GOT MY FULL... wot to buy?

**crash harry** · 26th January 2009, 13:52

Something like the FZR1000 is a huge bang for your buck, but beware just a little - those early 90s superbikes are a bit more of a handful than the newer thous - they're heavy and it shows. My first bike on my full was a 95 ZX-9R. Coming from a CBR250. I pulled through OK, so it can be done, but if I had my time over again I think I would have had more fun if I'd checked out some mid 90's 750s instead of the litre-class.

FZR750, ZX-7R (I saw your comment about no Kawasakis, but you're wrong you know, they are the most fun

), VFR750 (R or not, your choice...), GSXR SRAD, those kinds of bikes from the mid 90s are cheap enough but massive fun. If you want to cruise a bit more than sprint, the VFR is potentially the best bike in the entire world.

Other ones to consider - RF900 (heaps of poke), CBR900RR Fireblade (the original 92 model with the 16" front is a frikken blast!), Yamaha TRX850 (not so powerful as the other big twins but the handling is worth it), Yamaha thunderarse - sorry Thunderace - (great 2-up, loads of grunt).

Keep an open mind, all bikes are fun in their own way. My general advice would be to choose something that you enjoy riding without worrying too much what others will think of it - ie. don't get a thou for bragging rights, but by all means get one if it suits you best. And remember that the grin factor of pegging the throttle in a straight line on a 'busa gets old faster than the satisfaction of stropping a zxr400 through the twisties and getting it absolutely right.

**bsasuper** · 26th January 2009, 14:03

Another vote for the VFR750/800, they do everything-fast road bike,great touring bike, and even at track days can give the pure sports bikes a run for their money.

**Dragon** · 26th January 2009, 14:17

what kind of weight can you lift my rule and the same with the rest of my family is never buy a bike you can't lift off yourself lift off the road or keep up if your on a slope.

**Swoop** · 26th January 2009, 16:19

Originally Posted by HungusMaximist

The bigger VFR are awesome comfy for commuting and plently of balls. You can't go wrong with a CB900 Hornet either. CBR f4i are mean fun also.

Wouldn't really recommend a VTR 1000, more as a toy than a tool.

Originally Posted by bsasuper

Another vote for the VFR750/800, they do everything-fast road bike,great touring bike, and even at track days can give the pure sports bikes a run for their money.

I like you guys.

Having said that... my vtr1000 had heaps of low-down grunt. Great fun, but unfortunatley suffered from "short-range itis"...

CBR 600 would be a good choice.
Whatever. Get the youngest bike that the bank allows!

**Monty69** · 27th January 2009, 16:53

Far out, cheers guys. You all make good points... Ive done a bit of research now and i think seat height could be the real choice maker, im rather short (not sure how much tho) and might find a VTR1000 a bit tall at 810mm seat height, where as somthing like a VfR400r is easy to ride (my mates got 1) at 750mm... Then the FZR1000 is only 770mm which is probably the lowest 1000cc sportbike. Ive seen some f@#king awesome cbr and vfr400s which are great fun but im worried that 220kmh is not gona keep me entertained long enough when my cbr250 could nudge 200kmh. Thats why i keep pondering a fzr1000, coz its low enough, but very fast and good for touring too... but then round town the 400s would be way better.... sigh

**marty** · 27th January 2009, 17:40

I know where there's a really nice Hayabusa for sale

**Monty69** · 27th January 2009, 19:10

lol i think every young man has lusted for a hayabusa at some point, even just to say "ive got a hayabusa" or " i was doin 320kmh..."

**prettybillie** · 28th January 2009, 10:41

Originally Posted by fatzx10r

just go out and test ride all the bike's that you like, and see what one gives ya the biggest grin

Definitely agree with this dude!

**phoenixgtr** · 28th January 2009, 11:05

What's wrong with Kawasakis? Just because your mate got a dud it doesn't mean they all are. I've had my 6R for over 2 years and never had a problem with it. It'll do more than 250km/h, it's got a big comfy seat for touring and it's great fun in the twisties.

**vifferman** · 28th January 2009, 11:15

Can I chip in?
Yes?
No?
Will, I will anyway.

I had a VTR1000, and re-introduced my wife to pillioning on it. It was pretty good, but one day, when we were out window-shopping for a helmet for her, we happened to get offered test-rides. Being Vifferman, I ignored the Blackbird the salesman was trying to point me towards (may have been a mistake, but I'll never know), and took two VFRs out for a ride, two-up (the first time we've EVER test-ridden a bike together).
We rode the 6th-generation VFR800 (a 2003) and a 5th-gen (2001). My wife liked both of them, but I preferred the 2001 (better engine, and it didn't have a digital speedo that my wife could read over my shoulder).
Compared to the VTR, the VFR just felt SO much better two-up: we were both more comfy, and it was smoother and more spacious.
The VTR has more torque, but the VFR has about the same HP (mainly due to revving higher), weighs a few kg more, and has much better ergonomics. It also feels more refined.

I really liked my VTR, and it took me a few weeks to get used to not having a wodge of torque starting at 3k rpm. It's a good bike, but not as good as a VFR.

**Monty69** · 28th January 2009, 17:12

Originally Posted by phoenixgtr

What's wrong with Kawasakis? Just because your mate got a dud it doesn't mean they all are. I've had my 6R for over 2 years and never had a problem with it. It'll do more than 250km/h, it's got a big comfy seat for touring and it's great fun in the twisties.

Its got nothing to do with my mates zxr being unreliable, or the fact they seem to have a world wide reputation for not being very reliable (more so the older bikes now though). Its just been my least liked brand since i was learning to ride at 10yrs old (least liked japanese brand, so really its like my 4th favourite:-)). No genuine reason, jst personal preferance. Most "boy racers" hate honda motorcars, but they all know theyre very good cars...

Oh and im jelous of u guys that are goin on the chch wednesday night cruise right now!!! i miss it!

**phoenixgtr** · 29th January 2009, 14:02

Haha. This is funny. I spoke too soon. I went on the ride last night (like I do every week) and the group stopped outside the Wheatsheaf. I turned my bike off to wait for the rest to catch up. Everyone's caught up so I go to start my bike...and nope. We don't want to go!! Starter motors whirring over but she won't go. So I call AA and they says "someone will be there in the next hour." So I says "ok, I'm outside a pub, I may as well drown my sorrows." Give the bike one more try and she starts. I yell and curse and call AA back to cancel the tow.

Short story is: the bike'll be going in the shop to see what's up. It had practically no compression when trying to start. Very frustrating...I really wanted a beer!

**DarkLord** · 29th January 2009, 15:01

A GSX-R 1000.

My main reason for saying that is because I want one.

**Monty69** · 29th January 2009, 15:54

Originally Posted by phoenixgtr

Short story is: the bike'll be going in the shop to see what's up. It had practically no compression when trying to start. Very frustrating...I really wanted a beer!

Oh bugger! As you said though, first fault in 2 years, so shes doing well. My mate ben on the vfr400r said it was a nice (fast

) pace goin out there last night, and sams zxr250c made it without a prob too

! goodtimes i bet and cant wait to get back on two wheels. Got offered a suzuki bandit 250 for $2000 but i need atleast 400cc and a fairing.