Best Type of Bike for NZ?

[Winston001]

I've been away from motorcycles for a few years so have been pleasantly suprised - astonished really - at the power and sophistication of modern bikes.

My teeth were cut on mates Titans, Bonnevilles, CB350 , 750/4, Z1900, etc. Those machines were lots of fun, especially the Z1 which was a headturner for a few years.

But modern bikes seem to have vastly superior power-to-weight ratios, more comfort and better handling.

It used to be that about 1000ccs was the desired size of all-round bike but I'm wondering if that is true today. NZ is a motorcyclists paradise. Reasonably good roads, lots of corners, low traffic density.

But............the current speed limit enforcement by the Police means that a 250kph machine becomes rather academic. Most of its high end speed will never be used.

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

So what is the ideal bike for NZ? Something like the Kawasaki 636? Whaddya reckon?

[skelstar]

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

Youre 140km/h implies that your passing power/speed/capability is low. Compared to cars out there its not quite enough. My machine has a top speed of 140km/h...and in a headwind 100-110km/h dont happen all that quick. Would be nice to have a bit more go in that situation.

I hear what youre saying though. Had the pleasure of riding a 1000 sprotsbike and wondered at the point of having that much power/urge. I got over it and just had a blast anyway .

[gamgee]

rode a cbr600f (tourer model) plenty of power, but i didn't like the seating position, too upright for my liking and too high up, i guess the rr model would be lower and more sporty, but i certainly wasn't hooked on that f model

[TLDV8]

Which leaves acceleration and torque up to say, 140kph being the most useful feature.

So what is the ideal bike for NZ?

[madmal64]

I suppose it depends on what type of riding you want to do most of the time. If its short (day) trips then something like the 636 is probably a good machine. For me and the type of riding I do I need something a little bigger all round as I do get away for weekendst rips or longer and do a few rallies so I tend to throw a bit of luggage on.
I think the revvy 600,s are great but the larger cc's are far more comfortable on the longer stints I do. I like being able to just roll on the power without having to drop a gear to get it all going.

[Zed]

So what is the ideal bike for NZ?

It's really entirely up to you as the rider. "Ideally" it would be nice to own 4 or so different bikes, 1 for touring, 1 for the road/track, 1 for off road, and 1 for commuting, and even with commuting it comes down to how far you have to travel as to which bike would be ideal!

What do you want in a bike? Have you ridden any of the modern bikes you speak of? Probably a good idea to start test riding some bikes fella!

[Sniper]

Ignore anyone who says GSXR..... (PT)

IMHO The best bike for touring plus hitting some twisties at speed would have to be a GSX750F.

[VasalineWarrior]

An rg 150 will do 140km/hr mate, and go round a corner just as fast or faster than a 1000cc superbike. What is sounds like you need is a v-twin of sorts. Maybe something along the lines of an sv 650 or ducati monster? Something with comfort and punch out of corners without having to see ridiculous figuires on the tacho to get a buzz (and with a better chance of licence retention)

[thehollowmen]

New Zealand is such a long country we cover almost a half of all terrain types. We stretch over 1000 km in a banana shape, over 12 degrees of latitude (thanks tristank). That's a lot.

We stretch from arctic down my end of the country, large dry flat plains perfect for cruisers to mountains and sprotsbike twisties up at kikora... turn left and you're in rainforest on the west coat for the trailbike.

The north island has a platau, dessert, tropical forest, plains...

I don't know if there is a 'best type of bike for NZ' because NZ varies so much.

[Sniper]

Well said hollowmen

[Troll]

An rg 150 will do 140km/hr mate, and go round a corner just as fast or faster than a 1000cc superbike.....

try a harley sportster

good fuel economy, heaps of torque and best of all cheap parts and zero depreciation

and if its not fast enough there are catalogues full of ways to spend money on it

[What?]

...and if its not fast enough there are catalogues full of ways to spend money on it

Whaddyamean IF????

[RiderInBlack]

IMHO The best bike for touring plus hitting some twisties at speed would have to be a GSX750F.

Would disagree with that, having tried both the GSX750F and the VFR750. Ended up with the 1990 VFR750. It had well earned it vote as the best allround road bike of it's year. Good commuter. Used it working as an RN in Tuaranga. Made easy work of the traffic. Did day hoons with it, Track days, and toured. No complaints. Would have another one if I was not so much into long distance Touring.

[jimdaworm]

I have owned and rg 150 and currently have a cbr 600.

The rg was a lot of fun! and it had plenty of get an go on the flat when it wasnt windy (I believe I got it to a real 160km/h)

As soon as it gets windy and you want to go up hills and or you want to carry pillions, or all three I think a bigger bike is better

I love my cbr

Those 636's are 250km/h machines arnt they?

[Motu]

If you want to ride all the roads and conditions this country offers and aren't too concerned about mega high speed,then an adventure bike is perfect.They can take any road surface in their stride,are well set up for lugage...and can show a clean pair of heels to a sportsbike in the real tight twisties.