty of get up and go for when you are feeling anti-social. Not the ultimate hoon bike, but then less likely to be thrashed as a consequence. If you are looking for a commuter, weekend ride and occasional tourer - I'd go with the VFR.

But hey - despite the 'want.bike.now', no need to rush it huh - why not take a few more test rides, it might make you reflect back on these bikes in a different light (for better or worse).

New bike shopping... lucky you!

[Boob Johnson]

Get the Honda...

if you're gay

I am leaning that way.

You might be in the wrong forum champ!

[Bad Biker]

Oh what a fantastic decision to have to make!

I'm guessing there's quite a difference in price between the VFR and the CBRs so don't know how that will influence your decision, but really if you read up on the web you'll find many positive things said about the VFR. A fantastic all-rounder with plenty of get up and go for when you are feeling anti-social. Not the ultimate hoon bike, but then less likely to be thrashed as a consequence. If you are looking for a commuter, weekend ride and occasional tourer - I'd go with the VFR.

But hey - despite the 'want.bike.now', no need to rush it huh - why not take a few more test rides, it might make you reflect back on these bikes in a different light (for better or worse).

New bike shopping... lucky you!

very good food food for thought.

about 2.5k difference in price so still within budget

Want to get rid of the GN250 so got to try not rush into anything that i may regreet later.

Is fun looking at a new bike though!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bad Biker]

You might be in the wrong forum champ!

Serves me right - Should learn to read the complete message

and NO not gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boob Johnson]

very good food food for thought.

about 2.5k difference in price so still within budget

Want to get rid of the GN250 so got to try not rush into anything that i may regreet later.

Is fun looking at a new bike though!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like the other two bikes (GSXR & CBR) are mad high prices! I personally would go with the VFR also. It's newer & is less likely to have issues. The other thing is don't get too hung up making a poor decision, they are all good bikes. This won't be your last big bike so don't sweat it. Once riding whatever you have got you won't be constantly comparing it to something you haven't got! Many people, like myself get a new bike each 12 months or so. Think of this decision like that & it will be much easier.

[Boob Johnson]

Serves me right - Should learn to read the complete message

and NO not gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol, just busting your chops

[Corse1]

Doesn't matter what you get, you will still be looking at other bikes, I want to try them all. I am a minority on this forum as I don't own a Honda but have done in the past and think they are Great bikes. The blackbird sounds like you wouldn't keep your full license for long which is the trouble with most, if not all big bikes nowadays but definately sounds like the one which impressed you the most.

Great problem to have though. I love buying new bikes

[flyingcrocodile46]

I am leaning that way.

Still open to testing others

It's called 'pushing back'

[Bad Biker]

Doesn't matter what you get, you will still be looking at other bikes, I want to try them all. I am a minority on this forum as I don't own a Honda but have done in the past and think they are Great bikes. The blackbird sounds like you wouldn't keep your full license for long which is the trouble with most, if not all big bikes nowadays but definately sounds like the one which impressed you the most.

Great problem to have though. I love buying new bikes

Your right on both accounts.

the blackbird did impress me, I am not into being a idiot and trying to kill myself but the speed did crep up without even noticing it, so yes could lose licence very easily especially with reading miles rather than KM's

Big question is - Do I really need that much power????

[Corse1]

Your right on both accounts.

Big question is - Do I really need that much power????

NO! But its lots of fun and you wont need it but could use a lot of it at track days............................

[Bad Biker]

NO! But its lots of fun and you wont need it but could use a lot of it at track days............................

Again, right on both accounts

[oneofsix]

Don't know your real experience level BB but I always worry a little when people want to jump from the learner bike, especially a crusier style, to a top end sports style. Have you had a look at the middle range? Agreed that once you cross the 600 rego line you moss well jump to the top, personally I still think of a 650 as mid-range but if you are going to pay the extra rego ...