Decisions, decisions, I hate decisions!

[Boob Johnson]

I don't buy the whole rego thing. It's not a large increase annually between 600cc & 601cc. Get what bike you want. Personally think a Blackbird or similar is something you should work your way into, way too early for that carry on!

Playing around on a CBR900/VFR800 is more than enough of a jump to begin with.

[Bad Biker]

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 ...

Good point.

Have riden for a numbr of years on many different size bikes.

Only decided 12 months agot that i had better get a licence.

Agree that rego is a consideration and it is harder an harder to find that 600cc when 650 tends to be the norm in mid-range.

????????? i beleave that is a good reason the govt made 600cc the cut off.

Thanks for your concern.

[Bad Biker]

lol, just busting your chops

Sweet as lol

[GrayWolf]

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.

I read in a later post you have been riding but without a licence, so I am going to guess you've ridden larger capacity bikes. This being the case (if so) then you are not jumping from a VERY low performance 250 onto high power ones. I guess any of them are good bikes, although I am not a sprot bike 'lover'.. I prefer a more sit up and comfortable seating position.
The Fireblade was a benchmark in its day and will certainly give high end performance. The Blackbird like my ZZR1.1 is a high power (sport tourer) with a higher emphasis on sport than say an FJR1300 or ST1300. Both were the fastest bikes on the road at one time, faster than Sprot bikes of their day. As you have already found they acquire speed without a thought and really do not seem to be doing the speeds you can travel at. One of the reasons I have 'replaced' the Zed is the fact in top gear 'Real power delivery' starting at 6000rpm equates to 150kph. And the bike really isnt in its 'stride' until that speed upwards.
To my mind the VFR800 would be the bike of choice. If you read back over the last 20 years the VFR750 then 800cc have always earned huge respect from testers and riders. They can tour, scratch, weekend 'blat' commute. They are a consummate all rounder and I would pick as probably the ideal bike for NZ roads.

[GrayWolf]

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[ducatilover]

If it was my $$$ it'd be the VFR, I couldn't justify the 1100's power over the noise a VFR can make
The VFR800 is one of my favourite bikes, so I'm biased and you should buy it (all three of those are very reliable and solid bikes, all very different too)

[cheshirecat]

Got a 94 VFR and its now on 128000k. Still on its original sprockets, discs and bulbs even. Valves were last done around 35,000k and my MC place (Boyles) reckon they still dont need touching. Build quality is A1 and cheap to run when everything is taken into account because nothing wants dong except for consumables.

They are sensitive to front tyres (what bike isn't) so that may effect your initial ride.

Also they are easily tuned up for almost zero cost by running an air duct pipe from the front fairing to the air intake - serious increaee apparently but haven't done it my self. Bike can be lowered in the front forks by 5-10mm giving more agility.

Superb in bad conditions because of the flat torque curve, plenty of low down/midrange and turns into an inline four above 6k rpm. i stayed with a CBR1000 in the twisties once (I had full touring baggage on) and he only left me when it opened out into long straight and speeds went way beyond my self imposed envelope.

As you may gather I'm hopelessly biased to the point I dont even bother trying other bikes now