Recommendations for my next bike

**Tigadee** · 8th August 2012, 22:46

Getting close to getting my Full, and I'm getting tired of the 250 cruiser. So I'm looking for candidates for my next [bigger] bike and would like your recommendations/knowledge.

I'd like something like a Honda Bros NT400 - Light, nimble, torquey, comfy seat, low-ish seat height, neutral-ish seating position, naked [can consider semi-faired], 600cc or less but above 250cc, very reliable.

Not after something super-fast, as long as it can more than easily overtake and handle motorway speeds up to 130kph. Commuting and joy rides, not track days, that's me...

Budget's hard to say, I guess I'll trade in, so the budget's about 5k. The Suzi GSR600 and Hornet 900 did catch my eye though bit above my budget, as did some older bikes such as the Bros, V45 Sabre, Suzuki VX800 or GS550 and older GSX750, or Yammy XJ600 and FZX750.

I'm guessing these aren't lightweight though [and exceptions to my desire to stay at 600cc or below]... Must have a pack rack.

**FJRider** · 8th August 2012, 23:19

Preference not necessarily in this order ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-500524655.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-458508505.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-499333087.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-432933855.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-496207173.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-484229024.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-498627189.htm

I like the 600 Bandit.

**GrayWolf** · 9th August 2012, 00:01

Think I'd agree with FJRider, the bandit is a good choice and a well proven reliable machine

**ducatilover** · 9th August 2012, 01:15

Bandit 600 = good, but incredibly beige.

There's a cheap-ish XS1100 on tardme somewhere, nice bike (apart from twisting the frame and wobbling out of corners and the general imminent death thing)

Hornet 600 = better than Bandit 600.
FZS600 = Fun, but might be too pricey.
Ducati Monster = Nice sound, Hornet riders will destroy you, you'll become a great mechanic.
Honda Bros650 = Why get the 400? I had a 650, fantastic bike.
Kawasaki ZRX400, bit small compared to the others, has super sexy looks and bling 6 pot brakes.
Honda CB400 SuperFour = Great bike, pretty, smooth, but boring, stupidly reliable

My picks for a naked 600 and under (except the Bros, that's there because I love them)

Otherwise, ignore the extra rego cost, it's not much per week if you work it out.

CB900 = everyone raves about 'em for a reason
RF900 = just buy one
ZZR1100, find a reasonably priced one, choice bikes
Bandit 1200 = NZspokes likes his
VFR750/800 = reliable, comfy, super sex noises, gear driven cam awesomeness
ZX9R = Grunt, handling (for the money, hard to beat) Ninja stickers...
Honda CB1000 = heavy, but nice torquey beast, peel the "big one" stickers off, nobody wants to ride an entendre
ZXR11/1200 = Yes, do it.
XJR/FJ1200 = heavy, go okay, comfy as hell.

The bike world is your oyster, an acquired taste and gives you foul breath

**nzspokes** · 9th August 2012, 06:52

Go look at the Bandit at Mr Motorcycles....

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 08:47

Thanks guys for the recommendations so far...

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Bandit 600 = good, but incredibly beige. Beige is good, I don't need a sportsbike nor 150hp.
There's a cheap-ish XS1100 on tardme somewhere, nice bike (apart from twisting the frame and wobbling out of corners and the general imminent death thing)

I'll pass.
Hornet 600 = better than Bandit 600. A couple on TM, though one has more than 1000k kms on it but looks nice condition.
FZS600 = Fun, but might be too pricey. Not familiar with that one... similar to FZ6?
Ducati Monster = Nice sound, Hornet riders will destroy you, you'll become a great mechanic. I'm a newbie mechanic - just know how to change oil is all...
Honda Bros 650 = Why get the 400? I had a 650, fantastic bike. I don't want to pay an extra $100 a year just for a measly extra 50cc.
Kawasaki ZRX400, bit small compared to the others, has super sexy looks and bling 6 pot brakes. Hmmmmm....
Honda CB400 SuperFour = Great bike, pretty, smooth, but boring, stupidly reliable Sat on one before. Too small for me, like the 250 Hornet.
CB900 = everyone raves about 'em for a reason Like them but not sure if it'll be too much for a commuter.
RF900 = just buy one No thanks, the wrist-heavy seating position isn't for me, nor the butt-heavy cruiser style as I have now found thanks to tingly numb balls...

ZZR1100, find a reasonably priced one, choice bikes Same as the RF900
Bandit 1200 = NZspokes likes his I like his too, but he doesn't want to give it to me. Maybe too much bike for a simple commuter hack?
VFR750/800 = reliable, comfy, super sex noises, gear driven cam awesomeness Too fast for me, I've been advised.
ZX9R = Grunt, handling (for the money, hard to beat) Ninja stickers... Not sure about this one, have to check it out.
Honda CB1000 = heavy, but nice torquey beast, peel the "big one" stickers off, nobody wants to ride an entendre Too heavy, too much, I reckon...
ZXR11/1200 = Yes, do it. Too heavy, probably too much, I reckon...
XJR/FJ1200 = heavy, go okay, comfy as hell. Too heavy, too much, I reckon...

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Go look at the Bandit at Mr Motorcycles....

Originally Posted by FJRider

I like the 600 Bandit.

It's a nice bike, but black just ain't my colour though...

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 08:54

Could anyone recommend these?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=501108646
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=490739602
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=493118499

**ducatilover** · 9th August 2012, 09:14

The XJ600 would be a good deal if you want to keep the rego down.

The VF750 could be fun and the GSX is (in my head) the best bike.

So, because I'm not sensible I'd say the Honda

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 09:15

Would this be worth it? Re-vinning, WOF and rego?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-427513151.htm

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 09:20

Originally Posted by ducatilover

So, because I'm not sensible I'd say the Honda

Shaft drive which is awesome. V4 which is even more awesome. Comfortable seating style (not too cruiser-ish but not cramped).

Tyres sizes are a bit odd though, so may be difficult to find or expensive.
- front tire 110/90-18 (although the owner of this one says it has a 100/90 –18 fitted)
- rear tyre 130/90-17

**ducatilover** · 9th August 2012, 09:22

Nope. I paid $1930 for my 650 in 2005. The Bros400 is an impressively underwhelming bike
The standard 650 lacks in power enough as it is
But, you can get one of the best V2 noises form a bros, just for that I'd buy a 400, but not that one, way too expensive

**ducatilover** · 9th August 2012, 09:29

Originally Posted by Tigadee

Shaft drive which is awesome. V4 which is even more awesome. Comfortable seating style (not too cruiser-ish but not cramped).

Tyres sizes are a bit odd though, so may be difficult to find or expensive.
- front tire 110/90-18 (although the owner of this one says it has a 100/90 –18 fitted)
- rear tyre 130/90-17

Shouldn't be hard to get rubber for?

Can you stretch this far? http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-436189331.htm this would make a grouse commuter, nice 'n light