A decent middleweight commuter with a £1800 budget

[john24ssj]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good middleweight (~600cc) commuter / weekend twisties bike for a budget of £1800. So far what has caught my eye is a Yamaha FZ6 which seems to be reasonably priced and has good reviews.
Do you think that for £1800 I could do better than FZ6 or is it a good pick?

Thank you
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[ThunderGuts]

I think you can probably get a whole host of bikes that fit your requirements with that budget, but getting one that's in reasonable condition might be the challenge. I'd also suggest setting aside a bit of money for any inevitable fixes needed as any bike you look at is likely to be a good few years old so will probably not be perfect.

I can't speak for your specific bike suggestion, but I'd also think a bit about what characteristics you want from a bike; me personally, I like a torquey power delivery and upright posture for commuting; it means I can be lazier in traffic and zip away from lights relatively effortlessly. I believe some 4-pots can be a bit lacking in low down torque, not a problem for the weekends but might be harder work in traffic?
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TG.

[john24ssj]

ThunderGuts I know exactly what you mean, I've tried an MT07 and loved it but currently it's out of my budget.
Most inline 4's make their power higher in the rev range and lower down area bit gutless but on the other hand two cylinder bikes can be a bit vibey which I don't want to go back to since my ER5 days.
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[ThunderGuts]

I think modern twins can be far more refined though; things have come a long way with balancing. Worth trying a few different bikes to see what you think.
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TG.

[Stinka]

Sv650

[ThunderGuts]

[Feasty]

Like someone else said, under that price range you take a chance and just have to make sure whatever bike you see has been well maintained.
I got my F650 for £900, my budget was around £1500 but when I saw what a good condition it was in I had to snip it up!

I keep looking as I like to know what's around, but there's not many I see under £2k in my area that's in the right state.
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[wr6133]

You could get a clean, late production ZZR600 for that (if you don't mind the slightly dated look/style).

Slightly lardy sports tourer but incredibly comfortable for commuting/distance work and fully faired for a little protection from the elements. They pack a decent bit of grunt for what they are (99BHP) and while not the most nimble in corners with a decent rear shock I haven't found cause to complain. Engine and basic design was used for 17 years (slight changes in 1993) so they are pretty bullet proof.

I'm probably biased I sold my 1991 ZZR after taking it to 99000 miles (was main transport as well as fun) bought a GSXR1000 but 18 months later bought another (2004 14k mile) ZZR. My bikes are now 99% leisure and I find myself on the ZZR more often than the GSXR.

It had some minor changes through it's production
1991-92 D model
1993 onward E model, ram air, slight power hike, slightly different fairings and frame
1995 onward front forks gain adjustability
2002 (or late 01) stainless cans and link pipes
2003 onward black frame

Some examples around your budget (there are lots to choose from)

Over budget but under 10k miles https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-KAWASAKI-ZZR600-599CC-ZX-600-E12H/273803258670?hash=item3fbff22b2e:g:QboAAOSwPF9cr9wm

Just under budget 29k miles https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-KAWASAKI-ZZR600-E11-FULL-SERV-HISTORY-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-ONLY-29K/163603678532?hash=item26178a0544:g:ecAAAOSw7Khckmta

1998 with a battle scar but 22k miles and well under budget https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/kawasaki-zzr600/223467662451?hash=item3407b5ec73:g:lFkAAOSwt5VbIS5s

A VFR800 would probably also be a solid commuter/weekend fun combo but I think comparing like prices you get a cleaner ZZR for your money.

[Kentol750]

Er6f in budget and more than capable.
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Some bikes.

[Pjay]

I'd buy this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Hornet-CB-600cc/113714446719

Sure you can get something newer, but beat those miles.
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struan80 - I'll go first - satisfied tick 1

[Kentol750]

That hornet is definately worth it!
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Some bikes.

[Pjay]

[P.]

Hornet, FZ6, I'd avoid the SV personally as the first 2 are nicer all round, but if you like it then go for it.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

zx9r C or C2
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[chris_hu_cheng]

I was in a very similar position beginning of the year.

You could watch Youtube and look for old 'men and motors' programs there are a ton of motorcycle reviews and comparisons on there from the late 1990s to early 2000s which helped me orientate before looking for other reviews.

I settled on either Bandit, Hornet or Fazer and then went looking for the best I could find in good condition. Found a Bandit 600 1999 with under 7000 miles on it. Basically had been in a garage for years being put through Mots with just a couple of hundred miles or so each time. I got a mobile mechanic to give it a once over (it is in very good nick and runs well almost as if I bought the bike a year after it was registered), he also put new chain, sprockets and tyres on it, the front tyre was the orginal!!!).

Been riding that for a couple of thousand miles through rain snow and now sun since Jan. Plenty of fun on country roads and enough grunt at low revs for commuting.

Generally Bandits don't seem to quite a popular as Hornets or Fazers but fits me like a glove and having a blast.

I have a similar strategy with cars and been doing this for decades with them, next time around after more bike mechanical experience will be more confident finding a good one.

If you want a bike in a hurry find a few models you are willing to look at, then look for a GOOD one. If you fall in love with a particular model be prepared to spend some time looking for a good one. If you are on a budget you will want something that you can ride for a good while without issues.

All in after sprockets, chain and tyres the Bandit set me back about £1900.

[DRZ4Hunned]

I picked up my FZS600 2002 last year for 1.1k. It was a Cat C, but you couldn't tell, I'm chuffed to bits with it
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[chickenstrip]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

yeah that's bollocks
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[talkToTheHat]

The bandit is quite big, which is nice if you're a fat git, ride two up or plan on hauling luggage. Mk2 'S' models have a very effective screen and rather good projector headlights.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[chris_hu_cheng]

[chris_hu_cheng]

[F1.ash]

Triumph Sprints are in that budget. Plenty around at that price.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[redeem ouzzer]

Old Fireblade.
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Be a REAL MAN!