Looking to get our first big bike.  But I need something that can be 
ridden through winter on a daily commute.  I read quite a bit about 
bikes suffering quite badly with road salt (never seem to read this 
about cars).

I've got it down to a couple of bikes, a Honda CBF500 or a Kawasaki 
ER6-f (the SV650 looks like a sporty position from the pictures I've 
seen).  Naturally different sales guys tell me that one is crap and the 
other is great depending on which he's trying to flog.

Do either of these have the build quality to make it through winter?

The ER6-f, looks like a much more modern and possibly fun bike to ride. 
  But for the next 3-4 months that's going to be less of an issue.

I've noticed that the ER6-f meets the latest stringent emission regs, 
where as the CBF500 is a carb.  Anybody heard if bikes are going to be 
hit with the same emissions taxes that are hitting car drivers?

Regards,

Tim B

On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:01:07 +0100, Tim wrote:

> Looking to get our first big bike.  But I need something that can be 
> ridden through winter on a daily commute.  I read quite a bit about 
> bikes suffering quite badly with road salt (never seem to read this 
> about cars).

I've been riding my XJ900F through winter for 10 years now.
Just rinse it down with fresh clean water each day, especially the brakes,
and wash weekly.


-- 
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On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:01:07 +0100, Tim wibbled forth:

> Looking to get our first big bike.  But I need something that can be
> ridden through winter on a daily commute.  I read quite a bit about
> bikes suffering quite badly with road salt (never seem to read this
> about cars).
> 
> I've got it down to a couple of bikes, a Honda CBF500 or a Kawasaki
> ER6-f (the SV650 looks like a sporty position from the pictures I've
> seen).  Naturally different sales guys tell me that one is crap and the
> other is great depending on which he's trying to flog.
> 
> Do either of these have the build quality to make it through winter?
> 
> The ER6-f, looks like a much more modern and possibly fun bike to ride.
>   But for the next 3-4 months that's going to be less of an issue.
> 
> I've noticed that the ER6-f meets the latest stringent emission regs,
> where as the CBF500 is a carb.  Anybody heard if bikes are going to be
> hit with the same emissions taxes that are hitting car drivers?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Tim B

I had a ZX7r that was fine through 2 winters apart from the <WARRANTY
CLAIM> exhaust. It was a high mileage item :)

2 years before premature demise :( (17 year old and corsa/nova! Not too
sure. It was certainly hard and hurty :( pods - tank etc! )

I would presume that both of the listed items would survive just as well.
Pick one you fancy and go with it. SV650 however is possibly the best
giggle for the money!

From a punter point of view
SV650 = fun
ER6 = Reliableish ploder
CB Whatever = Boring as hell (but reliable! Jesus had one! Its still
going!)





-- 
davethedave

> I had a ZX7r that was fine through 2 winters apart from the <WARRANTY
> CLAIM> exhaust. It was a high mileage item :)
> 
> 2 years before premature demise :( (17 year old and corsa/nova! Not too
> sure. It was certainly hard and hurty :( pods - tank etc! )
> 
> I would presume that both of the listed items would survive just as well.
> Pick one you fancy and go with it. SV650 however is possibly the best
> giggle for the money!
> 
> From a punter point of view
> SV650 = fun
> ER6 = Reliableish ploder
> CB Whatever = Boring as hell (but reliable! Jesus had one! Its still
> going!)
> 
> 
ER6 a plodder!  Only had a quick test ride on one and it was pretty 
nippy.  But to put that into context, I'm currently on a CG125.

 From what I remember the SV650 has a lower top speed in Used Bike Guide 
than the ER6...  Might have a mooch over to MCN and compare.

Regards,

Tim