The best day I've had in ages... let the test riding begin!

[chocobo_ff]

Went for my 6F at 8am this morning, and after about 20 minutes, I was riding away from the AA station a happy man with a list of bike shops to visit... yep I passed the test!

Anyway, got to test ride a couple of bikes today (ER-6F and SV650), both nice bikes, a lot more fun than my little Yamaha, and er broke the speed limit a "few" times because I wasn't used to the acceleration of the bigger bikes and before I realised I was doing 70-80 in 50km zones

I've also had a look at the new Honda CB600F, very very nice bike, I'm waiting for a test ride as the dealer wanted to get one of their staff to ride it and scrub the tyres first (fair enough, don't want to go out on brand new tyres!). So hopefully I'll be back in a few days to test ride that

As things stand right now, the SV650 is out (great bikes, but I just don't like it), tested the ER-6F, be keen to test an ER-6N if I can track down a demo (just to see the difference of the two), going to test the CB600F, and maybe have a look at the Transalp while I'm at it

Anyone got any suggestions on what else I should be looking at? I thought about the Street Triple, don't really like the looks of the headlights from the website, but maybe I'll change my mind if I see one in person... where can I find a Street Triple in Auckland? Had a look at AMPS website, they don't seem to have one, didn't see anything on TradeMe either...

[DarkLord]

It only took you 20 minutes to pass your full?

What exactly did they test you on and where did you do the test? I'm going for mine end of next month...

[Hitcher]

Take a Shiver for a ride too. $14,995 plus ORC is a pretty good deal for a bike of this quality.

[Hiflyer]

where can I find a Street Triple in Auckland? Had a look at AMPS website, they don't seem to have one, didn't see anything on TradeMe either...

theres a harley davidson and triumph dealer on Khyber pass i know theyve got 1 or 2 mite be a speed and a street? but im not entirely sure if there availible to ride.

They alson have a daytona there 2

[Squiggles]

Anyone got any suggestions on what else I should be looking at?

TL1000 for pure awesomeness.

[chocobo_ff]

Take a Shiver for a ride too. $14,995 plus ORC is a pretty good deal for a bike of this quality.

Thought the Shiver is $16995 or something? But yes, saw a Shiver today, looks damn nice Don't think that was their demo bike though... and it looked like it was going to rain so I didn't bother asking, which was... stupid

It only took you 20 minutes to pass your full?

What exactly did they test you on and where did you do the test? I'm going for mine end of next month...

20-25, I started at 8.05 and was back at the station before 8.30 Was at AA Meadowlands.

Basically everything that's outlined in the road code, but because there was hardly any cars on the road, we covered everything in a short period of time. If you've been riding for a while, then as long as you stick to the speed limit, check your mirrors periodically and indicate (especially coming out of roundabouts), you'll be fine

[chocobo_ff]

theres a harley davidson and triumph dealer on Khyber pass i know theyve got 1 or 2 mite be a speed and a street? but im not entirely sure if there availible to ride.

They alson have a daytona there 2

That's AMPS, didn't actually get a chance to go in today because I was too hungry after a whole morning of browsing and so came home for lunch (stupid I know!)

TL1000 for pure awesomeness.

Hmm... probably something a bit smaller and no offense to Suzuki owners but I just can't seem to get myself to like Suzukis for no obvious reason!

[Stirts]

CONGRATS ON THE PASS!!

ER6N All the way, they are fun fun fun!!! Not that I have much to compare it with

[Hiflyer]

That's AMPS, didn't actually get a chance to go in today because I was too hungry after a whole morning of browsing and so came home for lunch (stupid I know!)


Hmm... probably something a bit smaller and no offense to Suzuki owners but I just can't seem to get myself to like Suzukis for no obvious reason!

ohhh haha i sometimes cbf'd learning names of dealers, haha but yea i love that place! i work like 5mins walk from there so i'll go in if i'm bored haha


and its obvious why you cant like suzuki's. . .its cos theres so much more talent out there haha (like hyosungs )

[Matt]

Yeah I loved my old ER6n, a real doddle to ride plus it was a useful chunk cheaper than the "F" when I bought it - try a Versys too if they have one.

Other than that GSR600?

Matt

[chocobo_ff]

ohhh haha i sometimes cbf'd learning names of dealers, haha but yea i love that place! i work like 5mins walk from there so i'll go in if i'm bored haha

Yeah I go past there sometimes (work in the city), definitely need to go in sometime though. I reckon I need to take an early lunch break on Friday and hope that no one notices I don't return after lunch...

Yeah I loved my old ER6n, a real doddle to ride plus it was a useful chunk cheaper than the "F" when I bought it - try a Versys too if they have one.

Other than that GSR600?

Matt

Have not seen a single Versys the whole day but yes would be keen to have a go on that if I can find one (since it's the same type of bike as the Transalp that I want to have a look...)

[Hiflyer]

Yeah I go past there sometimes (work in the city), definitely need to go in sometime though. I reckon I need to take an early lunch break on Friday and hope that no one notices I don't return after lunch...

they also have a repsol race replica cbr1000rr haha give taht a o and see how you like it!!!!

[tide]

tested the ER-6F, be keen to test an ER-6N if I can track down a demo (just to see the difference of the two),

Congrats...

As for the bikes... there is no diff between the ER-6N and ER-6F other than the fairing and the N has a digital display. the ride and seating positions are the same... I doubt you'll find a demo of the N... as dealers seem to think they are not that popular... I have the ER-6N read this ride report for more about it...

Wish the Honda (600 hornet) was out when I was looking... looks a very nice bike indeed...

Enjoy the test rides...

tide

[chocobo_ff]

Congrats...

As for the bikes... there is no diff between the ER-6N and ER-6F other than the fairing and the N has a digital display. the ride and seating positions are the same... I doubt you'll find a demo of the N... as dealers seem to think they are not that popular... I have the ER-6N read this ride report for more about it...

Wish the Honda (600 hornet) was out when I was looking... looks a very nice bike indeed...

Enjoy the test rides...

tide

The main thing I wanted check was wind protection with the ER-6N, that said, I could just get a windscreen if I wanted a bit less wind pushing against me... the one thing I didn't like about ER-6F though, I find the instruments too hard to read. Probably because I'm used to the red numbers on white on my bike, the black seemed to be harder to read. That or I was just too scared to take my eyes off the road for too long

But anyway, seems like I need to test the following:
- CB600F
- Street Triple
- Possibly Shiver and Monster 696 (Italian styling... )

Then to convince the gf why I should spend $10k+ on a bike and not her

[tide]

The main thing I wanted check was wind protection with the ER-6N, that said, I could just get a windscreen if I wanted a bit less wind pushing against me... the one thing I didn't like about ER-6F though, I find the instruments too hard to read. Probably because I'm used to the red numbers on white on my bike, the black seemed to be harder to read. That or I was just too scared to take my eyes off the road for too long

But anyway, seems like I need to test the following:
- CB600F
- Street Triple
- Possibly Shiver and Monster 696 (Italian styling... )

Then to convince the gf why I should spend $10k+ on a bike and not her

haha... mmm tbh... I don't find the wind a problem... in fact I find it better than the bike i had before (Hyobag GT250R) as the wind hits evenly on N... I find the speedo easy to read with the digital display. as someone has mentioned before have a look at the Suzuki GSR600. also look at the Yamaha FZ6S or N

Good luck with the gf.. lol