Recommendations for my next bike

[Tigadee]

Heh! Thanks, Mossy1200.

[ducatilover]

I will definitely consider these...

I'm trying to get my head around the ergonomics of these GPZs. How similar are they? 400, 500, 600 and the 900?

Completely different to the other GPZs. Nicer to pootle on if you're a nana, nice twin. I'd rather ride my bike though, but there is a tiny amount of bias there

If your shortish and want a lower seat height then gs1200ss are good. they have a bandit motor with lower tune good even predictable power and a understressed engine.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-498617664.htm

theres one almost at reserve but maybe search for a lower km one at 30-35tho

Nice bike those, go for ever and a day

600 il4 has plenty of power, and is lightweight,

Yes!

they just lack class imo.

No!

Now a 647 vtwin on the other hand, has enough power, and plenty of class

Maybe
The Bros is a great bike, I can't argue that

If you can spend up to 5k, go GSF12/XJR/CB13 hunting! Stuff the CBX750s.

[Tigadee]

Howza bout dis?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=502232435

[ducatilover]

Have yet to ride one of them, I would expect it to be rather comfy and torquey though.

[ducatilover]

One of these, spend the rest on a set of bar risers http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-492547298.htm

[Tigadee]

One of these, spend the rest on a set of bar risers http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-492547298.htm

Not after a fully faired bike... Or one that's black. I'm off black bikes...

Thanks anyway.

[NinjaNanna]

What do you think of the old kwaka? Only asking as I've seen it on trademe, and I've just bought one for $200 as a bit of a project...

It's a great bike, for me I like the old school styling of it - definately the best of the era.

Mechanically they are simple and go forever, 100,000km on mine and still got strong even compression across all cyclinders. Oil cooled so less to go wrong and means they are designed to last.
Comfortable riding position. My wife says it the best bike we've had for pillioning - even better than the 2 late model VFR's I've owned previously.
Dual discs on the front pull you up just fine.
Standarding gearing you'll see 200km/hr before redline, comfortably cruise at 120km/hr all day long, comfortably supports lapses in judgement of 140-160km/hr
If I was to say it had one short coming it would be only having five gears rather than 6. Changing the front sprocket is a widely praised mod that totally allieviates this but I haven't been inclined to do so.

In my ridding career I've owned, 1991 ZZR250, 1998 VFR 800, 2003 VFR800, 1995 ZX9R, 2004 R1 and the Zephyr. We've also had a ZR250 Balius for my wife. I've loved every Kawasaki we've ever owned but for me it's toss up between the Zephyr and the 1995 ZX9R as my favourite. I love the Zephyr because it's capable on group rides but doesn't look like a quick bike and as such the peer pressure to ride fast doesn't exist. I also love the Zephyr because it's not a lot of money invested in a hobby, I don't need to feel bad that it only goes out a dozen times a year (that was a major issue with the $10,000 worth of R1 in the garage previous to it)

So yes I really like my Zephyr, there's every chance my next bike when we get to OZ will be the 1100 Zephyr or ZZR, but I certainly wouldn't pass up another 750 for the right money.

check out http://www.zephyr-zone.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl it's a Zephyr only forum with some very nice restorations, my favour is this one http://www.zephyr-zone.com/cgi-bin/y...num=1300555814

[ducatilover]

Not after a fully faired bike... Or one that's black. I'm off black bikes...

Thanks anyway.

I didn't think you'd like it, I had to post it purely because I want it
Have you considered a GS500?
Actually, if you're buying something beige, the Bandit is the way to go, probably be a fantastic commuter, but you can be a little more interesting without sacrificing ride-ability

[HenryDorsetCase]

I didn't think you'd like it, I had to post it purely because I want it
Have you considered a GS500?
Actually, if you're buying something beige, the Bandit is the way to go, probably be a fantastic commuter, but you can be a little more interesting without sacrificing ride-ability

Or, you could build something:

http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/motorcycles/monkee-45.html

[ducatilover]

Or, you could build something:

http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/motorcycles/monkee-45.html

Sounds like me! That 750 is blimmin gorgeous.

[Tigadee]

Have you considered a GS500?
Actually, if you're buying something beige, the Bandit is the way to go, probably be a fantastic commuter, but you can be a little more interesting without sacrificing ride-ability

You call the Bandit beige and you're recommending a GS500?!

Right, I have two 'either-or' plans of action now (with what resources I have at hand and what choices there are to be found):

1. Short-term/immediate plan: Yamaha XJ900 or Suzi GSX750 ES.
Cheap and cheerful (hopefully), no beauty contest winners here but that's not a priority, just reliability. Yamaha's got shaft drive and same weight as the Suzi. Both have pack racks, easy to pay off and would be decent rides.

2. Long-term plan: Sell off the Venox (or trade-in) and get a Hornet 900, Zephyr or Bandit.

[ducatilover]

You call the Bandit beige and you're recommending a GS500?!

Ducatilover works in mysterious ways

[NinjaNanna]

Ninjananna - I see you that beauty and I raise you a watchlist...

That's nice - so when you coming round to look at it the tyres won't be new and the service fresh forever.