Bike sold - what next?

[Miztaziggy]

My bike sold on ebay last weekend. I was very sad to see it go, especially after I spent so much time working on it and riding it over the last few years. I did mention this forum to the new owner so hopefully he will be around here at some point. If not, I hope he enjoys the bike as much as I have done. Benny, keep your eyes peeled for it around the NW area

So what next?

Well after Sarah and I move house in April, I am going to sell some shares and my Bitcoins to get some money for a couple of bikes. I might borrow some money over a year to help fund it if needs be, as I really want to be back on the road for May. I need to get them in time for the meet / ride in Yorkshire.

I think for Sarah im going to get a CBR 600 F, or a Kawasaki 636. Needs to be something fairly easy to insure, not too powerful but not underpowered, good handling and easy to ride. I have found a couple of examples:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111013606085? ... 1423.l2649


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160988371888? ... 1423.l2649


I really like the look of that Kawasaki, though it isn't a Honda, which does put me off a little. I started on a CBR600F when I passed my test, and I loved it. It was quite quick, really comfortable, solid feel, looked OK and sounded quite nice with an aftermarket exhaust.

For me, it has to be a litre bike I think, but I still haven't made my mind up between an SP1, Fireblade, ZX10 or R1.

Basically, I was after people's opinions about each of the bikes to tell me that they have experienced riding any of these and what they are like? Even just opinions you might have about each of these that might help me to make up my mind? I wont have the money in time to buy any of the examples below, I shouldn't be looking for bikes right now as I am just winding myself up I suppose, but next month ill be looking for whichever of the below I decide to get. I haven't really looked any further than the models here because I am not sure there is anything else around the £4k price range. I would love a KTM or MV or Ducati but all way too expensive

The models I have looked at are:
Fireblade - looks nice (IMO) and should be quite quick. I really like Honda bikes and love their solid feel. I like the underseat exhausts, and I like the massive top end power you get with a 4 pot. They seem quite cheap with 2004, 5 and 6 models starting around £4000, with some apparently mint condition examples at £4200 ish. So far, the Fireblade is the one I am most tempted to buy, but I have never ridden one, and I haven't been to see one yet. Lots of them have standard exhausts which I dont like, as I wont be able to hear my own engine if im riding about with any of you guys
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200856719316? ... 1423.l2649


SP1 - looks nice again, and has the V twin feel and noise, but, I dont think it will feel as quick as the CBR? I rode Benny's SP1 once for a few miles, and it did feel really well made and solid. It also felt like it had more power than the Storm top end. I do get the feeling that they are very expensive for what they are though. Are they worth so much more money than the other bikes? I suppose this might be a positive too, if they are rare and collectible, perhaps prices will stay constant, or even go up?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p


ZX10 - looks ok, maybe a bit small, but the power is supposed to be insane. Not 100% sure about Kawasaki reliability. The only reason im really considering this bike is the insane power (apparently). I like the idea of something with that much in the engine. No idea handling wise as I have never ridden one. On the plus side, the ZX10 seems to be relatively cheap compared to everything else.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p


R1 - I like the look of the underseat exhaust model (2004 onwards), and I used to have a 2002 model bike. Power was good, and the 2004 model has even more I think. The one I had never had the solid Honda feel though. Gearbox felt 'uncertain' compared to a Honda. Clutch never felt quite right. Maybe that is typical Yamaha, or maybe that is just the bike I had, anyone had one and can confirm? The R1 seems to be quite expensive compared to the ZX10 but slightly cheaper than the Honda, although for some reason there are lots of original model R1s that are at insanely high prices.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

[geodude]

Go try one of these

[Virt]

Go try one of these

Saw that one coming from a mile off

[geodude]

Saw that one coming from a mile off

You wouldn't have seen it. Mines the fastest colour you see (Magnet grey and bronze ). You would have heard it though

[Miztaziggy]

Looks good, but I am going to stick with fully faired bikes I think. Mainly because Sarah and I will be going to Europe on the bikes late summer this year, and I dont want to be hammering down the toll roads in pain because of wind resistance.

[leevtr]

I've owned 2 of the bikes you are contemplating, the 1000rr and the SP1.

First the Blade......This bike is so well sorted, that after riding it for an hour it feels like you had it years. Loads of power, handling sublime, suspension feels like your riding on a carpet of air, yet on rails. Comfort not too bad, ( i'm 6 ft ). But.......as probably with any late sportsbike, I felt like I had to be riding like a tw@ all the time. Fastest I've ever seen on the clocks of anything I've ridden, 179mph.
Totally brilliant, but......

I'd still leave it there and get another SP1. More involving to ride, and makes you grin like an idiot every time you open the garage door.
There was something about the SP that felt special. A novice would be quicker on the Blade, but the SP was more fun, and its rarer, more exclusive.

Just my opinion

[seb421]

For you the bikes...

The best bikes to get are the 2006 - 2007 Fireblade



or the 2009 Big Bang R1



notice the headlights, some times you see a 2008 registered in 2009 and sold as a 2009 the 2008 has 4 lights the 2009 has two

plus when you start it it will sound like a twin / tripple


or have a look at a Benelli tornado, you can get a brand new one with a two year warranty for 6 grand

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Benelli-Torna ... 1e6a412ca6

RS Model here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-60-Reg-B ... 2328d20255



wombles off a V Twin unless its a 1098 or 1198 as its going to be old and outdated

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-1098-/ ... 460ca40329

[popkat]

Suzuki gsxr1000K5, you should find one in your budget, the best litre bike of the era no question..

Or you could go for the K4 1000, still a very good bike.

The 04-06 blade had jerky fuel injection, feels like the cush drive ribbers have gone,not nice but can be fixed with a power commander.

04 R1 good bike, can suffer a bit from corrosion around the water pipe at front of engine.

ZX10, if you like the underseat pipes why not look at the 06 wheelbarrow version, more power and more refined than the 04 and as not many like them they can be had at a good price.


Alternative..
If it doesn't have to be out and out sportsbike, the Yamaha FZ1s Fazer, bonkers when you want it to be and sensible when your not in the mood, a cracking bike with a useful fairing. early 06/07 ones had snatchy fueling but there's a fix thats cheaper than a power comander, 07 on were sorted..

AS for the 600, the CBRf seems to fit what your after, but the zx6 you've pictured was a focused sports bike, why not look at the 636 form 02/03, a much more user friendly bike and still plenty fast with good handling.

[Miztaziggy]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

I hadn't considered the Suzuki GSXR because I thought that they were badly made and will corrode?

I dont like the idea of the jerky fuel injection on the blade, ill read up on that. And the newer ZX10s are too expensive for me really.

The 06/7 Blade is also a bit too expensive And I would love a big bang R1, but since I have to buy Sarah a bike too I couldn't afford one.

Interesting how you find the SP more fun lee. How do they compare powerwise? How do they compare handling wise?

[benny hedges]

sp's are awesome mate.

not the fastest bike on the road by any measure but more than adequate!
you know you want to!

[bigtwinthing]

this was my blade, 1 off exhaust and seat squab, utterley brilliant bike Had R1,s and they are good but loved the Blade best.

[geodude]

Looks good, but I am going to stick with fully faired bikes I think..

[tony.mon]

What next?
Regrets.....

[leevtr]

Suzuki gsxr1000K5, you should find one in your budget, the best litre bike of the era no question..

Or you could go for the K4 1000, still a very good bike.

The 04-06 blade had jerky fuel injection, feels like the cush drive ribbers have gone,not nice but can be fixed with a power commander.

.

Mine didnt....Had a 2005 model, was fine from what I can remember.

[Whoa Nelly]

You want a Firestorm, you do
I guess any of the IL4s will scratch that itch for top end rush, from the (sort of) sensible Blade to the barking ZX, but my experience is that by the time they start to really feel and sound special, you're already heading way over the speed limit. Time & place & all that, but it feels like the twins give you the gravy at rather more sensible velocities.
For me the SP would win on pure HRC loveliness, but then quite a few folk reckon a well sorted Storm is the better road bike.

As for this..



..just needs a bigger fairing to cover up that frame (my eyes, my eyes!)