New bike ideas

[Nocluejoe]

Okay guys I always hated these threads but I see why people post them. I have had my gs for about 8 months? Maybe a lil more maybe a lil less I love the bike I really do and best part is this forum.
However the time has come where I want something newer and faster if anyone can help me out I'm torn between a few bikes.

I ride a lot of highways
Hardly any twisties (current location they are not common)
I would like to ride 2 up comfortably not a requirement just a bonus
I want a spots bike not a touring

My choices right now are:

2006 gsxr 750

07 Gsxr 1000


I'm confident in being able to control a 1000 i ride my cousins honda cbr 929 occasionally
I guess my way of thinking is I don't want to get a 600 and feel like if I would of spent another 1000 dollars I could of gotten a bike I would enjoy for many years. Keep In mind I ride on the highway everyday

[Big Rich]

Highway everyday? Go with a Bandit 1200, or a newer 1250 with fuel injection.

[The Buddha]

Yes I agree, there has to be a new bike, a GS500 like motor, fuel injection, water cooling, aluminum frame, naked (and fairing version as well), belt drive and a 15" rear tar.

I can live with the crappy suspension and brakes and the rest of it, if they built it to tight tolerances so it doesn't clack the cams or use a qt of oil between changes when new.

Dont say cant be done ... Kawasaki did a 1/2 assed version of it on their ninja 300.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Watcher]

I've always considered the Honda Hornet to be a nice upgrade from a GS500.

600cc or 900cc, 4 cylinders, liquid cooled, but the same style of bike as a GS500 and not much more expensive.

As far as new bikes go, if I was in the UK or Australia I'd be totally looking at the Yamaha XJ6.  That's a cool little bike, IMHO. 
The new FZ-07 seems interesting enough, though.  Around a 700cc parallel twin, they sound nice with an exhaust and look mean, just like the rest of Yamaha's bikes.

Hopefully other manufacturers start bringing more nakeds into the US...

[Rallyfan]

I'd look at the GSF 1200 or newer but I know I'd miss the 50mpg of the gS 500.

[Big Rich]

I think there's quite a few people that average 40mpg on a Bandit. Gotta figure - you need about half the throttle to maintain the same speed as a GS500. It would be really easy to get far less than 40mpg though.....

[Rallyfan]

I know. A 1200 with simple bolt ons can lighten the front wheel in 4th.

There's something magic about the number 50 mpg. If I weren't a Clydesdale (with me driving, every bike has a de facto pillion) I'd buy a 250 instead.

Other great bikes: Honda VFR 800 FI and above; Yamaha FJ1200 and newer. I'll always have a soft spot for the early FJ1100 with the "Lateral Frame Concept" graphics and the tubing beyond the leading edge of the triple trees but 1986 was a long time ago and most of those bikes aged ever worse than me.

The GSX-R1100 is the only bike that disliked me so much it genuinely wanted to kill me. Now also dated. From Suzuki I'd go GSF1200+ or GSX-R750.

[Watcher]

Hell, the more I look at the new Yamaha FZ/MT-07 the more I am attracted to it.

I like that it's a twin, I like the design/styling, with an aftermarket exhaust I think they sound great (maybe the crank angle has something to do with the way it sounds?  They are sort of V-twin like at idle.), and I like the price.  The only weak spot I can think of is the key placement, in front of the dash but on top of the headlight seems like all the road muck will get into the lock cylinder and cause problems.  Plus that whole area looks a bit odd with the headlight hanging down so low.  It's like something is missing there.
But it looks like the front cowl makes it a non-issue...


When it comes time to upgrade if I can't find my Buell I think this is the next best thing.

[RossLH]

When it comes time to upgrade if I can't find my Buell I think this is the next best thing.

Come to the dark side. It's torquey here.

[Rallyfan]

The divorce from HD was the best thing to happen to Buell because they are no longer cursed with the US motor. The rest of the bike was brilliant but the engine an anachronism.

I rode an HD with their 1200 last month. A "diesel brontosaurus;" no revs and sure, torque aplenty, but we're not plowing a field. Plus, literally, bad vibes...

HD clutch feel, shift feel, and amenities though are noteworthy. Everything clicks with authority; by that I was impressed. Finish everywhere was extraordinary.

Maybe HD themselves will see the light and switch to Rotax twins (right around the time pigs fly, I know, but dreaming is free and healthy).

I hope HD continue to do well and employ people and sell lots of bikes.

One capable bike I rarely see is the Kawa EN; suited for commuting but not without a fun attitude and the dynamics are well beyond the GS500.

[RossLH]

The divorce from HD was the best thing to happen to Buell because they are no longer cursed with the US motor.

The EBR 1190 is made in America, neither Rotax nor BRP have any association with it anymore. But yes, the 1125 it evolved from was a far cry from the Sportster-based engines in the XBs. I love my XB, and my next bike will likely also be an XB (Ulysses), but down the line I definitely want an 1125R. Of course an 1190SX would be great too, but realistically I don't have that kind of money.

[Rallyfan]

They are pretty machines but yes costly.

I just remembered the Honda NX; people rave about those.

[Watcher]

The EBR 1190 is made in America, neither Rotax nor BRP have any association with it anymore. But yes, the 1125 it evolved from was a far cry from the Sportster-based engines in the XBs.

I had thought that by the time the XBs came around the only real HD engine component was the crank.  Didn't the XB engine have a totally different V angle than a HD Sportster?  I swear I watched a video where 90-some% of the Buell engines were Buell designed and unique, just being built by HD in the HD plant.

[RossLH]

The XB 984 and 1203 engines were very modified Sportster 883 and 1200 engines, but they are all 45° V-twins.

[Watcher]

The XB 984 and 1203 engines were very modified Sportster 883 and 1200 engines, but they are all 45° V-twins.

Yeah, you're right.  I misremembered.

This is an interesting watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3BcMKN-2Nk

[Electrojake]

Okay guys I always hated these threads but I see why people post them. However the time has come where I want something newer and faster if anyone can help me out I'm torn between a few bikes.
I'm confident in being able to control a 1000 i ride my cousins honda cbr 929

Since the thread wandered off-topic several posts back, I figure my 2-cents here can't hurt any. Eh Joe?
Two items regarding your post...

1.) If you've had a 500cc bike for eight months and you are comfortable in the higher RPM ranges, then going to a 1000cc mill is not a problem.
After you get the bigger bike, use common sense. Keep the revs down to sane levels during gear shifts, etc...
IMHO, it's traffic that will kill you, not the bike itself.

2.) I owned a DL1000 and a GS500 at the same time for a couple of years and frequently switched from the 1000cc to the 500cc and back. It seemed to me that the GS500 was always more fun than the bigger bike. Not very comfortable, but lots of fun.
If I was 5'8 rather than 6'3" I would probably still own a 500. It was a great bike but just too damn small for my 34" inseam.

Oh, wait! One little detail I forgot to mention...
There is no "R" in DL1000 so it's not anywhere near as fast as what you're looking to buy.
As a matter of fact; a DL1000 is a 600 pound, top heavy old sow that's primarily marketed to fat old men that can't afford a BMW.

But getting back on topic here...
The GSX-R can be mastered by a young, fairly inexperienced rider if he is mature minded. (track days help enormously too)
Good luck with your GSX-R bike when it arrives!

PS: Wear (at least some) protective gear, and do some (occasional) empty parking-lot practice with the new bike. Just like they taught you at MSF classes...
You know the deal... Figure eights, braking, U-turns, etc...



Have Fun!  

[pliskin]

Somebody mentioned a Honda VFR 800. I can personally attest that you can't go wrong with a 5th gen vfr. I was in the same boat as you. I read about the best used bikes to buy and the vfr is arguably the best all around bike ever made. Look it up. I picked up a 99 vfr with 9k miles for $3000. Believe me when no say it's more sport than touring. The v4 motor is like no other....and its sound is eargasmic with its gear driven cams.  its comfortable and really fast and lasts forever. Its the premium flagship Honda. Oh yea, did I mention it has a a single sided swingarm? Its the yardstick by which I will measure every bike I will ever own.

[Electrojake]

Somebody mentioned a Honda VFR 800. I can personally attest that you can't go wrong with a 5th gen vfr.

The question is:
Does Joe want to buy a bike (like a Gixer) which can push his abilities to the nerve-tingling limit?
Or does he want good versatility?

I personally would take the VFR (ten to one) over a Gixer.
But then again a VFR (albeit a tad heavy) can also serve as a multi-function platform for commuting/touring and such.

I'll make a few assumptions here...
Nocluejoe is a young fellow,
He wants to test his motorbiking abilities,
Can't afford to own multiple bikes just yet.
He's healthy enough where "ride comfort" simply does not matter to him.

I say "go with the organ donor machine" (the GSX-R).
If he lives through that, he'll eventually grow old and trade blinding speed and a stiff, hunched-over riding position for cross-platform comfort and utility.

BTW: Good call on the VFR

[yamahonkawazuki]

The XB 984 and 1203 engines were very modified Sportster 883 and 1200 engines, but they are all 45° V-twins.

yup. Can put a buell head on a sportster makes a nice difference

[pomme123]

I just jumped from the gs500 to a GSX-R 750. I think it's got that great balance of kick you in the pants speed and acceleration paired with the mobility of a 600cc. I honestly (at the moment😋) don't think I'll ever want a litre bike.


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