600 Sports Bike

Peter,

I have had neither of these bikes but I did have a Yamaha Thundercat and an R1 - I don't think you could possibly go wrong with either of the bikes you list - they are both beauties.

Peter,

Don't forget to make enquiries about insurance before you make up your mind as both of these models are at the upper end of the insurance bracket. It could end up taking a large chunk out of your budget depending on your age and no claims bonus. They are both nice machines as are all the 600 Super Sports bikes with very little to choose between any of them. Find one from a local reliable dealer and enjoy.

Old Fart with Z1000

Peter

I would advise caution with either of those bikes they are very powerful and nippy is an understatement. I only say this because of your newbie status to big bikes. It would be better to think about something a little less sporty to start of with like a Honda CBF500, Kawasaki ER6, Suzuki XV650 or if your driving around a city a lot a KTM LC4 (my favorite) which are still quick bikes but not as quick as the sport versions. I say this as being a biker for 20 years (with the scars to show for it) and a courier for work I see too many newly passed people riding the bikes you suggest and cannot handle them. Sorry to rain on your parade but work your way up to the sport bikes slowly if you can. Have a test of one of the ones I suggest and live with that for a year or two and then the step up to the fast bikes will not be as big.



Dean...Now a Honda CBF500 - Future KTM Superduke 990

As an ex-biker of some years ago (!!) I would persnally follow a more cautious route Peter, as Whizzkid has said.

Our friend (in his fifties) went back to serious biking and now has a BMW 1200 (fabulous machine)....

BUT he invested in a course to relearn the skills (and learn a few new ones). The police instructor was superb, and the group being trained ended up as best friends, and have toured together to S. France, riding thousands of miles of incredible fast roads in a week.

He could not have done this safely without the expert training. I use to happily cruise at 80-90mph on a Norton Commando, but would not trust myself on a new bike (even a 600cc Honda) without some "re-learning" by a fast, capable instructor....My friend was also given super advice on modern bikes and what to buy.

Just my thoughts, have fun!! Graeme

Bugger the 600's Try a Aprilia RS250!!! Knocks spots of the 600's and the occasional R1!

Hi Right Wing,

You don't say whether you've ridden before? If not, definitely follow the advice above and get some skills training before buying a bike.

As to the Honda and Yamaha, if you can stretch to the Honda that was introduced in mid '07, that's the baby to go for, - otherwise the R6. Also you might take a look at a used Kawasaki ZX9R ('01, '02, or '03). I have an '03 and the extra torque over the 600s makes riding much easier. Also the ZX9R isn't all 'head down, bum up' and is very comfortable to ride over long distances, - at least for me at 6'1", 32" inseam and 180lb.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

I've owned a few sports bikes over the years, including the R6 and a couple of Aprilia 250s. IMO, bikes like this are not at home on the public roads. For a start, they only really begin to feel comfortable at speeds above 80MPH, when the weight transfers off your arms/wrists. Once you take one of these things to the racetrack it's then you realise what they are best suited for.

For road use I'd definitely go for something like a supermoto. You could have a lot of fun on one of those without having to go at three figure speeds. You stand a better chance of keeping your licence and your life intact. Learn to ride that well (not just good wheelies) then get one of these and head for the track and ride around the 600s on the corners!

Have fun



Mr Tibbs

Now I'm giving away my age;



Mr Tibbs

Mr Tibbs I agree,

Fun Personified










Dean..

CBR 600 - nice bike, if it were me I'd get one of those.

Lots of nice bikes out there but you need to look at what you want to do with it. A cbr600 is an astonishingly good motorcycle that would probably be better off on a track than the public road, I had the first incarnation and it was an excellent sport bike but they really are racing bikes with a tax disk these days. I'd look at an SV650 or the Ducati Monster as a start, remember half the fun of owning a bike is what you will have next, there are some real deals out there and your first does not have to be your last. As others have mentioned some of the SuperMotos are great bikes, but it's up to you and whatever floads your boat.

Do get trained though and do spend some money on a decent jacket, gloves, helmet and boots. Speed is great, it's the sudden stopping that gets you.







My current 'stable' :-)

Andy

Hi Andy,

I see you have a Honda ST1300. I'm looking for a sports tourer, so any feedback on the ST would be welcome.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

PS. Your 'kettle' looks like it's in great condition!

nice waterbus!

is the offroad tourer a KLR650? A friend of mine flew his to canada earlier this year to ride the alaskan highway. looked like a great adventure ride.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Dunn:
I see you have a Honda ST1300. I'm looking for a sports tourer, so any feedback on the ST would be welcome.

I love it, I do a lot of Iron Butt rides and rallies and the ST works very well for me. Mrs Andy has started to come with me on some shorter trips and she's enjoying the ride as well, 800 miles+. Only down side is it's heavy for me, I'm quite short and being a big V4 makes it quite top heavy but I can pick it up when it does go over and the tip over wings prevent any serious damage. There is a bit of a heat issue in higher temps. 90+ but I live in New England and never have to wear heated trousers/pants so it's a double edged sword. Check out some of the ST owners sites as well as the FJR guys, lots of good ST Vs FJR stuff out there. Any specifics feel free to pm me. The bike works well, plenty of farkles available, lots of gas and plenty of electrical output. I'm afraid I'm usually more interested in fuel capacity and electrical output than power and torque

quote:

PS. Your 'kettle' looks like it's in great condition!

Thanks! that was a ground up rebuild from a couple of years ago. Started out as a small project but turned into a total rebuild after I put the first NOS part on :-/

Cheers

Andy

quote:

Originally posted by Rico:
is the offroad tourer a KLR650? A friend of mine flew his to canada earlier this year to ride the alaskan highway. looked like a great adventure ride.

Yup, thats a venerable KLR650, I did a Labrador Loop last Summer and this year took my time getting to Vegas from Boston. That picure is on the way into Moab and the Arches National Park. Bike was brilliant once I got past Denver but during the ride across Kansas I was wishing I had the ST or even the Kettle with me! I'm planning on a trip up the Dalton next year but Labrador was a great ride and I'd love to go back when I get the time.

Cheers

Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the info' on the ST1300. I've been reading the forums for the ST, FJR, and the new Connie 14 for a while now and I think it's down to the ST or FJR, - the new Connie is a beast but too much 'Sport' and not enough 'Tourer'.

I know how you feel about rebuilds as I did an RD400 from the ground up a few years back when I was still in England. I was lucky enough to have a friend who new Stan Stephens and he (SS) did some of the work. That baby flew!

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

I've got a CBR600 and while it's an easy bike to ride I'm not convinced it's a great idea to get one immediately after passing direct access - plus as others have mentioned to insurance is likely to be quite high.

When I past my direct access (about 10 or so years ago now) I bought a Honda Deauville 650 commuter/tourer as my first big bike and turned out to be a great choice - so much so that while many other bikes have come and gone from my garage in that time the Deauville is still there.