Looking for a new bike. Any advice?

[MotorbikerTom]

So I currently ride a GS500E and am on restriction. I am looking to change bikes in April as my GS isn't running too well and I want to get a bike which I will use for a few years (when the restriction is lifted).

I am really keen on the sv 650's, the look of them and i'd love a v-twin, but I'm also looking at Bandits, Hornets, Fazers and Thundercats.

Just posted this up to hear any thoughts or advice you guys had, or any recommendations?

Cheers,
Tom.
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CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[0l0dom0l0]

I'll be selling a 1995 CBR 600 F very soon which is another good option (although check the insurance quotes first).

Out of all the naked, I'd probably go for the hornet. Deffo the sexiest.

I've got the Fazer, it's good, quick, reliable and economical but my god its boring.

If you're near Hampshire then you're more than welcome to a go on the CBR if you've got insurance for other bikes
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[moppy]

I have a restricted ZZR6 and so far it is a lovely bike. Seat is very comfortable, is ludicrously fast, very very confidence inspiring. Can be picked up quite cheap, but cheap restrictors are hard to find. But its an IL4, so dunno how you feel about that.

[rac3r]

Any of the air cooled Monsters would be good or if you don't mind the extra cost the water cooled ones. Insurance is cheap too
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[moppy]

[pits]

If you're looking at a Ducati bear in mind
Expensive to maintain if you buy a good one, need to do cambelts every 6k miles or every 2 years which ever comes first, valve clearances need to be checked each time or it could lunch the engine.
Aim for one with FSH from a reputable place
Make sure belts have been done £300-600 depending where you go
If the belts were the previous service, then I would consider going through the bike thoroughly to check everything else is in good order.

Don't buy a dog, they can cost a fortune if they go wrong.

That said I love my Duke and wouldn't swap it.
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Stinkwheel: You have no right to free speech
00:32:08 Blau Zedong: yes, i am a massive CB400 fan and collector
00:33:00 Blau Zedong: the CB400 is my favourite road bike

[TheDonUK]

I went from a GS500E to a Bandit 600 then to a Hornet 600, and i did ride a few SV650's in that time.

All of those bikes are capable,

The Bandit is better for distance and stability, the hornet for lightweight sharp handling and brakes (but poor tank range)and the SV650 for the sound (i found the brakes as standard to be poor and spongy on the SV).

All of them are a fair upgrade to your goose, they will all do about 120-130 flatout.

As good as all of them are, if you are anything like me you will get bored of the middleweight de-tuned 600's after about a year.

I see them as an important stepping stone and did learn good lessons and have fun, but don't buy any of them and expect to be entirely satisfied with it for years to come (Unless you are incredibly sensible).

Might be worth looking at late 90's 600 sports bikes such as the 99 ZX6R i had or the CBR600's of the same vintage, unrestricted they are a big jump ahead of the SV's/Bandits/Hornets/Fazers etc.

Although if you are restricted the SV might take it better than a sports bike...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Polarbear]

Don't expect to keep any bike for any length of time. Few bikers I know do unless it's something like a GoldWing or a big BMW.

There's always a different bike waiting in the wings that you want to try! I've had my striple R a year now and love it, but I still look at other bikes and think, I could trade in for that! The only thing that stops me doing a spur of the moment change is her indoors

Whatever you get, you will wish you had got something else at some time
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[MotorbikerTom]

I didn't know monsters would be a good idea? I will have a little look at some quotes.

I understand I shouldn't 'expect' to have it for a certain amount of time at all, I mean I am looking for a bike which when derestricted it will bring a new edge to the bike and excite me again.

Cheers for all the replies as well
____________________
CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[UnspeedySam]

I think good advice has already been given. So instead I will just say that my restricted ZZR600 is up for sale/swap. 2000 plate, micron exhaust, about 38k miles.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[P.]

[Mrjoolz]

there you go paddy, beechbones ZZR600 for your GSXR ?
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Previous Bikes: TZR125, KMX125, RGV250, RD350YPVS, GXSR750H, GSXR600SRAD, R1 (2000), GSXR1000 (K1), ZZR600, CBR1100XX Super Blackbird

Current Bike: Suzuki GSX1300R Hyabusa.....

[UnspeedySam]

Nice idea but I'm looking for a downgrade to be honest. The ZZR is worth around £1200-1500 and I because I can't sell my RXS (girlfriend riding it for a few months) I need to find somewhere else to earn a few £££.

That and the insurance on a GSXR750 is going to be NUTS for me.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[P.]

[rac3r]

[nickGT]

I have an 03 bandit. It's my 1st bike and suits me so far. Has enough power to keep me entertainedfor now and is a doddle to ride. If your near south east london your welcome to take it for a spin (insurance depending)

[MotorbikerTom]

That is very kind of yo Nick but I'm quite a way from east london and my insurance isn't on all bikes. Thanks for the offer though.

I think I'm gonna have to go and sit on some of these bikes to see which is the one for me. I'm leaning a bit more towards an IL4 as I think they will be more exciting than a V2 (No discrimination intended to v-twins, just from what I've heard they are)
____________________
CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[Kingstondavo]

Definitely another vote for the monster here - I have a 696 but have heard great things about the earlier models too. They have their little niggles but it gives the bike a bit of personality, They sound epic too.

[MotorbikerTom]

Yeah I'm surprised at the insurance group. It's roughly the same amount of money to insure a monster as it would be for any of the others I'm considering. Cheers bud
____________________
CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[Kingstondavo]

Worth bearing in mind it does turn about half the petrol you put in into power, and the remaining 45% or so goes on making a lot of noise, so if you are looking for a smooth & quiet commuter ride... its probably not the best option, but then again you wouldnt even consider a duc if you wanted that. You can always get earplugs...

[TheDonUK]

^

Dont buy a Ducati lol

SV/Hornet/Bandit/Fazer all worthy upgrades to your 500...
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[P.]

[rac3r]

I think it's a 14L tank and you get about 100 to 130 miles from it. I would put about £10 in and then once I got near 100 miles I would fill up as I don't trust the fuel light
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[TheDonUK]

The reason so many ducati fanbois have suggested a monster is because they are all at home because their bikes dissolved
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Paris2]