Topic: Buying another bike - what should I get ?

[JHansen]

I'm casting the 2nd vote for the SV650. Just as fast to 60 at a GSXR 600, but overall more comfortable and cheaper on insurance to boot. Never ANY problems with mine and used one don't go for much. Do get the F.I. model however, much more responsive.

Otherwise, a Thruxton will do nicely, that will probably be my next purchase, provided I don't find a cb550 mouldering around someones barn in a couple of peach crates!

[unlucky71]

my vote is for the sv650, it's a perfect commuter.slightly more upright than a screamer, but it looks like one. they're cheap, and with a little work they can even be raced well. but if you want a FAST bike, get the gsxr. you won't be dissapointed. the gxsr dominates every superbike race it's in, and you can always get a deal on a used one. suzuki is putting out the best bike for the money hands down right now. new hondas unfortunately are in the less bike for more money category these days. 

[GroovieGhoulie]

suzuki is putting out the best bike for the money hands down right now. new hondas unfortunately are in the less bike for more money category these days. 

I guess if you value pure speed.  Some people on here have said that on the new bikes, Honda's build quality is insanely better than Suzuki and they're more reliable as well.

[heffay]

And you know, I think I'm "over" the thread topic: I spent years commuting on a '78 750F in the worst traffic SoCal has to offer. I say anybody who talks about needing a "real" bike for commuting gets drummed out of the club. 

call me crazy but, riding an air-cooled bike in stop and go traffic is something that i try to do as little as possible.  i would say that our sohc's are far from commuter friendly.

[GroovieGhoulie]

He was in Cali, where lanesplitting is legal.  He can keep that lifegiving air flowing.

[Noel]

I forget that so many of you are not legally able to lane split. Having said that, I have spent a good deal of time stuck behind a pair of Navigators or whatever, unable to split lanes even if I was walking and turned sideways. No, the SOHC isn't my first choice for commuting, but it never once let me down. I can count several years where it was my only means of transportation.

[GroovieGhoulie]

In Texas, lanesplitting is not technically illegal, but it's not quite legal either.  If a cop sees you doing it, and wants to be a dick about it, he can cite you for "Reckless Driving" or "Failure to maintain your lane".    I know, I know.

That is of course, if he can catch you. 

[Noel]

Funny thing is that California is one of those states that barely allows you to do ANYTHING. But when it comes to vehicles, well, don't mess with Texas California!

[GroovieGhoulie]

Funny thing is that California is one of those states that barely allows you to do ANYTHING. But when it comes to vehicles, well, don't mess with Texas California!

I hear you guys still are pretty draconian regarding vehicle emissions testing and regs and such.

Plus, I get a bayonet lug on my rifles! 

[Noel]

Yeah, you got me on both counts. I understand we have the toughest motor vehicle emissions regulations in the WORLD. Of course, not a one of them applies to the SOHC. Which is nice. But word is that we're eventually going to get away from smog testing and move to emissions "sniffers" at freeway onramps, complete with cameras to snap pics of offenders. Dunno if that's going to apply to older vehicles.

As for the guns, you emphasize my point: most of our fun stuff is illegal here. Hell, I bought a $2,000 single shot .22 match rifle a while back, and they fingerprinted me and made me wait ten days to pick it up. As if I'm going to rob a liquor store with a 14 pound single shot .22!

[ProTeal55]

Thanks for all the feedback, and keep it comming 

Of course $$$ is an issue, especially with this purchase. This will be the 4th item in my collection that will need to have plates, be insured, etc. The two other "project" cars I own are sitting in a buddies warehouse until I deciede to get around to them...This new bundle of joy will join the club, of the excursion, cb750, 55 bel-air, etc.. Insurance iteslf is not a big issue becasue my sister is works for coporate sate farm, and I get tha     hook-up in a big way...

I like the look of the Triumphs, bu have heard nothing but bad things about their long-term reliability. The last thing I need is my daily driver bike taking a crap on me. I am not all about going for a dragbike to ride daily, but IF I do buy something , I atleast want it to look good. Being honest here, 1/2 of the bikes offered in this post are nasty looking. They might be great commuter bikes, but the style is just not their. Whatever I do biuy I plan to do little things here and their o make it alittle more me, like powdercoat EVERYTHING black 

Did alittle online looking to see what is out their used, and was blown away at how may crotch-rockets are out their for sale in the used market. I am going this weekend to look at a few early 90's cbr's and a few GSXR's that arefor sale locally, and we will see what I come home with.....

[Dragon Rider]

Honda Nighthawk 700s,  shaft drive, self adjusting valves, any of the 80's nighthawks would be good.  Also can be found for reasonable $$.

[blitzmw77]

How about a Suzuki GS500F?

[SteveD CB500F]

If you want a modern-ish bike with bullet proof reliability and reasonable power, go for an '86 VFR750 - the one with the 16" wheels.

Much better for commuting than a rocket CBR/GSXR etc.

[Chris Liston]

Perfect Commuter bike with Plenty of power is the Yamaha YZF600R - (NOT R6).  The YZF600R is an awsome bullet proof bike that is around 7K new.  It's plenty fast and alittle more upgright.  It was my first bike.  It might be alittle heavier than the newest bikes out there but its comfy all day and gets out of its way fast enough.  Jet kit and pipe and you'll have a screamer. 

[amattel]

I am in a similar situation.  So far I have narrowed it down to 2 bikes.

a 98-01 honda vfr800 or a 99-02 cbr1100xx blackbird

I want something that is smooth as silk, plenty of power, and ultra reliable.

While the blackbird is more power than I would normally consider, it is supposed to be very easy to ride around town.

Adam

[heffay]

adam~  the girlfriend has a 98vfr800... (what she rode to vegas and back)... it is a bit bulky and heavy but, so is the XX.  they are both great bikes, the viffer has amazing throttle response but, if it were my choice between those two bikes... i could never turndown the blackbird!

[amattel]

adam~ the girlfriend has a 98vfr800... (what she rode to vegas and back)... it is a bit bulky and heavy but, so is the XX. they are both great bikes, the viffer has amazing throttle response but, if it were my choice between those two bikes... i could never turndown the blackbird!

I figure the only bike I have ever ridden is my cb750k2 (2 1/2 years now and 25,000 miles
) so I figure I will be in seventh heaven when I finally pick up a modern bike no matter what I get.

Have you had a blackbird?

been lurking on a blackbird forum to get a feel for the best years to get.

[ProTeal55]

My buddy had a XX Blackbird , and he says it was the best bike he had owned, among the 25 or so he had in the past. He is a bigger guy (6,8) , and he said it was nimble, god crazy fast, etc..
I rode it once, and thought it was way too big for me, but thats my opinion..

[unlucky71]

suzuki is putting out the best bike for the money hands down right now. new hondas unfortunately are in the less bike for more money category these days. 

I guess if you value pure speed.  Some people on here have said that on the new bikes, Honda's build quality is insanely better than Suzuki and they're more reliable as well.

don't get me wrong, i love me some hondas. everything honda makes is made very well. but if you're talking best sport bike for the money ($), i'd pick a suzuki right now. that is my own opinion. as for the insanely better and more reliable, have you ever ridden or raced a gxsr/sv650 or spent any time wreching on one? i have, and i can tell you they're not exactly lyin' down in the engineering department themselves.  btw i do value pure speed, and handling counts too. this is still a sport bike we're talking about right?

[GroovieGhoulie]

suzuki is putting out the best bike for the money hands down right now. new hondas unfortunately are in the less bike for more money category these days. 

I guess if you value pure speed.  Some people on here have said that on the new bikes, Honda's build quality is insanely better than Suzuki and they're more reliable as well.

don't get me wrong, i love me some hondas. everything honda makes is made very well. but if you're talking best sport bike for the money ($), i'd pick a suzuki right now. that is my own opinion. as for the insanely better and more reliable, have you ever ridden or raced a gxsr/sv650 or spent any time wreching on one? i have, and i can tell you they're not exactly lyin' down in the engineering department themselves.  btw i do value pure speed, and handling counts too. this is still a sport bike we're talking about right?

I just watched a AMA race last weekend, (I forget the class, but they were 600s), and Honda CBR600s swept 1 and 2, with the Yamaha R6 taking third.  It was an assortment of Hondas, Yamahas and a couple of Italian bikes through tenth place, with a lone Kwacker in 7th ot 9th.  Not a Suzuki to be found.

[eldar]

I still say to check out the magna. Aside from a crotch rocket, you are not going to find much that is faster. It is a high revving engine also. It can beat most other bikes off the line. plus it is still a 4. I'm tellin ya, check it out. they are quick and you will think it is a bigger bike. It is a 750 after all.

[putnaja1]

Hey, no one has mentioned the CB 1000!



Made in the '90s, CBR1000 motor, Fast, and looks the business!

[unlucky71]

suzuki is putting out the best bike for the money hands down right now. new hondas unfortunately are in the less bike for more money category these days. 

I guess if you value pure speed.  Some people on here have said that on the new bikes, Honda's build quality is insanely better than Suzuki and they're more reliable as well.

don't get me wrong, i love me some hondas. everything honda makes is made very well. but if you're talking best sport bike for the money ($), i'd pick a suzuki right now. that is my own opinion. as for the insanely better and more reliable, have you ever ridden or raced a gxsr/sv650 or spent any time wreching on one? i have, and i can tell you they're not exactly lyin' down in the engineering department themselves.  btw i do value pure speed, and handling counts too. this is still a sport bike we're talking about right?

mike mladin rides a gxsr. funny, i remember him winning a thing or two. this isn't gonna turn into some kind of ford vs. chevy debate between us is it? cause if it is, you win. i've got better things to do than argue over i bike i'm not going to be riding.
-peace

I just watched a AMA race last weekend, (I forget the class, but they were 600s), and Honda CBR600s swept 1 and 2, with the Yamaha R6 taking third.  It was an assortment of Hondas, Yamahas and a couple of Italian bikes through tenth place, with a lone Kwacker in 7th ot 9th.  Not a Suzuki to be found.

[GroovieGhoulie]

mike mladin rides a gxsr. funny, i remember him winning a thing or two. this isn't gonna turn into some kind of ford vs. chevy debate between us is it? cause if it is, you win. i've got better things to do than argue over i bike i'm not going to be riding.
-peace

No, no need for a argument.  I just don't like Suzuki prancing around like they are the best is all.  I don't ride modern Hondas either, but it's STILL a Honda.  EVERY SINGLE PERSON around me who rides a sportbike, rides a Suzuki and quite frankly, I am sick of them.