Advice needed

[Nick45ish]

Hi,

Just looking for my first big bike.

I've narrowed it down to a few, but would like any sensible comments.

It will be mainly for my short commute most days of the year all weathers, with occasional rides at weekends/ summer evenings.

Sv 650 2004

Suzuki bandit 2005

HOnda cbf 600

Kawasaki er6

I've been riding a cbf125 for 6 months but would have to trade it in.

I like the low down power of a v twin, I learnt on a gladius

To throw another in to the equation , honda cbr250...

Any advice or suggestions would be very welcome

Thanks

Nick

[Baffler186]

If ONLY those on your list were available to you, I'd go ER6(f), SV, CBF, Bandit in that order. The ER6 is a popular commuter, makes sense to have usable grunt without revving the nuts of it.

The bandit would do the job, but they are heavy, boring and the older ones can be problematic (search for bandit carb problems). The CBF IMO has a better reputation but is also famed for being dull. If you're considering IL4's then there are much better bikes out there, e.g. FZ6, Hornet, CBR to name a few.

If it helps, I do short commutes on a FZ6 and I sometimes wish I didn't have such a revvy bike. On the other hand, out on the open road it's a scream when you fire up through the gears. Horses for courses, but most 600's are good all-rounders if you're not doing big distances, and they can still provide the weekend fun.

Not sure about the smaller CBR, but it will be very different from the gladius and you may get power envy after a few months
____________________
Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[RedPanda]

My potential list isn't dissimilar. XJ6F/Diversion as well..? If you're thinking of a 250 then Ninjas seem more readily available than CBRs.

Could you get away with a trackday on a 250 (Brands Indy/Lydden) or would that be stupid?
____________________
CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[Nick45ish]

Thanks,

I do like the xj6 but a bit more expensive, I think I have discounted the 250.

I could save for a while longer and maybe afford a xj6 or even a gladius, yes I like them, I'm prepared to be shot down in flames.

But who wants to wait for their first big bike?

Ideally about £2600 to spend , around these parts about the cost of a 2007 er6 with 20k on the clock

[Az]

Going by ur above bike preferences and previous bike, I'm guessing you did your A2?

Yamaha FZS600 pre 2004, is the ideal commuter A2 bike in my opinion. A good example can be found well within your budget. Good brakes, comfortable than most bikes, reliable, pokey enough engine, fairing & the fox eye ones look alright too.

Bandit 600's aren't as boring as people make out either, I've spent £87 on an aftermarket shock and put Hel braided lines front and back (with a 25% discount from the BanditForum), refurbished callipers and the bikes more than capable of commuting and weekend fun, just keep the revs high they're also cheap to buy and insure.

My 2000 Mk2 Bandit 600 cost me £925 in December 2013 with around 20K miles on. It's now sitting at almost 45K miles and the only issues has been the oil cooler that shit itself. It cost me £450 for the first year to insure it and £180 this year & I'm 20.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Fazer 600.

[Nick45ish]

I'm not on A2' I have a full licence,

Bought a 125 just to commute but realised what I had been missing since last time I rode, 1984, on Rd 250s Fsie, even honda step throughs.
So this will be my first legal big bike.

[Rogerborg]

[Nick45ish]

I do like the gladius but did not want to spend more than £2600

Seen a er6f heated grips, scottoiler, full luggage( would go on eBay)

£2600 but 27000miles.

Looking at £3300 upwards for gladius/ xj6

It's going to be used in all weathers, but should only do 30 odd work miles, well more in nicer weather as I like to go the long way

[Nick45ish]

I do like the gladius but did not want to spend more than £2600

Seen a er6f heated grips, scottoiler, full luggage( would go on eBay)

£2600 but 27000miles.

Looking at £3300 upwards for gladius/ xj6

It's going to be used in all weathers, but should only do 30 odd work miles, well more in nicer weather as I like to go the long way

[Nick45ish]

To throw another in to the mix, I've just seen a suzuki gsr600.

Nice low seat height, wow too many choices.

Any one ride or ridden one? 2006 £2700

Now I am split between twins and il4s

Please help an old man out.

[1198]

[Matt B]

GSR600 - I had a 2008 one briefly.

They are pretty underwhelming bikes really and mine lasted less than a year because it was just dull. Average everything - brakes, suspension, ride. It had a gear indicator is about the only positive thing I can say about it. Guy in the bike shop down the road always seems to find it hard to shift them.

You would be better off with an FZ6 or a Hornet.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Az]

[Nick45ish]

Hi,
I am still undecided, but been an older git, I am more patient so I hope not to rush in with the blinkers on, but I guess once I'm in the showroom, patience is out of the door.

Any way thanks for all the advice, and I hope what ever I buy there will be some one on here to help with advice on keeping it running e.c.t.

Hopefully I will be posting pics of my new bike sometime soon.

Nick