What bike to upgrade to?

[howdamnhard]

Well got my full so it's time to upgrade.Need something in which I can commute everday,go out for spin on the weekend with the missus on the back and the occasional tour.Needs to be have reasonable running costs and must be faired.I've narrowed it down to sport tourers:1)suzuki gsx750F
2)suzuki RF900
3)kawasaki ZX9R could anyone owning any of these bikes give me their feedback/thoughts of their pros and cons,fuel consumption,servicing costs etc.
Yes I know its a big step up and most go to a 600cc rating but I have a healthy sense of self preservation and don't want to be having to go out later and buying another bigger bike.
Cheers thanks.

[Gremlin]

3)kawasaki ZX9R could anyone owning any of these bikes give me their feedback/thoughts of their pros and cons,fuel consumption,servicing costs etc.Yes I know its a big step up and most go to a 600cc rating but I have a healthy sense of self preservation and don't want to be having to go out later and buying another bigger bike.

Don't know how old you are, but hell, thats a big step from a gn250. Don't let its age deceive you, they are deceptively quick and powerful bikes. They had more power and less weight (some years anyway) than the zx7r, of which the rr version was raced.

Big bikes drink gas, be prepared for a shock from your frugal gn. It doesn't matter too much how they are ridden, from my experience of riding big bikes. Yes, they drink more in country, but not by much. They also use more tyres, brakes, more expensive servicing etc.

You HAVE to test ride bikes as well... no-one will be able to give you an absolute, as you have to be comfortable on whatever you choose.

[Mikkel]

Congratulations on getting your full!

Yup, go out to dealers around town and ask to try out some of their demonstrators. That'll give you an idea I reckon

Enjoy!

[0arbreaka]

From something like a gn250, something like a sv650 or something in the 600cc range would be ideal, then from there move up to a big bike. Thats just my 0.02c.

[howdamnhard]

Well went out and took all 3 for a test ride and still can't make up my flaming mind.Took a tidy RF900 out first.Found the ride uncomfortable(was expecting this after just getting off the GN).Nice linear power delivery.Then took out a ZX9R,expected this to be more uncomfortable but surprisingly it was better and the steering seemed lighter.Awesome power,oops thats not 100km/h but 100mph.Then went to another bike shop and tried out a new GSX750F.Comfortable but right wrist got pins & needles,seems a little buzzy.Power comes in at higher revs than the other two.Back brake a little vague as in if you used only me you probably won't stopping for quite some time.Took out a not so tidy RF900 out afterwards,clutch takes near end of travel and front suspension a little soft.This time however felt much more comfortable and I could have cruised down the motorway all day long.
I am fairly aged and whilst doing my testrides erred on the side of caution ,being on unfamiliar bikes with 4 times the power of my GN.Unfortuneately no clear winner so fellow KBers further imput welcome.Ps.Lots of cops out and about today saw one golden mufti and some more using laser.

[howdamnhard]

Don't know how old you are, but hell, thats a big step from a gn250. Don't let its age deceive you, they are deceptively quick and powerful bikes. They had more power and less weight (some years anyway) than the zx7r, of which the rr version was raced.

Big bikes drink gas, be prepared for a shock from your frugal gn. It doesn't matter too much how they are ridden, from my experience of riding big bikes. Yes, they drink more in country, but not by much. They also use more tyres, brakes, more expensive servicing etc.

You HAVE to test ride bikes as well... no-one will be able to give you an absolute, as you have to be comfortable on whatever you choose.

Took all three out for a ride today.The Zx9r and rf900 were both deceptively fast.I found the Zx9r the sportiest and nicest to ride but they are also the most expensive and the worst pillion seat.The Gsx750F is the smallest step up and I'm afraid I may get bored with it and its kinda buzzy and gave me a numb wrist.The Gsx will probably be the cheapest to run.

[Mikkel]

Good on ya.

Maybe you shouldn't limit yourself to such a narrow span of bikes. I'd say go try as many different things you can possibly get away with. Then let it sink in for a couple of days, narrow it down, focus on the things you remember as being good, etc. Then narrow your target down to one or two types of bike. Then try that type of bikes again. Then start thinking about make and model.

That's what I would do anyway. Enjoy your toy shopping!

[P38]

Good on ya mate.

Suzuki Boulevard C50T.

Cant go wrong.

Best bike out there for commuting, Touring and your missus will love it too.

Comfy as a couch.

Check out the Shadow or the Vulcan if you must but the boulevard will beat them all.

But then I'm pretty much one eyed.

Cheers
P38

[Edbear]

Good on ya mate.

Suzuki Boulevard C50T.

Cant go wrong.

Best bike out there for commuting, Touring and your missus will love it too.

Comfy as a couch.

Check out the Shadow or the Vulcan if you must but the boulevard will beat them all.

But then I'm pretty much one eyed.

Cheers
P38

Don't listen to him! He's obviously biased! I, on the other hand can be completely objective!

The Suzuki C50T Boulevard is, after careful and unbiased investigation, the best bike on the road, currently...

[jafar]

Good on ya mate.

Suzuki Boulevard C50T.

Cant go wrong.

Best bike out there for commuting, Touring and your missus will love it too.

Comfy as a couch.

Check out the Shadow or the Vulcan if you must but the boulevard will beat them all.

But then I'm pretty much one eyed.

Cheers
P38

Don't listen to him! He's obviously biased! I, on the other hand can be completely objective!

The Suzuki C50T Boulevard is, after careful and unbiased investigation, the best bike on the road, currently...

As the man would like a faired bike RF900 etc you guys are

A Honda CB 1300s or a Suzuki 1200 bandit may suit him better

[howdamnhard]

Don't listen to him! He's obviously biased! I, on the other hand can be completely objective!

The Suzuki C50T Boulevard is, after careful and unbiased investigation, the best bike on the road, currently...

HA,HA very good guys Not to sure how well it will handle the twisties and I would like a fairing to reduce the wind blast at higher speeds.

[howdamnhard]

As the man would like a faired bike RF900 etc you guys are

A Honda CB 1300s or a Suzuki 1200 bandit may suit him better

HMM a CB1300 or Suzuki 1200 may be a bit big and heavy on the gas.

[jafar]

HA,HA very good guys Not to sure how well it will handle the twisties and I would like a fairing to reduce the wind blast at higher speeds.

They handle the twisties ok, the screens will take care of the windblast

HMM a CB1300 or Suzuki 1200 may be a bit big and heavy on the gas.

RF900 weighs in around the same as a 1200 bandit or a cb1300, the bandit & cb have a bit more power obviously.
My cb 1300f is averaging 18km per litre & I don't ride for economy. Hope this helps

[howdamnhard]

My cb 1300f is averaging 18km per litre & I don't ride for economy. Hope this helps [/QUOTE]

Thats pretty good for a 1300,will have to add that to my list of testbikes.Whats the other running costs like.What year is it?

[P38]

HaHaHa true I am biased and one eyed too.

Edbear on the otherhand has carefully considered the requirements and is totally neutral.
Yet he also came to the same conclusion.

Go Figure!.

Jafar:
It's never off topic when encouraging another motorcyclist to see the light and step on into the "Brotherhood of the Cruisers"

Besides Mum will get a bloody sore ass riding up back on a RF900.
Then you'll hear grizzles.
Before ya know it the bike will be traded on a little blue Echo and that will be that.

Ride em all,
Flip a coin,
Sing Eany Meany,
Or whatever else you need to do to choose
What ever you do at the end of the day your spoiled for choice.

Just remember this.

Be Bloody Carefull Out There!!!

[

CENTER]Ride like everone is out to get ya
Cos they ARE!!!

[/CENTER]