'New' bike suggestions; 3k to spend

dceire

After a year away from the bike, and the half-decent weather starting to roll in, I'm itching to get back on two wheels. My last bike was a K4 SV650 which I really enjoyed and managed to do a bit of touring on.

I'm primarily looking for something for weekend spins, possibly some lite touring, and that's not going to be hugely expensive/difficult to insure. I'm look to spend in the region of €2.5-3k (max). My current shortlist looks like this...

Suzuki SV 650
Kawasaki ER-6
Kawasaki Z 750
Honda Hornet 600

I also like the Honda VFR 800 vtec but am not sure if I could pick up a decent one within budget. I was considering the Yamaha FZ6 but don't really like the styling. Any and all other suggestions are most welcome

ratracer

dceire wrote: »

After a year away from the bike, and the half-decent weather starting to roll in, I'm itching to get back on two wheels. My last bike was a K4 SV650 which I really enjoyed and managed to do a bit of touring on.

I'm primarily looking for something for weekend spins, possibly some lite touring, and that's not going to be hugely expensive/difficult to insure. I'm look to spend in the region of €2.5-3k (max). My current shortlist looks like this...

Suzuki SV 650
Kawasaki ER-6
Kawasaki Z 750
Honda Hornet 600

I also like the Honda VFR 800 vtec but am not sure if I could pick up a decent one within budget. I was considering the Yamaha FZ6 but don't really like the styling. Any and all other suggestions are most welcome

You should be able to pick up a 2002/2004 VFR for that money. I've a 2006 one which I would sell for €4k, but the bike is faultless. Great commuter/ tourer and I've never been left behind by the super sports bikes eitherðŸ˜႒

dceire

ratracer wrote: »

You should be able to pick up a 2002/2004 VFR for that money. I've a 2006 one which I would sell for €4k, but the bike is faultless. Great commuter/ tourer and I've never been left behind by the super sports bikes eitherðŸ˜႒

Yea, I've been having a look online for the last few weeks and have only seen 02-04 VFR's up for 3.5k upwards. That being said, there is one up now for €2.750 but it looks, from the pictures at least, that it's suffering a bit from rust.

Tzardine

Bandit 1200 would be my 2cents.

Ticks all the boxes you have mentioned.

I might be biased ��

Skill Magill

I'd cross off the hornet 600 too, had one and it didn't handle too well, I think the front wheel was either too big or too small(can't remember which), and certainly not up for touring. On the plus side its a lovely looking machine!

dceire

Cheers, for the input. Again, I'm just not sold on the looks of the bandit; each to their own but it's just not my cup

The Hornet was probably bottom of my list anyway, not sure if I'd get one; especially given your feedback on it.

Skill Magill

I'm on a TDM 850 at the mo, its a bike I would consider a goer with the specs you posted. Its quite a tall bike, and you ride it in an upright position (which may not be your bag, but I find it less back breaking). Its a great all rounder, handles like a sports bike too!!

You'd get a minter for 3k

ratracer

dceire wrote: »

Yea, I've been having a look online for the last few weeks and have only seen 02-04 VFR's up for 3.5k upwards. That being said, there is one up now for €2.750 but it looks, from the pictures at least, that it's suffering a bit from rust.

You would get a bit of rust around the fork legs, so watch for worn/damaged fork seals. The down pipes are also very susceptible to rust, a lot of bikes would have them replaced by now, but be wary of it if you look at one.

Richard tea

ratracer wrote: »

You should be able to pick up a 2002/2004 VFR for that money. I've a 2006 one which I would sell for €4k, but the bike is faultless. Great commuter/ tourer and I've never been left behind by the super sports bikes eitherðŸ˜႒

Is 2006 the year they upgraded this bike ???? And do you know if its much of an improvement over the older model?

ratracer

The VTEC model came out in 2002 I think. The 2006 model got ABS brakes. Issues with early models were a clunky operation of the VTEC system kicking in at 7000 revs. It was improved on later models and I've never had issue with mine.

szatan84

Skill Magill wrote: »

I'd cross off the hornet 600 too, had one and it didn't handle too well, I think the front wheel was either too big or too small(can't remember which), and certainly not up for touring. On the plus side its a lovely looking machine!

The front wheel is 16 inch but only on 98-99 models. From 00 they have a 17 inch front so feel normal. the 16inch front wheel is still the same size as a 17 due to the tire being higher profile (130/70/16), same setup as a 98 blade.

sleepysniper

dceire wrote: »

After a year away from the bike, and the half-decent weather starting to roll in, I'm itching to get back on two wheels. My last bike was a K4 SV650 which I really enjoyed and managed to do a bit of touring on.

What weather forecast are you looking at?:pac:

But from what you've listed there you say you've had an SV before and enjoyed it so why not go for same again? 'cept in the 1000cc trim this time.:cool:

Pugzilla

If you had a SV650 before I would go for a Hornet.

dceire

sleepysniper wrote: »

What weather forecast are you looking at?:pac:

But from what you've listed there you say you've had an SV before and enjoyed it so why not go for same again? 'cept in the 1000cc trim this time.:cool:

I would consider the SV 1000 , the twin exhausts look sweet too, but a friend of mine, who's a bike mechanic, said that they're not as smooth as the 650.

CJhaughey

dceire wrote: »

I would consider the SV 1000 , the twin exhausts look sweet too, but a friend of mine, who's a bike mechanic, said that they're not as smooth as the 650.

650 is a lot more modern than the 1000, which is a detuned TL1000 lump.