My shopping list...

vtlion · October 30, 2003, 12:01:03 PM

Like many of us, I'm saving my pennies in anticipation of picking up another bike in the next year. Assuming my poor little GS lives through some engine work that I'm having done, I'll want to keep her. If I do, I'll be shopping for a bike with a little more power, but the main issue here is RELIABILITY, so I think I'll try to go new. Here is the short-list. You can get a feel for my budget and my priorities from the list.

I've already ruled out the Duc's because of maintenance (nearest Duc dealer is 90 miles away from State College), and Honda/Kawasaki don't have anything in the 600 class that excites me (or my wallet). Triumph is just too pricey also.

My primary concerns are:

1. RELIABILITY - I'm a grad student and don't have time right now to become a motorcycle mechanic on the side (FI?)
2. Comfort - split seats and super-sports need not apply (except for the SV)
3. Performance - This will be a mostly around-town bike for me

Am I missing any good models?
Any comments from the peanut gallery?

Cheers

tricked500 · October 30, 2003, 12:10:02 PM

Quote1. RELIABILITY - I'm a grad student and don't have time right now to become a motorcycle mechanic on the side (FI?)
2. Comfort - split seats and super-sports need not apply (except for the SV)
3. Performance - This will be a mostly around-town bike for me

Get the YZF 600R

octane · October 30, 2003, 12:12:24 PM

Yamaha

octane · October 30, 2003, 12:18:22 PM

And yes, you did miss a very important model. The new FZ6 - a naked FZR that'll save you 5 bills. Check it out:

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/products/unitinfo.asp?lid=2&lc=mcy&cid=5&mid=273

Rollin668 · October 30, 2003, 12:20:27 PM

You don't like the Kawasaki ZZR600?
I've always thought Kawi's look nice... in a sorta old-school way...

Rolly

vtlion · October 30, 2003, 01:02:32 PM

the FZ6 is nice, but I think If I go with a naked bike I'm inclined to go with the SV... the low-end torque and the design just appeal to me more, which is not to say that the FZ6 isn't a great bike.

peace

Briliu · October 30, 2003, 01:03:39 PM

Do the sv650s and the R6 have relativly the same riding position? From the pictures side by side it looks like they do. I seriously thought the R6 was fuel injected also? Its not?? /cry :x

octane · October 30, 2003, 01:03:41 PM

Is that Kawi the one with the gold anodized forks and exhaust? YUK!!

vtlion · October 30, 2003, 01:06:09 PM

Quote from: Rollin668You don't like the Kawasaki ZZR600?

Not especially. Something about that gas-tank and the tail section don't appeal to me. someone around town rides one, and every time I park next to it, I have to do a double-take to convince myself that the tank isn't dented.

scratch · October 30, 2003, 01:42:20 PM

Reliability and maintenance are actually two different things. So you are basically looking for something that is reliable and low-maintenance. All the bikes are reliable if maintained properly. Speaking from a mechanic's point of view, i would buy the bike i know i could work on, which would be the GS, the SV or the Katana. in that order. But if you're not going to be doing any work on the bike, other than changing the oil, get the SV. Look at valve adjustment intervals. Synchronizing banks of carburetors takes time. And time = money, if you're paying a mechanic to synch your carbs for ya. The SV is injected, thus eliminating that. So now the valve adjustment interval issue...4000mi for GS, we all know that; is the YZF the one with the 26,000mi interval? What is it for the SV?

scratch · October 30, 2003, 02:00:24 PM

Alright I found this info on an interesting site:

http://luna.cas.usf.edu/~dguske/

It is slightly incorrect in that it states 3500mi for the GS.
15,000mi for the SV (Wow!)
4000 for the Kat
But it does confirm the 26,000mi interval for the YZF.

Hope this helps.

The Buddha · October 30, 2003, 02:18:26 PM

Well when did we make new=reliable...
A 2004 GS with 2500 miles will be just like a 1994 GS with 2500... or does every one else disagree with me...
Cool.
Srinath.

Moose · October 30, 2003, 02:23:48 PM

Quote from: seshadri_srinathWell when did we make new=reliable...
A 2004 GS with 2500 miles will be just like a 1994 GS with 2500... or does every one else disagree with me...
Cool.
Srinath.

Just for sh!ts and grins, I disagree.
Sorry had to do it.
No I agree with you srinath. Since when did anything new=reliable. Might mean that it won't break down as quickly, but I have seen cars with almost no mileage in a garage having to be worked on. Just my 2 cents worth. New doesn't mean anything anymore, its just new.

octane · October 30, 2003, 02:30:48 PM

Well in theory, gaskets, hoses, etc. deteriorate with age, so the 2004 would likely be more reliable from a maintenance standpoint, especially if the 1994 model wasn't being used often. Though I agree with your initial point. Newer does not necessarily mean better.

Rich500 · October 30, 2003, 02:35:22 PM

Im all for either the SV650, or the Yamaha. If this was my list, Id narrow it to them.
They are just the best of the four for what you want!
I have ridden the Yamaha, and it is great! Very well though out

vtlion · October 30, 2003, 03:36:47 PM

ok, lots to reply to ... here goes:

QuoteIs that Kawi the one with the gold anodized forks and exhaust? YUK!!

no... and I agree... yuck on the gold

QuoteI seriously thought the R6 was fuel injected also? Its not??

the R6 is injected, the 600R is not

QuoteA 2004 GS with 2500 miles will be just like a 1994 GS with 2500... or does every one else disagree with me...

I disagree to the tune of my 97 with 9500 miles falling apart from under me. The engine mechanic (this guy is the best in the county by consensus, riders and other mechanics, racers too) started using word's like "catastrophic failure" and "new camshafts" and "valve/engine replacement" when we spoke yesterday. maybe its bad luck, maybe the kid who owned it before me abused it, but sheesh... 9500 miles?! I bought the GS because I bought into all the talk about them being indestructible. I've taken good care of her for the last 2000 miles. Changed the oil/filter and ridden pretty gently. I've gotta say I'm disappionted. I suppose that I'm letting one bad experience make me suspicious of used bikes. Maybe that is unreasonable. Still, I can't have another money-pit, not on a grad-student stipend.

QuoteWell when did we make new=reliable...

We didn't, but while new doesn't equal reliable, it sure decreases the chances of problems, and it makes them someone elses problems (financially) if there is one... that's why the warranties don't last forever

I'm hoping to keep the GS if it can be made safe again on my budget, but if I'm gonna be dumping 200 bucks a month into a bike, it might as well be a YZF

All good comments, folks... keep em comin'

peace.

JohNLA · October 30, 2003, 08:53:00 PM

My 02 has 9700 miles and other than consumables (oil and filter and a new tire) it has needed no mechanic.
New, is more reliable in my opinion.

Baker · October 30, 2003, 08:56:00 PM

triumph 600's aren't really expensive plus they have $1000 cash back and a rocking financing deal right now

jtenright · October 30, 2003, 08:56:59 PM

Honda F4i 600
is my next bike

Rich500 · October 30, 2003, 10:10:36 PM

Id say new is better too, but I am being a hiposcrit, cause I just put in a winning bid on a used Kawasaki ZX9R. Its only got 3000km on it though.
My GS was new when I got it, and I like knowing how it was broken in and maintained for sure.

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