What is the cheapest 600 sports tourer?

[cringer]

Of the decent quality manufacturer's (not the **** ones) what is the cheapest sports tourer to buy brand new? Is it the gladius. My mate wants to buy a first bike.

[Holdup]

Not really such a thing, more classed as street/naked bikes, something like a CBF600, Blandit 600, ER6 etc etc etc

[Razor]

If buying brand new,with finance, look for 0% deals from Kawasaki and Suzuki.

[simesb]

You are only really looking at 5 manufacturers (Kwak, H**da, Suzuki, Yam, Trumpet) - why not just look at their websites?

Failing that, get you mate to decide which bike he likes and speak to a dealer?

[Ed]

Won't go wrong with a Daytona 600/650. Not brand new of course... else it's a 675. Fantastic bike. See Pazzo thread for a few pics of mine.

[andrewsmith]

Big bikes going to have to be the bandit 1250 tourer
other wise see who's got best fiance deals on, i'd be say kawa atm on that ground

[Specialone]

Versys maybe?

[dill89]

I'd say a Fazer 600 or Bandit 650. Granted I haven't experienced many bikes, but I have experienced them, and I own a Fazer, and I've never suffered from any discomfort on it, and if need be you can easily attack corners at speed.

Mine was 10 when I got it, for £1200, great condition, and in my opinion a great bike.

[Nobbylad]

Isn't the Hyosung cheaper than the SV and higher spec'd as stock? Might not have the kudos as the more established manufacturers, but if it's a first bike, it might make sense?

[dill89]

Isn't the Hyosung cheaper than the SV and higher spec'd as stock? Might not have the kudos as the more established manufacturers, but if it's a first bike, it might make sense?

Yea I think the Hyosung GT650 is around 75bhp but with more torque than the Fazers and Bandits. Quite pricey though from new, and second hand are similar prices to slightly older Fazers, Bandits, ER6-n's, aaaand as far as I know, quite a reliable bike, not with the general "chinese build quality", but if the prices are similar, would you not rather a slightly older bike from a manufacturer you know from history that you can rely on?

[Razor]

Versys maybe?

i got quoted £5800 for the abs model on the road, but ER6-F was cheaper by nearly £500

[Swin]

Sports Tourer - I always thought of that as a bit of a grey area. I mean, when the CBR6 was launched it was a sports bike - a few years later it's a sports tourer...

Probably not the cheapest, but at the cheaper end of the market is the Bandit and SV - plenty of bangs per buck. I understand the newer Fazers are a bit more "sporty" than "tourer-y" and you could probably put the Hornet in that bunch too.

If it's more tour than sports that your friend requires, consider a Deauvillle?

[cringer]

Local suzuki dealer doing brand spanker gladius for 4500. The write up say's they are as good as the sv. But the spec say's they are a heavier bike and more thirsty. I was going to save up and buy one but opted for 2nd hand due to the mileage I do. Also I personally think the k3 onwards naked looks better than the gladius. But that's the one he has his eye on at the moment. Used prices are still around 3.5 to 4k at the moment. Maybe next year might get a bike for under 3k.

[Shonky]

Go second hand and get a thundercat. Or an SV is a more than adequate choice.

[Graciepants]

dont go new, go second hand, have mine!
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=153407
honda = bombproof

[Talan]

I'd second Graciepants, if you buy new the depreciation as you drive out of the showroom makes you cry. I've always gone second hand, some private, some trade.

CBR600 is a reliable and quick bike, SV650 has character and appeal, Fasers are quicker than you'd think (although many say the original is the best), Bandits go on forever.

I'd look for one that has a comfortable riding position, that's the main thing. If you're 6'1" then some bikes are better than others. If you're intending on putting in some serious miles, be happy where you're sat.

[Specialone]

I'd second Graciepants, if you buy new the depreciation as you drive out of the showroom makes you cry. I've always gone second hand, some private, some trade.

CBR600 is a reliable and quick bike, SV650 has character and appeal, Fasers are quicker than you'd think (although many say the original is the best), Bandits go on forever.

I'd look for one that has a comfortable riding position, that's the main thing. If you're 6'1" then some bikes are better than others. If you're intending on putting in some serious miles, be happy where you're sat.


Dont buy new???
I got my sprint for similar price from the dealer that private 2nd hand ones were going for, horses for courses, but i like to know the history, i like to run it in, i like to turn up at the dealer and collect a brand new machine.
I like warranty, i like the 1 years free breakdown cover.

Im not criticising anyone but its what i like.

[Jackie_Black]

I got my last bike new for less than the dealer is selling it for 2nd hand. New can be a winner. If your friend is tall how about a 650 wee strom, I think they do a GT version.

[cringer]

I second that motion. Gladius for example. 2nd hand prices are only a few hundred quid less than new.

[gettin2dizzy]

Cheapest? ZZR600

[speedplay]

Won't go wrong with a Daytona 600/650.

Really?!

Whats your ar$e made of?
Getting off my 600 after 400+ miles, I could have sworn I'd been raped...

[Jackie_Black]

I think as a general rule for touring, the more it looks like a sofa the more comfy it will be. I think a naked SV would be a good little tourer but the sport I had just hurt after 2 hours.

[rictus01]

Really?!

Whats your ar$e made of?
Getting off my 600 after 400+ miles, I could have sworn I'd been raped...

the Achilles heel of the D600/650, the tt600 seat is much better.

to answer the OP, if it's a first bike, cheap repair costs and crash bungs would be of primary concern, do the most damaging parts of learning on something cheap, the get something nicer after that.

Cheers Mark

[Talan]

Dont buy new???
I got my sprint for similar price from the dealer that private 2nd hand ones were going for, horses for courses, but i like to know the history, i like to run it in, i like to turn up at the dealer and collect a brand new machine.
I like warranty, i like the 1 years free breakdown cover.

Im not criticising anyone but its what i like.

Fair point, well made. The second hand ones I've got from dealers have come with warranty and never let me down, but I may well have been lucky.

Agree with others about the comfort requirements of a sports tourer. When I had a CBR600 and traveled the 200miles to visit my folks, I had a severely numb backside, cramped legs and felt shattered. Sitting on a showroom model doesn't actually do the same as being on it for hours at a time. The more pressure on your wrists the more numb they'll be when you ride for prolonged periods.

[hardhat_harry]

For a first bike I'd deffo go second hand, there are a few scratches and scrapes to be had before buying a new bike. Remember passing the test is the START of learning how to ride a bike properly.

I had 5 bikes before buying new.

Spend £1500 on an SV or ZZR600, or CBR600 or Blandit get a year under your belt sell it for slightly it for £1300 - £1400 much less than depreciation from new and trade up.

[MattCollins]

I only ever buy new to avoid buying a bunch of someone else's problems that arise out of abuse, misuse, lack of maintenance, bodgy owner maintenance or even some "professional" services. The premium is worth it for me.

[Nobbylad]

I bought new because of the finance available, I wanted to know the history of the bike and because 2nd hand wasn't much less (I got my K8 for £4,200 - with some extra's thrown in). I also got a good deal on the kit I bought from the dealer.