New Biker - Decisions Decisions...

[Bloke]

Have been googling away like a goodun for a few hours a night and I just haven't seen an adequate review online of the below bikes in comparison to each other.

Basically I passed my MOD2 monday just gone (woo! ) and now im eyeing up new bikes at dealerships with a massive urge to buy anything remotely shiny.

I need some advice before I go and lay down a deposit on something that I'll be tied into for 5 years (All the current big manufacturers have big 0% offers on over 5 years).

I'm looking for the perfect middleweight sporty tourer.

I'm 6ft dead (or near as damn it), 20st (aka Captain Fatbloke) and have friends who ride bikes varying from Fazer 600 to a couple on Sprint ST's and Honda Blackbirds, think one has just upgraded to a GSXR Thou (Insane bikes in my view aside from the Fazer 600).

I want to be able to at least ride some lovely twisty roads and maybe go euro-touring and be able to at least keep within viewing distance of my friends.

I know, I know its not the bike but the rider that sets the pace when riding through twisties but I'd rather not have the bike screaming at the top end just to keep up.

So my choices are as follows:

1. XJ6-FA Diversion
Eyed this one up first, available from GeorgeWhites in swindon and looks lovely, im big on the fairing having learnt on a naked and loathed the wind effect on my rather large chest, comes with ABS.

Concerns: Is it boring??, I've got to keep this bike for 5 years while I clear the finance, I want something that will keep me smiling.

2. ER6-F
Popular little blighter it seems, the 2009/10 model looks absolutely awesome with the ninja redesign and I am a big fan of the green and black.

Concerns: Popular, everyone has one, run of the mill, good but nothing special???

3. SV650F Sport
Only just saw this tonight online as being part of a 0% deal so haven't had long to look out for reviews for it.

Concerns: Don't know enough about it to know. Think its like the ER6 above.

4. GSX650F
Nice looking bike I think. Again saw this the same time as the SV650 so don't know enough about it.

Concerns: As above.

5. CBR600F
Much of a muchness, similar to others above.

6. Others?
Anyone have any suggestions for good "keeper" 600's?

So, stuck with a bike for 5 years... which middleweight 600(ish) would you go for?

Intended Use: Every day in all weathers, approx 80mile commute and typical weekend journeys expected to top well over 100miles to see friends and family.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[imanupstart]

My vote goes for the cbr600f, in 3 years I've had 6 bikes and this one is definatly a keeper. Fits the bill for everyday riding, twisties and a bit of hooliganism and touring. I was considering a sv and er6-f myself but the kawasaki was lacking in hp for my liking and the sv was too pricey

[EUMP]

Think the CBR600F would make the win, to me the SV's sound abit beefy due to the internal build, but when im sat on it seems abit low/thin in width
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C.B.T - Expired
MOD1 04/08/10
MOD2 10/08/10

[Bloke]

[imanupstart]

Yeah you dont have to worry about the cbr600f being slow, compared to more modern focused sports bikes it may seem it, indicated 140mph before I chickened out and it had a lot left to give You shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up Temp & fuel gauge, check. Fuel gauge annoys me a bit, it only comes on when you hit reserve but still, its a minor thing that shouldn't put you off.

Have you been and had a sit on all of them? Would be a good thing to do.

[Bloke]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Of your selection I would say the CBR of the GSX650F.

However as there is a fair range there and you want to keep it for a while I would be inclined to spend FAR less and buy something 2nd hand to see whether you like it. Whether you want something sportier and revier or some torquier.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[angryjonny]

5 years is a long time to keep your first bike. I've had my licence 4 years and I'm on my 4th bike: ER-5, FZS600, VFR800, FZ1 Fazer.

What seems exciting now will seem tame in 18 months. The Diversion looks proper space-age but give it a year and you'll be wishing it had more grunt.

Also bear in mind you'll likely drop your first bike. My ER-5 went down twice under my control and once when some sod kicked it over. Unless you have money to burn do 12 months on something cheap and then get something a bit more shiny after you've finished your apprenticeship.

[c_dug]

As above, I've been riding for 4 and a half years or so and am on my 5th bike, I would be looking at second hand too.

That said "Bike" magazine spoke very highly of the new divvy

If you don't have the money up front it may be worth speaking to the bank about a small loan or using a credit card and buying 2nd hand rather than brand new, you can get plenty of bike for £2,000 or so

cbr600f
SV650s
VFRr800
gsx600f

All for around the £2000 mark, would be payed back much quicker than any brand new bike and would mean you could then move on to something different if you wish
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Bloke]

You make a good point for buying second hand, however my problem is I know naff all about bikes and my nearest biker mate is 85 miles away. There are bikes going within my price range but none of them have warranties, they don't have 3 years servicing included in the price and I quite like the idea of having ABS.

Anything wrong with buying new and throwing some crash bungs on the thing to protect it against a simple drop?
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[angryjonny]

Nowt wrong with it. My reasoning for spending 1000 quid on a tame naked 1st bike were:

- I acknowledged that at some point it was going to end up shiny side down
- I lived in London and it had to live on the street so I wanted something not particularly stealable
- I had just spent all my money on DAS, hemlet, jacket, boots etc
- I wanted something that wasn't super scary to ride but figured I'd probably want to upgrade quite soon

These days I live in the sticks so I have somewhere nice and secure to park a bike. I have more experience and confidence though the memory of trying to ride off with the disk lock still on the bike is still fresh enough in my memory to stop it happening again. And I can afford to insure a bike comprehensively. So I figured the time was right to buy a new bike. I chose the FZ1 because I figured it was a bike I could enjoy for a few years and not wish it was something else. If I decide I want a hardcore sportsbike or something in the meantime I'll probably buy a 2nd bike.

Your 2 big risks are firstly that you bin a nice shiny bike, or you get bored of it and want to "upgrade" well within your 5 year finance period. Both of these things are expensive. If you're prepared to put up with those risks, then there are few better feelings than riding out of the showroom on a beautiful bike no-one has owned before you.

Incidentally... this 80 mile commute... is that 40 miles each way every day? Assuming 35 weeks a year that works out to about 70,000 miles over the course of 5 years, plus whatever you put on it recreationally... maybe another 25k? That's a lot of punishment and whatever you buy it'll be worth diddley squat after you're done with it.

[Bloke]

I haven't not acknowledged that its unlikely I will stay shiny side up for long, it is just economies of scale. To me 2500 on used bike that is 6 years old is mad money, 4500 on a brand spanking new one makes more sense.

40 miles each way is correct however I do drive a car also so will be moderating my mileage with that. I've done about 25,000 in the last year so yes after 5 it'll be well used. Surely this is an argument for buying new?

Naked just isn't an option, with the all weather riding I want to do I want that bit of wind protection that a fairing offers. Cracking it is just a risk I'll take.

In terms of used middleweights are there any that would match my needs particularly well, that I've not considered?
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[angryjonny]

Most of the bikes you've listed (SV650, GS650f, Diversion) are budget bikes and as such are built down to a price. You'll have to be on top of the maintenance all the time and make sure you wash the salt off very regularly in winter riding to stop them looking very tatty very quickly.

I had a VFR800 which I rode through a couple of winters for commuting etc with lax maintenance and care and it still looked good. This is because they're well built and capable of big mileages. You'll pay more for one but then you get what you pay for. Not sure they still do the 800 new - it's been replaced with the VFR1200 (mega money).

The NTV650 Deauville is practical and it's shaft-driven so it'll cope well with the commute and you won't be adjusting a chain every 2nd day. Not particularly interesting though.

FZ6 Fazer was replaced by the Diversion but now they do an FZ8 which might be worth investigating.

[Polarbear]

Of the ones you said, I would agree the Honda is probably the best but you won't get as good deal on it.

The GSX650F is a fully faired bandit. My wife has the bandit and finds it a very heavy bike to move around. Fine when rolling though, however your a big bloke and wont have that problem. Its a lot of bike for the money and the engine is sweet.

I wouldn't personally go for the SV cause it is a twin or the ER6 because its a bit of a slug, I have ridden a friends and didn't like it.

So that leaves the new divvy. Never ridden one but people who have say its a sweet bike but you have to rev it to get the best out of it.

Thats probably valid on all 600's though.

If I was buying, GSX or divvy with probably leaning towards the divvy purely on looks.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Mord]

If it was my first months of 33bhp restriction then I would be very tempted to get that brand new half-faired SV650S on 0% finance for £4874. It's a good bike.

Problem is when if comes to selling the bike you will lose a lot of money once your bike leaves the dealer, then even more after first year. If you're on finance you may find out that you may owe more money that you can get for your bike.

A lot to think of. Being stuck with one bike for 3-5 years may sound ok now, but after a year or so your views on that may change.. especially once your restriction period is over.

[Bloke]

[Bendy]

You don't have to have it for 5 years, you can pay off the finance at any point.

Have you had a go on any of your friends bikes?

Big bloke, big mileage, I'd be looking for a big bike. I think you'd be happy for longer with a 2nd hand VFR800 or Sprint than you will be with anything on your list.

Don't get hung up on 'brand new good, second hand bad' - most second hand bikes are absolutely fine and will get you more for your money.

[Bloke]

I'd love a sprint, fits me really well (managed to get to sit on one) only thing holding me back is insurance for a large capacity bike. Vfr looks nice but again insurance above 600cc really starts to ramp up as a first time rider.

I figure those bikes are something i'd have to get after a few years riding.

Sadly the only bikes I've sat on so far are:
ZX6r, sprint st, gs 500e, cg 125, ybr 125, honda VT 1100cc shadow cruiser thing

I plan on rectifying this tomorrow sitting on everything I can.

Zx = painful just trying to balance a single buttcheek on the thing!
Sprint = lovely, just price is painful.
Gs = boring, ugly, naked bike
125's= meh
Cruiser = painful on lower back (slipped a disk when I was 18 so might just be me) due to reach of handle bars combined with forward foot position.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[Kickstart]

[Teflon-Mike]

The dealer finance may look attractive, BUT, its not 'really' 0% is it? all they have done is sell you a bike with an inflated mark up on it, haven't they? No one gives you anything for nothing.....

Of what you have mentioned though CBR6 is the 'safest' choice. Its the all-rounders favourite, and drops into the lower tax and insurance bracket being under 600cc, where the lower performance 650's are in a higher bracket curtecy of the capacity threshold. (Though being lower performance they may or may-not get discounted for it on insurance at least, depending on your circumstances)

BUT, I'd go shopping for a cheaper 2nd Hand CBR as a first bike. Its far less risk to live with.

Next thought; buying on finance, big monthly outlay, for the privilidge of a bike that shouldn't need much by way of repairs, but it WILL still need maintenence, and on a new bike, probably more expensive dealer maintenence.

And there bikes like the CBR fall down a bit. Lots of cylinders, and technology packed under hard to remove body-work and radiators and stuff... makes a serice upty times more expensive just for the routine stuff. and as a high-performance bike, they will need more servicing from the off. Tyre life, chain life, break pad life is ALL a alot shorter on higher performance bikes.

And if you are having to find the dosh for that, on top of high HP installments, its going to be VERY expensive biking, or very frustrating, when you cant use the bike, or go anywhere on it, or are other wise 'pinched' for pennies.

Starting with a 2nd hand bike, and finding something more concervative, like a GS500 or ER5 or whatever, or even an older 2nd Hand CBR, smaller installments, shorter HP/bank-loan period, might make it all more manageable, not lock you in so much, and overall, have you running at less significant 'risk', from the amount of money you have commited, to the amount of running costs demanded to the 'cant get rid' of a bike you dont like, or cant get on with.

Basically I think yuou are coming from it from the wrong angle; you are buying on the apearance of a finance deal as your primary screening tool, NOT from what would suit you best, then looking at the possible finance packages as the feature to tip the balence in the final choice.

But end of the day its your money.... or more precicelly, your future income being pledged against a bankers money.......
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Bloke]

It's impatience and the look of shiny new stuff that's pulling me towards a finance deal.

If common sense prevailed I'd wait six months, save up 4 grand and go buy something outright. However I want it now while there are enjoyable summer days to be had not in the middle of winter.

I'm absolutely gash at mechanical gubbins and just incredibly attracted to the no fuss dealer new bike.

Fairing is because when I do ride it I'll be riding it long distances and will appreciate the comfort of a top fairing.

You are right of course, I could just buy a gs or er5, fit a screen and keep it a year. Maybe I should.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[FURBAR]

Summers over soon, the experience from whats suggested would stand you in good stead, you won't be on finance and you can / will drop it .. and won't have to damage your NCB ...

It's definetly the right move, then come next spring you can buy your dream bike as it were and have all summer on it !! ..

Letting your heart rule your head, will see you with what you want know, but could end up a bit of a nightmare if you crash your new bike, hurt your self and your pocket etc etc ..

You will be a better as much more prepared rider for doing what is suggested ...

Oh and if not suggested .. Honda Hornet 2k .. would be a good comprimise ... or a fazer ... i LIKE the Hornets .. as do many ..
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Fuk um !!

[Slacker24seve...]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Bloke]

2nd hand it is I guess, it does open up the models I can get and I've always wanted a honda hornet Will keep you posted what happens.
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2008 VFR800 VTEC