I know I am going to get ridiculed for this, but alas I also think you may have some good opinions. So please consider, and don't hate me... I am looking at getting a new bike, perhaps this coming weekend. Why? Well, I want something that -can have a pillion on it for trips, - is a better commuter (something that when I slow down to 40 kmh on a 60 road I don't have to gear down twice first, then gear up when I speed back up) - longer fuel mileage (for those nice long back-roads between towns) - more comfortable riding position (again, for touring) - ability to carry lots of stuff. What I am looking at is a 1988 Kawasaki GPX 750 R. You can view the specs at http://www.motorbikes.be/models.asp?id=894, and read a review at http://bissex.net/paul/ride/750R/ (bike I am looking at has same colours as in first link). The bike I am looking at has 43000 k's, never dropped etc (same old story), bike alarm, new tires/chain/sprockets, roadworthy certificate (required to register a bike in Victoria). All for $2900. A bike mechanic has looked over it for me and has indicated that it is A1 mechanically, and the only thing that sometimes needs work is the cam-chain tensioner as the k's on the bike get up to about 100 000 (average life of this bike is between 180 000 - 200 000) I have been offerred $2500 from a dealer for mine as is (and they know about needing chain/sprocket and other minor fixes that i had planned). This means that I can have a bike that will suit all my needs for jsut $400 more, and i is still a decent bike for weekend fun. The GPX 750 R has more power and torque than some new 750 sports tourers (i.e. suzuki gsx-f) and equivelant to others in the same category (i.e. 2003 vfr 800, 2003 tdm 900). What is more is that it gets up to 350 km's per tank of fuel (21 litre tank). It won awards for being 'best bike' for a few years in the late 80's. Ideally I could afford a new brand new bike (fz1 or triumph sprint st) but I have a few expenditures this year (wedding in march, new house hopefully in September/October) and thus can not justify or afford buying a new bike. This bike is intended to get 2 years riding out of. And I don't want to wait 2 years to get a bike that can do everything above. So, after I told you all this, I want to know if anyone can point out any flaws in my considerations? The only downside to this bike is that it is a '88 model. But parts from this bike are still used on the zx7r etc, so it should be ok to source (according to mechanic).
Boz, i think you answered your own question. From the research you done you have selected the right bike for your budget and for the future coming events. You have found out the qualities of the bike, which fit your criteria ... normally ill say buy an R1 <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s --> though in your case the R1 is not the right bike for you this time in your life.. and from what i have read about this bike .. it sounds really good in suiting your needs. ! I think AIP Paul has this bike if im not mistaken, and from what he tells me he likes this bike quite abit. Goodbye Boz's FZR, we will miss you <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s -->
AIP I think has the Kawasaki GPX 600 - somewhere in the mid 90's. It was a much more sports oriented bike, and the look is not as dated. Oh - and thanks- for your support on this bike! I keep thinking to myself it is a good deal, but there may be something I am missing. And also I want to be sure before I sell my little fzr. It's been good to me...
Hang on there Hang on there Boz, mate whats up???? First things first the things im about to say is in no way meant to offend any one.......... First things first so that you know im not talking out my ass. I know of about 8 Kawasakis all diffrent models. They all have had problems on of them keeps getting clutch casing rattles the other blew up then after full rebuild droped its bottom end. All bikes have been worked on by diffrent people at diffrent times but all seem to pop there insides in one way or the other. Now im not saying that all Kwakas are bad just most. I have rode 3 diffrent models and have to say YUKKKKKK compared to my little beast. Now down to the real stuff, u want roll on touqe right, nice riding seats for you and ya pillon, good on gas, more comfortable riding position and ability to carry lots of stuff. Well have I got the bike for you................. Get ready for it......... 1992 Honda CBR600 F2. NOW my reason for saying this is because my Mrs brother ownd one and boy is it a wicked bike. In japan when they were first built they put them on a dyno and ran them at almost redline for 24hours and it didnt have one problem. They are known in all bike mags as " the 600 to own". Its got alot of power and real good low down roll on tourqe. Really really nice to ride man good seating for both rider and pillon and very sexy looking bike. They would be way better than any i mean any 1988 Kawasaki GPX 750 R you find and the plus side is they are cheap... I rode on the back with my Mrs brother up front and we are grown men and she bloddy moved and the ride was for only about 2 hours but it was so dam nice to ride on. "Like sitting in a rocket powerd arm chair" is what i say. Its real good on gas does about the same km/ltr as the FZR and has 3 times the power. Really Boz have alook at one before buying I promise you, you wont be let down. They are really good bikes and all test riders in tons of mags all say the same thing. "the very best 600 ever". Real Boz you get the Honda reliabilty with the Honda styles. Thats my input any way Jarmizz
No offense taken - as I asked for I want opinions and thoughts. I have ridden and liked the cbr 600f (1994 model). However, can not find one for under 5500, and unfortunately I don't have money to really spend (check out <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.bikepoint.com.au">www.bikepoint.com.au</a><!-- w --> for australian prices). It does ride much nicer than the GPX750R - much more comparable to the fzr in terms of riding style. The only downside to it (other than money) is that the pillion would not be as comfortable. With that said - I would buy the 600f if I had the money. Actually - not true, if I had that sort of money immediately available I would actually be in the market for a 1996 or 1997 vfr750. Oh - and the reason this bike is so cheap is because it is a friend of a friend. He has just upgraded to a zx9r, and the dealers offerred him a $3500 trade-in but he is being 'nice' and selling it to a friend as he thought the dealers were ripping him off with that trade-in price. I will keep in mind the issues of the engine blow-ups. I have not made my final decision as of yet, but I think - even after your warnings - I am still leaning towards it. I just can't find a comparable bike for a comparable price.
ok Well Auzzy must have some suckfull prices. In NZ you can pick a CBR600 F2 (1992) for around $4-4500 in mint cond. A not sood good cond (ie high kms, a few scrapes etc etc) would be around $3500. So I gess in NZ we get more for our money <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: --> . Well keeping the revs low and fresh clean oil in the sump along with good fuel and clean spark plugs etc etc would help the Kwaka not to blow or maybe not <!-- s:-? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_Eyecrazy.gif" alt=":-?" title="Eye Crazy" /><!-- s:-? --> Keep us up to date on what happens Boz
yeah boz in my opinion it is by far the bike to go for. kawak's are good ! i mean i have nothing against fzr but they have there far share of problems and the parts arrrh must be fustraiting, you should have no problem fining parts for the gpx here in aus and its well worth the trade in +$400 in fact i would say thats the deal of the century !! with that many k's its a baby and if they are genuine you should have none of the problems as Jarmizz was saying! kawaki are not only a good brand but with the good condition of the bike you basic "technical skill" you should have no problem so what are you waitng for ?? you could even make a profit if you decide you dont want it after u buy it imho even with a few mod's like aftermarket can for it it could be a nice project and update the apperance of the bike a tad the only bad thing about it is it looks dated <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s --> but if the bike in question looks a bit old a respray can do wonders and shave years off the way a bike can look. GO FOR IT <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->
mmm Well each to there own I gess. Best thing to do is talk to a range of diffrent machincs that way you get good opions. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s -->
The first time I rode it I brought it to a mechanic that I trust for a quick inspection and he was the one that indicated it was A1 mechanical etc. However, this weekend I have arranged a 'second viewing' and have asked for this to occur at a motorcycle shop (with a workshop) so that a mechanic can come have a look, which the guy agreed to (he didn't know I brought it to a mechanic on my first ride - it was a quick 15 minute inspection as I told him I would be back in 30-40 minutes). So we picked a place that was convenient for both of us, and I have contacted them and they have indicated that they will look over the bike for me (no charge either!). So I will be getting a second mechanics opinion as well.
Nice Good idea Boz, well good luck with it and hope its an awesome bike <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->
Boz, rip all the decals of your new bike and ill give you a yamahaforever.com decal to put on instead ok!! <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->
I think I have (last night) decided against the kwaka. It is a perfect bike, and the guy looked after it (anyone else flush coolant every 6 months, change oil every 2500 km's, replace all hoses on the bike not because they are worn but simply because they were 8 years old, or replace all the screws with stainless steel alan key heads so that they don't strip/age/rust?). So the bike was pristine, and did everything that I want right now. Total cost would have run around $1500 after stamp duty and stuff so it was cheap too. It will also be (imho) a classic one day - it is the first 'ninja' ever to be produced by kawasaki. But - it is a 1988. I would only plan on having it for 1-1.5 years max, and that would make it a 18 year old bike. Not many people would desire an 18 year old bike no matter the condition, and I would have the same difficulty selling it as he currently is. Instead I am saving the money, and in 6m-1 year time plan to arrange a new bike through salary sacrificing. Currently thinking of fz1, sprint st, or (slim chance) vfr. But that is all in the future... I think I like the idea of the sprint (more comfortable than the fz1 - have never ridden the fz1, just sat on it and felt a lot higher/bigger)
lol Ok dude, good to see you thought it out <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->
Sounds good dude, you really thought this through..im sure the FZR girly will be happy ull be ridin her for another year or so <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_roll.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling LoL" /><!-- s:roll: -->
I can t help it.. im sexually frustrated... are u goin hook me up with a gal?? hehe if not then the next best thing is my bike u know.. <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_roll.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling LoL" /><!-- s:roll: -->
lol Dean me main man come to NZ and get some real meat. The type u can chew on all night and it just gets better!
