I'm looking for a new bike (gjm)

[gjm]

Hello!

I've been riding for years... Lots of us have. Back in the UK there was any number of bikes, from a late 70s Yamaha RS200 - so much fun - through to a Wiseco 1201-kitted GSXR1100WN and lots and lots in between.

Since being in NZ life has focused firmly around family, settling and getting settled. We're nearly there... So I'm looking again at bikes.

I have a current commute of 115km each way for work, but will be halving that very soon. OK... Pretty much anything can handle a 50-60km commute, but I'm slightly addicted to the big bikes and the ease with which they roll on. Revving the nuts off something having knocked down two gears, snatching another gear, revving... Not my thing at all (any more). I'm obviously getting old!

I used to race a little - a GS1000 in the UK Earlystocks series took over from a RD400 engine in a Harris frame. The GS was amazing... Over here, I mentioned it to someone and got a look of disbelief followed by "they're so heavy!" Well, yes, but riding a GS1000 beats going to the gym.

So a bike for NZ...

I see that the GS1200SS was sold here, a bike I like the look of a lot. Simple (air cooled), retro styling (late '80s GSXR) and light weight. Well, compared to a GS1000, anyway! Definite potential.
Or, genuine old school, a Yamaha FJ1200? I've never owned one, but only ever heard good things about them.
Or get really old and have another GS1000? USD forks, braced frame, twin ohlins shocks with remote reservoirs and adjustment... Starting to sound like my old race bike! (Of course, I could always look into an XR69 frame later...)

Budget is no more than $5k. We may be more-or-less settled, but it's meant throwing a huge amount of money at a few very large problems. It's going to be some years before we recover.

Anyway, we're moving to a place a few minutes from Hampton Downs so I may look to get involved in marshaling again.

Plenty of time. But I want it now (of course).

[James Deuce]

GS1200's perfect then.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-701793943.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-703254993.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-688972683.htm

[EJK]

There is a nice looking XJR1300 on Trademe currently ONO within your budget as well.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-690346242.htm

[gjm]

GS1200's perfect then.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-701793943.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-703254993.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-688972683.htm

There's others too, but you have to start looking into search criteria variations to find 'em. Even one for sale in Hamilton...

There is a nice looking XJR1300 on Trademe currently ONO within your budget as well.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-690346242.htm

Thanks for the suggestion. Dunno what it is, but they've never appealed. Every single one I have seen had peeling chrome, and any time someone told me about their XJR the conversation seemed to start with 'if' and continue to describe some feature or attribute they'd like to have. If I was going that route, I'd probably look for a GSX1400 (typically more expensive).

And the 1200SS does have that dinky fairing... Very reminiscent of Toecutter in Mad Max.

[yevjenko]

Don't forget the bandit 12. Welcome to nz (from another Brit export)

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[Juniper]

Good to see you on here! Claiming travel is great!!! 0.77c on the K.

[Fiddy40]

Don,t overlook the GSX1400.................

[BigAl]

Living next to HD, something tells me you want a sports bike

Or at least a lighter, agile ride than a gsx/xjr/cb.

What about a vtwin or hornet ? Good buys.

[gjm]

Had a bit of an account hiccup. Sorted now.

The GS1200SSs James linked to on TM are not alone - there are others if you start getting imaginative with the TM search function, including one in Hamilton.

The CBR1300 has never appealed. Everyone I know who has owned one either kept in the garage unless it was guaranteed to be fine, or they had peeling chrome. Almost every conversation seemed to involve "I wish my bike had xyz" type comments.

If I was interested in a CBR1300 I would prefer a GSX1400. Personal thing... Perhaps I have had too many Suzukis? I never really had problems with any of them, and they've always been good to ride. Sadly the GSX1400s I've seen have been financially impractical.

I did consider a GSX1100G, but with the shaft drive it is perhaps a step too far (for me, now).

The weight doesn't bother me. Riding a big bike beats going to the gym, and has the same effect. But, something a little lighter, a little more track-oriented...? An RSV, perhaps? No idea if I'd actually fit on one - I'm a touch over 6' tall and have fairly long legs. It will be more comfortable than a Ducati 916/996 from the same era, and possibly better built.

Yes - I am fixated on the idea of a litre-plus bike. I've not ridden anything smaller than a 750 since... 1990? Wow. That long... (J - you did ask...)

Mmm... An RSV. And there was me thinking, just this once, I'd be all sensible.

[yevjenko]

I'm a touch over 6 foot and I ride an RSV Tuono. Comfy as. Took out an RSV Mille for a test ride and found it just as comfy as the Tuono in the leg range... and just as much fun in the twisties. My bike has 22k on it and this weekend i met up with rusty robot with the same bike with 89k on the clock. Could hardly tell the difference. Excellent build quality. Dunno if you can find one in your price range though

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[Juniper]

Had a bit of an account hiccup. Sorted now.

The GS1200SSs James linked to on TM are not alone - there are others if you start getting imaginative with the TM search function, including one in Hamilton.

The CBR1300 has never appealed. Everyone I know who has owned one either kept in the garage unless it was guaranteed to be fine, or they had peeling chrome. Almost every conversation seemed to involve "I wish my bike had xyz" type comments.

If I was interested in a CBR1300 I would prefer a GSX1400. Personal thing... Perhaps I have had too many Suzukis? I never really had problems with any of them, and they've always been good to ride. Sadly the GSX1400s I've seen have been financially impractical.

I did consider a GSX1100G, but with the shaft drive it is perhaps a step too far (for me, now).

The weight doesn't bother me. Riding a big bike beats going to the gym, and has the same effect. But, something a little lighter, a little more track-oriented...? An RSV, perhaps? No idea if I'd actually fit on one - I'm a touch over 6' tall and have fairly long legs. It will be more comfortable than a Ducati 916/996 from the same era, and possibly better built.

Yes - I am fixated on the idea of a litre-plus bike. I've not ridden anything smaller than a 750 since... 1990? Wow. That long... (J - you did ask...)

Mmm... An RSV. And there was me thinking, just this once, I'd be all sensible.

Nothing wrong with my itty bitty 29"high 250!! Would be a boot to see you on it!!

You need track AND road....... 1 to HD and 1 to work.

[gjm]

I'm a touch over 6 foot and I ride an RSV Tuono. Comfy as. Took out an RSV Mille for a test ride and found it just as comfy as the Tuono in the leg range... and just as much fun in the twisties. My bike has 22k on it and this weekend i met up with rusty robot with the same bike with 89k on the clock. Could hardly tell the difference. Excellent build quality. Dunno if you can find one in your price range though

Good news, and possibly bad news, but I like a challenge. :-)

Nothing wrong with my itty bitty 29"high 250!! Would be a boot to see you on it!!

You need track AND road....... 1 to HD and 1 to work.

I rode a Suzuki RG500 once. I thought my knees were going to drag on the ground, while it was upright...

[Juniper]

Good news, and possibly bad news, but I like a challenge. :-)



I rode a Suzuki RG500 once. I thought my knees were going to drag on the ground, while it was upright...

You can't be THAT long!!!

[Fastmark]

Now come on you know what bike you want, trust your gut feeling on this, the GS1000 makes sooooo much sense, work out everyday without having to go near a gym, easy to service or overhaul, millions of options for upgrading/changing the bike

really don't know why your even thinking about anything else.



really.......

[gjm]

Now come on you know what bike you want, trust your gut feeling on this, the GS1000 makes sooooo much sense, work out everyday without having to go near a gym, easy to service or overhaul, millions of options for upgrading/changing the bike

really don't know why your even thinking about anything else.



really.......

People have laughed when I said I fancy a GS1000 as a daily ride... OK, so it is older, heavier and not as powerful as a lot of 600s around now. But look after it, and it'll look after you. They're comfortable and they do ride well, 'round the outside of a ZX9R on a wet roundabout shows that.
I even rode mine home from uni on ice - took me 5 or 6 attempts to pull away from a set of traffic lights as every time I cracked the clutch, the rear wheel would spin and slide. When you're straddling a wet 250kg lump with all the stability of a new-born foal while precariously balanced on a surface more like oil-covered glass than a road, it gets a bit frustrating.

We'll see. One thing is for sure, I will have another in the future. And the best bit? After so many other bikes have died and gone to the great scrapyard in the sky, GS1000s will still be roaming the earth in packs.

I have found an Aprilia Tuono which I really kinda like the idea of. It's a bit rough but a good runner with a new WoF, and some tlc would sort it.