new bike ideas?

[FROSTY:Me]

A mate of mine is getting back into biking after a little while away.
he wantrs something mid sized and sporty but heres the rub--He only has about $3000 to spend.
any suggestions of bikes suitable for a born again biker.

[Ghost Lemur]

Any of the 400's.

They often seem to go for between $2,500-$3,500. There's also a Fzr-600 import on TradeMe. Oh and this ZXR 750 for a s=r of $3,100.

[jimbo600]

Any of the 400's.

They often seem to go for between $2,500-$3,500. There's also a Fzr-600 import on TradeMe. Oh and this ZXR 750 for a s=r of $3,100.

Yup I'd second that. Gixxer 400 or similar.

[Mongoose]

A mate of mine is getting back into biking after a little while away.
he wantrs something mid sized and sporty but heres the rub--He only has about $3000 to spend.
any suggestions of bikes suitable for a born again biker.

Depends on how fussy one looks and age your mate is, plenty around if yer not to fussy about cosmetics, but make sure its fully checked mechanicaly what ever road he takes.

[FROSTY:Me]

not too fussy --more interested in how they go than how they look

[wkid_one]

Depends entirely on what he wants to do with the bike.....

400's are a good bet

[Two Smoker]

i third the 400's...... GSX-R, ZXR, VFR, RVF, FZR, CBR

Take your pick lol......

[Milky]

I'd say a ZXR400... then I can sell him a manual anyone else want one btw? covers everything from '89 thru '99, or H1-L9

[Hooks]

I climbed straight onto my GSX last year after a 13 year layoff !!......Got a good deal, $2500....all warranted and rego'ed....was a bit of a challenge but only took a couple of weeks of full on riding to get into it again. Something older with a bit comfort and power that can get you around pretty much anywhere you want has done it for me ......Good on them by the way...I hope have as much fun as I am these days !!....

[Bandito]

GPZ 500s, More comfy, rideable, reliable and cheaper to keep on the road than any of the 400 fours with very similar performance levels. My wife has had two GPZ 500's and two ZXR 400's and as value for moey proposition the 500 twin is a MUCH better bet.
Hard to think of a better bike for your friends budget and situation.

[FROSTY:Me]

He is now making noises about a VFR750 honda.
actually Im thinking it'd be a good bike for him

[merv]

He is now making noises about a VFR750 honda.
actually Im thinking it'd be a good bike for him

For $3,000 it would have to be quite an old one.

[moko]

GPZ 500s, .......Hard to think of a better bike for your friends budget and situation.

Good bikes,do you get the Honda CB500 in N.Z.,similar sort of thing to the GPZ but a bit better built.The later ones were built in Italy,lovely flexible motor.All my own work here

http://www.usedbikeguide.com/reviews/honda7.htm

WSB rider James Toseland started his career racing a CB,they`re really user-friendly and a great favourite with riding schools here.Latest model has monoshock frame and fuel-injection but there`s nothing wrong with the old ones,S model has a half-fairing.

[RiderInBlack]

For $3,000 it would have to be quite an old one.

At least pre 1991 and heaps of Km's and hard to find. Bloody good bike but. The 1991 VFR750 I had was capable of 220-240KPH. Still a lot of power if you are not used to it, but it was fairly forgiving.

[Yarg]

Try turners auction , for a "cosmetically" damaged bike. I know someone who got a CBR600 -92 model , minor scrapes for $2000. Re Rego, touch up 7 away ya go. have to be patient to get a good deal.
.02 worth.