Another "What Bike?" Thread *yawn* sports tourer?

[KevTM]

So i passed my test in May and got a 400 Bandit as my first 'big' bike but i'm used to and rather bored of the power already and although i can't get my knee down i think i'm fairly alright at throwing it around. So now that i've had my practise on a bigger heavier bike than 125's i want something that'll suit my needs more..

I want more power, about 80bhp or more
I want something that's comfortable for long journeys
I want something that's somewhat pillion friendly
I want something with good(ish) weather protection i.e. fairings
I want something that's not too big (maybe a 600,750 or 800)
I want something atleast mid 90's or newer.
I want something that i can still throw about a bit occassionally (bearing in mind i'm not a speed demon).

So really i'd be looking at a sports tourer? anyone got any good advice on what would be a good option for that sort of money?

i was thinking VFR750, ZZR600, could maybe stretch to a VFR800 as i really like them..

What about the Thundercat? i know it's a sports bike but looks a bit more easy going than your usual ones.


p.s. if anyone has anything or would like to p/x for a 400 bandit let me know.

[EDBANGER]

I'm a huge Thundercat/Thunderace fan!! I don't think you can go far wrong with them. Look the bollocks, perform well and comfortable to ride!!

[craigs23]

Mid 90's VFR750, probably the finest VFR Sports Tourers you can buy. Would do everything you want and more plus go for very good money. One of the finest bikes ever made, still look good too.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/vfr750.jpg

[McJamweasel]

Fazer, SV650, Bandit 600?
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[feef]

[KevTM]

[feef]

[craigs23]

I think the first V-tecs came in in 2002???

The 800s are good, but personally I believe that they lost a bit of character from the 750s (which stopped around 98 (sorry, just guessing a bit here - take a look on biketrader for a better idea)). I would have thought the 750s would be cheaper as well, to run, maintain and insure. (More parts, more second hand parts, cheaper bike, cheaper insurance premiums...)

The late model 750s would be the ones for me, they've still got a bit of that RC45 relation with them as well, hmmm, wonder how many parts are interchangeable....

[KevTM]

they had FI 800's before the VTEC 800 came out in 2001 or whatever year it was, just been reading the difference between the 750 carbed and the 800 FI'd bikes so i'll have a gander on Ebay see what they're going for etc..

[bazza]

Suzuki GSX750F/GSX600F, preferably a post-98 if you can stand the "jellymould" styling.

The only people who don't like them are people who've never had one.

Hmm, that's most people, then...

https://www.pardi.hu/img/gal-suzuki-gsx750f-1.jpg
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'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[Finglonga]

Get on of these you won't ever need another bike.

https://www.moto-station.com/uploads/34_normal.jpg
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Zoffo]

[KevTM]

the gsx750f's styling doesn't do much for me, a bit too rounded and i'm not particular to that sort of bubbly styling. The Beemers a nice bike but not quite what i'm looking for.

The VFR750 is ok but i prefer the look of the 800 and as a bike i plan to keep long-term i think i've made my mind up.. plus i'm a bit biased towards Honda..

always liked the VFR's, too, so i'll have a look in the paper etc see if i can find one, atleast get a good look and sit on one before i commit myself to one.

[The#Doctor#]

CBR600F ?
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CBR125R - CBR600Fy
'140 mph officer thats impossible the bike is 33 bhp restricted'

[Black Knight]

I've narrowed my next bike down to be either a GSXF 750 or a VFR.
Anyone know of ones going cheap in North Yorks, please let me know.
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Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

[KevTM]

[The#Doctor#]

[KevTM]

i've decided even after toying with the idea of getting cbr600fv's, gsxr600's etc the VFR800 is the one for me!

https://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/specs/pics/99-vfr800-corbin-hiright.jpg

splendid and does the job!

[Project9928]

The Thundercat and the CBR600F sound about right for what your looking for. Sporty yet still good for touring

[instigator]

Can't see how the cbr would be good for touring when it has such diabollical tank range (if it's anything like the hornet).....steer clear of 100 mile tank range bikes.

How about an older ninja? Fast enough for the majority of folk to handle yet is talked about as the best tourer out of the main 600's (sportsbikes anyway) Good mpg too!!! 130 -170+ miles to the tank (someone got 200 miles to a tank in bike magazine)

[Project9928]

[Zen Dog]

I just bought a VFR750, because i have always, always wanted one, since i was about 16. When the opportunity came, i was literally powerless to resist.

Now its sitting in my mothers garage, waiting for me to pass my test (Monday hopefully). I keep going over there just to start it up and listen. Its very sad.....

I cant really advise on other sports tourers (or even the VFR yet!), there was never a choice for me!

As far as the performance and fuel economy of the VFR, so far i know that it did about 190 miles on a tank (Zaphod riding it back to Wales for me), and he took me out on the back of it and did 130 with a gear left to go.

And when i briefly tried it on the industrial estate, the engine scared the hell out of me, but everything else was totally reassuring, natural and comfy, instantly at home.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[natv4]

As if you needed any further persuasion...

I own a 2001 VFR800 (non v-tec). I got it so the missus would be comfy.

The GOOD
- 200 miles per tank (I got 251 after motorway cruising @80mph)
- Comfy for 500 mile days, consecutively (I found no problems)
- mines done 55k miles now and all its needed is 8k services and an new rectifier (faulty batch, replaced free by Honda).
- Never left me stranded.
- Very strong bikes (3 accidents, no real problems - plastic and headlamp cost a bit though).
- Drives very nicely, looks after you a bit, doesn't flip out, but still easy to grind the pegs.
- Comfy for pillions (700 miles in 2 day, pillion was happy)
- Good torque, so not bad in town.


The BAD
- Expensive 16k services (£350)
- Not as sporty as other 700-800cc bikes
- Hard luggage can destabilize the bike (nothing major, just a little off-putting).
- They are not cheap compared to similar bikes.
- Can be a bit heavy (208kg dry?) Keep it rubber side down.
- Old man image (if you worry about image, get a osteopath and a sports 600)
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[natv4]

Forgot to add, if you want/need it will happily sit at 130 in relative comfort all day. Gets to about 155 indicated. Though I don't really see that as being particularly useful in this country.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007