Looking for a bit of advice (buying)

digweed

i've finally joined the two wheeled fraternity and as the title says i'm looking at buying a bike for myself. the thing is i'm torn between a 99 Pan European 1100 for 7,950, a 03 Kawasaki ZZR1200 - 8750 and a Yahama XJ900 Diversion for 5,600. i'm really leaning towards the ZZR at the minute though. is there anything that i should know about either of the above bikes, any flaws or anything prone to go wrong?

I don't know a great deal about bikes really, i do know that i need a big bike. i'm well over 6 foot and a 'tad' over the 20st mark. i also want a tourer type as my back wouldn't be able to take leaning forward for too long. anyone here have any opinions on these bikes or any other bikes that they could recommend???

thanks in advance.

D.

the pan and the zzr they don't have the yamaha on the site.

Copper

Good luck to you getting insured on those if you've no ncb / provisional licence, they're all big buses! I'd also have a look at some of the BMW tourers if I were you. Try www.mcn.ie for comparing bikes.

If this is your first bike then you are unlikely to be able to get insured on any of them. Im not even sure if your licence would entitle you to drive them(not sure about the power to weight ratios etc.).
Yo might be better off looking for a cruiser style bike.You would have an upright riding position, low insurance and many of them are learner legal, especially the yamaha range.

digweed

have an unrestricted licence, got a quote for a varadero for 650 fully comp, thats quite a bit cheaper than my car ins!!!

@copper - i've had a look at the bmw's alright, but cant find anything that i really like.

D.

In that case motor on and enjoy!

colm_c

digweed wrote:

have an unrestricted licence, got a quote for a varadero for 650 fully comp, thats quite a bit cheaper than my car ins!!!

Just as a matter of interest, how do you get an unrestricted licence with being new to biking?

Idleater

digweed wrote:

or any other bikes that they could recommend???

All those bikes have 2 cylinders too many.

TWINS rule!




Actually, what about a yam FJR. the new ones are beauties, or just wait for the Kwak 1400 GTR
L.

macnab

You should have a look at the Honda Afrika Twin or the Suzuki VStrom 1000. The Yamahas (XJR & FJR) usually have low seat heights. The ZZR12 is more bike than most can deal with, its a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing. The Pan is a very good bike from all I have been told. If you want something fast that is also comfortable then have a look at the Yamaha Fazer 1000.

Dorsanty

colm_c wrote:

Just as a matter of interest, how do you get an unrestricted licence with being new to biking?

So I'm not the only one to read that and think 'How much experience did he say he had again?'

You could do it in England by applying for direct access couldnt you? You can drive whatever ou want over there as long as your 25 I thought?

AidoCQS

digweed wrote:

have an unrestricted licence, got a quote for a varadero for 650 fully comp, thats quite a bit cheaper than my car ins!!!

D.

Dude, might be stating the obvious but the Varderado comes in 125 & 1000ccs, the former sounds about right for the €650, the latter - not so sure

http://www.hondaireland.ie/OnOff_Road_MainPage.HTML

Are you allowed take your body weight into account with the weight to power ratio?

Thinkingaboutit

Carole Nash, for example, usually takes no heed of a restrictor, possibly because it's something that is more honoured in the breach than the observance. A restriction is not necessarily a factor for the insurer, experience, Dublin or outside it, gender and age are as significant. Some older provisional licences were not restricted. Doing a Direct Access test in the UK involves getting a social security number and other hassle, as far as I know, though it might be less hassle than waiting a year.

Garibaldi

The Diversion is just a heap of ****e.

I remember one of the bike mags had a three word review of the 900 a few years ago: "Buy a Bandit".

MonkeyTennis

Rather than start a new thread I thought I might ask some advice myself. I currnently have a 125 scooter and was looking to move up to a bigger bike. Im guessing it has to be 250cc at max.

Would anyone recommend something they had fond experienience of. I really dont fancy a sporty bike and its mostly for commuting

Thanks

Idleater

MonkeyTennis wrote:

Rather than start a new thread I thought I might ask some advice myself. I currnently have a 125 scooter and was looking to move up to a bigger bike. Im guessing it has to be 250cc at max.

Would anyone recommend something they had fond experienience of. I really dont fancy a sporty bike and its mostly for commuting

Thanks

No CC max. It goes on power and power to weight. A higher powered bike must be restricted down to comply with licensing laws.

A Factory Restricted bike is all that will qualify for insurance discount, otherwise you pay full price for lower power bracket bike.

Fancy a Suzuki SV 650?

L.

MonkeyTennis

it looks pretty sweet but I it wont be buying today or tomorrow. How much would something like that go for?

I take it you can only buy new bikes 'factory restricted'??

Idleater

MonkeyTennis wrote:

it looks pretty sweet but I it wont be buying today or tomorrow. How much would something like that go for?

I take it you can only buy new bikes 'factory restricted'??

Offers about €6k, and second hand Factory Restricted bikes are still Factory Restricted.

The FR SV is group 6 and the full power one is group 10.
FR bandit is group 5 which works out about €5 cheaper.

L.

Dr4gul4

Group 10 ehh, thats good to know.

The SV is a savage bike tho, pity about the colour you have nereid

Idleater

Dr4gul4 wrote:

Group 10 ehh, thats good to know.

The SV is a savage bike tho, pity about the colour you have nereid

pff. Black Pointy... its the only way...

You will see the error of your ways soon enough.

says he looking at a white SV thou...

AidoCQS

If I could get clear insurance like he is talking about, this would be my baby - V-Max good looks, made a little more managable

http://cars.rte.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=606530

Jamesobrady

@digweed
I'd be advising the pan over the zzr if they're what you have your mind set on.
The pan is comfortable, goes fast, and will carry 2 with luggage comfortably over distance.
The zzr is a sportsbike with luggage on it and will get you into trouble.

Before you buy a bike, might I suggest a few hours with an instructor?
An ideal day is the bmw/mottorad day long course at mondello.
Or additionally there are schools with hire bikes you can...well...hire for your lessons.

Whatever route you choose, lessons and good protective gear should be your first priorities, regardless of bike make/model/cc etc.


@MonkeyTennis
You cant go wrong with a hornet 250 as a first bike.
You can buy second hand bikes factory restricted, but its less of an issue now quinn have entered the market and are doing lower quotes with no discount for insurance. If you hold off until Ebike Insurance enter the market and see what their policies compare like, then make up your mind. You can restrict all bikes easily enough, though some like it better than others.
The beauty of a restricted 600/650 is they still have torque enough to scare you and remind you to respect them when compared to a restricted 250/400.
Going from a restricted 600/650 to a full power 600/650 in my experience is a less drastic jump than going from a 250 to a full power 600, and depending on your level of self control/discipline, very possibly safer. Plus in the long term you only have to buy one bike. When you de-restrict it its a different enough machine to prolong the enjoyment of it

AidoCQS

My first bike was a Ninja 650, and I would not recommend it - its too much power to learn on, you spend more time controlling it than commanding it, so it takes longer to really figure out what are the bike (and your) capabilities.