Pics pretty much tell the story.
77,000k's approx. (Speedo in miles, shows just over 48,000)

Work that's been done in the last month or so:

New heavy duty clutch springs.

New clutch plates.

New Godiva dark tinted screen.

New Michelin Tyres.(Pilot Sport front, Pilot Road 2 rear)

Full service including oil, filter, plugs, coolant etc.

Carbs rebuilt.

New fuel lines.

Seats re-skinned with new matching vinyl, plus front seat has extra 10mm layer of padding added for those long trips. Made a huge difference to the comfort.

Rear stalk indicators removed and rear outer lights wired as indicators instead. Centre red lights modified for light/brake dual bulbs. Much cleaner look. Passed it's last WOF with this set-up no problems.

Cons:

1) Someone prior to me owning it has tried to push the fuel cap down without turning the key and therefore dented the tank lip where the catch hooks onto it. This means it doesn't sit down flush and you get a whiff of fuel every now and then. Still seals.

2) Bike fell over about 3 weeks back while getting it out of the carport and has scratched the left side. Only minor on the mirror, indicator and fairing, and nothing is bent. Will get pics up of that when I get back next week.

3) Needs new mirrors, the inside has corroded and there are patches flaked off the reflective surface behind. Shouldn't be much to get replacements from a wrecker, or OEM's off the net.

=====================================

Won't be available to view until next week as I'm not going to be home till then. Feel free to ask questions.

I'm looking to upgrade to a larger sports/tourer so trades/deals considered. $4500 ONO.

Cheers.

D.

Click to view attachment

Another view.

And just oooone more. ;)

How long have you had it? ... And what are you replacing it with :)

I've had it for about 5 months. But ever since the girlfriend started coming along it just hasn't been big enough.
I've been looking at anything from the TL1000, VFR750, Triumph Sprint, right up to xjr1200's, GS1200ss, GSXR1100 and even a 919 Fireblade. Main attribuutes I'm looking for are more legroom, power to weight equal to or more than the RF(harder than you'd think actually, even for an old girl) and able to handle two-up and long trips easily. :)

Smoky knows someone with an RF900 that is looking for a new home. That would be enough grunt to get you around :)

Yeah enough grunt. But the dimensions aren't much different. About an inch longer in the wheelbase. Passenger room and the high footpegs are cramped same as mine unfortunately. :(

There is a guy up here who had a GS1200, Jamie, Ok if they are your sort of a boat. He had stylesd?? it a bit at the front, made it what he wanted. Sold it not so long ago, needed the dosh, would have been a good buy if it was you :)
Smoky has a Bandit 1200. Its a Suzuki what more can I say.
Once again suits him. He is no feather weight, so the suspension was wanting. He spent a 'little' on some ohlins. Considered that the rest of the bike suited him, any upgrade he would always encounter suspension problems so spent the $'s and now who knows. He hasnt had it back a week. But as a tourer, plenty of grunt without getting silly. Just depends what you can live with !!

Oh .. didnt mention Smoky's Bandit is the 1200S, so has the top fairing.
All sweet to keep the wind off you and make a long ride that much more enjoyable :)

Yeah I don't mind the GS1200. The top fairing is a bit overboard, but they modelled it on the mid to late 80's GP bikes so it fits the bill. It could be easily modified.
How heavy and tall would Smoky be ya reckon? I'm 182cm and 103kg if that's of any help. Have been looking at the bandits as well, definitely an 's' model too, although in my opinion they lack a little character. I don't mind the retro muscle bike look. CB1100, CB1300, XJR1200, Bandit 1200S etc...(i could go on). Something with old school 'sportiness'(read: low to mid-range grunt) and modern functionality but not an all-out cruiser.

I see you ride a VFR750. How have you found that to be? Would it handle my weight and/or two-up well?

I think you'll find the pillion seat lacking on the GS1200, and the engine restricted more than the bandit.
You can pick bandits up cheap as - hornets would be ok except they're a Honda.

What about something like this?

Similar shape/look to the RF, as far as i've heard alright for the pillion, and depending on whether its an early (130hp/240kg) or late (120hp/260kg) 1986 model the power/weight ratio is similar.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/M...n-162569498.htm
I'm sure Warr will know more than me bout the VFR but thats my two cents for now :P

The VFR .... Well I'm less than 85 kg, still I hope. Pillion would be another ~60.
She doesnt like to be on the back if its a 'sport's ride, so she is only there for touring. And the VFR is fine.
The problem with the VFR is it hasnt had the same engine development as the IL4's the likes of the GSXR's so today a GSXR750 is a much more potent machine than the VFR.
Really depends on what sort of riding you want to do.
The VFR's lack of HP slots it back more as a tourer, where there are plenty of owners happy to use it just like that.
The trouble with my VFR is age. When you have an opps its another visit to the plastic welder to try and fix it.

That VF1000R is too old.. in my mind anyway, unless you are an enthusiast.

Get something newer. The Hornet, you get alot of bang for your buck, no fairing but you can fit an aftermarket bikini one.

How do I find the VFR. Well pretty good. Loves the windies - being a '90 model it doesnt owe me zillions of $ which suits me.

That's a lot of dosh for an old bike - 1986?

I was more thinking of my suggestion as "along the lines of this" as opposed to this specific bike.
I just mentioned the info about the 86 model cauz i noticed he made a point of wanting a bike with a similar or better power/weight ratio.
Do they still have a VFR1000? Or is that now the new hornet and they only have a VFR800 new?
How much are you willing to spend danboy? Like you thinking new or used?

I'm looking at a max of about $7500. Would prefer about $6500 (allows me to get some add-ons). There seems to be plenty available in that bracket, it's just a matter of wich one. :)

Ok, so I've test ridden a GS1200ss(2002, low k's, $6000), GSF1200 Bandit(no bikini fairng, 1999, 35k, $6495), Triumph 955 RS(2000, 40,000k's with extras and pipes etc, $7500) and a Ducati 900ss(2000, 60,000k's, belts tensioners, major servicing been done, ducati titanium pipes etc).
Results:

GS1200SS - Nice and torquey. Smooth, not as fast as me little RF, very narrow rear. Not so good on a long run. Not so good for two up or pack rack due to the angle. Good wind protection though. More upright seating position. Kinda top heavy. Slow turn in and doesn't like to lean far(relatively speaking). So that's a no go. A shame 'cause they're cheap.

GSF1200 Bandit - Once again torquey. Same engine as above but larger carbs and more sporty tune. Got some oomph this one. I would say its on a par with the RF speed wise, but low to mid range outstrips the little 600 and it wouldn't even notice a pillion or gear. Wider seating for both. More padding too. More sporty position. Pretty compact bike though even though it's fairly weighty. Easy to ride, no surprises. Would be the most practical and second cheapest, just doesn't pull on the heart strings. Kinda plain.

Triumph 955 RS - Bright yellow. hmm....safe I guess lol. Sporty seating position, more so than the 955 ST or Ducati ST2. Goes well, stops well. Handles well, although felt a little top heavy at slow speed compared to the Bandit. But nothing major. Was a nice seat, plenty of room. Felt like it had more room for a pillion than the bandit although that could jut have been the different style of bike. Had aftermarket pipe and the ECU updated. Nice sounding howl at revs. Build quality was pretty good too. Not so cheap though and parts and servicing could get pricey.

Ducat 900SS - The sound! mmmmmmm....yeah those titanium pipes did it for me. I don't think it would have mattered if the bike was wrecked or used 20 litres of fuel per km, I'd still love it. lol. Anyway back to reality. Same price as the Triumph. Sounded better. Very short and light feeling bike, although strangely there was heaps of room for my GF on the back and it didn't sag at all. Don't like the suicide stand. Would have to modify that Italian blunder. Goes hard. Sounds hard. Rides...well not bad actually. Thought it would've shaken me to pieces, but it was compliant, stopped VERY well and with my limited experience...it flip flopped through corners like they weren't even there. Nice. If it was based on pure musical note of the exhaust this would win...however I don't think that's enough at this stage.
Placings:

1st - Bandit (Reliable. Torquey with sports leanings. Smooth. Roomy. Good price. Fits my current situation)
2nd - GS1200ss (as above, but less room and narrow, but mainly just price...so damn cheap)
3rd equal - 900SS and 955 RS (Both same price and year. 955 more practical to ride, 900SS outhandles it and sounds the shizz!)
p.s. If money and pillion situation weren't an issue? Ducati.

Dan.

nice write up.

Obviously I picked the hornet when I went through this descision .. but the bandit was in second place without any doubt.

It such a shame the ducati 900SS is so low on power (only 80 bhp) it would be such a nice bike other wise .. if only it had say . .120 bhp

The GS1200 just doesn't do it for me at all !!! looks way to retro or something ... just can't stand the styling :)

955 .. beautiful ... horrible servicing prices tho' :( .. but triumph holds a soft spot in my heart :D

Personally the hornet was more nibble than the bandit, but less torquey .. no problems here, I like riding the revs. The bandit was just a bit too heavy for my liking.
However, the bandit will win if the competition is long touring, with a pillion .. much more comfortable over a distance I would think

Gee too much truth serum  .... dont let Pete read all that :)

Dan, Have you been out on a Hornet ?

Haven't been out on a hornet yet no. Might have to look into it. Would once again depend on price. I've noticed they're generally about $1000~$1500 more thaan I can afford? And only a 900 as well, compared to the 1200 Bandit.

Hmm, it would seem that the Hornet is nearly 40kg's lighter and has more power and torque(abeit being higher in the rev range). Good 'ole 919 Fireblade engine. Might be worth a look. Still, because they only manufactured from 2000, the price is just that much more than a Bandit.

The Hornet is injected and a newer design than the Bandit.
Sounds like you need to head out on one.
Price wise I have seen them come up pretty reasonable and could be worth paying more coin for something injected.
Down side is the lack of factory fairing. But TA has made a couple of easy mods, lower bars & after market screen.
Head on over to hams sometime and check his out.

Yeah might have to. Unfortunately I can't make more money come out of no-where. So unless Hornets come down $1500, it's not gonna happen. :(

you have seen drews right?
Linky

Ooo now I have! Nooice! REALLY gotta find a buyer for mine lol. I like the mods he's done.

Hmm, just read a bit further and he's had a few offs on it and the oggies have damaged the engine casing resulting in it needing to be welded etc. Plus he's changed where the exhaust is. He also mentioned he changed bikes because he was going to be doing more two-up(read: a mair on the back) and taking it easy. lol. Don't think I'm so keen now. We'll see. :)

Heres one for you ?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/M...n-161891553.htm

Hey that's a nice motorbikkie. :) Love the questions. Have to watch that one I think. Specially being a diesel powered one. lol. ;)

Sold!!

Wicked