Go all out, or not at all...

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I got a 675 as my first bike back in. Its all I needed really despite moving to a blade and then 1299.

[anonymous-user]

trickywoo said:

The 5VY R1 seems to be a bit of a sweet spot in terms of value for money.

While I've not looked at many in the flesh there seem to be a lot more of these in the low £4k range for sale in decent well maintained condition than the Firebland, K5 / 6 1000. ZX10R seems to be decent value too but aside from the 2004 style one (and new model) they weren't the best looking bikes from 2006 to 2011 which is the main years your budget would be looking at.

I would say 750 from K4 on is a decent choice. Reliable, easy to work on, decent mpg. Plenty fast enough, anyone who says otherwise hasn't held the throttle wide open past 9k.

My second 5vy R1 now. I paid £3400 for this a few years ago. Test rode the blade, gsxr and RSV and went for it.

As has been said, go for what you want. Just take it easy until you are used to it

[trickywoo]

yammyfan said:

My second 5vy R1 now. I paid £3400 for this a few years ago.

Really good deal although these are a bit like the car boot sale 50p buy turning out to be worth £100s - I never seem to be able to find one.

Going a bit off topic would you say its a comfortable bike? I hate to admit it but I'm getting a bit old for a K4 750 - hurts my hips in particular.

[anonymous-user]

trickywoo said:

yammyfan said:

My second 5vy R1 now. I paid £3400 for this a few years ago.

Really good deal although these are a bit like the car boot sale 50p buy turning out to be worth £100s - I never seem to be able to find one.

Going a bit off topic would you say its a comfortable bike? I hate to admit it but I'm getting a bit old for a K4 750 - hurts my hips in particular.

I bought this from a Honda dealer up north who had it in as a P/X and put it up at trade price in the middle of winter as a classified on eBay. So really its a fairly poor price indicator. That said, the money people are trying to get for 2004-2006 R1's at the moment is hilarious and they just wont sell. Asking £4400 for a 28k mile 2004 bike for example is dreamland. Best bet is to wait until winter when these start cropping up at realistic prices - or stick 2-3k in a 2003 R1 now - the 5vy's appear to be holding their value very well.

I am 6ft 1 and find this bike so comfy! Have done many euro trips and I was using it to commute 250 miles 3 times a week but after sitting down and doing some man maths I worked out it was cheaper for me to buy a second more economical commuter bike and give the R1 a rest. I am in my mid twenties tho!

[WolfAir]

yammyfan said:

I bought this from a Honda dealer up north who had it in as a P/X and put it up at trade price in the middle of winter as a classified on eBay. So really its a fairly poor price indicator. That said, the money people are trying to get for 2004-2006 R1's at the moment is hilarious and they just wont sell. Asking £4400 for a 28k mile 2004 bike for example is dreamland. Best bet is to wait until winter when these start cropping up at realistic prices - or stick 2-3k in a 2003 R1 now - the 5vy's appear to be holding their value very well.

I am 6ft 1 and find this bike so comfy! Have done many euro trips and I was using it to commute 250 miles 3 times a week but after sitting down and doing some man maths I worked out it was cheaper for me to buy a second more economical commuter bike and give the R1 a rest. I am in my mid twenties tho!

This is exactly my point. Fireblades dont fair well either. The problem really with waiting for winter is alot of desirable bikes are either sold by that time or no longer up for sale where vendors are waiting for spring to pop them back on to ebay and the like.
p.s the point of this thread was I am unsure of what I want, hence the thread asking advice
cheers

[anonymous-user]

WolfAir said:

yammyfan said:

I bought this from a Honda dealer up north who had it in as a P/X and put it up at trade price in the middle of winter as a classified on eBay. So really its a fairly poor price indicator. That said, the money people are trying to get for 2004-2006 R1's at the moment is hilarious and they just wont sell. Asking £4400 for a 28k mile 2004 bike for example is dreamland. Best bet is to wait until winter when these start cropping up at realistic prices - or stick 2-3k in a 2003 R1 now - the 5vy's appear to be holding their value very well.

I am 6ft 1 and find this bike so comfy! Have done many euro trips and I was using it to commute 250 miles 3 times a week but after sitting down and doing some man maths I worked out it was cheaper for me to buy a second more economical commuter bike and give the R1 a rest. I am in my mid twenties tho!

This is exactly my point. Fireblades dont fair well either. The problem really with waiting for winter is alot of desirable bikes are either sold by that time or no longer up for sale where vendors are waiting for spring to pop them back on to ebay and the like.
p.s the point of this thread was I am unsure of what I want, hence the thread asking advice
cheers

To be honest you are going to pay a premium in the summer. There are bikes out there tho. This bike is probably a gooden at this time of the year for 3800-4000 (although i would peel back that K&N sticker on the frame to check underneath)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-R1-2005-Motorcycl...

Again this is not too badly priced:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-YAMAHA-YZF-R1-04-BL...

Or if you drop a bit you can get a bit older.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-r1-/301707561765?...

People get so pissed off with messers on the likes of eBay if you go down there with cash in your hand they will often be ready to have a deal.

[WolfAir]

Cheers yammy for the input but i dropped a deposit on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-HONDA-CBR-1000-RR-...
What to you guys think?
It was bigger than i thought but i was comfortable on it. But i keep having a nagging thought that i jumped the gun...if i had waiting a while one may have come up cheaper. Or got a better deal. Shall i just shut up and stop second guessing?

[Yoda400]

Have you test ridden a 600 and 1000? If the test ride goes well on a 1000 and it doesn't scare you senseless, you'll have your answer?

[WaferThinHam]

I bought a 5VY R1 at the start of the year for low 3's. 34k on the clock and bears the scars of commuting on the wheels (an excuse to get them powder coated a stupid colour) but it's still bloody quick and has had the suspension rebuilt, and loads of other mods that I'd do anyway, so it worked out well for me.

[Phateuk]

WolfAir said:

Cheers yammy for the input but i dropped a deposit on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-HONDA-CBR-1000-RR-...
What to you guys think?
It was bigger than i thought but i was comfortable on it. But i keep having a nagging thought that i jumped the gun...if i had waiting a while one may have come up cheaper. Or got a better deal. Shall i just shut up and stop second guessing?

If you go ahead with the purchase, can you provide some feedback?

I'm on the lookout for a 600 supersport and that dealer often has plenty in but I've seen, lets say "mixed" reviews of them, and their adverts scream of selling to the more desperate end of the market and making their money on reselling finance. When I see ads with "cheapest on net" and 50% of the ad containing finance examples it makes me nervous.

[WaferThinHam]

Have seen their ads before too. Thought they were part of Webuyanybike.com and sell on the stuff they take in part ex? Although that could be Ritebike (their ads and logos are pretty similar), I can't remember.

[BobSaunders]

Phateuk said:

WolfAir said:

Cheers yammy for the input but i dropped a deposit on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-HONDA-CBR-1000-RR-...
What to you guys think?
It was bigger than i thought but i was comfortable on it. But i keep having a nagging thought that i jumped the gun...if i had waiting a while one may have come up cheaper. Or got a better deal. Shall i just shut up and stop second guessing?

If you go ahead with the purchase, can you provide some feedback?

I'm on the lookout for a 600 supersport and that dealer often has plenty in but I've seen, lets say "mixed" reviews of them, and their adverts scream of selling to the more desperate end of the market and making their money on reselling finance. When I see ads with "cheapest on net" and 50% of the ad containing finance examples it makes me nervous.

I've two friends/colleagues that bought from this company, one walked away with a decent if not a little aged bike with marks, and the other walked away with a nightmare - chain issues on the way home, brake issues a few days later etc. he ended up taking it to a private guy in Trafford way who sorted it for him on his own £ after he decided he couldn't trust the vendor for some reason - i think it was customer service and QA/garage people he got annoyed at (it was his choice to take it elsewhere - they were going to resolve it).

I take a trip down every now and then to have a little look - the quality of machines are a bit mix and match, not sure where they are sourcing bikes from. Most bikes i have seen had been dropped or low sided - common scrape marks on bar ends, engine casing, pegs etc. I think this is reflective in the cost.

It is very finance driven by the seems of it. Initial conversations were around, what type of bike, what are you looking at spending, finance or cash, lets go and do some sums in the office.

However, good selection of bikes if you fancy wandering around Macclesfield on a quiet day.

[Phateuk]

BobSaunders said:

Phateuk said:

WolfAir said:

Cheers yammy for the input but i dropped a deposit on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-HONDA-CBR-1000-RR-...
What to you guys think?
It was bigger than i thought but i was comfortable on it. But i keep having a nagging thought that i jumped the gun...if i had waiting a while one may have come up cheaper. Or got a better deal. Shall i just shut up and stop second guessing?

If you go ahead with the purchase, can you provide some feedback?

I'm on the lookout for a 600 supersport and that dealer often has plenty in but I've seen, lets say "mixed" reviews of them, and their adverts scream of selling to the more desperate end of the market and making their money on reselling finance. When I see ads with "cheapest on net" and 50% of the ad containing finance examples it makes me nervous.

I've two friends/colleagues that bought from this company, one walked away with a decent if not a little aged bike with marks, and the other walked away with a nightmare - chain issues on the way home, brake issues a few days later etc. he ended up taking it to a private guy in Trafford way who sorted it for him on his own £ after he decided he couldn't trust the vendor for some reason - i think it was customer service and QA/garage people he got annoyed at (it was his choice to take it elsewhere - they were going to resolve it).

I take a trip down every now and then to have a little look - the quality of machines are a bit mix and match, not sure where they are sourcing bikes from. Most bikes i have seen had been dropped or low sided - common scrape marks on bar ends, engine casing, pegs etc. I think this is reflective in the cost.

It is very finance driven by the seems of it. Initial conversations were around, what type of bike, what are you looking at spending, finance or cash, lets go and do some sums in the office.

However, good selection of bikes if you fancy wandering around Macclesfield on a quiet day.

This seems to be the consensus, a sort of stack em high, sell em cheap outfit.

[Reardy Mister]

WolfAir said:

Cheers yammy for the input but i dropped a deposit on this http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-05-HONDA-CBR-1000-RR-...
What to you guys think?
It was bigger than i thought but i was comfortable on it. But i keep having a nagging thought that i jumped the gun...if i had waiting a while one may have come up cheaper. Or got a better deal. Shall i just shut up and stop second guessing?

You cant go too far wrong with a Fireblade, though I would still have had the Yam because I'm a bit obsessed with my old one. Like an ex that I just cant let go of thought of. Someone else is enjoying her now. The slag.

[WolfAir]

WaferThinHam said:

Have seen their ads before too. Thought they were part of Webuyanybike.com and sell on the stuff they take in part ex? Although that could be Ritebike (their ads and logos are pretty similar), I can't remember.

I think thats Ritebike, Superbike Factory seem to be less dodgy bikes...ish.

Phateuk said:

If you go ahead with the purchase, can you provide some feedback?

I'm on the lookout for a 600 supersport and that dealer often has plenty in but I've seen, lets say "mixed" reviews of them, and their adverts scream of selling to the more desperate end of the market and making their money on reselling finance. When I see ads with "cheapest on net" and 50% of the ad containing finance examples it makes me nervous.

Just as Bob mentioned they are touch and go. You are free to walk around the big warehouse type room looking at the bikes and there is a huge range, but they are reluctant to allow test rides without commitment to buy. When I first went they wanted me to fully purchase the bike before I was able to ride, which I obviously didn't. This time they were more approachable and accommodating.

Reardy Mister said:

You cant go too far wrong with a Fireblade, though I would still have had the Yam because I'm a bit obsessed with my old one. Like an ex that I just cant let go of thought of. Someone else is enjoying her now. The slag.

The fireblade was the dream... Unfortunately due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to use £500 from my budget reducing it to 3500. I tried the zx6r ninja 2006 which incidentally felt much better and less made my pants wet from sitting on 1000cc. So change in plan, it is now the zx6r I pick up on Saturday.
There are a few cosmetic issues I would have liked them to sort but apparently they do not deal with cosmetic issues they are reflected in the price. 3600 all in officially. pics up when I pick it up

[Phateuk]

WolfAir said:

The fireblade was the dream... Unfortunately due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to use £500 from my budget reducing it to 3500. I tried the zx6r ninja 2006 which incidentally felt much better and less made my pants wet from sitting on 1000cc. So change in plan, it is now the zx6r I pick up on Saturday.
There are a few cosmetic issues I would have liked them to sort but apparently they do not deal with cosmetic issues they are reflected in the price. 3600 all in officially. pics up when I pick it up

Congrats on the purchase, keep us updated how you get on - I'm currently torn between an 07ish cbr600rr and a zx6r (either the 05/06 636 or the later 600). First world problems and all that

[BobSaunders]

Just to chuck something into the mix - if you are local to Mac, have a look at the honda dealer in manchester on the a34.

http://www.huntsmotorcycles.co.uk/

[WolfAir]

BobSaunders said:

Just to chuck something into the mix - if you are local to Mac, have a look at the honda dealer in manchester on the a34.

http://www.huntsmotorcycles.co.uk/

Haha cheers bob, I actually live down the road from this place. Always pop in on my way to Kansas fried chicken place next to it...doesn't look like much but best spicy chicken burger by far. The have a great range, a little on the pricey side but I have heard mixed reviews on service.

Anyway officially bought the zx6r yesterday. Woah what can I say, when people say watch the throttle they are not joking, the thing shot off, I barely managed to save myself crashing into a parked car. Riding back to Manchester from Macclesfield was a learning experience. Soon as I found my "spot" on the seat I was all good, though maximum speed I was brave enough to hit was only 50mph (in a 70).
There are a couple of niggles I am wondering if anyone with a 2006 636 ninja can help out with...
I am not sure if its me but the engine seems to be screaming in every gear, what seems to be 6th gear the engine is revving around 3-4 at speeds of 40mph, is this correct? Also, maybe it was my positioning but my right had felt weird as though it was vibrating as I rode.
Does anybody know about possible lowering the bike about an inch, the ball of my feet touch the ground (I'm 5'6) but I would be more comfortable with flat feet but that said, I have read up lowering messes with the bike's handling.
Apart from these small niggles it looks to be a very good purchase, I am glad I didn't get the fireblade the 636 is way more than enough at this time.
Sorry in my excitement and all day riding yesterday I forgot to take pics, but here are some generic ones of what my bike looks like except mine has the ninja 636 decals.
All I need now is a scorpion exhaust and a black and gold colour theme .

[Mastodon2]

WolfAir said:

Haha cheers bob, I actually live down the road from this place. Always pop in on my way to Kansas fried chicken place next to it...doesn't look like much but best spicy chicken burger by far. The have a great range, a little on the pricey side but I have heard mixed reviews on service.

Anyway officially bought the zx6r yesterday. Woah what can I say, when people say watch the throttle they are not joking, the thing shot off, I barely managed to save myself crashing into a parked car. Riding back to Manchester from Macclesfield was a learning experience. Soon as I found my "spot" on the seat I was all good, though maximum speed I was brave enough to hit was only 50mph (in a 70).
There are a couple of niggles I am wondering if anyone with a 2006 636 ninja can help out with...
I am not sure if its me but the engine seems to be screaming in every gear, what seems to be 6th gear the engine is revving around 3-4 at speeds of 40mph, is this correct? Also, maybe it was my positioning but my right had felt weird as though it was vibrating as I rode.
Does anybody know about possible lowering the bike about an inch, the ball of my feet touch the ground (I'm 5'6) but I would be more comfortable with flat feet but that said, I have read up lowering messes with the bike's handling.
Apart from these small niggles it looks to be a very good purchase, I am glad I didn't get the fireblade the 636 is way more than enough at this time.
Sorry in my excitement and all day riding yesterday I forgot to take pics, but here are some generic ones of what my bike looks like except mine has the ninja 636 decals.
All I need now is a scorpion exhaust and a black and gold colour theme .

The top speed is officially listed at 168mph and it redlines at 15,500rpm, so 50mph at 4000rpm in top sounds about right. If you were doing 12,000rpm in top by your figures you'd be doing 150mph, which lines up about right for a 15,500rpm limit and 168mph top end.

With regard to lowering it, I've never actually considered how that works on a bike, I know riding schools have often have lowered bikes for short blokes and women but it's not something I'd ever looked into as I don't need lowered bikes at 6 foot tall. Presumably a lowering kit takes an inch or so out of the suspenion travel at both ends to drop the bike, with the shocks then being centred in the middle of the remaining range.

[BobSaunders]

Mastodon2 said:

WolfAir said:

Haha cheers bob, I actually live down the road from this place. Always pop in on my way to Kansas fried chicken place next to it...doesn't look like much but best spicy chicken burger by far. The have a great range, a little on the pricey side but I have heard mixed reviews on service.

Anyway officially bought the zx6r yesterday. Woah what can I say, when people say watch the throttle they are not joking, the thing shot off, I barely managed to save myself crashing into a parked car. Riding back to Manchester from Macclesfield was a learning experience. Soon as I found my "spot" on the seat I was all good, though maximum speed I was brave enough to hit was only 50mph (in a 70).
There are a couple of niggles I am wondering if anyone with a 2006 636 ninja can help out with...
I am not sure if its me but the engine seems to be screaming in every gear, what seems to be 6th gear the engine is revving around 3-4 at speeds of 40mph, is this correct? Also, maybe it was my positioning but my right had felt weird as though it was vibrating as I rode.
Does anybody know about possible lowering the bike about an inch, the ball of my feet touch the ground (I'm 5'6) but I would be more comfortable with flat feet but that said, I have read up lowering messes with the bike's handling.
Apart from these small niggles it looks to be a very good purchase, I am glad I didn't get the fireblade the 636 is way more than enough at this time.
Sorry in my excitement and all day riding yesterday I forgot to take pics, but here are some generic ones of what my bike looks like except mine has the ninja 636 decals.
All I need now is a scorpion exhaust and a black and gold colour theme .

The top speed is officially listed at 168mph and it redlines at 15,500rpm, so 50mph at 4000rpm in top sounds about right. If you were doing 12,000rpm in top by your figures you'd be doing 150mph, which lines up about right for a 15,500rpm limit and 168mph top end.

With regard to lowering it, I've never actually considered how that works on a bike, I know riding schools have often have lowered bikes for short blokes and women but it's not something I'd ever looked into as I don't need lowered bikes at 6 foot tall. Presumably a lowering kit takes an inch or so out of the suspenion travel at both ends to drop the bike, with the shocks then being centred in the middle of the remaining range.

I live about a mile away from you wolfair, but on princess parkway.

I have the 08reg P9F 600cc zx6r - The smaller cc version 600 rather than 636. The rev range as discussed is sedate lower down, but once you hit 12k it comes into it's own - great in my opinion for me as a new biker. The clutch can be trigger hair when pulling away, but you easily get used to it.

Let me know if you want a ride out at some point into the peaks.