Can you think of an ideal bike?

[Rookie]

If all goes to plan, I will have the capability to get myself a new machine come next Wednesday. Now I've been thinking what I'd like to get and a Suzuki GSXR SRAD is appealing to me; however I will be wanting to put some motorway miles in going from and to university, which is a 400 mile round trip, so it's not exactly ideal in terms of comfort (or is it?)

I had the Thundercat, now consigned to my garage in it's seperate pieces, and I absolutely loved it. It did everything; sports riding, touring, motorway riding. But I think buying the same bike again, when I have such limited experience of bikes, is a stupid thing to do, when I could be dipping my beak elsewhere.

Here are my criteria:
Maximum £2,000 spend, preferably £1,500.
At least 90bhp, I don't want it to be slow compared to the Cat.
Max. 750cc, for insurance reasons. A Thunderace might be a decent one, but even if the insurance was cheap I'm not popping my litre cherry at 18.
Reasonably comfortable for long haul motorways.
Sizeable; I'm big and tall, I don't want to look like those twins in America on the monkey bikes.
Preferably an IL4; though if everything else was perfect I might just be persuaded to get a twin. I do want it to excite me though.

Any ideas?

Cheers kids.

[mr.z]

VFR 750?

Sports touring king, V4 (best of 4 and twins in one) comfy, should be arround that sort of price range, good fun.

Otherwise maybe just stick with what you know.
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[craigs23]

Honda CBR600F

Most bikes are a compromise for a variety of personal uses. The CBR falters a little by being such a good all rounder that it could be considered as dull and characterless.

[ram_doom]

Another vote for CBR600f, newer the better
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Rookie]

Christ, sort out that avatar ram_doom!

The CBR is another I was considering, however the looks don't exactly inspire me, plus they are very expensive compared to other similar 600s. I'd definitely struggle getting a 1998-9 in decent nick for £2k.

[ram_doom]

Sorry, bit of a mid avatar crisis...

The older kwak zx6r's are probably a more exciting ride and you can get a really nice one for the sort of money you have. Just ffs make sure its green...
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Rookie]

Funnily enough, I was absolutely obsessed with getting a Ninja for a while. But I think it would be far to constricted on one of those, the pegs are too high and the seat too uncomfortable. I think after a 2 hour motorway haul on one of those someone would have to pry me off it with a crowbar.

The VFR750 is looking suprisingly appealing! How old am I?!

[_Will_]

My vote goes to a ZZR, a good comprimise to the ninja
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[viper_biker]

MKII TDM850. Lots of fun, torque of a twin and wheelies on tap
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[G]

The comfort thing is going to be your choice, not others.

Note that the J model ZX6 had fairly low pegs and bars that are a lot more comfortable than the r6 for me.

Dusty recently got a tatty but mechanically good (or so it seems so far) GSXR750Y for £2100 - a good price for a very good bike.

[tatters]

You can get a desent Yamaha YZF1000R Thunderace for £1500 and insurance is quite cheap on them for a 1000cc bike, l was paying £500 TPFT at 18y old.
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Past:NRG50,AF1125(x2),NSR125RR,ZZR250,CX500,VFR400,KR1S,ZZR600(x2),CB400N,YZF1000(x2),KH125,Z200,FX400R,CBR954RR(x2)GPZ500S,GT550,VFR750F(x2),RD350N,XR650R,CBR600F,CB250,KDX250,YZF750R,CRM250,400EXC,KLR650,TTR600RE,DR350S,R100GSPD,RGV250,VMAX1200,DL650,KZ750 Present:G650XC,C12,CRF450X,1190ADV

[Wooly R6]

fazer
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Kickstart]

Hi

G's suggestion of a ZX6R (J model or older) is probably a good idea. Also maybe a ZZR600 (better for the motorway, not so hot for twisty roads).

Bit larger the YZF750 might do well. Would have suggested an FZR1000 EXUP or Thundercat, or maybe a ZX9R, but you say you will have insurance issues over 750cc.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Gazdaman]

A 600 SRAD would suit the bill I think.

A mate has one and he loves it. He's been fast group at trackdays, and quite happily hooned from Chelmsford to Bristol to see me. Then on into Wales for the trackday.

If you start looking at fazers, zzrs etc, you start getting a bit too squashy. A J model ZX6r would also fit the bill.

Gaz

[Rookie]

That's interesting. I never knew the older ZX6Rs were a bit more useable, all I know is the new ones are known for being great fun to ride, as long as you're not going anywhere near a long journey or a motorway.

I suppose it comes down to an SRAD or a ZX6R then! I've got some shopping to do...

[JonB]

[Gazdaman]

Oh yeah forgot that, he lost the front wheel on the brakes, bike slid a good 20meters.

Only damage was some tarmac on his tail unit, and a knackered crash bung. I hopped on with a broken wrist, it started after a few goes, and was perfectly fine.

He limped for about a week mind.

Remember kids, bikes don't heal, you do!

Gaz

[Andy C]

Nice to hear your thinking of riding while at uni, im thinking about doing the same

Not trying to go off topic but where you keeping the bike while your at uni?? You have a garage or anything? There really isnt parking at Bath so i think ill have a problem with that, is it good parking at your uni??
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[distortion]

Get yourself a C90 and have done with it

[Rookie]

[P4LERIDER]

You should get yourself one of the old quakers mate, they're decent bikes.

I've had both the g2 & J1 models & both have been quality on little blasts & on long tours.. I must've racked up well over 35000 miles on the 2 of them during the year I had them. Class bikes. I'm a bit of a lanky fecker but I never had any comfort issues with them at all to be fair..... just make sure you check them out properly before you part with your cash tho whatever u get

[JonB]

Rookie, I have always found the ZX6R's hard to insure cheaply. Whenever I do online quotes they always seem to come up with the highest prices for that bike.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[jimbothe]

I could be stepping out on a limb here (and showing my age) but i loved my kawasaki gpx 600.

Old,bit boring to look at but unbelievably reliable and really comfy on long hauls.I am 6'2 and a stocky build but it still accomodated me well and had no problems pulling away although a little underpowered compared to the zzr.

Mega mega cheap insurance though and you can find an absolute diamond condition one with low mileage for as little as 800.00!
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[Rookie]

Crap. The Thunderace is going to be perfect.

It's got everything the Thundercat had with 145HP and oodles of torque, and it's an extra £20 a year compared to the Cat!

It's bizarre; it's the same group as the ZX6R, yet the online quote came in at £620 as opposed to £2300. [/b]

[G]

The same NU group maybe?

Not all companies use the same grouping system.