Just had a go on a new Honda CBF600S, faired, and really liked it. [1] I'm also looking at a Fazer, ER6N and a Bandit but whatever I get, it'll likely be a 600 and faired, even if only a bikini fairing, overall finances are limited ... ;) I've done all my racing and stuff, I'm 5'4" short, developing a belly, and have nackered knees, so 'R' versions and totally naked bikes are out, as are cruisers(hideous things), and large trailies. All the above bikes seem fine to me for riding reasonable distances (350 miles a day max) regularly once maybe twice a month, 100 miles twice a week and shorter distances all the time but still look OK for long-haul occasionally. Current car, a Landrover Discovery, notches up about 22000 a year so I'm looking to cut a lot of this mileage down, especially for many of the single person/unloaded journeys I now make. [2] Any road up, what say the group, which is good/bad/unreliable/worth the money/likely to cost shit-loads in three years etc. I haven't had a road bike, indeed any bike, above about 25/30 bhp for a good few years now as I ride off-road mostly in Trials, so have little clue about 'todays' bikes/tyres etc. [3] Overall reliability is a key factor, running costs would also figure, but high on my list is the ability to potter about and yet still occasionally have a good blast, so decent handling is also a must, though I guess most bikes these days will be way better than I was used to .. ;) I reckon I'll buy new, but also up to two year old models would still be attractive if they were low mileage and well-kept. Again, what would be the likely ad/disvantages of each? [1] I assume this is where the piss-takers might start ... ;) [2] No, not divorced, just .. different priorities. [3] It could be said I never had a clue anyway, but I still remember when Avon Roadrunners were good tyres and the Pirelli ? Venom/Viper was the dogs bollocks.
