Am I Mental?

[CookMySock]

IMO, if you want a poke at a corner here and there, you will find such a large older bike a little more cumbersome. Most 650's will give you all the stoke you need. Wander up my way sometime, and we can ride/compare.

Tempting tho innit - I'm considering an R1 in December. This bike WILL BE well beyond (by several orders of magnitude) my means, ability, skill level, and everything else, and I have had more than a few concerned glances and lectures regarding this.

DB

[Ixion]

In general I deprecate inexperienced riders who want to buy large and powerful bikes before they have "served their time".

However, there are exceptions.

I normally consider it undesireable not because of any issues with the bikes per se, but because of the mind set which the wish to avoid the GDLS illustrates. Either "I want to go real real real fast all the time, motorcycling is all about top speed and nothing else". Which usually quickly leads to (at best) the hospital. Or, "This learning to ride properly is too hard, I want a big bike so I can use the throttle to compensate for my incompetence". A very frequent reason for the purchase of large crusiers. Or, "I am a shit hot boi racer with l33t skillz and no way am I going to be treated like inferior people". Not really the sort we want as motorcyclists

But there are sometimes other reaosns for 'novice on big bike'. One is the novice who genuinely needs to do long distances. The other,as here, is when the big bike 'just happens along'. Since the bike choice is driven by outside factors (inherited the bike, picked it up real cheap for some reason etc), rather than ego, the ego-driven factors usually present may not apply (may not, not will not).

So if you really want a big old tourer, go for it. But those old thous are not really 'fun' bikes. Good for long distance touring. But harder to ride than a modern bike and , compared to a modern one, brakes and handling will be mediocre at best. I ride bikes of that era , and earlier. I grew up with them, I'm used to them, and just compensate. Go slower. Brake earlier. Younger riders may not wish to accept such sacrifices.

[90s]

It's not really different at all. If I can ride one, so can you. It's all in the head. The only difference is the pushing around is a bit heavier but you get used to it pretty quick. Then there's the power but if you're responsible with it you'll be fine.

I went from my wee 600 to a ZZR1100 for about 4 months, no problem at all. Got back on my 600 and nearly pushed it out the shed door! Had to ring her little neck and she felt really gutless. Got used to the lack of power again tho.

I guess my advice on this to hubba gubba concerns riding needs and location. I live in West Auckland - its pretty hilly and uneven. I use it mainly for commuting. A CBR1000F would be a nightmare for me in many ways because:

1) you get used to heavy, but parking choice really narrows down. You need real flat areas to park beasts like that.
2) commuting a bike like that would not be great fun. Heavy, bulky.

If that applies to HG then this is probably not the best option.

But if you are doing mostly open road riding and maybe even a little touring this could be a great bargain. I agree with you that you adapt to the weight pretty easily in open riding.

[DarkLord]

First of all dude - yes you are mental. Sorry, couldn't resist

In all honesty man I wouldn't really be looking at a bike that old, true, a thou might suit you a bit more but I think '87 is a bit too old.

I know this cos of all of the horror stories Gordy has told me about his old Kawasaki GTR-1000, which was either an '87 or an '89, he said that things often broke down and that because the bike was so old it was hard to get the replacement parts for it when he needed them. He actually ended up making his own parts!! To most people that would be madness but this is Gordy however, as you well know.

He said that was a big lesson for him - buy newer. And I think he's right. However dude it's your call, we'll still be up for rides and beers anytime whether you decide to get it or not.

[celticbhoy]

I have just gone from a zzr 250 up to an old CBr750 and the weight difference is big and the power even with that jump very noticable. However after only a week got used to it and adjust accordingly. Corner a little differently with more steering/counter steering instead of just leaning the little one over. Did cost a grand to get back to fitness after having been garaged for some time. Loving it and now when jump back on the baby it is like a moped!!

[Gubb]

It's already WOF'd and Cert'd, so it's in pretty good knick. It would be mainly used for longer distance riding, as i'm not selling the 250. Plan on keeping that as the commuter (and ironically, by the sounds of it, the faster bike). It certainly doesn't seem like a fast bike per se, it's back wheel is pretty much the same size as the one on my Hyo.

Some awesome advice here, at that price, it seems so hard to pass up a good opportunity. I really couldn't give a toss about going really fast, and have already accepted that I am a pretty cautious rider, and don't take stupid risks. I think this could be a goer.

Am just about to sit down and flick off an email to the owner.

[90s]

and ironically, by the sounds of it, the faster bike

Hmmm, your bike is about 1/2 the weight of the CBR but if you think apart from ultra-low speed chicanes the CBR will not eat up the GT get ready for a shock. You might find the 132hp gives the 260kph top speed a little faster than your 140kph top.
I think you'll be fine with this bike - but make no mistake this is power and performance beyond what you can imagine off a 250.

I would discount totally the above post warning you against the age. Age is no criteria - condition is. Parts for CBR1000Fs are not rare, they are solid as, and this type of bike has generally more likely to have been pampered than thrashed.
All the usual servicing costs for an older bike will apply, but make sure you have it thoroughly checked over and you'll be OK.

Good luck!