Go Back   Two Wheel Fix > Riding > Street

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-16-2008, 03:31 PM   #1
No Worries
Keyboard Racer
 
No Worries's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mile High City
Moto: Old Superbikes
Posts: 1,016
Default How do you know which bike to buy?

How did you figure which bike to buy? Or how are you determining which bike to get next? Do you read reviews in magazines? Sit on them at the dealer and decide which feels best? Which one looks the best? Which one has the highest HP? The fastest? The most expensive? A Gixxer because all the stunters use them? The best according to the internet?

I like to read magazine reviews. I have a bunch of Zerox boxes full of motorcycle magazines from the late 70's to the mid 90's. I recently saw a 1995 Yamaha YZF750 for sale. I dug through my mags and found the April, 1996 issue of Motorcyclist Magazine where they compared the YZF against the GSX-R750 and ZX-7R.

The new (at the time) lightweight GSX-R won the competition. But to me, it wasn't the best bike. The Yami had the best brakes, made the least HP, only 103, had the best fit and finish, had the smoothest-shifting tranny, was the largest and roomiest, had the biggest fuel tank, and the best wind protection.

The Suzuki had to stay between 10,000 and 13,000 to go 2 full seconds quicker around the track than the Yamaha. It was also a half second quicker in the 1/4 mile. So if one only looked at the track and 1/4 mile time, the Suzuki is the winner. But I read deeper into the article and I actually ride on the streets, so the Yamaha was the winner for my tastes.

By the way, when I started looking through my magazines and finally found the right magazine, after looking through all the other articles, the bike had sold. Maybe next time.
No Worries is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 03:41 PM   #2
DLIT
Clit Commander
 
DLIT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Las Vegas
Moto: 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S
Posts: 4,189
Default

Since all the major bikes are fairly close, except for Kawi, looks have a big part of it for me. Everybody has a GSXR and Honda's don't have a slipper clutch. I also read past reviews and forums to see what problems they have and see if the maker has corrected the problem. Like Yamaha with the R6's bearing problems. Fixed for '08 and the mid-range is more powerful. The R6 will be my next bike. Just don't know what year yet. It'll be an '08+, but it'll also be another two years before my bike's paid off.
__________________
Dress for the crash.
Not the ride.

DLIT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 04:24 PM   #3
NONE_too_SOFT
Chopstix / \
 
NONE_too_SOFT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Akron OH
Moto: 03 CBR RR
Posts: 5,350
Default

I looked at the price tags first.

then i looked at the ones i liked.

Then i looked at the ones i didnt like as much.

Then i bought the one i like that felt comfy and was in my price range.
NONE_too_SOFT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 05:34 PM   #4
vabarber2
ICON FTW!!!
 
vabarber2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: VA, but currently in the sand
Moto: 00GSXR6
Posts: 1,380
Default

Price, then looks, then you have to sit on em and realy go off of feel! Because all the manufacturers are keeping them neck and neck as far as performance!! I do read the reviews, but i would rather get a personal review from a friend because i know theyre style and what they're looking for so I ususaly try to find that first! Good thread!

Last edited by vabarber2; 03-16-2008 at 05:37 PM..
vabarber2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 06:00 PM   #5
OTB
The Man
 
OTB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CrabTown USA
Moto: 00 Bimota DB4
Posts: 823
Default

Where to start............

In my youth (yes, I WAS young once) I would read and research and all that stuff.

Now I look for deals on interesting bikes; buy for price and resale, knowing that I'll be riding another one in a couple of weeks or months. Most of the fun for me is in riding and comparing all the great stuff out there. There really are damn few BAD bikes.
OTB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2008, 07:04 PM   #6
azoomm
moderator chick

 
azoomm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hill Country TX
Moto: Pasta Rockets
Posts: 8,917
Default

My current bikes don't really count - they were part dream... part making things simple. One bike can serve parts to another so I don't ever have all bikes down. So, if something happens, I can order parts / snag parts and always have one running.

I'm right now researching motards... KTM is winning. That, primarily because they are run internationally through deserts, ponds, snow, everything and don't die...
__________________
We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"?

Come Play at the Track!!

http://www.elitetrackdays.com
azoomm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:35 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.