Happy with what you’ve got?

[bluninja]

Funnily enough my previous bike was a blue zx9r c1 . Would have kept it longer than 3 years but I highsided it and the insurance company wrote it off (despite me doing 2 days on the track and 1500kms ride home after the off).

Loved the induction howl and the sudden kick in the seat as it took off over 8000rpm, but I lusted after the RSVR and once I'd ridden it that was it.

(so how much would your bike be with shipping to the UK thrown in?? )

[Deviant Esq]

Hate to spoil the party, but you could buy one in the UK cheaper. 2nd hand sportsbikes, even pretty new ones, with low mileage... they're almost throwaway prices here. I have to restrain myself, it's so tempting to buy one.

[Fat Tony]

I have to restrain myself, it's so tempting to buy one.

So buy one and join me on the twisties in the Dales at weekend - assuming that the snow's moved on obviously

Time for that beer yet?

[Deviant Esq]

So buy one and join me on the twisties in the Dales at weekend - assuming that the snow's moved on obviously

Time for that beer yet?

I would love to, but no doubt the insurance would be crippling!
It's still really tempting though! Which is why I have to hold myself back. Like when we went into that bike dealer the other day... They didn't have anything in my price range, but some where quite a lot newer than I'm looking at, and not much more money. And after reading the guide prices in the Superbike magazine... well, supremely tempting. No, dowwnnn boy.

Hell yes for the beer! The afternoon's taking it's time!

[bluninja]

I hear things are even cheaper ooop north Hey deviant.....you must get out of Leeds more ....I know the price of bikes here and in NZ.....and the shipping for a bike costs about £600....plus the £85 for the single vehicle type approval test, and VAT on the cost of the bike plus shipping and insurance.

[Deviant Esq]

Once the £600 shipping has been added and all the rest, it probably makes more sense to look for a good one in New Zealand if I'm just looking for a bike for myself. A bike dealer can import more bikes in one go and pay much less shipping per bike as a result, but for just one bike... I was thinking about buying one for being over here, and selling it again when I left - unless I fell in love with it too much... But I think it'll cost me too much to insure it while I'm over here. Compulsory insurance and all that, and since I've never had insurance over here, and no credit history... doesn't matter that I have a UK passport, doesn't help. I'd be paying through the nose I think. So I'm just gonna have to wait until I get back to NZ.



Anyway, back on topic please!

[Big Dave]

http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/flashvid/tubecover.html

[Edbear]

http://www.davidcohen.co.nz/flashvid/tubecover.html

BD you're subtlety incarnate, mate!

I'm always thinking about upgrading mine, but I have to be realistic as well. I've had it three years and two months and I've done 11,500km on it. It's been a fairweather toy for those days when health, time and weather combine to allow a ride.

I am slowly improving, healthwise and maybe a little bit time wise, so hope to do more riding, esp now the Missus is coming along on pillion and enjoying riding with friends. This means I may have to upgrade to a bigger bike or get her her own. Money the only hold up there.

The bike only has 41,000km on it and is in good nick and each time I ride it I come back happy. It goes quick, (one day I'll test the theoretical top speed), cruises at 110 easy, is comfortable and pretty economical. It handles and brakes well enough for my level of ability - it takes a good day and some effort to find its limits, by which time I'm having a ball!

In short, for $3,000 I've had three years of fun! All it's cost me is one service, a rear tyre and a battery, though it could do with a new chain now. How much would I need to spend to get better? Lots!

[justsomeguy]

(so how much would your bike be with shipping to the UK thrown in?? )

Too expensive to even bother calculating - and although it's an awesome bike - I don't think it's better than yours - all factors considered. If it was a ZX-10, then perhaps....

[Lissa]

Was happy with my bike... finally realised this weekend how slow she is.. bit of a snore really. Passing cars is a pain in the bum, have to really push her, and then she is so slow getting her speed up. Also shes brand new.. and already a bulb is blown in the headlight and my baffle fell off at the weekend. Now making plans to work out what my next bike is going to be.

[DMNTD:Me]

I'm more than happy with my bike but it has taken a fair few to get to the stage that I am now. I think I've found the bike that suits me however I still prefer to ride twins. Yeah I know it seems to be a contradiction but I'm enjoying the scream of an inline4 atm.
I'm also fortunate enough to be able to go and thrash m'Lady's RSVR if ever in need of the balls of a Twin and it's such a beautiful bike to ride with such an awesome set up that I do...often!

[BarBender]

We adopted Bluey 6 months ago.
Unloved by his natural parents in Japan he'd experienced isolation as they ignored him for his two younger brothers who were budding track stars and an older brother who on the surface was alot stronger and bigger than him.

Susequently he'd become an outcast and as a result very angry - almost psychotic. When at Mt Eden Motorcycles, the staff would often have to clean up the oil underneath the bikes immediately around him. Bluey would make them shit themselves. Staff didnt want to take him out because he was so unpredictable.

However when I first saw him I could see the potential. After some care and attention Bluey became a better bike. He now has regular physical checkups every 6000klms and visits the psychologist every 10,000kms. As a result of a visit to the psychologist last October, it was suggested that Bluey be prescribed with Ohlins to help him through his ups and downs and a brand new set of special cams to help him with his digestion. He is a changed bike!!

He plays nicely with other bikes on group rides...even Gixxers. Our children adore him and he's very protective of them. He never bites when he takes them for a ride. My wife didnt like him at first because he used to shake the house and rattle the windows when he woke up to go for a walk. But now - she misses him when he is not around...(because I aint )

On long trips he's very comfortable. On occassion I let Bluey loose and let him play at Drag Wars. On the 3rd of Feb he'll attend his first track day at Taupo.

Am I happy with what I've got. Shit yeah. Keeping up with the Jones' is overrated.
Is the grass greener on the other side? Dont know - I'm never tempted to look.

[McJim]

Too expensive to even bother calculating - and although it's an awesome bike - I don't think it's better than yours - all factors considered. If it was a ZX-10, then perhaps....

Remember in the UK they can buy a younger, lower mileage version of yours for about half the price.

I'm still wondering whether or not to buy a Ducati and bring it over.

750ss - UK Dealer Price $6,400 - 10,000km 2001
750ss - NZ Dealer Price $12,000 - 14,000km 2000

This is just from recent searches - there may be some reasonable NZ motorcycle dealers out there somewhere!

There are 2 bikes over here that would be worth exporting to the UK though.

1/ Britten
2/ Burt Munro's Indian Replica

I don't think there are any other bikes worth sending to UK though.

[KoroJ]

Loved my Intruder (1400)...until we had to go further than Wanganui two-up. I managed 18,000 miles in 15 months but The ST is a smooth ride. (I actually see cars clearly in the rear view mirrors now). We can takes lots more luggage, have room to spare on the seats, can trim the windscreen for the conditions (got caught in some rain without any wets but was still bone dry when I got home), 500Km on a tank (it's funny having to stop for a break when you don't have to fill-up), and it's generally an easy ride although I'm still geting used to the difference in style.

Overall, I'd have to say "O - for awsome"!!

[Bytor]

I know that torque is a big selling feature of the thousands but my 600 has plenty of mid range too. Interestingly on the weekend ride coming from Whangamata to Kopu I used basically third gear the same as my mate on the gixxer thou and I had more than enough grunt/power to overtake and keep on the pace for a road anyway. But while said mate had a good time I had a feckin scream
Sure I'd love a thou and have been offered rides a plenty but....I fear after riding one that I may want one. Maybe, for a very long time, I'm actually happy with my lot and if a few grand comes along then I'll look at spending it on the six. At least in the future I have a step up to go where as once you have the thou what do you get next?