The usual – First one after DAS, could use your input.

[dandelion]

Hello all,

Been riding my 125 (vanvan) for about 2 years now and clocked just under 7k miles so still technically a noob but the time to upgrade has come, passed my DAS last November.

Budget: £3k.
Want: Under 10k miles and comfortable.

Critical bits:
1. Upright riding position, sportier mode ones causes with hip muscle cramps :I

2. Short of leg, 77-78cm inseam (e.g. Not flat footing a V-Strom 650, felt uneasy).

My top picks so far have been Yamaha Diversion F (or non F) and Kawasaki ER6F after that (newer looking body > 2011).

Whilst I understand the mechanical differences between a parallel twin and IL-4, I wouldn’t know the difference when I try them, will probably be too excited. Feel free to explain in terms of ‘bike feel’.

Bike will be used for warm weekend fun (seaside is about 100miles away) and about 3 x week for gym, all year round. So some fairing is preferable. Pillion provision need only be ‘just ok’. I’m also hoping to have something I won’t ‘grow out of’ too quickly either.

What would be your choice?

Thanks in advance.

[Snowdonia Rider]

Don't forget you can use lowering links, that should make it easier for you to get the bike you really want. Don't get something that 'will do' because you'll only want to change it again in a few months.
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I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SnowdoniaRider

[Robby]

Whatever one feels right when you sit on it.

Anything with 50bhp or more will feel fast after a 125. Whether or not you'll want more power shortly is down to you.

Don't get too hung up on finding a bike to hang on to for ever and ever. Most of us changed bikes every year or less in the first few years of riding.

Everyone will have an opinion. Most of them will be valid. There are very few bad bikes out there, and most bikes feel about the same to ride.

[Robster]

^ what he said. Go to a reputable dealer and sit on a bunch and pick the one you like.

3 grand is a healthy budget and more than a lot of people to have to spend on a bike.

V twin/parralel twins feel more thrummy and have more torque but engine braking is much more fierce

IL4s less severe engine braking and smoother, but less torque

Triples are loud

What did you pass on?
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Up the bum no babies.

[SofaBear]

learnt to ride on a diversion and bought an ER6f 2013 shape.

Out of the two i find the ER6f much more comfortable for my long rides. the diversion made me feel like i was sitting too far forward.

ER6 just sounds like a sewing machine, needs more zorst lol
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Yamaha YBR125(gone) -> '12 Kawasaki ER6F in pearly white mmm

[bikertomm]

In terms of 'bike-feel' between a revvy IL4 and a V-Twin, I tend to think of them as cars. Petrol Vs Diesel.

IL4 = Like to rev. Gives you power, pulls your arms off as you rev it higher.

V-Twin = Power/torque gives you a clean kick up the arse much lower in the rev range.

Most people like one or the other, they suit different riding styles etc.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[dandelion]

Thanks for the solid advice.

I hadn't considered lowering links, only seats so that opens a few possibilities, still quite set on those two though. I'd suppose they're usual choices if nobody has thrown any other options.

I admit it is a healthy budget but I've been saving for years, really just thought I'd dig into what you would buy with the money.

DAS was on a CBF600, didn't dislike it but it didn't inspire much either. Was it just me?

[Ben90]

CBF600 is a dishwater do-it-all bike, reliable and unsurprising - perfect bikes for riding schools.

If you're leaning towards the Divvy, have you had a look at the Fz6? Many more options since it's a slightly older bike. I was deciding between the two for my first bike and ended up with the FZ6, just personal preference.

Another V-twin not yet suggested is the sv650 Low seat, upright, nice noise, etc.
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Rogerborg]

[andymach23]

Hi

I got a 2007 Kawasaki 650 Versys Mk1 ABS recently for 2.5K.

I can get one foot down flat or both down a bit, with about the same in-seam as you. I find it fine. The long travel suspension makes it tall and it feels good on rougher roads.

It is well balanced and doesn't feel top heavy at all.

The bike is mega comfortable and nicely spaced out with the pegs, seat and handlebar position.

Same engine as the ERF6 but tuned for lower down torque.

I find it lives up to the reviews which are generally good.

Check fitting for your height etc on www.cycleergo.com

Cheers

[Snowdonia Rider]

[Slacker24seve...]

[nelmo]

I don't really get how anyone could not get excited by any 600cc+ bike - compared to a car or smaller bike, they're rocket ships and I've had a blast on all the bikes I've owned (list in my sig). I have similar criteria to you (except I commute as well, hence the NC), so I would recommend any of the bikes in my list.

You might want to consider, bear with me here , a cruiser type bike. All have low seats, all are probably low mileage as they're really weekend bikes and if you're not interested in track days or commuting, they'll be good for nice weekends. Go for a Jap one rather than a Harley - technically better and much cheaper.
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Bike history: Suzuki GSXF600, BMW F650, Honda Varadero, Suzuki V-Strom, Kawasaki Versys
Current: Honda NC700X

[dandelion]

It's not a about excitement, just wouldn't drop money on one, wouldn't be excited to own one when i could have something else.
I see your list though and I like, I've added the GSX-F to the list, if I can find something different than that blue/white scheme...

[Snowdonia Rider]

[MCN.]

Fireblade.

[jeddy11]

Although there are a lot of haters I really loved my ER6F just so easy to ride but then it was my first big bike
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Fuelly My Z1000SX
cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[andys675]

GSR600, Z750, Hornet, Bandit 600, even an early street triple at a push
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[BakesBeans]