Brainstorming

**Mikkel** · 11th December 2007, 11:55

So I have this upcoming project in about 6-9 months time... And I was wondering if anyone could help me with a bit of a brainstorming session here.

I'm of course talking about what bike I should get myself when I get my full license.

I've been looking around and obviously have noticed some sexy machines out there. So I've thought about it for a while and decided that I probably wouldn't want to go as big as a 750cc or 1000cc sportsbike for my 2nd bike. I'm still keen on a fully faired sportbike (although that may change when I've tried on a couple of naked ones here and there)...

At the top of my wishing list right now is:

The Triumph Daytona 675 - 2006 onwards.

Pros: Sexy looks, fast, sexy sound, british, sexy...
Cons: Newish model -> expensive and not many 2nd hand around.

Another thing I've been thinking about (and yes it's a honda sorry!)

The Honda RVF400 - '94-'96

Pros: Looks like a lot of fun, not as expensive as the Daytona, fits the bill
Cons: Expensive for a 400cc, pretty hard to find in good nick, it's a honda...

These are just initial thoughts - I know there are heaps of run-of-the-mill jap sportsbikes out there in the 400-700ccm bracket... But don't know enough about them to have a clue as to whether I'd like them or not.

So that's where I'd appreciate some input from some of you guys! Any suggestions as to what bikes I should put on my "to check-out" list?

**madandy** · 11th December 2007, 12:03

Do you prefer a solid midrange or screaming top end?
Kwaka 636 are noice

**James Deuce** · 11th December 2007, 12:13

Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head.

It's all speculation. You might buy an RVF and find it painfully uncomfortable after 10 minutes or find that the 675 feels like toy instead of a bike or you test a HD Nightster and absolutely fall in love and have to have it.

You won't know until you've ridden them.

**Mikkel** · 11th December 2007, 12:22

Originally Posted by madandy

Do you prefer a solid midrange or screaming top end?
Kwaka 636 are noice

Yeah, I shouldn't forget the 636... I'd say I don't mind something high-revving, but I'd prefer to have ample power without having to rev it's nuts off all the time. That's why I'm considering the IL3 and V4 of the bikes I mentioned above.

Originally Posted by Jim2

Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head.

It's all speculation. You might buy an RVF and find it painfully uncomfortable after 10 minutes or find that the 675 feels like toy instead of a bike or you test a HD Nightster and absolutely fall in love and have to have it.

You won't know until you've ridden them.

Yes, that is all true - and I wouldn't ever buy anything without testriding it thoroughly first.

All I'm asking for are suggestions about what bikes I should put on my list of bikes to consider. I'm just looking for inspiration really...

I'll think about the Nightster, but I doubt that's going to be my cup of tea for at least a few years to come

**madandy** · 11th December 2007, 12:42

What's this 'project' you've got planned? That might help select the right bike.

OT: what's the subject matter for your Phd?

**GaZBur** · 11th December 2007, 12:48

Originally Posted by Jim2

Don't ask us, we're idiots.

Look with your heart
Test with your bum
Buy with your head....
You won't know until you've ridden them.

Jim2 is almost right. But you test them out and decide what you WANT to buy. Its an emotional decision usually just ask any top salesman, then you use your brain to make up good reasons for why you made your decision.
So just enjoy the testing you are gonna have to put yourself through before you make your clearly considered and not at all emotional decision. Yeah right!!!

**Mikkel** · 11th December 2007, 12:52

Originally Posted by madandy

What's this 'project' you've got planned? That might help select the right bike.

OT: what's the subject matter for your Phd?

This project:

Originally Posted by Mikkel

So I have this upcoming project in about 6-9 months time... And I was wondering if anyone could help me with a bit of a brainstorming session here.

I'm of course talking about what bike I should get myself when I get my full license.

Sending PM about the PhD stuff...

**car** · 11th December 2007, 13:48

Originally Posted by Mikkel

The Honda RVF400 - '94-'96

Pros: Looks like a lot of fun, not as expensive as the Daytona, fits the bill
Cons: Expensive for a 400cc, pretty hard to find in good nick

*sigh*

Go and get one, right now, and then come back and tell me what a great time you're having on it, and watch me cry into my beer about how I shoulda shipped mine over...

:'(

If I had the budget, I'd buy one at the drop of a hat. The only downside for me is that, as you say, they're just a bit expensive, both to buy (if you're looking for a decent one) and to run. If you're not doing the work yourself, servicing them according to book is a pain in the ass and the wallet. f you do it yourself, it's mostly just a pain in the ass, or the knuckles, depending on how you hold your screwdriver.

but mine was expensive to buy, in the context of the market I bought it in, and I never regretted the purchase for a moment.

Other than servicing, I never had any complaints. Looked and sounded the dog's bollocks, had enough oomph to keep me happy, inspired confidence at every turn. Needs a slightly fruitier exhaust than the Honda stocker but, apart from that, pretty darned perfect.

**Dave-** · 11th December 2007, 14:20

same boat as me mike.

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k

**Mikkel** · 11th December 2007, 14:25

The RVF400 seems formidable, but finding one is going to be an issue! There is a RVF750 on trademe - but I think that is out of my league both powerwise and pricewise

Originally Posted by Dave-

same boat as me mike.

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k

The Daytona 650 from before 2006 doesn't float my boat to be honest...

And the 675 are pretty dear from new and used they'll still be around $15k I guess...

**skelstar** · 11th December 2007, 14:38

Originally Posted by Dave-

I've been eyeing up a triumph daytona 650 from '02 onwards they float around $10k

As was I before buying my Hornet. Darn hard to find, but loved the looks of the thing. Was convinced that it would be a nightmare finding parts for it should the need arise.

Its almost a good idea to buy something super-generic for your first 'big bike' so you can sort out what you want, and not get stung on resale/small market.

**jrandom** · 11th December 2007, 14:44

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

Mikkel, just buy the newest bike you can afford, and leave the finickity enthusiast type machines for later on when you can have two bikes in the garage.

**car** · 11th December 2007, 14:50

Originally Posted by jrandom

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

As long as you feed it $150 worth of spark plugs every 4000km, it'll be just fine.

Seriously, reliability was never an issue with mine, but I bought one that had been treated well, and I continued to service it every 4000km. YMMV.

**Mikkel** · 11th December 2007, 15:31

Originally Posted by jrandom

I personally think that an RVF would be a terrible idea inasmuch as it'd be bound to suck money and spend far too much time not running quite as well as it should.

Mikkel, just buy the newest bike you can afford, and leave the finickity enthusiast type machines for later on when you can have two bikes in the garage.

If I just want a new "bike" I could go for this!

But I hear what you are saying - and I am of a mind to buy something newish. Still I think the RVF looks like an awesome machine (if a bit on the small side, but hell I'm still learning here!). And if the bike has been taken good care of I don't think age is too much of an issue.