Wot bike do I get next?

[Stew]

As I am doing my full bike test in April I am looking at buying a bigger bike. I was looking at bikes such as VFR/RVF 400s and the like but my other half says that I look too big on one (I am 6'2" btw). What are peoples thoughts and suggestions on a nice sporty looking bigger bike (CBR600, ZZR600, etc) or should I just stick with the original idea of a 400?
Also what exactly is a PDI? bike places always have to do them before selling a bike?

[TJ NSR]

Get a ZX6-R Ninja, there nice bikes or an R6!

[DrSeuss]

I would try something like either an SV650 or perhaps a super motard. Something like a husky or ccm has enough power to get used to can wheelie better then a sports bike and handles more interestingly. I'm 6'2" as well and I really do look quite sill on a small bike. I've met someone who's 6'8" and he makes his TLS look fucking tiny.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Bigger bike is bigger insurance. The little SV650 is probablu too small for you (physically), and even the ZZR600 has quite a low seat hight. If you can get the insurance and have been riding for a while then think about a late '80s 750, such as a GPX750 or FZ750 (and if you are really cheaky you get classic insurance on them)

PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection

All the best

Keith

[Stew]

Cheers for the quick replies people!
My mate has just bought a CBR600F today. Very nice. Haven't had a ride on it yet, but looks very nice (they're a bit common though aren't they?). Wouldn't mind one myself. Sv650 looks cool too, but Keith is probably right about the size of it.
Anyone else out there who is 6 foot and rides a VFR or something similar? Is it uncomfortable? A 400 would be better for the insurance! Any bigger 400s?

[Hibby]

Hi

I bought the thundercat after my nsr, they are cheaper than say the CBR and renowed as the best sports street bike (very, very comfy). It also has a high seat height. Performance on the road is as good as any other 600 with a great mid range. Top speed 155mph 0-60 in about 3.6 seconds and 0-100 in about 7 seconds. Give it a go (test ride you will be surprised)

All the best Hibby

[Stew]

I still love the look of the VFR400! So what if i look too big for it, can't look any worse than I do on a NSR125! Does anyone know whether a CBR400 is any better or any worse, they seem more expensive but I'm not sure why? Any help is good.

Cheers Stew!

[Korn]

The VFR400 is a better bet than the CBR400, due to the V4 engine having bags more torque than a boring flat four. The baby blade is a nice bike though, and other than the engine there's not much to choose between them.

If your budget stretches a bit more than have a look at the NC35, the most power and torque of the 400cc bunch and beutiful looks and handling to boot. But then, I'm just a teensy bit biased

Only problem you might have is you height, I'm 5'9" and I find my RVF perfect, but some people have complained about 400's being a bit small, so try before you buy!

[DrSeuss]

I'm still thinking supermotard i'm the same height and it makes me look small. More fun to be had while keeping your licence. My friend let me borrow his and I got the back sliding round the bends. Not a sports bike but still plenty fun. The 650's put out nearly as much power as the rvf as well!!

[Korn]

I watched a couple in the stunt show at Ally Pally and fuck me did they look fun. If I had the money for another bike I would love one, or possibly get a CR500 and get into offroad riding - but, living within the great London Orbital Car Park there's not many places to ride dirt bikes.

[G]

IMHO I want more power & comfort than a 400 (addimitadly the only one I've ridden is a NC21 VFR): my zx6r has both and handles pretty nicely as well.
As far as learning to ride well goes a 400 will probably help more because you can ride it closer to 100% more of the time and be less likley to kill yourself at higher speeds.

[retrofly]

Get a Kawazaki zx 600, there quite small and neat, youll just get board with a 400 and get a 600 anyway

Luke

[Stew]

Would I get bored of riding a 400? I'm not bored of riding my NSR yet so why would I get bored of the VFR? Perhaps you're right though, I mean if I get a 600 I would fit it better and the only real downside is the extra insurance. I've noticed that there isn't really too much difference in prices (about 500 quid) between sports 400s and 600s?

[G]

Not bored with riding but borew with the engine, ie you can accelerate using the full potential of the engine and it doesn't seem particualrly fast/fun.

[kevin]

i reckon that u get a vfr 400 because they look the dogs bollocks and wot do u mean u'll get bored how can u get bored of the extra performance and the extra skill of taking corners at speed. Also u keep the reliabilities of a honda [/b]

[retrofly]

Hi
ok its not just me who said that youll get boared on a 400, my mate Pat (rides a kawazaki zzr 1100) whos been riding for 17 years said the same thing. its true about insurence and reliability. The reason you dont get bored is because the NSR it the best for what you can get. When youve got the choice of any bike and you go for a 400 its not reaching the full potential of what you can get. And because of the lower cc youll reach its potentuial quickly, whereas with a bigger bike you can always push it that little bit further. and plus the Kawasaki sound superb better than the rest anyway including the GSX R 600.

So there
Luke

[Guest]

I'm 6'5 and quite big built and I make my NSR look like a pushbike, but its MUCH more comfortable than my mates VFR400, cos my knees get trapped. Anyway, my next bikes gonna be a 636 Ninja cos I've sat on one and it fits me perfect
If youre big like me you will find 400s tiny with no room for legs at all.
Hope this helps

[Stew]

How about a ZZR600? Seems to be a nice size, fast enough and decent pillion seat! Also cheaper than a CBR600 and nice looking.

[Annabella]

I'm 5' and the NC30 is perfect size for me, really comfortable riding position, so for you (being so tall) I can;t see it being ideal if you want to do ay distance, though they are great fun, speed, handling (get your knee down p of p)....Can't wait to get my own! The thundercats are nice bikes, pretty high too... Go and try as many as you can, go to a good bikers pub and go and ask people if you can try their bikes, most are really nice about it and will let you if they've seen you ride and you leave something with them... (trust me)

[G]

Probably helps if you're an attractive young lady as well

[Stew]

https://www.bikepics.com/pictures/18714/
within these pics is a picture of me on my NSR (see how big I am on it).
This shows that I am too large for it, but I can ride this for about 2 hours without feeling any major discomfort. I rode it from SToke on trent to Doncaster in December which took about 2 and a half hours. Didnt feel any discomfort but that was probably due to the cold air numbing my whole body. :o




After typing all this I have realised that I am actually trying to convince myself that I will fit on a VFR400?! (think I've read to many good reviews)

[G]

The NSR has a pretty comfortable riding position... the longest I managed was riding mine home after buying it, which was about 3 hours but no problems.

If you can contort yourseld onto an NC30 then all well and good but I can't see that happening.

When I was doing my bike test there was someone who was about the same height as you but around 22 stone... riding one of those diddy Yamaha cruiser-style 125s... most amusing.

[Peje]

PDI is a pre-delivery inspection, the basically just check everything is workin b4 they give you the bike.

The RVF 400 is a very small bike, i reckon it would be too small for you my mate has one and hes under 6ft and its too small for him.

To give u a rough idea its seat is lower than the NSR!!!!

[Stew]

Hello
Today I had a quick test ride on a VFR400. I was suprised to find that it wasnt actually too bad. Physically I didnt feel too big, the only thing that felt strange was the riding position because of the very dropped bars. After the NSR the low bars made the VFR feel like I was in a real 'over the tank' kinda racing position, but I could soon get used to this. I was amazed by the power of the bike and it was very usable too.
Also had a quick ride on my mates new CBR600. This was very nice, but didnt feel ridiculously quicker than the VFR400. (I didnt push either of the bikes too hard).
Looks like I will be buying a VFR then!

[ondabike]

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