condemned to cardom

Was forced by bikelessness to drive to work the last two days - aaargh! it's
horrible.

I've decided to let the Credit Union buy me a new bike, all they can afford
is a mid size Japanese one which is OK because 99% of my riding is
commuting. I'm tossing up between a Suzuki Sv650 or a Kawasaki Z750. Haven't
test ridden either yet.

SV650
+ v-twin
+ cheaper
- smaller capacity

Z750
+ bigger
+ Kawasaki ( i've never owned one - if I get it that's another make I can
add to my list)
+ I like the looks better
- $1000 dearer

Don't know what I'll do with the R80 - I doubt I'll get to trade it in.
Maybe sell it as parts on Ebay.

Brett

 

I'll give you $500 for it!

 

Easier to fit a rack to the Suzuki (and the Kawasaki looks stupid with a
rack, IMHO) but there's an big difference in power: 52kW (claimed) for
the Suzuki vs 80kW (claimed) for the Kawasaki. Have you looked here:
http://www.svdownunder.com/

Also, this American who got rid of her SV650S and got a Z750S instead:
http://www.bluepoof.com/

(yes, I know it's a stupid name for a blog).

 

No comparison really, the Z750 is a definate step up. If you're looking at a
bike that competes more directly the the SV650 then look at the ER6N.
Apparently quite a hoot to ride and should be cheap on fuel/maintenance etc.
Failing that, I'd definately be going the Z750 route to allow a bit more
flexibility. Dump the zorst and free it up a bit and there's big power gains
to be had too, along with a considerable weight saving.

 

The ER6N was on the eliminated list along with the Yamaha FZ6N
I want something with a bit of go but not too high strung. Preferably 650 or
bigger.
The top of my price range was the GSX1400 but that's too big for commuting.
I'm leaning towards the Z750

Brett

 

Thanks, that's better than 3 fiddy and a kick inna nutz but I'll hold off
for a bit better offer.

Brett

 

About the only bikes that racks and top boxes don't look silly on are big
lumping tourers like Goldwings and their competitors.
I know they are practical, they just look crap.

Brett

 

What's wrong with the bloody thing already?

-----sharks

 

Oh, that's right, the fuel tank fell to bits. Shouldn't be _that_ hard
to chase up a replacement though.

-----sharks

 

$1003.50!
--
Clem
(and the kick... naturally!)

 

Since I commute on a Z750 most days I can pontificate: you'll spend most
of your time risking your licence, because it behaves just like a
litre-class sportsbike up to 140k; and since it's a hard bike to thrash
(because the good stuff is all well before the 11,500 red line), you
could consider a used one or a demonstrator, and save a great deal of money.

The Z750 is essentially a sleeved-down Z1000 in a lighter frame, but the
unfaired version (not the Z750S) didn't prove as popular as Kawasaki had
hoped, so its not hard to get a very good deal.

 

Feck, Clem, you're getting feisty in your old age. 'bout time you
bought a proper BMW, mind ...

-----sharks

 

Done! although you may want to look at it first

Brett

 

... and he's still your mate?


GB, friends don't let friends...

 

The tank is the thing that is stopping it from going. Got a quote $250 to
fix the hole, $590 to fix and paint.
But it needs a lot more than that. Needs new pipes, 1 x sidecover, seat, cam
chain and service, front mudguard, elec repairs (tail light works on park
but goes out when headlight is on - temp replacement 6v battery under seat
wired to torch bulb in tail light housing) clutch cable cut-out switch
(toggle switch wired in at moment), lots of oil leaks and 165000 km. But
until the tank gave up I was happy riding it - it

For someone with black fingers and a shed (neither of which I have) it would
be the basis for a decent cafe racer. Most of the things that are stuffed
are ones that you would ditch anyway.

Brett

 

Bit far from Brisbane, but I'll check out the local honda joint.

Brett

 

Ah, **** that, there'll be second hand ones around. Or biggy
aftermarket ones. If it's got that big a hole in it it's probably
rusted to buggery anyway.

Electrics are easy ... the tail light is powered by a totally different
circuit on park than it is on 'on', so it's no big surprise. I can
email you a wiring diagram if you want ...

BMW new parts are readily available and cheaper than you might expect.
There's a few wreckerses around who stock Airhead parts, because they
know they'll get bought eventually. 165000km is nothing. If you like
riding it, just fix the funging thing.

Otherwise, well, Clemmo, welcome to the dark side!

-----sharks

 

Hey Clem, when you write this one off can I have the engine block?
(PS: there's some great backroads near Eildon I was going to tell you
about ...)

Ta,
sharks

 

Fix it. Ride it. Pass "Go" as often as you like.

Could be a nice earner, people still like airheads...

Gary

 

GSR600?