Advice needed for buying new bike after 20 years!

Hey all,

My first post here so be kind please!

I'm looking at getting back on to a "big bike" after 20 years of not having anything but scooters and cars and I'd really like to get some advice on types of bikes and models that might suit me as well as any other relevant advice.

My current ride is a Derbi 250 Rambler scooter that I *love* riding (as it's so much fun and also pretty fast for a scoot) but I really want to migrate back to a "real" bike before the summer... it just feels like the right time.

My last "big bike" was a 1988 Ninja 600R which I owned (from new) in NZ for a couple of years before heading to the UK to live in 1990. Since then, I've had scooters on and off and in fact the last bike I even rode with gears was about 5 years in ago (a 500cc quad bike in Namibia of all places!).

Ok, so now I'm older (mid-40's) and I'm (hopefullly) not as mad as I used to be so I decided I don't want to get a supersport as I won't be doing track days and I want a bike I can have fun on but also relax on when on a longer ride. I was thinking about the new GSX-R 600 or ZX6R which are meant to be amazing but having sat on both today and heard/read/seen what they can do I think it's just going to be too extreme for my needs.

I went and looked at bikes today around Sydney and came up with a list ones which seem pretty cool - gotta admit I've not ridden any of them yet though (didn't have time today or any proper riding gear).

So, the list, in no particular order is:

- Kawasaki Z750 - sexy looking beast with (mostly) great reviews
- Kawasaki 650R (love the look of it in burnt orange, no idea what it goes like yet)
- Suzuki Gladius (650 I think, and a bit radical looking which I quite like)
- Ducati Monster 696 (bit pricey but the idea of riding a Duke is *VERY* tempting!!)
- Triumph Street Triple 675 - again, looks lovely and had great reviews.

So, from that list, you can see I'd like to get something that will go well (once I get my riding confidence back) but also something I can do long rides on without getting too tired - so not a pure racer and not a pure cruiser. It's really just for weekend rides and some club rallies etc - no commuting etc. I also need something that I can ease back into the "proper" riding scene whilst enjoying it - I don't want to be scared shedless every time I get on it!!

The main for me registering and posting here is so far I like the two Kwaka's more than any of the others - on looks alone though since I've not actually ridden either. I also like the prices - they seem very competitive with the others in my list, if not downright better! (Z750 for $10290 R/A and the 650 for $9950 R/A on BikeSales.com.au).

Therefore I'd really like to get any feedback or advice anyone here who may have ridden both of these on which of the two Kawa's might be better for someone who is coming back to riding a "proper" bike after many years.

As for size and fit I'm 168cm (5" 6') and about 85kg so though I'm by no means tiny I'm not a huge bloke either - so I don't want a bike that's too much of a handful (if you know what I mean). Some people have said the Z750 is very heavy but once you're riding it it feels very nimble and light - comments anyone?

Many thanks in advance - apologies if this should be in another forum section and sorry it's so damned long!!

Mike

Welcome Mike
I'm mid 40's too and I can tell ya to cross off all that other shit and just put ....
ZX14

G'day Mike - welcome to the madness ....

I've had both the Z750 ( '04 ) ( now deceased ) and the 650R ( '05 ) ( also known as the ER-6n/f ).

I'm just back from the UK, having done 13,000 km on the ER-6n....

The 750 has around 100-110 hp, the 650 is around 70 hp.

Try to get test rides on whatever is on your shortlist - longer the better.

Happy testing !

Welcome and I say a zrx1100 or 1200.

Welcome and I say a zrx1100 or 1200.

Finally someone on here with at least half a brain cell.

Mate, go a Z1000

However i am bias of course

Welcome

>Welcome and I say a zrx1100 or 1200.
Reasons?

>just put .... ZX14
Ditto!

If you dont want a new bike there is a lot of support here for a zx9,they do the lot and are bullit proof,best to go for the late models though 2001-2003 are the finished product and you can get a good one from around 5-7 grand.

>Welcome and I say a zrx1100 or 1200.
Reasons?

Looks, comfort, price, speed, handling, need i say more?

>just put .... ZX14
Ditto!

dont know much about the 14, dont know much about the rex except if you want ideas talk to Phil on here, his ia a beast.

I have a 9 but my next bike will be a ZRX. ( in a while, long while!) love my 9..... thanks jonno

NO, I love you more, especially the chq ya gave me

Hey all,



Ok, so now I'm older (mid-40's) and I'm (hopefullly) not as mad as I used to be so I decided I don't want to get a supersport as I won't be doing track days and I want a bike I can have fun on but also relax on when on a longer ride. I was thinking about the new GSX-R 600 or ZX6R which are meant to be amazing but having sat on both today and heard/read/seen what they can do I think it's just going to be too extreme for my needs.

Mike

Mike, the ZX9R suggestions are close, but not entirely fitting of your purchase criteria as stated above. Given the fact that you start with a 4, a ZX9R is going to cause you some issues if you do longer rides. (Don't ask Mal's opinion on this, the guys the height of a Jockey for fucks sake! He could ride a 125 GP and make it look big!!!)

What you really need is a ZRX. Go get a test ride on one and then see what happens. If you are like most, you will end up owning one. My previous bike to the ZRX was a ZX9R 2000 model. It was a terrific bike, but the ZRX does everything the ZX9 could do, bu all in comfort and with way more bottom end GRUNT!

The ZRX is ......wait for it........ "More than the sum of it's parts"

Have you considered the gorgeous looking Honda VFR800? it's an awesome looking bike and will be more comfortable than a supersport.

*waits for the Kawasaki faithful to come out and start the bashing!*

Have you considered the gorgeous looking Honda VFR800? it's an awesome looking bike and will be more comfortable than a supersport.

*waits for the Kawasaki faithful to come out and start the bashing!*

At least now we know you drink.....a lot!!!

I'd go the Z1000
Honda CB 1000
Suzuki Bandat 1250
Triumph Speed tripple 1050
My choice for the reasons strika gave,ZRX1200
But I am bias as I own one, & its like nothing else on the road, & thats the bit I like!
All really nice to ride, all great midrange power, all good for road riding & all good for long distance riding & city traffic. Hope that narrows it down a little for you.

Hi Mike, welcome to KSRC, choices ...simple Zthou or sexy rex both will give you a big grin that just wont go away