Which bike??? ...mmm

**tomb** · 1st October 2006, 19:33

I need a bike but dont know what to buy. Havent ridden for a good few years, last bike was a Honda 900. On a bit of a buidget(under $7k). I really just want something to cruise around on but the cruiser styling just doesnt appeal(at all). dont really want a sporty bike as Id be tempted to go nuts(hospital). I've had a few rides on a mates SV650 which was fun but am sort of thinking slightly larger as have a pillion. something big and grunty. Any ideas?
Ta

**kiwifruit** · 1st October 2006, 20:00

welcome to the site

sv1000?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-71768770.htm

**paultz250** · 1st October 2006, 20:14

triumph speed triple or buel fire bolt not to sporty but tones of touqe and nice short wheel base make them real fun for playing on around town

**NinjaNanna** · 2nd October 2006, 14:43

I recently bought a ZX9R 1995 model, and absolutely love the bike. Before this bike I had had the 2 previous Honda VFR800 models.

Love my Ninja because it is cheap enough not to have to justify only riding it on weekends, too hard with a $13000 VFR. and personally I find the ride position better than the VFR on short trips and only marginally worse on longer runs (more than 2hrs continuous on straight boring roads.)

The thing to really weigh up is how often you will really have the pillion on board??? Because this will be the major factor in deciding which bike to buy. For example I would never have bought the ZX9 if I had a pillion more than 25% of the time.

Other bikes you might like to considered, but unfortunately already have new owners are:

Yamaha YZF (before they were replaced by the R1 and R6),
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=70298413

perhaps a TL1000S
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=71910674

Happy Hunting

**SARGE** · 2nd October 2006, 14:50

FJ1200 man .. about $7000.. heaps of grunt and comfy to ride

i could be a bit biased ...

**skelstar** · 2nd October 2006, 14:52

Whatever you choose make sure you do lots of reading about said model of bike. The TL1000S is an example of this. Whilst a very capable bike it could bite the rider quite easily unless the rear-suss has been set-up/fiddled with correctly. This is what I have read in my own research anyway.

**98tls** · 2nd October 2006, 15:12

The TLs sounds like an option for you....they have had a bit of bad rep in the past ie seperate rear damper/spring...at tha launch in florida a french journo binned one then an english guy died on one the rest is history...you will find just as many magazine articles praising them as giving them a hard time...this i know as i have many going back to 97...many have aftermarket suspension on them already such as ohlins/bitubo...have had mine for years and it does everything pretty damn good from touring to mucking about in the twisty bits..great bike and great value for money these days....tons of grunt as you say.....

**jonbuoy** · 2nd October 2006, 15:15

VTR? Lots of them around. Fast enough to get you in trouble. Sound nice with a decent set of pipes.

**tomb** · 2nd October 2006, 16:44

Cheers: will do/are doing; so many pros and cons.

**WINJA** · 2nd October 2006, 17:18

The Zx9 C1 Or Later Which Is 98 Or Later Is A Really Good Bike , Its Lightish And Has A Relaxed Riding Style As The Bars Are Above The Top Yoke, They Are Quite Reliable And Are As Fast As An R1 Of The Same Year , They Are Far Better Than The Blade Of The Same Yeah (i Owned Both) , Another Good Option That May Surprise You Is The Gsxr750t Or Later Which Is 96 Or Later , Its A Fast Sporty Bike But Still Comfy With A Wide Seat

**Motig** · 2nd October 2006, 18:11

Get something like the Bandit 600 or 1200. Be far more comfy for a pillion passenger and have ample power (either one) unless your a wannabee roadracer. Theres lots around so you can look for the low mileage bargains that are around. I dont see the v 1000 suzi as being all that comfy for the pilion and the bandit riding position is a lot more comfy too if your getting on in years and would have difficulty unbending (like me) when you get where your going. It doesnt have to be a bandit mind you but something in the same style. Get looking on the net, its half the fun. Oh, and welcome to the sight.

**98tls** · 2nd October 2006, 18:22

$7000 will buy you an 03 GS1200ss...lots of bike for the money,ton of grunt and very reliable to boot..more comfort than an TL and the pillon seat looks like a bloody armchair...problem solved....

**DingDong** · 2nd October 2006, 18:30

There are lotsa big tourers out there... bandit 12 as mentioned, xj13, ZZR11 or 12 if ya lucky, gsx14... all are plenty grunty and get a little sporty too... the TL's not that comfy and the front dont like to stay down or stay stable outta corners... heaps of fun, but not what your looking for... if your really desperate go for a xx11... as a last resort

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 2nd October 2006, 18:45

Originally Posted by tomb

I need a bike but dont know what to buy. Havent ridden for a good few years, last bike was a Honda 900. On a bit of a buidget(under $7k). I really just want something to cruise around on but the cruiser styling just doesnt appeal(at all). dont really want a sporty bike as Id be tempted to go nuts(hospital). I've had a few rides on a mates SV650 which was fun but am sort of thinking slightly larger as have a pillion. something big and grunty. Any ideas?
Ta

VTR1000 Firestorm good touring, Torquey, look great, sounds great, a few of them on trademe