Returning rider - Recommend me a bike!

**royalbeast** · 6th October 2014, 10:22

Hey guys, I used to ride a few years ago, and decided to get back into it. A couple of my bikes were a cbr400rr, a bandit 250 and a Suzuki rgv250.

I'm after something flickable and light that I can destroy some corners with, but still has enough power on the motorway, and not feel like I'm abusing it at 100kph.

I rode a 250cc the other day, (hyosung gt250r) and I felt the lack of power quite a bit. (250cc's seem slower than they used to be!)

Unless there's some much more powerful 250's , I'd prefer something bigger.

The only thing is, I'm quite a light, small guy (160cm) and reading about the power of the supersport 600s put me of a little. I want something I can push to around 75% of its limits without being afraid of, but also after something decently modern (newer than 2000) .

Is there anything out there that would suit me?

Cheers!

**Blackbird** · 6th October 2014, 10:59

A Triumph Street Triple is one possibility. Terrific performance but the flat torque curve means that it's really easy to ride in all conditions. Also very light and not super tall either. If necessary, you can buy lowering kits for them at a modest price. Ergonomically, it's very comfortable.

I've had my Triple for almost 5 years after coming from an 1100cc Blackbird for the previous 8 years and still love it to bits. After 2 years of ownership, I wrote this review: http://geoffjames.blogspot.co.nz/201...revisited.html and the conclusions still hold up. Have now covered 55000 km on it. The reg/rec was replaced at no cost under a factory recall, I upgraded the headlamp bulbs and apart from a few farkles, that's all I've done. Rear shock is due for replacement this year.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th October 2014, 11:06

I'm another Street Triple R owner. Love the bike. I am a shortarse too. 164cm with a 28 inch inseam.

If you want something more retro feeling (and we don't know what licence you have or how much money) then a Triumph Bonneville or a Moto Guzzi V7 (only because I really like both of those). or a new SR400.

**nodrog:Me** · 6th October 2014, 11:07

Get a bmw s1000rr and just ride it in rain mode.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th October 2014, 11:18

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I'm another Street Triple R owner. Love the bike. I am a shortarse too. 164cm with a 28 inch inseam.

If you want something more retro feeling (and we don't know what licence you have or how much money) then a Triumph Bonneville or a Moto Guzzi V7 (only because I really like both of those). or a new SR400.

I swung a leg over a midsize Yamaha a few weeks back. Fz-09. takes aim straight at the Street Triple. cheaper too and looked prettycool. there is a single cylinder one too with the XT660 motor.

**royalbeast** · 6th October 2014, 11:19

Thanks for the suggestions -
I'm going to be getting my full by next week (never got round to it last time),
And I'm looking at spending probably about 6-8k Max.
Unfortunately that rules out the speed triple, even though they seem amazing.

I'm not really a fan of adventure bike either - I prefer something with a lower centre of gravity.

A couple bikes have stood out to me:

A naked fazer fz6n (looks beasty, but reviews say it's heavy, and the sv650 might be a better choice)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/773010190

Cbr600rr. (Some one say squid? )
http://www.trademe.co.nz/756391598

Sv650 (prefer the fz6n looks more)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/789528957

Anything else I'm missing?
I know the price limit is a pain, but I have too buy a bike for the missus as well!
Everything good seems to be at least 8 hrs south of Auckland

**BlackSheepLogic** · 6th October 2014, 11:48

So exactly which license do you have now? Restricted?

If you have been away from bikes for a while, prior relatively new rider (L-Plate?) I would suggest a LAMS approved bike, something like the GSX650FU which can quite easily be derestricted once your skills improve (and full license). New they are in your budget range and quite a nice relaxed setup.

Originally Posted by royalbeast

Thanks for the suggestions -
I'm going to be getting my full by next week (never got round to it last time),
And I'm looking at spending probably about 6-8k Max.
Unfortunately that rules out the speed triple, even though they seem amazing.

I'm not really a fan of adventure bike either - I prefer something with a lower centre of gravity.

A couple bikes have stood out to me:

A naked fazer fz6n (looks beasty, but reviews say it's heavy, and the sv650 might be a better choice)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/773010190

Cbr600rr. (Some one say squid? )
http://www.trademe.co.nz/756391598

Sv650 (prefer the fz6n looks more)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/789528957

Anything else I'm missing?
I know the price limit is a pain, but I have too buy a bike for the missus as well!
Everything good seems to be at least 8 hrs south of Auckland

**Banditbandit** · 6th October 2014, 12:33

Originally Posted by royalbeast

Sv650 (prefer the fz6n looks more)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/789528957

Anything else I'm missing?
I know the price limit is a pain, but I have too buy a bike for the missus as well!
Everything good seems to be at least 8 hrs south of Auckland

I'm not a fan of the SV650s ... they seem slow ...

Have a look at this - I ride one of these to work and back every day (most of it in 100kph territory .. They are very comfortable and simply FUN ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-788734439.htm

The 650 Bandit has about 5-8 horses over an SV .. and they have the in-line 4 responsiveness.

**TheDemonLord** · 6th October 2014, 12:59

Originally Posted by BlackSheepLogic

So exactly which license do you have now? Restricted?

If you have been away from bikes for a while, prior relatively new rider (L-Plate?) I would suggest a LAMS approved bike, something like the GSX650FU which can quite easily be derestricted once your skills improve (and full license). New they are in your budget range and quite a nice relaxed setup.

as a GSX650FU Rider - I recommend them highly - great fun when you are learning, good for serious amount of riding (I ride 110 Km a day commuting to and from work, in all weather) and just a really good bike

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th October 2014, 13:20

I owned an SV650 naked. Great little bike but they have a lot of well known compromises due to them being built to a budget. Specifically suspension. Nothing a few grands worth of tweaking or a GSXR600 front end won't fix. Oh, and to put a new can on them you have to cut the pipe. They go well though.

**royalbeast** · 6th October 2014, 13:24

Originally Posted by BlackSheepLogic

So exactly which license do you have now? Restricted?

If you have been away from bikes for a while, prior relatively new rider (L-Plate?) I would suggest a LAMS approved bike, something like the GSX650FU which can quite easily be derestricted once your skills improve (and full license). New they are in your budget range and quite a nice relaxed setup.

Originally Posted by TheDemonLord

as a GSX650FU Rider - I recommend them highly - great fun when you are learning, good for serious amount of riding (I ride 110 Km a day commuting to and from work, in all weather) and just a really good bike

Unfortunately the GSX650FU seems to be well out of my price range - $12,000 new? And they haven't appeared on the used market yet.
My budget is 6-8K

**Ender EnZed** · 6th October 2014, 14:07

Originally Posted by royalbeast

Sv650 (prefer the fz6n looks more)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/789528957

Anything else I'm missing?

The SV is always a solid option, you could also look at Kawasaki's direct competitor to it; the ER6N or F.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-749925680.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-747451133.htm

**BigAl** · 6th October 2014, 14:57

For 6-8k you should get a pretty decent mid size bike.

Just work out its primary purpose and go from there.

Don't let what you've read put you off throw a leg over and form your own opinions