Yet another 'what bike' post

As you know, I've been muttering about getting shot of the VFR for a
while now to get something with a bit more grunt, and have focussed
mainly on a Thunderace or Fazer 1000 as likely candidates so far.

I've got a testride lined up for next weekend on a Fazer 1000 as my
starter for ten.

Anyway... I've been nosing around eBay at these and other bigger
bikes, as you do, and well... *gah*, I keep looking at other stuff and
can't make my mind up what I really want,

Criteria is as follows:

* Loads of poke - no 600s, although have looked at a few R6s and
wondered if they'd be worth a punt
* Fun to ride - I ride my bike for pleasure purposes in the main, so
scratching etc is the main thing it gets used for, and I want
something that really gets my adrenalin going like 600s used to when I
were just a mere lad ;-)
* Doesn't come with a complimentary years membership with an
osteopath as standard
* Sprots stylee - Fazer is as far removed from this as I'd like to
go, not interested in any full on tourers / trailies
* Don't give a toss how dear the insurance is, or how quickly it
shreds back tyres - I've accepted that this is a given on anything
bigger than the VFR, going by the recent quotes I've had
* Not too fussed about fuel economy either, although 35mpg on a run
would be nice
* Will be used for touring at some stage - possibly riding down to a
mates place in Spain soon for a holiday
* I don't do V Twins - I want the surge inline fours (or rather
decent inline fours) have tended to give in the past when they hit mid
to upper range when I've ridden them.

So anyway, I keep looking at eBay, with a budget of around £3k in mind
including the disposal of the VFR (which will be offered in here for
£1800 before I offer it to the masses elsewhere).

Shortlist of what look like possibles at present is as follows:

* Early R1
* ZX9R E1
* Early GSXR1000
* ZX12R
* Blackbird (although put off by their reputation for being a bit
mundane to ride)
* Fazer 1000
* Thunderace

Previous failed candidates:

I detested the Daytona 955i I had - boring as **** to ride, plus never
again will I touch anything from Triumph of the same era given the
grief the ECUs can give.

I've had a Pan European - actually handled surprisingly well, but too
bulky for what I want now in the main.

I've had an early Fireblade - bum and wrist ache in spades after 20
miles, given I'm 6'3" with the emphasis on a long body / arms, rather
than legs, and 16.5 stone.

I've had a GSXR750L - I felt like I was going to fall off all the time
on choppy back roads, despite putting the suspension back to standard
and trying to tune it out... I actually felt in the end it was just an
inherent feature of a bike with such a steep rake on the front forks.

I've ridden a couple of Bandit 1200s and wondered A: 'Am I going to
actually make it round this bend???', and B: 'What's all the fuss
about - not exactly that quick, is it?'

I liked my Fazer 600 - nice riding position and a hoot to lob
around... shame about the finish.

I used to enjoy scratching on the various CBR600s I had - but they're
no longer man enough for what I want in terms of torque / riding
position.

So... FOAK, aside from '**** off out there and test a few of them, can
anyone specifically recommend one of the above given my criteria, or
anything else for that matter that might be worth a try - include a
brief precis as to why it would meet the bill with your reply if you'd
be so kind, so I can draw up a definitive shortlist of bikes to go
testride.

Another option is keep the VFR as the general dogsbody / tourer, and
get a second bike for scratching on for about £1500.

TIA for any suggestions / opinions - I appreciate I probably want the
moon on the stick, and it may well be I'm just better off sticking
with the VFR, but I guess until I get out there and try a few other
bikes, I'll never know.

 

Add ZZR1100 or 1200 to that list. Ridiculously good VFM, and rather
more fun that, say, the 'Bird.

You even get a centre stand (which you don't with the 'Ace).

 

Ok, will have a look... although bit concerned about the 1100s
reputation for being a bit barge like. Hated the CBR1000 I briefly
had - uninspiring lardy pile of shite, and not the 'CBR600, only
better' I was hoping for when I stupidly sold my Fazer 600 to get one.

Good point... although again I'm not that fussed about that, as
whatever I get will most probably end up with an aftermarket system
before long.

 

And 6 gears, which you don't with the Ace. I'd still rather have an Ace
though, having owned three ZZR11s and an Ace they do scratching far
better than the ZZR and are faster in the real world.

 

Five gears is only a problem if you haven't really got enough grunt to
pull through all the gears and / or you're revving out in top /
bogging down off the mark, I suppose... which if the EXUP I rode
before is anything to go by, won't be a Thunderace trait.

 

The Ace is an EXUP engine with 5bhp more, and more torque

 

<Snip>

Dig deeper and have mine, Come over and have complimentary goes before you
buy.

 

Email me with the details - the addy is unmunged.

 

You need to get a go on an early gixxer thou to see if you find it
comfortable (following your comments on the 'blade). If you like the
riding position, then it's easily the best on this list. Ace and I
both found Gixxer Thou's very comfy for distance work, but while he
approaches your height, I'm a smidge under 6'.

If the gixxer is uncomfortable, then that'll prolly rule out the R1
too. The ZX12R is neither one thing nor the other, and I'd say the
Blackbird isn't sporty enough for you. I can't comment on the Fazer,
so that leaves the ZX9 or the ThunderAce.

 

I found the 'blade uncomfy more so due to the way sitting on it
'naturally', I had to strain my neck to see the road ahead rather than
just the patch of it in front of the bike, IYSWIM.

One of the problems of being all body / arms, and no legs, relatively
speaking.

Ok... will bear it in mind for future reference - see below.

Well... erm, I hope I've done the right thing:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180286747888

 

Unfortunately not.

It's not green, see?

 

Not a bad price for what appears to be a genuine and reasonably well
cared for bike. You'd soon know if it had been neglected or abused,
they don't stand much of that before looking decidedly ropey, which
that one doesn't.

 

S'wot I thought.

The recent tyres etc are a good sign as well.

 

I've got no email facilities until another two weeks at least and I won't
have usenet access after tomorrow morning for two weeks. Ask some people on
here who might have my number to forward it to you.