New - to me - bike choices budget £3.5K

[Aegis Bearing Mel]

There may be a delay now anyway as it appears a new sofa would be nice. At this rate it will be this time next year .......

Didn't even see a Goldwing on your list...

[BIG MAC]

I am thinking of moving it on Paul but only because I want a trailie for France duty - otherwise it's been sweet as a nut

[lew600fazer]

Having owned an S1, them the CBF1000GT, Z1000SX and the S2 now FZ1. Top end the FZ600 S1&S2 will show the CBF a clean pair of heels.
On a dyno my CBF1000 Gt never got above 97 bhp , top end was 135 GPS speed, My FZ600 S2N was top end 140 and me being a fat bastard.
Will concide the CBF around town and touring was a much user friendly bike. If we are lokking for a value bike for all round day to day use , the CBF 1000, is a good option along with the TDM  as mentioned though have never ridden a TDM

[Mick-H]

Owners reviews are worth a read
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-revie...m900/2002/

[BBROWN1664]

I can concur. The CBF1000 is a great bike. Slightly bigger than the FZS600 and lots more torque. Great bike to ride and contrary to what some people say, the build quality is OK. Not the greatest of Honda quality, but better than Yamaha can be.

[stevierst]

I had a TDM 850 mkII for a short while, and it does everything you could want a bike to do, albeit sedately!

It was comfy, returned 47mpg regardless of how you rode it, and wasn't the best on the bends, but if your mile munching, then it was OK. A bit erm, boring really! The 900's are supposed to be a little different though. Got shut of mine rather quickly!!!

[JoeRock]

Being practical, an FZS1000.


Being slightly less practical, but still pretty practical: A late, very clean ZX9R, with extra money paying to upgrade the suspension.


Being much less practical, a ZX10R/R1/GSXR1000/CBR1000RR from around 2004-2006 ish!

[Oldgit]

amazed that a Foccer said that the BMW bike was not reliable--one of the most reliable bikes in the world I believe--Long way round and the Africa traverse---I don't think I would take your advice on which bike to buy. BMW R1200R owner.  :pc

[richfzs]

:rollin

[bigralphie]

Ural with a side car for you off licence runs  :lol

[stevierst]

one of the most reliable bikes in the world I believe-

Try telling that to our mechanics at work about the fleet of BMW's and they'd happily stick a steel toecap where the sun don't shine!

And my mate at work with his 13 plate Gs1200 that keeps leaking!

I'll stick with my Jap bikes thanks. About 1/4 million miles covered, and never had a Jap bike let me down! My Aprilia was a different matter though [emoji24]

[bigralphie]

the shaft drive has a bad rep .
when I was looking at a K1300S a guy having his shaft drive fixed for the 2nd time advised never own one without a warranty

[griff86]

[/quote]
Try telling that to our mechanics at work about the fleet of BMW's and they'd happily stick a steel toecap where the sun don't shine!

And my mate at work with his 13 plate Gs1200 that keeps leaking!

I'll stick with my Jap bikes thanks. About 1/4 million miles covered, and never had a Jap bike let me down! My Aprilia was a different matter though [emoji24]
[/quote]

Totally agree about Bmw, they were known to be reliable a long time ago but now they are just awful. My local dealership is booked up with constant warranty work. If it's not the 'wonder wheel' switch gear going every few months, it's engines being replaced, front shock bushes, etc. the list of warranty issues is pretty much endless to be honest. 

[BIG MAC]

I hankered after a ZX9R for a while...they are more comfy than they look

[Robbie8666]

adding my twopenny's worth in against BMW I had a brand new F650 for my 30th birthday and when i took it in for it's 1st annual service (about 1200 miles), bike shop couldn't book it in before the year so was 1 year 1 week....well when i went to pick it up after leaving it 24hrs they said it wasn't ready, what why not? well as they took it for a test ride after service the front wheel bearings seized and locked the front up!!luckily this was only in thier car park and didn't get dropped, but if i had had it i could have been on a motorway and been thrown off it!
oh but because its over the year old its out of warranty!!!!
WTF I said but they did accept that it should not have failed even in that short space of time and replaced it free but had to wait for parts.. plus i got a GS as a loaner till it was fixed. but that was down to dealership rather than BMW itself!
personally for £3500 I'd go for a triumph or VFR, thats what I'm looking at getting next september to replace my Fazer

[Slaninar]

My foxeye 600 is nearing the end of her life (60K miles). I've been given some cash and am thinking about trading up. Options are

None of those bigger bikes is better for commuting, nor is 60k the end of a Fazer's life.




I also heard that when looking for a new bike, riders are not really looking for bigger, stronger, just for a different way of weight transfer when accelerating/braking/cornering. Just a theory from a friend, not 100% sure.


For 3500, 2nd hand, there should be plenty to choose.

[JoeRock]

I hankered after a ZX9R for a while...they are more comfy than they look

Quite regularly do 200 mile fun blasts on mine with no issues, and I've done 300+ miles in one sitting (well, stopping for petrol half way) a few times now without any issue. Find mine a lot more comfy to ride than a Fazer for long distances too - nice big fairing (for a sports bike), and an excellent riding position balancing your legs, knees, back and wrist makes it a very good long distance bike. Plus, being a 900cc Kwak sports bike, you can do the distances quickly too  :lol

[stevierst]

I've got to admit, I've heard this a few times from zx9 owners. Was almost tempted to get one myself at one point.

[noggythenog]

Hey Gingernutz.........have you seen the light yet and cancelled that couch order?..........at the end of the day you will have buyers guilt about ten minutes after sitting on a couch whereas a new bike will continue to please for years.


What'll it be?

[Gingernutz]

Must say not look at a Hornet
Must say not look at a Hornet
Must say not look at a Hornet..................

I am embarrassed to say I like the new ones and they do 62mpg - mick has brainwashed me