advice needed on new bike

Hi all,

just joined and already after advice! I know, always after something!

Thing is I passed my test years ago and immediately went out and bought an old ZXR750 H1, which terrified me, then broke my shoulder on a wet drain cover, handily placed in the middle of a corner. anyway long story short I switched to cruisers as I was not really bothered about speed but wanted to be comfortable, and I haven't looked back since.

Now however, I have had to scrap my old Virago and am saving up to buy something newer and bigger, but I find myself bikeless and I have a hankering to try something a but sportier for a season.

so basically im looking for some advice on what would work. I am not tall and have short legs so something with a low seat height would be good, comfort is important, power isn't so much, but it would be nice to be able to throw something into corners a bit more. so far ive been looking at CB600, SV650, Bandit, etc. but also considering an older sports tourer like a VFR or ZZR.

Any other options? any favourites? am i being stupid moving out of what im comfortable with?

Thanks for your help all

Alex

If your looking at bandits and SV650 then you should look at an FZ6 aswell. Great bike

I know it's smaller and a twin but what about a cbr500r great little sportster

I don’t mind small and I don’t mind a twin, but I don’t really fancy a full sports bike tbh. I’d rather something a little more upright position wise.

I have looked at a fazer yes, but I’m not a huge fan of half fairings. Underrated bike though by all accounts and could be a shout.

Well, after a cruiser almost any naked/sports/sports tourer will feel nimble, chuckable, nippy etc. And there are loads n loads of good bikes to choose from.

Are you looking to get brand new? Ex demo? A few years old?

What's your budget?

All the bikes mentioned above are worth a look.

If you don't have long legs you really need to find a dealer(s) with the bikes in your shortlist. Sit on them, test ride them, paddle around a bit like you're doing a 5 point turn in an alley - all bikes carry their weight in different places.

Inline fours are usually wider than twins/v4s etc which can be an issue - I'm 5ft9 shortish in the leg, I tend to avoid inline 4s for that reason.

Very much second hand and cheap! Around £1500 ish I would think. Nice info on inclines though ta. I hadn’t thought of that but it makes sense. I do prefer a wider tank that I can grip but I suppose it does effect the ability to put your feet down.

I’m going to have a looks t a few at a local dealer this weekend so we shall see.

Try sitting on a Triumph Sprint ST1050 or 955. Its a great do it all bike and there are some real bargains about especially the 955. I had one for years and loved it

Heres a good site to see if bikes fit http://cycle-ergo.com/

Hadn’t really considered the triumph but I will definitely have a look. I’d love to buy British if I can!

That website is brilliant. Thanks for that.