Poll: My Question For You Motorcycle Enthusiasts

[Liebermann]

Ok, this is my first thread, lets see how this goes.

I'm not going for a fireblade or a hayabusa, although we would all love one i dont want to be a vegetable just yet.
Im currently only riding a little CBR125 but ive been on it for over 2 years now and need something bigger. Something midrange i suppose.

Bearing in mind its mostly for city driving (with the odd long journey to the countryside).

I dont care about the state of the planet or forking out a bit extra every so often if its a nicer ride so MPG isnt a big worry.

Im swaying towards an er6f (i believe thats a ninja650r in the states) because of the seating position and im a fan of the trademark lime green and i kinda want to see how a Kawi feels.

However i like the idea of a more aggressive seating position mainly for a change AND because it looks much better. So a 600rr or even an r6 (maybe r1?!) isnt out the window just yet.

I also like the hondas as they hold their value well (over the other biggies) when it comes to upgrading again and ofc they are also very reliable machines.

What do you guys think? +ve and -ve for each and personal opinions from those that already have the bikes mentioned would be great.

 

[Shoqiyqa]

I wouldn't bother going above 650. There's really no need. I've heard a lot of good things about the 400cc Yamaha Fazer. You really don't need to do 90-120 in 1.5 seconds standing on your back wheel, do you?

I wasn't looking at street bikes so much, but did try quite a range for handling in showrooms before settling on a Honda. Of the ones I checked out, the Yamaha handled like a lead balloon on a greased hinge, the Honda was a little heavy but steady and stable and the Kawasaki Ninja was like a kitten. While I know I couldn't have lifted it off the floor (stood it up yes but lifted it into the back of a truck without a ramp no), it felt as if I could have held it in my arms and stroked it.

The Honda took a lot of crap including having the ground washed out from under it by a downpour, dropping and sliding in a hurricane's arse end up in Scotland, flipping and spinning in slush, being deep-frozen, fording a large puddle that turned out to be knee-deep, driving in fog so thick I could barely see the white lines as I passed them, being baked in Spain, high-altitude Austrian passes, being left in the garage for four months because the weather never once cleared up and eventually being shoved into a van by some **** in an SUV ..... and kept running. After than long winter it drove into town for a service with only one cylinder firing. After the shunt it still handled fine. The engine just didn't give in.

Unfortunately, there were a few design issues with that bike and they've only fixed one of them. They've also given it an extra 100cc of engine it didn't really need rather than the extra 2l of fuel tank that would have made some trips more comfortable. One issue it had was that the exhaust system wasn't stainless. It was chromed mild steel. It wasn't shielded from chips flying back out of the front wheel, either. Not good. After-market stainless one cost about as much as a third-hand 125cc bike.

If I was getting a big bike and didn't care what I spent and was invulnerable to all but psionic damage and fuel consumption was no issue I'd go for a Triumph, no question. They are things of beauty.

Suzuki always seem like race bikes to me, with the rider's feet up his arse. Maybe that's your style.

Googled the Gixxer because I've never heard of it and this was on page 1:

Not a good sign?

 

[Xiorell]

of the bikes you mention, I had owned a cbr600rr, R1, R6, GSXR750 (old slingshot anyway), of those I found the CBR my most favoured. Just loved the bike. Fast, Nimble, but good for just going to work too.
**whispers "get a VTR-thou-SP2, that was lots of fun"**

 

[Liebermann]

I wouldn't bother going above 650. There's really
Googled the Gixxer because I've never heard of it and this was on page 1:

Yea the GSXR's have high insurance rates because 'boy racers' buy them and trash them with due to its super speeds for a 600-750. I think its the lightest of its cc range also.

They are lovely bikes though but not my first, second or third option right now.

of the bikes you mention, I had owned a cbr600rr, R1, R6, GSXR750 (old slingshot anyway), of those I found the CBR my most favoured. Just loved the bike. Fast, Nimble, but good for just going to work too.
**whispers "get a VTR-thou-SP2, that was lots of fun"**

Thats what im looking for something that reinforces my thoughts heh.

Thanks man, ive heard the cbr has the best handling of the lot.

Thing is, im not sure if i will be able to flat foot it.
I dont think i want a bike i cant flat foot because i'd feel like im not always in full control of it.
Whats the seat height and wet weight of it? Good enough for you?