previous biker needs advice

zee · 12-04-2005, 8:10 PM

I used to have an off road 250CC cagiva when I was a freshman in college and sold it after that since I had to travel.

Within the next year or so I want to get a bike but I'm not sure what to get. I tried my friend's bikes' few years ago (600CBR, 400 Ninga, harley) and they all have their pros and cons.

I need the bike for crusing around, going to work with it, and having some fun. So what bike would fit my needs? a hybrid (sports bike & off road), a sports bike (so far new Hondas and Ningas look good to me), or something like a honda shadow or BMW. Of course I don't have unlimited funds but something that would get me the best bang for my buck (value/performance ratio) and will have a good resale value down the road.

Thanks for your help.

phobiaphobe · 12-04-2005, 8:14 PM

VFR any year from '94-2001.

ND4SPD · 12-04-2005, 8:21 PM

CBR929RE · 12-04-2005, 8:29 PM

VFR sounds like a good choice, I'll carry that motion.

where in MA are you?

zee · 12-04-2005, 8:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

VFR sounds like a good choice, I'll carry that motion.

where in MA are you?

Southborough

CBR929RE · 12-04-2005, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zee

Southborough

is that near Southboro, or maybe Westboro or Northboro? (no one else is gonna get that)

zee · 12-04-2005, 8:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

is that near Southboro, or maybe Westboro or Northboro? (no one else is gonna get that)

yeah, it's south of northboro

zee · 12-04-2005, 8:44 PM

Any specific VFR (year and power) I should consider and what makes the VFR different from a CBR or fireblade other than the engine & frame difference

phobiaphobe · 12-04-2005, 8:51 PM

VFR 750 to be specific... in '98 it changed to the VFR800 (actually 781) and did away with carburetors.

The VFR, compared to the CBR, is a more forgiving, not as focused or aggressive (but still plenty fast) and is a better all-round general purpose motorcycle. Commuting, touring, track days, whatever. Great bike. I miss mine.

CBR929RE · 12-04-2005, 8:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zee

yeah, it's south of northboro

but what about Eastboro.

zee · 12-04-2005, 9:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

but what about Eastboro.

There no such a town

CBR929RE · 12-04-2005, 9:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zee

There no such a town

yeah that was the joke I was trying to make originally when I said no one would get it.

*speedaddict* · 12-05-2005, 1:34 AM

what do you guys think about the kawasaki z1000?

zee · 12-05-2005, 2:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedaddict

what do you guys think about the kawasaki z1000?

It's one of he hybrid ones I was talking about. I never tried one before, have you?

For some reason I like the CBR600, 1000PR, or new 1000 NingaZX10R, but I did not think any of them is very practical to ride all the time (daily to work when weather permits) and traveling on them (4-9 hours drives every 2 years or so). I checked VFR but for some reason it seems outdated (execuse my ignorance I have only dealt with off road bikes) Any ideas?

*speedaddict* · 12-05-2005, 2:15 AM

i have owned a z1000 for a few months, and in my opinion it was one of the most fun bikes that i have ever owned. very smooth, calm, and had the power when you needed it. if i had one complaint about that bike, it would be the lack of a proper windscreen. it sounded great, had plenty of power, and has a unique street fighter look to it, which i really enjoyed.

Mojave954 · 12-05-2005, 9:00 AM

Even though this is a "honda" board, look at the Suzuki SV's, 650 or 1000. There is an "S" variant as well that is a little sportier. Well balanced bike. Not enough power to get yourself into trouble in a hurry but enough to have fun with. There are plenty around used. Good back in the saddle bike.

zee · 12-09-2005, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojave954

Even though this is a "honda" board, look at the Suzuki SV's, 650 or 1000. There is an "S" variant as well that is a little sportier. Well balanced bike. Not enough power to get yourself into trouble in a hurry but enough to have fun with. There are plenty around used. Good back in the saddle bike.

I checked them out and found http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products...6/Default.aspx

it looks ok but it has a twin engine and I'm not sure if it'll be good for taking sharp curves when going a little fast. have you ridden any of this bike variants?

zee · 12-09-2005, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revkev

Man you need to go to one of revkev's spelling classes, its spelled ninja. Sounds like you need to get a VFR500 to me.

Come on man, I made a mistake so what.

It looks like many people here recommend the VFR for me, now after looking more at the bikes which my coworkers have (mainly 600CBRs) I'm leaning to like them more. is there a problem if I got a 600CBR and rode it carefully. I'm a mature ridder and don't play around.

gt702 · 12-09-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zee

Come on man, I made a mistake so what.

It looks like many people here recommend the VFR for me, now after looking more at the bikes which my coworkers have (mainly 600CBRs) I'm leaning to like them more. is there a problem if I got a 600CBR and rode it carefully. I'm a mature ridder and don't play around.

Some of the guys here like to poke a little fun at each other, some are even along the lines of inside jokes, so don't worry about them. They even have an emoticon for it ...

The CBR600 is a great bike and would be a good bike. Depending on how far you would be riding, and your size, it might be a little small for comfort. The VFR is a litttle more relaxed of a riding position, with a little more rider space, and enough torque to make up for its added weight. Both would be good depending on your intended riding and your size. Get the one that fits best and enjoy.

zee · 12-09-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gt702

The CBR600 is a great bike and would be a good bike. Depending on how far you would be riding, and your size, it might be a little small for comfort. The VFR is a litttle more relaxed of a riding position, with a little more rider space, and enough torque to make up for its added weight. Both would be good depending on your intended riding and your size. Get the one that fits best and enjoy.

I'm not a big guy (6"1 and 155 pounds). Two questions:

1- Would the CBR be comefortable and last a long travel trip (once or twice a year for about 600 miles), also would be riding it to work daily if weather permits (about 30 miles from my house)

2- There are variants in CBR, what's the main difference especially between F4i and RR? Which would be a better fit for me?
Just did more research and most people favor the RR because it has better suspension, ridding position, performance. Which would be better for my ridding needs?

Thanks for your help everyone.

Repeater · 12-10-2005, 2:30 AM

try a CBR f4i the newer ones with the bannana seat are more comfortable than the older 2001 to 2003 ones. The 01 to 03's are suposedly faster, but less comfertable.

i bought my 01 for 4500.00 with 8k on it. It is more comfortable than a 600rr, but any sport bike is somewhat uincomfortable.

Scout · 12-10-2005, 10:54 AM

SV650 for your needs (the S, as in SV650s) will fit you perfectly. They are GREAT

reentry bikes, and you can mod them to heck.

They are fast, powerful, AND comfortable enough for your uses.

They look sweet, are easy to clean, and as for cornering - they have several dedicated SV650 race series.

No problem cornering.

At your height (I'm 6'2"), it would be hard to find a more comfortable bike that can do all this at a competitive price range. You also won't loose too much on depreciation, due to the low initial cost (stateside anyway).

zee · 12-10-2005, 3:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scout

SV650 for your needs (the S, as in SV650s) will fit you perfectly. They are GREAT

reentry bikes, and you can mod them to heck.

They are fast, powerful, AND comfortable enough for your uses.

They look sweet, are easy to clean, and as for cornering - they have several dedicated SV650 race series.

No problem cornering.

At your height (I'm 6'2"), it would be hard to find a more comfortable bike that can do all this at a competitive price range. You also won't loose too much on depreciation, due to the low initial cost (stateside anyway).

I checked the SV650S and it looks ok but it has a V-twin engine and I heard that V-twin engines are not easy to maintain, not as powerfull as inline ones, and price difference between SV650S and a CBRF4I is not much. So if we take the price out of the picture, which would be a better bang for the buck, keeps its resale value, and fits my commute conditions better?

zee · 12-10-2005, 4:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Repeater

try a CBR f4i the newer ones with the bannana seat are more comfortable than the older 2001 to 2003 ones. The 01 to 03's are suposedly faster, but less comfertable.

i bought my 01 for 4500.00 with 8k on it. It is more comfortable than a 600rr, but any sport bike is somewhat uincomfortable.

I thought the F4i is a sport bike also but RR is more for racing.

BDA116 · 12-10-2005, 6:32 PM

Yes, between the two CBR600s the F4i is the better day to day street bike by a long shot. It has a better seating position and a more comfortable seat than the RR. The suspension and power differences wouldn't be noticed by someone that never plans to hit a track, but instead intends to own a quick, comfortable street-going sport bike.