125 to a 700 or 950?

[Vercingetorix]

I've been riding a Yamaha YBR-125 for over a year now and have put several thousand miles on the clock, so I've got 1 year's NCB. I've ridden my dad's sr500 and have ridden the CBF-500 too.

I'd like to stick with Yamaha if possible because of the proximity of the garage and I have a good relationship with the dealers there (runs in the family etc etc).

I really prefer the cruiser/bobber design more than the supersport, and was thinking about moving up to either the new XSR700 or the XV950R. Because I'm 20 they'd both have to be restricted back for at least two years, but obviously because they're both 2-cylinder bikes that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Could I upgrade to the 950R? Because of its heavy weight compared to the 700 it'll surely bring the power down, and test reviews say it's manoeuvrable for a bobber of that class.

I prefer the looks of the 950, but would ultimately like a bike that is capable of doing a bit of everything (bar off-road haha), including long-distance. Bearing in mind I go halfway across the country on my 125 several times a year, so I feel like I'd be a bit more tolerant towards the 950 on the motorways/A-roads etc.

I just really don't want to have to buy a 500cc just to sell it on in a couple of years for something more versatile, can't really afford it.

[Efes123]

I stand to be corrected, but the XSR is 71bhp so is over the limit to be restricted. The XV950R is only 51bhp, so is able to be restricted, but I suspect won't be much fun to ride.
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[Vercingetorix]

[Evil Hans]

[Efes123]

[Evil Hans]

I don't know where you get 66hp from.

The rules are something like this:

The bike cannot be restricted by more than 50%, so this this means the most powerful bike you are able to restrict down to 35kw is 93.2bhp (70kw).

The power to weight ratio after restriction has to be no more than 268.2bhp per tonne (0.2kw/kg)
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[Aff]

[Efes123]

[RhynoCZ]

[M.C]

The XV950 is nearly 250kg

Both bikes would need to be restricted, XV by a few measly horsepower it seems. The XSR's interesting, based on the MT-07, but I like the look of it

[recman]

How old are you?

[chris-red]

I've never seen the XSR it's a great looking bike, I might buy one in a few years when they are cheaper.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Vercingetorix]

[Rogerborg]

[talkToTheHat]

Buy cheaper and outright rather than pricey and on finance. You won't want to keep your first big bike forever and if you do a 3-year with a big payment or hand it over thing then you wont get a lot out of the bike at full power.

XV type bikes are fun. I had a 535 through my 33bhp days. Not particularly practical or comfortable. I like the look of the both the bikes you're talking about.

I'd get a second hand naked 600ish bike and restrict, then sell on once a full licnece and a proper idea of what i wanted to ride materialsed. Perhaps a 2nd hand mt07 if one can be found within budget?
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Vercingetorix]

[Rogerborg]

The FZS 600 Fazer is bang on the limit for A2 restriction, there are still plenty around for reasonable money, and you can "derestrict" it in the test centre car park and pass your A tests on it.

There's not really any need to pay more, since you'll be restricting down to 35kW anyway.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[M.C]

[talkToTheHat]

XJ6 is a decent bike. Bandit power, a bit lighter and narrower in the tank. Not quite as quick as the fz6, but enough given it's going to be restricted. I'd have had the faired version if one crossed my path for the right money.

A friemd of mine has had a 535, an xvs650 and an xj6. Regretted upgrading to the xvs it's much more of a barge than its predecessor. Finds the xj6 a much better bike but conceeds it doesn't have the looks of a cruiser.

Engine is r6/fazer derived and massively understressed in the xj6 so they can go on forever. Service intervals are sensible as shim and bucket valves. IIRC the xvs650 wants the (rocker and locknut) clearances checking every 4000 miles. You can do it yourself, but it's a ballache.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Vercingetorix]

Thanks everyone so far. Here's my thought train:

I could buy an XJ6 or similar other naked middleweight bike for around 2-3 grand, and my insurance would be probably £300-400. I'm prepared to do that.

If I bought a bigger bike right now, a bike that I really wanted (e.g. XSR700, XV950), the insurance would be (at the cheapest) £900, and probably more like £1,200.

I need to know if a few years on something like an XJ6 will bring that insurance premium down enough for me to get the bike that I really desire.

[Rogerborg]

Yes, insurance costs should drop sharply after your first year.

A brand new bike is always going to cost more to insure fully comp though, given the likelihood of it being thrown down the road.

Honestly, I wouldn't spend £3K or even £2K on a bike that you don't particularly want, as there's still a fair amount of depreciation in there to eat. And limiting yourself to Yamahas so that you can give money to a Yamaha dealer, ouch.

You can pick up (for example) a running Bandit 600 for around £1K. Insure it TPO, TPFT or FC, whatever comes out cheapest (you might be surprised), run it for 2 years, sell it for pretty much what you paid for it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[ZX-7R]

This months 'Bike' magazine features a 4 month 2750 mile long term test on the XSR700.It was coated in protectant from day one yet is showing quite bad rust and furring already,some rust is under the paint on the welds.

Can see why they are cheap then.
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Current Bike - 2000 ZX-7R

[M.C]

[Rogerborg]

That's a heck of a good question. It doesn't help when the likes of MCN always, without fail, parrot the line about (e.g.) Honda and BMW quality whenever they review a new bike, never bothering to update it when it turns out to be yet another fluxxing lemon.

I don't think there's any good or bad brand any more, it comes down to the specific model, and the luck of the draw on the components and QC when it was thrown together in some 3rd world sweatshop.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[ZX-7R]