New Bike Required?

[Hooks]

You should seriously look at a GSX1100F I reckon. I've seen them selling at under $5k on TradeMe. An earlier FJ1200 should be within that range as well if you shop around privately.

i agree ... my old girl is probably older than you want ...... but as a bike for all around fun and 2 up comfy touring it can't be beat !! She fires first time every time and apart from the tendancy to shed mirrors every now & then is reliable and easy to work. Parts too aren't too much of a prob ... so I reckon you could worse than one like that !!

[toads]

this is a bloody nice bike, identical to mine in all respects except the engine is a 750, mine is a 400, if I had a spare couple of grand I'd be buying this beasty, it would be an ideal bike for vicki if she wanted to have her own bike

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-16401712.htm

[cycosis]

Buy a Honda and you'll be sorted..

[White trash]

Not be a Gold Wing or a Virago / Suzuki V twin cruiser thing


Suzuki

VS800

Ummmmm. What's this then?

[toads]

Ummmmm. What's this then?

hehehe, you're sharp today WT LOL

[F5 Dave]

Got to vote for the RF. So much bike for the money. 9k, you’re pullin my leg! They got down to $10999 & some people are still smarting from buying them at $17k when they were new -ouch.

I bought mine for $5k. It wasn’t a junker. It had been repainted to a pretty average job & the discs needed skimming but otherwise sound. Bargain I thought & I was specifically looking for a bike for 2 up touring. I'm not proud of it (note no listed in bikes list) but does it's job v.nicely. OK you might pay a little more than I did but sub $7k once modded is too easy.

There are a few mods to be done to make them a bit more apt at this but they run into a couple of hundred so no big deal (like putting a couple of plates to lower the pillion pegs & moving the indicators back).

[mangell6]

What about a Kawasaki GPZ900, its a " Classic japanese muscle bike, very tidy NZ new machine", Yamaha XJ600, or a new "Royal Enfield". Could have a 1953 one for $6k.
Need to choose what is more comfortable, leaning forward or upright.

[MacD]

Got to vote for the RF.



There are a few mods to be done to make them a bit more apt at this but they run into a couple of hundred so no big deal (like putting a couple of plates to lower the pillion pegs & moving the indicators back).

I bought my RF after looking around at options for a reasonable sports/tourer bike that would take a pillion. It rides well with a pillion onboard, but the pillion finds the pegs a bit high. Lowering the pillion pegs a bit would be a good idea. The Bandit would be probably be easier on the arms/wrists too, but I really like the RF and would get another one.

[F5 Dave]

OK wrist problem
Find F1 engineering (Steve somebody (Bridge?), Rapidart or something he has a website named as) & give him whatever he asks for his bar risers. They are well made & take the bad angle out of the std bars if you rotate them forward a bit. + a bit higher. Worth every cent. I’m 5”9 & not too high for me.

Pillion pegs
Make 2 plates out of 8-10mm ally about the size of your fist. Drill 4 holes, 2 mount to where the pegs used to be, & the other 2 ~ 50mm down & ~30mm forward. The pipe will need to be strategically cut & sectioned so it takes on less of an angle (attaches to the peg mount) but it won’t scrape & this helps the panniers not get burnt bottoms.

Move the indicators back so you can fit luggage.

Oh & the thermostat needs to be replaced with a car one, but do a search for my thread on this.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Right....

Lets just assume I've totally lost my mind.... I want to keep the Mk2 as I bloody love it... It's a REAL good bike......

But... 2 up touring?? Weeeell... We have done it but....... It needs abetter seat, pillion pegs are 2 high and...

So, if a penniless moron was to decide on a bike for two up work that would have to...

COMFORTABLE
Be easy to service
Stone Reliable
Cheap to run
Carry Luggage
Not be a Gold Wing or a Virago / Suzuki V twin cruiser thing

What would we buy? It should not be new 'cos I don't do new. I value reliable easy handling over power and could not give a rats arse about fashion.

My list is so far.

BMW

K100
K75
GS80
GS100

OK,I have been asked to advise you. Mainly on the basis I guess that I am well acquainted with the BMW twins of some years ago. For NZ conditions I would pick the K75 over the K100. The latter is too damn big. The 80 GS is not really on,youd find it a bit underpowered 2 up. The 100 GS fine but avoid the para lever if you can. They are a bit tender in that section.

But dont overlook the more common R 90 - bit dated now - or the R 100 in various guises. RT yes,but my pick would be the RS as long as you can find a nice one. Will take a while. Price dunno-too few are sold commonly. DONT make the mistake of looking for a bargain as you will be aware with the cost of spares,that bargain turns out very badly. If you find a nice low mileage one swallow hard and pay up. It is almost certain to be better than a cheapy. If you are into long-distance stuff the RS fairing is great. If you not fussed about comfort consider a plain R100. Should be some around with panniers etc but as I said they are in good homes and tend to stay there. Not often up for sale.



And there you go - the voice of wisdom on beemer twins - from 30 years riding them, fixing them, etc

Just quietly, there is a R100RS up here that might go for a good offer...

The twins are all easy to service - I guess you dont mind old considering what you are already riding. The K-Series have more CDI/computer units in them - not so easy to service yourself. The R65 we built, and I converted it from single coil electronic ignition to twin coil points ignition - cheaper to repair - thats just an example of how workable-on they are - I dont really know *that* much about electrics....

I've been a pillion on the R100RS and the R75/6 quite a lot until I got my own bike, and ask TS about the seating position on the R65 - similar to any other beemer twin. Seems to be very comfy, with a nice big pillion seat, and capacity for luggage...

[Mooch]

Paul ,
New a guy with a K100 , We used to joke about the K100 costing more in maintance than the BMW cage I drove a the time. Not sure how well the K100 runs on unleaded.I'd make sure that they don't "pink" on the unleaded like the car used too.
However , From Vicky's POV , people used to comment on how comfy the pillion seat was. The fairing was the other good point for both wind and rain.
What about an earlier VFR 750 ?.

Mooch

[Paul in NZ]

OK....

K75 / K100 is OUT. (too expensive to run)

FJ1200 is OUT. (Too little ground clearance)

Jap Cruisers... Nah... No quite me... XS2 is as far as I'll go.

BMW Airheads are IN

GSXR1100 with normal bars? Hmmmmm? Tyres / chains????

Bandit is winning.

WT. You KNOW what I'm talking about you dag! VS800 at least looks normal but that 1400 cruiser thing.... Shudder... Look, I might ride a Guzzi but I have standards OK... (just kidding, i have none)

Nope. A standard bike is kinda where I'm headed.....

Paul N

[MacD]

OK wrist problem
....
Pillion pegs
....
Oh & the thermostat needs to be replaced with a car one, but do a search for my thread on this.

I'd followed your thermostat thread and it's on my to-do list for the bike! I'm OK with the bars at present, but I'll definitely look at the pillion peg changes. Thanks for all the ideas!

[pipeman]

Hey Paul how about a VX 800 have one sitting in my gauage if interested

[Motu]

Had a guy in a couple of weeks ago with an FJ1200,he paid $1400 for,fitted a set of rear brake pads and took it to the South Island the next day - this is the kind of deal you are looking for correct? I rode it,fantastic bike,solid,powerful,comfortable,and just stone reliable.

VX800 was what I was going to say,best use of a cruiser motor I've ever seen,comforable,not mainstream,I'd like one.