An Extension To Buck's Update - Discussion About Moving Up From A 250cc

**Terminated** · 27th August 2006, 20:26

I would like to throw this into the mix. Hear is an overview:

I have been riding since May 2006, I am a 'young fella - 1952', my Golf November Two Five Zero and I are getting on really well together.

Of course emotionally you start looking for your next bike, and I suppose we can be pulled in all directions: [in the nicest possible way]

Kawasaki ER-N 650cc
Suzuki Bandit 650cc
Honda Hornet 900cc
Suzuki SV650
Suzuki V-Strom 650cc
Suzuki Boulevarde S50 800cc

These are some of the bikes that, when I get my Full Licence I would like to 'test ride'. Being the young fella that I am the S50 may be my pace given its style easy into the corner etc. The ER-N on the other hand has had some good comparative reviews. The inline fours rate well too. Say if you want to discuss the difference between the V-Twin and Inline Four pleae do....

My Golf November is a bit of a mix between the street bike and the cruiser so it is a bit of a puzzle at the moment. Of course there is not the power band with Golf....shhhh two five zero didn't hear that..............

I would be really interested in your feedback.

Heads Up and Enjoy

**limbimtimwim** · 27th August 2006, 21:15

While it isn't very exciting, I had a brief go on a Hornet 900 (Current model, Skelstar's) and thought it was good. The engine was friendly enough for you to wonder if was asking for a hug after you switch it off. You'd have to be pretty ham-fisted to catch yourself out with the engine. Comfy seat, brakes that worked. I remember thinking that a few laps around the block and pretty much anybody would be ready to ride a Hornet from Wellington to Auckland in the same day, it was so cuddly. Less than $11k new with a warranty, you can't really go wrong if you did buy one.

The same day I rode a Kawasaki Z750 and thought that was pretty good too, then Jim2 informed me that his had an Ohlins shock and tricked up fork internals, so perhaps my impression of said vehicle would not be indicative of a regular Z750. It had many of the same qualities of the Hornet, except the engine was was a little less cuddly and was more willing to have it's arse kicked (Or at least, spanked) to keep it going. I thought that was points in it's favour.

I rode for a long weekend with a guy who had a Suzuki Intruder 800 and he loved it, I think he had a GN250 before that too. rfc85 is his name on this site.

Allow me to digress here:

Kawasaki also allege to import the W650 here, which would make for sedate progress, but it is a cool looking bike! Think 60's British bike, but not.. err.. British!

And then of course there are the modern Triumph 'classic' bikes.

Like everyone else is going to say "Ride them all". Hopefully one of them will grab you by the short and curlies and make it obvious that it is the machine for you.

**SwanTiger** · 27th August 2006, 21:16

I think what you really need to consider is the type of riding you want to do and what you enjoy most and then base a decision on the answers.

Just to give you some insight, when I purchased my Hyosung GT 250R my main priority was to find a nice road bike that was comfortable and accomodating for my physique.

I've since learnt that it wasn't the best choice of motorcycle as I really enjoy riding down remote sealed and gravel roads with no real destination or route in mind. Something like a V-Storm would better suite me and probably enhance my enjoyment by making it easier to do what I love - exploring on a motorcycle.

So I suppose to summise, my advice would be to think hard about what you want to do, what you enjoy doing and which bike would be best suited and help to enhance your experience.

**Terminated** · 27th August 2006, 21:32

Thanks for the feed back on the Hornet and Z750. The brother in law has the Z750 and in time, for the moment don't go there, but in time will have a ride for a few days/weeks.

I am fortunate because all my riding will be purely recreational, hence the cruiser style bike does come into the mix and I look forward to riding that bike too.

I must say, I will be remiss if I don't try Kawasaki's ER-N, numerous writes up give this bike a good wrap.

**twinkle** · 27th August 2006, 21:35

Kawasaki also allege to import the W650 here

that is such an awesome bike

**Terminated** · 27th August 2006, 21:39

Originally Posted by twinkle

that is such an awesome bike

Twinkle the older style is one I would not discount either.

**TerminalAddict** · 27th August 2006, 21:45

my short list last month was very similar to yours.

A bunch (more than 10) people said don't buy the bandit 600 .. "its shit" .. so I didn't bother .. but tried the 1200 instead.

Swanny's post is the bizzo tho'
I went to bike shops, and said "I want a bike I can ride slow" (to which most smart arses suggested I keep my xv250

) ..

Once we got past the BS .. found out that what I really want is a bike I can comfortably commute on, plus tour on the weekends .. and possibly have a quick blast on too (when I grow into the bike)
The short list soon got shorter.
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200
ER6
FZ1 or FZ6

So the shoppng started:
The guys a hamilton motorcycles are a bunch of plonkers ... short list gets shorter:
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200
FZ1 or FZ6

The Yamaha's were just too expensive .. not that they are priced badly .. just out of my league budget wise.
List gets shorter:
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200

The bandit was like an armchair in the country. I reckon I could have slept through the ride at 140kph on the bandit .. a totally awesomely comfortable ride .. in the city however it was different. Heavy, and hard to get around, u-turns sucked etc etc etc .. (I'm just a wee fella)

List gets shorter:
Hornet 900

then I spent a few days here, posting messages, getting opinions, asking questions .. lots of people commended the hornet.

After a few days I revisited my original list, ignoring the findings I had, and ride experiences, and thought to myself .. which bike gets me excited ...
I have to say that I fell in love with the high, dual exhausts, and loved the naked look . .so it left the fz6, and hornet

Plus I had read big dave's review in kiwi rider .. and the hornet was stared at for 2 weeks before I took the plunge and bought one.

No regrets so far

**twinkle** · 27th August 2006, 21:51

here's the link for the W650

http://www.kawasaki.co.nz/kawasaki_c...650-C7&do=list
now I'm torn between this bike and travelling overseas...

**cowpoos** · 27th August 2006, 21:54

Originally Posted by BuckBuckNo1

I would like to throw this into the mix. Hear is an overview:

I have been riding since May 2006, I am a 'young fella - 1952', my Golf November Two Five Zero and I are getting on really well together.

Of course emotionally you start looking for your next bike, and I suppose we can be pulled in all directions: [in the nicest possible way]

Kawasaki ER-N 650cc
Suzuki Bandit 650cc
Honda Hornet 900cc
Suzuki SV650
Suzuki V-Strom 650cc
Suzuki Boulevarde S50 800cc

These are some of the bikes that, when I get my Full Licence I would like to 'test ride'. Being the young fella that I am the S50 may be my pace given its style easy into the corner etc. The ER-N on the other hand has had some good comparative reviews. The inline fours rate well too. Say if you want to discuss the difference between the V-Twin and Inline Four pleae do....

My Golf November is a bit of a mix between the street bike and the cruiser so it is a bit of a puzzle at the moment. Of course there is not the power band with Golf....shhhh two five zero didn't hear that..............

I would be really interested in your feedback.

Heads Up and Enjoy

All I will say is....over the next year or so...you will change your mind plenty of times about what you like and dislike....its one of the biggest joys of bikes...so many to choose from!!! for so many different reasons....

read mags...read reviews....chat to other bikers on top of the takas on sunny sundays bout their bikes....

**Terminated** · 27th August 2006, 22:08

Originally Posted by TerminalAddict

The short list soon got shorter.
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200
ER6
FZ1 or FZ6

So the shoppng started:
The guys a hamilton motorcycles are a bunch of plonkers ... short list gets shorter:
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200
FZ1 or FZ6

The Yamaha's were just too expensive
Hornet 900
Bandit 1200

The bandit was like an armchair in the country.

List gets shorter:
Hornet 900

so it left the fz6, and hornet

the hornet was stared at for 2 weeks before I took the plunge and bought one.

No regrets so far

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I must say the Hornet has that little extra going for it in the overall market stakes. I am a purely recreational rider and wonder how the Hornet would stack up on an eight hour day.

**TerminalAddict** · 27th August 2006, 22:13

if you mean how knackered do I feel after riding for 8+ hours ?
I feel tired but not exhausted.
the wind is a major factor to how tired I feel.
if I sit above *insert license loosing speed here* the wind wears me out after 2 or 3 hours.
120 I could do all day

**TerminalAddict** · 27th August 2006, 22:18

WARNING ... you may suddenly find yourself with nothing to do on rainy days.

I used to browse trademe, and bikepoint, read specs on bikes, read other opinions on how great they thought XXX bike was, search the web for reviews of bikes that were on my list, swap emails with insurance companies about how much XXX bike would cost, find pictures of bikes on my list from different angles .. the list goes on.

Now I am an absolute fan of the hornet, and everyday love the descision I made to buy one .. except on rainy days when I have nothing to do, and must while away the hours talking to my wife ..

**Terminated** · 27th August 2006, 22:20

Originally Posted by cowpoos

All I will say is....over the next year or so...you will change your mind plenty of times about what you like and dislike....its one of the biggest joys of bikes...so many to choose from!!! for so many different reasons....

read mags...read reviews....chat to other bikers on top of the takas on sunny sundays bout their bikes....

"And the beat goes on, and the beat goes on, lardi lardi lar"

Cowpoos you are so right, I reckon like the old song it will be a good 12mths or so before I take the plunge and in the meantime I will hear so many different opinions - this is one of the real intriguing things about bikes isn't it? Time marches on and we will hear so much and sooner or later take the plunge. In my case it is early days and I am sure my mind will ebb and flow, as it has already with serveral bikes.... there is no rush and through this coming summer I look forward to meeting and chatting with a lot of riders up there on the Takas.
Heads Up and Enjoy