What 600cc sport/tourer?

[granma2]

I am looking at getting a 600cc or there abouts as an upgrade from my CB400 v-tech. The problem is that whatever I get will have to be lowered, due to my vertically challenged height.

The v-tech is a great bike but has not such good handling on the open road with cornering.
Therefore I want a bike with good handling and in the $8000.00 range.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

PS I race bucket's (minature road racers) here in Auck's, so am not afraid of
of a little thrill occasionally.

[Edbear]

Check the Trade site here, I think one of the members was wanting to sell her CBR600 that had been lowered. Not V-tech tho!

[ridetwins]

can highly recommend an SV650 - either the faired or naked version. Due to the v-twin engine they are narrow and lightweight, so they handle really well, have heaps of torque, and are great for commuting and open roads (the naked is a bit breezy at speed tho!)

I am tall and find that the seat height is a bit low, and the foot pegs are too close to the seat, but its something you get used to, so if you are shorter then they are probably ideal. Im sure there are many other SV owners who will sing their praises too..... have a look on T-Me. there are some K3 models for sale that are in your price range. they are pretty much the same as the new models, but they have a silver frame....

[limbimtimwim]

What about your CB400's big brother(s)? The Hornet 600 and 900?

Ask Mrs Kendog about her hornet. Her's is lowered and see that seat in her profile picture? It's been thinned out too. Yes, these operations did cost them some money.

[James Deuce]

900 Hornet yes, 600 Hornet no. The 900 Hornet "works" as a motorcycle where the 600 feels like a loose collection of motorcycle parts, hinged in the middle, and with an engine that deserves better.

Can I be so bold as to suggest that almost invisible over achiever the Suzuki GSX600? You want a '99 one onwards but you should be able to find good, low km examples between $5k and $8k.

I don't know if there are any new ones left, but they were $9995 new this time last year and I owned a '99 one for 6 months and was surprised at how well it did every thing I asked of it.

Very good low speed handling (easy to pull away from the curb feet up and on full lock) all day comfortable and enough power to be fun. Excellent weather protection and fuel economy too.

[Zapf]

SV's will be too tall. I had a CB400 and I know.

But do look at the CB900 Hornet. With a lowering shock it will be a very good bike.

[granma2]

Thank you for the great feed back everyone. All comments have been carefully considered. I will have a look and test ride as many of the bikes mentioned as I can. Except maybe the 600 Hornet! The gsx 600 is certainly on my list of look for. But.....on the other hand I will have to share it with my partner on track days...hmmm. Oh hell why not.

Does anyone have a Honda CBR600? What are they like for perfomance compared with an SV or GSX.

[James Deuce]

Any CBR600 from 1987 on will comfortably "deal" to any GSX600, Hornet 600, or SV650, given the same rider having a go on each one.

However the GSX is oil/air cooled so no water cooling system to worry about, has 80% of the handling and "go", and is easier on tyres and petrol than a CBR, so cost of ownership is lower. I used to get 300-330km out of a tank when commuting on the GSX, and had no trouble keeping up with more sporting tackle when necessary - to a point.

A GSX600 is a lot more comfortable when doing long distance than a CBR or a Hornet with really good weather protection, a fuel gauge, and as already mentioned, good range.

The SV650 naked has a more upright riding position than the faired SV and could be considered more of a sport tourer if you add a screen and a pack rack.

For some reason Suzuki put slightly better suspension on the GSX than the SV, and every Hornet 600 I tried was squidgy. The CBR's supension from '92 on is massively superior to any of the other bikes mentioned, provided it is a low KM example, late model, or has had the suspension reconditioned at some point if it is a higher kms version.

Don't forget the Bandit 600. It has less power than the GSX600, but many of the same advantages and some people reckon it has more character.

[granma2]

Thanks Jim2, real helpful advice, I feel a real leaning towards the GSX or the CBR. Hopefully next week I will be test riding a couple. My partner is on holiday so it is his job to search them out and then ride them to my work, so I can test ride them.
See ladies...he's well trained aye!! LOL

[Zapf]

if you are not going for the top speed thing, you'll find that a CB900 Hornet easy to ride yet being able to reel in most those 600cc bikes. Plus if you are into givi luggages you can get hard luggage racks and cases for the CB900 Hornet. The same luggage is also available on the SV, but the 900 Hornet is a par above the SV is the performance department.

Friendly and linear power delivery of the Hornet makes it a very good steed. I have even put Motorcross bars on mine so I can throw it around town and country road corners. For me... having owned CB400 / SV650's and the CB900. I would say the CB900 is the best bike at sub 130kmh speeds.

[James Deuce]

Zapf, you're obsessed, and ignoring the price cap.

Next you'll be telling granma that you can't travel anywhere in NZ without a tablet and a GPS unit.

[Zapf]

Zapf, you're obsessed, and ignoring the price cap.

Next you'll be telling granma that you can't travel anywhere in NZ without a tablet and a GPS unit.

ah so right so right.... obsessed I am :P Granma.... want to buy my Hornet 900 for 8k? (yes I believe it is for sale soon)

Of course I won't travel NZ without a stone Tablet and Grumpy Poodle Sensor... those Poodle are dangerous.

BTW next time I might be seeing you on a black bird

[elle-f]

Ya can't go past a 1986 Yamaha Radian 600 - or Yamaha YX600 as they are also known!

[Will]

How are you goin'with the big decision?

I ride a CBR6oo, lowered. Some might say that they are a boring bike because they handle so well. There are no "character" traits in this bike. Very reliable and yet can be very placid if you are in a quiet frame of mind.
And when you want to go...... well, it can kick arse, you just have to change down a gear ... or 2.

[Bob]

I think there are reviews of pretty much all the contender machines in the following:

This is the Bikes Index page of Motobke.co.uk

The 600 Hornet is also reviewed (sits back and waits for the abuse!), by an owner who has spent a awful lot of money personalising her bike.

Also, don't discount the ER-6f - I've covered some decent miles on my one and it is comfortable enough over distance. Yes, there is a review of it on the site...

Have a look through and hopefully some of the words of wisdom will help your decision.