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

[Blackbird]

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

Hi Kev,
Just to make it really bad for you, we were fishing just outside Coro harbour on Monday and had a great haul of snapper and kawahai! Don't suppose you needed to know that

[kevfromcoro]

Hi Kev,
Just to make it really bad for you, we were fishing just outside Coro harbour on Monday and had a great haul of snapper and kawahai! Don't suppose you needed to know that

would give my eye teeth for a snapper... all the fish here is frozen.. got no taiste at all..
found some nice scallops. the ozzys wont eat them. queer prix

[Banditbandit]

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.

Naaa ... if that's what you think you'd survive a 'busa ...

Yep, def lack of experience. Been riding for 20 years, but know SFA about bikes lol.

Not true - 20 years of riding is more than many here .. abnd you will have learnt something.

With your budget have a look at the GSX1250 .. the Technically Not a Bandit ... I have both a 650 and the 1250 - daily transport and long distance riding (in that order) ...

The 1250 is more stable long distance, less tiring .. and with enough grunt to carry a pillion ... and will scare the hellout of sports bikes UNLESS the sports bike is ridden by a good rider ... don't be put off by the step up in size .. you'll be fine ...

And with your budget you can buy a new one ...

But have a look around - plenty on the market .. the Yamaha Fazer suggested above is also a good option ...

[EJK]

+1 for Busa

[nzspokes]

Yeah go Busa. Will only go as fast as you make it. 1250 Bandits are a bit meh, they lost something with the water cooled motor and need suspension work. My 1200 had a Busa rear shock in it which helped a lot. But then you may as well get the whole bike.

[Banditbandit]

Yeah go Busa. Will only go as fast as you make it. 1250 Bandits are a bit meh, they lost something with the water cooled motor and need suspension work. My 1200 had a Busa rear shock in it which helped a lot. But then you may as well get the whole bike.

As some-one said - there's not a standard Bandit on the road ... we all play with them ... upgraded shock is next on my list ... Might go Ohlins ...

[GravelRashKid]

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.

TBH it's probably because the front wheel must be severely bent (or loose and about to fall off!), and it sounds like it's running on one cylinder. I suspect the bike shop has intentionally not fixed it, to stop people thrashing it. Very balanced though, incredibly easy to creep along at slower than walking pace.
I far prefer the humping-the-coffee-table position over the meerkat position.

[Gremlin]

I far prefer the humping-the-coffee-table position over the meerkat position.

Fair enough I saw the light a while back, and much prefer the so-called "meerkat" position.

We're certainly not spoiled for options nowadays, so take the time to ride heaps of different bikes (it's in the shops interest that you ride it in case you're tempted to buy). For 10-15k budget there are even new bikes for you to consider, but I'd certainly advise letting someone else take the depreciation hit, and buy second hand if it has the features you want.

If 2up riding is important, while you should ride them 1up to assess bikes, also consider taking the short list of bikes for 2up rides, to get a review from the pillion. From the luggage angle, I'd definitely recommend something larger (rego difference isn't that great, and there isn't another cap above 600, so hell, get a 1800 aye?) as there will be more space for you and pillion. However, with your height, be careful that larger bikes aren't too big for you to handle at slow speeds (my boss has this exact issue, wants the space of a big bike, but can't handle the weight). Hard luggage is also nicer than soft luggage, restricts your packing but is waterproof.

Actually, hell, on that note, my boss' Blackbird is for sale on behalf at Botany Honda currently, if you're interested: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-635612633.htm

Standard it was too heavy for him, but it's got a full aftermarket system and centre stand has been removed. Also Ohlins rear suspension and Racetech tweaked front end. He's got too many freaken bikes, so help me get rid of it before he gets back next month...

[Smifffy]

With that budget, I'd be keen to investigate the new Yamaha triple. No clue on how it pillions, but it'd be great to take for a test ride.

[nzspokes]

Actually, hell, on that note, my boss' Blackbird is for sale on behalf at Botany Honda currently, if you're interested: http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-635612633.htm

Standard it was too heavy for him, but it's got a full aftermarket system and centre stand has been removed. Also Ohlins rear suspension and Racetech tweaked front end. He's got too many freaken bikes, so help me get rid of it before he gets back next month...

Thats yummy. Trade for a Hornet and a Cheesecake?

[Gremlin]

Thats yummy. Trade for a Hornet and a Cheesecake?

He already has a Hornet (which might go as well), but hey, I love cheesecake!

From memory actually, I think both the Blackbird and Hornet were some of the very last new ones available... I know the shop rang him and said come collect the Hornet, it's been sitting in the corner for 6+ months...

[nzspokes]

He already has a Hornet (which might go as well), but hey, I love cheesecake!

From memory actually, I think both the Blackbird and Hornet were some of the very last new ones available... I know the shop rang him and said come collect the Hornet, it's been sitting in the corner for 6+ months...

Hyosung and 2 cheesecakes?

[Gremlin]

You might like to experience the better low down torque of a twin.

Depending on which bikes you're looking at, it's becoming a bit of a myth. For example, in sportsbikes, a GSXR1000 has an incredible amount of torque, likely more than a vtwin thou (I'm not looking at any numbers tho).

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-651822814.htm

[GravelRashKid]

Narrowing it down.

Looking at between 750cc and 1L. (Good for 2-up, but don't want more than 1L)
Seat height for rider (I'm short) and pillion (many are too high and/or only painted on).
Handlebar stretch (I'm learning what is too aggressive and what is too upright for me)
Luggage rack availability. (Allowing 2-up weekend trips)
Serviceability & running costs (I'm so not a mechanic lol)
Late model (Just run in would be nice, and cheaper than brand new)

Honda VFR800
Kawasaki Z1000
Yamaha FZ8