Recommended next bike

**Zed** · 4th September 2005, 19:06

Originally Posted by jimdaworm

I would really like a cbr600 although they seem to be hard to find in my price bracket... although I have found one with high kms.

I've owned 2 x CBR600's and they were both great all-round bikes, couldn't make comment on the other two models you mentioned.

Best advice is to test ride a range of bikes and then make your decision. Set aside one Saturday morning to visit a few bike shops...once you get your full that is! Hope you pass with flying colours, then you can go out and buy a bike that flies!

**jimdaworm** · 4th September 2005, 20:35

Thanks for the info Zed I might just do that, I quite like the look of the cbrs and keep hearing they are reliable and quite easy to ride. Do you think I should be able to realistically find one for $4-5000?

I am sure I will enjoy test riding them!... then again I am just day dreaming I still have to book my CBTA full course!

**Biff** · 4th September 2005, 22:08

Go for the CBR. Honda build quality should guarantee a good bike for the cash, and the CBR is a damned fine machine.

**Zed** · 4th September 2005, 23:43

Originally Posted by jimdaworm

Do you think I should be able to realistically find one for $4-5000?

There's one here currently on TradeMe for that price. Kms are getting high but the price is right. If you were to buy privately you would do well to get a mechanical checkup done before handing the money over!

**DingDong** · 5th September 2005, 00:01

Zeds got the right idea... dont jump into anything, find a few bikes you think look good, test ride them all to see if they ride good, then... wait for something to come along in your price range.
But dont buy a good looking bike with high Ks and make sure you get it checked out...

**XP@** · 5th September 2005, 00:50

Hi,
The bikes you mentioned are all of the sports tourer category. Have you thought about any of the other styles?

I would recommend you have a look at a mid-sized dual purpose bike (650ccish)
For your first post-learner bike you should not make too big a jump.
I've had an F650 for about 5 years (100,000km's) and found it just about the easiest bike ever to ride, especially on NZ's bumpy roads.

Found it perfect for commuting (easy access over wellingtons footpaths)
Trips up the takas (The wide bars make the twisties a breeze)
Touring no worries (3* 1000milers, 1* southern cross and heaps of weeks / weekends camping)
Gravel roads (with a pair of TKC 80's there is a whole new world out there)
Off road (a bit heavy but will get you to the end of red rocks)

Performance it will leave most cars, and the top speed is fast enough to wave bye bye to your licence.
Handling, it will probably out handle you for a number of years.

Incidentally I will have an '97 F650 (only 120,000km's) for sale in a couple of months. About the same time i will be putting a '90 CBR600 recently rebuilt (still needs paint and valves set) up for sale. Dont know about $'s yet but pm me if interested.

**jimdaworm** · 5th September 2005, 07:29

I am pretty sure I want a sports/tourer although I might try and take some other style bikes for a test ride. I also would prefer somthing not too heavy.

I really like how the CBRs look too

I saw that cbr on trademe before I was wondering what sort of things might go wrong with one with high kms.

I will definitly get any bike I buy checked out before I buy it if I am going to be spending this sort of money on it!

XP@ I think just about any bike can go fast enough to loose your license I am sure even my RG 150 could do it.

**Jonty** · 5th September 2005, 08:20

Originally Posted by jimdaworm

I am pretty sure I want a sports/tourer although I might try and take some other style bikes for a test ride. I also would prefer somthing not too heavy.

I really like how the CBRs look too

I saw that cbr on trademe before I was wondering what sort of things might go wrong with one with high kms.

I will definitly get any bike I buy checked out before I buy it if I am going to be spending this sort of money on it!

XP@ I think just about any bike can go fast enough to loose your license I am sure even my RG 150 could do it.

Hey there

I moved up from a zxr250 to a 98' CBR600 and it was the prefect choice for me. They can go quick enough for you to lose your licence and you don't feel like your knees are up around you ears on a long ride. Also, the pillion doesn't complain too much about the ride as the pillion seat is a decent size.

**dawnrazor** · 5th September 2005, 08:39

First big bike after a 250cc hey, nothing wrong with the CBR, just be prepared to soil yourself the first time you open it up on the open road. Have you considered a Yamaha Fazer 600, or Honda Hornet 600 or Suzuki Bandit 600 or SV650s, All great bikes not as focused as a sportsbike, so much more forgiving or your abilities or lack there of. Great bikes for two up , (your girlfriend ain't going to thank you if you go any considerable distance on the back of a GSXR or CBR, take it for me) and great for letting you develope the skill base you need for bigger bikes. Keep it for a year or so and then get a sportsbike if you want.
I'm still in awe of my Gixxer and i've been riding bikes for 10 years, but i'm glad i didn't get it 9 years ago or i certainly wouldn't be here now.

**clint640** · 5th September 2005, 08:54

Originally Posted by Jantar

Its a bit like someone who has just got their pilots licence in a Cessna 152 at the local aero club asking if the next plane they fly should be an F16 or a Tornado.

The man's right, I wouldn't get too fixated on 600's, have a look at 400's as well, you're still looking at near 4x the power of yer 150, although many may be a bit small for ya.
I toured all over on my 'ol 87 VFR 400, it'd do 140+ up any hill with luggage on if I asked it to & unlike the later models it had an OK pillion seat. I also raced it in the central winter series a while back, got 4th overall in D grade

& had loads of fun.
But try as many as you can, see what feels good & has what you want. Don't forget that for a few dollars things like bars, pegs & seats can be all changed to suit your size & preferred riding position.

Cheers
Clint

**boomer** · 5th September 2005, 09:43

If its any use I upgraded from a GPX250 to a '99 cbr600f4 about 4 months ago now..I asked around for comments and found that getting a 400 first wouldn't last me too long before i got bored and friends told me the cbr was a good all rounder.

Well, im still enjoying the bike, still learning and don't push her anywhere near what she can do on the twisites. All in all I'm glad I got the cbr, she gives me what i need now and i don't see me getting bored for another year or so.

**Smorg** · 5th September 2005, 10:33

Originally Posted by jimdaworm

Thanks for the info Zed I might just do that, I quite like the look of the cbrs and keep hearing they are reliable and quite easy to ride. Do you think I should be able to realistically find one for $4-5000?

I am sure I will enjoy test riding them!... then again I am just day dreaming I still have to book my CBTA full course!

I bought my CBR for $5000 with 60k on the clock im almost up to 80 now and its still hasnt shown the slightest sign of a breakdown yet..........

**Smorg** · 5th September 2005, 10:39

Originally Posted by jimdaworm

I am pretty sure I want a sports/tourer although I might try and take some other style bikes for a test ride. I also would prefer somthing not too heavy.

I really like how the CBRs look too

I saw that cbr on trademe before I was wondering what sort of things might go wrong with one with high kms.

I will definitly get any bike I buy checked out before I buy it if I am going to be spending this sort of money on it!

XP@ I think just about any bike can go fast enough to loose your license I am sure even my RG 150 could do it.

You wont find the high k's a problem unless it has not been serviced regularly

**Stroker Girl** · 5th September 2005, 11:22

My boyfriend had a CBR600 F2 which was an awesome bike. He sold his for around $3500. It did have high kms (about 60K) but it was a sweet runner. He never had any problems with it. He did find it got a bit uncomfortable on longer touring especially the wrists.

I was thinking a keeping it for my upgrade (from a KR150) but I had only been riding about 6 months and it seemed a bit daunting and heavy at that stage. Ended up getting a 92 VFR400 which I absolutely love.

Good luck with your search.

**jimdaworm** · 5th September 2005, 21:14

Thanks for all your views... now I just need to test drive a CBR... once I have my full.

Anyone want to swap a 1995 nissian Cefiro 2l v6 manual with 104k on it for a CBR 600 or similar

You can see the front of it here... oh yeah and my rg

and me sort of on my rg
http://www.pureearth.co.nz/album2/index.html