My next bike advice...

KarGo

KarGo

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Sold my 1989 FZR400, great first bike.

I loved the bike, however decided I could save my insurance money over the winter months to upgrade. Only thing I didn't like about the bike was the peaky rpm.

Looking for similar weight and handling
- Possible stunting (Leaning towards a supermoto)
- Bike that is not part of the prohibited blacklist
* Preferably inline engine
* Preferably 400cc+
* Preferably Sports, sports touring, dual sport, supermoto, standard bikes

Under 20yrs and i'm with The Personal Insurance.
Was looking at some:

DRZ400 - They are not good for highway riding (too revvy)
GS500 - Considered it, but it seems to have a lot of problems- battery, carb, oil bolt, etc...

Looking for a updated looking bike with reasonable insurance.
Any suggestions?

Ps. I have for sale 2006/07 R6 tail section I was planning to put on this bike.
Thanks,
 
Last edited:
Kargo93 said:
GS500 - Considered it, but it seems to have a lot of problems- battery, carb, oil bolt, etc...
Click to expand...

Their problem is the squishy suspension, riding position, battery and airbox+exhaust. Their carbs, engine, oil bolt, etc are all amazing and as long as you keep the chain lubed and clean, and the oil topped up you shouldn't have to do anything (maybe a rejet, as they come lean from factory as-is.)

They are pretty ugly though (IMO.) Plus they aren't really an upgrade from an FZR400. The FZR400 is an inline 4, whereas the GS is an inline 2 cylinder. The FZR makes something like 65HP whereas the GS500 makes 40-45 and weights about the same. The suspension is also a lot worse on the GS.
Check out the Triumph Street (not speed, speed is the 1050cc) Triple or Daytona 675, or the v-twins, or anything above 600cc. Maybe an FZ6?
 
DRZ400 with mod kit.
lol, you were going to stunt a gs500.
Also an older F3 or F4 can serve your purpose.
 
[SUB][/SUB]
PSY said:
DRZ400 with mod kit.
lol, you were going to stunt a gs500.
Also an older F3 or F4 can serve your purpose.
Click to expand...

Agreed on the F4. I currently ride an 08 gsx-r 750 and rode a buddies 03 F4i,very low end torque on the F4i which would be great if stunting is in the future and fairly comfy as well,best of luck on the decision and ride safe
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I called my insurer F4i is considered a supersport: can't insure it(The personal Insurance). Just to get a perspective on things I got some quotes on other bikes:
[TABLE="width: 405"]
[TR]
[TD]Year[/TD]
[TD]Brand[/TD]
[TD]Model[/TD]
[TD]CC[/TD]
[TD] Liability [/TD]
[TD]Theft fire[/TD]
[TD] Collision [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2010[/TD]
[TD]Honda[/TD]
[TD]CBR Abs[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1330[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1992[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2011[/TD]
[TD]Honda[/TD]
[TD]CBR[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1393[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1483[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2219[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2008[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]GS[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]500[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2515[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2610[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4597[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2005[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]SV[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]650[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2786[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2951[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2007[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]DRZ[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]400[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1240[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1412[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2006[/TD]
[TD]Yamaha[/TD]
[TD]FZ6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]600[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2602[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2700[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


I'm strongly leaning towards a DRZ, but afraid it will not be good for longer distance riding/ highway. Anyone else under 20, with a bigger cc bike with insurance under 2k?
 
Sabex said:
Their problem is the squishy suspension, riding position, battery and airbox+exhaust. Their carbs, engine, oil bolt, etc are all amazing and as long as you keep the chain lubed and clean, and the oil topped up you shouldn't have to do anything (maybe a rejet, as they come lean from factory as-is.)

They are pretty ugly though (IMO.) Plus they aren't really an upgrade from an FZR400. The FZR400 is an inline 4, whereas the GS is an inline 2 cylinder. The FZR makes something like 65HP whereas the GS500 makes 40-45 and weights about the same. The suspension is also a lot worse on the GS.
Check out the Triumph Street (not speed, speed is the 1050cc) Triple or Daytona 675, or the v-twins, or anything above 600cc. Maybe an FZ6?
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was just worried because every week there would be a post on gs500 issues.
 
Kargo93 said:
decided I could save my insurance money over the winter months to upgrade.
Click to expand...
Let me know how that works out for ya! You pay about $50 insurance total for Nov to March, so you probably ain't gonna save much.

-Jamie M.
 
Kargo93 said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I called my insurer F4i is considered a supersport: can't insure it(The personal Insurance). Just to get a perspective on things I got some quotes on other bikes:
[TABLE="width: 405"]
[TR]
[TD]Year[/TD]
[TD]Brand[/TD]
[TD]Model[/TD]
[TD]CC[/TD]
[TD] Liability[/TD]
[TD]Theft fire[/TD]
[TD] Collision[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2010[/TD]
[TD]Honda[/TD]
[TD]CBR Abs[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1330[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1992[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2011[/TD]
[TD]Honda[/TD]
[TD]CBR[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]250[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1393[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1483[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2219[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2008[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]GS[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]500[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2515[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2610[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4597[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2005[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]SV[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]650[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2786[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2951[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2007[/TD]
[TD]Suzuki[/TD]
[TD]DRZ[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]400[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1240[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1412[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]2006[/TD]
[TD]Yamaha[/TD]
[TD]FZ6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]600[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2602[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2700[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


I'm strongly leaning towards a DRZ, but afraid it will not be good for longer distance riding/ highway. Anyone else under 20, with a bigger cc bike with insurance under 2k?
Click to expand...


...you are with the personal?

I was with them and after ONE claim (no fault) they refused to insure any kind of motorcycle. Just a heads up, they are good during a claim but after it is processed you might as well change companies. Check with jevco for a 98-01 vfr 800 they should give a good rate for it.
 
Kargo93 said:
I don't know... The personal is prorated so I pay $150 each month. So I am actually going to be saving 5months*150= 750, if I started to ride next march.

Thanks silverbullet132 for the heads up.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but the $150 a month is used up mostly in the summer months. Just ask your agent, she'll let you know how much you owe them if you cancel for the winter ;)

-Jamie M.
 
toysareforboys said:
Yeah, but the $150 a month is used up mostly in the summer months. Just ask your agent, she'll let you know how much you owe them if you cancel for the winter ;)

-Jamie M.
Click to expand...

Oh well, if I kept the bike I'd be paying for it till next august (renewal date). Its done with, now using the money I'd have spent on insurance for a upgrade. Going to start the insurance next March/ April
 
if the difference between an fz6 and a gs500 is $90/year... i say fz6 all the way. although not sure how good of a stunter the fz6 would be.

if stunting is a definite path you want to take, i would definitely recommend an f4i, as other above have. its cheap, parts are available, and its tried, tested and proven.
 
insert said:
if the difference between an fz6 and a gs500 is $90/year... i say fz6 all the way. although not sure how good of a stunter the fz6 would be.

if stunting is a definite path you want to take, i would definitely recommend an f4i, as other above have. its cheap, parts are available, and its tried, tested and proven.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am definitely going for a f4i after this bike. I don't think any insurer will like a 18 year old on a sport bike. I was going with very light stunting wheelies, stoppies... nothing too major
I decided up on a DRZ400, it should get the job done.
 
Kargo93 said:
Thanks, I am definitely going for a f4i after this bike. I don't think any insurer will like a 18 year old on a sport bike. I was going with very light stunting wheelies, stoppies... nothing too major
I decided up on a DRZ400, it should get the job done.
Click to expand...

for liability fire & theft i was paying:
$2800 for r6 - JR Duffy
$1800 for street triple - JR Duffy
$2000 for daytona 675 - statefarm

that was between ages 19-24 ish.

So, prices dont really differ all that much from what you are getting quoted over your next 7 years... you just have to find the right insurer that will cut you some slack.
I hear there is a drop at 25... but only time will tell.
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