How good are the older thou's??

[Gremlin]

just wondering... may be looking at an upgrade from a 250 in a couple of weeks, maybe.

Budget is a big factor, but anything from 400-1000 is being considered, but it has to have reasonable performance and ultra-reliable, along with being built for bigger people.

Seen a lot of older (1990-1995) cbr1000 and the like going for 4-5k and began wondering if they might not be a good idea, given that apparently the older 600's are not as peppy as older 400's (apparently after speaking to some other bikers), which may not be big enough for me. Old zxr's are still very expensive.

Which brings me back to the original question. What are the older (early 90's) thou's (600+) like, big problems or ultra reliable??

[aff-man]

you should buy this off swanman http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...758&key=153066

dooo ittttt http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...219&key=153066

tastey http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...167&key=153066

ol reliable http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...134&key=153066 (heheheh its a honda)

cheap as chips http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/a...993&key=153066

[MSTRS:Me]

Tough call really. Age need not be an issue if it has been well maintained. I'm sure that certain models of any make have good/bad reputation. Someone else here may have that sort of advice. In saying, my 1990 GSXR1100 is as good/better than any other bike of it's age/class.

[Gremlin]

jeez, I hadn't seen most (looking regularly), but had seen swanman's, sorta why I asked, along with the cbr1000 l, fk, or something like that.

black gsxr is very nice, but probably too expensive, and that last one (with luggage) is not exactly what I am after... yeah

stop encouraging me , I don't need any more of that...

anyone owned those old thou's and the like? Any experience?

[Bonez]

http://www.ukbike.com/reviews/bikes/cbr1000.html

[Gremlin]

thanks MSTRS, yeah, age is not as important as treatment...

with all the bike experience people have had, I was hoping for something along the lines of x bike had recurring problems with this, maybe x bike always had trouble - avoid like the plague, x bike was very good.... that sort of thing.

I know they aren't exactly modern, but even 1990 isn't actually very backward, especially when you compare to the newest I would probably get being 1997 ish

I have been sorta tossing up between something like aff-mans old cbr (1997 I think it was wasn't it?), or going back a bit and getting a bigger bike, giving me more life in the bike. But then suspension is probably not as advanced etc...

[aff-man]

jeez, I hadn't seen most (looking regularly), but had seen swanman's, sorta why I asked, along with the cbr1000 l, fk, or something like that.

black gsxr is very nice, but probably too expensive, and that last one (with luggage) is not exactly what I am after... yeah

stop encouraging me , I don't need any more of that...

anyone owned those old thou's and the like? Any experience?

Havn't really ridden one but the 750 will out handel almost all the old thou's. plus it has awesome 3 pot caliper brakes so will stop on a dime.
And if you get the black one i can show you how to wheelie it...

[aff-man]

thanks MSTRS, yeah, age is not as important as treatment...

with all the bike experience people have had, I was hoping for something along the lines of x bike had recurring problems with this, maybe x bike always had trouble - avoid like the plague, x bike was very good.... that sort of thing.

I know they aren't exactly modern, but even 1990 isn't actually very backward, especially when you compare to the newest I would probably get being 1997 ish

I have been sorta tossing up between something like aff-mans old cbr (1997 I think it was wasn't it?), or going back a bit and getting a bigger bike, giving me more life in the bike. But then suspension is probably not as advanced etc...

What do you mean by more life?? The cbr did wheelies fine (yes i know that's what you are really asking ) ... cause you had to use the clutch unlike the gixxer but hey it was still a bit scarey quick when you gave it nuts

[Gremlin]

In terms of life, meaning a balancing act between cost (older thous seem cheaper) and power.

Older thous would probably have the same kind of power as a more modern 600-750, but they cost more.

Funny, when I started on the ZZR, I had read the posts about out-growing your bike, figured it wouldn't happen with a more sporty bike. But it did. Quickly

yeah, at the moment just trying to find and absorb all the knowledge needed to make a decision... seems like the older thou's are heavy (did expect that really) but combined with a bad turning circle and it will be doing some commuting means that it probably won't be a good choice. (splitting to the front of lights is a very necessary ability)

That said, weight will probably be an issue with all old thou's. *sigh*

[TonyB]

Tough call really. Age need not be an issue if it has been well maintained. I'm sure that certain models of any make have good/bad reputation. Someone else here may have that sort of advice. In saying, my 1990 GSXR1100 is as good/better than any other bike of it's age/class.

Hoho! Now thats a big call! Many would beg to differ I saw an 89 FZR1000 exactly like mine on trade me for only $3500. Thats a hell of a lot of bike for the money. The FZR won motorcycle.coms open class shootout for 6 years in a row.

Just remember if you step up to a 1000cc you'll be getting all the insurance and running costs that go with it. It's a whole different league of expensive. Tyres will set you back about $530 or so a set and you'll be lucky to get 5000k out of them

[justsomeguy]

Oi Gremlin - have the LTStupidArses said yes???

[MSTRS:Me]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-38809367.htm

[MSTRS:Me]

just to prove I'm not biased....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-39385227.htm

[RiderInBlack]

You've just got to decide what you want from your bike. Get to know your 1000's. "Roxanne" is a 1990 CBR1000F and is therefore more suited to the long hauls, rather than the track and fast hoon's. She heavy @ 230Kg dry, but this is no problem for what I use her for. She's not as quick as the racing 1000's of her year, but 260KPH is not slow ether . For me she does the trick and is as nearly good as most of the new bikes of her class.
If it's speed and hoon handling power then look @ bike models with lot's of R's in their names.
Like all bikes, the older ones are as only good as their rider. Riders with brand new bikes can be seen to be taken by older "outdated" bikes just because the rider knows how to handle and set it up better. "The Fastest Indain" is a good case in point for this. A 1920 bike betting 1960's bikes and still has the record for the fastest under 1000cc streamlined bike.

[Gremlin]

Oi Gremlin - have the LTStupidArses said yes???

what, on the exemption?? Need to get bike back tomorrow, book test, get someone to photograph me on the bike, showing how ridiculously small it is, sit test, put in exemption detailing all the reasons and then wait.

yeah, the RF900 is another I have seen. Apparently the km model is unrestricted, mile one is (not to mention having to deal with miles) so that is one thing I have to look at, but their price is also a little high. Sorta depends if the right bike comes along, at the right price kinda thing.