After a 600 but struggling

[drew86]

Hi all,

I passed my test on Friday and am now after a 600... I'm not at all into the lean over sports bikes as they hurt my back after 5 minutes. I really like the ER6's (preferably F) and quite like bandits and hornets too (again preferably faired versions)

My budget is approx £2000-£2200 so I'm hoping to pick up a bargain before the season starts up properly.

As this will be my first big bike, i'm unsure of the key points to look for. ie all the ER6's in my price range tend to have mileage in excess of 20k, is this really high for a bike? if it was a 6 yr old car i'd be laughing with only 20k on, but in bike terms, is that classed as high mileage?

Also, what sort of mark up to dealers put on? would it be worth me looking at bikes that are up for £2500 and trying to haggle down or do I not stand a chance? any advice would be greatfully received!

Thanks all.
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Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[JP7]

Your budget will just about get you an FZ6, which I'd highly recommend, it's the best bike I've had. Good fun to ride, good handling, reasonably quick. You can go for a naked one, or a Fazer, but the Fazers are slightly more expensive.

[Pol Anorl]

buy a xj 600
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Jewlio Iglesias: You live in Liverpool - Chances are, the front door has already been kicked off the hinges

[Redoko]

20k is reasonable for a £2k budget.

I'd personally stay away from the faired bandits and hornets... They look horrible.

Although you're getting well into the expensive season for buying, but still don't rush out and pick whatever.
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"Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing."
Sudika Sportsman SK50QT > Gilera DNA50 > Honda CBR125 RW7 > Kawasaki Zephyr750 > Suzuki GSXR600 > Honda Hornet CB600F '51

[Babba]

I'm puzzled as to how you know for definate what type of bikes wouldn't suit you when you only passed your test on Friday?

20k miles on a bike is considered Uber high mileage when you're trying to sell one to a dealer. If you're looking to buy one, then overall condition is far more important.

If it's your first step up from passing your test & you aren't already fixated on one particular make & model, then buy the best selling bike in the class that fits you as a rider most.

If it's the best seller then it obviously has to have something going for it, sometimes it pays to be a sheep.

[Quornholio]

[evoboy]

J model ZX6r ( year 2000 ish).
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[drew86]

It's easier for me to decide what I don't want (anything leaning forward) as I have a bad back and just sitting on them in the showrooms makes me back ache but the sit upright street bikes etc seem plenty more comfortable. But in terms of which I'm not very sure. I'm pretty much going in looks and comfort of the seat. I've done loads of research online and read loads of reviews too.

I've got a few more on the list to go and view 'in the flesh' before making my purchase but just wanted to check out the mileage part as to me it seemed like not a lot but a few people have pulled a face and taken a sharp inhale when I've said anything above 20k on the clock!
____________________
Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[Babba]

[WannaBeDude]

Be quick and buy that new hornet for 2300 that shaggy posted ! get if del if need be, you'd be mega happy and insurance is not too bad ..

Think you need to borrow a few hundred quid or use a card ...

Btw - bike is 10 years old with 500 miles ..
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Jogging on, destination living.

[Recluso]

Don't rush yourself.

I've been looking at bikes since October time (after deciding I was doing my test etc) and it's only just now that I've been able to narrow it down to a shortlist of 3.

Don't compromise and grab something just because it's a 'big bike'. Better to take a bit more time and look around and find something that you really get on with. Sitting on them in showrooms CAN be helpful, especially if like me, you're a bit of a noob and hasn't got much experience/knowledge as to the size/shape of certain models.

Sit on everything, even stuff you weren't considering. You may find yourself surprised by something you hadn't even looked at prior. Some stuff isn't as 'leany' as you would think and other stuff that you thought would be more upright turns out to be more of a tank sprawl.

But really, take your time. You'll find something awesome that suits you down to the ground.
____________________
'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[drew86]

Got a link for the hornet?
____________________
Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[WannaBeDude]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=241451
____________________
Jogging on, destination living.

[Paulington]

I'd like to point out that 'sporty' bikes such as Thundercats, CBR600Fs, SV650S, GSX-Rs and such like are not as uncomfy as you may think. Once you get to 40mph the wind hitting your chest takes all the weight off your wrists and even stops your back muscles having to work so hard to maintain the position. Bikes feel very different when actually riding then and moving than they do static.

Anyway, any non-faired bike would be perfect for you, as has been said:

Honda CB600F Hornet
Suzuki GSF600 Bandit
Triumph Speed Four/Triple
Honda ST1100 Pan European (bigger, but VERY cheap on insurance and very comfy)
Kawasaki Z750
Kawasaki ER6
Yamaha Fazer 600
Suzuki GS500
Honda CB500
Suzuki SV650(S)
Yamaha XJ600 Diversion (Divvy)
Any type of comfy streetfighter-esque motorcycle.

There are a lot out there in your price range, the best advice I can give to anyone when they are looking to buy a motorcycle is look on eBay for the ones in your price range that you like the aesthetics of the most, then go see all of them and buy the one that is:

The most aesthetically pleasing.
The nicest/easiest/comfiest to ride.
In the best condition aesthetically and mechanically.
Is the best value for money.

Often you will find bikes with a fair amount of aftermarket parts such as levers, end can, braided brake lines and other things for maybe £100 more than one with no modifications because those type of things just don't add to a bike's resale value. Unfortunately, you are buying a bike when the prices of bikes start to go up due to the improving weather.

Also, you say you've just passed your test, will you have to be restricted? (You passed on a 125cc of <=14.6bhp and you are younger than 21). If so, try and find a bike that you can get restrictors for easily. For bikes in your price range the restrictors are likely to be all physical, such as washers in the air intake and/or a throttle stop. Best to get these then pay £25 for a dyno run so you have proof of restriction if the insurance company asks for it at all. Some do, some don't, but for the sake of a few quid it saves a lot of hassle.

Also, there are a lot of fantastic bikes out there you will love and enjoy riding just do NOT rush getting your first big one! I know how it feels passing your test and wanting to get out and open up that throttle but just be patient. Waiting a week now will save you time and money when you do end up getting the first big bike of your dreams.

Finally, why not consider joining your local Advanced Riding (RoSPA) group now you've passed your test? There are people there who volunteer to get you up to advanced test standard for a price of £45 membership/test fee and around £10 per ride to cover the volunteer's petrol. Good way to improve your riding and get into very good habits.

Cheers!
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[drew86]

[janner_10]

Dont get bogged down with mileage, it's more important the bike has been looked after. A well serviced engine will last 80k plus, an abused engine with only 15k for instance will be best avoided.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[drew86]

I've seen a 2000 fazer 600 s (red and black one) with scorpion exhaust, chain oiler, heated grips and a few other extras. It's got 15 k on clock and is up for 2200. I reckon I could get it for 2000, but is that too much? Not seen it in flesh yet, but if it has service history, looks in good condition etc is that a good buy?

Also, on the 2000 model it still has those god awful headlights in the fairing (two rectangles with dim yellow bulbs behind) is it possible to change the whole front for something a bit more modern lookin? I like the look of the rest of the bike but that front end is as ugly as a pug!
Are there like 'bodykits' available to change the look of the front?
____________________
Now the very proud owner of a brand spanking new black ER6F
MOD2 recently passed... bring on the summer!!

[Paulington]

If I were to go after that Fazer, I'd probably offer the person selling it £1800. The mileage is pretty low, I'd probably expect them to say no lower than £2k which could be an okay price depending on where you are. Bikes are starting to increase in price now due to the summer coming, worst time to buy a motorcycle.

However, shop around! I'm sure there are hundreds of motorcycles near you and I'm sure you may like other ones so make sure you don't go to it and hand him the money straight away, it's very hard to resist doing so.

If you look at this video here, you will see that the person has taken the front fairing off and just left the headlights. Personally? I think that looks MUCH better than standard, you could even replace the headlights themselves to nicer looking ones and with a nice screen on it would probably be quite nice to ride.

As for full conversions of the front fairing/headlight assembly, I can imagine that being far too much trouble for what it's worth. You are better off just finding another bike that you actually like the look of as is. !

Remember, there are loads of motorcycles out there, like the ones I listed in my post above, that post covers lots of different looking motorcycles and different uses from naked uprights such as the Bandit to sports-tourers like the ST1100. Look at them all plus some others you can find, see which ones are the most aesthetically pleasing to you, go see them all, sit on them all, and get the one you like the most that is the best price and is the best overall.

Personally? I wouldn't buy that Fazer. They are incredibly ugly and £2000 could buy a lovely track bike. But that's just my personal opinion. At the end of the day it's up to you.

If you want to know if something is a good deal, look up the exact make/model/year/mileage of the bike in question on Parkers, eBay and Gumtree etc and see what it seems to be going for. If it's about right/less, then good. If it's far above or far below, probably best to walk away.

Cheers!
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.