[Golem]

Okay... the itch is still here... 

As you may / may not know I don't have a bike at the moment. However I should be getting some money that is tied up right now but if and when it comes free a new bike is an option. My previous bikes (The CBR750 Hurricane and the XZ 550 were both 2nd hand and not too expensive [5000 guilders ~2500 € for the CBR and 750 € for the XZ]).

Now being older, having no kids, having a good job I got a bit more to spend (if those stocks where my money is in don't bottom out  ). I also need a new outfit and helmets for me and the mrs but that leaves up to 8000 € for a bike (hopefully).

I would like some advice on what. I have been looking at new bikes but am open to 2nd hand as well. I would like to have a ABS system bike (safety is nice). and not too old. On the one hand new bikes lose so much value when you drive out the door, on the other hand 2nd hand ones are still quite expensive.

I compared some new bikes already:
NC750S ABS   
CB650F ABS   
ER-6f   XJ6
Diversion ABS   
MT-07 ABS   
Fazer8 ABS   
Bandit 650 SA   
Diversion F ABS

but I would like your opinion on new vs 2nd hand and which bike.

It's soooo hard I really never had a Suzuki, they always looked a bit cheap and I never trusted that but on the other hand... they are cheaper.
I like the look of the Bandit and the V-strom both.
I don't need a super powerful super speedy bike. I want something that's comfortable and that handles nice (I am a bit of a chicken).
I would like ABS on my future bike.

Anyway... all feedback is appreciated!

[David McDonough]

Ive just done a deal with a mate for a 2005 vfr800 low mileage full service history nothing needs doing to it £3k which is a good deal here in the uk. Its a compromise really wanted a sportsbike but Mrs wants to get over to Europe next year which suits me. New vs old, i would never buy a new bike or car, not prepared to loose that much money. In the uk ebay and bike publications are full of low mileage 2nd hand bikes with fsh. Tell you what though that mt07 is a nice bike, depends what you want to do, not sure you'd want to go too far 2up!

[robvangulik]

In my view you've missed one brand, I think you would do well to look seriously at the BMW F800 series, they are meant for the same group as the Honda NC but have just that bit more spunk.
They have been sold long enough to be had in used form, they're not racing or real sports bikes so won't be abused, and they are just good bikes!
Not for me, I'll stay with my CBR as you'd expect, but I think they are made the right size for folks like you, capable enough for two up riding, powerful enough to STAY interesting and very frugal concerning fuel etc.
Belt drive, which tickles your modern bone and light enough to let you not have to chicken out too often

[David McDonough]

Yes nice bike f800, had a friend with one, his main gripe was going through belts every 12k ish miles and the high replacement cost though perhaps the frequency was down to his riding!!

[robvangulik]

Those belts should hold much longer, so that can well be

[xpd153]

Regarding modern BMW motorcycle, it is not good for self maintenance. It needs computer diagnosis and special tool sets in many cases.
It means you have to depend on BMW service network. The bottom line, its maintenance cost is not cheap.

With older BMW motorcycle, there are tons of stock parts and knowledge base. So it is DIY mechanic/3rd party mechanic friendly.
So long term maintenance cost may be reasonable.

[robvangulik]

You're right XPD, but Golem isn't one who wants to do much maintenance himself, and being a BMW it doesn't really need much else than new oil , brake pads and tyres at the right time.
Being belt drive he even doesn't need to grease the chain

[Golem]

^^ Both right.. I don't even do oil replacements without help...

Greasing a chain I can do... although the camshaft on the XZ 550 got me more lazy than before...

I never even tensioned the chain on my CBR myself...

[robvangulik]

Driveshaft....
Camshaft see below.
Did you start shopping already, see anything nice?

[Golem]

nope... I did look around but second hand F800's go for similar prizes as new Bandits, CB's and NC's... THAT is a big difference going right up and over my budget limit...

http://www.autotrader.nl/motor/bouwjaar-van-2007/?zoekopdracht=merk--suzuki-of-yamaha-of-honda-of-kawasaki-of-bmw%2Fmodel--suzuki-v-strom-of-suzuki-bandit-of-yamaha-mt-03-of-yamaha-xjr-of-honda-nc-of-honda-cb-of-honda-cbf-of-kawasaki-er-of-bmw-f-800%2Fprijs-tot-8500%2Fkilometerstand-tot-20000%2Fpostcode--2545%2Fafstand--80%2Fmotorinhoud--500-600-of-600-750-of-750-900-of-900_plus

[robvangulik]

I've heard good things about the 650 V-strom, good that you included that one in your search criteria.
I'm no real Sukizuki fan (as you well should know ) but that is a nice allround bike, and with all those "sleeping policemen" as the Brits call our beloved drempels, an all-road could be a wise choice....

[xpd153]

Yah, V-Strom has good reputation. However, if you look V-Strom, it is a quite big size motorcycle.
If you are vertically challenged, it may not fit you.

Suzuki had not introduced V-Strom to Japan until 2012. Because Suzuki believed there was not such market in Japan.
Honda opened Suzuki's eye by NC700X in 2012.

[Golem]

I am 1.78 m tall... quite small for Dutch standards but not Japanese levels... there's ladies over here riding those.

Vstrom is actually quite expensive, it's like 2-3k more expensive than a Bandit which has more power and torque for the same CC's...

It's like the NC750 and CB's all over again. I am not sure I get this... (although the NC has much more torque and much less fuel consumption so I sorta get that).

[robvangulik]

Sure, but probably because it is such a popular bike, there are lots of them around, so second hand they won't all be that expensive, and after all, you get what you pay for!
And the longer you have it, the less the purchase price is important.
Just look at me, I bought my first CBR for f13.000 which was quite some money back then, but 24 years later I still ride it, after all the abuse I gave it......

[RuaphuNZ]

I think i plonked a review of a mates 2014 V Strom 650 on here somewhere a few months back. Good bike, comfy, cheap to run and maintain, tons of aftermarket stuff including lowering kits for both suspension and foot mounts.

My only real grumbles were the overly restrictive pipe and narrow bars, both of which can be easily fixed.

Mate has beemers, loves them. He bought a generic fault code reader, all issues sorted.

The kawa er6 thingie is an odd bike to look at but fun to ride. Found it to be a bit 'buzzy' at times, mind you to be fair the thing had done over 85000 kms and erm 'well' used shall we say.

G, have you tried any cruisers? Honda make the fab shadow 750. Its been out for years, tried and true and easy to live with. Again lots of aftermarket bits available. They are comfy, cheap to run and maintain. They come out with both chain or drive shaft, nice to ride, nice to look at and great for tootling about on around town or back roads.

Have fun pootling about finding a bike, i love that process.

Ando


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