Kawasaki Ninja 250cc and 600cc

[Pug]

I personally would suggest a big v-twin a la TLR1000/RSV1000, because they are pure win, but you may not be after that style of ride. Help us out here

and overlook the Honda SP-1 or 2 which were, basically, brilliant? As good as the RSV, with NONE of the Aprillia concerns...

Besides, i wouldn't recommend any twin for a new rider, for a start they're bloomin heavy (SP-1 rider here ) and the grunt they offer is perhaps a little much low down.

zx6/cbr6 would be good entry sports bikes imo

 

[Nebzor]

and overlook the Honda SP-1 or 2 which were, basically, brilliant? As good as the RSV, with NONE of the Aprillia concerns...

Besides, i wouldn't recommend any twin for a new rider, for a start they're bloomin heavy (SP-1 rider here ) and the grunt they offer is perhaps a little much low down.

zx6/cbr6 would be good entry sports bikes imo

I don't like the Honda as much as the RSV/TLR, hence why I suggested those two?

And as he's already said, he's ridden bikes before. He's not going to instantly die because he bought a v-twin.

 

[Pug]

I don't like the Honda as much as the RSV/TLR, hence why I suggested those two?

And as he's already said, he's ridden bikes before. He's not going to instantly die because he bought a v-twin.

fair-doo's but its a better sports bike than the TLR, and comparable to the RSV at its newer pricepoint it got towards the end of its life.

As for killing himself on a vTwin, its no more likely than on an IL4, but there are characteristics which are different (and they ARE heavier to manoeuvre). Didnt understand why he was considering a 250 if he wasnt a new rider, didnt have time to read it in detail, just skim read.

 

[fullspizz]

IIRC, Yamaha still sell the Thundercat over the pond. I would go for one of those, sports/tourer style, still makes plenty of poer (100hp) and doesn't chuck all your weight forward onto your wrists like most sports bikes.
After that there is the new Suzuki SV650F (fully faired).
All the sports bikes are pretty good, mate at work had a ZX6R and he says that it's just too uncomfortable for a very long blast. Another close friend has an R1, he loves it but says that you have to be watchful of it as it can catch you out very easily.

After approx 13yrs, I'm getting myself a Thundercat to get back into riding, then I may go for a GSXR600

 

[Flukester]

All the sports bikes are pretty good, mate at work had a ZX6R and he says that it's just too uncomfortable for a very long blast.

I think the day I don't buy a bike as it's 'too uncomfortable' I'll give up biking.. lets face it no bike except maybe the biggest tourers are even slightly comfortable on a long journey.

Remember doing about 600 miles in a day on TLR and it took me a week to stop aching.. felt like I had done 10 rounds with tyson.

 

[Avalon]

lets face it no bike except maybe the biggest tourers are even slightly comfortable on a long journey.

Come on the Bandit's like an armchair on wheels compared to most other things in the class for comfort and if you do 600 miles a day regularly you get used to it (ask any bike courier). I always said when I got old and couldn't ride a sports bike i'd either go for a VFR or a Bandit 1200 and if I couldn't manage one of those i'd probably start looking at the bunny suicide books for ideas