?1k-fifteen 'undred quid = VFR750 or CBR600 - or neither

[arry]

Yes, the title is suitably gay and yes, I am seriously asking this.

Current bike, GPZ500 - first bike

Been a biker all of 20 minutes in real time, or passed test in August in this crazy world. Hadn't even been on a bike for 10 years prior to that.

Happy ish with what I've got - I like it

But, itchy fingers - money to spend

Always wanted a CBR600 because when I was a nipper I wanted one, so now it's a case of fulfilling boyhood dreams (but without the fit blonde nurses) - but is it a case of never meet your heros?

However, VFR750 seems to do everything I want down to a tee; research suggests it's comfortable, reliable, good for touring. Downsides, a bit of weight and it's a jack of all trades master of none

I can't say I'm anywhere near as good as the GPZ is yet, ie the bike will outsmart me as a rider easily.

What do I do - man up and swap in for either, or just fcuking get on with riding the GPZ and see if I can get the pig flu rash from my fingertips?

Advice please

[BenR]

You should be able to get a VFR800Fi for 1500 quid now. Would definately recommend one of those. Depends what you want from a bike really. If you want a sports bike there are far better options than a CBR6.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[T0MMY]

Ever ridden one? For that money I wouldn't say there were FAR better options than a CBR600. They are very well built and very reliable. Their practicality and ubiquitousness seems to make people think that somehow they are nowhere near as sporty as a ZX6 or GSXR from the same era but that's bollocks-there's not that much in it and they were still mixing it on track. Only criticism I would have is that they look a bit boring in my opinion.

After your GPZ it will feel VERY nice, very smooth, very quick, great brakes, great handling etc. etc. That goes for any sports 600 as they are pretty much flagship models and just feel a bit more...quality. I only chose a CBR as from the ZX6Rs and GSXRs I looked at it was the best condition for the money.

I wouldn't worry too much about jumping from a GPZ to a sports 600 either as the power comes in so high in the rev range that they are easy to ride sensibly and quite forgiving unless you want them not to be.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[arry]

Cheers

I'm not wanting to go sports mad, but I do want something with a turn of pace, good handling - or more importantly neutral handling.

I'm not sure I want to go up too far in terms of weight, I like having a light bike - and for no other reason it makes it very easy to get the bike back in my garage facing the right way without having to pull the car out.

I want comfort, reliability, practicality but with speed and looks. I guess both fit the bill?

Isn't the 800i a bit of a pig to service - seems to be from what I've read? Most seem to prefer the 750.

[sagalout]

If you can be sensible with the throttle, you could find a nice Zx9r c1/2 for about 1500. Lightweight, sporty, grunty, but still practical and easy to ride.
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Current Bike: Triumph Speed Triple T309
Previous: CBR600F => ZX9R => Triumph Tiger => Honda Blackbird => GSXR 750 => Versys =>ZX12R

[arry]

Now there's an idea! Didn't realise they'd got that cheap - there's one on ebay in reasonable nick for £1200!!

[arry]

Meh - may have to go on hold until Jan when my policy is due for renewal - they want 6 times what I'm currently paying

[Noxious89123]

[arry]

Well the CBR (I think) looks good, I have always wanted one and its within budget - more importantly I can insure it for not many peanuts over what I'm paying for the GPZ - so it has to be No1 contender at the moment....

[T0MMY]

I was quite surprised by how cheap the insurance was on my CBR6, I wanted an NC29 but couldn't justify it as it was more to buy and probably the same to insure, still prefer the little 400s though

I don't think you can go far wrong with a CBR600 to be honest, they really do everything well from trackdays to touring, mine's even quite good on fuel, better than the little Bros 400 I used to commute on.

Tell you what, I'll do a swap for your ITR
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[arry]

LOL - no you're ok fella, I think I need to keep hold of the ITR

May call on you for some advice when I do go bike hunting though

[colin1]

you need to do test rides and think about what sort of riding you are going to use a bike for, and which bike suits it
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[arry]

[swiftb]

you still sticking with just the two models or have you thought of broadening the range a bit?? Hondas come up too expensive for my liking. Considered any of these models:

https://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/SUZUKI+GSX/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-121-239-4294965375-4294967208/advert.action?R=200912330999154&distance=37&postcode=se1+1hy&channel=BIKES&make=SUZUKI&model=GSX&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=1999&vehicleRegLetter=T

https://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/TRIUMPH+TT/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-121-239-4294966210-4294967162/advert.action?R=200917113338760&distance=26&postcode=se1+1hy&channel=BIKES&make=TRIUMPH&model=TT&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2001&vehicleRegLetter=51

https://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/KAWASAKI+ZX/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146-236,N-121-239-4294967191-4294967193/advert.action?R=200913331307697&distance=18&postcode=se1+1hy&channel=BIKES&make=KAWASAKI&model=ZX&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=1997&vehicleRegLetter=P

sorry for size of links

I would say although these are sports bikes they are less focused examples and would be good for a bit of everything which it sounds like your looking for

[arry]

Nah I don't mind broadening the range - all suitable suggestions listened to

First one looks like it could well be a bit of me. I'll look a bit further into those and keep them in mind.

Had no idea you could get those triumphs for that kind of money now - and yes, that's definitely a bit of me. I like that I'll run some quotes through and see what the insurance does

Unfortunately the last one is out just because of the insurance - they want far, far too much money to justify it

Thanks for the help

[arry]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk.ceibay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230344626377

Scamtastic or just listed like 2k to cheaply by mistake?

[T0MMY]

I'm guessing he maybe meant to start an auction at that price? It's too low even for a scam as it would be too obvious
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[arry]

Seriously considering this but it's bloody miles from me and I don't want to get there to find it's shite

Or there's this one, but it doesn't seem to be an original colour and the lack of stickers is putting me off - that and the fact I'll look like a bumblebee

[T0MMY]

There's loads around so you can afford to hold out for a good one, the paint scheme on that first one makes it look a bit old fashioned somehow compared to say this:-
https://www.motoplanete.com/honda/CBR-600-97.jpg
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[arry]

I quite liked it actually but then I am a bit retro

Been looking for weeks now - that yellow one is the only one that's come up anywhere near my price range and anywhere near where I live

That said I'm in no rush, got to MOT the GPZ this week anyway

[stinkwheel]

Perversely, you might find the VFR a bit cheaper to insure on account of them not being crashed as much.

Not quite as sports focused as a CBR but you are getting a lot of motorcycle for your money and I can vouch for the build quality.

I'd rather have a moderately high mileage VFR than a similar CBR. The VFR will definately age better.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[arry]

VFR's about £3 difference to the CBR, so either would do fine. Struggling to find a VFR at the right sort of money though - well, I'm struggling to find anything at the right sort of money which either means I'm looking in the wrong places or I expect too much and need to move my budget accordingly