Comfy sports bike 10 - 12k - do they still exist?

[zeocen]

Well I had an unsuccessful shopping day on Saturday, which is par for the course, being mid holidays and all. Mt Eden was first up with a black ZX6R '07 there, but was then told that a deposit had already been made on it, but still may come available if the depositee gets declined for an NZ license.

At any rate I had a sat on it, not sure on what the difference is position wise between the 05/06 and 07/08 but it felt a lot more fuller for my legs, actually quite liked it. But I also know that I'll need to get a good ride in to really test, as once the feet are off the ground and on the pegs, that is when you get lazy and put weight on the wrists.

The dimensions between the ZX6 and ZX-10 seemed miniscule, the only noticable difference was the seat height from ground, which becomes void as soon as you put your feet on the pegs, it seems like the same distance there. So I guess I don't need to go to a litre bike as a tall guy - I'm happy with that.

From there I traulled Barrys Pt Rd but no one was open, scooted past AMPS and they weren't open too so I cut my losses and headed home via Botany - had a look at Botany Honda and got well ignored, lucky for them they had next to nothing that held my interests or they could have been out of a bike sale.

I think I've narrowed it down to the ZX6R, CBR1000 or the GSXR750. The latter are more expensive and I am the epitome of Kawasaki fanboyism, but comfort-wise I have heard nothing but good things about the GSXR600/750, so it may just sway me. Now I Just have to find a shop that's open!

[zeocen]

mate sounds like you are going through what ive had to. im so stoked with what i got - zx 9r. i went riding with 2 hard charging 05 cbr1000rr today on some really tight roads (forgotten highway stratford to wanga) and my bike did the business! even had more low down grunt than the cbr's! Im a big lad (check profile pic) and the bike fits me a treat. Dont buy anything else until you try one.

Sam

Mate I would love a ZX7 or ZX9, but at this stage I'm not going any older than 2004. I've had my share of nice-but-redlined-24/7 bikes that I've been well put off the later models

[SixPackBack]

Well I had an unsuccessful shopping day on Saturday, which is par for the course, being mid holidays and all. Mt Eden was first up with a black ZX6R '07 there, but was then told that a deposit had already been made on it, but still may come available if the depositee gets declined for an NZ license.

At any rate I had a sat on it, not sure on what the difference is position wise between the 05/06 and 07/08 but it felt a lot more fuller for my legs, actually quite liked it. But I also know that I'll need to get a good ride in to really test, as once the feet are off the ground and on the pegs, that is when you get lazy and put weight on the wrists.

The dimensions between the ZX6 and ZX-10 seemed miniscule, the only noticable difference was the seat height from ground, which becomes void as soon as you put your feet on the pegs, it seems like the same distance there. So I guess I don't need to go to a litre bike as a tall guy - I'm happy with that.

From there I traulled Barrys Pt Rd but no one was open, scooted past AMPS and they weren't open too so I cut my losses and headed home via Botany - had a look at Botany Honda and got well ignored, lucky for them they had next to nothing that held my interests or they could have been out of a bike sale.

I think I've narrowed it down to the ZX6R, CBR1000 or the GSXR750. The latter are more expensive and I am the epitome of Kawasaki fanboyism, but comfort-wise I have heard nothing but good things about the GSXR600/750, so it may just sway me. Now I Just have to find a shop that's open!

The best road bike. Contact enigma51 he is currently selling his at a give away price

[Kwaka14]

I had an 05 ZX12r which was pretty comfy for me - 6'3" and a over 100kg, was no problems doing 900 or more k's (rode from Queenstown to Auckland almost non-stop - only stopping for a break on the Ferry and fuel) and was no problems for me, you need to a little bit to get them to handle very well though...

[zeocen]

Well I've just come back from test riding a ZX6R 2007 model. Unsatisfactory A fucking shame because I love those bikes so much, it pisses me off that I literally cannot fit on it. I got up to a dead end and couldn't turn on full lock because my hands would hit my knees, and riding it was pretty uncomfortable with the bars SO low. It's not that they're out and forward, it's that they are LOW, really, really low.

I tried to find a GSXR600/750 around K5/K6 era but none were to be found, Colemans Suzuki weren't very receptive. :/

Is there anyone who could tell me if the gixxer's bars are as low as the ZX6's? That's the main/only issue on these bikes. If this is a trend with later model sport bikes then I guess my tall physique has been phased out Might have to go the way of a performence tourer or naked bike. I just really love the feeling of tucking into a corner in the "sportbike" position and going around.. not fast, not ridiculous maneuvers, I just like the position, it feels great and makes riding so enjoyable.

So as a ZX6R 2007 as a base point, where should I go from here? Are CBR600/1000s worth checking or will it be much more of the same, do I go british? So many options and so little options both at the same time!

[nallac]

if you love the zx so much,what about putting a set of high rise clipons on?.

[limbimtimwim]

Is there anyone who could tell me if the gixxer's bars are as low as the ZX6's? That's the main/only issue on these bikes. If this is a trend with later model sport bikes then I guess my tall physique has been phased out Might have to go the way of a performence tourer or naked bike. I just really love the feeling of tucking into a corner in the "sportbike" position and going around.. not fast, not ridiculous maneuvers, I just like the position, it feels great and makes riding so enjoyable.

There is a K6/7 GSXR600 at TSS in Wellington, saw it today, looked very tidy. But you probably want more accessible power, so find a 750 if you can.

K5/K6 GSXR1000 feels has almost identical riding position. Try one of those if you like.

Don't worry too much about how it has been ridden. They are excellent bikes in terms of reliability and longevity.

[zeocen]

if you love the zx so much,what about putting a set of high rise clipons on?.

The only one that will work is the helibars for the '07/08 but with the current exchange rate and the purchase of a new bike it's just not sensible to do so. Especially if I don't know that that will fix the problem. All other models seem to have fairing collision issues.

[Hitcher]

Seems like an FJR1300 will fit the bill for you nicely...

[zeocen]

I'll politely decline Hitcher, if I was going to go back to the heavy weights I would be headed back towards the Blackbird.. though I have ridden the old man's workmates 08(?) FJR... was eerily stress relieving but I have commuting in mind too.

In a 180 spin, while test riding the ZX6 I was pointed by the sales man to the Z1000, he touched on it breifly knowing I wanted the heads down arse up approach, but I'm slowly realising my disability in being a 'tall cunt'. I'm planning for a long test ride of this bike on Saturday, the price is very desireable and the quality of parts (suspension, etc) seem quite nice. A mixed review on how well it corners but is apparently very nimble at slow speed (overall falling just short of the FZ1 I read).

Anyone got any personal experience on these? It may be heavier than I want but it ticks every other box and what I lose on sports I gain in comfort.

[Gremlin]

I'll politely decline Hitcher,

Anyone got any personal experience on these? It may be heavier than I want but it ticks every other box and what I lose on sports I gain in comfort.

Oh go on, stick his silly idea up his ass

No personal experience, but suspension wise, and against its competitors, it doesn't stack up too well. It has a zx9r engine, but for a more budget bike, it has a decent engine.

[zeocen]

Well I mean it's a good choice of bike (FJR), but a bit impractical for what I'm wanting.

Re. the Z1. That's strange, I read that the suspension was fairly good for the price of the bike

[short-circuit]

If you're starting to think about the Z1000 then what about Triumph?: I realise the new Triumph Speed Triples are getting up there in price, but have you thought about a Street Triple? I mean Gubb's a big bastard and he has no problems on it whatsoever - pillion and all.

[zeocen]

Mate I would love a Street Triple, I'm just not sure on the price. There aren't many second hand, it seems people hold onto them when they get them. I love those bikes, I just don't think it fits in the 10 - 12 (or now 10 - 13ish) bracket.

[short-circuit]

Every now and again one pops up in that price bracket and more will with the R model on it's way.

Go test ride one in the meantime - where there's a will there's a way