Daddy needs a new bike...

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 10:50

Heh heh... My little boy (3) has been telling everyone that, don't know where he got that idea

Right well... Here we go... I've got a few choices (~10k)... Some history first I guess.

Last few bikes go like this.

ZXR750 H1... Cool bike, bit old, too many ks (Mr little cock went through a give way and wrote it/me off).

GSXR750 ('86)... Went Ok, brakes were terrible, couldn't fit my feet up on the pegs when I was in a hurry. Ah... pretty much a shite old bike really.

ZZR1100 ('94)... Had enough poke when wound up, Mrs was OK on the back, waaay too heavy for the Paekak hill and ground clearance was getting to be an issue.

ZXR750 J1... Ah, only the one seat, goes quick, handling is great with the moto-x bars on it. No fairing. I like it, but I want something newer/tidier with two seats.

What I'm looking at and why;

I want something a little different.
I need to commute 120-140 ks a day depending on which way I come home (the ZXR H1 was OK so I guess comfort isn't an issue).
The tank HAS to do 240ks before hitting reserve.
I need to get the mrs on the back occasionally (as you do

)
It has to handle well, the ZXR J1 is fine, the ZZR made me feel like I'd been at the gym after a couple of runs over the Rimutakas in a hurry.
I don't want to feel like I have to ring it's neck, converesly I don't want it to be so lazy I just leave it in one gear and ride torque (ZZR)
Could do with some fairing again.

Aprilia RSV. (just out of my price range

, but I may find one) MMMmmmm
Ducati 900ss 98 up. 916 too focussed for commuting... Tank range may be too small ? Fully faired a bit hideous.
GSXR 1000. Why not ? Bit average looking, pillion seat up to much ?
Fireblade. Bit normal.
SV1000. Cheap for a newish bike... Looks don't appeal I love the TLS/TLR but tank range is tiny. I know people says it's ugly but I love the em !
ZX9R > 98. Nice bike... A bit average looking. (although I like the plain black or blue C1/2)
ZX7R > 2000. Ok, I like Kwakas

Gorgeous but I don't want to always feel like I want more grunt/less weight. I could sit in the garage staring at it for hours though.
ZX10r... Hahahaha... Too expensive, but I'd like one.

Sigh... Anyone (everyone) else been through this ?

Do I get the GSXR and go crazy ? The sensible SV1000 that will always feel second best ? The 7R ? The 9R ?

I'm gonna be doing some test rides soon... What should I chop off my list ? Anything else I should be looking at ?

Cheers,

Sedge.

**Colapop** · 5th February 2006, 11:47

Have a look at the Duke's at Motomart. Good sales and after sales service.

http://www.motomart.co.nz/

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 12:05

Ta... Anyone try a Falco vs RSV ? Huge difference ?

And oh yeah... How would the Hayabusa compare to my ZXR750 one up handling wise ? Heavyweight ? Clearance ?

Sedge.

**Kendog** · 5th February 2006, 14:28

What about a CB900 Hornet?

And yes, I may be a little biased

But $11k new

**bladez** · 5th February 2006, 14:36

Originally Posted by Kendog

What about a CB900 Hornet?

And yes, I may be a little biased

But $11k new

mmmmmm heard one the other day sounded bloody nice but yes they are a good all round bike with a twist of the rist you are a way having fun

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 14:48

The ZXR I have is pretty similar in looks to the Hornet, it's just uglier and angrier... There are a couple down where I park my bike in town... Pretty good value I have to admit.

Ta,

Sedge.

Actually Bladez there's a 92 Fireblade on TM at the moment that's done 1200ks ! What are they like to ride ? Power ? Pillion ? Handling ? Comparable to what ?

**T.W.R** · 5th February 2006, 15:07

Originally Posted by sedge

Actually Bladez there's a 92 Fireblade on TM at the moment that's done 1200ks ! What are they like to ride ? Power ? Pillion ? Handling ? Comparable to what ?

92 Blades are flighty on rougher road surfaces unless their suspension has been tweaked (front end revalved etc) rest of it is comparable to ZX7R but with a good mid-range stomp

**limbimtimwim** · 5th February 2006, 15:27

Originally Posted by sedge

I'm gonna be doing some test rides soon... What should I chop off my list ? Anything else I should be looking at ?

What about this: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24191 ? I've always thought they were so cool. Not that I have ever had a go on one, but I'd like to.

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 15:54

Had a look at the ZRX when I was in at Boyles the other day (test road an older ZX9R they had in, nice looking bike but too heavy and felt too slow)...

I guess I really want a sports bike... Like the Hornet the ZRX is similar to what I've got at the moment with a bit more poke, but a bit too similar.

They do have a nice ZX7R in there... only 1100Ks ! Pricey though.

Cheers for the heads up on the Blade, I quite like the older ones.

Sedge.

**Sniper** · 5th February 2006, 16:16

tl1000s???...........

**James Deuce** · 5th February 2006, 17:46

Perfect bike for you here mate:

http://www.motorad.co.nz/the5thdimen...goryID_list=20

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 20:53

Hey Jim2 !

Sadly I won't buy from them. Ever. (bad past experience) But that looks pretty good.

Heh heh, I know that you're serial bike buyer just like me

Wait till I get a new bike and we'll go for that ride eh ? The ZXR just doesn't cut it after an hour, It's fine if you are caning it over the Takas, but the seat is a mouse mat (no, really, it is !) and any boring roads are torture.

'm a solo dad this weekend as the Mrs is down Sth visiting her buddy so I have brownie points building up

In fact she was just saying the other night that I haven't been out riding much since I sold the ZZR.

I'm thinking I'll take a day off and saddle up a posse for a ride either ferry/Takaka/Nelson/Kaikoura/CHCH and back or up the Paraparas/nat park/coro and back etc (Can poss get a good deal on the Bluebridge ferry)

Pref an overnighter somewhere so I can drink and fall over. Maybe it's time I did some bike rallies eh ?

Sedge.

*edit* Heh heh, maybe I should just test ride it anyway ? No wonder they hate customers.

**sedge** · 5th February 2006, 20:59

Originally Posted by Sniper

tl1000s???...........

Yup, absolutely love em, but I'd have to fill up EVERY night... Bike has to do two trips to town and back and I don't want to have to ride slowly to do it. Absolute minimum is 220ks BEFORE reserve.

They are cool though, sigh... But I have to live with it.

Sedge.

**Zapf** · 5th February 2006, 21:06

CB1300S? 2 seats... fairing... (ish) cheapish.... grunty... lazy...(ermmm)

**Deviant Esq** · 5th February 2006, 21:11

Honda CBR1100XX Blackbird? Not too sure if you'd consider it a sprotbike (not really), but it could be worth a look if you're after a bit more comfort, esp 2 up.

Here's a pic:

Ground clearance might be an issue there too. And not as "fun" when you're on your own (subject to debate).