Which would you choose/suggest and why?

[Grendel]

OK Folks. Looks like my Hyosung GT125 Comet isn’t selling on E-bay so may have to go for plan B and forget my friends Transalp. Looks like I will possibly have to part exchange my bike for another under £1500. The bike has to be fairly upright since I’m a big fella and don’t like being crunched up and suitable for daily commuting all year around but with the occasional weekend away with the wife and luggage. The choices I have worked out down to are:

Yamaha XJ600Diversion (Boring/slow but the most sensible answer)

Suzuki 600 Bandit (Fun option but not good for winter riding due to corrosion I hear)

APRILIA Pegaso (same as F650 but cheaper and a single)

SUZUKI XF650 (same as F650 but cheaper and a single)

KAWASAKI ZZR600 (Probably not upright enough & Expensive fairing if dropped)

MZ MASTIFF 660 (Maniac bike but not great for 2 up touring)

Otherwise any other sensible suggestions??
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Past bike: 2004 Hyosung Comet
Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
Transalp Page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=11418462079

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Honda Hornet 600. Like a Bandit only better built and more fun with a more pokey motor. Slightly more expensive though, but you'll still get a decent 2000-ish model for your 1500.
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[Grendel]

[Eddie Hitler]

Thats on the older models i think, they buffed the tank up a few litres from 2003 onwards, or something.

[Madmanx]

Like me 6ft1" I was looking for comfort,bit of poke,reliability,adaptable and I like the naked look.
But there is a variety of faired models as they progressed from 1998 to more clothes on now-adays.
Engines a slightly de-tuned cbr approx 98bhp.
Insurance is cheap.
I got mine for £900.
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[jimbothe]

My two pence worth.

Dont go for a Pegaso, my mate has one and it's falling to pieces and rusting quite badly. Not the best finish for the job that the bike is designed to do.

I like Divvy's. Nice bikes, very reliable and can be fun depending on how you ride them, very capable of doing high miles in decent comfort. Not bad two up but seat could be a little better shaped.

Corrosion on a bandit can be fairly bad if not looked after but you will see this instantly if you go and look at one. Still one of the best selling bikes today. A lot of package for very little money.

Dont know the XF650 or the MZ so wont comment.

ZZR600 I think is a very underrated bike. Fairly comfortable (I am big also), replacement parts readily available off ebay so fairings not that dear if you do have a off. Lots of power to boot. I personally would choose one of these over a cbr 600f any day (but thats my opinion), decent two up.

Why forget the Transalp, why cant you trade your bike in for one in a shop?
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[Grendel]

[Blau Zedong]

An X7?

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/BLUEX5/1979_GT250-X7_sales1_225.jpg
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[G]

The F650 is a single too, if you didn't know.

Out of those, for a 'do everything' bike the ZZR would be my choice. You could always look at getting some higher bars if that's an issue.
Fairings only cost lots to replace if you expect your bike to be 'mint'. Otherwise, gaffa tape is cheap . Not only that, but even at track speeds I've found fairings do offer some protection to the more important stuff - ie the engine, etc; which will probably cost even more to fix.

The MZ is still pretty heavy and underpowered - much more of a commuter than a supermoto.

As your options seem to be quite open, I'd be tempted to just look in your local ads paper etc and see what comes up at a good price.

Remember, straight after Christmas is a poor time to be selling vehicles - lots of people have spent all their money.

[Madmanx]

[Grendel]

[G]

If you wait until spring time there will be a lot more people looking out (if there is any) at nice weather and thinking "I could do my bike licence now".

Around Christmas time when money is going to be tied up buying presents is always going to be bad where ever you are.

Do you have any money bar the money from your 125?

[jimbothe]

Following on from G, easter time is always a good time to sell but with the summer months fast approaching at that time it also pushes the prices up of bikes so bear that in mind now.

What you can buy in the winter when a lot of people choose not to ride and are broke from xmas will normally gain a few hundred back in the summer months.
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[Grendel]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Seb]

I'm just over 6,1 and my ZZR doesn't give me any trouble, the riding position isn't as sporty as it looks, whilst the bars are lower than some, so are the seat and pegs. Its a world away from the current sports 600s.

Nip over to a dealer and have a sit on one imho, its and excellent all rounder and tourer even if the engine doesn't quite realise its not a nutter sports bike anymore
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[Grendel]

Interestingly enough had a offer of PX for Diatsu Sportrack?

Have now dropped the buy now price to £1500 or PX for Transalp or TDM..

As for the ZZR i think 100bhp from 15bhp for a first bike is a tad too much for me to do somthing stupid with
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Past bike: 2004 Hyosung Comet
Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
Transalp Page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=11418462079

[G]

If you're the sort that's likely to be tempted to use the power, then it's could well be a not so great idea.

If you've got some self control, you should probably be ok - it will seem very fast initially, but then that might help you in not trying to (ab)use the power.

I'd also consider something like a ZZR400 or RF400.

[Madmanx]

[daz_d_biker]

X7 for sale! Make an offer! Not MOTd or taxed, but does run.pretty good original cond too.

Daz.
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[Grendel]

Well my bike didnt sell on E-bay so looks like i may keep hold of it until March then re-advertise. Or see how much i can get for it from local bike dealer
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Past bike: 2004 Hyosung Comet
Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
Transalp Page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=11418462079

[kiers]

ill give you a grand for it?
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[Grendel]

[kiers]

ah okay then matey. cheers anyway
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[Grendel]

OK Belive it or not i've narrowed it down to 3 possible 1st big bikes. Bear in mind they need to be under £1500 reliable. Good for commuting and the actional 2-up weekend away but most important have enough room for me being a 6 Ft 16 Stone Lad and sensible enough as my first big bike.
So the final choices are:

Yamaha XJ600 (The sensible option)

Yamaha TDM (Been told this is apparently the best 1st bike?)

Honda Transalp 600 (lest powered of the bunch but good leg room)

So can i have the Pro's and Cons of all three please?
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Past bike: 2004 Hyosung Comet
Current bike: 1993 Honda Transalp
Transalp Page: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=11418462079