What should my proper bike be? Advice please :)

[NutsyUk]

So you see, im getting used to my lexmoto very quickly... heck I was going down the A47 and noticed my speedo hit 75mph on a downhill bit... And tbh it really didnt feel like it. (i slowed down of course to the legal limit on noticing like a good boy) I mean I wasnt even trying to go that fast.

Anyway im getting comfortable with going at a little speed on 2 wheels now and its making me think more and more about what real bike should I get? I may not wait to mid summer now to get the full licence.

Now i cant buy new im not that rich. But I do want to get something nice.

Here is where I need my advice. You lot know a heck of a lot more than me.

What am I looking for? Well more power than a 125 :p, ideally black (though i realise most bikes do that anyway)

Now I love the new triumph bikes. But theyre way toooooooo expensive and powerful for me. I really like semi naked bikes, a little fairing on the front cowl and about the place, but some guts on show.

A sports/tourer style I guess. Not a supersport.

So stealth fighter sharp polygonal shapes semi naked and i guess in the 200-600cc range.

Oh and of course solid as a rock... While i can tinker i dont want to always be tinkering for the life of the bike.

Any ideas what I should look for?
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[notbike]

Everything you describe is an SV650.

[NutsyUk]

pretty close... pretty bike too, but i want a little more of a front cowl, light enclosure. Not a fan of the single round headlight...

Oh and i would say it might be a little too powerful for me... I dunno
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[redeem ouzzer]

Fireblade.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[notbike]

SV650S then

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Suzuki_SV650.jpg/300px-Suzuki_SV650.jpg

Their top speed is only about 125-135mph. But they're really torquey down low.

[Ste]

How rich are you?

[NutsyUk]

I think for a big bike ill stretch to a couple of grand for a second hand but thats a stretch... And yeah... That SV650 i also saw, thought it was a google images mix up... And yes that is more to what Im looking for... Also I like transformers eyes ala triumph style if anyone is doing then :p
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[stevo as b4]

Not a cool bike or a particulary great bike, but you'd get a mint Condition GSXF600 for well under that budget, that you could take the fairing lowers off to keep them nice, and save the spare for the next big bike?

Might be a stupid suggestion? But otherwise a half faired Hornet or a Fazer would be easy to find in good condition in budget too.

I'd these days probably prefer a Yamaha MT07 to either, but not enough fairing and too much for your budget.

Do you want a bike to like or love, or just something to get you to work with a bigger engine and more fairing? If I really didn't give a shit and wanted a two wheeled taxi, then I'd happily ride something like the GSXF or a Diversion 600 etc?

In short there's a fuckton of suitable bikes out there in your budget, but it comes down to what you like, and would be happy with as much as anything else? Personally for commuting daily on a bike, I'd want it to be something I really don't like or feel interested in, as I'd hate to waste a nice or interesting bike on soul destroying A-B transport.

[Beehive Bedlam]

What 'big bike' you want is going to change a dozen times over between now and actually buying one.

I would concentrate on getting a license first.

[NutsyUk]

Heh, i want a bike ill like but yeah it would be used to commute with too

Im sure my ideas would change in time. And yes I will be focusing on my license. But nothing wrong with some research first.

That Yamaha m07 is pretty too... though maybe too big a bike for me :p
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Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[definitelyinc...]

[definitelyinc...]

[kgm]

Engine capacity isn't necessarily a good measure of how difficult a bike is to handle. Some larger bikes are really forgiving to ride where as some smaller ones have characteristics which make them a challenge, so it comes down to the individual bike I reckon.

With regard to the ER6. I don't find it boring, it's pretty nimble and I don't have much trouble keeping up with VFR800s, etc. It makes a great commuter as it is quite torquey and dead easy to blat about town on. I prefer the ER6 to the SV650, it's more comfortable and I find the engine has more character. The biggest downside is the budget suspension. At higher speeds the front crashes over bumps and the rear wallows when on an undulating or lumpy road which sometimes makes me slow down more than I might on something better suspended. This is only really an issue when really pressing on though, or when carrying a pillion. For 90% of my use of it it's fine.

It has also been pretty reliable over the last 3 years and approx 20k. I did replace the chain and sprockets as the chain developed a stiff link, the brake calipers benefit from regular cleaning and the rear sprocket carrier bearing failed as it wasn't the sealed type and salty water ruined it. I replaced it with a sealed one. Aside from that I've not had any issues at all and have only replaced normal consumables.

As a commuter used for occasional blasts it's a decent bike IMO. The only reason I want to upgrade is because I don't like carrying a pillion on it and I'd like more stability at high speed (could be fixed with new shock and fork emulators but I'd like something with more space for the pillion anyway). I wouldn't recommend it for anyone tall though. Too cramped.

All that said I think the Hornet/Fazer would probably be a more enjoyable toy. ER6 probably a bit more practical in town. Bandit I've never really been keen on. Personally for fun solo bike I think I;d be looking at the MT series, a duke 690 or something along those lines. Maybe a Tuono, I did enjoy that. Not the best commuters though IMO but I don't travel far so doesn't matter for me too greatly.

[Rogerborg]

[redeem ouzzer]

[NutsyUk]

Sadly, not the area that caused the insurance hike... Im in the best area possible...

I wont go into details as its not pretty but I seriously fucked up a few years ago...

I have a non-driving offence that isn't classed as spent. So I have to disclose it and that alone sent my insurance right up.

And yeah Im 34, prolly be 35 when I go full licence.
____________________
Yamaha FZ8/Fazer800 (split headlight one) 2014, gingerly getting used to the massive increase in HP and not killing myself in the process! That was easy to get used to.
Kawasaki ER6F 2007 650 Gonna sell as a project bike!
Lexmoto XTR S 125 Sold!

[definitelyinc...]

It is!

The pretty thing is objective and for my eyes it's prettier than most other bikes, which is why I chose it over some of the more logical and cheaper options for myself.

The twin is definitely quick, I didn't say fast, but 0-60 in 3.5 secs (on some 0-60 website, seems accurate according to yt vids) is quick, doesn't have top end like an inline 4 600, but I don't like jail speeds anyway, there's limits, though I'm not sure whether I will say the same about the statement once I jump on a bigger bike, in good time of course.

It's all debatable anyway, I ain't too bothered with people on gixxas and whatnot thinking I'm slow or telling me it's just a commuter, for the time being the looks/sound/speed all put a smile on my face, which matters most to myself, I wouldn't change it for anything right now.

[M.C]

[B0ndy]

Fazer 600.
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CBF 125 -> CB400SF -> GSX600F -> ZX6R (G1) -> GSXR1000 K4 -> ZX6R (B1H Stunt bike) -> VFR800 -> R1 5PW -> Sprint 1050 -> Fireblade 929 -> ZX10R C2H -> GSXR1000 K3

[Dave_80]

I was in a similar position a year ago but getting really pissed off on a 125 with lack of power.swapped the 125 for my cb750 because I like that style of bike and they are low maintenance/reliable.im sure plenty will mock my bike but it's comfy and a bit more manly than the fallopian flyer I was wobbling around on.

Don't worry about power,a bike will only do what you tell it to.
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Honda CB750 F2X

[Doink]

I'm doing the standard thing and getting a Triumph Street Triple R.

I do like the look of the GSR 750, not as badass looking as the Striple but a fine looking machine.

[talkToTheHat]

What do you use the bike for and how big are you?

SV650 feels small on me, particularly between the seat and the bars. Fazers have already been mentioned and are roomier. If you commute or otherwise ride in all conditions consider a Bandit S or recent (bandit derived) GSX600F, the screen and fairing is big enough to keep a lot of the rain off, they're quite big and suited to a larger rider although the seat is lower than the SV. They take luggage and pillions well. Handling is forgiving rather than razor sharp.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[wr6133]

[definitelyinc...]

[Ste]

You're biased therefore your opinion doesn't count.