Its suggest a bike time!

malb · Spanner Monkey Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ok so I've passed my Direct Access and been looking around for my first big bike, and I was wondering what people suggest?

I wouldn't mind either a sports or sports tourer bike.

So far I've seen a GPX 600 @ £1395, a ZX6 @ £2395, and a RF 600 @ £1795

I'm also currently trying to sell the Comet, to raise some funds lol

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=74552
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the grim reaper · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Karma :

As usual, it depends what you're going to use it for and what you like. There are very few new bikes that are truly pants but there's no point in buying an R1 if you like the odd bit of off-road or buying a CCM R30 if you're commuting down the M1 every day for 50 miles.

Horses for courses.

Cheers

Grim
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

I'd avoid the GPX personally. The RF isn't great either.

TBH if you can afford the ZX6 then buy the ZX6. its dynamically the best bike there.

What about something like an SV650S? you can get them for reasonable money and they are sporty and quick.
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Andy C · Tree Seeking Missile Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Karma :

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

If going down the sports-tourer route you cannae go wrong with a ZZR Thumbs Up

But then I would say that Wink

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Cillit-BANG · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Karma :

After DAS I loved my Ducati 750 sport, which are advertised privately at the moment for about £2.5k for a 2002 model.

Great post DAS bikes. All the charm, but without the expensive Ducati problems. Simple air-cooled v-twin, supurb handling, even better exhaust note, similar power to an SV.

A lot cheaper to insure than a zx6r too.

Thumbs Up

Andy C · Tree Seeking Missile Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Karma :

malb · Spanner Monkey Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

Is there any particular reason for avoiding the GPX 600 because I'm gonna take it for a test ride on wednesday, and possibly buy it too Confused

????
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

If you want to spend £2400 I would sell you my ZX6R (j1 2000' model).

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

a good thing about thesv650 is its half faired so if u drop it u probably wont brake expensive plastics
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malb · Spanner Monkey Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

Is there anyone who has/currently owned a GPX 600? If so what did you think of it.
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Zimbo · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Karma :

Seriously, MarJay is totally correct. It's ancient, slow, heavy and has crap brakes and handling by today's standards (or even the standards of 10 years ago), 16" wheels seriously restrict your choice of rubber, and at £1400 it's seriously overpriced, is worth less than a grand even in good condition I'd say.

For £1400 buy a Kawasaki ZZR600E if you want the full fairing, or something like a Honda CB500 if you want a capable, reliable and cheap bike that's perfect for starting on.
You may find an early Suzuki SV650 for the money, you'll certainly find a Suzuki 600 Bandit.
All of the above will be far far better than the GPX, and make suitable first bikes.

Don't dismiss the RF600, it's a fast and capable bike, worth a look.

ZZR-Souls · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Karma :

It's got to be a ZZR600.
You could get a D model for £700 but they dont have the adjustable forks of the E series. A minter of 1997 (E6 or E7) should set you back £1600 and you won't be disappointed.
These bikes knock out 96BHP and have a very comfortable riding position and a soft seat. The power delivery is also softer than the ZXR's but when wound up past 10k revs you need to hold on.
Some of the early colour schemes were a bit "shell suit" but there are some nice subtle ones. Mines dark metallic bergundy with gunmetal features.
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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

malb · Spanner Monkey Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

Well when I say my first big bike, I mean my first bike thats bigger than a 125.

I'm not sure what to do now, I've got a test ride on the GPX tomorrow, but if they are as bad as lot of people say then I might steer well clear. Confused

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Jack_Cheese · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Karma :

AD · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Karma :

Hey

I have a 52 reg SV650S pretty much immaculate, put it up at £2650, but i can be a bit flexible with the price. If you want to have a look at it, let me know, i am in leicester. But can bring it anywhere reasonably close. No pressure to buy, but maybe see what you think.

I shall post some pictures up with the ad on saturday, as i shall be at my parents and getting it serviced and new chain fitted.
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Much as I hate kawasaki, out of those 3 it would have to be the ZX6R.

Put quite simply, newer is better. Less will go wrong, they make more power, are more efficient, and its easier to get parts. Also having 17 inch wheels means you have lots of choice of rubber, and you can get very cheap pair deals.

First middleweight bike on a budget, its got to be an SV650, bandit 6, hornet 6, or mid-late 90s sports 6. Or a 500 twin.

Lots of choice, but with bike values so low at the moment there is no need to really even look at older than 7 years, let alone 10-15 or more.

Or, as bendy succintly put it one day, you can spend 2 grand on a bike and it'll work, or you can spent 1 grand on a bike and another grand fixing it up.

malb · Spanner Monkey Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Karma :

how about

SUZUKI GSX 600f 1995 600cc , Manual 5 speed, 1995 N Reg , 15,000 miles, Metallic Turquoise. Nice condition bike for year, M.O.T till June 2006, Taxed. Ideal all year bike. Finance available at www.normanandbirch.com. Will deliver free with 100 mile radius. Open sundays 10am - 3pm £1,300

What are they like? it certainly looks like a better deal to me

The paint job is a bit nasty though
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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

Very ugly bike, and for that money you could get an early SV650 or a more recent bandit 6, which I would take over a GSXF600.

BigChris · Spanner Monkey Joined: 25 May 2005 Karma :

dodsi · Dirty Carny Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Karma :

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Yes that!

Great bike!, nice condition BARGAIN! Thumbs Up

Johnny GSX-R · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Karma :

Johnny GSX-R · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Karma :

Akshurley, i'd say the CBR was too cheap, hence why you still have it!

Going off what Malb has shown interest in, your CBR should be £400 more AT LEAST.