Next Bike decisions.
 

So- following my off and waiting to get the 'beyond economical repair' call from Carole Nash, I'm thinking about what I'll be getting.

Due to not expecting much for the SV (insured for £1800, 65k miles- be lucky to clear £1200 after excess comes off it...), I'm looking at something cheapish and easy to maintain for 11 mile commute and ride down to the folks on.

Don't fancy an upright bike (ie Bandit/S etc)- so thinking about a sport-tourer type jobby.

It'll be a temporary measure until I can afford to get something with a bit more character.. (ie until the end of the year or so).

Currently a decision between a ZZR600 and a CBR600F.

Can get both for around the same price with up to 30-40k miles on- various years- mostly early-late 90s (though you can get an early 2000s ZZR for similar cash).

I'm guessing the Honda will be a better bet, but will weigh in slightly more on insurance....

Any comments re these bikes? Would consider another SV, but maybe a change might be good for a while...

I'm gonna miss that bike!! :(

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

The ZZR600 was always a soft bike (even though they raced them) me I'd go for the CBR but its always down to personal taste and bike condition...

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

If your an engine man go Kwack. Amazing sound too.

For everything else the CBR is a better bike.

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

And someone has just suggested a Firestorm (cos I love the twins)- but that'll be about £2k for a decent one (ie newer, with big tank).

Decisions, decisions.... :D

Cheers for the comments...

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

I'm in the same position as yourself, looking to move on from an SV650.

Seeing as the CBR600F and Firestorm are in the same insurance group, and roughly the same price for a clean one, I'm going for a Firestorm.

Physically more comfortable for me than the CBR, and they sound awesome and go like stink. Yes you'll have a slightly higher fuel bill but that's the price you pay for the Vtwin grunt and sound! :smt112

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Yeah- my spirits did rise with the thought of it. But it's just finding the spare cash for one (and being prepared for the inevitable CCT replacement at some point).

I get the feeling that I'd only keep a Firestorm for a year or so, due to above and fuel costs. But who knows what's gonna happen- they might even just repair the Yellow Peril (yeah right....!).

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

CBR

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Wouldn't commute on a Firestorm. Big V Twin. Lumpy in traffic and you'll spend your life haning around £1.60 a litre petrol stations.

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Thundercat maybe? You can get a very good one for under £1500 easily. Daytona 955i?

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CBR - the old CBR600F's are magic bikes!

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CBR, no brainer

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I did think about a Thundercat- but as with the ZZR, I've heard they're heavy...

Daytona? I'll barely be able to afford the insurance, let alone the bike!!

It's looking very CBR at the moment....

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

I lurve twins too. I would love to say go Firestorm too. I loved mine.

But for commuting duties it will empty your wallet (likes a drink, eats C&S and tyres) and lose you your license (every traffic light is a opportunity to wheelie even for a hamfisted mong and bottle merchant like myself).

Proper fast with just a nip of throttle so you are WAY above 30 limits while sounding and feeling like you are pottering. Ok for cops with eyes and ears, trouble with ones with hairdryers and robot ones on a pole.

Just don't try one especially with open pipes and you'll be ok with the CBR. ;):p

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Actually- I've been looking at at the ZZR again- on paper it appers to do better mpg than the CBR, has a bigger tank range and is in a lower insurance bracket- as I'm losing 2yrs no claims, this is a consideration.

It looks like I'll probably get a better bargain on one too, as they're not particularly cool/attractive (don't really mind that too much).

I know it's not so well built as the Honda, but I can't see anything about specific problems with them as such...

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Having owned a few zzrs over the years the only thing to watch are the reg,rectifiers can go and cush drive rubbers will allways have play in them.They also break frames easily in a crash(done it twice!!) .I did 30k in a year on one and it never missed a beat. they are slightly less sporty than the cbr and lack a bit of ground clearance if you are in to lean angles. However they are very very comfy and easy to ride and are very quick.
You could also not really go wrong with a cbr and i think it will be down to finding a nice bike and test riding it.
I would happily have a zzr or a cbr!

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

How about, wait for it........ an SV650? If you were happy with the last one why change? Can get a nice pointy or a curvy for that sorta monies.

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

You know- I did think about another SV- but I thought perhaps a change would be good for a while. I can always get another one later- I do love the SV, you know- especially Curvies!

Having had a chat with Stewart of Stewart's Motorcycles (AKA Spanner Man)- he pointed me more at the CBR- the petrol/insurance economy might be lost against maintenance.

Though he did suggest a VFR750 as well- they cost about the same as the CBR-600F and are often regarded as the best bikes Honda ever built- so that's now in the equation.

I guess the CBR would be more fun in some ways, but the V4 engine really appeals...

Will decide nothing until I hear back about the valuation on The (now aptly named) Yellow Peril...

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

I'd say thundercat but are a lardy bike 220kg if my memory serve me right

If a decent viffer 750 comes up take it

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Just picked up a 1999 cbr600f, 17k miles, very good condition for £1200.

Im so impressed with it, its just so good in every way, so much more bike than i expected for the money. Id been considering another sv but am so glad i didnt, i thought the sv was great but the cbr is in a whole different class. If id paid £2k id still feel like id got a bargain!

Re: Next Bike decisions
 

Paid £970 for my ZZR600 about 3.5 yearts ago. It was a 1994 with 18K on it. It is now approaching 50K with only routine maintainance. I replaced the shock and fork springs with Hagon, and added fireblade calipers - but for pootling to work and back neither mod would be essential. Better than a CBR for long distance and also more range of hard luggage will fit. Build quality is good, and they are very tough when run over - I know.

CBR is lighter and flickable, but I can still chuck the ZZR about - very good for A-roads, but when stuff gets very tight the weight slows you down a bit.

For the same money you will get a better bike with the kwak as prices are dirt cheap, but then it realy depends if you are more sports or tourer?

Re: Next Bike decisions.
 

It's mainly for commute and ride to folks (about 100 miles each way)- a lighter bike would be preferable and I would still like to enjoy occasional Sunday riding too- so the CBR does seem a better choice (I do like leaning the bike, so if the ZZR centre stand grounds out, then I'd rather avoid it).

I think I'm going to rule out the VFR for weight reasons too. I'd like something a little more flickable..

Re: Next Bike decisions.
 

cbr - injected or carbed?

i had one of the first injected ones 2001 ( i think) and the bottom end fuelling wasnt the best... they also had a big problem with CCT's.

Re: Next Bike decisions.
 

you can still get yer knee down on a ZZR - and panniers come to that ;-)

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CBR would be last of the steel frame models- F-Y or F-W. So probably carbed.

Interesting Philbut- I heard that the stand grounds out easily on leaning and with pillions. The CBR has a centre stand too but haven't read much on that issue.

Spoke to CN and the assesor today- got a provisional value of £1500 on the bike (will be subject to insurer approval and minus £150 excess)- more than I expected- but Curvies do seem to hold value fairly well if the Bike Trader ads I've seen are anything to go by.

Once settled, I have 30 days to do a 'bike change' on the insurance- if so will go up by £91 for this year on a 1998 CBR then the major increase would be at renewal time for the claim (back to 1 year no claims...cuh!).

Am considering Helmet claim as well as I have cover...

Re: Next Bike decisions.
 

They can ground out if you have a stock shock and incorrect set up. I am yet to touch mine down. You can always remove it as some do. For pure sporting ability though the CBR does win hands down. I am just biased cos I loves mine.

Re: Next Bike decisions.
 

That's fair comment Philb.

I'm going CBR- I've decided I don't want the weight of the VFR right now and want that Honda reliability thing they had from their 90's bikes.

Plus I've got a Honda dealer 10mins walk away-so parts will be a doddle when necessary...