Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

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Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Hi Taran,

Kawasaki are quickly gaining notoriety for expensive spares and service costs. IIRC, Kawasaki recommends service every 6000km or 6 months whichever is earlier. While Triumph recommends service at 10000km or 1 year, whichever is earlier. Honda will still be cheaper to maintain. The cost of maintaining a superbike is substantial and I would suggest that you do a lot of research on this aspect before you take the plunge.

Coming to the options you have shortlisted, I have riding experience with only the street triple. That bike is just perfect! Its easy to ride, but it has enough performance to keep even experts happy. You will have a lot of fun on BIC with it. Since your main purpose is street riding and you prefer naked bikes, the Triumph ticks all boxes. If I were in your place, I would save money and go for a street triple.

To answer your final question, you do get used to riding a heavier motorcycle with time. But it is much easier to flick around a 166kg Street Triple in traffic or around a corner at BIC rather than the 214kg GSX S750.

Hope this helps.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Yeah I agree with shumi too. Even though street triple might feel pricey but trust me brother.. you do not want to let go of the bike even when you are old. It is a bike which can be passed down from one generation to another. Triumphs engines are as good as they come. With service interval of one year it’s a keeper.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Thanks for the advice! I am looking at the maintenance cost for sure, and Honda beats everyone hands down. I test rode the CBR 650F yesterday, it's a lovely bike, ultra smooth power delivery, but i'm still in two minds due to the fairing though and no electronics. If only they had the naked version in India..

You are spot on, the triple is the best thus far except for the price point.

I have ruled out the z900, it's brilliant but i felt it has too much raw power for my experience and did not appeal to me much for some strange reason.

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Thanks for your inputs! I do intend to keep the bike i buy for many years

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

So Taran, have you made up your mind yet?

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Not yet. Heart says triumph, but it's out of budget.
I need to take another test ride of the suzuki and am also waiting for a detailed road test from the experts.

Most budget friendly option is the z650, but i can wait for a bit and then take the call and see if a good second hand deal is available on a Striple.

Will happily share any update or confirmation news whenever it happens

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Looking forward to the good news soon brother and yes I was about to suggest the same superbike group is full of striples, you might want to check the group out.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Hi friend, i'm using cbr250r
And recently i've booked my cbr650f before the launch of gsx s750.. but now I'm confused between these 3 bikes.. z900,gsx750 and cbr650f.

I have ridden both kawasaki and honda.. kawasaki z900 felt bit aggressive in terms of power, i think 125bhps of raw power is too much for delhi traffic, bike looks good but quality isn't up to the mark!

On the other hand Honda has more road presence and has better built quality as compared to kawasaki, spares and service cost is almost half of the z900.. As honda is known for its smoother engines and great reliability but somewhere i felt the bike has vibrantions after 4000rpm and this making mee pulling my mind from this bike.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

The Suzuki has the best tech on the bike compared to the 3 with traction control, low rpm assist and a few more things, and yes weight is a problem but it will be cheaper than the Z for sure and on par if not cheaper than Honda being a naked CKD unit.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

And what about the spares and services of suzuki.. is it cheap as honda?

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

It is CKD soo my assumption that it surely must be cheaper, not sure, I could be wrong.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

No idea on spares, but service cost is way higher for Suzuki. Not only is it every 4 months, the cost quoted to me by the sales guy was 6-7k per service. The Honda is much cheaper per year to own. First service being 2923, then probably zero for the second one in 6months, and the 3rd one being around 3-4K max as per the Honda sales rep. From what i've gathered, Honda spares are also not very expensive.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Nice discussion, interested to join you guys. Again I only own a Cbr 250 for now and would like to upgrade. I believe Kawasaki z900 only need to consider if you need that much raw power, otherwise you are going to have expensive maintenance cost. I used to read all these bikes ownership reviews. If you are a matured driver who will do a relaxed driving and like to keep the bike for some years, Honda or triumph is the best choice. Suzuki will b great with engineering but service outlets are less and service costs are going to be high, when inazuma was around I checked the parts price.
Honda CBR 2017 version is great. That engine is not butter smooth like other inline 4 but it's a progressive engine. After 1-2 services, engine had alot of improvement on earlier model.
So when we invest on bike, than our interest we should keep an eye on the practical side and service cost. Just check olx, you will see alot benelli, Harley bikes with less km in odo. So for me triumph bournville series or Cbr 650 any time.

Re: Need help in choosing first big bike (above 600 cc)

Ya, the Honda was fine but I'm more keen on a naked, hence the delay in decision. I love the Suzuki but not sure due to spares and servicing. Not into cruisers in general so haven't considered the Triumph classics and Street twin, yet. One alternate is to pick up the z650, as it is reasonably priced and then sell it off after a couple of years and buy a second hand triple 765 or any new offering then.