Has your bike lived up to expectations?

[wizzzard]

I swapped my zxr750 for a fzr1000 about a month ago and had certain expectations on how the new bike would be to live with.

I expected it to be thirsty.
Check. It drinks like a student on ten pence a pint night.

I expected it to be fast.
Jesus Christ, check

I expected it to be more fun than the kwak to ride.
Wrong. It seems to be missing something feeling wise that i used to get from that rattly old zxr engine.

I expected it to be more comfortable than the zxr.
Wrong again. The H2 was meant to be really uncomfortable but after having a decent ride on the fzr on monday and hardly being able to walk afterwards id take the zxr any day.

Did you have any preconceived expectations and does your bike live up to them?
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And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[mad4it028]

i went from a cbr600f to a gsxr1100 to a zx6r

the cbr was comfy slow handled well
the gsxr was silly fast comfy but handled like a tank i hated it n sold it after a week
then the zx6r i was expecting it to be like the cbr wow was i wrong
not as comfy as the cbr but a hell of a lot faster handleing was also much better once i got used to the way the zx6r tips in i did 650 miles last sunday thro to monday and still walked the dog ok when i got home so not too bad
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[t121anf]

moved from a 99 gsx600f to a 2005 gsxr 750 and i have to say it surpassed expectations.

it rides well and goes like mad.

it took a while to adjust to the firm suspension and it still catches me out, defo need some stomp grip.

at the moment only style would make me want to change it as i want to pose on an 848

[Dark]

Went from a 2005 ZX10R to a 1998 Blackbird. I wanted something more comfortable for commuting but something that was still rapid and handled ok.

More comfortable - Yes, a lot more!

Still rapid - Yes. Although the Blackbirds power delivery is very linear where the ZX10R was just plain crazy

Handles ok - Yes. It seems i prefer heavier bikes. The 10R was just too light and for me it never felt planted. The Blackbird feels very planted and is surprisingly agile for such a big bike.

I'm well happy but its probably because i'm getting old
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My Bikes in order:- Yamaha RXS100 / Suzuki X7 250 / Yamaha RD350LC / Kawasaki
KR1S 250 / Kawasaki ZXR750 H2 / Honda C50 / Kawasaki ZX7R P5 / Kawasaki ZX10R / Suzuki GSXR 400 / Honda CBR1100 Blackbird & Yamaha FZR 600

[Visitor Q]

Yes.
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China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

[ncrn]

I bought an ER-5 ,

not massively fast - yep
reliable - hasn't failed me yet
not much to damage if it falls over - yep (now has crash bars so double yep)
economical - 160 miles for a tenner
good for filtering - not the easiest bike to be aggressive on but it works well
can fit a top box too easily - I wouldn't say easily but its on there.

So yeah, its slow and not that exciting but its cheap and reliable.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[ms51ves3]

Yes.

[Tango675]

I Bought a SV650N K1

I expected it to be:

More fun than a CB500 - Its faster, not riden the CB but Im willing to bet its more entertaining.

Good for a Newbie - Sorta, throttle needs care, handling is sweet

Able to take a pillion - Yep, lots of people have jumped on the back and its quite comfy too.

Will keep me entertained for a year or so - Had it 2 years in July, and its still a faster bike than I am rider.

Windy - Yep

Cheep to insure and run - Yep, 50mpg and under a £100 to insure

Poor finish - Nope, aside from some paint on the engine, everything is holding up well. Mechanicly its a very sound bike.

Not to keep up with sports bikes - You will be trying harder, but you can!

a girls bike - Um.. more uni-sex . but most riders are blokes.

Would I buy another one? as a first bike, defo! Looking a street triples now, but can see myself on the SV for another year or so.
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Somebody give that windup merchant a torque wrench..

[Blau Zedong]

My GSXR750M - I am well aware of the breed, which is why I bought one. Handling is better than I am - really confidence inspiring, especially now the rear damping is wound up, brakes are good (not stunning). Chassis at least as good as my old 750L if not slightly better. Engine is raucous and characterful but i don't think it's as batshit quick as my previous one, it certainly isn't as free revving. Can't say I mind as it was fucking cheap.

YR5 - Considering it's complex conception (from resto project to period modified street racer) I'm really pleased with how the mods have worked out (expansion chambers and intake stuff). It's probably better to ride than my RD350B was in all honesty - but next time it blows up it wants a six speed box dropping in. I honestly think with that it would match, or possibly edge a standard 350LC. I wanted something to my own taste that was batshit mental and it's pretty much acheived this.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[arry]

GPZ500

I wanted a cheap bike - check
Reliable - check
Well mannered - check
comfortable - check
easy to ride/forgiving - check
reasonably fast - check (by my standards)

I guess it's done me well.

[nowhere.elysium]

I bought my '96 Bandit 600 back in February.
It was cheap, it's pretty swift (by my perceptions, anyway), it's a bit on the thirsty side, and I can fix it with hammers.

Four out of four, really. Despite everyone's derision for riding a Bandit, I like it.

Oh, and it's loud. Makes a fantastic noise when revving from 7K up to about 10K. This gives me a trouser tent.*


*Metaphorically speaking, of course
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[truslack]

Armstrong MT500:

Slow on road: Check
Heavy off road: Check
Able to drop it without damaging anything: Check
Able to bolt/weld to it easily: Check
Carry ANYTHING: Check
Refuses to die: Check
Pig to start: Check
Causes bruised ankles: Check

Yeah, it exceeds them
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[Visitor Q]

[Flip]

I'm pretty happy with my bike. Had to replace the exhausts because it wasn't any louder than a car really. Stiffened the front suspension up (going to replace with stiffer springs next year. Common XJR problem/mod). Handlebars are crap though so will replace them with Renthals as soon as (common XJR problem/mod).

Pulls like a train, even 2 up with camping gear and luggage on. But it's also happy to plod around town. It's fast as f*ck and torquey without being mental. (My GSXR750L was mental. Always felt lilke it wanted to race).

Once those little mods are done I'll be f*ckin' happy with my bike.

[The Original Muzza]

Wanted an eye catching bike.
Check

Wanted a fun bike.
Check!

Needed a bike that would be beyond my ability for my 2 year restriction.
Check (so far! Only 1/4 way through the 2 years though.)

Needed to handle stopping at 100,000 traffic lights on the way into uni every morning/afternoon.
Used to overheat, now just stalls when it feels like it.

The last one is a big problemo, but I have a 125 I'm fixing up for next years uni commute, the TT will be used as a hooligan toy/tourer.
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Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

[.Chris.]

Granted I've only had it a couple of days, but the GT550 has more than lived up to the (admittedly fairly low) expectations I had of it. Comfortable, good on the motorway, plenty quick enough for me, good on fuel, seems to handle reasonably well and was dirt cheap. It's quite heavy but I knew that before I bought it.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[The Tot]

The 929?

It's a honda, so no surprise it was well put together. Everything is accessible. It's such an easy bike to do basic servicing at home with, and a joy.

Right, here was my criteria that I wanted from my bike.

140 mile tank range - sorted
Wind protection - done
Long distance comfort - err kinda, you wouldn't pick a sportsbike as your weapon of choice.
Strong high-gear engine performance - roll-ons are a doddle.
45mpg cruising performance - after fitting a can and PCIII, fuel economy improved when cruising at 85, equalling my ZX6R
Underseat space - I said to my mates that I could lose madeline mc cann in there, and you could! Got my toolkit, PCIII, alarm, WD40, lock + bike cover stashed under there.
Stable, predictable handling - read the reviews on what 900-1000cc bike to get and it lived up to my expectations and as a result, I felt that i got a bloody good bargain.

Bearing in mind what it is, I kinda wished it had better pillion comfort since the stepped seat is pretty high. Still a LOT more comfortable than a CBR600F-S (NOT THE F) of my mate's though.

It feels rewarding now that I'm getting used to it, I can ride it like a 600 because of the chassis but the flexibility of the engine offers stronger performance during roll-ons, overtakes and corner exits. Honda have engineered the bike very well; but if you want japanese soul, I would have stuck with kawasaki and planted my ass on a 10R... the blade just nods its head at whetever is thrown at it and thanks you for it.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[The Disapproving Brit]

Kymco Zing 125.

Bought because the timing and price was right.

- Expected it to be dog slow. Check, but better than I expected
- Expected it to be unreliable as hell. Apart from the odd niggle, it's been bombproof
- Expected it to be cumbersome and a bitch to handle. It's very comfy and can handle more than my ability can throw at it.

In short, I expected it to get me through my test and then to want something bigger and better. While I have one eye open for something bigger to come along, I'm actually still really happy with it.
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Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[colin1]

triumph tt600

mine has lived up to expectations, and the longer I have had it the more I realise its just right for me

sometimes I think of getting something else, but anything else wouldnt be quite right for me

I havnt got the most out of it yet, I've only scratched the surface (literally)
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Mark65]

Yes my first bike a ybr125 since i was about 19 is great i love it to bits.

I always look forward to riding it in all weathers, but looking forward to a bigger one

Mark
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[c_dug]

GPZ500s - bought it because it was supposed to be uber reliable, wahey i thought, a bike that may be Conan proof.

It turns out no bike is Conan proof and this has spent more time off the road than on the road, just like all my other bikes then

c_dug
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Seb]

Yes and no.

I was hoping it'd be like owning a C90, keep it serviced and throw a bucket of water at it every now and again. Rather it's been a bit temperamental and rather expensive to boot

However it absolutely lives up to it's reputation as a highly strung and sensitive beast of a bike. It's taken 2 months worth of headscratching, tinkering and money spending to get it to the point where it feels like it wants to go round a non perfect corner properly.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I didn't really know what to expect. I happened across my bike. So after searching i found that i was to expect nimble handling, modest power and poor brakes. Engine is pretty smooth for a single (only owned singles)
My 250 is a blast, but a few less gear changes would be nice.


Pat
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Devils Advocate]

08 rsvr

head turning ability?...check
power?....check
handling?...check
cruising ability?...
speed?...
tank range and fuel costs?..reasonable if throttle respected.
low-mid range poke?...
law breaking ability?...
reliablity?..so far

comfort?...questionable
commuting ability?...ridiculously bad.

all in all i`m well pleased but i think i like il4s the best.

[Steve-D]

99 R6

I cant make my mind up on it.
I don't need anything faster because I will loose my lisence/kill myself. Especially since I ride like a knob everywhere.

Top speed, Far too much
Accelaration, quicker than 99% of cars on the road.
Tank range, Crap anything between 80-120 miles to a tank
Reliability, Spot on

But sometimes, the whole revviness and lack of midrange is a giggle, but only when your in the mood for it. When I'm just going to work and want a lazy overtake it pisses me right off.
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www.southwestbikers.com
Tristan The said 'Dunno what my pace will be like, fastish slow puncture on the rear and if I go too fast I risk my 'keys' falling out'