Bike recommendations

[maraach]

Hey guys,

It has been crossing my mind more and more lately to consider getting a second bike.

The main purpose of this bike would be as a commuter (the 9 just really doesnt like Sydney traffic). As such, im really want something that is pretty bulletproof. The best way i can describe what i want is like my original 1988 GPX (my first bike). It looked rough, had scratches all over it, but it never ever gave me any problems mechanically. It always started first time every time, was extremely easy to maintain, even for a pretty average person like myself. It was fine to ride in traffic... All in all it was a fine bike. Basically if they made a gpx500 i would have already bought one. I want to avoid any of the high revving high maintenance bikes (like the zxr250), but am also wary about anything too old because from prior experience with cars, that usually leads to an awful lot of maintenance and expensive fixes.

On another note, if the bike was trackable that would be great. I would love to be able to push the limits on a bike that is easy to ride and get better there in order to improve my riding on the 9.

The only thing i can see in the kawasaki range that seems to fit the bill is the er6. However, as they are still new they are still priced reasonably highly. What im really after is a not so pretty older bike. One that if it got stolen / damaged / dropped / reversed into i would care too much. I was thinking of only putting third party property insurance on it so i want something that im not going to care that much about.

Just wondering if anyone could think of any possibilities i had forgotten?

[Phil]

Nelso's ZRX11 would have been perfect, pity someone else is grinning from ear to ear riding it right now.......

[Nelso]

Nelso's ZRX11 would have been perfect, pity someone else is grinning from ear to ear riding it right now.......

As I was reading I was thinking the exact same thing. (and he still would be grinning from ear to ear with the bargain he picked up. He thought all his Christmases had come at once when he picked it up)

[Phil]

Yours running right now ?

[tim]

It's the only bike I can personally recommend because it's the only bike I know

Does seem to fit the bill.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0388615163
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 0325647831

[Nelso]

Yours running right now ?

Yep, brought it home today via the Nasho. Still grinning too.

[Phil]

Yours running right now ?

Yep, brought it home today via the Nasho. Still grinning too.

Simple fix?

[robracer]

Basically if they made a gpx500 i would have already bought one

But they did its called a GPZ 500

[waynemorgan]

Good choice Rob! Personally I love my GPZ500 - suits me fine as a learner but it's an old bike so you have to be able to work out your repairs away from Kawasaki as the parts are very expensive. I get mine from US.

It great in traffic, easy to manouver, light and narrow - everything I'm not

[brockzila]

i know its not a kwak but a TRX850 is a great town bike, narrow, agile, quick and they sound dam good.

[Slow and wobbly]

ZR7, er500, GPX250, zzr250 KLR650, KLR250, CT110, TS185, TRX850, CB250 - Basically the next time you see a bike courier, note down what it is they are riding. They do spend all day every day on them in city traffic and have chosen them for the suitability.
In my opinion though the ZX9 is definitely the bike for all worlds though - mine was commuted for 5 years and I never found it a burden. But I know what you mean by having a second more utilitarian bike they have a purpose and don't need to be pretty or high performance - they just have to be more fun than public transport .
I used to deliver fast food on a scooter here in the Melb CBD after hours and it was an absolute hoot smashing through traffic, up footpaths, down laneways but most of all - for those that know it - flying down William street and hitting the "tabletop" at the intersection of flinders lane where the tram line runs. Used to perform the manouver of " The Flying Noodle". The little scooter would have been about 2 foot off the ground ! Good fun. Between myself and the other bloke that rode that little scooter we competed to see how much we could grind away the side of the footboards during the course of our shift - had to be careful though cause too far over and the back would lift resulting in a slide on your arse
But I digress - get a shitfighter and have fun!

[smithy5]

Basically if they made a gpx500 i would have already bought one

But they did its called a GPZ 500

+ 1....... I think there were significant changes in these about 1993, so I would get something 94 onwards.......
while your at it, have a look at the ZZR600.... Great alrounder also...........

[zx6rider]

has already been said but ZR7, GPZ 500, ZZR600 and ER5 would be ideal commuters, Suzuki have the GS500.

Or you could put road tyres on a XR600, TTR600, DR650, all of which are fairly bullet proof.

[photomike666]

I really don't think some of the 99-02 600s will go too far wrong. Look at the ZX6 (model before the 636), 99-02 CBR600 etc - they were all comfortable, light, agile and bullet proof (my cbr600 has 74,000 road KMs before I tracked it and it never let me down. If you want simplicity, spewie bandit is basic, does everything it says on the box and even has bolt adjustable valves - no shims!

The old gear driven cam VFRs are bullet proof, but perhaps a bit heavy in traffic and the shaft driven Kwak GT750 is almost courier gospel in London (aside from the weird few on Honda NTDs).

[King Nicholas]

I ride my Z750 in Melb traffic as my everyday commute & it's fine. I do have a mate who wants me to buy a motard with him, which would be perfect for getting in and about the traffic. They are light, narrow and surprisingly quick!