Which bike (VFR, ZX9R, SV650, ZZR6)?

[frez]

I am buying a used bike for commuting to a new job that is 50 miles each way, on dual carriageways and motorways. Budget is a maximum of 2K.

Comfort is important as I am an old fart, I am 6'4 and 20 stone. My last bike was a R1100RT that I sold 8 years ago.

Contenders from ebay at the moment are a VFR800, several ZX9Rs, a SV650S, and a ZZR600.

Are the SV650S and ZZR600 going to be too small? Is the ZX9R comfortable for someone my size? Is the VFR the one to get even though it is stretching my budget?

Comments from owners of these machines would be much appreciated.

[Seb]

Ex ZZR owner here, it's certainly not a small bike but the seat is rather low. Being 20 stone I'd say the rear shock is going to be more of an issue than the height though, I'd suspect you'd find it rather easy to drag the center stand on an older example with a weaker shock.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[The Tot]

ZX9R C is a very good bike. A lot of bang for your buck; a fast, comfortable "superbike" that got relegated to sports-tourer duty. It's better than the blade of it's time and has more to offer then a VFR800. ZX9R's are big, roomy and frugal and no doubt having the large 900ccs churning away at 5k rpm in top gear will make distance commutes a breeze. That said, i used to commute 60 miles round trip on a ZX6R so i suppose the larger power and fairing of the ZX9R would have been handy.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
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[Nyarlathotep]

I have a VFR (although it's a newer VTEC) and an older SV650S. The VFR is MUCH more comfortable for commuting, largely due to the higher clip-ons. That said the SV uses less fuel and is lighter.

I use the bike almost every day, so am relaxed riding around. However, in bad weather it's inevitable that I'll tense a bit and on the SV this hurts my wrists.

My choice in your position would be a VFR (including the older 750s) or ZZR. Nothing against ZX9Rs at all, I just wouldn't see the point in the extra power at the expense of fuel consumption for commuting.

Edited to add: I'd also seriously consider a Suzuki GSX750F. Used to have one and it's comfortable, reliable, good fairing, cheap insurance and a lot of bike for the money.

[G]

I've commuted a fair bit on a SV650 and ZX9 - am currently using the ZX9 thought town. Not sure about fuel on a normal one, mine's pretty terrible but it's had head work, full system with filter etc so isn't representative.

Given the choices you've presented, I think I'd go for the ZX9 for the best mix of weight, power (ease of use) and handling. The SV is probably cheaper to run, but handling isn't quite as good and the riding position doesn't agree with everyone.
I used to own a R100RT; the ZX9 is massively faster than this, if you don't realise. So especially with this, you'll have to take it a bit easy if you haven't been on bikes for a while.

[chris-red]

Thought about a TDM?, You should be able to get a good 850/ok 900 for 2k very comfy and return good mileage perfect for taller guys.
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[krebsy]

I commuted a lot on a ZZR-600 and also on the VFR Vtec. Comfort wise the VFR is on par with the ZZR and both have more of a higher up seated style than a sportsbike.

Commuting wise, the ZZR is much easier to slice through the traffic on and better at low speeds. I have to slip the clutch if I'm crawling along on the VFR as the throttle can be quite snatchy and also the linked brakes makes the front dip if I'm trying to just use the brake pedal to vary speed.

I've done 400 mile round trips in a day on the ZZR and found it a breeze for commuting. It was also smoother overall and more forgiving with cack-handed throttle control.

Mind you, the VFR out on the motorway eats up the miles and fuel wise is about the same as the Zed. I'd recommend a DB screen on either (My Dead-z-r had one and it made a huge difference to wind resistance). The VFR is a more solid and rounded machine that has much more go in it and can be very lively if you keep the Vtec on (in the high rev range).

Luggage wise I had a rack&Box on the Zed with soft panniers (easy to fit and never got in the way) and the VFR has the full Honda luggage. If you do buy that though, get it from David Silver spares as it's about £600 cheaper than the Honda dealership. Bit of an arse to fit as you need to take apart all the rear plastics but do-able in an afternoon (with perseverance and the "Light maintainance hammer").

Horses for courses really. If you are nipping through urban traffic then the ZZR is probably better but the VFR for longer journeys.

The ZZR regularly gave me 150+ miles to the tank when spiritedly riding and is nippy enough to get to silly speeds two up.

Urban = ZZR.
Motorway = VFR.

K.
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[Mr Nice Guy]

I imagine 6'4 and 20st would completely overwhelm an SV, it may get stuck in your ar$e. I am 6'2 and 17st and it felt like a toy.
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Tonka]

[frez]

Thanks for the advice.

Today I bought myself a 1997 CBR600F. Rode it home and had a huge grin on my face, especially after showing a Z4 my tail when he didnt want to be overtaken

Still taking it easy though...