The next saga of my biking journey

[Ruffian]

See I'm surprised you say that, as usually 99%of the time Kawasaki set their bikes up far too hard and need softening up to dial them right.

I so love the Kawasaki bikes. But they are marmite either love em or hate them.
I would go and get another z750r in a heart beat as still miss that thing.
Could ride the nuts off it and still commute round town. Comfy to tour France and isle of man. And cheap.

Yes they sometimes are less spec than the other bikes but can I just point out that nowhere in this topic have I seen bike prices come into it??

[menzies3032]

Ruffian

Got to say I am with you was not expecting the z900 to be as good as it was and was a real shock. Compared to the GSX-S750 for fun, feel and ride ability there is no competition.

Interesting the subject of price is really important due to the way that I am buying the bike. As I am doing a lease hire deal it is all about the sale value and the depreciation over the 3 years. As the Kawasaki depreciates more then bikes like the MV or the BMW its in the same price point but for a lot less safety features, electrical aids etc which is why I wont be getting one and will be looking towards BMW I think.

Suzuki have been clever with the finance options that they are subsidising think they realise that their bike might not be up to the competition so try to win customers by offering a cheaper product in the same sector.

[menzies3032]

OK 6th and final bike review the Suzuki GSX-S750

Its a Suzuki so I am supposed to love it and to be fair it was not an unpleasant place to be but got to say of the 6 bikes that I rode it was 100% in last place. This whole experience of test riding different bikes and trying different manufactures and different cylinder bikes has really highlighted to me just how different a bike can be that on paper looks the same.

Anyway

The good bits
- Price cheapest by far thanks to Suzuki Finance option with this being £90 per month rather then £140 / £150 per month for everything else
- Although the screen was LCD not TFT the info was clear and easy to read
- The switch gear was easy to use and of a size that you did not push the wrong button with winter gloves on (as I did on the MT09)
- The bike sounded quiet at low revs and mid revs exhaust note sounded fantastic
- Was a good around town bike, did not over heat in traffic or at the lights and smooth at very low rpm

The bad bits
- Mid corner it felt on rails and like it locked into position which although stable did not feel a smooth experience
- No rider modes and traction control was very basic (3 modes rather then the 8 on the MV or BMW)
- No quick shifter or auto blipper
- Front mud guard and exhaust has poor styling and looks big and unsightly
- Rubbish wind protection everything above 60mph was getting battered
- Handle bars were in an odd position meaning even 30 minutes of riding started to hurt my hands
- Did not inspire any fun. It got you from A to B but unlike the z900 even flowing twisties did not inspire any form of smile

For anybody who is interested and would like to see my full review you can watch it here https://youtu.be/a3JoPV2_lhM
If you don't want to....... then don't ..... and don't click the link.

[billinom8s]

Where possible have you taken these bikes out on the same roads to be able to compare?

[menzies3032]

I could not do the same roads but have made sure that I did the same type of roads to compare. Everything has been tested on A roads with sweeping bends.
MV, MT09 and Z900 were Yeovil area
GSX-S was Bristol
765RS was Exeter
and BMW was Torquay

Just tried to find similar roads.

[Jug]

So it's gonna be the Beemer then I guess?

[Ruffian]

How about something like the ducati monster also though?

Or even as a curve ball husqvarna 701?

I know I'm going back to it but

£140x36months is £5040.
I would look for a similar price bike and try and get it with 0% finance over the 3 years?

For 5k would buy you alot of bike.

[Jug]

You're forgetting the £2k deposit (or whatever they call it) so it's £7,040 with nothing to show for it.

[Ruffian]

You're forgetting the £2k deposit (or whatever they call it) so it's £7,040 with nothing to show for it.

That hurts.

Could nearly buy a 790 duke outright for that money.
Or a couple of years old speed triple.

[billinom8s]

Ducati multistrada.

[Ruffian]

Ducati multistrada.

Agree do like the ducks,
(Always looks like a birds skull with the 2 openings on the front)

But they certainly hold their money.

[Ming]

You're forgetting the £2k deposit (or whatever they call it) so it's £7,040 with nothing to show for it.

That hurts.

Could nearly buy a 790 duke outright for that money.
Or a couple of years old speed triple.

New unregd 2019 Duke 790s available for £6999

Or do as I did, and get a low mileage 18 month old one for 5 grand. That's for a bike that's quick as anything A to B, has more rider "aids" than I know what to do with, does 70mpg and weighs as much as a fag packet.
I laughed more riding that last week than I have in a long time on way more expensive bikes. But, if you don't want to listen, plough your own furrow - no point in everyone being the same.

[menzies3032]

Guys i'm with you this is a lot of money but also remember that one of the big sells for me is that the pay out of the money is being spread out over 3 years rather then an upfront purchase. I realise this will not work for a lot of people but does work for me.

Although I like the idea of getting 0% finance I then need to do that on the full £10k rather then just paying for the depression.

As I said does not work for a lot of people but does work for me.

Before I make any final deals going to take your advise and have a go on a Ducati as your advise on the fun in twin engines was spot on.

So that I can make I could try and make a decision I thought about all the things that were important to me and then ranked each bike from 1 to 6 (6 being best)

[Ruffian]

Yea but rob what in saying is.

Pcp 36 months at £140 is 5040. So paying that is "lost money"

0% finance on a 5040 bike is £140 per month

BUT then have a £2500 bike in 3 years. Therefore only losing 2500.

To me losing half the money is a big bonus.


Like ming said. He bought an 18month one for £5000.
That will be worth £3750-4000 in 3 years time so only lost £1000. Especially if you could find a 0% finance deal

[Ming]

You can lead a horse to water......