10k doesn't sound too bad, for a bike like that. Was that 'cause you were being careful with it? If you listen to some people, the big sports bikes supposedly go through a tyre in about 5 minutes...Originally Posted by The Reibz
L-Plate Rider
10k doesn't sound too bad, for a bike like that. Was that 'cause you were being careful with it? If you listen to some people, the big sports bikes supposedly go through a tyre in about 5 minutes...
Mr. Responsible
Longer travel suspension which means a more cushioned ride. Upright riding position so weight is evenly on your pegs and seat. The wind protection is great. The tank is a decent size and usually can manage 400+km per tank (depending on what year and how it's ridden).
If I didn't want to do track days and loved savage acceleration, I'd own one in a heart beat. You'd be hard pressed to find a better bike to comfortably tour NZ on a budget. So would be great commuting a decent distance.
Talk shit. Get hit
Had about 4 big burnouts on it. Depends what tires you put on them to be honest. I use my bike mainly for touring so track tires don't do it for me. A Busa is a great general around bike and they do come up cheap from time to time
L-Plate Rider
Sorry FJRider, saw this earlier, but didn't have time to reply.
I get what you're saying, and they are all good points. Actually I started off thinking about getting a big bike, litre plus, not because I need (or even particularly want) to go extremely fast, but just because they're, you know, sexy. I've always been driven to bikes more through "want" than "need".
The practicality is what sells it to the wife. The fun is what sells it to me.
I could actually just get a a cheap car to get to work (although I'd have to put up with paying for parking, and being stuck in traffic). Bottom line is I'm on a bike because I like it. So, would be kind of pointless getting one I don't actually like very much.
That said, you've definitly made me think a bit more about the litre bike thing.
Cheers, Alex.
L-Plate Rider
Ok, that's some pretty good reasons, I have to admit. I'll take a look next time I'm at a Suzuki dealer. Maybe I'll like them better up close :-) Cheers.
Smarty pants... since ages ago
I know the "Fun" bit interests many in the bike commute thing ... but after the rego/fuel (twist throttle for fun)/tires .... I hope you're on a good wage/salary to be able to afford it.
Do the sums with the tires ... how many weeks do you reckon you'll get out of a set ... ?? (commute plus weekend rides)
Do the sums with the fuel too ... What % of riding is done on .. ?? Open road/Motorway/city street/inner city ... different types of riding uses different fuel amounts ...
Fun is good .. being broke is not.
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
L-Plate Rider
I see you have a '93 FJ1200. What's that like?
I've got a soft spot for the old FJs - I remember when the first FJ1100s came out. I remember being told at the time they were the first bike to crack a 10 second quarter mile.
I had a 1982 Yamaha IT175 at the time, which I loved greatly, despite it's habit of rattling itself to bits.
I am a killer blue mantee
Busa. Gen 1. Touring screen, gel seat, risers and three bag set up.
You're welcome.
L-Plate Rider
I am? In that case, thank you!
Smarty pants... since ages ago
I used my FJ for a month for a 35 km (each way) commute. 5 days a week. The 3 liter V6 Toyota Septre I had at the time was cheaper to use ... Fuel was the cheapest part for the bike (but not by much) Tires were for the Toyota (by quite a lot).
Open road most of the way ... top gear ... (except for the odd quick overtake)
Definitely FUN though ...
When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...
Forum whore
People have different opinions on the value of fairings so you really need to try a few different bikes for yourself to get a feel for it.
On the bikes you've mentioned above I don't find they're worth much at any sensible road speed. By 200+ when you're tucked down behind whatever's on offer they certainly make a huge difference but at 100 in a normal riding position then you're still in the wind and you're still going to get wet when it rains.
Riding something like an FJR or ST1300 for the first time with that massive adjustable screen in the highest position is a totally difference experience to motorcycling as you know it. You're sitting in a bubble of still air where you could probably light a cigarette without too much trouble at 1**km/h. You're not gonna find one of those for $5k but ST1100s come up for that kind of coin fairly regularly.
One hell of a ride.
You're gonna commute = you are going to be low speed or stopped frequently.
Fairing mostly useless unless you just like the look of them.
Even at highway speeds a quality riding suit provides better protection from the elements.
Anarchic Wild Child
I'm a little biased as a mate had an RF900, traded it in on a VFR ... had lots of trouble and didn't like it and swapped it for a 1250 Bandit ... and still owns that Bandit ...
I know that's not everyone's experience .. but just throwing that into the mix ...
"So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."
Anarchic Wild Child
Fuck !!! A nanny rider? I killed rear tyres on my 650 Bandit in 3,000 ks ... with a 100k round trip to work and home it doesn't take much to work out that I killed a rear tyre in a month (Now I live 1.5 ks from SH2 I have slowed down a lot) .. and yes, I do have the salary that can afford that ..
"So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."
L-Plate Rider
Okay, thanks ender. I was under the impression that S/T type bikes had a pretty effective fairing. Obviously not as much as I thought.
Sent from my GT-S7500 using Tapatalk 2
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks