After the EL?

[riffer]

John and Janet - this is perfect.

And its got suspension upgrades too. And its in the price range.

edit: arse. Looked at the comments. Its been sold. Sorry...

this could work though - an SRX400

or a GB400...

or what about a Bros400? Here's another one too.

[MSTRS:Me]

Yea Riffer, the GS was good. The others are not really in the hunt as they are too much cafe-racer type, not terribly suitable as the perfect all-rounder.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Yea Riffer, the GS was good. The others are not really in the hunt as they are too much cafe-racer type, not terribly suitable as the perfect all-rounder.

I think you'd be surprised at how usable that list above was. also if you get an SRX400 surely its just a bolt up to make it 660 (IF you could source the bits)..

of course its your money and your call... taking as many as possible for a spin will let you sort out what you like or not pretty quick.

[MSTRS:Me]

I think you'd be surprised at how usable that list above was. also if you get an SRX400 surely its just a bolt up to make it 660 (IF you could source the bits)..

of course its your money and your call... taking as many as possible for a spin will let you sort out what you like or not pretty quick.

Ahhh...this is YT we are looking for. And she is very definite about what she wants. I agree with you that there are plenty of candidates out there, but you don't have to live with her...

[yungatart]

Ahhh...this is YT we are looking for. And she is very definite about what she wants. I agree with you that there are plenty of candidates out there, but you don't have to live with her...

Sheesh! You make it sound like living with me is hard work....remember that I am the love of your life, the mother of your son, the lady who pushed you into getting back on to bikes, the one who cooks and cleans and washes for you.....(amongst other things)
I guess some could say I'm fussy, but why put up with just any old bike when I know that there will be the perfect bike for me.
I want something not too tall, not too heavy, not too powerful. It has to be have an upright seating position and be able to carry some luggage on the pillion seat or wherever.
I don't want a faired bike, I don't want a cruiser and I don't want a sports bike.
I would prefer something mid - 90's on.
Mstrs is the one that has put $$$$ parameters on it, not me!!
Now, am I really that difficult to please?
I think not!

[robertydog]

A woman that knows what she wants.

[Drum]

Hey YT. Why not try a 750? The step up is fine, I assure you. In fact it's just right !

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=97415616

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=97494182

[yungatart]

Gorgeous, Drum - but not too heavy was what I said - that has a dry wt of 201 kg!!!!!

[Horney1]

SV650 naked. Seat can be lowered if height is an issue (talk to Madduck). ER6N is also a really nice option.

I've heard the SV650 is a good bike to. Find a shop that's got one and take it for a ride. You don't have to buy it if it's not right. I'm not suggesting it over any of the many other choices though, but it's worth a ride I think.

Be careful if you try a TRX850, they're high geared so a little tricky off the mark and I burnt my leg a bit on the exhaust of the one I test rode back when they were new. Guess I shoulda been wearing long pants but I wasn't too concerned. Have fun.

Cheers

[Bonez]

Yea Riffer, the GS was good. The others are not really in the hunt as they are too much cafe-racer type, not terribly suitable as the perfect all-rounder.

Those "cafe racer" types might be just ideal. Tart just needs to give the ones suggested a try out. A mate and I have toured, commuted and more on our GB400s with no bother at all. The dual seat on a GB would be more suitable for alround usage though. They're cheap to purchase and run. They're no rocketship but a fun ride non the less.

It's been mentioned that the GS500 has a flat spot at a certain rev range. In reality it's probably illevent in the big scheme of things. A shit load of GS500 related stuff here- http://gstwin.com/

[Colapop]

Str8's looking at an SV650...

[Drum]

Gorgeous, Drum - but not too heavy was what I said - that has a dry wt of 201 kg!!!!!

How about the four hundie then? Dry weight of 185kg. Still too heavy? Only 40kg heavier than the EL.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...908250.htm?p=1

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...581590.htm?p=2

[paturoa]

My own personal preference is to step up to a 400-500 cc, rather than 650 straight away.

There is a Jap import SV400 version that has a good reputation as well - like this http://www.suzukicycles.org/SV-serie...0-SV400S.shtml

[yungatart]

How about the four hundie then? Dry weight of 185kg. Still too heavy? Only 40kg heavier than the EL.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...908250.htm?p=1

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...581590.htm?p=2

Nice, eh?
But I heard a rumour that the engines are 'weak'..anyone care to comment?has anyone got one of these?

[McJim]

Nice, eh?
But I heard a rumour that the engines are 'weak'..anyone care to comment?has anyone got one of these?

Take comments like that with a pinch of salt - I was told the 600ss would be gutless - it has twice the power of the VTR which I used to hoon around between 120kph and 140kph - the Duc scares the bejesus out of me at the moment.

coming off of a 250 Twin anything 400+ will feel powerful.

Surprised you haven't looked at a mid nineties Ducati Monster 400/600 though - you can get some of them around the $5,000 mark and it's a pretty special looking bike (remember to go for one with riser style bars not clip ons - yes - there ismore than one version) they ae economic on fuel (I worked out I would save $1,000 per 20,000km over a 400cc 4 cyl!) and the service interval;s are 10,000km rather than 6,000 or 8,000 like the jap bikes.

the Monster is not a sports bike (the GS500 is more of a sports bike than the Monster!). It has no fairing. you can get it in 400cc and 600cc.
It basically fulfils all the criteria you have described. Comfortable upright position and they are proper sexy looking bikes.

I have a stron Italian bias though - and I am appealing to your Italian bias - get a Ducati - you know you want one....