down side is i dont want the extra costs of running a car (living on a shoe string and all that). So recon im going to go back to all year round riding!
I've been thinking about a VFR800 (98 odd moddel) GPZ's ect. I want somthing that i can tour for 1000 miles a day and not feel in pain or stoppin every 80 miles for petrol! Also needs to be able to cruise at good speeds (120+ odd) and handel fairly well, yes i know i wont get sports bike handling but id like somthing that can be sort of fun!
got about £1500-£2000 to spend
ZXR750 L1
tail tidy, polished bits, custom paint job, k&n, dynojet, Full akropovik, down geared, GSXR calipers, hel brake lines front and rear & clutch line, maxtron resprung froks 120BHP
You won't get a VFR800 for that money! You might get a 750, though...
Basically I'd say anything with over 90hp and a fairing. I don't know what it is with people choosing bikes as 'winter hacks' or 'commuters' that have an upright position and no fairing?!?!
If there's any time you REALLY need that kind of weather protection, it's on a -ing winter or commuter bike!!!
Only problem is VFR's are a bit on the heavy side - and ideally for Winter you'll be after somthing nice and light and easy to pick up! Well, hopefully not - but trying to push a 200kg bike up your drive in the snow can be a bugger.
also been looking at the FJ1200's but like you say that is a VERY heavy bike and f'in huge!! i droped my 750 the other week (210kg odd) and it was a rite giraffe pick up! the SV1000's and 650's also stand out but again as you say lack of fairing would be a problem i think!
also need's to be fairly slim line for filtering
ZXR750 L1
tail tidy, polished bits, custom paint job, k&n, dynojet, Full akropovik, down geared, GSXR calipers, hel brake lines front and rear & clutch line, maxtron resprung froks 120BHP
i can see myself getting cold without the lowers! (come one a cage wimp now-a-days!)
Has anyone riden the 600 commuter things? i've only ever riden 600 sports and find the complet lack of 'grunt' really anoying! I know commuters are going to be tunned more for bottom end power but do you then lose all power over 90?
ZXR750 L1
tail tidy, polished bits, custom paint job, k&n, dynojet, Full akropovik, down geared, GSXR calipers, hel brake lines front and rear & clutch line, maxtron resprung froks 120BHP
I've ridden a 600 Divi. It was kinda fun in a big bouncy way. Feels about 2 foot higher than the zxr. Handled alright if you got your elbows out and monstered it - they are fecking heavy (it was my brother in laws bike and I almost dropped it doing a u turn at the top of his road).
I think you are looking more towards 2.5k for a vfr800. as jamz says (and he should know) there's plenty of 750's out there cheap. I'm thinking about buying one in the spring.
In the garage:
Kawasaki ZXR400 L3 - shiny
Suzuki DR800 - bouncy
1978 Suzuki GS400 - PROJECT RETRO RACER!
Kawasaki GPz500S - for sale soon
Honda CG125 BR-J - in bits
theres loads of VFR's around for 1.5-2k there all higher milage and most have been droped (none of that bothers me because as jamz said its likly i'll drop it anyway!)
i've done sports bikes commuting and the amount of up keep they take you might as well own a car...Plus i've completly gone off sports bikes there just NOT FUN the only time i really enjoy them is on track so now that im going to have my own garage without gay pairents wanting to put cars in there i'll get a track bike i think. SuperMoto has completly killed my love for road sports bike's just makes everything seem sooo boring.
I've always enjoyed riding long distance as well, somthing that the ZXR is crap at (90 mile petrol stops, revin the tits off it to get anywere and always at licence loseing speeds). As somthing like the VFR looks like it will be comfitable but also handel quite well when you want to have some fun. And at 112 BHP its not going to be silly slow.
cheers for the offer jamz and im sure someone who hasent read about your love affair with cable tie's, riding it though 9ft of water and brakes binded on will take your arm off!
ZXR750 L1
tail tidy, polished bits, custom paint job, k&n, dynojet, Full akropovik, down geared, GSXR calipers, hel brake lines front and rear & clutch line, maxtron resprung froks 120BHP
