Help me choose my first big bike...

itswoody · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Karma :

Aiming to have mod 2 wrapped up in the next month or so and I really can not wait to move on up from my YBR 125. Clocked up 8 thousand miles since January and really quite sick of it now, don't get me wrong, perfect leaner bike but let's face it that's all it should be! Definitely feels about time I took a step up and now I'm trying to work out what that step up should be.

Some facts and figures first: I'm 6'2", commute 25 miles in to central London every day from St Albans, riding in all weather. I've got a budget of max £3K and prefer upright riding position to anything sporty. Also looking for good fuel economy over speed.

Currently I'm torn between a Kawasaki Versys 650 or Suzuki V-Strom 650 but have also read good things about the BMW F650GS.

Any thoughts??

Slacker24seve... · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

CBF600?
____________________
Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

wemorgan · L Plate Warrior Joined: 17 Nov 2013 Karma :

Hi - I'm curious to know what bike you bought as I'm in similar circumstances. Thanks.
____________________
Will

charrington96 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 10 Nov 2013 Karma :

My dad has a Honda CBR 600... I think they're a nice bike and reliable, my dad hasn't had a problem
Ive been on the back of it and Ive seen how quick they go...I dont know how other bikes are but I know that the CBR 600 is reliable and pretty fast

mic · Brolly Dolly Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Karma :

Zzr600

cheaper to insure than cbr (my quote said anyway) and plenty of poke. Twin exhaust looks cool too.
____________________
zzr600

Ribenapigeon · Super Spammer Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Karma :

I wonder what he got?

Prophet Mykola · Derestricted Danger Joined: 31 Oct 2013 Karma :

I'm in a very similar situation myself. Except I am way up north.

My choice is to get a bike with ABS, as all things aside it is a great helper in rainy Scottish conditions.

I settled for CBR600F as I like the looks of a faired bike, but a Hornet is another great bike if one prefers naked looks. I was training on a 80hp bike and had no problems controlling that, so a 100hp CBR does not sound too scary. I chose F over RR for a more comfortable body position. I prefered it to a 500cc bunch as it is closer to the power of what I was training on, and I also expect it to be more comfortable for a tall rider.

Michelin Pilot Road 3 will be installed within a week of purchase, as I heard many good things about their wet traction, and let's be honest Scottish roads are wet 300 days per year.