Help me pick my new bike

[proximity]

I'm going to get myself a bit of an upgrade whilst the biking seasons out, ready for when im next back from uni.

At the minute I have a Zephyr 550 with the GPX engine, its fairly quick with 85hp but i want something more modern.

My requirements are basically it must be comfortable with good mpg as i intend to do a bit of touring on it in summer hopefully, and most importantly must be fun for weekend warrior on the twistys.

Choices are at the minute:

Thundercat 600:
I rode one for about 5 mins, didnt seem much faster than my bike in a straight line, better handling, looks nice, good fairing.
Only thing putting me off this one is its not that powerful, yeah its got a decent midrange but its got to be revved all the time to make it go as with all 600s, not the best for touring, however it does induce fun since you actually have to work it to go quick.

VFR 750:
Nice bike, rode an 800 vtec, didnt like the vtec much. Tried a 1992 750, nicer, quite heavy still, seemed to have decent power and felt like better handling than the 'cat. Im thinking about getting the last generation 750. Only thing putting me off this is i fear it may be a little dull. It seems to me like one of those bikes that even when going quick doesnt feel like you are, like you are a bit separated from the ride.

ZX9R:
Not rode one of these, I hear they are comfortable, the 98+ ones are lighter, plenty quick enough, maybe a bit too much for what i want but it could be fun, or it could be like the VFR and feel dull at normal speeds.

I am indecisive as fuck. The only way i'll ever decide is if i get like a long ass test ride on all of them but that aint gonna happen with bikes of this price. I only managed to get ~10 mins on the cat and vfr.

I'd appreciate your opinions on the above, ive done as much reading on the forums etc on these as i can.
Any comments on fuel economy, comfort, fun factor would be a great help.

Cheers,
Jason
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Ben.]

ive ridden a zx9r, not much to compare it too, its fooking fast though, got a shit steering lock. its got a powerful midrange, but when your high up in the rev range it flys! much quicker than my r6 or ducati 749. also its comfortable for a sports bike... but its not a comfortable bike, after an hour 1/2 you will be aching as aposed to the hour after getting off something like a gsxr. You could tour on it, but be prepared to ache a bit.
what about an sv1000?

edit: also the kwak will be like a tank after getting of a 600, its can do twistys well, but it requires a bit more grunt to chuck it about, the thing feels massive when you sit on it.
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follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[proximity]

My budget is around 1500. Can pick up the above bikes on ebay for that in good nick. I think the SV1000 will be out of my budget, although a nice bike.
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[rotax81]

as above. i would go the big twin route.

sv1000, firestorm etc etc althought he firestorm has a short tank range of around 100 miles.
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ZX636C6F road. ZX636C1H track. ZX7R redundant. ZX0.5R minimoto as ornament.
Audi A4 Avant 1.9TDi and VW Transporter 2.5TDi 888 Special (no mot and tax lol)

[proximity]

Did you ride a pre or post 98 zx9? I wouldn't mind a 1000cc twin but still think they are out of my budget and an sv650 would be a bit slow coming from a 600 4.

My head is saying go with the VFR at the minute.
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Knacker]

[proximity]

Just noticed the weight spec of the vfr is like 210kg. It felt heavier than my 600 when i had a little go but not really lardy. Just wondering how flickable it will be if you think the zx9r is a bit of a tank and thats specced at 189kg.
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Ben.]

but my comparison is only from 2000+ 600's. you can still chuck it about... to a certain extent, its not heavy, its just physicaly large when you sit on it.
i dont find sprts bikes uncomfortable, ive ridden my 749 for 2+ hours with no problems, but i know people who cant do more than 40 mins on sports bikes.
to be honest go with the zx9r if you like to try and kd everywhere and generally like doing 120+ EVERYWHERE, but the other bikes you are concidering suggest you like to go along at sub 100 mph and the zx9r wont suit you well if thats how you ride.
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follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[proximity]

No you are right, the zx9r is too much for what i want, i'll end up losing my licence. Still thinking VFR best bet.
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[G]

Thundercat (or consider a ZX6R G/J model?) if you want a bike that will make you want to have fun.

ZX9R if you want a bike that will make it easy to go whatever speed you want (and that includes pretty damn quick, if that's what you want). I don't think the ZX9R (even my 'tweaked' one) is nearly as much of 'nutter' bike as something like an R6; they can be ridden sedately as well, but of course depends on your self control .

Suppose the VFR is somewhere in between; have you considered an early Blade? A bit more go than the VFR, but not as much as the later ZX9s.

You can occasionally get the TL-S for that sort of price, but power isn't too far off the ZX9 for the early ones.

Could also consider a GSXR750; but might want to look at some higher bars etc if using it for touringy stuff. Should be able to get an SRAD for that budget, even maybe a Y model that needs a little work.

[Bike_craze1]

ZX9R
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Yamaha R125 - Cagiva Mito 125 - Honda CBR 600
CBT passed: 22/07/08 Bike Theory passed: 28/03/09
Bike Test passed: 15/04/09

[proximity]

Nah think im going off the idea of a 9R. ZX6Rs are suprisingly cheap, would definately be a fun bike, but comfort \ touring not so good. Damn i think i need 2 bikes.

Does anyone have a VFR that can comment on its 'funness'?
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2004 Aprilia Tuono