Bikes. What to do next?

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by orose

Might be worth getting a few insurance quotes for the change of bike - that might change your mind on going for the upgrade option

Yep I was eyeing up a lovely 2005 gsxr 600 (yellow ofcourse) a few weeks ago then quickly went off the idea at the sight of my quote....
£2400!

It's really up to you binky. Cost/practicality would be my deciding factors. Weigh up the cost of buying a track bike (+insurance,tax, mot OR cost of getting it transported there) against getting a sportsbike(more expensive parts for servicing i.e 4 expensive sparkplugs,expensive insurance, cost of fairings. I don't think I'd bother chucking money at the curvy to make it a trackbike unless you specifically want to ride the v.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I tihnk on the older bikes then yes they are lacking a little maybe mid range wise, but on the more modern stuff like the K6 600 I rode, its not true in my experience to say that an IL4 has no mid range power.

Well I've only ridden one modern 600 sportsbike, and it seems to have less low down poke than an early 90's CBR600F, but that was a long time ago so memory may be twisted.

The 600 Bandit I know well and IMO it's a f***in slug in the midrange compared to the SV. Ridden the 650 once it seemed to be a bit better.

Maybe they've got worse, then got better again in the last 3 or 4 years, certainly they rev a lot higher and make a lot more power at the top end than they used to, which you would wonder how they achieve that from the same capacity without sacrificing midrange, oversize pistons and shorter stroke = higher revs but less torque, etc. I dunno, they do electronic stuff with sportsbikes now that you can't apply the normal principals of engineering to. Engine configuration (ie: the principals that applied to long crank throw, low revving diesel engines producing monster torque but no power) seems to be less important than electronics now.

GSXR600 I rode was a K6 or K7 model but it was a Mexican one. I need to get a test ride on one here and see if it manages to change by opinion.

I would love to try a GSXR 750. I think if I was going to buy a sportsbike, it would be a gixxer. I dont think I'd go up to a thou as the power isnt necessary, and where you could use the power of a thou I dont know unless you live on the IOM (and your names Martin, McGuinness, Plater etc). I also prefer the look of the Gixxer over the CBR & Ninja.

I think I'm quite content with the Versys at the moment though, its cheap to run, all paid for and is very comfortable. If anything I would like to keep hold of it and maybe buy a 2nd bike. I cant justify having 2bikes in the garage to do 6k a year between them though.

I love the CBR600rr in white, found a nice one but was quickly put in check by them insurance swines. £380 I paid for the SV, £1400 for the CBR, stick where I am thanks!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

GSXR600 I rode was a K6 or K7 model but it was a Mexican one. I need to get a test ride on one here and see if it manages to change by opinion.

Aye I remember you saying about that before. I guess it depends on just what you expect the bike to do when you open the throttle. I never felt like the SV set the world alight and it certainly ran out of puff quickly where as the 600 GSXR I rode and my 750 just feel like they are going to make power all the way to the redline for ever. But neither of the compared Torque / mid range power wise to the bandit 1250 I rode.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Aye I remember you saying about that before. I guess it depends on just what you expect the bike to do when you open the throttle. I never felt like the SV set the world alight and it certainly ran out of puff quickly where as the 600 GSXR I rode and my 750 just feel like they are going to make power all the way to the redline for ever. But neither of the compared Torque / mid range power wise to the bandit 1250 I rode.

It does depend on expectations, and on preferences, even if you expect the throttle to do what it does, doesn't mean you'll like it. I guess if you can learn (and be bothered!) to keep the engine in the right rev range and ride in a lower ratio at higher revs (I ride the SV between 4000 and 8000 revs on a normal A to B ride), then the GSXR600's "midrange", ie: 7000 to 11000 will be anything but lacking, but you have to get used to and enjoy riding like that.

I always felt at a constant speed that I was revving the tits off the 600 Bandit (9000 revs at 90mph in sixth from memory?) and I found the engine tone fatiguing on the ears too.

No the SV doesn't set the world alight, but it's quick for a 70bhp bike, mine doesn't run out of puff until your above 100mph, or you have a long steep hill or a pillion.

You can't put an SV in 6th gear at 30mph because of the more limited rev range, chain lash below 3000 revs and red line at 10,500, only 7500 revs to play with. Each gear ratio has to be much further apart. When a bike has a wider rev range and a smoother power delivery it greatly widens the range of speed that you can use in each gear.

The Bandit 1250 has a lovely engine, smooth and torquey at the same time. Still less than 100bhp though, which proves it's not all about power, torque is important too. With my wife on the back the riding experience didn't change, didn't know she was there, it's an impressive bike to ride in terms of it's capabilities.

[yorkie_chris]

Keep the SV on the road, get a crashed 10 year old 600 for the track.

If you like to use the SV to the full on the road, then you will do the same with something quicker, then you will get bored of that and get something newer or faster... Or maybe more power will make you calmer, try it and find out what you like.

[Binky]

Interesting thoughts. If i were to get a track bike and keep the SV it'd need to be MOT'd and insured as i have no van, no trailer let alone a car license.

Also what is the likeliness of a garage letting a 21 yr old out on an un-restricted license on one of thier bikes??? Do i have to be 25 or similar??? If so is it a legal thing or are they succeptable to persausion.

I may just do a few mock quotes online now.

Keep the thoughts coming in the mean time. Always interested in everyones thoughts and experiences.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Binky

Also what is the likeliness of a garage letting a 21 yr old out on an un-restricted license on one of thier bikes??? Do i have to be 25 or similar??? If so is it a legal thing or are they succeptable to persausion.

Local triumph dealer didn't bat an eyelid when I asked to take one of their stock 675s out for a ride...

Go and ask, if they say no, tell them they've lost a possible sale and go elsewhere...

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Is that because you have a 750 Fizz? I haven't ridden one but everyone says they are significantly better midrange than the 600. IMO there is a relative lack of midrange on a GSXR600, it's not rubbish, and it's not just my experience of it saying that, loads of people say the same, magazines say the same, other forums say the same, it's just repeated far too often to have no basis in truth.

It's true. Around town - I used to get passed by Vespas on my R6 because there was no midrange. It was actually quite embarassing.

Oh, wait.....