600cc V-Twins. Fill me in?

[discotex]

ER6n or ER6f (aka Ninja 650r) from Kawasaki have 650cc parallel twins.

Any reason for sticking with twins? There's lots of other fun bikes out there.

KTM 690SM or Duke?

Or how about a Hornet or Bandit?

Or go triple with a Triumph Street Triple.

If you're going second hand then the sky is the limit. Maybe a Buell XB9 or a Ducati.

Better get out there and test ride them all

[98tls]

What price are you looking to pay?

[Anarkist]

What you want is a Hyosung........

I've heard great things

But yeah, it has to be a sports bike. I just couldn't see myself riding anything else, as I've never been one to just 'cruise'. The SV650 sounds good and nice too. I'm a big fan of the look of a naked bike.

The Ducati 696 Monster and stuff look great. I just don't think I could justify the cost as I'm under the impression they're expensive in terms of parts, and finding someone who'll service them properly.

Keeping in mind I've only ever ridden a 250, are the 600 series of bikes powerful enough to lift the front wheel rolling on the throttle, or does that generally just come from your bigger bikes? I got the 250 and adjusted to the power very quickly and am wanting something that's going to push me a little bit and able to give me a bit of a scare every now and then.

[Anarkist]

ER6n or ER6f (aka Ninja 650r) from Kawasaki have 650cc parallel twins.

Any reason for sticking with twins? There's lots of other fun bikes out there.

Just the sound and the feeling really. I've ridden with a few of the bigger Ducati twins and pulled up next to a VTR1000 which sounded absolutely magic. I've heard others but I liken it to the rumble of a V8. Chest thumping, awe inspiring sound is the main thing. I've heard they tend to be torquey as well, which I'm a also a fan of, as opposed to all the power at the top end.

What price are you looking to pay?

10k, with room to sway either side.

[YellowDog]

I've heard great things

But yeah, it has to be a sports bike. I just couldn't see myself riding anything else, as I've never been one to just 'cruise'. The SV650 sounds good and nice too. I'm a big fan of the look of a naked bike.

The Ducati 696 Monster and stuff look great. I just don't think I could justify the cost as I'm under the impression they're expensive in terms of parts, and finding someone who'll service them properly.

Keeping in mind I've only ever ridden a 250, are the 600 series of bikes powerful enough to lift the front wheel rolling on the throttle, or does that generally just come from your bigger bikes? I got the 250 and adjusted to the power very quickly and am wanting something that's going to push me a little bit and able to give me a bit of a scare every now and then.

You will find that the bigger engine bikes are smoother and easier to ride slowly. They have more power so they take less effort.

I am riding a Bandit 1250 as a loan whilst my Tiger is being serviced. I am finding it very small and too slow (compared with my Tiger). That's just me. Of course I can easily make it go faster, but I prefer a bike to be more responsive and have a wider power band than the Bandit has. At high revs it is very good indeed.

The SVs are fine and a great starter bike however you will find that you will get used to the 650 very quickly and want a 1000. Best not to start at 1000.

As has already been said, get a shortlist together and then test ride all of them. The looks are important (like with a girlfriend) however your riding comfort and feel (like with a girlfriend) are far more important.

The Bandit was on my shortlist and was a great deal however I found the right bike for me with my Tiger, which may well not be the best bike that I test rode.

BTW - Cruisers look great and you my grow to like them, but they are just not for me. IMO- Too slow, too cumbersome to manouvre, and just too big. My mate has a Boulevard M109. He says the same things I say about my Tiger about what a perfect bike for him it is.

Each to their own, just make sure you find the right one for you.

[YellowDog]

Just the sound and the feeling really. I've ridden with a few of the bigger Ducati twins and pulled up next to a VTR1000 which sounded absolutely magic. I've heard others but I liken it to the rumble of a V8. Chest thumping, awe inspiring sound is the main thing. I've heard they tend to be torquey as well, which I'm a also a fan of, as opposed to all the power at the top end.



10k, with room to sway either side.

You'll get a brand new SV for $10K, but they have a new model I saw today which looks the business. I think it's called a Gladius or something similar?

[Anarkist]

The SVs are fine and a great starter bike however you will find that you will get used to the 650 very quickly and want a 1000. Best not to start at 1000.

As has already been said, get a shortlist together and then test ride all of them. The looks are important (like with a girlfriend) however your riding comfort and feel (like with a girlfriend) are far more important.

The Bandit was on my shortlist and was a great deal however I found the right bike for me with my Tiger, which may well not be the best bike that I test rode.

Each to their own, just make sure you find the right one for you.

Cheers for the advice mate, definitely agree. The main point of this thread was to get together a good idea of what's available to build the short list from.

Just looking at Ducati 999's on Trademe with the full Tergi exhausts... Maybe I should stop looking (read: drooling)

[98tls]

You'll get a brand new SV for $10K, but they have a new model I saw today which looks the business. I think it's called a Gladius or something similar?

Not to mention the low km ones for bugger all.

[xwhatsit]

KTM 690SM

Well that's a thumper of course. Most powerful production single ever. I want!

I know it's bigger than 600cc, but the Yamaha TRX850 is an absolute laugh. It doesn't make tremendous amounts of horsepower (roughly the same as an SV650? Maybe a touch more? The propeller heads around here would know). It's a very usable sort of engine, really fun to play with, although I wish the redline was a grand higher -- it doesn't do much at low RPM and runs into the redline very quickly.

In terms of size, weight etc. it was nothing out of the ordinary for a modern big bike, very manageable by a lightweight such as myself. Attractive to look at, and, most importantly, still fun to punt around twisties despite being a `grown-up bike'.

Of course they're getting on a bit now.

[Anarkist]

Well that's a thumper of course. Most powerful production single ever. I want!

Might be powerful, but I wouldn't be seen dead on it! Hahaha

[BMWST?]

Well that's a thumper of course. Most powerful production single ever. I want!

I know it's bigger than 600cc, but the Yamaha TRX850 is an absolute laugh. It doesn't make tremendous amounts of horsepower (roughly the same as an SV650? Maybe a touch more? The propeller heads around here would know). It's a very usable sort of engine, really fun to play with, although I wish the redline was a grand higher -- it doesn't do much at low RPM and runs into the redline very quickly.

In terms of size, weight etc. it was nothing out of the ordinary for a modern big bike, very manageable by a lightweight such as myself. Attractive to look at, and, most importantly, still fun to punt around twisties despite being a `grown-up bike'.

Of course they're getting on a bit now.

10 k could get a 900 tdm

[RocKai]

All street ones are Yamaha XJ6, Suzuki Gladius, or better CB1000R. Around 12k new. Wide range of powerband from low to mid. Cheap thrills.

[davebullet]

I got the 250 and adjusted to the power very quickly and am wanting something that's going to push me a little bit and able to give me a bit of a scare every now and then.

With the SV650 - a twist of the wrist is a scare! The problem with all nakeds is wind buffeting at higher speeds - regardless of engine displacement.

If I wanted a 1000+ bike, I think I'd go for one with a fairing and sports position (ie. clip on) bars. to take advantage of its speed.

According to the specs, the SV650 is good for 190 / 200kph - more than enough to scare you (and lose your license).

I chose a twin because I wanted a lazy ride... ie. roll on the throttle and it pulls cleanly, unlike the VTR250 where you have to work the motor.

My bike of choice was the Street Triple. But I couldn't justify double the price tag of what I got the SV for. A 2007 one sold for $6,200 last night on trademe with only 9,000kms on the clock -> bargain.

David.

[Anarkist]

Let's put this on the list.

Anyone know how much they cost?

[xwhatsit]

Ask the Hitchman.