Bike reccomendation

Thom · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Karma :

Ok im sure this has been asked a thousand times, possibly even by myself before, and perhaps shouldnt be in this section but i think it should.

I've just bought a 400 to last me until next sumemr when im looking to buy a bigger bike, although so far size isnt an important feature of thought. It will be restricted hwoever as im on an A2 and cant afford to risk my licence at uni.

So with a budget of £1200-£1500 im wanting a bike you maye consider a sports tourer. preferebly under 30k miles but if theyre known to go considerably higher theyre considered also.

The only main issue im having is one of asthetics, i dont want a sit up and beg style bike, and therefore im after something with clip ons and a few sporty features such as the VFR750/800's.

Maybe even a CBR600f, ZZR11? ZXR750?

As you may guess im lost.

As for the distances, the uni run is 350miles to get there and i'll expect to do it twice a month, but also commute to and from work 10miles every day. and then also run about the country instructing.

So what sports style bike would you reccomend for an annual mileage of possibly 15000?
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

SlimRick · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Karma :

For that sort of mileage, I reckon a ZZR would be a good choice. The 600's are good for 150mph, and have a pretty comfortable riding position, even for me at 6'1" and 15.5 st. Done a few 200 mile runs on mine, and don't ache when I get to the other end. Good on fuel too.

rotax81 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Karma :

zzr1100, blackbird etc will have to be my choice for that sort of riding.
go large Thumbs Up

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ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

No point 'going large' when he's restricted is there.

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

I'm not entirely clear, but are you saying the big bike will have to be restricted, rather than your current 400?

If so I'd say litre plus bikes are going to really suffer, I restricted my first fireblade for the paperwork, it ran ok but kept killing plugs and wasn't great on fuel, they came out after about 2weeks.

ZZR600 is a good bet, engine is strong, plenty of fairing and very comfortable position, it's almost upright compared to a lot of sportsbikes. The ZXR750 or ZX7R is too extreme IMO, you're flat on the tank and rear suspension is rock hard, i'd hate to do any kind of mileage on one.

I still find my Fireblade (older '99 model) perfect for distance work and quick daily runs, it does everything, and good wind/rain protection from the fairing. I had a go on a Blackbird and was impressed, like the Fireblade just loads more grunt, not that you need it really, and a bit heavier to push about but suprisingly very similar agility at slow speed riding. The Blade/Blackbird engines will do 100K easy, they'd be my choice for reliability, just not for restricting.

Oh to add on, i'm not a huge fan of VFRs, didn't like the way the 800 VTEC handles at all and the engines are hugely expensive and awkward to service, the non-vtec less so, not that great on fuel either. I've not ridden a 750 they might be better, but the old 800 is just an improvement on them really so can't imagine so.

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

ZZR600 sounds sensible. Keep it serviced if you're doing 15,000 a year though.

rotax81 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Sep 2008 Karma :

ahh. didnt see the 'it will be restricted bit' Embarassed

zzr600 or thundercat etc
____________________
ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

Thom · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Karma :

i hadnt considered a thundercat and its nice to see the ZZR is so poular. My only concern with ZZR's is they apparantly eat gearboxes and if im doing 15k a year i dont really want that to happen as to me it seems a big expense.
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Current Bike: 1996 Yamaha TRX850 (The Japanese-Ducati One).
Previous Bikes: 1990 Honda NSR125 'Rothmans' (The smoking one), 1990 Suzuki GS500e 'Caf? fighter' (The loud one), 1987 Kawasaki GPX400r (The quick one), 1997 XJ600s Diversion (The reliable one), 2000 Kawasaki ER-5 (The spontaneously combustive one)

SlimRick · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Karma :

With the ZZR, check it doesn't jump out of 2nd under hard acceleration - other than that they're bullet proof. The parts to fix that aren't expensive, but it's a pain in the arse job.

Mine has 51000 miles on the clock and the gearbox is fine, there's plenty of decent 600's out there for that budget.