Need to upgrade the love of my life: Next step from GSX600F

[GravelRashKid]

Finally after 13 years I'm looking to upgrade my GSX600FV '97 Katana.
I really like her, although that may simply be because she's the only bike I've ridden in the last 13 years.

Power:
There's just the right amount of power that I can lean hard into a corner and nail it on the way out, without losing traction.
There's enough power that I can keep up with most riders who have a life expectancy of more than 6 months.
600cc means more affordable rego. I don't need to go fast in a straight line - meh, boring.
The GSX600F series are the "budget" model, so virtually any modern 600 will have more power and be enough for me.

Nimble:
She's nimble enough for me to really enjoy the Waipoua Forest and Scenic Drive.

Saddle:
I'm enjoying the riding position where I can comfortably spend several hours carving the chicken strips off the tyres.
I like that I feel more wrapped around the bike than perched on top of it.
My pillion likes that the pillion seat offers some comfort and is not just painted on.

Load:
I often travel with one or two packs on the pack-rack.
I'm a meagre 65kg and 5'8". My pillion is somewhere near the same weight (I'll ask her eh? - Yeah Right!)

Use:
I don't own a bike for commuting, although it's handy now and then.
It's for the fun of getting out of Auckland for a weekend, in search of roads such as Mangamuka Gorge and Hetherington Road.
I've been told by some that there is some wonderful scenery around NZ... I'll take their word for it, I'm focused on the tarmac.

I suppose I'm looking for a modern version of the same machine. In summary, a 600cc sports or sports/tourer with a good pillion seat.
Any thoughts?

[Ender EnZed]

Budget?


There's always the newer version of your GSXF. It's probably a pretty disappointing ride compared to a real GSXR but those really aren't built for pillions.

A Honda VFR800 might be worth a look; decent all rounder that can handle a pillion and a days riding as well as the twisty bits.

[GravelRashKid]

Budget?


There's always the newer version of your GSXF. It's probably a pretty disappointing ride compared to a real GSXR but those really aren't built for pillions.

A Honda VFR800 might be worth a look; decent all rounder that can handle a pillion and a days riding as well as the twisty bits.

Well I was going to paint the house this summer - but that can wait. Without knowing what the price ranges are, I was kinda thinking 10k to 15k. That would come down I guess if I looked at a bike already run-in.

Yeah, the newer GSXF is worth looking at.
Tehe, the only time I was bitterly disappointed was being on the same track as a GSXR. Whereas on the road I don't go much over 100kph, and I don't go much under 100kph.

The VFR800 is pretty sexy...

[Gremlin]

First and foremost, I think with your lack of experience (as you say in the first couple of lines), you need to get down to a few dealers and start riding some secondhand, but newer-than-yours bikes. Find out what you like and don't like.

Sometimes a lack of experience means you'll sort of accept anything, but once you've ridden some bikes, you'll get more picky and realise you can be picky as there is so much on offer.

Starting places... the newer GSXF makes sense, the VFR800 is over 600cc. What about the middleweight nakeds? CB600 et al? Do you like nakeds, or do you prefer some fairing. And so on...

edit: stay away from the true sportsbikes, doesn't really sound like that's what you want.

[300weatherby]

Waiting for someone to come along and say it................

Fuck it, ran out of waiting! ,me first- Get a Busa!!!!!!!!

[GravelRashKid]

Waiting for someone to come along and say it................

Fuck it, ran out of waiting! ,me first- Get a Busa!!!!!!!!

Haha, love it! That's a sexy beast!!
Taking into account the power to weight ratio, my height and weight, the road surface and weather, and of course the size of my balls... Estimated life expectancy = 8.94 seconds.

[GravelRashKid]

First and foremost, I think with your lack of experience (as you say in the first couple of lines), you need to get down to a few dealers and start riding some secondhand, but newer-than-yours bikes. Find out what you like and don't like.

Sometimes a lack of experience means you'll sort of accept anything, but once you've ridden some bikes, you'll get more picky and realise you can be picky as there is so much on offer.

Starting places... the newer GSXF makes sense, the VFR800 is over 600cc. What about the middleweight nakeds? CB600 et al? Do you like nakeds, or do you prefer some fairing. And so on...

edit: stay away from the true sportsbikes, doesn't really sound like that's what you want.

Yep, def lack of experience. Been riding for 20 years, but know SFA about bikes lol.
Good call, I'll go and ride a few to get a feel. Just need a bit of an idea of which 10 or so bikes to trial.
I'll have a look at the newer GSXF and CB600. As you say there should be plenty 600cc or under to choose from.

I'm on a loan bike at the moment, V-Strom DL650. At least I've narrowed down the selection this far - not for me!

[Gremlin]

I'm on a loan bike at the moment, V-Strom DL650. At least I've narrowed down the selection this far - not for me!

And that's not a bad thing at all. You've found a bike (possibly an engine layout or bike type) that you don't like. Cool, narrows down what you're looking for.

Buying and shopping for bikes is fun, along with test riding... kinda like dating

[rustyrobot]

I wonder if the Yamaha Fazer FZ6 might be your cup of tea. Uprightish position, some fairing for wind protection, and under the 601cc cut-off. Reviews seem favourable, and although I've never ridden one I've spoken to one enthusiastic owner who thought it was a great all-rounder.

Here's a 2009 model for <$10k with ABS : http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-639956930.htm

[The Reibz]

Waiting for someone to come along and say it................

Fuck it, ran out of waiting! ,me first- Get a Busa!!!!!!!!

Truer words have never been spoken. Go test ride one, the throttle is suprisingly tame and useable for what you want. You can even take mine for a spin around the block next time at NASS. I took an entire engine block for a ride through glenfeild on the back of mine once and the pillion seat is like a single seater couch

[Juniper]

Load:
I often travel with one or two packs on the pack-rack.
I'm a meagre 65kg and 5'8". My pillion is somewhere near the same weight (I'll ask her eh? - Yeah Right!)

Smart move there.

And you earned yourself some cudo points there!!

Get the Busa
Get the Busa
Get the Busa!!!!!

[Blackbird]

I would have said a Street Triple as it ticks all the boxes but one in your case. They're bloody hopeless for a pillion passenger - rear pegs too high for serious distance work. Your relationship will end in no time at all . I'm 5' 8" and went from 8 years of Blackbird ownership to a Triple. Really comfortable with great performance, especially in the tight stuff. Had it for 4 years and will probably buy another one!

[Maha]

Well I was going to paint the house this summer - but that can wait. Without knowing what the price ranges are, I was kinda thinking 10k to 15k. That would come down I guess if I looked at a bike already run-in.

Yeah, the newer GSXF is worth looking at.
Tehe, the only time I was bitterly disappointed was being on the same track as a GSXR. Whereas on the road I don't go much over 100kph, and I don't go much under 100kph.

The VFR800 is pretty sexy...

You'll need bigger than a 600 Brian if you want to pillion every now and then (with packs etc) just for the comfort and less effort for the bike alone. I started to pillion on my YZF600 and realised quick that I needed something bigger. Test rode a VFR800/YZF1000 and a 2002 Triumph Sprint. The VFR came a very second to the Sprint. Anne says the Sprint was the best pillion ride she had ever had. I still like the VFR and if you can pick one up with panniers? even better.

Mine was blue and without panniers, but once I rode and heard that very distinct sound, I was sold. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-647524265.htm

[baffa]

Hornet or predator?

[kevfromcoro]

I would have said a Street Triple as it ticks all the boxes but one in your case. They're bloody hopeless for a pillion passenger - rear pegs too high for serious distance work. Your relationship will end in no time at all . I'm 5' 8" and went from 8 years of Blackbird ownership to a Triple. Really comfortable with great performance, especially in the tight stuff. Had it for 4 years and will probably buy another one!

hi ya.. iam stuck in the desert in Australia. with a hunded million kangaroos. really miss the sea food on the coro.
had a v strom when I was there.650. great bike. I would have another one