new bike advice needed

[bodgit]

I,ve just passed my test after a 30year lay off from bikes. I fancy a 600 sports tourer so any ideas of a decent bike would be appreciated. budget up to £3500

[GRIFF55]

Kawasaki 636, cheap insurance, comfy and you can go quite balls out if you like pick up a nice '05-'06 for your budget

[nobby]

vfr750

[bigoggy]

i second the vfr750

[spud31]

i would say vfr or earlier cbr600f around an 03 for 3 grand

[gazbaz2]

Defo VFR

[gazbaz2]

its more touring than a kawasaki 636

[GRIFF55]

True, but even though the kawi leans more towards sports it still does a good job of touring. The vfr is a nice bike. Your best bet would be to go to a dealer and try a few out, see what suits, don't get drawn into the beauty of sports bikes if it is mainly a tourer your after. Verry easy to happen, temptation is a bitch

[Crazy L]

A Kwak 636 is not a touring bike, unless you regularly tour on less than a tank of gas. Not recommended.

You have a wide choice, the VFR750 which seems to be everyones favourite, or an early 800, not sure about price of those though. Also there's the Triumph Sprint, which Ride magazine once reckoned above the VFR. The Yamaha Thunderace and its 600 brother the Thundercat make pretty damn good touring tools (200 miles per tank on a T/cat), and you can pick either one of those up for less than 2k. Like the other guy said, a CBR600F.

I would recommend you stay away from something fandango as since, no offence, you're a "born again", you need something a little more sedate so you can get back into it again. The mistake some of these "born agains" make is buying the latest, fastest, lightest tool and ending up in the side of a tree/bus/car/lamp post, which we dont want.

I'm sure there are a couple of other bikes that make the grade but I cant think of them right now.

Hope to have been of some help in your quest for motoring freedom.

[mobile chicane]

honda firestorm £3500 will get you a realy nice example realy easy to ride 120 miles to a tank 100bhp from a litre v twin capable of 150mph.

Did 2000 miles around france in 2 weeks on one of these, never missed a beat.

I bought a mint R plate with 9k miles on it for £1800 about 8 months ago to replace my way to fast for public roads 2004 cbr1000rr fireblade.

the vfrs hold their value well but many have interglactic mileage and you need to try one I test rode an 06 with vtech and abs and hated it, the power of the vtec cutting in like a snappy powervalved 2 stroke and the linked abs brakes eurggh

the yamaha fazer 1000 is also a good buy

[daz]

Me mates got a kwacker er600f v twin, looks a very capable tourer. Think he only paid just over 3g for a 57 plate.

[gramey]

Originally Posted by daz

Me mates got a kwacker er600f v twin, looks a very capable tourer. Think he only paid just over 3g for a 57 plate.

What's he doing driving Miss. Daisy? Personally if your buying second hand I'd go with a Honda their build quality is probably only just 2nd to BMW and although they may have higher miles on them they'll take it. Don't be put off with comments about the VFR being too much of tourer, the beauty of any of the Honda's mentioned is that there's no hidden traits that will suddenly catch you out. It would take someone to be pretty committed on a sports bike to leave you behind, basically they're great all rounders.

[bodgit]

Thanks for all the advice
My lads got the cbr600f on a 02 plate but wont let me on it.. some of the other blokes on the training course all seemed to go for the vfr I did think about that.. I dont need to go tear arsing about and risk coming off, I got 3 torn discs in my spine and 1 in my neck and had to retire from work at 29 but I got to feel alive again and biking gives me a great feeling.
reading about the vfr it does seem to handle well at all speeds and I believe the cams are gear driven so no need for belt/chain changes. I think Im going to have a look at them.

[Lindsay]

Take it from me, I am a senior rider who enjoys a good fast ride and have plenty of bikes which have been mentioned.
If you want a sports tourer go for Triumph Sprint 955 model.
Also look at Aprilia Tuono all the go of afast bike without the Back ache.
[ I have one of the new models but the old model is still very good and in you bubget].

[cjm_2008]

I'm selling my VFR800.

it's done just over 10k (on an 03 plate) and it's mint.

it's an FI-Y, pre VTEC.

ohlins race shock (£650 worth), front forks rebuilt by a specialist, with ohlins springs & re-shimmed valves for better damping, full service history, and a very rude sounding exhaust (plus original).

oh yeah, and a scottoiler!

selling due to lack of use - I've only done about 6k on her in 20 months.

[frogger]

No no no, forget these sports tourers and get yourself a big triallie. The riding position is more comfortable with a better view in traffic and the bike is capable of doing more. You can go play off road with it too and explore off the beaten track. Additionally you won't be tempted into crazy speeds and get yourself killed (born again bikers of all bikers run the biggest serious accident risk ).

KTM 690
BMW 650GS
BMW 800GS

[Kash]

Get your self down to some dealers and have a sit on few bikes that way it might help you give you a idea of whats best for you..

[frogger]

Originally Posted by Kash

Get your self down to some dealers and have a sit on few bikes that way it might help you give you a idea of whats best for you..

Good advice. Also, since you have your license, go and test ride a few.

[B4 Sloth]

What you want is a nice little ninja..6 or 10. I paid 5300 on the road for a brand spanking uk bike in march. I am 6'2 and now that i am used to it its not that uncomfortable. Got loads of gadgets on it. And it looks cool.

Who needs more, trailies are ok but hey why not get a mx instead....and fall down the slippery enduro path...........!!!!!

[frogger]

Originally Posted by B4 Sloth

now that i am used to it its not that uncomfortable.