Hi everyone (radman)

[radman]

Hi,

My name is Dan. I got my learner license early 2013 followed by my first bike, a Suzuki GN125..also the first brand new vehicle i've ever owned.....then i bought a house on the Kapiti Coast. My daily commute more than doubled from 40km round trip per day to 110km per day...if you're local you may have seen me at some point as you cruised passed waving, laughing and/or shaking your. I'd wave back but any extra wind resistance might have...i mean it would've slowed me down too much.

It's a bit small for my needs really, and the indicator fell off the other day, so thought it's time to bite the bullet and upgrade...now i don't know what to get. I'm limited by budget and LAMS. Have had my eye on a Honda GB500 and Honda CB400SS and Yamaha V Star...Has anyone had much experience with these bikes?...i like the style of these over the full fairing sportier bikes. I just want to ride up and down country once in a blue moon and commute reliably at open road speeds without having to worry about slowing down when i wave back to other riders....and enough power to overtake when i need to.

Anyway I've found i really enjoy riding regardless and look forward to getting out more when i finally do get a bigger bike.

[tri boy]

Welcome to the site.
Any of the mentioned bikes will handle commuting and the weekend ride/explore.
Get something that floats ya boat, and is in good condition. (an unreliable commuter is a pain).
Talk to your local shops, they understand most situations and generally steer people towards what they want/need.
Test ride several, and ask heaps of questions at the shops and here.
Enjoy your riding and stay alert.

[unstuck]

Hi Dan, welcome aboard. Get out and ride a few different bikes and go with what you like. Happy travels.

[EJK]

Welcome Dan.

If your GN125 seems under-powered, you should try a ZX10R. They go pretty OK.

[SMOKEU]

If your daily commute is that long, then I suggest going for something with at least partial fairings as that will give you some more weather protection than a naked bike.

If your GN125 seems under-powered, you should try a ZX10R. They go pretty OK.

+1 to this.

[caspernz]

Take the train and save your pennies for a real bike

[DrunkenMistake]

Welcome to the site mate,

Someone will be along soon to tell you to use the search function,

But try and test ride as many bikes as you can so you get a feel for what suits you best.

[Tink]

Welcome to the site mate,

Someone will be along soon to tell you to use the search function,

But try and test ride as many bikes as you can so you get a feel for what suits you best.

Search function???

I am still trying to figure that out!....

Don't most models have LAMS bikes these days, I had a naked bike for 3 years, you get used to the wind...

[Brownbikerbabe]

welcome

[radman]

I took a 1998 Suzuki VS400 for a ride earlier in the week and loved it more than any of the other bikes i've test ridden so bought it. Picked it up today and have already gone through a tank of gas riding all over the country side. It's great fun!

[FJRider]

Welcome to the site mate,

Someone will be along soon to tell you to use the search function,

What does he need the search function for ... ???

[russd7]

on ya dude enjoy what ya ride and ride what ya enjoy, even a zx10 seems slow once ya get immune to it, kinda like broadband, when ya first get it ya can't believe how fast it is but after a while it seems slow cause ya get used to it

[1up5dwn]

HI mate,i would have to agree with the sound advice frm members to test ride the bikes you r considering making your nxt ride, in saying that and as you r putting it out there for KBMs opinions heres mine, if its the same bike im thinking of 1980s to 1990s gb500 tt [tourist trophy] after the isle of man, then thats my fav frm your short list,i know the others are newer but this is the ''ducks guts''coolaz....I never got to own or ride one but my understanding is this engine is based on the honda xl 600 ,and the bike[ this is quoting now]'' styling resembles TT single cylinder racing bikes such as the MANX NORTON and the BSA goldstar as well as the AJS 7R! i know you can goggle all this man my point being the others dont compare as equals to this spec bike and if riddin by Rossi or the new sales guy at trever perce mtr cycles..would ride round the outside of ZX10s or the likes of powerranger looking sports bike novices on the akaroa gp! [myself included] signed 1up5dwn

[MrItalian]

Welcome to the site.
Any of the mentioned bikes will handle commuting and the weekend ride/explore.
Get something that floats ya boat, and is in good condition. (an unreliable commuter is a pain).
Talk to your local shops, they understand most situations and generally steer people towards what they want/need.
Test ride several, and ask heaps of questions at the shops and here.
Enjoy your riding and stay alert.

Welcome to the site mate,

Someone will be along soon to tell you to use the search function,

But try and test ride as many bikes as you can so you get a feel for what suits you best.

What they said and welcome aboard.

[Grizzo]

HI mate,i would have to agree with the sound advice frm members to test ride the bikes you r considering making your nxt ride, in saying that and as you r putting it out there for KBMs opinions heres mine, if its the same bike im thinking of 1980s to 1990s gb500 tt [tourist trophy] after the isle of man, then thats my fav frm your short list,i know the others are newer but this is the ''ducks guts''coolaz....I never got to own or ride one but my understanding is this engine is based on the honda xl 600 ,and the bike[ this is quoting now]'' styling resembles TT single cylinder racing bikes such as the MANX NORTON and the BSA goldstar as well as the AJS 7R! i know you can goggle all this man my point being the others dont compare as equals to this spec bike and if riddin by Rossi or the new sales guy at trever perce mtr cycles..would ride round the outside of ZX10s or the likes of powerranger looking sports bike novices on the akaroa gp! [myself included] signed 1up5dwn

What the fuck was that all about? Does that even qualify as english?

Anyway, congrats on the new bike mate.