Tell me what I want...

[Ocean1]

OK, thinking (and I use the word in it’s broadest possible sense) about buying a road bike
Done a bit of research but I’m missing some of the basics I need to even start deciding what might be a good choice.

Familiar with dirt bikes, mostly big-ish dirt bikes, killed a few of ‘em over the years. Currently got a KLX400R, road legal and while I mostly use it off road I do use it to commute in summer and for general tooling around on nice weekends, plan on keeping it because it’s just so damn versatile.

Intended use for the road bike is purely recreational, not for day to day use. Got in mind day trips up the coast or the wairarapa and a few 3 to 5 day sabbaticals a year. I’m 6’2, around 90Kg so it needs to be a reasonable physical size. Needs 2 seats, 2nd one won’t get used much but it will get used.

Have ridden a few road bikes, just not many and not recently. From the little experience I have had and the few things I’ve picked up from basic research I’ve got some idea of what I think might suit me. I can’t imagine needing more than 100hp to keep me entertained, that might change after a while but I think it’s plenty enough to start with. That’s what 650 to 800cc in a sports bike?

How important is weight? I’ve found there’s a definite upper end for dirt bikes when it comes to pushing things along a bit. I see the light end of road bikes of the above size seems to be around 160Kg, is it reasonable to expect a slightly more touring oriented version to be not too much more than that? I like torque, dirt or road I seem to do best with bikes I can short shift and tractor away through an apex, does that indicate a V twin?

One of the things I find hard is evaluating things like riding position and fairing style etc, the sport/tour compromise. If I had to describe the extent of my “sports” requirements I’d have to say I’ll never be pushing it much past “brisk”. I don’t have a problem with stopping for a break every hour or so, so I don’t need an armchair either, wouldn’t want the weight of a full “touring” bike anyway. On the other-other hand I can see that too much weight on the arms would get old on a longer trip...

My uninformed eye has taken a fancy to the Triumph 675 but I need a better understanding of the issues and way more advice before I’ll start seriously considering anything. No hurry, if I had something to play with next summer I’d be happy but I wonder if I’d get better deals buying through winter?

I know all the above still leaves a bunch of unanswered questions but I gota start somewhere. Likely budget is around $15K but that’s not one of the main criteria, if there’s nothing suitable around that I could go down for a better value for money model, or up if I needed to for a good deal on a specific bike. I’d appreciate any advice or links to further basic reading or reviews so I can narrow the field down a bit.

What questions should I be asking dudes?

[James Deuce]

You want a Kawasaki Z750.

Comfy in a Dirt bike way, 100HP, and the new one has reasonable suspension so you won't need to be spending money on that straight away.

[Pwalo]

I reckon you need to do a tour of the bike shops and test as many different machines as possible. Sounds like the perfect excuse.

[Squeak the Rat]

You want a Kawasaki Z750.

Comfy in a Dirt bike way, 100HP, and the new one has reasonable suspension so you won't need to be spending money on that straight away.

Mmmmmmm, donughts....

[Devil]

Ah just buy a bandit 1250. Start it up, select 6th gear, let the clutch out, done.

[vifferman]

Sprots-tourers are going to be around 200kg (dry weight), but this is kind of irrelevant, because unless they're badly engineered, you won't really notice the weight.
I'm not going to advise you what to get, because unless you're one of that strange breed for whom it's just a 'thing', a mechanical object, there will be bikes out there that "do it for you", and other bikes that will just be, "Yeah... well it's a nice enough bike, but just doesn't feel quite right..."
Given that you like torque rather than revs, yes, that does suggest a v-twin. Given your height, that may rule out some of the sportier sprots bikes, and even some of the less sporty ones like the VTR1000 (I'm a tad over 6 foot, and found it a bit cramped in the seat to footpeg department). And also, given that you're used to dirt bikes, maybe you should be looking at something more like an adventure bike, as that would have ergos more like what you're used to and would find comfy.
If I were you, I'd check out some sprots-tourers like the VFR800, maybe something more sporty like a GSXR1000RR, and something like a Triumph Tiger, Buell Ulysses or the like from the advenure end of things, and a couple of more UJM kind of machines, like a Bandit 1200, FJR1300, that sort of thing.
Cover the spectrum, find out what style of bike suits, then whittle it down. With around 15K to play with (does this include road-oriented bike gear? Luggage?), you should be able to find summat to suit. AND have a lot of fun test-riding.

[Ocean1]

Ah just buy a bandit 1250. Start it up, select 6th gear, let the clutch out, done.

So, no substitute for cubes huh?

Sprots-tourers are going to be around 200kg (dry weight), but this is kind of irrelevant, because unless they're badly engineered, you won't really notice the weight.
I'm not going to advise you what to get, because unless you're one of that strange breed for whom it's just a 'thing', a mechanical object, there will be bikes out there that "do it for you", and other bikes that will just be, "Yeah... well it's a nice enough bike, but just doesn't feel quite right..."
Given that you like torque rather than revs, yes, that does suggest a v-twin. Given your height, that may rule out some of the sportier sprots bikes, and even some of the less sporty ones like the VTR1000 (I'm a tad over 6 foot, and found it a bit cramped in the seat to footpeg department). And also, given that you're used to dirt bikes, maybe you should be looking at something more like an adventure bike, as that would have ergos more like what you're used to and would find comfy.
If I were you, I'd check out some sprots-tourers like the VFR800, maybe something more sporty like a GSXR1000RR, and something like a Triumph Tiger, Buell Ulysses or the like from the advenure end of things, and a couple of more UJM kind of machines, like a Bandit 1200, FJR1300, that sort of thing.
Cover the spectrum, find out what style of bike suits, then whittle it down. With around 15K to play with (does this include road-oriented bike gear? Luggage?), you should be able to find summat to suit. AND have a lot of fun test-riding.

Thanks dude, good data. Yup the Buells hadn't escaped my attention, hadn't spotted the Ulysses though, looks interesting. Don't necessarily need to feel like I’m on a dirt bike, riding style is something I think you negotiate with the particular bike. Dirt bikes can be bloody tricky on the blackstuff, the suspension travel means lots of height, you tend to steer ‘em with the throttle somewhat which means getting well fwd to weight the front and breaking the back loose. Can be done on the road, with enough power and some balls but I’d rather a road bike didn’t actually require that style.

The budget’s indicitave, it’s not what I can afford so much as what I can justify for a toy, I’ll use it regularly but it’s still a toy. I’ve got a good Technik jacket, good helmet (Airoh S4) and Spidi trou, might be a couple other items I’d want but I’m pretty sorted.

[Macktheknife]

I reckon you need to do a tour of the bike shops and test as many different machines as possible. Sounds like the perfect excuse.

That's what I was going to say, you need to go around the shops and take a couple for a spin, (I presume you have the appropriate licence.)
Not only does this give you a taste of the bike but it also lets you compare service and prices through the region.
The Bandits are great bikes and the new 1250's are improved again, but they are pretty heavy.
The Tiger is a bucket load of fun and you can go all over the place, check with Oldrider for more info.
Any of the sportier bikes (gsxr, R1, etc) are great fun and a real change from what you have, but not generally considered pillion friendly for long trips. Your comments indicate this could be important.
From your info I tend to lean towards a sports-tourer style, lots to choose from but the most important thing is go ride some and get a feel for what you like, once you narrow it down to a couple take the pillion along too and ask for their opinion on comfort.
Good luck

[Ocean1]

That's what I was going to say, you need to go around the shops and take a couple for a spin, (I presume you have the appropriate licence.)
Not only does this give you a taste of the bike but it also lets you compare service and prices through the region.
The Bandits are great bikes and the new 1250's are improved again, but they are pretty heavy.
The Tiger is a bucket load of fun and you can go all over the place, check with Oldrider for more info.
Any of the sportier bikes (gsxr, R1, etc) are great fun and a real change from what you have, but not generally considered pillion friendly for long trips. Your comments indicate this could be important.
From your info I tend to lean towards a sports-tourer style, lots to choose from but the most important thing is go ride some and get a feel for what you like, once you narrow it down to a couple take the pillion along too and ask for their opinion on comfort.
Good luck

Cheers dude, good advice.

Any advice on pillions? Looking for a sporty model there too, not too clapped out, not necessarily nekid but readily convertible, reasonably aerodynamic but well suspended…

[more_fasterer]

Sounds like you might want to give a VFR a try then... even though it is a Honda

But like has been said before, trawl the bike shops, ignore the sales spiel, test ride anything that remotely tickles your fancy

[Macktheknife]

Cheers dude, good advice.

Any advice on pillions? Looking for a sporty model there too, not too clapped out, not necessarily nekid but readily convertible, reasonably aerodynamic but well suspended…

My advice, stick to the models that may have a little higher mileage than new but have been well maintained. Most problems have been identified and addressed, might need a good servicing to begin with and regular attention to detail but value only increases over time.
Good luck

[Ocean1]

Oh I ain’t skeerd of the classic models… much, most of ‘em handle very nicely. And you’re right, with regular attention to the wee details they appreciate in value, good investment. The more desirable ones do tend to be pricey though, and some of them are fairly high maintenance. Not many of the better ones on the market either, lot of them get seriously bent and never come right, or regularly flogged and put away wet. Not really interested in restoring an old beater but there’s still the odd worthwhile ride on offer, often sitting around neglected, just gota keep an eye out.

[Toaster]

mmm bike shopping. At a similar size and weight to me, you may find the race bikes a bit cramped and hard on the wrists after an hour riding. Although if you like them then a GSXR750K4 or K5 is a good buy. I really enjoy my sports cruiser but you may be better off on something under 1000cc for a while. VFR maybe?

[Ocean1]

Hmm, must admit I started looking at Triumph 675s for that reason, lighter and maybe less likely to tempt me into reckless use of the wrist. I like the looks and stats of the Buells though, similar power and weight, mebe a little too sprotlike? And perhaps not too good on the back... what's the riding position like? How much trouble do you think the extra torque could get me into? Not as if we're talking 'Busa numbers here...

[Dooly]

Triumph Speed Triple.
Fast good all rounder.

But I am biased!