Skinny and naked

[Heep]

Does anyone know if there are any early- to mid-'90s equivalents to the bikes in the current Honda 599/Kawasaki Z750/Suzuki SV650/Yamaha FZ6 breed, other than the NT650 or GS500E (both seem impossible to find around here )?

[speediva]

Heep!!! Good to see you round these here parts of AF!!!

Mid-90s naked bikes are not nearly as common as those you mentioned in your post, but my bike (which goes by about 800 different names) can be found, and found for cheap most of the time. It's a Yamaha Seca II (in the US), XJ600S (some places), or a Diversion (mostly in Europe) but all are 600cc and have the top fairing (like the FZ6) but no lower fairing.

As for totally fairing-less... try Honda's Nighthawk (600 or 750), a Yamaha Virago, and I can't come up with any others off the top of my head, but there are some I'm missing from this list.

[jeffcoslacker]

[Heep]

Originally Posted by saturntangerine

Heep!!! Good to see you round these here parts of AF!!!

Mid-90s naked bikes are not nearly as common as those you mentioned in your post, but my bike (which goes by about 800 different names) can be found, and found for cheap most of the time. It's a Yamaha Seca II (in the US), XJ600S (some places), or a Diversion (mostly in Europe) but all are 600cc and have the top fairing (like the FZ6) but no lower fairing.

As for totally fairing-less... try Honda's Nighthawk (600 or 750), a Yamaha Virago, and I can't come up with any others off the top of my head, but there are some I'm missing from this list.

Awesome, thanks. I like the looks of the XJ600S (though I prefer the XJ600N), but hadn't heard of it before Not sure about availability around here though. I also just found the Suzuki Bandit and rather like it -- I'll add it to my search. There's also a few Monsters around, but the thought of parts/maintainance is scaring me a bit

The Nighthawk/Virago style is a little too generic for me, I think. I'm looking for a more sporting stance (more upright forks, higher tail, etc), but thanks for the thought...

As for the Hyosung...I like the things, but how long have they been selling in North America? I thought they were just new...

Thanks for the replies. I won't be getting anything until either this fall or winter, but I'd like to see all my options. Who knows, maybe I'll get go get a new one anyways

[jeffcoslacker]

That 650 is the same motor as the SV650, built under license from Suzuki, it's supposed to be a very good motor...Hyosung has only been here in recent years, but has been building bikes for the Asian market forever.

They are coming out with a very stylish cruiser here this year that features the same motor, should be interesting, it outpowers any of the 800 class crusiers. I'm keeping an eye on Hyosung...I hope they do well here. We could use a little cheap competition to push prices down a bit.

[speediva]

Heep, how could I possibly forget the Bandit!!! I wanted one for the LONGEST time when I was little! Great call. As for the Virago... based upon what you mentioned, I thought it might be a long shot, but it was worth mention. I finally fixed my aftermarket exhaust on my XJ and I LOVE the way it performs now (but I've put a LOT into it to get it there). It's like a whole new bike! I hope you find something you enjoy! Good luck!

[aussieidiot]

word of warning with the Hyosung

my old mans nieghbour bought one and it has been in to get "fixed" every second week.

he had a steering recall, a fuel leak from the tank seal, brake caliper snap and wouldn't start many times.

[Heep]

Originally Posted by aussieidiot

word of warning with the Hyosung

my old mans nieghbour bought one and it has been in to get "fixed" every second week.

he had a steering recall, a fuel leak from the tank seal, brake caliper snap and wouldn't start many times.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

BTW, is your avatar a picture of you on Eastern Creek?

[Racing Rice]

The Ninja 500 (semi-naked), Nighthawk, Seca, and GS500E are really the most common bikes out there. EXCELLENT choice for starter bikes too. Bandits 600s are also floating around. Of course you could also look into a Kawasaki ZR7 those are decent little (well not that little) bikes as well. I would love to have a Honda Hawk 650 but like you said those are hard to find and fairly pricey.

My vote goes for the 99-02 SV650 though. It is a great little motor and a ton of fun to ride. If you look around you can find them fairly cheap.

[Heep]

Originally Posted by Racing Rice

The Ninja 500 (semi-naked), Nighthawk, Seca, and GS500E are really the most common bikes out there. EXCELLENT choice for starter bikes too. Bandits 600s are also floating around. Of course you could also look into a Kawasaki ZR7 those are decent little (well not that little) bikes as well. I would love to have a Honda Hawk 650 but like you said those are hard to find and fairly pricey.

My vote goes for the 99-02 SV650 though. It is a great little motor and a ton of fun to ride. If you look around you can find them fairly cheap.

Yeah, not a big fan of the EX500 Ninja - just seems like the Kia Rio of bikes to me Also, it seems everyone who gets one is selling it to upgrade within no time at all...makes me wonder. Thanks for the recommendation though.

As for the 1st gen SV650, I'll probably consider them, but something about them - haven't put my finger on it yet - doesn't look right, or seems ugly to me. I much prefer the 03+.

Anyways, I've got several months at least before I'm looking to buy - I'll keep doing my research and watching the classifieds

[aussieidiot]

Originally Posted by Heep

BTW, is your avatar a picture of you on Eastern Creek?

yep. the exit of turn 9, a right hand hairpin

[Racing Rice]

Originally Posted by Heep

Yeah, not a big fan of the EX500 Ninja - just seems like the Kia Rio of bikes to me Also, it seems everyone who gets one is selling it to upgrade within no time at all...makes me wonder. Thanks for the recommendation though.

As for the 1st gen SV650, I'll probably consider them, but something about them - haven't put my finger on it yet - doesn't look right, or seems ugly to me. I much prefer the 03+.

Anyways, I've got several months at least before I'm looking to buy - I'll keep doing my research and watching the classifieds

I'm not sure why you call the EX500 a Kia Rio of bikes, but okay. Yeah, they aren't for everyone. The looks are a bit outdated and could handle a revamp, but they are bullet proof. Usually people that buy EX500s really want a full size Ninja to start with. It's actually a peppy little bike that is capable of tearing up the twisties with some suspension upgrades. It really just depends what you want out of the bike.

As for the 1st Gen SV, I agree.. I like the '03+ better myself. Plus, the '03s are FI.. I can't stand bikes with carbs anymore, personally.

[Heep]

Originally Posted by aussieidiot

yep. the exit of turn 9, a right hand hairpin

Sweet...I remember taking the turn a couple times, once in my old Rover (which had about the same lean angle as bikes, but opposite because of the body roll ), and later in a classic Mini Cooper S.

Great track

Originally Posted by Racing Rice

I'm not sure why you call the EX500 a Kia Rio of bikes, but okay.

I'm probably unfairly judging them from what I've seen, but they just seem to me to be a cheap bike that half of all bikers start on, then get rid of as soon as they can afford something better

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by Heep

Sweet...I remember taking the turn a couple times, once in my old Rover (which had about the same lean angle as bikes, but opposite because of the body roll ), and later in a classic Mini Cooper S.

http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...71C1A91329.htm

Seen this?

[aussieidiot]

bloody hell. i kept waiting to see him fall over or go bush