New user saying hello + some questions

[Keeno]

Hi all

Found this forum through a recommendation. Its looks like you have plenty of active members, which is a good thing. Other forums I have looked at have been a bit quiet.

Bit about me :

Im a new rider, test is around 2 months off I think, with the theory next week. As I live in N.Ireland i'll be restricted to 33bhp for 2 years crap I know. There is no advanced test here. Bus Driver by trade with 1 kid and and relunctant girlfriend

Originally I was looking at either a Yamah fz6 or a Kawasaki ER-6n style bike. I was nearly 100% settled on getting a street style bike, that was until yesturday when I had a go on a Kawasaki VN800 Drifter. I really fell in love with the bike, its a 2003 Drifer in Black with 15000 Kmh and in very good condition, all for £3400. Im seriously considering putting a deposit on this bike tomorrow, I've had very good insurance quotes.

My question is this. Is there any VN800 bike owners on the forums and if there is what is your opinions on this bike? I suppose any cruiser owners could add some usefull comments. Also is there any N.Ireland riders on the forum? Im located in Derry in the north west.


Cheers all

[Biker-Kev]

Milage is a little high for a 2 year old bike tbh,

Butg welcome to the forum any way m8

Kev
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Zhongyu ZY50, Aprilia SR50, Motorhispania RX50, Aprilia RS125, Honda VFR400 nc24 and my corsa
https://www.bikepics.com/members/bikerkev/
Theory: Passed 8/11/2005 Practical: Passed 13/12/2005 Proud holder of A2 license

[vfr800]

hi mate, welcome to the forum.
I joined 4 weeks ago and have found it a good laugh and informative when posting questions in the workshop.
As for a bike to buy, i would say go for a 400cc bike, enough power but not too much for a beginer, consider the reluctant family. Don't become a member of the RIP club!

All the best bike hunting.
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'

[NSR-Rulez]

Welcome to the group

As for the bike look for one with less mileage i managed to get my 3 year old NSR for £2100 with only 2300 miles on the clock


NSR-Rulez
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Past: 1985 Suzuki GS 125 + 2002 Honda NSR 125 R-2 + Ford Fusion
Present: Honda CBR 600 RR-5 + Suzuki SV650S-K4 + Mitsubishi FTO GPX

[Fire_Eyes]

Hey, welcome to the forum. I'm not sure about the bike as I don't ride cruisers. However, I'm petty sure that someone on here has the same bike or a similar one. As for anyone from North Ireland, well there a bunch of people. Go to the main index and scroll to the bottom, you'll see a section for the Ireland group I think. Hope this helps.
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Kawasaki ZZR 400 | K5 GSX-R 600

[Keeno]

Biker-Kev

I did ask the guy at the shop about that, he said that the fella that owned the bike was retired and did a lot of touring on the bike. The bike has been well looked after and will include a full service + 6 months warranty. It still is just under 10,000 miles, surley this isnt too much for a bike of this type?

Also thanks for the warm welcome all.

[TL666]

Hi mate.
Try to test as many bikes as you can before you decide to buy one. Sorry if i'm wrong but it sounds to me that you want this bike because you haven't really tried much else.

[vfr800]

Do a search on the internat, punch in the model of the bike and you will be greeted with loads of unbiased road test results.
With only 10k on the clock and a six month warranty in doesn't sound to bad a deal, don't forget that dealers will give bikes away at this time of year, push them untill they're pissed off with you and then you know the price is right! They will take you for everything they can if you let them, it's business, no mates in that department.
For insurance try ebikeinsurance.com
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'

[TheShaggyDA]

Greetings!

Lone Wolf has/had one. I seem to remember him saying the bike itself is fine, but for long journeys you need some back support.

[Keeno]

TL666

I've been on a fair few bikes in my time, they range from sports to the likes of bandits and some 125 cruisers.

Its been a gap of around 3 years since I was on a cruiser, a 125 kymco. Since then I've been trying out the likes of the fz6 and ER-6n and had mostly forgotten about the cruisers. I think i'm just a lot more comfortable on a cruiser, im not one for speed and TBH I dont trust myself on a machine that can be ridden really hard. I kind of like the idea of sitting back at 50mph, I dont really want to be looking at the speedo every 2 minutes to check that I'm within the speed limit.

Mind is in overdrive at the minute, its an important decision and one I need to get right, for me this is a one off buy, im already stretching myself financially so I want to be happy with my purchase.

Keep the comments coming, all are appreciated.

[TL666]

Ok. I just didn't want you to go spending all that money on something you'd later regret buying. If thats what you really want go for it.

[TL666]

Ok. I just didn't want you to go spending all that money on something you'd later regret buying. If thats what you really want go for it.

[strag]

Looking here https://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/bikes_search.asp?nU=0&make=KAWASAKI&model=VN&ccappr=800&min_pr=75&postcode=AL6%209LD&miles=40&max_records=50&modelexact=1&photo=1

That sounds about right for price. I take it as you are in NI you are limited to choice of insurers as well?

They are one weird looking bike though!
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carbon bling

[Keeno]

Yep

As far as insurance goes we're pretty limited, although it is improving. The best quote i've got so far is £440 for TPFT. To me thats pretty good.

The bile in question is in jet black, although I would consider getting a re-spray to make it stand out a bit more. I was thinking of something along these lines, although I have no idea about the cost.

[strag]

sounds a decent deal mate. I am sure you will enjoy it.
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carbon bling