Old or new?

[MKH9130]

I passed my bike test in 2002, but since having passed have only ridden scooters between 125 and 500cc. I have been meaning to get a 'proper' bike for some time but have always put it off... however I'm determined to do it this year!

Have done the usual and looked around most of the bikes in my local bike 'emporium' and quite fancy the Kawasaki ER6-N. I can't justify anything *too* nice as it'll likely get damaged (I work in a school and will be commuting on the bike). Have been offered a new one for £4k.

However.

As I'm now a convert to older cars (Simpler, cheaper and more fun) I have started looking at older bikes. In particular I like the Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat and the Honda CBR600FV. Seem to be able to get good'uns for circa £1.8-2k if I look hard.

I can't help feeling that I'd get bored with an ER6 (or similar) in a shortish space of time, whereas a Thundercat would probably last me much longer and would be more fun. (Plus of course it is cheaper to buy!).

Would you go old or new?

[lawrence567]

Hey there...
I recently passed my test (around 3 months ago).
& learnt on a Kawasaki ER5 (the smaller brother of the ER6).
As my first bike i bought a 2002 Blue Yamaha Thundercat.
All i can say is wow!
I paid £3200 for mine with 9800 miles on the clock from a dealer. (Hence the more expensive price) as it inc warranty etc.
These bikes are extremely easy to ride, look great and go like st off a shovel!
I use mine to commute on every day and i have no problems with reliability.
A bit of backround info for you is that this was Yam's "sports bike" before they introduced the R6.
The R6 is essentially a Yam thundercat except the R6 is slightly smaller & a bit lighter, apart from that they're pretty much the same bike, near enough the same enging, same 0-60 time same top speed, same brakes etc.
The R6 just gets to its top end a bit quicker!
I'd recommend a Cat to anyone!
If you want to know more just reply on here and i'll do my best to advise you!

[dern]

Basically you'll have no problems with a new bike (unless you buy a kawasaki - joke) and you'll hopefully just have to do preventative servicing. With an old bike you'll have to do the same but you'll also have stuff to fix when it breaks. Happily many 'bikers' just mince about on their bikes when the sun comes out on a sunday so many 'old' bikes are effectively 'new' bikes (assuming they've been serviced). Happy days.

[lawrence567]

The upside wit buying jap bikes is they're relatively cheap to repair as bits for them are made in abundance!

[davegsxr]

Well I run a 1998 GSXR600 which cost me 2K last year. I opted for an older bike in case I threw it down the road ad the plan was to change for a newer model next year which I am still doing. But the bike is everything I wanted, the performance is fantastic, its been fettled a bit, but I would definately reccomend one for a first proper bike. I keep with my mates on their newer machines and for far less money. If you go for something newer, your either paying more money or comprimising on performance, which in fairness is why we buy these things!

[lawrence567]

Yeah i'm with Dave on this!
I bought something mid price range that'd keep me going for a year or 2 then i will upgrade again, i may go bigger or maybe jst slightly newer.
Only problem going new is you lose so much money on it!

[Dakkon]

I went out and bought a Triumph 675 Daytona as my first bike, could not be arsed to buy something I did not really want, took it real easy to begin with, the bike is awesome.

I am looking at the Silverstone dates in August for the superbike school and then looking to do a few trackdays before the summer finishes.

As the new bike sticky thread says, it is up to you how much you twist your right hand on whatever bike you buy.

[Rach81]

I've got the CBR 600 FV, the only money I had to spend on it was the lowering kit - damn my little legs!
When I bought him,he was pristine, owned by the bike shop owner so well maintained, cost me £1500 (then £160 for courier to Scotland)
Great first bike I think, revs plenty but hasn't surprised me or scared me half to death, after 3 months I'm building up my speed/cornering/revs and he's being gentle with me but can really move when I get brave.
Anyway, the point being, I dropped him twice and being a cheap bike I'm not too gutted, parts easy to replace (levers) loads of spares on fleabay too.

I intend to ride him for the next year or so then upgrade with a few more pennies

[Hooli]

older bikes are often a bit cheaper to insure too, which all helps with more petrol money.

[Silver993tt]

dern said:

Basically you'll have no problems with a new bike (unless you buy a kawasaki - joke)

I've had two Kawasakis from new. The first was a ZX12R bought in 2000. I kept the bike for 7 years, did nearly 30,000 miles and nothing ever went wrong with it. It would hammer down the autobahns in Germany at 160mph+ on many occasions and did numerous Alpine tours across countless twisty mountain passes in all weathers. The bike still had the original chain & sprockets after this mileage and were still in perfectly good condition (with a Scottoiler) even though the bike dyno'd 163 bhp at the rear wheel. The bike even had the original battery after 7 years which was still perfectly fine - kept on a maintainer over winter. The fit and finish was excellent considering some of the weather the bike went through in the mountains and European motorways.

I've had my second Kawasaki now for a year - a ZZR1400 and so far it's still as good as new even though i'ts already done 2 European tours. The fit and finsih is excellent and I couldn't see a new bike that would better this when I was looking to change the ZX12R

Edited by Silver993tt on Tuesday 24th June 19:59

[Rach81]

Hooli said:

older bikes are often a bit cheaper to insure too, which all helps with more petrol money.

£300 fully comp
£167 TPFT


Who needs a car

[y2blade]

those old thundercats are very underated just be carefull as many where used in SS600 club racing

just use your loaf when looking at potential buys and you will be fine

ditto with the old CBR600's but imho the T/Cats have more midrange and better handling and brakes than the CBR6's of that era.

try ad get go on a couple and see which you prefere


happy hunting

[dern]

Silver993tt said:

dern said:

Basically you'll have no problems with a new bike (unless you buy a kawasaki - joke)

I've had two Kawasakis from new. The first was a ZX12R bought in 2000. I kept the bike for 7 years, did nearly 30,000 miles and nothing ever went wrong with it. It would hammer down the autobahns in Germany at 160mph+ on many occasions and did numerous Alpine tours across countless twisty mountain passes in all weathers. The bike still had the original chain & sprockets after this mileage and were still in perfectly good condition (with a Scottoiler) even though the bike dyno'd 163 bhp at the rear wheel. The bike even had the original battery after 7 years which was still perfectly fine - kept on a maintainer over winter. The fit and finish was excellent considering some of the weather the bike went through in the mountains and European motorways.

I've had my second Kawasaki now for a year - a ZZR1400 and so far it's still as good as new even though i'ts already done 2 European tours. The fit and finsih is excellent and I couldn't see a new bike that would better this when I was looking to change the ZX12R

You know (and this might be slightly contentious) but I think kawasaki build quality varies. From what I can gather there's nothing wrong with them as such but occasionally a badly put together one sneaks through. Glad you're happy with yours though and I'm slightly sad my last one put me off because they're marginally less bland than hondas for example

[dern]

y2blade said:

those old thundercats are very underated

I really liked mine

Edited by dern on Tuesday 24th June 20:44

[Hooli]

Rach81 said:

Hooli said:

older bikes are often a bit cheaper to insure too, which all helps with more petrol money.

£300 fully comp
£167 TPFT


Who needs a car

£280 FC

£212 car TPF&T - damn it cars cheaper. mind you car cost 1/16th of the bike...

[Rach81]

Hooli said:

Rach81 said:

Hooli said:

older bikes are often a bit cheaper to insure too, which all helps with more petrol money.

£300 fully comp
£167 TPFT


Who needs a car

£280 FC

£212 car TPF&T - damn it cars cheaper. mind you car cost 1/16th of the bike...

Car is costing far too much, thats why he's tucked away in a hanger until September

[Hooli]

funny that, mines sorn on the parent's drive both bikes are here & legal though, must get another oil pump for the bonnie.