I really, really cant decide!!**NOW WITH POLL, PLEASE VOTE**

[Andy C]

ok this has been a problem for about 2 months now and still cant decide what bike i want to get, ive narrowed it down to two quite different bikes and have very different reasons for wanting either but just cant decide .

After my crash i decided to try and search for a "bike fun at legal speeds". I want to have something that i can doddle along and stop on nice days rather than ride it really fast, but i would like it to be able to get fast aswell

Any helpful comments would be good but please try to consider my reasons for both and not just which you prefere

Honda RVF400 ---> 90's-late 90's
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/Rvf400.jpg

Ive always wanted to own a bike with a V4 engine. This RVF although now some consider dated is a great bike and has some great features such as USD forks on. Many are still in great condition so not having a newish one isnt a problem for me as lots good ones pop up ebay and 400gb forum.

Pros
Always wanted one
Ride nice when restricted
USD forks
Physically small as when at brands i sat on a few bikes (R6, 749s) and was hard still to get my leg over due to injuries and think the smallest will help
Light (compared to z750) and this combined with small would make it easier to move around and wouldnt drop is as easy as z750
Fully adjustable suspension - somthing i really wanted on the SV as only had adjustable pre-load
Could be used for trackdays with track fairings

Cons
Some would say overpriced
Parts can be hard to find (though still fairly easy)
Its a sports bike and fairing will help go faster BUT im looking for a bike thats fun at legal speed (hense z750 being an opion)
Doesnt look as nice as z750 IMO

Kawasaki Z750 ---> 04-PRESENT
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/blackz750.jpg

And the other choice, the reason this is an option because i want a bike that is fun at low speed and think a naked bike is the answer. Since i only really like the look of Z750 (Well like the Z1000 but more money as insurance is a bit insane), its the only one im prepared to part my cash for as look are very important in a bike for me.

PROS
Should be funner at low speeds
Looks extremely sexy (that back end aaaahhhh )
Newer
Idea of a IL4 is slightly more appreling that V4 for some reason
Lots of choice for bits to put on than RVF. Exhausts is a good example as lot of the choise for RVF were jap exhausts and now hard to find. Also, i know you shouldnt base your choice on aftermarket accessories but saw this remus can in "Superbike Magazine" and think it would look so nice with it and super loud which i love

This is z750s which isnt as good looking, just look at exhuast!!
https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d20/andy13_uk/z750remusexhaust.gif

More of an upright postion which i think will help with my confort as still get pain in my lower back (just above my bum) and think z750 with corbin seat would get much more confy

CONS
More expensive
Could regreat getting a naked bike (though i doubt it)
Insurance is slightly more i think
750cc engine sounds quite big (when i tell friends and family) but 400cc sounds like a step down from the 650cc (although it really isnt powerwise but everyone bases on cc that dont know about bikes)
Heavy and dont think will take well to restrictions
Could have problems moving around when engine off due to height+weight

So, sorry the long post put i really need some good BCF advice on this one. BUT this is the real problem, i think i slightly favour Z750 but will have to wait 2-3 months to save for it due to more expensive and can buy the RVF now as have £2400 saved currently (but need to buy gear so either way would be riding summer i think). This is due to Z750 being still new and not many second hand so start £3k minium and £3.5 for a nice one. Can get a really nice RVF for £2500. Also need £600 for helmet and Leathers which i will buy after (not ride the bike till have have gear though) and pay insurance monthly.

Hope you can all help
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[extreme3d]

Look... without trying to sound like your Doctor, surgeon, mother, sister, nextdoor neighbour..... YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO RIDE A BIKE FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS IF YOU WISH TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BEING ABLE TO WALK, SO STOP EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT

[DaveS]

Not sure if you read it, but one of the bike magazines did a test recently to see if riders rode differently on naked bikes.
The results were that they rode pretty much the same on the naked as on a sports bike. Which kind of disproves the theory behind the Z750..

That said.. the kwak looks gorgeous!

..DaveS
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2002 Honda CBR600F-Sport

[Misc]

[MarJay]

[chris___]

Hmm, tough one mate.

The Honda/Kwak thing was also apart of my last bike decision. Went for Kwak as theres just something about them I love.

The Z750 is the ONLY bike that would ever temp me off a sports bike. They look awesome, a bike with attitude! Given your injuries I think that that bike would really suit you due to riding position against the RVF.

Having said that though Ive always loved the sports 400, and the RVF is damn sexy
It'll need revving to get the power though, unlike the Z750 which'll have tons of low down torque - great for road riding.

I get the impression that your hearts set on the 400 but your trying to convince yourself to get the Z750 , I personally would go for the Z750 though mate but like Siggi said, it'll rot quicker than the Honda but if its look after well you'll have no problems
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Yamaha rxs100 > Kawasaki ZZR600 > Kawasaki ZX6R > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda Bros 400 > Suzuki SV650S K2
Bikepics page

[Andy C]

[G]

While the four strokes aren't so bad, the RVF is the sort of bike that /wants/ to be ragged everywhere. While I expect the Z750 would feel better just pootling as well.

Normally I don't like detuned bikes like the Z, however they reckon the chassis and suspension is good compared to the competition at least.

If it was just for fun, I'd go for the 400, for an 'only' bike, the 750.
Though in reality I wouldn't go for either - considered an older streetfightered 600cc sports bike?
Ok, it won't look as pretty, but should have decent handling without you wanting to go too fast for very reasonable money.

[Andy C]

[tony532]

as extreme3d wrote.

i would listen to the wise words of the doctor before rushing headlong into making a decision.



take it easy andy
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bikes owned :-

aprilia rs125 - suzuki gsxr400rrsp 1990 - yamaha yzf600r thundercat - honda hornet 6

[chris___]

lol, its a bastard thrying to decide ain't it!! i totally agree about the classic look of the RVF though
Ideally you could test ride both, but being young this is almost impossible as I found out when I got my bike a few months ago
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Yamaha rxs100 > Kawasaki ZZR600 > Kawasaki ZX6R > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda Bros 400 > Suzuki SV650S K2
Bikepics page

[extreme3d]

[Andy C]

[Ste]

[craigs23]

I guess which bike I'd recomend is a foregone conclusion.

I can't see how the cons you've mentioned are actually cons.

Some would say overpriced - Yes, there's been a massive reduction over the last year for the sale price on RVFs. Most of their depreciation's over, so I doubt you'ld loose out much if/when you came to sell - can't say the same for the 750.

Parts can be hard to find (though still fairly easy) - David Silvers/Wemoto/Elliots should be able to get hold of nearly any official part. Aftermarket goodies are also freely avaiable - from hand made carbon fibre goodies, to Dymag wheels, to full Jap-spec titanium systems.

Its a sports bike and fairing will help go faster BUT im looking for a bike thats fun at legal speed (hense z750 being an opion) - Maybe - it's a sportsbike and loves to be thrashed (just to hear the thing if anything else), but the top speed, relatively speaking, isn't that quick. The 750 should be more comfortable around town though, plus can 'cruise' better, if you're any good at resisting temptation.

Doesnt look as nice as z750 IMO -

[Andy C]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

[extreme3d]

[Rob]

I thought the whole point of the thread was that you were looking for something to have fun on at lower speeds? Well neither the RVF or the Z750 are exactly slow bikes. In reality they are not much different to the SV in terms of capability on the road. In reality you can easily do similar speeds to the SV so you may as well just go for any bike you fancy!!

I agree that a car is probaby the way to go for a while but I can completely understand why you don't want to write bikes off at the moment and it's fun to discuss what bike you may like to get next. Keep thinking about it then in 12 months or so just get what you want. The only decision is if you want something with a sportier riding position or something a little more upright for comfort, but don't kid yourself that any bike is any safer than another!!

Just my 2p worth!!
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Love is 1050cc

[yambabe]

Andy, have you sat on either of them yet and tried them out for comfort?

From a purely practical point of view I suspect that you might find that the riding position of the RVF will be a little uncomfortable for you whilst you are still suffering from some nerve/ligament damage, and the more upright position of the Z750 would be much easier.

This of course will only make a difference when you actualy get around to buying rather than thinking about - it might hurt a bit now and be fine in another 3 months time!

Suggest you get out and about to your local dealers and sit on absolutely everything, maybe even see if you can get a test ride or two?
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[instigator]

Just looking for opinions?

I couldn't pay £2k+ for a slower, old, probably corroded and thrashed 400 that you can't really work on yourself (unless you have small hands or patience). For a set of spark plugs, isn't it like £40?

Go for the kawasaki, newer, newer, more cc's, newer looks cooler, doesn't have the paintjob of a 80's shellsuit and probably easier to wheel about whilst you're still recovering.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

VFR/RVF isn't really a legal speeds fun bike in my opinion, it's more a legal speeds + 30mph fun bike. For what you want the Z750 is probably a better bet, although I would go for a hornet.

VFR/RVF's aren't that hard to work on btw, I think this type of comment tends to come from people who haven't worked on one. For the record a set of NGK's normally come in at around £50 , but how often do you change them? The cost difference between a Z750's plugs would be made up in it's higher road tax bracket straight away; it's hardly a big expense.

[Dave_ZedDragen]

[Andy C]

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

Have you thought about getting a 250 4 stroke? CBR or something? mybe even some sort of supermoto, sitting upright and should be good to ride and wont be that fast compared to the others you have listed.
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