Bike suggestions - 7k budget

[anonymous-user]

Morning all,

I'm coming up to finishing my first year on the bike, been riding a cbf600sa, and I loved it; apart from winter time! I've got a 7k budget for the next bike but I'm struggling to make my mind up on which direction to go and was wondering if anyone could chime in with some advice.

I've had my heart set on a 2013 ZX6R as I love the look of it and imagine it will be super fun to ride. The problem is the local roads I ride, within a two hour loop of me, have been exhausted since having my bike, so I really want to travel further to experience new roads etc. Now I find my cbf600 not bad for comfort although it could be better and the engines lack of torque makes it tiring after a while; but I do enjoy the revy nature when I'm making progress.

Based on the above I'm worried that the ZX6R will be a form over function buy and I won't end up riding it much as I'll get bored of local roads, get annoyed with comfort issues such as lack of torque and seating position on longer rides. Any idea of what alternatives are available? I wouldn't like a full blown touring bike or anything much bigger in terms of physical bike size/weight than my cbf600 as I like being able to filter.

[A500leroy]

z800?

[jjones]

There are probably tonnes of smaller roads you have probably never been on within a few miles of your house. Something like an africa twin/vstrom/tiger 800 would enable you to go further afield and also check out these B roads (which is a lot of fun and at non licence losing speeds).

Have a play on https://kurviger.de/ on "Round trip" and see what it can cook up for inspiration.

Edited by jjones on Sunday 26th July 12:33

[Cylon2007]

Triumph Street Triple is the answer

[TheThing]

If you have your heart set on the ZX6 then get it bought. Stop over thinking it. Life's to short to own bikes you don't really want.

[Rob_F]

jjones said:

There are probably tonnes of smaller roads you have probably never been on within a few miles of your house. Something like an africa twin/vstrom/tiger 800 would enable you to go further afield and also check out these B roads (which is a lot of fun and at non licence losing speeds).

Have a play on https://kurviger.de/ on "Round trip" and see what it can cook up for inspiration.

Edited by jjones on Sunday 26th July 12:33

Oh that's an interesting website is there an easy way to get those routes onto a phone app?

[Pete-mojsh]

Rob_F said:

Oh that's an interesting website is there an easy way to get those routes onto a phone app?

I use calimoto for some routes, there's a free and paid version that has some extra features

[jjones]

Rob_F said:

Oh that's an interesting website is there an easy way to get those routes onto a phone app?

yes, download the app on your phone, if you pay the one off fee (less than a tenner) you get the pro app that gives turn by turn instructions (like tom tom).

From website - select "Share" this shows a QR code on your PC, point phone camera at QR code and bingo it loads to your phone.

[jjones]

Pete-mojsh said:

I use calimoto for some routes, there's a free and paid version that has some extra features

Issue i had with calimoto was when out of data range it said i need to upgrade to offline maps - 60 quid a year.

[Rob_F]

jjones said:

Rob_F said:

Oh that's an interesting website is there an easy way to get those routes onto a phone app?

yes, download the app on your phone, if you pay the one off fee (less than a tenner) you get the pro app that gives turn by turn instructions (like tom tom).

From website - select "Share" this shows a QR code on your PC, point phone camera at QR code and bingo it loads to your phone.

Top tip! Thank you!

[gareth h]

Try a 990 superduke, great fun, with a riding position like a big super moto which lets you see over hedges and cars, and you’ll have change from 7k.

[Patrick Star]

GSXR 750?

Sportsbike (which it looks like you favour),but a bit more roomy and more grunt than the Kwak. 150 BHP,Brembo's etc.
Quick look and 7K gets you an 18 plate
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GSXR750-ONLY-944...

[thatdude]

I hd a look on bike trader for bikes 600-1000 cc, 2010 onwards, £5500-£7500, here's one I think is really good:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

(hope that link works - 2016 Kawasaki Z1000SX)

And another, one year older: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

I know you said about weight and filtering, but dont be scared to try a larger capacity bike; I went form an SV650 to an FZ1 and found no difference in low-speed handling (but a lot of difference - for the better - for longer distance riding).

Edited by thatdude on Monday 27th July 09:15

[mickyh7]

GSX R 750 all day long.
Its the only bike you'll ever need.
600's are hard work, but you can ring their necks in relative saftey, not so a 1000.
Suzuki has the lot. poke torque and handling.
They snap back occasionally but dont bite too hard.
Get a well sorted one for 7k.
And they look great in any colour!

[Prof Prolapse]

mickyh7 said:

GSX R 750 all day long.
Its the only bike you'll ever need.
600's are hard work, but you can ring their necks in relative saftey, not so a 1000.
Suzuki has the lot. poke torque and handling.
They snap back occasionally but dont bite too hard.
Get a well sorted one for 7k.
And they look great in any colour!

OP mentioned comfort a few times... GSXR-750 will be much less comfortable than a CBR600F/CBF600. I used to do distance on mine and in the end I couldn't hack it anymore.

I appreciate what you're saying about power, but if you're going to consider a GSXR, I would have thought the previous GSXR-1000 makes more sense, more room and physically very little size difference. In budget as well.

That said, personally I'd not want a sportsbike for OPs use. Something like the GSX-1000 makes much more sense for any sort of distance.

To each their own of coruse.

[8IKERDAVE]

I Picked up my '16 Speed Triple for that money. Came from a ZX6R and was looking at litre sportsbikes but opted for a naked in the end.

I find it such a hoot to ride, power on tap in any gear, flickable and just 'right'. Always had sportsbikes and this came out the Blue really but worth considering.

[ash reynolds]

Suzuki GSX S1000F, touted as a comfortable sportsbike.
OP, what comfort issues are you hoping to address?

Have a look on Cycle Ergo https://cycle-ergo.com/

Edited by ash reynolds on Tuesday 28th July 22:31

[Biker 1]

Any thoughts on an XJR1300? Similar £££, but not on OP's list, I was just wondering what BB thinks of these........

[Jag_NE]

7k would get you a minty fresh VFR800 which will be ideal for covering distance in comfort with a decent turn of speed. Should be very reliable too. Personally I’d prefer that to an adventure type bike as I prefer the sportier styling.

[Prof Prolapse]

Jag_NE said:

7k would get you a minty fresh VFR800 which will be ideal for covering distance in comfort with a decent turn of speed. Should be very reliable too. Personally I’d prefer that to an adventure type bike as I prefer the sportier styling.

I like these, and they have a big following so there must be something positive to them, but heavy (242kg), underpowered (105bhp), expensive to service (V4), and have a slightly awkward looking (but large) tank?

I've been tempted a few times but I've never even got as far as a test ride.

Has anyone mentioned a Ducati Supersport yet? They're at about £7,000 now.