Opinion Time

[smeagol]

As I respect a lot of you fellows its time for the traditional what do you think type threads.

As you are probably aware have just passed DAS course. Looking at first bike. I'm 35 so insurance isn't that much of a problem (TPFT).

Bike usage: Pleasure, Occasional commute (NB not a normal always in traffic type though as vast majority of journey is twisty country roads, usually following numpty doing 30mph ) Also occasional visit to friends and family ooop North (I live in Leicester, friends: Manchester/blackburn so some Mway riding expected)

So my thoughts are: 600cc, faired (due to ocasional bad weather/longer journey) all rounder or sports tourer.

Bikes considered:
sv650, Fazer, Bandit, Hornet (BUT all of these are without full fairing)
Thundercat : Big problem with local Yam dealer though as to even have a test ride I have to have 2 years experience WTF? (does the guy really believe I would put my hand in my pocket without first riding the bike )
Kawasaki zzr600
Honda CBR600

These last two are looking particularly good at the moment. All of these are going to be 2nd hand about 5 years (budget including insurance = £4k so about £3.5k for bike)

It has to be a bike I will not get tired/bored of quickly (hence why I'm not looking at the 500's). Thats it, opinions much appreciated.

>>> Edited by smeagol on Thursday 31st July 13:37

[Davel]

BMW F650 GS?

I love mine for touring but I don't really push it that much.

Whatever you get - enjoy!

[sagalout]

Triumph Sprint ST, better than a VFR, smooth, comfortable, quick, economical (50+mpg), fully faired, British, what more could you want?

[dick dastardly]

CBR600 is a great all-rounder and possibly the best bike to start on

Mine is currently up for sale if you are interested



It's a 96N CBR600F with 22000 miles. If you want more details then e-mail me.

The bike is up for £2500. Insurance for me is less than a grand

[Stig]

CBR600 is the uber all rounder, but it's down to personal taste.

I ride an R1 at the mo, but am strangely drawn to the new SV1000.

Must be that V-Twin noise

[Leadfoot]

I bought a CBR600 after passing my test in '96. I sold it a year later & went thru' various bigger bikes - ending up with my present Speed triple. I've now bought another CBR as a track day bike, so that should tell you how much I rate them.

[Leadfoot]

Stig said:

I ride an R1 at the mo, but am strangely drawn to the new SV1000. Must be that V-Twin noise

Seen the new RSV in this weeks MCN?

[rossncath]

cbr 600 evry time.... a good mate of mine was in the same position as you two years ago, we finally pursuaded him to go for the honda, needless to say he loves it to bits. infact he just toured europe on it (france, italy and spain) and got back last week.............3000 miles in 10 days...nuff said!!!

[Stig]

Leadfoot said:

Stig said: I ride an R1 at the mo, but am strangely drawn to the new SV1000. Must be that V-Twin noise Seen the new RSV in this weeks MCN?

Not yet! Hope it's an improvement on the lardy looking current one.

[smeagol]

Thanks all. Dick I'm really looking for a dealer bike due to warantee etc. (plus 150 miles + is a bit of a way)

[A J]

CBR is the one. Had one as my first proper bike. Very forgiving, good allrounder, will go on and on and on and its getting close to a good time of year to buy too. Loads in MCN if you decide not to buy from a dealer. Try not to get one on Macadam tyres though, good for about 10 000 miles but like riding on plastic, no grip. I highsided mine! Good luck.

AJ

[gixxer1000]

The intended usage profile you posted points not to a CBR600, but to a VFR800!

4 years ago I passed my test via Direct Access and had the same dilema regarding bike choice. I did lots and lots of research and landed on the VFR - so bought one (black mint 1998 VFR800 - £4,000 from small dealer). The bike was absolutely perfect. It was forgiving of my mistakes, but could keep up with the best of them when ridden hard.

Sold it 2 years later for £3,700!!!

Do a search round the web for VFR800 and you'll see that it's aclaimed as just about the best motorcycle ever made, as it's so well balanced between tourer, sports bike, all-rounder.

[Pesty]

I dont think it matters waht bike if you like it you can buy what you want.

I comute to work on mine 33 miles each way

I use it for weekend hooning where I can keep up or pass anything and I do mean anything (may be the reduced gearing)

and its my first bike perfect for me but may not be for you GSXR-750 I love it

CBR's 600 are very easy to ride and are very nice but I know 2 people that want to sell theirs because I leave em for dust

[smeagol]

gixxer I looked at the vfr but it seemed to be pricey for insurance (ie £200+ extra for same year/price etc.) I presume its because its a bigger engine but they are the same Insurance Group. Will keep my eye out for a good 'un as it may be worth the extra.

[Ballistic Banana]

Pesty said:

CBR's 600 are very easy to ride and are very nice but I know 2 people that want to sell theirs because I leave em for dust

Granted point one, they must be slow riders then, I aint the best rider in town by Far, but can keep up with the big boys through the twistys on my CBR600.
Which i brought nearly three years ago.
A very Forgiving bike and an excellent first choice along with the Kwaker.

Pesty, I have allways hankered after a Suzuki 750 so i am not knocking them at all. a true loonies bike and very underrated IMO, why do so may people forget about the 750??

BB

[DennisTheMenace]

whats wrong with the ZZR ?

had one as my 1st big bike and loved it . CBR's are for slipper wearing pipe smoking old folk eh simon

[gixxer1000]

Pesty said:

its my first bike perfect for me but may not be for you GSXR-750 I love it

Hey Pesty, the bike mag I was reading this week (can't recall which one) hinted that Suzuki may be stopping the GSX-R750! The bike is now in a class of one granted (the Ducati 748/749 can't touch it, and bikes like the MV Augusta are again slower, but in a price bracket all of their own) but it's a fantastic supersports machine. Not quite as extreme as the GSX-R1000, but perfectly capable of matching it all the way (ok - except in a straight line at top speed).

Second hand prices should rise if the bike is discontinued though, and our bikes will become collectors items!

[mel]

Another vote for the CBR600 Mrs Mel recently got one as a first bike, they do everything reasonably well and are as close as it gets to a true all rounder.

Edit: Actually they are pretty shite for motocross and green laneing so not quite everything.

[smeagol]

mel said:

Edit: Actually they are pretty shite for motocross and green laneing so not quite everything.

You forgot trialing as well. But I think Dougie Lampkin is safe for a few years

Thanks for all the comments folks. Just waiting on the DVLA to return the licence. Just seen a smashing CBR knowing my luck it will be sold by the time postman pat arrives!

[sagalout]

Smeagol, as I said earlier, A Sprint ST, fits the bill and is cheaper to run than the VFR. Fuel, insurance the lot CHECK IT OUT.