The anti-Jules decision

Hehe - well Jules has gone to the dark side, and now I am considering the
reverse: getting rid of the mega-chook bike (BMW R1100GS) for something a
bit more fun. I did Stay Upright's advanced course yesterday and have
suddenly decided that I want something a bit more sport-tayyy. Plus the wife
has become a road-racing freak, so all of the reasons I bought the
chook-bike are vanishing away as I don't see us going bush anytime soon.

But what to buy? Can afford $16-17-ish fairly easily, but I want a bike I
can grow into, and not need to be an expert rider to begin with (as I am
happy to admit my riding skills can improve a lot more yet). All my mates
immediately said the Gixer 1000, but while the quality of that bike is not
in dispute, is that the right bike for a wannabe gimp coming off a
chook-bike?

I also see that Sydney City Motorcycles
(http://www.sydneycitymotorcycles.com.au) are offloading the VTR1000
Firestorm at a reasonable price (13990 on road), but it's a bike I know next
to nothing about, apart from it being a V-twin. Any comments on that
beastie?

Ponder, ponder, ponder. If you can't already tell, my own thinking isn't
that clear yet, but feel free to chip in with your opinions anyway. Got a
day next week sat aside for test-rides, but I need to fine-tune a list of
candidates.

Oh and if anyone wants to buy a much-loved '98 R1100GS with 57K, panniers,
Givi top box and engine crash bars, let me know. Haven't even thought what
would be a fair price, probably somewhere just under $10K judging by what
all the classified are saying.

Cheers, Manning

 

If you want any of the sportish bikes, you really have to try them all. The
R1, GSXR, Blade, ZX9R etc. They all have their own traits, strenghts,
weaknesses. That's on the top end of the scale though. VTR's are supposed
to be pretty awesome, or you could go a Budgie (CBR1100XX), or talk to Nev
about the wheelie king (ZX12R .... mmmmmm ... I think that might be on my
next wish list ... runout 2004 maybe???). Plenty of great bikes out there,
just go ape and see what you're after. I thought I wanted something good to
pillion with (ZX9R) until I rode the Blade and thought fuckit, bikes are
meant to be a bit more fun! Enjoy the test riding.

Cam
'03 954

 

You could do a lot worse than buying yourself a year old Honda CBR1100XX Super
Blackbird with only 43K on the clock. Still with factory warranty. It will
probably be available for inspection in Sydney in 4 weeks.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

Coming up again on another tour? What ... leaving the ZX12R at home? I hear
there's plans of an Oxley run soon ...

Cam
'03 954

 

Manning,
GSXR1000 & R1 are closest to race bikes but you have to live with that on
the road. Blade & ZX9 are better road going sports bikes.

VTR1000 was biggest selling big bore road bike for a number of years - lost
their shine in the market place but still excellent bike. V twin is totally
diferent from others on list so all need to be ridden. Would not as big a
step as from BMW.

Blackbirds, Hyabusas, ZX12s etc come in big open road eaters category but
again should not be overlooked.

Finally don't forget to look at smaller 600 and 750 fours (not your wifes
SV). I could count on one hand the number of road riders who would be
quicker point A to B on the road on a 1000 vs a 600 unless they want to go
warp speed on long straights.

Greg

 

Greg - all good advice, thanks. I do make a couple of long rides every year,
and I've decided I'm thinking about a bike that offers road-going comfort as
well as sportier performance (albeit as compared to a mega-chook bike).
Should I have a look at Trumpies? So far I've ruled out Ducatis (the bikes
in my price range - eg. 900SS - are all underpowered/overpriced), but
nothing else.

I do plan on doing some track days, but I don't think HRC will be calling
any time soon (My track times at EC are already into the low 30's, one day I
might even break 2 minutes... )

Current short list:
CBR954 - sounds like it is a bit more road-oriented that it's immediate
competition
ZX-9R - as above, but $1000 more... worth the diff?
VFR 800 - underpowered compared to the rest of this list, but still a big
step up from the BMW
GSXR-750 - as per Greg's advice
CBR1100XX - can get one for 15990 on-road, probably too much bike for me but
I'll give it a go
SV1000S/VTR1000 - will give the big twins a look.
???

Cheers Manning

 

You can't seriously be asking me to wait four weeks! - Once the decision for
a new bike has been made... well you may as well ask me to rip out my
fingernails

I *will* be riding my new toy by the end of next week - I just gotta figure
out what it will be.

Cheers Manning

 

Manning wrote:

**snipped**

Yes and no. The 'blade is a smaller, narrower and more powerful machine
with awsome brakes and excellent handling, especially on the track. But
it's also a lot more "sport" oriented than the ZX9R. Personally I like my
big fat fairing, predictable handling and resonably comfortable riding
position. Also the pillion accomodation on the '9 is a little better than
the 'blade, but both are pretty average compared to a Goldwing

Test rode the 2002 model (first V-tec engine etc) and was very impressed.
Handling, brakes (linked), comfort, performance - it had it all. But it
was placid compared to the ZX9R, Fireblade and R1 (which I rode before the
VFR). I was after something with a bit more "go". But if you don't want
neck snapping acceleration and all that goes with it, the VFR would be a
good choice. Beware of servicing costs - I've heard it valve adjustments
require an extension on the mortgage.

Can't comment on your other contenders as I haven't ridden them.

Have fun test riding!

--James
ZZR250==>ZX9R
__________________________________
A random quote of nothing:

"Just think of a computer as hardware you can program."
-- Nigel de la Tierre

 

SV). I could count on one hand the number of road riders who would be

I rode the 1500m to work today on the Peg faster than I ever could on the R6
;-) All those tram tracks and potholes, you see...

 

"Jules" wrote

1500m(etres)? I would have walked.

Theo

 

Watch out for dirt though... on the Beef and Reef ride two Pegs came to grief
on the dirt roads... All the sportsbikes survived intact

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

ZZR600 may be an option too.
Nice and comfortable (I'm 6 ft, 110kg) and still pretty fast with a lug like
me on the back.
ty

 

I usually pedal it. But have to head into Vicroads today.

 

Define intact. (oh... sportsbikes.. yeah... one of the tourers came home
on the back of a truck.)

Moike

 

"Jules" wrote

Ahh, I got the impression you rode it as a regular thing. When I lived 12
kms from work, I pedalled every day. On a nice spring day, it was more
likely to be a 20 km trip. Now I live 55 kms from work.

Theo

 

As opposed to BMW's that require the carbies to be overhauled at the roadside to complete the trip.
;-)

 

I'd have gone the long way. Riding 1500 metres probably isn't doing your
engine and exhaust any favours.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

He shoulda bought a two stroke ;-)

 

Now...THAT was the riders, mate.
If they'd been on roadies, they'd have been going as slow as the rest of us.
Then again, with those, you'll never know

pete

 

Now, that was just sheer bad luck, Mike.
pete