Fazer or TDM? (was:What good handling, forgiving, nippy...)

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

As per the title, what would make a good next bike for commuting & weekend rides?

Criteria:

Cheap (age not important)
Good handling
Forgiving suspension for real roads, not race tracks.
'Comfortable' riding position
Decent brakes
80-100hp with reasonable torque.
Something that can be improved further with a bit of fettling

I've always liked the idea of the TDM.

Any better ideas?
PM Me with offers. Manchester area
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TDM850

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

SV650. That is all.

(oops missed the 80-100bhp bit. But I can't see that being a requirement really... its just a 'want'.)

Another suggestion would be Triumph speed four. Although I find it hard to see how you could improve on it without a major redesign.

How about an SV650 with a big bore kit?
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Wil · Trackday Trickster Joined: 05 Jul 2008 Karma :

Seconded on the S4 front. Naturally. Only thing its missing is a bit of wind protection for the motorway.
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'07 Triumph Speed Four

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tzr · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Karma :

CBR600F? Seems to meet most of your criteria.
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frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

zzr600

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

The ZZR and CBR could be contenders....

Although I had been thinking more of un-faired, riser/flat barred bike or a road-biased multi-purpose/dual-sport.
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TDM850

Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

TRX 850?
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Knacker · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Karma :

GSXR

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Stevie B · Crazy Courier Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Karma :

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

The TRX is the rare, quirky sports bike with a TDM engine?

Keep the suggestions coming.
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TDM850

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Old shape Bandit 600 Thumbs Up

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Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

yeap

https://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/25/37/a762_1.JPG[url]

needs the blue spot calipers though
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"intelligent inattention is preferable to unintelligent tinkering"
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eddclarke · Brolly Dolly Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Karma :

FAZER/FZ6
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Honda XR125L 06 ----> Yamaha FZ6 05 + ex SAS XR250 --> VFR800 + XR250r

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

ZX6R J model, soften the suspension a bit.

If you want flat bars etc, how about looking at a cheaply streetfightered 600 of some kind?

TRX is quite pretty and a fun bike, but suspect that and the TDM wouldn't quite be getting to 80hp.

What's your budget, is the most important question?

Bikes that can reasonably considered 'dual sport' tend to be quite low powered, apart from a few that are pretty exepensive (KTM 990 enduro, Highland, etc)

vt6 · Spanner Monkey Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Karma :

Id go with a CBR 600F, not bias because i own one lol. I do think they meet all the criteria though.

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

Blau Zedong · Banned Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Karma :

GSXR1100K.
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Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

If you want something you can tweak, etc, then I reckon the TRX would make an excellent project. Lots of fairly cheap mods can be made to make them pretty decent handling.
Though for road use I found they were generally up to going at the speeds I want to on the road.
Pretty bike, too, which is nice.

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

There aren't that many TRXs about in the usual www places, unfortunately.

If there are any TDMs or TRXs on the market, let me know.
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TDM850

Dr. DaveJPS · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

That is twice his budget.
Should be able to get one for £1k if you keep your eye out on ebay etc.

Smooth · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Karma :

I'll keep on looking. Is it just me or have used bikes gone up in price/become more scarce lately?
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TDM850

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

EDBANGER · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2005 Karma :

I might be selling my Thundercat real soon if you're anywhere near Birmingham. Yours for the wonderful price of £800!
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