Tyre Kicking (Again!)

First topic message reminder :

Found this ZX-12 at the following QLD dealer:
Top Gun Yamaha


Location
Bundamba, QLD



http://www.bikepoint.com.au/all-bikes/dealer/details.aspx?R=12039026&ref=Item&Nne=&N=&Ns=

Of course it looks ok in the photo - but the cheap price has me wondering. If it was ok, my daughter might be interested.

Anyone had anything to do with this dealership?

Late edit, thanks to 2WA:
I don't think this has been posted before but for those amongst us who are thinking (dreaming) about adding to the fleet this website might help you decide if the bike is rideable all day or just a lap to the café. Click >>> Cycle Ergo

Hammy wrote:

2wheelsagain wrote:You could do a lot worse Dave. 9k change over is a cheap bike.

"9"    Are you being optimistic 2W ?     Have you seen Daves Bandit ?  It has never seen a soapy bucket and rag in it's life. 


ps.  Good to see ya back mate.  Hope you had a great trip.

Yep I've seen it. I've spent a lor of time looking at the back of it. Can't see much grime from there lol

Hammy: don't tempt me!  PS: no point cleaning the Bandit - it just gets dirty again every time it goes out!

Gus: It won't be up for sale for a few more years yet.

2WA: Yep, the addition of the genuine Honda quick release panniers make the asking price more than reasonable.

Ewok1958 wrote:Hammy: don't tempt me!  PS: no point cleaning the Bandit - it just gets dirty again every time it goes out!

Gus: It won't be up for sale for a few more years yet.

2WA: Yep, the addition of the genuine Honda quick release panniers make the asking price more than reasonable.

Mate , if you're in the position to ...just do it . Life is too full of regrets as it is 

I'll come with you if it will keep up with my Honda sl 99 cc single .

gus wrote:I'll come with you if it will keep up with my Honda sl 99 cc single .

Lol!

Here's one for your era Dave. 
Sorry I couldn't post pics, but it's worth looking at.  

Ebay item 121709710307. 

She's got 6000 original miles, owners manual still in it's original plastic bag under the seat.

Looks nice:

Hammy wrote:

Ewok1958 wrote:If I lived closer to Brisbane (Springwood) I'd be tempted to ride the Bandit in for a trade-in on this.



http://www.bikesales.com.au/dealer/OAG-AD-2192209/2014-Honda-VFR1200F-ABS-(VFR1200FA)/?cr=0&psq

Mate.  If you want me to buy it for ya.  Send up the readies and I will ride it down to ya. 

Or even better - give me the reddies here in Canberra, I'll fly up and have a beer with Hammy and ride it back for you. Win win win win....

What about this for a similar price? http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/SSE-AD-3508159/2013-Aprilia-Caponord-1200-ATC-ABS/?cr=0&psq=%28%28Service%3D[Bikesales]%26%28%28%28%28SiloType%3D[Brand%20new%20bikes%20available]|SiloType%3D[Brand%20new%20bikes%20in%20stock]%29|SiloType%3D[Dealer%20used%20bikes]%29|SiloType%3D[Demo%20%26%20near%20new%20bikes]%29|SiloType%3D[Private%20used%20bikes]%29%29%26%28Make%3D[Aprilia]%26Model%3D[Caponord%201200%20ATC%20%2F%20ABS]%29%29&pso=0&pss=LastUpdated

Na Rolls, the styling doesn't do it for me.

If the VFR1200 was the "head" part, here's the "heart" part.  The VFR is sensible and logical - shaft drive, V4, Honda build quality. The ZX14 is insanely powerful (200HP) and torquey (154nm) and would probably pull your arms out of their shoulder sockets if you snapped open the throttle.  But, I've often thought owning a sports bike would be good (especially for track days) but I can't see myself owning one for either the road (added rego, insurance, etc) or the track (too far to get to the track from here, costly tyre usage, etc) so I'd be inclined to go with the heart if I was to replace the Bandit and could a ZX at the right price (the one below is currently on BikeSales).  Maybe next year... 



But Yoshis would have to be in the budget.

One of our former members Todd Downey has his Z Sled (6 months old) for sale. 
Now stop doing a dis service to the VFR. I'd pitch mine in capable hands to out perform a ZX14 in all conditions except for a long straight.

I looked at a GTR1400. It wasn't all that flash so I didn't bother to ride it. Heavy bit of kit.

I ended picking up a 2007 1200GS. I wanted a mile eater so I can visit my dad once every few weeks in Coffs Harbour. I always thought they were heavy, but its 229kg loaded. Very nimble (for a whale).

She looks pretty clean and tidy Rolls.

Between the ZX & the Hayabusa I think the Busa would be a better all-rounder to live with than the ZX even if it is older technology . From what I have heard , it is much more user friendly .

paul wrote:Between the ZX & the Hayabusa I think the Busa would be a better all-rounder to live with than the ZX even if it is older technology . From what I have heard , it is much more user friendly .

Is the ZX too much of a handful ?  Any bike can be ridden sedately if need be.` If I had to choose between the two you mention, I would go the ZX. Partly because I have never owned a Kwaka. And before you say it Paul. Yes I've only eaten one. By all accounts the Kawasakis have always had a good suspension from the factory.  The Bussas have never really done anything for me.  But that's just me.

I don`t know how you lads bodies are holding up?

I`ve only ridden two Busa`s, and I personally didn`t like them. I found it was to lay over the tank. Half way between the Bandit and a sports bike.
Never ridden a ZX, but I`m half guessing its the same.

Hammy, what`s your Bird like to live with, after the Bandit?

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to ride an early zx900 followed by a 2005 GSXR1000, both confirmed that my body is no longer capable of the posture required to ride a sports bike.
The Zx felt heavy and reluctant to turn, that may have something to do with its age and condition. The GSXR was far more nimble and willing. I just couldn't see myself riding it for any real distance.

Hammy wrote:

paul wrote:Between the ZX & the Hayabusa I think the Busa would be a better all-rounder to live with than the ZX even if it is older technology . From what I have heard , it is much more user friendly .

Is the ZX too much of a handful ?  Any bike can be ridden sedately if need be.` If I had to choose between the two you mention, I would go the ZX. Partly because I have never owned a Kwaka. And before you say it Paul. Yes I've only eaten one. By all accounts the Kawasakis have always had a good suspension from the factory.  The Bussas have never really done anything for me.  But that's just me.

The truth be known , there is very little between them , & it would take a very competent rider indeed to get them to that stage anyway . But from bits & pieces I have read , & from when my lad was deciding which one to get , the general consensus was that if ( among other things ) you were going to use the bike for commuting to work in thick traffic  , &  blasting through the tighter twisties our hills have to offer , the suzuki was easier to live with .( far from a 600 in handling though LOL) I have not ridden the ZX , but have the Busa (and far from the city limits , & once the " speed " picks up . the riding position makes a lot of sense , but as a daily ride for me , I would be fitting the riser adapter plate for the handle bars .) As a straight out " blaster " trip to go  from Adelaide to Victor Harbor  to pick a random example , I think personal preference would be the only choice difference between the two bikes.......................Now let me see Kwaka a la orange .................mmm yummy 

The comments prompted a visit to Mr Google.  Quite an interesting read but it would have been nice to see a third bike involved, eg S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 or Dugati Panigale.

http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/suzuki-hayabusa-vs-kawasaki-zx-14r-once-and-all

Ewok1958 wrote:The comments prompted a visit to Mr Google.  Quite an interesting read but it would have been nice to see a third bike involved, eg S1000RR, Aprilia RSV4 or Dugati Panigale.

http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/suzuki-hayabusa-vs-kawasaki-zx-14r-once-and-all

So Ewok, are you definitely going down this path, a ZX of some sort?
That 14 is a bloody quick bike.
Would you propose to use a ZX, or your bike of choice in this category, as a daily rider, or for touring on?
To each their own I know, and there`s no denying these things are amazing bikes, but do you think it would be good as a daily rider?

No, not yet definite about what I'm likely to do but am conscious that the Bandit is getting a little long in the tooth so I browse the sales a bit, just in case I can spot a bargain or maybe a future contender.

But I do not have a need for a daily ride as I'm semi-retired and I prefer to make the majority of my rides longer trips.  I'm still a bit up in the air over whether an adventure-tourer is the better option over a sports-tourer, only so it opens up more unsealed roads.  But I'm also not convinced I want to be a long way down a dirt road by myself (as my current riding mates don't ride these types of bikes) and have to recover from an off.  Hence, I prefer to concentrate on the sports-tourers.

I'm not sure at what age you're "too old" for something like a ZX14 but by the time I work out if I can afford one I might find I am past it!

Ewok1958 wrote:
I'm not sure at what age you're "too old" for something like a ZX14 but by the time I work out if I can afford one I might find I am past it!

I don`t think anyone is ever to old. Its only if the body can cope. I if there should so happen to be physical problem, as some people eventually end up with, a bike of that type could play havok with the body.
If your as fit as a Mallee bull, good luck to you. I`m jealous.

I know a few lads well into their 70`s, still doing track days on sports bikes, and very well I might ad.

I think it keeps you young and sharp at the same time. I personally think It keeps your motor neuron skills in tact, and is good for brain function.

I've ridden the previous model zx14 and gen1 busa. They are both good bikes. The 14 felt heavy at slow speeds especially in the steering department, the brakes however are light years ahead of the Bandit. The motor pulls as hard as the busa. Finish isn't as good though. The bus is good, but yes just like the zx14 you do have to hump the tank a little too reach the clipons. I'm 183cm and it fit me well. Downside is heat from the fairing. It is not a summer bike, but the engine kicks arse. It's an absolute recipe for no license. 

The zx12 still kills them all in the looks department

I found this this ad which seems to provide a good deal on a new FJR1300 ($17,990 2011 model??? - not sure if it isn't just an old ad that has been long since forgotten).



But then, $17,990 is still a lot of money.  And this ad shows that you can get a good 2nd hand 2011 VFR1200 with less than 10,000kms on it for $12,990 - $5k less.  I'm coming around to 2WA's way of thinking on big sports-tourers!

A note on the ZX14.  I went for a ride on Saturday and one of the more elderly gents had just bought a new ZX14. I talked to him about it. He said the power and handling was awesome. It was however a bit of a strain on the wrists. I asked if he could get risers, but he showed me the gap to the fairing near the screen. Very minimal.


ps.  You're going to get a sore foot Dave, from all this tyre kicking.