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Login to post Forums » Sprockets » Need your input/advice on bike choice

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March 17, 2010 11:38 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork
Yeah, its that time again....

Bought the Ninja 250, sold it. Profit. Bought the GS550. Sold it. Profit.

So now i have some cash in hand and have a thing for sport-bikes. (ill do a cafe/bobber over the winter- still got that bug) I have been looking at bikes in my price range and found some bikes pop up a lot.
- I want at least a mid 1990's bike, but newer is better always
- Must be under UNDER 750cc(insurance will kill me otherwise)
- Something fast enough to be fun but not stupid fast ( i consider myself responsible and mature)
- Sport-bike/crotch rocket kinda deal.
- Must be powerful enough for a passenger (just now and then but still gotta have enough oomph to go)
What i have found that fits this:
- 1990- 2007 Ninja 250
- 1995 - 200? Suzuki GS550e/f
- 2000ish Buell Blast
- 1988- 2006 Ninja 500
- 1990's Yamaha Seca II
Keep in mind i'm sorta a big guy. 6 feet 4 inches tall and 200lbs.

Assuming price is close to the same (within a few hundred) Which you you recommend/buy, and why/explain

Thanks all!
March 18, 2010 10:21 a.m. MadScientistMatt Dork

I'm just a little shorter than you, and ride a GS500F. They're pretty nice bikes except the stock seat (and lack of aftermarket replacements). If you can find a Seca II in good condition, I'd say go for it - it's probably the most comfortable on your list, and has plenty of room to stretch out. Also, you might want to consider an SV650, they seem to meet your requirements pretty well.

Not sure the Ninja 250 would be very happy carrying a passenger, but it'll do that in a pinch. The Ninja 500 may not be the most tall rider friendly, and the same goes for the Blast.

Blasts are a bit of an oddball - I've ridden one, and the high seat model may be OK for you. But the thing about Blasts is that they're sort of an appliance motorcycle, in a market where motorcycles are expected to be toys. Their personality is almost more like a scooter with a manual transmission. They'll run well and need very little maintenance (hydraulic valves, belt drive, etc) but don't have a sportbike personality or cruiser style.
March 18, 2010 10:30 a.m. alex Dork

SV650. You should be able to find an early carb'ed model in the same price range as the rest on that list. They're tractable for a beginner, but readily upgradable as your skill progresses. Lots of aftermarket, and lots of ideas out there for custom stuff, if you choose to go that route.

Highly recommended.
March 18, 2010 10:44 a.m. pilotbraden New Reader

I had a Yamaha FZR 600 1989 model that meets your needs. It was very dependable and easy to work on.
March 18, 2010 2:11 p.m. benzbaron HalfDork

Big guy + passenger + blast = broken muffler. Unless you could change where the muffler is you'll be bottoming out more than I do hitting the speed bumps. The blast has literally 4-5inches of clearance without anyone on it even with an aftermarket muffler.

I really like the SV650, but don't know how much they cost.

Another choice is the suzuki boulevard, they look great and sound great, don't know how they go though.
March 18, 2010 2:46 p.m. minimac Dork

The Ninja 500s are a lot of bike for the buck.
March 18, 2010 3:28 p.m. stroker Reader

+1 SV650

Otherwise, 750 Katana.
March 18, 2010 10:26 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Budget is around $1500ish....

im hearing SV650 mostly. have not found one yet though...

i think the ninja 250 is out as is the blast.

That leaves the Seca II and the Ninja 500.

Guess ill try to find a SV650...?
March 18, 2010 10:57 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

Just did 2 hours on my SV today. Buy one now!
March 18, 2010 11:07 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Osterkraut wrote:

Just did 2 hours on my SV today. Buy one now!

Ok ok. what are things to look out for--any trouble spots? Whats considered high miles on these bikes (seems like i see a lot with around 20,000miles)

Ups/ downs?

Thanks
March 19, 2010 7:21 a.m. problemaddict Reader

There's a great article out there somewhere on the crop of '90s 600cc bikes that were produced for years and years. I can't find the one I'm looking for. It was basically a CBR 600 vs ZX 600 vs GSX 600F vs FZR 600R comparo. Most of these bikes were built for years and years, even after the full-on race-rep RR models came out. I own a ZX6e and it was produced relatively unchanged from '90 til '02 or so. This indicates a pretty solid platform for an all-round bike.

Here's the closest I could find to the article I"m thinking of...

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fzr600%2091.htm

So don't rule out these basic 600s. They'll do anything from cross-country road trips to track days.
March 19, 2010 7:29 a.m. chaparral New Reader

GSXR-750?
March 19, 2010 10:34 a.m. 16vCorey UltraDork

problemaddict wrote:

There's a great article out there somewhere on the crop of '90s 600cc bikes that were produced for years and years. I can't find the one I'm looking for. It was basically a CBR 600 vs ZX 600 vs GSX 600F vs FZR 600R comparo. Most of these bikes were built for years and years, even after the full-on race-rep RR models came out. I own a ZX6e and it was produced relatively unchanged from '90 til '02 or so. This indicates a pretty solid platform for an all-round bike.

Here's the closest I could find to the article I"m thinking of...

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_fzr600%2091.htm

So don't rule out these basic 600s. They'll do anything from cross-country road trips to track days.

I was going to say the same thing. All of the '90s 600cc sportbikes would fit your criteria, and be a lot more entertaining than most on your list. I've always preferred CBR's and GSXR's.
March 19, 2010 10:51 a.m. alex Dork

I don't like recommending fully-faired bikes to beginners, only because they're a real pain when you drop 'em. Slap some frame sliders and a sturdier handlebar on an SV, and it'll be so dump-worthy you can take off the sidestand and just drop it on the ground when you park it. (Not recommended.)

As far as mileage: don't worry about it. The only thing a high-miles bike will need is consumables, so budget for that. But that drivetrain is incredibly stout and very understressed in stock setup.
March 19, 2010 11:38 a.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork

Super-moto's maybe. I have heard the a bunch of fun.

Edit: I can write good English. They are a bunch of fun.
March 19, 2010 1:58 p.m. stroker Reader

if you want naked then 600 Bandit or Seca II
March 19, 2010 2:38 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

hahaha guys. im just looking for a bike. dont care what size engine just under 750cc. im open to whatever. haha just wanna get out there
March 19, 2010 10:37 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

really digging the SV650 (or the 500cc or something varient) or the GS550e/f. both are nice and i have found both are easily in my price range. Wont rule out a Ninja 500 though.

time to make some calls. i want a bike within a few weeks

Any other input or advice. (im already takin the MSF class and all)
March 19, 2010 10:46 p.m. skierd Dork

I think you could have a ton of fun with a DRZ400SM. Hooning around on dual sports and motards is ridiculous amounts of fun.
March 19, 2010 11:45 p.m. Opus Dork

90-00 600 sport bike would work. Honda CBR600f_ were always a little more upright seating position than the rest. I had 32k on my 97 F3 when I sold it and regret doing so. Most honda F series 600's will run a long time with little done other than oil changes. The RR series require a lot more maintenance in my opinion.

For the SV, there are 2 types, Naked and 1/2 Faring. Both have the same engine, but have different seating positions due to placement of the bars. Ninja 500 is a lot of bike for the money and would not argue with that.

Good Luck
March 20, 2010 1:25 a.m. former520 New Reader

I have a '00 sv650 naked and it is a blast. Have done everything from track days to 1000 mile Saddle Soar single days. Works well with me and the lady for 200-300 mile breakfast runs (I'm 5'11" 200 she is 5'7" 120). Has been dropped by me, my brother, girlfriend and knocked over by a forklift a work one day. I have replaced 2 clutch levers and bent the rear brake lever back twice and a couple bar ends. It does have frame sliders that cost $75. I put in a GSXR 750 rear shock and had the front shocks rebuild with gold valves ($500). It is a champion, change the oil, check the chain and go. aproaching 50k miles and still love it. Probably only worth 1500-1800. Only paid 2600 for it 5 years ago.
March 20, 2010 1:35 a.m. EvanB HalfDork

Another vote for the SV. I love mine. It has 27000 miles and no problems.
March 20, 2010 5:11 p.m. Osterkraut Dork

CarKid1989 wrote:

really digging the SV650 (or the 500cc or something varient) or the GS550e/f. both are nice and i have found both are easily in my price range. Wont rule out a Ninja 500 though.

time to make some calls. i want a bike within a few weeks

Any other input or advice. (im already takin the MSF class and all)

There is not 500cc variant of the SV650, to save your some time. There is the SV1000, but it's actually less fun than the 650. Discovered that too my surprise!
March 20, 2010 8:42 p.m. Grtechguy UberDork

Osterkraut wrote:

There is not 500cc variant of the SV650, to save your some time. There is the SV1000, but it's actually less fun than the 650. Discovered that too my surprise!

How so? too heavy?
March 21, 2010 12:12 a.m. Osterkraut Dork

Grtechguy wrote:

Osterkraut wrote:

There is not 500cc variant of the SV650, to save your some time. There is the SV1000, but it's actually less fun than the 650. Discovered that too my surprise!

How so? too heavy?

Bigger and less friendly, if that makes sense.

That said, the sound, ooooh the sound. I wish you could put a 1000 exhaust on a 650.

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