A moment of your time..

[Jimmy B]

Righto,

This is my first post and want to say that this place looks like quite the business.

I am 39 year old, live in Akl with my Wife and 3 year old son. As is appropriate for someone approaching 40 I have decided to get back onto a Bike (once the application and approval process with the treasury dept has been completed) and have a few questions.

I have riden since I was about 8, variuos 2 wheelers KDX175, RM250, PE250, XR200, XR250, XR600, motorcross, enduro but mainly hacking around and fallen off all of em. Fifteen years or so ago shifted from Hawkes Bay to Auckland and general lack of gravel saw me onto an early 80s XJ750. This was followed by CBR750R '88 and CBR1000RF. Plenty of happy Ks until I sold the CBR1000 about 5 years ago after a bout of brainfade.

Anyway, looking at GS1200SS, XJR1300 or maybe a Blackbird or Kwaka ELR. I would appreciate some advice. The affordable XJRs seem low Ks (15000) but 1994 , Blackbirds 1997 60,000Ks while the GS's are kind of newer for the same money plus low Ks and the ZRX is kind of new but higher Ks (59,000)

My question is am I better off with a newer machine (2004) with moderate or High Ks or a "better" Bike (IMHO) that has lower Ks, in good condition but the thick end of 12 years old.

What is high Ks anyway?, my XJ had 70,000 and went fine.

Confused, I am

Cheers

JB

[James Deuce]

Look with your heart.

Test with your bum.

Buy with your head.

All the bikes you mention are as close to bullet proof as one could ask for. Buy on condition, not mileage.

[SlashWylde]

Look with your heart.

Test with your bum.

Buy with your head.

All the bikes you mention are as close to bullet proof as one could ask for. Buy on condition, not mileage.

I second that

[sels1]

What Jim said. Try a few out and you will know the right one when you ride it.
With your experiance you will have a fair idea if something is a major problem, minor problems are usually easily fixed. It comes down to how much you want to spend. There is a lot of good miles left in some of the older bikes.
Welcome aboard the site btw

[skelstar]

Find a style of bike you like the look of...research your nuts off on the net (the 'off' part is optional)...test ride...look for a good example of what you want.

Its likely that theres about 10 people on here that already have the bike you may like...its likely Jim2 has written an 'indepth' about it too. Narrow options, then question the masses I reckon.

Good luck, and enjoy.

[sels1]

What is high Ks anyway?, my XJ had 70,000 and went fine.JB

A good question, and it has been discussed on here before - you can use the search function to find it.
Here is one thread it is mentioned:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...light=high+kms

[Motig]

First thing I'd do is work out how much I want to spend, what you want to do with the bike, does it have to be the biggest/newest or just something to bring back memories on a sunny days ride. then spend hours lovingly researching each bike you like the look off.( thats half the fun) Take heed of all the advice you get from here then just go for it.

[Lou Girardin]

Welcome to the asylum. I tend to go for the newest, lowest k's I can afford. Don't forget to check out Bandits.

[Jimmy B]

Guys,

Firstly thanks for the reply's.

The main reason for my post is that this Bike will likely be "the one" for quite a while. So to initiate the launch sequence on this sucker I wanted the opionion of guys such as yourselves that would help my thinking. I plan to use mainly on the weekends and hope to sock a few longer trips away on occaision.

Heres what I thinks

GS1200SS - Evil Darth Vader retro style that I totally get. Probably the best value for late model, low K bullet proof bike around. More than enough grunt to keep me interested long term. Concerns about luggage but I will probably ride solo, and that seat on my boney ass - Have considered a Bandit but for some reason they just dont do it for me, but hey right bike at the price...

Blackbird - Just plain sexy and have riden earlier CBRs. Prolly a bit pricey for low K and an excellent way to loose my license...

XJR1300 and ZRX1200, well these remind me of the kind of Bikes that I grew up around, Big Block Muscle and Nakid Big Fun.

Does anyone know these bikes, ridden these bikes, can make a recommendation or give me a feel for known faults or shortcomings

Thanks again

JB

[ManDownUnder]

What Jim said - and welcome aboard.

I'm prone/biased toward the RF as well... bangs for bucks it's a goodun.

I'd peroinally go for older with low k's no matter what bike - they depreciate less, have plenty of spares and are genrally in good nick.

My 2c.
MDU

[Motu]

I only have one criteria - cheap.I don't care what the bike is,I don't care what condition it's in....all I need to know is how cheap.

[Jimmy B]

Thanks mandownunder,

Hadnt factored an RF into the equation as mainly looking at 1 litre plus, I like the torque, no I really like the torque. That was why I moved on the CBR750, had to wring it to get the best out of it.

How does the RF go 2 up with luggage , up hill, into a 50 knot headwind, 50 meters to get past a milk tanker from a rolling 80kph?

[skelstar]

Hornet for Monsieur?

[Jimmy B]

Skelstar,

Hmmmmn:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/25apr...919review.html

fark - check, add Hornet to list

happy days Gents - Off to scolly fest in whitianga now, stay safe, thanks again and see you next week

[James Deuce]

Jantar had Givi luggage on his GS1200SS. PM him and he should be able to give you an idea of how that worked for him. Personally, between the RF and the GS, I'd rather have the GS to look at in the gargre (sic - deliberate - you'll learn the lingo). I really "got" those when they came out, and almost bought one. In retrospect I should have.

The RF is fine two up. Imagine a bike with the bottom end torque of a GSXR1100 and the top end rush of a GSXR750. The RF also probably has a better pillion perch. F5Dave has made some really good touring mods to his RF.