'Vaguely sensible bike' opinions

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

I'm in the process of looking for a new bike and have in the region of £2500 to spend. I want a bike that will -

Get me to work, which is about a half hour ride including a stretch of motorway.

Be competent on track, I'll need to use it at Cadwell next week.

Will preferably wheelie off the power, because I'm rubbish at clutching it up.

Will hold it's value fairly well, as I hope to sell it in two or three months and get something less sensible.

At the moment I've been looking at -

A Thundercat.

A 95/96 Blade.

A CBR 600 94/95 or newer.

A track bike of some description with V5 so I can get a daytime mot.
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Firestorm (although I'll never live it down Laughing

)
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What would people recommend? Has anyone got any other suggestions of bikes to consider? Really I want a four, but I try to keep an open mind, there seem to be a lot of firestorms about second hand at reasonable prices, but I've never ridden one. Confused

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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Go for blade. Its a blade, its cool.

sv_cath · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

NC30? Or is that too small?
Andy had one for a while + it took us 2 up to Le Mans so shouldn't have any trouble with motorway miles.
The engine's bulletproof too Very Happy

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Can you get a Gixxer 7 for that money?
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Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

What about a CBR600F Sport? The blade type ones, but 600. They aren't too expensive AFAIK. They wheely, will be good on track, will commute as well as any other sports bike and should be fun.

Or an older ZX6R. Altho they are made by Kawasaki Sick

but they are cheap, decent, cheap to get bits for and they do wheely well from what I've seen.

Umm... not sure what else to suggest, but in my opinion, what you want the bike for, I'd say go for the blade Thumbs Up

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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

What about a Honda Hornet? I've heard they can handle pretty well and won't lose that much money? Alright, the wheelies may not be that impressive but if you're selling it so soon wtf are you worrying about wheelies for anyway?

Or is it sportsbikes only?
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Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Another thing,

a mate of mine has a GSXR750 SRAD stunt bike, yes a proper american style garishly painted stunt bike Laughing

and he does some decent stunts too! We keep planning to meet up with you lot in Reading but not got around to it yet...

Anyway... this SRAD, stunts brilliantly, fast, good handling, he commutes to college and stuff on it and has never had a complaint to make, looks good (well, not in his paint scheme, but in general they are ok) and well, he hasn't complained at all about it. So an SRAD 750 may be ideal for you or if you have enough (not sure how much they cost) then a sleeker K model would be cool too.

The hornets are nice bikes and must be good at wheelies?! They look good anyway Very Happy

The S faired versions look a bit naff tho.

What about an SV650S mate? I'm sure mark would vouch for them that they are good for wheelies, with a bit of work, they are great for the track too and can't be much better for commuting on?! They look cool too.
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Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

Yeah an srad 750 is an option, I'm just not too keen on the tail humps, call me a tart if you will. Laughing

I've ridden an SV and wasn't that impressed with it, but it might be a good choice as far as holding it's value goes.
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Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

How about an SV650? Or a cheap Firestorm? Twisted Evil

/me runs away
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

sv_cath · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Karma :

The Firestorm's got a stupidly small tank - only does about 90 miles before you have to fill up.
Dunno if that's a consideration, but just in case...!

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Blade

or how about an err . . . . . Blade I hear they are good! Wink

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

To be honest I'd go for a Kwak 7r, according to various magazines it's the dogs nuts on a track, you should be able to find one within your budget and it shouldn't have any problems lifting the front wheel. If not you could get an older Gixer which are also a lot of bike for the money.

Oh and did I mention that I know someone who would do you a deal on a Firestorm. Wink

Dusty · King of the Rim Joined: 25 Mar 2003 Karma :

andrew · Mister Road Rage Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

To be honest he doesn't know what he wants for it, PM him and you can discuss it. Wink

Have you considered an SV?

Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

kevingranger · Nova Slayer Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Karma :

My mates got a hornet. They power wheelie up to 60mph. its a good allround bike with a nice fat blade tyre on the back. Cheap too.

kev

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

I'd go for a SRAD GSX-R750, I might even myself later this year.