Which 600cc upwards

gn3dr

Sorry this has probably been asked loads of times but search doesn't seem to be working - returning some 503 error.

Although I'm building an XJ750 Cafe racer at the moment, I don't really think it might be suitable for me as a first bike so I'm thinking about buying something a bit more modern to start out on.

This is somehting low budget as I dont really need a bike So I've been looking in the €1500 or less region. Not averse to something needing a small bit of work but not looking for a project either.

The usual list has been looked at.

Bandit
Hornet
Fazer
SV650

And then I was also looking at
VFR800 (5th gen)
or maybe
CBR600F4i

Drawn to Ducati's also but not too many of them popping up for lower prices.
The CBR600F4i also seems to command a bit more cash.

I prefer the idea of fuel injection rather than carbs but in the price range that's not so much an option outside of the VFR.

I know a lot of the general advice is go do the IBT, see what you like and buy a bike after the course or after the test but I think I'd like to get plenty practice in also.

Which of this list would you go for and why - or which would you definitely not go for and why?
e.g lots of people seems to recommend Bandits but thenI see lots of peopel say they are cheaply built and not the most reliable?

Japcati2020

Honda VTR Firestorm.
Cracking bike.

corkgsxr

Japcati2020 wrote: »

Honda VTR Firestorm.
Cracking bike.

Not really a good first bike tho.

Hornets are decent. As a cbr600fs.

Buddy of mine is loving his sv650 as a first bike

blade1

Japcati2020 wrote: »

Honda VTR Firestorm.
Cracking bike.

That's stretching it a bit stewy.
They are an ok bike.

Japcati2020

Sorry missed the part about it being a 1st bike.

CB500 then........

gn3dr

Japcati2020 wrote: »

Sorry missed the part about it being a 1st bike.

CB500 then........

No - looking for 600cc upwards - for A licence

Nabidana

gn3dr wrote: »

No - looking for 600cc upwards - for A licence

You need to look at the power more than the cc.

A few here are far more knowledgeable than I and will verify but I think it has to be 50kw or higher.

I finished my IBT yesterday and am also in the market. I like the Royal Enfield twins and thought at 650cc they'd be okay but they don't have the power unfortunately.

You could always get a bike that's less than 50kw and just do the test on 50kw or higher.

On a related note, I'm selling a 49cc Vespa of anyone is interested...

Mjolnir

I have a cbr600 f4 (carb) and love it to bits I honestly can't bring myself to sell it, and I hate carbs I'm fi all the way but jesus theres something about it.
For a cheap bike though just pick up a hornet be the cheapest handset option.
All sports bikes hold value I'd actually probably make money on mine if I did sell it now.

glenfieldman

I have a nice mint bike

https://www.adverts.ie/car/motorbikes/honda/2006-honda-price-drop/18723732

gn3dr

Nabidana wrote: »

You need to look at the power more than the cc.

A few here are far more knowledgeable than I and will verify but I think it has to be 50kw or higher.

I finished my IBT yesterday and am also in the market. I like the Royal Enfield twins and thought at 650cc they'd be okay but they don't have the power unfortunately.

You could always get a bike that's less than 50kw and just do the test on 50kw or higher.

On a related note, I'm selling a 49cc Vespa of anyone is interested...

nope it power and cc's - check the RSA website

gn3dr

glenfieldman wrote: »

I have a nice mint bike

https://www.adverts.ie/car/motorbikes/honda/2006-honda-price-drop/18723732

Yes I've seen that bike on Adverts. It looks really nice and I think that would be ideal but it's above my budget. That's some serious mileage on it though.

Mjolnir

gn3dr wrote: »

nope it power and cc's - check the RSA website

This both cc and power must meet criteria. You can have a 600cc bike that's a2 eligible but not a.

Nabidana

gn3dr wrote: »

nope it power and cc's - check the RSA website

I understand that but what I'm saying is you can have a 600/650cc bike that does not have the power to do your A license test on.

You named thread 600cc upwards. Just be careful of it.

Mjolnir

Nabidana wrote: »

I understand that but what I'm saying is you can have a 600/650cc bike that does not have the power to do your A license test on.

You named thread 600cc upwards. Just be careful of it.

It read different, but yea must be xxx'cc and xx'kw to meet criteria to be tested on.

Mjolnir

gn3dr wrote: »

Yes I've seen that bike on Adverts. It looks really nice and I think that would be ideal but it's above my budget. That's some serious mileage on it though.

In the grand scheme of things it's not massive miles. The irish fear bike engines with any kind of mileage, but they are well able to do it. My 99 has similar mileage and runs like a top.
If you're building a bike stick to your budget you'll only want to shift it on anyway

zubair

Of the options you gave, in this order. I've actually ridden all of them so can expand on any if you like but the 1 bike I would recommend to all learners is the cbf600. Bear in mind, you can't practice without an instructor until you've passed your ibt. So I would definitely get the IBT done first, you'll have a better idea of what bike suits you then.

Hornet
Fazer
Bandit
Sv
Cbr
Vfr

MSVforever

I would up the budget to at least €2.5k. Most 600cc + bikes under €2k are either projects or heaps of junk.

My first bike was a 2002 Bandit 600N. They're very reliable. Many driving schools are using them. They're plenty about around the €2k mark.

If your budget was a bit higher than I would get a cbf600. Most comfortable 600cc bike imo.

The best value for money bike I ever had was the V-Strom 650. I sold it as I fancied a change to something more powerful. However down the line I might get another one. I would recommend this bike but it's not suitable for the A test.

zubair

Oh ye, I forgot to mention you'll need 2k at least.

Henry Ford III

What about a Ninja ER6F or N?

gn3dr

Thanks for all the replies. A few comments below

Mjolnir wrote: »

In the grand scheme of things it's not massive miles. The irish fear bike engines with any kind of mileage, but they are well able to do it. My 99 has similar mileage and runs like a top.
If you're building a bike stick to your budget you'll only want to shift it on anyway

I suppose that fact that the bike has done that mileage shows it is capable. How close to needing major work is it though - not knocking the bike - but that is probably the way the market looks at it here which I think is why that bike has been for sale for a while. It is nice though.

zubair wrote: »

Of the options you gave, in this order. I've actually ridden all of them so can expand on any if you like but the 1 bike I would recommend to all learners is the cbf600. Bear in mind, you can't practice without an instructor until you've passed your ibt. So I would definitely get the IBT done first, you'll have a better idea of what bike suits you then.

Hornet
Fazer
Bandit
Sv
Cbr
Vfr

It's great to hear from someone who who has ridden all of that list. I would be interested in hearing the reasons for the order you chose - even a one or two word summary for each bike.
I was really drawn to the VFR - I assume you have it bottom of the list because of size / weight?

MSVforever wrote: »

I would up the budget to at least €2.5k. Most 600cc + bikes under €2k are either projects or heaps of junk.

My first bike was a 2002 Bandit 600N. They're very reliable. Many driving schools are using them. They're plenty about around the €2k mark.

If your budget was a bit higher than I would get a cbf600. Most comfortable 600cc bike imo.

The best value for money bike I ever had was the V-Strom 650. I sold it as I fancied a change to something more powerful. However down the line I might get another one. I would recommend this bike but it's not suitable for the A test.

I hear you on the budget. Watching donedeal though recently I have seen a lot of bikes in the 1500 euro range which look very clean and don't seem to require work. They do sell very quickly though. Most are only up a day - so with travel restrictions up to now very hard to grab one.
I had a look at CBF600 - need higher budget alright - they seem very similar to the Hornet

Henry Ford III wrote: »

What about a Ninja ER6F or N?

They are nice but I'd definitely have to up the budget.

CJhaughey

If you see a Ducati for €1500 walk away as fast as you can.

gn3dr

CJhaughey wrote: »

If you see a Ducati for €1500 walk away as fast as you can.

Who knows maybe in the post travel restriction period there might be some toys offloaded and some bargains to pick up.

sonofenoch

Had a 99 Fazer 600 , that and the early 2000 models look the best if you can get a clean one....great bike really comfortable and quick as ****, would have given my previous R6 a good run for it's money


Can only comment on the bandit and Hornett, always look very tacky to me close up

Spudmonkey

I love me hornet!

CJhaughey

gn3dr wrote: »

Who knows maybe in the post travel restriction period there might be some toys offloaded and some bargains to pick up.

Who knows, but don't say you weren't warned....

gn3dr

CJhaughey wrote: »

Who knows, but don't say you weren't warned....

I do like Ducati's but they are too expensive for me atm and I think the Monster 620 is only an A2 anyway.

I forgot to add Kawasaki Z750 to the list. What do people think of these?

Mjolnir

gn3dr wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. A few comments below



I suppose that fact that the bike has done that mileage shows it is capable. How close to needing major work is it though - not knocking the bike - but that is probably the way the market looks at it here which I think is why that bike has been for sale for a while. It is nice though.



It's great to hear from someone who who has ridden all of that list. I would be interested in hearing the reasons for the order you chose - even a one or two word summary for each bike.
I was really drawn to the VFR - I assume you have it bottom of the list because of size / weight?



I hear you on the budget. Watching donedeal though recently I have seen a lot of bikes in the 1500 euro range which look very clean and don't seem to require work. They do sell very quickly though. Most are only up a day - so with travel restrictions up to now very hard to grab one.
I had a look at CBF600 - need higher budget alright - they seem very similar to the Hornet



They are nice but I'd definitely have to up the budget.

Not my bike for sale bud just saying my older bike has similar mileage and no isssues, if they are minded they'll easily do 100,000 miles theres plenty in america that have done more.
Only thing I've had to do in the year I've had it is a battery. Bring people that know bikes to view and give her a spin you'll know of it needs work. More eyes the better to spot things.

Keep am eye out theres stupid good deals every year mine was under 2k to buy, arse is gna fall out of the market too because of covid.

Get a cheap bandit you'll pick a mechanically sound but cosmetically rough one up for €1500ish

toyotaavensis

I had an fzx750 loved it but was stolen and burned out. A decent cb500 came up so I bought it until I found something l liked. Was written off within a few weeks when i got a smack of a car. Then got an fzs600 not an fz6. I thought it was just to fill a gap until i got something that tickled my fancy. 4 years later I still have it and dont plan to change it unless I can get another fzx750.

The fazer is a nice bike. I would prefer it to the fz6 that came after it. I think the hornet can be better in some ways but found the fazer more comfortable and at 5 10 the bikini fairing works well for me.

newmember2

toyotaavensis wrote: »

I had an fzx750 loved it but was stolen and burned out. A decent cb500 came up so I bought it until I found something l liked. Was written off within a few weeks when i got a smack of a car. Then got an fzs600 not an fz6. I thought it was just to fill a gap until i got something that tickled my fancy. 4 years later I still have it and dont plan to change it unless I can get another fzx750.

The fazer is a nice bike. I would prefer it to the fz6 that came after it. I think the hornet can be better in some ways but found the fazer more comfortable and at 5 10 the bikini fairing works well for me.

OP for €1500, don't be expecting to be getting anything 'nice'. Try and get your budget up to 2k and you might pick up something decent. Fazer's are a cracking bike - are fast and have a bit of weather protection. Out of the Hornet and Bandit as a first bike I'd recommend the Bandit. Jasus, I learned to drive on a Honda 90 centretank ffs.

toyotaavensis

Depends on what you mean by nice. Here is an example of a bike which has had the engine painted navy which doesnt match the bike but still looks nice and might be within budget with some haggling. https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/yamaha-fz6-fazer-600/24764643

newmember2

toyotaavensis wrote: »

Depends on what you mean by nice. Here is an example of a bike which has had the engine painted navy which doesnt match the bike but still looks nice and might be within budget with some haggling. https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/yamaha-fz6-fazer-600/24764643

It's had the engine painted and all the plastics resprayed? No thanks.
Maybe it looks like a dog but runs sweet for all I know but one photo? Give the seller a ring and you'll more than likely know fairly quickly what you're dealing with. I'd be going for something original looking before I'd consider something like that.

H_Lime

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/honda-cbr1000f/24996884
If she ain't rattlin, bulletproof!
As much go as a lad could want and decent handling.

blade1

H_Lime wrote: »

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/honda-cbr1000f/24996884
If she ain't rattlin, bulletproof!
As much go as a lad could want and decent handling.

Yep. Love em.
So comfy.
Check for wear where the top of shock is bolted to rear subframe.
Bike on main stand and lift rear wheel and you'll see play if it's after wearing.
Collector needs to be inspected as well.

My old one

arybvtcw0eolkf

blade1 wrote: »

Yep. Love em.
So comfy.
Check for wear where the top of shock is bolted to rear subframe.
Bike on main stand and lift rear wheel and you'll see play if it's after wearing.
Collector needs to be inspected as well.

My old one

One of the most comfy bikes I've had the pleasure of owning, but damn she was a thirsty bitch.

gn3dr

newmember? wrote: »

It's had the engine painted and all the plastics resprayed? No thanks.
Maybe it looks like a dog but runs sweet for all I know but one photo? Give the seller a ring and you'll more than likely know fairly quickly what you're dealing with. I'd be going for something original looking before I'd consider something like that.

I had that bookmarked on Donedeal but hadn't noticed the navy engine paint - strange choice for a black bike. I wouldn't be too concerned with cosmetics like that though at this end of the market.
Nothing wrong with a rolling project like that either.

As for the CBR1000F - hmmm I don't think so - looks like a heavy tank of a yoke. Surely a VFR800 would be a much modern alternative with an equally good rep for reliability?

H_Lime

gn3dr wrote: »

I had that bookmarked on Donedeal but hadn't noticed the navy engine paint - strange choice for a black bike. I wouldn't be too concerned with cosmetics like that though at this end of the market.
Nothing wrong with a rolling project like that either.

As for the CBR1000F - hmmm I don't think so - looks like a heavy tank of a yoke. Surely a VFR800 would be a much modern alternative with an equally good rep for reliability?

Vfr 8 would be my choice, let me know if you find one at 1400! Vfr750 maybe. Thing with heavy Honda is the weight disappears once the clutch is left out.

gn3dr

H_Lime wrote: »

Vfr 8 would be my choice, let me know if you find one at 1400! Vfr750 maybe. Thing with heavy Honda is the weight disappears once the clutch is left out.

I've come across a VFR800 for 1400 but it's at the other end of the country. There's also this one which has been up for > 2 weeks now https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/honda-vfi-800/24853833

Probably best anyway to wait for a while and see what starts to get advertised after travel restrictions have lifted.

H_Lime

That's a serious bargain assuming there's nothing majorly wrong! Never seen examples that cheap, covid bargain perhaps?
I'd like to hear that engine cold just to be sure but they are a brick sh1t house strong in fairness. Usual Honda foibles rr etc but a major one addressed there with the stainless system! Iiwy that choice made.

galwaytt

Mjolnir wrote: »

Keep am eye out theres stupid good deals every year mine was under 2k to buy, arse is gna fall out of the market too because of covid.

Get a cheap bandit you'll pick a mechanically sound but cosmetically rough one up for €1500ish

I think Covid will have the opposite effect- people will hold on to what they have rather than take a bath on it, and the lower end of the market will firm up.

We bought a car yesterday having sold ours last week, and its the same there.

gn3dr

galwaytt wrote: »

I think Covid will have the opposite effect- people will hold on to what they have rather than take a bath on it, and the lower end of the market will firm up.

We bought a car yesterday having sold ours last week, and its the same there.

You think? It's hard to know. You might have a point though about people just holding on to what they have.
I'd say there is also a proportion of stuff that isn't being advertised though because people are abiding by the travel restriction rules - as well as people not wanting loads of strangers arriving at their house from who knows where to view what they are selling.

An then you have the government payments or super dole as I've heard it referred to. I think when that stops there will be some change also.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Mjolnir wrote: »

Get a cheap bandit you'll pick a mechanically sound but cosmetically rough one up for €1500ish

Mechanically sound but cosmetically rough - you've described my Honda Super Four that I'll be selling shortly down to a tee!

gn3dr

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Mechanically sound but cosmetically rough - you've described my Honda Super Four that I'll be selling shortly down to a tee!

They look nice but not good for the A licence test I'm afraid

Steve012

I have a yammy Fazer Fz6 2007, I had a gzxr750 before. I upgraded suspension on the fizzy cause I'm a heavy lad.

I've had bikes for 22 years, 2007 Fazer semi faired, is best bike I've ever owned.

My 2 cent

gn3dr

toyotaavensis wrote: »

I had an fzx750 loved it but was stolen and burned out. A decent cb500 came up so I bought it until I found something l liked. Was written off within a few weeks when i got a smack of a car. Then got an fzs600 not an fz6. I thought it was just to fill a gap until i got something that tickled my fancy. 4 years later I still have it and dont plan to change it unless I can get another fzx750.

The fazer is a nice bike. I would prefer it to the fz6 that came after it. I think the hornet can be better in some ways but found the fazer more comfortable and at 5 10 the bikini fairing works well for me.

I see an fzx for sale here in Kerry https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagebikes-for-sale/yamaha-fzx750-fazer-baby-vmax/24826478
No connection to me.

Steve012

toyotaavensis wrote: »

I had an fzx750 loved it but was stolen and burned out. A decent cb500 came up so I bought it until I found something l liked. Was written off within a few weeks when i got a smack of a car. Then got an fzs600 not an fz6. I thought it was just to fill a gap until i got something that tickled my fancy. 4 years later I still have it and dont plan to change it unless I can get another fzx750.

The fazer is a nice bike. I would prefer it to the fz6 that came after it. I think the hornet can be better in some ways but found the fazer more comfortable and at 5 10 the bikini fairing works well for me.

Ive had both 2002 FZS 600 fazer, Very very good (I set in new fork springs)

Never used to like the look of the 2004 FZ6 Fazer, There is a big difference between them, The 2007 I have feels like there's much more torque than the fzs, accelerates way faster, smoother bike all the way through, brakes ain't as good as the old Fazer's though. Great bikes easy to work on with center stand etc

newmember2

gn3dr wrote: »

I've come across a VFR800 for 1400 but it's at the other end of the country. There's also this one which has been up for > 2 weeks now https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/honda-vfi-800/24853833...

Nice bike for the money.

The photo of the stainless exhaust/oil level sight window...is there oil in that engine??

gn3dr

newmember? wrote: »

Nice bike for the money.

The photo of the stainless exhaust/oil level sight window...is there oil in that engine??

Was wondering that myself.


So Hornet and Fazer come out top of the recommendations - probably Fazer actually based on the feedback.
But the VFR800...... - I've found a few which are as cheap as the 600's
In my mind I'd probably want to upgrade to the VFR at some point - they seem to have such a legendary reputation. And the VFR is more advanced - compared to the similarly priced 600's
FI vs carbs etc.
So is it just better to go straight for one and cut out the 600 middle bike even though the VFR might not be as suited to being a first bike

And since I started this thread I saw 2 Bandits crop up for 1K.:rolleyes::rolleyes: