How do you choose your bike(s)

**Pwalo** · 3rd February 2005, 10:04

It's always fascinated me how we all like bikes but we all have very definite opinions on what we think is a proper machine.

I had a few idle moments when I was recuperating and got to thinking about getting a replacement bike. Did the usual short list of bikes, you know, GSXR, R6, CBR, FZ, Hornet. (Then I bought another GS.)

Then I tried to truthfully figure out what makes me like certain bikes, and came up with four main caterogies:

1. Looks (how shallow)
2. Size (important. I seem to be a wee bit smaller and lighter than a lot of riders - even at my advanced age)
3. Handling (whatever that means)
4. Power

I was a bit suprised that power rated so low, but I guess any bike is quick enough to escape from the traffic lights, and I spend most of my time commuting in all conditions so excess power could just be more hassle.

But as we all know it all comes down to looks (image I guess). I really like sports bikes, but being a product of the 70's and 80's it's the naked sports bikes that I prefer. CB1300s, GSX1400s, ZRX1200s (only in Eddie Lawson green), and I guess Bandits and Hornets. Apologies to any cruiser riders out there but it's just never appealed. Don't know why - perhaps because my Dad rode English bikes.

Unfortunately possessing a small frame myself most larger capacity bikes are just too heavy (anything over 200Kg), or too large. After my accident my wrists make it difficult to wheel around heavy bikes. Or to ride anything too sporty.

Anyway to cut a very long story a bit shorter the choice came down to a Hornet 600, Bandit 600, or another GS. Personally I found the Bandit to be a bit heavy,and not as nimble as my previous GS. The Hornet is a great little bike, but reasonably 'vibey' and all the samples I saw were older, higher mileage examples.

In the end I purchased a later model GS (K1). Much better sorted bike than the earlier GS'. Uprated front suspension, sorted carbs, nicer body work, but most importantly it looks kind of like a mini GSX1400 (especially in blue). Even better it was a hell of a lot cheaper, and my insurance pay out almost covered the entire replacement costs.

Guess I really am just a shallow man after all. :unsure:

**vifferman** · 3rd February 2005, 10:09

Happy Birthday, Pwalo!

(You old bastid

)

Bikes? Choosing??
By the riding, I guess. Go to a dealer, check out ones that interest me (and often some wildcards, like a cruiser, or some bike that others have raved about), then ride them, and choose the one that feels right.

The last couple were a bit different - the vifferbabe came along, and vetoed ones that weren't pretty enough, and tried to get me to buy ones I wasn't interested in that had nice paint.

**White trash** · 3rd February 2005, 10:13

Simple.

I see what latest GSXR Suzuki NZ has in stock, in which colour, then I buy it.

Some crash their mint 750K3, then decide it's all a bit much for them and go for a itty bitty Gixxer Six.

**bugjuice** · 3rd February 2005, 10:20

when I chose mine, I had ridden a few bikes before this one. This put the biggest grin on my face (and unfortunately the biggest dent in the wallet) which hasn't shifted yet, plus thru traffic and the quiet bits, it seemed to be ok with everything. I found a lot of bikes have a lot of similar characteristics to them, so which ever bike you choose, you'll grow to like it I reckon.
Next on the list for me, was looks. If you're gonna blow a wodge, you don't want to be ridin some bushpig of a bike. Each to their own, I agree, so for me, my bike was kinda what I wasn't.. till now.. if that doesn't make sense..

**mattt** · 3rd February 2005, 10:27

Not really rocket science.
1. Japanese
2. 900cc or more
3. Full Fairing (duh)

Figure out what sort of coin you got, and work backwards till you find a minter in your price range.

Then save some more, mod it out, sell it for less, stir, shake and repeat till your either on next years model, bankrupt or single

**dhunt** · 3rd February 2005, 10:28

For me it came down to money and availablity. What could I afford to spend and what was around when I was looking, for example I was looking at getting a gixxier 750 or something similar when I saw the bike I've got currently and thought it wasn't too bad so bought that instead.

**Blackbird** · 3rd February 2005, 10:56

i.e
- has to be able to carry my wife in comfort on moderate distance runs
- reliable
- FAST (wanted a super fast machine with the emphasis on blistering acceleration before I get too old to handle it)
- good looking enough to press the right buttons. I honestly can't tell you what does this - purely a gut feeling. There are plenty of other machines I admire, but the only other machines to really press the right buttons are the Benelli TNT and the '05 Triumph Speed Triple and I can't tell you why! I'm certainly not a one-eyed Honda (or Suzuki, Kawasaki etc) fan at any cost.

Did the Blackbird meet these criteria? In almost all respect except that the seat height is a bit high for my legs

and it's a tad heavy for me being on tip-toe but I can live with it.

**bear** · 3rd February 2005, 11:08

Recently brought my first over 250cc bike, things that dircted me were power output (limited myself to around the 600cc's, <60kw), jappa and price, following this based on appearance - as in did the bike look tidy and big enough (thought the hornet looked small, purely opinion). Ended up with the Bandit 600s, liked the heavy feel, had enough turps for me, and fitted within the price range.

**R1** · 3rd February 2005, 11:16

RIDE THEM ALL.....thats if you have the money

other wise all my bikes have been the right price at the right time

**750Y** · 3rd February 2005, 11:24

for me it was a matter of lining up all the bikes I was considering and rating them all on different aspects then adding up the scores and choosing the winner. of course when i arrived at the wrong bike i promptly re-diddled the scores so i could get the gsxr1000 8-).

**Biff** · 3rd February 2005, 11:26

Originally Posted by Blackbird

i.e
- has to be able to carry my wife in comfort on moderate distance runs
- reliable
- FAST (wanted a super fast machine with the emphasis on blistering acceleration before I get too old to handle it)
- good looking enough to press the right buttons. I honestly can't tell you what does this - purely a gut feeling. There are plenty of other machines I admire, but the only other machines to really press the right buttons are the Benelli TNT and the '05 Triumph Speed Triple and I can't tell you why! I'm certainly not a one-eyed Honda (or Suzuki, Kawasaki etc) fan at any cost.

Did the Blackbird meet these criteria? In almost all respect except that the seat height is a bit high for my legs

and it's a tad heavy for me being on tip-toe but I can live with it.

Ditto - apart form the fact that the seat height is perfect for me.

- Super fast
- comfy
- economical
- great handling
- fanny magnet (alledgedly)

**Blakamin** · 3rd February 2005, 11:37

I went to the Ducati shop... looked around and said "I'll have that thanks"
combination of name an colour....

**Hitcher** · 3rd February 2005, 11:38

I don't choose my bikes, they choose me. As I move quietly amongst them, some nuzzle my legs, others invite me to sit astride and fondle them. Gently but with firm authority. Others are more fullsome and take me riding with them, taking special care to impress me with their athleticism and user compatibility.

**vifferman** · 3rd February 2005, 11:40

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I don't choose my bikes, they choose me. As I move quietly amongst them, some nuzzle my legs, others invite me to sit astride and fondle them. Gently but with firm authority. Others are more fullsome and take me riding with them, taking special care to impress me with their athleticism and user compatibility.

...and the widgets? And gadgets? And doodads? Geegaws? Baubles?

You didn't mention any of them.