Ok, they're not exactly "sportbikes" per se, but I'm thinking of purchasing one of them in the near future. I've used the search feature on both bikes here, I've read as many articles as I can on both, but I'm still no closer to figuring which would turn out the better buy. I respect all of your opinions, so I'd figure what better group of folks to ask?
For the Kawi: looks tough, comfortable riding position (well, in comparison to my bike at least), proven motor, decent all rounder, possibly better for two up on those rare occasions I can coax my wife onto the back, may handle the highway with less stress?
Against the Kawi: Dated motor, will I grow to despise the 8 valver? It's another inline 4, and out of the three bikes I've owned, that's all I've ever had. Not the best power output for a 750, but does it matter?
For the Suzook: All I've heard is FUN, FUN, FUN! Might be cool to try out a V-twin, good riding ergos, very cool looking. Also spoken of as a true all rounder. Makes around the same power as the ZR.
Against the Suzook: Might it be really stressed on the highway? Is it smallish in stature compared to the Kawi? Passenger accomodations look pretty poor. Despite it's fun factor, will I wake up one day and feel it's too small? I dunno...
The kind of riding I do is fairly well mixed. My commute to work is only 5-6 miles each way all 50 mph flat and straight rural type roads. My usual highway jaunts are 20-30 minutes in length, however it would be nice to know longer trips aren't impossible with either of these machines. I really dislike the way my CBR buzzes hard on the highway. It's like it's really working, even though the motor's only at 6000 rpm, and it can do much more than 80 mph. I guess it just seems too uncomfortable and stressed out on the highways. Almost no twisties around, but I'd like to be able to handle them should I ever find some. On weekends, I ride pretty much wherever I want to go which means both highways and urban traffic. I'm 5' 10", and 180-190 lbs.
Obviously, both of these bikes will depreciate very quickly, as most Japanese bikes tend to, so I'll be needing to hang on to it for a decent amount of time. I like these two because both seem to offer a lot for the bucks, which is the absolute most I can eek out right now and probably for a LONG time. And I won't finance a bike that I can only ride 5 mos. out of the year.
Right now, I'm really starting to dig the looks of the ZR7, and I didn't think too much about it at first. However, I'm afraid to commit to it for fear of a queasy feeling every time I see an SV go by. Like "I knew I shoulda tried the V-twin" Or conversly, I might be roosting around on the SV thinking "man, this isn't as comfortable as I thought it was going to be, I shoulda got the bigger Kaw"
I won't be revalving forks or adding suspension bits, and the motors will stay stock except perhaps for a pipe and possibly rejetting. So I'm torn- and test rides around here just don't happen.
So, as is, bone stock- which would you throw a leg over and why? This 5 large is a LOT of money to me, so I'd appreciate your honest input. Yeah I know- "save up and buy an GSXYRZ1500" or whatever, but these two appeal to me more and more than the latest plastic does, and plus, I can't afford the others anyway.
So thanks for the insight!
'cane
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