Recommendations for my next bike

**Maha** · 9th August 2012, 16:51

Originally Posted by Tigadee

In many threads I've seen, lots of the experienced guys have told those graduating to a Full license to refrain from jumping onto a near-litre, litre or larger bike. Here I have most of them telling me to head straight for the big 'uns! Your crystal balls telling you something I don't know? (Mine stopped working after the numbing experience on the current bike's seat...)

Now if someone else also said that I should do that because with LAMS, those bike I'm looking at are going up in price, then that will certainly weight the argument towards the big bikes...

Just an option is all.
Those 1200/1300/1400cc nakeds are around the 110-114hp..nowhere near the 150+hp of a 1litre sports bike, of which, most would agree not to get, coming off a 250 cruiser.

**NinjaNanna** · 9th August 2012, 17:30

Great value at the asking price - but am open to reasonable offers

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=500301664

**Fast Eddie** · 9th August 2012, 17:30

Originally Posted by Maha

most would agree not to get (1000cc sports bike) coming off a 250 cruiser.

speak for yourself

dooo it

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 19:13

Thanks to some sensible logic, I've opened my choices up to above 600cc bikes, BUT on principle, I will not entertain 650cc bikes. I still disagree with paying an extra 100 gold coins annually for a pitiful 50cc more.

Bogan - Yes, I have in my first post... in red.

Ninjananna - I see you that beauty and I raise you a watchlist...

Mossy1200 - It's not that I'm short... I'm on the cruiser 'cos the Venox is one of the few 250 learner bikes that's big enough and comfortable to take me. I also love its looks [body of a Fat Boy and tail of a VRod], and the exhaust mod done to it makes it sound like a lot bigger engined. I had planned to keep it but I can get good money for it which can go towards a bigger, more spirited and suitable bike.

**bogan** · 9th August 2012, 19:25

Originally Posted by Tigadee

Thanks to some sensible logic, I've opened my choices up to above 600cc bikes, BUT on principle, I will not entertain 650cc bikes. I still disagree with paying an extra 100 gold coins annually for a pitiful 50cc more.

Bogan - Yes, I have in my first post... in red.

Hmmm, guess I probly should have looked at that one

The obvious choice is still a bros 650, or ducati M900 (though reliability might count that out), I'm sure there would be some torquey tandem twins and inline 4s out there too, but non spring to mind for me.

If a pitiful 50cc more means you get a better bike than an extra 400cc more, it seems stupid to go the extra 400 just on principal.

**neels** · 9th August 2012, 19:30

Originally Posted by NinjaNanna

Great value at the asking price - but am open to reasonable offers

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=500301664

What do you think of the old kwaka? Only asking as I've seen it on trademe, and I've just bought one for $200 as a bit of a project.

Originally Posted by Tigadee

Thanks to some sensible logic, I've opened my choices up to above 600cc bikes, BUT on principle, I will not entertain 650cc bikes. I still disagree with paying an extra 100 gold coins annually for a pitiful 50cc more.

I can see where you're coming from on the rego cost, it was a factor among other things when I bought my DRZ400 instead of a DR650, which would matter more if the rego wasn't on hold.

You mentioned an XJ600, I rode one for a few years often 2 up with luggage and it was great if you don't mind an older bike, but don't buy the red one that was linked to there's too many things that just look a bit wrong about it.

Don't be scared off by more cc's there are plenty of rideable big bikes, I rode a 1200 bandit and found it too boring so bought a 900 ducati v-twin instead. One of the main factors I looked at was weight, I'd rather have a lower hp lighter bike to chuck around than a peaky heavy pig.

In summary, ignore all of the above and ride some bikes, when you find one you like post it here to see if there's any compelling reason why you shouldn't buy it.

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 19:36

Originally Posted by bogan

The obvious choice is still a bros 650, or ducati M900 (though reliability might count that out), I'm sure there would be some torquey tandem twins and inline 4s out there too, but non spring to mind for me.

The naked muscle bikes? Bandit 1200? CB1300? CB1000? ZRX1100?

That old V4 Sabre also has a rep for delivering smooth power at any rpm. Only thing I read that its suspension is weak and finding replacements might be hard/expensive.

How about them FJ1200/FJ1100s? They seem to be exceptionally low priced for the large capacity touring bikes?

Are these worth considering?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-498948476.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-478602259.htm

Thanks Neels! I love the Ducs but am not much of a mechanic [yet] so not sure about them... Will a newer Duc mean better reliability?

**bogan** · 9th August 2012, 20:09

Originally Posted by Tigadee

The naked muscle bikes? Bandit 1200? CB1300? CB1000? ZRX1100?

That old V4 Sabre also has a rep for delivering smooth power at any rpm. Only thing I read that its suspension is weak and finding replacements might be hard/expensive.

How about them FJ1200/FJ1100s? They seem to be exceptionally low priced for the large capacity touring bikes?

Are these worth considering?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-498948476.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-478602259.htm

Thanks Neels! I love the Ducs but am not much of a mechanic [yet] so not sure about them... Will a newer Duc mean better reliability?

New ducs mean they have more elecity bits, and they aren't known for being good at those things.

Maybe a Hornet?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-500541541.htm

**Maha** · 9th August 2012, 20:13

Originally Posted by bogan

Maybe a Hornet?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-500541541.htm

Now theres a definate!...once again, a bike that ticks all of Tigadees boxes.
As for an older bike?...that Kawasaki of NinjaNana is the best of the rest.

**bogan** · 9th August 2012, 20:16

Originally Posted by Maha

Now theres a definate!...once again, a bike that ticks all of Tigadees boxes.

For 5k I'd want to see some non-blurry photos before committing! Mind you, I'd want to take it for a blat first as well.

**Maha** · 9th August 2012, 20:17

Originally Posted by bogan

For 5k I'd want to see some non-blurry photos before committing! Mind you, I'd want to take it for a blat first as well.

The Ohlins alone must be worth that much.....

**caseye** · 9th August 2012, 20:20

I'd run with the sabre or that FJ900 you've just posted up. But remember you'll be for about 3-4 hundy to get those God Awful pipes sorted out at a Powder coaters or similar.
Course I'm a bit! biased towards a good ol coal burning Yammy!

**neels** · 9th August 2012, 20:38

Originally Posted by Tigadee

The naked muscle bikes? Bandit 1200? CB1300? CB1000? ZRX1100?

How about them FJ1200/FJ1100s? They seem to be exceptionally low priced for the large capacity touring bikes?

Are these worth considering?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-498948476.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-478602259.htm

Thanks Neels! I love the Ducs but am not much of a mechanic [yet] so not sure about them... Will a newer Duc mean better reliability?

Most of the nakeds have well proven engines tuned for torque rather than peak hp so are very rideable

FJ11's had some issues, FJ12's are pretty bulletproof but are a heavy old beast to ride around town. Same applies to the bigger XJ's, no real issues but a bit on the heavy side.

Never quite sure about CBX's, honda are good at trying different things some of which work and some don't, sometimes they get a camchain to work.

The main thing that puts people of the duc's is the servicing, desmo valves and belts cost money to maintain (money that people should spend on camchains and valve shims on jap bikes but never do)

Originally Posted by bogan

New ducs mean they have more elecity bits, and they aren't known for being good at those things.

I love the ducati electrical reputation, it keeps the dickheads off them and means I can buy a low mileage one for less than the equivalent jap bike, so far mine has cost me a battery and a headlight bulb. It's the same reason I've got a driveway full of euro cars that I paid bugger all for that part for part cost less to maintain than a toyota.

**Tigadee** · 9th August 2012, 20:40

Originally Posted by caseye

I'd run with the sabre or that FJ900 you've just posted up. But remember you'll be for about 3-4 hundy to get those God Awful pipes sorted out at a Powder coaters or similar.

Hey Mark. Was wondering when you'd throw in your 2 cents.

The XJ900? Nice old retro bike, aye? I could see myself on it... And it's got a chromed rack - I'm sure that appeals to you!

The Sabre is very attractive, especially the reports on its engine and power delivery. BUT the suspension troubles mentioned here make me hesitant...

Originally Posted by Maha

Now theres a definate!...once again, a bike that ticks all of Tigadees boxes.

AND it's blue! I like blue...

Originally Posted by Maha

The Ohlins alone must be worth that much.....

So is it true I could sell off the Ohlins and recoup a significant part of the price paid for the bike?