Bike recommendation ----> <?2000 + 600cc+

[nick.h]

I'll be looking at getting a new bike asap, well when the moneys saved up, which will probably be about 2 months or so.

Some history: I passed in 2006 and rode a gs500 restricted for 2 years, and then unrestricted for a few months. I then got a GSX600F last year which was used for about a year. Over this time I have accumulated 4NCB and i am now 20yo.

From looking at insurance quotes i am now in the lucky position of getting very good quotes through the insurance, e.g. fireblade - £400, Firestorm - £200 (TPFT)

I'm looking for a bike that will keep me interested, but is capable of a weeks worth of touring. This is where the 600cc + comes in so i can 'keep up'.

At the moment I've been looking at fireblades (94-98) and similar aged firestorms.

Any recommendations or advice?

Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[Chriss]

I've a Daytona 600 for £2250 and it's on an 04 plate!
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[The Tot]

Nick,

it's been a while since you had that rieju!

If your budget can extend - CAT C thous are worth a look at - i got my 929 blade for £2.1k. 13k miles, major service, lots of extras.. recalls done etc.

My insurance WOULD have been 420 BUT carole nash messed up my claim and put me down for 4 years NCB instead of 2 years. So when H&R rang C Nash, they confirmed to me that the proof of no claims was incorrect and that i only had 2 years - that said - £600 for a 21 year old uni student bum with 3 points and claim is relatively cheap for such a capable bike.

If you're sensible, you can vote with your head and pick up ZX9R C/E models for reasonably cheap. For me the choice was between the blade and the ninja because I didn't want the bling appeal of the gixxers or R1's... gives other bikers the impression that you're more mature and older than you actually are!

Tbh, the ZX9R C is a far more capable bike than the blades of the same era... but then again, a blade is a blade! It's difficult because my heart is still with kawasaki, but my head is firmly inline with the clinical honda wings!

The 929 i've got is very smooth and very capable - i bought it for carrying pillions and doing distance work which it does all in its stride. 100mph 2 up sweepers are a doddle (observation, planning, position, gear, speed etc considered), it's planted and assertive 2 up (got dunnie roadsmarts on the bike and i love it). It's so well built... and don't get me started with the boot! You could lose madeline mc cann in there!

Get the blade - 929 IF YOU CAN; most are owned by mature careful owners (make sure recalls for clutch basket and stress corrosion cracking on fork bottoms have been done; if your models were affected) - insurance is more expensive because it's group 17 and honda parts are bloody expensive. Failing that <2k would get you a 20k miler zx9r c/e with the same tasteful mods and the same type of careful, mature owner.

If you're smart and mature, which I kinda think you are, get the two bikes i mentiond - only posers get R1 & Gixxers... mind you, they won't last as well in winter too!

EDIT: here's a photowhore sesh of my bike

https://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2009%5C02%5C10%5Cbikepics-1567567-full.jpg

https://w4.bikepics.com/pics/2009%5C02%5C21%5Cbikepics-1578467-full.jpg

Look how happy and composed my pillion pal is . All my mates have commented on how smooth and tractable the bike is through the bends and under braking - it just feels composed. If you ride smooth enough, the blade's the bike for you - not had any problems with it on B-roads!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[_Will_]

I'm still umming and arring over downgrading if you fancy a Zx12 for 2.5k.....
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[The Tot]

ZX12 insurance is relatively cheap too.. in fact it was cheaper than the blade but ZX9R was cheapest.

What's your fuel consumption like Will, even on a gentle ride?
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[_Will_]

[nick.h]

Cheers for the write up titz, yep sure has been a while since the Rieju, got it stashed in the shed at my parents so i can relive my yoof when im old and boring.

I would love a blade, but i would be happy with any thou sub 25k miles. Think I will knuckle down and save and see what pops up when i've got the money in my hand.

Thing is, do I buy a ps3 ~ £300, or save and put it towards the bike?

Oh I'll have a look at Cat C's aswell..

Thanks,
Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[ajb]

[m_hill19]

how about a cbr 600f?

capable of both short blasts out or comfortbale yet fast touring.

im selling mine soon fi your interested

[wristjob]

a word about cat c/d
if you are looking then you need to go to the auctions where this stuff is sold by insurance bods.
be prepared to go a few times.
decide what you want before you go.
learn what things cost.
there are bargains to be had because a bike that is cheap for you because you want to ride it might be worthless to the trade because they want to make money on it.
i got mine by making friends with a local breaker and going to auctions with him(in his truck so if i did find something i could get it home).
if you put some effort in you can find gold.

[The Tot]

No disrespect mate, but why have a CBR600 F when you can get blade for the same price . Granted, i'll miss all the fun of riding 600's and they are a lot more rewarding, but thous have SOO much more power on tap that there is a good safety margin for planned overtakes. Long distance jobbies are a cinch!

My blade WAS cat C but was fully repaired, hence the lower than standard residual values.

Have a look about on ZX9Rs since it's got good Mpg - kawakas are pretty frugal and comfortable.

20 and on a "superbike" of its day is a bit of a statement, but if you're mature enough, then why not go for it... it's all about making steps forward - 600cc bikes after 04 never partcularly did it for me - my taste i bikes lie between 1998 and 2004.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[colin1]

[Ant]

colin, thous are better for scaring the shite out of you, i love mine but would possibly got to a 600 again next!
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04 ZX10R ~

[The Tot]

Thous are a lot roomier than 600's so with regards to the distance thing, it's better for comfort. Shame modern 6's are too cramped to be comfortable. I find the thou a lot smoother too; again, the counter arguement is that you use less revs - less revs for the same speed = smaller throttle openings = less fuel consumption
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[m_hill19]

why not have a 600?

you can have a lot of fun on them and mines more than comfortable enough for long rides.

[G]

Can get an early R1 for that price if you want it to be very easy to go stupidly quickly.
Alternatively, should be able to get any 600 from the beginning of this decade if you want to work a little to go stupidly quickly.
Of course early Y/K model GSXR750s are also just about in budget for a bit of both .

The 600s will 'keep up' easily if your left foot works .