What's A Good Upgrade?

Originally Posted by muffles

No prob...main issue was I had to store it outside (private car park but not gated). I made a big concrete block with a ground anchor in (only liftable by 1-2 people, and that was separate from the bike!).

So I had - ground anchor, Almax chain, Datatool System 4, disc lock on front, tracker (though that was ineffective due to their incompetence! That's another thread). Also it was covered up, and located behind my car (making it awkward to get to the sides of it).

Anyway, they just brought a truck around and lifted the whole lot, concrete block and all, into it...

Thanks for the info. Looks like there's very little that can prevent the serious thief. The alarm etc. is just to deter someone casual. I suppose location is the biggest thing. Mine will be garaged at home but work is a worry. I'll find somewhere overlooked.

Cheers

Originally Posted by neio79

kAWASAKI zx6-r, NO QUESTIONS.

Because its the best looking 600 at the moment, ...stuff...

Try harder!

He means a Daytona 675, of course.

I often wonder what I'll go for next- I love the character of a V-Twin, but would like to ride an IL4 sportsbike for a while at some point (had some fun on my Bro's CBR400- small bike, massive grin factor!).

Thinking maybe a VFR800 in the future but the thing is....I love my SV so much!

Plus, insurance would be big on such a bike- I haven't any no claims yet, so not practical to get something in a higher insurance bracket and I've still got plenty to learn on the SV.

So- my plan is to slowly upgrade the SV- to better shocks and maybe eventually dyno-jetting and also to restore her to her former glory- she's still scarred from my off last year, so need to straighten the bracket for the fairing, replace the 2 side panels and just tidy up some of the paintwork- will cost cash, but worth doing for a bike I think I'll keep for a while yet.

So- perhaps you should enjoy your SV for a while to come.

[northwind]

I would go for a used Mille, personally... Or in the darkest recesses of my soul, I admit I want an R1200S But as a day to day bike? CBR600FS. Cheaper, cheaper to insure, real-world fast, comfy-ish, nothing like as focussed as the new race reps but that's not a bad thing IMO. I don't actually like them myself- I'm not compatible with the engine- but leaving aside that personal preference they're pretty fantastic bikes for the real world. Or in fact, I reckon I'd be happier on any of the older sports bikes than I would be on todays.

If it's got to be new and sexy, I'd have the CBR600RR though. Looks fantastic- though a little generic- and by all accounts it just works. People only say Hondas are boring because bikes tend to be distinguised by their flaws. The R6's fractionally better top end is made to feel incredible by its awful midrange, Kawasaki feel "raw" because they have the worst suspension...

Originally Posted by northwind

IKawasaki feel "raw" because they have the worst suspension...

It's not bad.........it's just not good on the road.

Sounds like a downgrade, but a VFR400 would probably be a good bike to swap to- I would like to get one myself- it's a V engine, it's fast enough (if you want that) and it's got Honda build. Oh- and they sound great. Very focussed riding position, though.

Was my Bro's first bike and he loved it to bits- more so than the CBR400.

It's just finding a good one for a good price....!

Originally Posted by northwind

CBR600FS. Cheaper, cheaper to insure, real-world fast, comfy-ish, nothing like as focussed as the new race reps but that's not a bad thing IMO. I don't actually like them myself- I'm not compatible with the engine- but leaving aside that personal preference they're pretty fantastic bikes for the real world.

What didn't you like about the engine, out of interest? Just curious since I have the F...very similar engine...seems much the same as any IL4 600 to me, in fact easier to ride than the GSX-R600 I had - more midrange.

[northwind]

Oh, I don't like any 600 IL4 engines Just not for me. The CBR one felt particularily flat, probably because of the stronger midrange reducing the contrasts, but really I've never met one I liked (yes, I know they have more midrange than an SV, just that the midrange is higher- there's just something about the whole revvy potent motor thing that doesn't work for me, I prefer puny engines)

But specifically, the old CBR one had a sticky out thing on the right hand side- water pump?- that I hit my knee on every time I climbed on

Originally Posted by northwind

Oh, I don't like any 600 IL4 engines Just not for me. The CBR one felt particularily flat, probably because of the stronger midrange reducing the contrasts, but really I've never met one I liked (yes, I know they have more midrange than an SV, just that the midrange is higher- there's just something about the whole revvy potent motor thing that doesn't work for me, I prefer puny engines)

But specifically, the old CBR one had a sticky out thing on the right hand side- water pump?- that I hit my knee on every time I climbed on

Lol, fair enough! Have to say, I think I prefer v-twins for day to day use, unfortunately there's only really the SV that would be reasonable cost, insurance, etc, that comes to mind. And I've already had one

Well according to the June edition of Fast bikes magazine the ZX6-R is still the best SS600 (obviously the only magazine not on Hondas pay roll), so there you are get it!!