Underrated bikes

[KungFooBob]

Hidden gems, whatever you want to call them. The bikes that the reviews said were shit, but you bought them anyway.

I like buying slightly left field bikes, some of them were pretty average, exactly as the press described, but I fondly remember my Varadero.

Honda's attempt to grab a share of the ADV market dominated by the GS.

The Mk1 was a fugly, thirsty lump of a thing, but I flippin' loved my Mk2, with its 6th gear and EFI.

I'm seriously tempted by another.

Did you buy a ZX9 when the R1 came out, or a ZZR600 instead of a CBR?

What do you really rate that the rest of the world thinks is rubbish?

[weeksy]

Yamaha xt660x.

According to many they're not a proper supermoto and don't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath. But you know what, they're better! Faster in a straight line, corners well and has a proper tank range and service intervals.

Awesome

[Mr Moofo]

I bought two ZX9s ...
I never wanted an R1!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I had a 98 R1, it was fucking fantastic, kicked ZX9 arse.

[Skub]

I bought two ZX9s ...
I never wanted an R1!

That was to be my choice. Great engine and with a little attention,handled really well. The seat was a board,but I stuck in a gel pad and it was a very comfy bike too. I spent a week doing 400 - 600 mile days in Scotchland and it returned better mpg than the two Blackbirds riding with me.

They were cheap too,as people preferred the Blade and R1.

My 98 C1

[weeksy]

I had a 98 R1, it was fucking fantastic, kicked ZX9 arse.

I've owned 4 early <2002 R1s, a couple of 03s, several 05/06s

[KungFooBob]

I bought a 98 Blade when the rest of the world was buying R1's.

I bought an R6 when they were launched, based entirely on the mag reviews. I don't regret it for a second.

I also bought an FZR400 when all the mags said the CBR or VFR400's were the better bikes. The mags were full of shit.

Never trust the motorcycle press

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I had a 98 R1, it was fucking fantastic, kicked ZX9 arse.

I've owned 4 early <2002 R1s, a couple of 03s, several 05/06s

The first one was mental, it's the only one I've ridden, but I was faster on my 2002 GSXR750.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I bought a 98 Blade when the rest of the world was buying R1's.

I bought an R6 when they were launched, based entirely on the mag reviews. I don't regret it for a second.

I also bought an FZR400 when all the mags said the CBR or VFR400's were the better bikes. The mags were full of shit.

Never trust the motorcycle press

I still think the GK76 GSXR400 was the best 400, better than the FZR I had, better than the ZXR or NC30 that I tried.

[KungFooBob]

I had an NC24, it was shit.

I rode the FZR back to back with an NC30 from the shop. The FZR was so much better it was silly.

Was the GK76 the one with a proper round the motor frame rather than the up and over 750/1100 copy frame?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

GK76 was the last one, looked like a small version of your 1100, the engine was the best 400 I've ridden, handling was as good as the FZR, but handled differently to the FZR, the frame isn't as rigid as the FZRs.

[KungFooBob]

I was an avid reader of Grey Bike magazine, they reckoned the GSXR was shit. It was the only one I didn't ride myself.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Yep, loads of people say that, maybe it just suited me, but I loved my one, it was superb round Cadwell - got told to move from novice to inters on it. Though I don't think anyone over 5'8" would've fitted in it.

[Bigyin]

I had the G2 ZX6R when everyone said the R6 was the bike to have. Being taller the R6 felt tiny for me and the Kwacker felt more roomy and took it around the UK and France a couple of times



Then i tried the 636 B1H..... felt tiny, like a racebike with lights but again i was told i should buy the R6 or CBR600RR. Commuted on it , scratched and toured into Europe and Isle of Man. Loved that little bike once the rear shock was changed for a Nitron so it actually had some damping

[KungFooBob]

I rode an Orange (Canadian import) B1, it was alright, but that rev counter got right on my tits, it was so slow and unreadable.

[Supermofo]

Funnily enough I was looking at a bike on ebay today I reckon is fairly underrated. Very dull looking but I reckon it'd make a cheap capable do it all bike. I was looking at cheap-ish commuters and this seems good value.

CBF1000
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224661738079

[KungFooBob]

Funnily enough I was looking at a bike on ebay today I reckon is fairly underrated. Very dull looking but I reckon it'd make a cheap capable do it all bike. I was looking at cheap-ish commuters and this seems good value.

CBF1000
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224661738079

I was looking at them the otherday too!

Height adjustable seat and a detuned Fireblade motor. Dull as fuck, but a lot of bike for the money.

[Count Steer]

Honda CX500 (black). What do I win?

[Horse]

Honda CX500 (black). What do I win?

Sympathy. Mine was red. Poor man's BMW (and, from subsequent BMW experience, far better in many ways).

[wull]

Definitely the zx9r for me, great all rounders. Think I’ve had 3 over the years, don’t think I’d ever go back to one though.