Decisions, Decisions..........Which bike?? **UPDATE**

[BanditBitch]

Just passed my test and obviously need a bigger bike...... I have whittled it down to:

Kawasaki ER6 (Love the looks of this bike)
Suzuki Bandit 600f
Yamaha 600 Fazer

The ER6 has the best reviews, the Fazer the worst of the three.

I could get a decent Bandit or Fazer without getting debt, but would need to take a bit of debt on to get the ER6. To me the ER6 looks cool.

As a first big bike, would I be better getting something used to familiarize with a bigger bike........ Or should I just bite the bullet, get what I want and treat myself.

Has anyone personal experience of these bikes??? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks


BB

[Sephiroth]

If you can pay it off, get the ER6, if you can't, get a Bandit

[G]

What do you want to be doing with this bike?
Ie commuting, touring, fast road riding, trackdays, etc?
How confident are you with bikes, especially with the weight?

Should I presume your 'what I want' is based on looks?

[BanditBitch]

[G]

[Delbwoy]

If that's your top three, test ride them all. Take them on long test rides through varying roads. Buy the one you feel most comfortable on.

I like the looks of the ER6 too.

Personally, I wouldn't get into debt over anything except for a house. I always save to buy, and if I can't wait, I get a stop gap until I can afford what I want. "Credit" is "Devil" spelt by dyslexics!
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Check my website. look at my profile though as putting it here would be spamming methinks (I worked hard to create it so at least look at it!) Nothing to do with bikes I might add! Might appeal to the more feminine personality.

[Marah]

Being a born again biker with virtually no previous experience. I opted for the bandit for all the reasons you have listed plus they are quite common which means breakers are full of parts for all my mistakes, which has saved me ~ £400 so far (2 months) against cost new.
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Someone complimented me on my driving. They left a note on my windscreen, it said "Parking Fine"
Old Bikes -1990 Yamaha DT50MX > 1988 Kawasaki KMX125 > 1991 Kawasaki KMX125 > 1981 Yamaha XS250SE > 2000 Suzuki Bandit 600 > 1999 Kawasaki ZX7R Ninja
Bike - 1999 Suzuki Bandit 1200

[chalky143]

id say a bandit because there cheap, solid and good for a bit of fun on a weekend! and they hold there price well!
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Current bike :: sv650 minitwin race bike
Previous bikes::cbr600 steelie race bike, 1989 Honda vfr750f, 2013 Honda fireblade, 2013 Ducati multistrata 1200s, 2012 Triumph street triple R, 1999 yamaha r6, vfr 800, ducati 600ss, vfr 400x2, ntv 650, bandit 600, cagiva mito 125, aprilia rs 50, honda c90x2, honda hornet 600x2, cbr 600, aprilia rx50, suzuki katana
My bike pics: https://www.bikepics.com/members/chalky143/

[JonB]

I wouldn't say an ER6 just because it's a parrallel twin, the most boring power delivery ever.

Bandit or Fazer.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[phk6]

[Pte1643]

What about a HORNET 600...

No prizes for guessing what I ride.

[Dave_ZedDragen]

Speaking sensibly i'd recomend getting the bandit or fazer. Practical and very capable bikes with a good proven history. Both are capable of trackdays to touring to commuting with everything inbetween. Also remember that you new to this, you'll probably be off out all the time enjoying the bike and experiencing everything which means that the miles will be the most in your firts year. This means that if you buy new you'll face the biggest depreciation anyway, but even more so if your sticking on loads of miles. A new bike requires servicing at dealerships at dealership prices to gain the stamp needed to uphold its warranty...another big expense. In your first year your more likely to make mistakes including crashing or dropping the bike which will further devalue a newish bike.

but really......

Try all three and see what you prefer, and go with what your heart tells you. Get the bike you really want and what makes you happiest and gives you athe biggest grin and you'll find it more rewarding.
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Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

https://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/zeddragen/zeddragensig-1.jpg

[G]

[Dave_ZedDragen]

[Clanger]

Test ride them all. Take someone with you to take piccies of you on each. Then go out and find your preferred bike second hand.

Personally get something which isnt brand new. I got my sv 5mths old for almost half the price of it new., then you can afford to splash out on extra bits to get the bike how you want it.

Never get into debt for anything...that's my rule.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[syl]

You just missed out on 0% finance on the Kawasaki which ended last month.

As you're looking at the Bandit and Fazer too, consider the Z750/Z750S which won the group tests for that kind of bike - and you can usually get around £1000 off the RRP.

https://www.kawasakidirect.co.uk/ are quite cheap.
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Current bike: Kawasaki Z750S

[G]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Given your forum name, its got to be a Bandit .

More seriously, how much experience do you have? If it is a first big bike and you have limited experience then I would say stick with a cheaper 2nd hand bike (and Bandits are dirt cheap 2nd hand), just to see how you like it and give you more idea of what you really like.

If you have more experience of bikes and have tried a few then I would be tempted to say to splash the cash on a new one and buy what you really want (although personally the ER6 doesn't appeal). In this case I would be tempted to say to avoid the Bandit as they are a bit long in the tooth and depreciate badly from new.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[scol1]

I'd consider a 600 Hornet if I was you,they are a stonking first 'Big' bike,it can be as mental or mild mannered as you allow it to be.

I don't own one now,but it was my first 'BIG' bike and I loved it,make sure you at leasty try one.

J.
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CB1300,a proper bike!

[Zimbo]

[G]

[Biker-Kev]

id say the bandit, looks the best out the lot.
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

[Clanger]

and the most common....but its your choice at the end of the day!
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[dumpsta]

i've been riding for about a month or so now and bought a bandit as my first bike. it's been brilliant quick fun handles good and is more than likely going up for sale. the only reason is i want an r6 so its more than likely going. x reg dark blue naked with 9900 miles £1995.

for you first bike a bandit will be great!
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Watch Rae Rip up worlds this year!!

[MarkJ]

As previous people have said, try out a Hornet 600. Cracking first big bike, and only as fast as you make it.