New Bike

[KnuckleBallz]

As a lot of you may know, I just totalled my GS500... so now its time to go shopping. I figure over the next month or two I'll see some pretty good deals, but I was hoping for some insight from you all on my second bike. I think I saw NHBubba do this a little while ago too.

I dont want to spend too much money- ideally 3k or less. I'm used to the parallel twin of the GS, but I'm open to any kind of motor. I do a decent amount of city & highway riding so I like being able to sit a bit upright from time to time. I think I'd prefer a fully faired bike, even though I do like the naked look on a lot of bikes. I hate the way SVs look so please don't suggest that.

Been looking on craigslist since last week, and a few bikes have been popping out at me. Specifically the YZF-600r. I like the look, and from what I've read it's a pretty solid middleweight bike. Plus the price is right. Anyone know about these?

What else should I be looking at?

[GingahNinjah]

if you get the new Ninja 636 i will totally support that decision but will request to take it for a test drive lol

[jwm2k3]

The YZF is a good machine, a bit dated compared to the new stuff, but coming from a GS500 ypu'd be pleased. They are carb, not FI, so make sure it has good throttle response once its warmed up or it could need a carb clean..which can be a few hundred to fix.

And as for any used craigslist bike, check fork seals, chain and sprockets, oil condition, etc.

Good luck!

[Evadd]

I owned a YZF600R for 9 years - it's a great all-around sport/streetbike. Ergonomics are fantastic for a fully-faired bike - seat is like a comfy sofa and it's fairly upright. Its technology is admittedly outdated and it's heavy for a sportbike (steel frame) with a wide profile compared to the waifs of today, but they run like tanks. Several people I know have close to or over 100k miles on them. Good brakes (same as the older gen R1), and fully adjustable front/rear suspension, although it's on the soft side for a sportbike. It ran unchanged from 1997-2007 in the US (1996-2007 in Canada and Europe), so there is pretty decent aftermarket support as well (although not like the R6/R1).

Feel free to lurk around www.yzf600r.com/phpBB2 to get more info/opinions.

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The YZF is a good machine, a bit dated compared to the new stuff, but coming from a GS500 ypu'd be pleased. They are carb, not FI, so make sure it has good throttle response once its warmed up or it could need a carb clean..which can be a few hundred to fix.

Bah, bring it by my house and we'll pull and clean the carbs for free.

[Point37]

like RIZXVIR mentioned the 636 is good bike and more comfortable seating position...a cbr 600f4i is a good choice as well...if you want upright seating just put helibars or a riser on a bike that you like (just have to make sure you have cable room)...or if you get a naked bike those usually come with a full handlebar...it's all going to depend on what's out there in for your price...use this site to help you search CL...good luck man!

http://www.searchtempest.com/

[Rossco]

What about a bandit?

[imstuner]

SV650N, Ninja 650R Any sport touring would be good I guess.

[SwiftTone]

I'd be looking at a 600R also. There are a few on craigslist for $3000 +/- $500

[jwm2k3]

What about a bandit?

BAN??

[Trouble]

FZ6? A neighbor just picked an '06 with 8k on it for much less than your budget. Fuel injected, sort of sportyish but does highway riding very well as well as double-up riding. Misses your fully faired requirement though.

[THE STUFF 187]

I have a nice first gen Vmax for sale??

[OneCheekRider]

FZ6? A neighbor just picked an '06 with 8k on it for much less than your budget. Fuel injected, sort of sportyish but does highway riding very well as well as double-up riding. Misses your fully faired requirement though.

+1 on the Fz6. I picked up an 07 in July with low miles dirt cheap. While I primarily bought it to commute on, I've found myself riding it much more than I thought...Very comfortable, surprisingly fast, easy to maneuver, and the GF doesn't mind riding on it. You can pick up fairings for relatively cheap to make it a full-faired machine, but personally I enjoy not having the lower fairings for easy maintenance and going up/down curbs and whatnot.

[reks95]

I've seen a couple FZ6's in good shape that are inexpensive.
I know someone looking to sell his. I want to say he's looking around $3k.

[Rossco]

BAN??

YOUUUUUUUUUU SUNAVABITCH!

:

[nhbubba]

Bandit 600. Nijna 650. SV650S (can't understand why you no like!). FZ6. That YZF.

All would be on my radar were I you.

The Ninja 650 is a parallel twin, just EFI and watercooled. So a much more modern take on what you are used to in the GS, plus a few ccs. They have bars (not clipons like the SV-S) and are shockingly comfortable.

[island boyeee]

Skip from Granite City Auto in Quincy (now located in Weymouth) is selling this bike for $2k. Just rebuilt the carbs with a new jet kit. Bike is in great condition. Pretty much stock except for the muffler. Even the seat looks like it hasn't been used.

[Chippertheripper]

Fz6 would be tops on my list if I thought I could be stoked on an i4.
Dl650 would probably be next.

[nhbubba]

There you go. Katana: a GS with more plastic.

[KnuckleBallz]

if you get the new Ninja 636 i will totally support that decision but will request to take it for a test drive lol

Haha no doubt- you've got first dibs if that happens.

I owned a YZF600R for 9 years - it's a great all-around sport/streetbike. Ergonomics are fantastic for a fully-faired bike - seat is like a comfy sofa and it's fairly upright. Its technology is admittedly outdated and it's heavy for a sportbike (steel frame) with a wide profile compared to the waifs of today, but they run like tanks. Several people I know have close to or over 100k miles on them. Good brakes (same as the older gen R1), and fully adjustable front/rear suspension, although it's on the soft side for a sportbike. It ran unchanged from 1997-2007 in the US (1996-2007 in Canada and Europe), so there is pretty decent aftermarket support as well (although not like the R6/R1).

Feel free to lurk around www.yzf600r.com/phpBB2 to get more info/opinions.

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Bah, bring it by my house and we'll pull and clean the carbs for free.

I like this guy.

Skip from Granite City Auto in Quincy (now located in Weymouth) is selling this bike for $2k. Just rebuilt the carbs with a new jet kit. Bike is in great condition. Pretty much stock except for the muffler. Even the seat looks like it hasn't been used.

That seems like a pretty good deal, but I'm really not a katana fan.

Heard good things about the f4i- that it was a solid compromise between sport and comfort. Definitely on the radar. FZ6 seems good too, but it suffers from the same thing that drives me nuts about the SV & bandit. I can't handle that half-fairing thing going on. It just looks awful to me for whatever reason. I get the "you don't look at it while you're riding it" thing, but this is a situation I can afford to be picky in. No rush. I'll try to stay open-minded though.

[island boyeee]

Figured that would be a little sub-par for your interests, but like you said it's a good deal so figured I'd throw it out there.

[Pigman]

Go for a F4i.......they can be found cheap and will spice up your riding a Bit

[MikeP]

Go for a F4i.......they can be found cheap and will spice up your riding a Bit

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Go for a F4i.......they can be found cheap and will spice up your riding a Bit

+1 I got my F4i this year and it has been great, keeps up with the newer 600's just fine and is pretty modern looking for a 10 year old bike especially if you go with earlier 01-03 split seat configuration. See sig

[nhbubba]

F4I + cheap doesn't work in my experience. They seem to hold value.

A lower fairing can be had for the sv. Was standard on the 08 IIRC. The sv-s is not uber comfortable though.

[Evadd]

+1 I got my F4i this year and it has been great, keeps up with the newer 600's just fine and is pretty modern looking for a 10 year old bike especially if you go with earlier 01-03 split seat configuration. See sig

What sig?

[OneCheekRider]

Heard good things about the f4i- that it was a solid compromise between sport and comfort. Definitely on the radar. FZ6 seems good too, but it suffers from the same thing that drives me nuts about the SV & bandit. I can't handle that half-fairing thing going on. It just looks awful to me for whatever reason. I get the "you don't look at it while you're riding it" thing, but this is a situation I can afford to be picky in. No rush. I'll try to stay open-minded though.

You can buy full-fairings for the Fz6. they're not that expensive either.
For Example:


Also, there's an 07 ninja 650 on craigslist going for $1700:
http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/3365244708.html