Help this old dude

[crash harry]

How important is fuel injection , and liquid cooled V air cooled for longevity etc. Any thoughts would be welcomed as well as any other suggestions.

Injection is not important at all. Maybe helps a wee bit with fuel economy and throttle response, but a good carb setup can do almost anything injection can.

Liquid Cooling helps to keep the engine temperature more consistent, reduces engine noise, and allows more efficient cooling. Generally allows greater power for the same displacement because the heat can get out better so the engine can run harder. Anyway, I doubt you'll find many air cooled road bikes these days.

I assume you're looking at a new bike? The Hornets are awesome for the money. I don't know much about the GSXF but I assume it's a typical suzuki (ie. good value for money)

[Zapf]

depends on how much you value weather / wind protection....

CB900 is a good bike... the only down side would be the lack of effective wind protection vs the likes of GSX750... and you'll also find that seats are longer on the GSX750... and well as the max load carrying capacity.

CB900 has a limit of 180kg according to the manual. Which you might be pushing with 2 up and lots of hard luggages.

[What?]

Liquid Cooling helps to keep the engine temperature more consistent, reduces engine noise, and allows more efficient cooling. Generally allows greater power for the same displacement because the heat can get out better so the engine can run harder.

Liquid cooling helps to keep the engine temp more constant which means tolerances can be tighter which is where the longer life comes from (the moving parts aren't slopping about so much).

[Lou Girardin]

Injection is simple and near fool-proof these days. Although carbs don't need much attention anyway. I went to an air-cooled Bandit because a stray stone won't make your air cooling leak onto the road.
Hornets are great value, but I preferred the better protection and greater torque of the Bandit for touring. (especially 2 up)

[quickbuck]

The GSXF's are technically air cooled. It is called SACS, and basically uses oil running around to take the heat off the internals of the engine. Even though I ride a Honda I did heaps of 2 up touring on a 98 GSXF600, and it went very well. No need to worry about anti freeze for the Brass Monkey, and you change your cooling medium every oil change. I would rcommend the 750 in actual fact. Both biles are very good, but the fairing of the 750 will provide a bit of comfort. Welcome back to motorcycling.

[geoffc]

HI guys,

Just new to the forum, but I would really appreciate your advice about buying a new bike. I havent owned a bike for about 8 yrs.... Any thoughts would be welcomed as well as any other suggestions. I do want a comfy bike with a decent amount of torque rather than outrite power.

Anyway, cheers in advance

Hi
Welcome to Kiwi Biker. I am very new to the KB forum and have been back on bikes now for the last two and a half years. Your story is similar to mine so I thought you might appreciate my comments.
Firstly take your time, do what you are doing, talk to people, even dealers who are not too pushy. Good dealers let you take bikes for test rides and not just around the block.
Check out members of the local Ulysses club, go to one of their meetings. There are bound to be some wise heads among them with good advise or maybe knowledge of a good local privately owned machine for sale.
I started back on a old yet tidy & low mileage Honda CBX 750. Why? Because I didn't want to spend much if the bike idea didn't work out. It was air cooled, less to go wrong and with very little plastic fairing for me to break if I fell off. (I'm a realist)
Trademe gave me a chance to see what was available and importantly a guide to market prices.
Happy hunting.