I have had a couple 250s and am now after another bike. I'm 6 foot and 100kg so a bigger guy. Not keen on another 250. Have been looking at a 1987 transalp, 1989 revere, and a 2001 rf 400. Not wanting to spend a fortune, but don't want something that'll be high maintenance ideally. Can get my full next year, so need something to keep me going. Any thoughts?
muzz67,
May 5, 7:05pm
I know where theres a decent NX650.
budgel,
May 5, 7:32pm
How much?
muzz67,
May 6, 4:50am
2800
motorboy2011,
May 6, 6:39am
Nv400. Prob a slower top speed than the faster 250s bit far more torque down low, where you normally ride. Pity you're up north.
kazbanz,
May 6, 7:29am
Nick--the Suzuki GS500 is lams approved So is the newer er500 Kawasaki. oth are mid sized bikes and should be around the 3k mark
nick91111,
May 6, 3:33pm
Thanks all. Any thoughts on the bikes I mentioned originally?
nick91111,
May 6, 3:34pm
can't find any on here!
nick91111,
May 6, 3:35pm
Thanks Kaz. Gs500 seem popular but hard to find for a reasonable price because of it.
tigertim20,
May 6, 4:01pm
get a 650 twin in whatever style floats your boat.
the rf400 is an asthmatic POS imo.
nick91111,
May 6, 4:30pm
the one I've found has 97,000kms which puts me off too.
motorboy2011,
May 6, 5:42pm
Rf400
motorboy2011,
May 6, 5:44pm
Price aside, The pick of the bunch is a honda rvf400, which is on the lams list, but it shouldn't be. In all honesty buy whatever cheap, most lams approved bikes are overpriced.
nick91111,
May 6, 5:53pm
even with that mileage?
nick91111,
May 6, 5:54pm
that's the thing, plenty of cheap non lams approved bikes sadly!
motorboy2011,
May 6, 6:38pm
sorry that my my phone and my fat fingers.
johotech,
May 8, 4:07pm
DL650 is LAMS approved. Great bike for tall people & very comfortable for pillion as well.
Unfortunately they wouldn't win and handling competitions. Fine for normal riding though.
countrypete,
May 8, 6:05pm
DL650 in general is NOT LAMS approved. There is an underpower version, but there are very few of these around and they are not imported except to special order.
johotech,
May 8, 6:10pm
There are plenty available.
Probably out of their price range anyway.
gblack,
May 16, 7:51pm
Consider a test ride on a Hyosung GT650RL?
It's a relatively big bike (over 200kg), and available in LAMS legal form (54hp), but once you have a full license, you can get the throttle restrictor removed, the ignition remapped to provide the full 80hp. You can't do that with a lot of LAMS bikes.
I have a full license, but brought the LAMS model as that was all they had on the shop floor at the time new. Had it booked it to be derestricted the following week after buying, but after a few rides, found that in restricted form it was still quick enough to put me into instant license losing speed range (cough, while running in according to manual of course). So left it to be derestricted on first (1k) service. nice to get a 50% power bump but other than a few wheelys off the line, to be honest, don't really notice the power that much. Odd thing; fuel burn didn't change that much after dereg.
e.g.cat,
May 17, 8:55am
I am 6'2 and, until just recently, have been well over 150kg. I have been riding a 2010 KLR650 while waiting for my Full Licence. It has been absolutely fantastic. Big enough for a big lad (a taller screen was purchased immediately!) and easy to ride long or short distances. I have done a couple of trips down the west coast and it gets along really well. keeps up with the bigger boys and is great on gas too. I would recommend one to anyone wanting a LAMS bike for tripping about. Cheers Matt
ignition328,
May 17, 11:56am
I own a 2001 RF400, I find on longer trips the seat isn't super comfortable. They are a porky bike, you won't be pulling wheelstands everywhere but the dashclock, trip meter, fuel light etc all are quite nice. I've ridden a few bikes that don't have that and it's funny how you miss them. I'm not a big fan of the older honda V setups, I always land up having issues. Actually those older hondas in general are long in the tooth, get kinda sick of doing fork seals, steering head bearings and broken choke cables etc Depends how motivated you are when something breaks, lately I've not been feeling it and just hop on my beater 400.
nick91111,
May 17, 8:50pm
I have considered it. Haven't ridden one. I like the idea of having something I can get unrestricted down the track, and ideally hold onto longer rather than buy one, sell it and buy another. Just not sure on resale value and quality, mixed reviews. Also a bit dearer to buy, but again if I can keep it longer then it isn't such an issue.
I wish there were more 600s to keep under that dearer rego bracket!
nick91111,
May 17, 8:52pm
I've found a couple rf400s on here. One with 97000km, so not keen on that mileage, but I like that they're fully faired and seem reasonably priced. Are they a big enough bike, hard to tell as I haven't sat on or ridden one.
nick91111,
May 17, 8:54pm
Thanks for the advice. I like some of the dual purpose bike as they're a bit taller to sit on etc, but I need to test ride some first.
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