Mid-range bikes

**MementoMori** · 20th December 2006, 16:33

Hey, just after a bit of advice really.

Back home in the UK, there's a massive market for 400 - 600s, 500's being the popular beginner's bike for those just passed their test. Consequently I ended up with an ER-5 which was pretty perfect for me, if a little underpowered.

I've noticed since moving here, that there doesn't seem to be too much of a mid range market, and that you progress from a 250 to something like a 750 or litre bike.

But being short, skinny and female, I'm not too sure a high capacity bike's quite what I'm after. I don't really wanna go back to learner bikes, though the Hyosung GT250 got a decent enough write up in this month's Motorcycle Trader.

I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, and if there are many 500/600s around? So far I have seen one 500.

If not, what kind of bike do people generally progress on to once they've passed their test?

Thanks a lot.

**Bonez** · 20th December 2006, 16:43

Originally Posted by MementoMori

I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, and if there are many 500/600s around? So far I have seen one 500.

They're about alright. Lots of KBers about with various 400s(me for one), 500s(me also but probable too old and unapealling for most) and 600s. Pop into Freedom Honda. They've a selection in the range you are interested in. So does Phil Turnballs. Anza may have a few "out back" also.

**twinkle** · 20th December 2006, 16:52

There are lots of mid range bikes around, here's a few web pages you can look through to give you an idea of prices etc. Hope you find what you're after

http://www.trademe.co.nz/
http://www.biketrader.co.nz/
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/

**WarlockNZ** · 20th December 2006, 16:55

Why not go with the Hyosung 650 ??

**Brett** · 21st December 2006, 21:02

Originally Posted by MementoMori

Hey, just after a bit of advice really.

Back home in the UK, there's a massive market for 400 - 600s, 500's being the popular beginner's bike for those just passed their test. Consequently I ended up with an ER-5 which was pretty perfect for me, if a little underpowered.

I've noticed since moving here, that there doesn't seem to be too much of a mid range market, and that you progress from a 250 to something like a 750 or litre bike.

But being short, skinny and female, I'm not too sure a high capacity bike's quite what I'm after. I don't really wanna go back to learner bikes, though the Hyosung GT250 got a decent enough write up in this month's Motorcycle Trader.

I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, and if there are many 500/600s around? So far I have seen one 500.

If not, what kind of bike do people generally progress on to once they've passed their test?

Thanks a lot.

Nicksta on here is a pretty small person and rides a very very nice gsxr600. I and quite a few others have gone onto the 600's as an intermediate step just after getting the full licence. Plenty of poke for NZ roads.

**Grub** · 21st December 2006, 21:12

Have just got back onto a bike and for me I have found the perfect one. The Honda's CBR600F is a sports/tourer (ie pretty respectible on the track but can cruise all day without getting sore back or arms). I commute 60km each day over one of Welly's best bike roads (Paekakariki Hill Rd) so I know it is a (great) sports bike and we're touring all over xmas to Auckers and back to Wanganui (Paraparas, here I come!). It has incredible easy handling, can flick between corners and has a bunch of torque that allows you to go very fast without alerting the natives to what you're doing.

I can make it go seriously quick enough yet it has low seat, amazing handling and tireless touring position. I bought it because of it's reputation as one of the "great" bikes - and it is everything I could hope for. Sure its an oldie but it only had 48,000km on it so it's just out of nappies.

Oh, and it only cost $3,200 via Trademe which is all I wanted to spend for fun, convenience and a bit of a rev up. I consider that a throw-away amusement. But look what's happened, I hardly ever use the car now - at all, for anything

Brett

**mooks** · 22nd December 2006, 06:54

just a heads up about the parapara - went through it a couple of days ago as its my old stomping ground - its a nightmare of roadworks and slips. Not able to really open it up like you used to, and if its wet at all be very very careful of the papa clay on the road - it might as well be ice once yer on it ...... ride safe and enjoy

**imdying** · 22nd December 2006, 07:23

Check out the GSXR600... everytime I read a review, the testers seem to think it's an absolute scream to ride

**MementoMori** · 23rd December 2006, 18:47

Thanks a lot for your replies.

Never really thought about a 600 as I thought they'd be too expensive and bulky but now I will give it some thought.

Cheers, that was pretty helpful.

**Dafe** · 23rd December 2006, 18:50

Go the SV1000S!

Great bang for buck!

**Bonez** · 23rd December 2006, 18:54

Originally Posted by MementoMori

Thanks a lot for your replies.

Never really thought about a 600 as I thought they'd be too expensive and bulky but now I will give it some thought.

Cheers, that was pretty helpful.

There's 2 Honda Bros in Freedom Honda. A 650 and a 400. To look at them you'd swear they were identical in capacity.

**Karma** · 23rd December 2006, 19:01

ZXR 400 for sale

**MotoGirl** · 23rd December 2006, 19:24

If I were you, I'd go straight to a 600. They're not as intimidating, tall, or heavy as some of the bigger bikes, and they're not gutless like some of the 400s around. If you buy something similar to what you have now, you're likely to get sick of it too quickly and want something with better handling/more power etc.

Any of the modern 600s should be fine, just pick something that suits your riding style and level of comfort/handling you want. If you're not into thrashing a bike, maybe look at a 1000cc V twin, such as a VTR1000 or the SV1000.

**Pussy** · 23rd December 2006, 19:42

Originally Posted by MementoMori

Hey, just after a bit of advice really.

Back home in the UK, there's a massive market for 400 - 600s, 500's being the popular beginner's bike for those just passed their test. Consequently I ended up with an ER-5 which was pretty perfect for me, if a little underpowered.

I've noticed since moving here, that there doesn't seem to be too much of a mid range market, and that you progress from a 250 to something like a 750 or litre bike.

But being short, skinny and female, I'm not too sure a high capacity bike's quite what I'm after. I don't really wanna go back to learner bikes, though the Hyosung GT250 got a decent enough write up in this month's Motorcycle Trader.

I'm just wondering if perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place, and if there are many 500/600s around? So far I have seen one 500.

If not, what kind of bike do people generally progress on to once they've passed their test?

Thanks a lot.

My wife has just bought a K6 GSX-R750. She's not that tall, and finds it easier to manouvre around than the K5 SV650S she had. Annie test rode the K6GSX-R600 as well, and loved that too. The new generation 600/750 is physically quite a small bike, easy to manage, and both have more grunt than a mob of pigs at feeding time