Next bike?

[stevierst]

Once my bandit 600 has gone, I'll be after another bike for work. I've got a short list of machines to chose from, and a tick list for those bikes that I've missed or forgotten about.
The list so far in preference order is:-
Thundercat
Foxeye (had 3 boxeyes in the past, fancy a foxeye)
ZZR600
CBR600

If there's any bikes I've missed, my criteria is as follows:-
Economical 50+ mpg.
Nippy (90+ hp).
At least a 1/2 fairing for the motorway stint.
Reliability
It's gotta be fun!

If there's any of you guys have owned any of the above (dont take the piss with the fazer!), or have any alternative ideas, let me know pro's/cons of ownership.

[JoeRock]

What kind of journey is it?

The two I'd probably suggest (would also have suggested the CBR600F4i but you've got that) would be the ZX6R (ideally a 2002 636 model - when the engine got bigger but the bike didn't get racy and small) or a Daytona 650.

Both are decently sized comfortable bikes, particularly the 6, both have decent tank ranges and mpg (particularly the ZX6R - motorway cruising and you'll be hitting mid 50s to low 60s depending on speed), both have good headlights, suspension and brakes, are reliable, and have good engines (about 110 at the crank for both I think).
I've spent quite a lot of time riding a ZX6R (636 A1p model) and it's a very nice all round bike to be honest! Only thing they do struggle with is with pillions to be honest.

My personal preference would be the Kwak - it feels a bit gruntier, its a bit bigger with better wind protection and for me comfortable, and really does go like stink for a 6. Only negative really compared to the daytona is the brakes aren';t quite as good (well they are, but being Tok 6 pots take a lot of looking after) (although can be swapped out very easily) and the finish on the wheels isn't the best!

(oh, and should you need to, you can get a givi rack for a topbox for the 6

[fireblake]

Not forgetting a Suzuki  SV650. I don't know squat about them only that everyone raves about the  V Twin grunt. Might be worth a punt?


Mickey

[stevierst]

I cover pretty much every type of road on my work journey over about 40 miles.
Got a feeling the zx6 and the like are a bit too sporty, I'm getting on a bit.
Carrying a top box would be a nice idea, but not a necessity.

[slimwilly]

Is the SV up to it?

[Dead Eye]

I would have thought the SV650 would be too low on power and I can't say I've heard it described as fun - certainly not in the same way as the Fazer

[adeejaysdelight]

My mate toured Europe in September with me. He has an SV650, 2002 I think. Its a nice bike. Comfy, turns well, stops well, looks good, has decent weather protection (get one with a belly pan) and not bad on fuel. 60mpg over 1600 miles, including 4 laps at the Nurburgring.
 
I prefer my Fazer hands down, but it is a good solid bike, even if it is a bit underpowered.

[Dead Eye]

Don't get me wrong, I hear a lot of good things about the SV650 and it sounds like a good, solid bike. Unfortunately it seems to lack that zest that you find with the Fazer and maybe that is just the extra power?

Also, my opinion is based on hearsay more than anything as I've never actually ridden one, so I could well be talking complete crap

Didn't Bracechenko get an SV650? This could also be complete rubbish but I'm sure someone on here got one not too long ago? Pretty sure there was a thread in this section... too tired to go look for it though :P

[Punkstig]

You'd have to take into account spending a fair whack on suspension upgrades for the zzr- fast as f but handling is pants, wallowy and bend it over and you're scraping the centre stand!
Not ridden the cbr tbh, but I loved my T,cats!

[stevierst]

I think if I can find a t'cat, I'll get one as a change from a fazer.
The sv650....... Had one for a year, then swapped it for another fazer. Yep it's light, good on fuel and quite torquey, but it just ran out of steam for me too early. I kept hitting the rev limiter : I also had a topbox snap off it's mount and bounce down the road due to the vibration at 30mph
As for the ZZR, well it ticks most of the boxes, but wasn't aware the suspension was that bad.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Yeah, I don't think the SV is the right bike for you Stevie. As said they run out of puff too soon to make a good motorway bike (Mercedes up your ass and foc all you can do about it). Also, the front cylinder is very exposed and, as I found out, can be prone to getting water in the plug cap/HT lead. It's not fun to lose more than half of already limited power in pissing rain on the motorway!

[Punkstig]

Tbh I don't think you'll find a better do everything (and do it well!) bike for the same price as a Tcat!

[Fuzzy]

It's tricky this, I have a similar predicament as I've been trying to find a replacement for my boxeye, but with no luck finding anything that tempts me enough to get rid of it.

If it's for commuting it's hard top beat the Foxeye. I really think that it'd be the best at commuting. The Thundercat is great bike but I gather the headlight is shit, possibly even shittier than the boxeye which if you're commuting 365 will be annoying. What did you think about the headlight Punkstig?

CBR600F, these are meant to be great, I reckon the build quality will be better than the others although they probably command a higher price because of it. You'd probably want to replace reg/rec unit as soon as you get it as that's the weak link in reliability. I was looking at these primarily as I wanted something a bit sportier than my boxeye for trackdays but I just find it too damn boring.

If the bike was for commuting only, I'd stick with a Fazer, the riding position, visibility, low speed handling, ease of maintenance, low running costs do it for me. We all like to have a change once in a while though don't we

[chris.biker]

(Mercedes up your ass and foc all you can do about it)[/size]
I d pull over and let it pass.

[/size]

[Gnasher]

Good second hand FZS600 Fazer of course I'm gob smacked you are asking 

I've run allsorts of big sports bikes over the years but used a Fazer for daily commuting it's so good I used to ride it on weekends too.  I sold my one a while ago now as I wasn't riding much at all due to work, last year that all changed and I'm firmly back in the saddle but I still miss the Fazer I'm seriously thinking of getting another they just do everything so well.

They completely out class a Bandit thats for sure in all areas 

   

[Hedgetrimmer]

(Mercedes up your ass and foc all you can do about it)[/size]
I d pull over and let it pass.

[/size]

lol, yeah, you're probably right! Just remembering one particular occasion when the fast lane was moving well but other lanes pretty full. Never mind, my bad! SV still wouldn't be my choice for motorways though.

[JZS 600]

I've got my eye on a VFR 1200,,,

[stevierst]

I've got my eye on a VFR 1200,,,

Urgh! It looks like a pregnant melted Lego block.
And I can't get one for £1500 either! (My 4th criteria, forgot to mention that.)

[stevierst]

Good second hand FZS600 Fazer of course I'm gob smacked you are asking 


They completely out class a Bandit thats for sure in all areas 

Gnasher, your probably right on both counts there!
Although I've just been out and viewed a nice t'cat. I'm impressed, just got to go and have a play on it as soon as the weather gets better :

[JZS 600]

I've got my eye on a VFR 1200,,,

Looks better in the flesh,,,!

[Fuzzy]

Yeah, often see the Met's SEG riding around on white ones and they look good

[caretaker]

get one of these! best bike i've ever had.

[RobG UK]

Versys is good but very like the SV (BTW my SV kept pace with the Fazers in the Welsh rideout many years ago, if 100mph is running out of puff time god elp us all).  But the bottom end and handling (and sound) gave me the advantage in corners.
 
I took my Fazer in to a Honda dealer cos I was interested in the v4 thing they have (crossrunner or something).  When I asked about a part exchange, the dealer( who was an old school guy) just said 'WHY?'.  I pissed myself laughing.
Fox eye would be my choice any day.

[Punkstig]

The Thundercat is great bike but I gather the headlight is shit, possibly even shittier than the boxeye which if you're commuting 365 will be annoying. What did you think about the headlight Punkstig?

Not sure why you're thinking this the headlight is very good as standard, I put the cheapass eBay HID (about £40) after I saw someone else on a Tcat with one which makes the headlight awesome!

I did 2 trackdays on mine- Silverstone south circuit intermediate group, I got smashed by a sprint st and cb1000 on the long straights constantly, but by the end of every lap I'd caught back up by the last corner (very annoying!)
Rockingham was I different story- no straights as such and I was round the outside of the vast majority of peeps-
I'm not saying this for a big woop- the bike is more than capable than more powerful/ more expensive bikes on a twisty track.
I'd be more than happy to buy another Tcat!

[Fuzzy]

The Thundercat is great bike but I gather the headlight is shit, possibly even shittier than the boxeye which if you're commuting 365 will be annoying. What did you think about the headlight Punkstig?

Not sure why you're thinking this the headlight is very good as standard, I put the cheapass eBay HID (about £40) after I saw someone else on a Tcat with one which makes the headlight awesome!

I've heard a few people complain about the headlight being a bit pants, if it's an issue I guess the answer is HID like you said.