Suggestions welcome

[Pumba]

So trying to figure out which way to go with bikes. Currently got the Speed Triple. But it has been used fuck all in the last 12 months due to other stuff going on (kid, moving towns, new job, wedding). On top of that, and as much as I love the bike really probably should be looking at something more suitable for two up riding as the Mrs would like to come with me (when she can) but despises the pillion seat on the Triple (cant say it has ever bothered me).

And before anyone says it she wants to learn to ride, but at the moment it is just awkward, and she would rather pillion.

Add to that the fact that yesterday Mum dropped it while she was borrowing it leaves us in the position of what financially is (no insurance) the best path to take (no major damage but it all costs money) when it comes to fixing it or selling it.

So what bike recommendations can the good folk of KB make. I haven't kept up with the market recently so apart form browsing Trade Me don't really have a clue what mine is worth (pre crash) or what else is out there in a similar price range as don't really have anything extra to be used on the bike at the moment.

Might even be a chance to change bike style. Though I am still not sure I am ready for a cruiser :sweatdrop

[Gremlin]

What takes your fancy? Budget? What type of riding would you do?

[Pumba]

Budget is what ever the Speed Triple is worth. Riding type, anything from commuting (about 20km each direction open road riding), weekend cafe rides, through to (and if I find the time) a full grand challenge type ride (dont think I would keep up with you at the moment like the last one but with a bit of practise?)

Got the FXR for my track fix so am not to bothered about track days and shit.

[BMWST?]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=1255&sidebar=1&rptpath=0001-0026-&39=&40=Yamaha&153=tdm900&9=0&9=0&24=0&24=0&51=0&51=0&sidebarSearch_keypresses=3&sidebarSearch_suggested=6

nice bikes simple plenty powrful for 2 up

[skippa1]

Get a Victory....Vegas or Kingpin. Get rid of the stock exhaust and let her rip.....:blink:

[Gremlin]

Budget is what ever the Speed Triple is worth. Riding type, anything from commuting (about 20km each direction open road riding), weekend cafe rides, through to (and if I find the time) a full grand challenge type ride (dont think I would keep up with you at the moment like the last one but with a bit of practise?)
Plus 2up I would imagine, so would a full dress tourer like an ST1300 take your fancy? Those sorts of bikes are usually more pillion friendly (bar modifying seats and ergonomics on other bikes) than naked bikes.

May also want to consider if you want luggage (and what sort) for longer trips.

[Pumba]

Yea was thinking an ST may be the way to go. Would really like to look at a Concourse as well but suspect the $ wont reach that far.

TDM in the link might be worth a look, or anything in the same style.

[sugilite]

Had you thought of a comfy adventure style bike. If your crashing mother is short, it would keep her off it :laugh:
Seriously though, a comfy do anything adventure bike could be a real go. test ride a vstrom or similar.

[Mental Trousers]

Something out of left field ....

Buy 2 buckets, a trailer and some camping gear and teach the missus to ride where it's fun, not that dangerous on the road stuff.

[Pumba]

Something out of left field ....

Not that far out. I have an FXR frame which I want to slot a XR/CRF100 in which she can learn to ride on. All taking time though (bit like the FXR150 sidecar project.

Could always get a couple of dirt bikes I suppose.

[SMOKEU]

Buy a Hayabusa. It should have enough room on the back for someone to sit in reasonable comfort.

[manxkiwi]

Yea was thinking an ST may be the way to go. Would really like to look at a Concourse as well but suspect the $ wont reach that far.

TDM in the link might be worth a look, or anything in the same style.


Or a GT? Bigger panniers than the ST and more comfy for pillions. Try the Concourse, you'll find it enormous, like I did I reckon. There's a couple of GTs on TM 2nd hand right now.

Not that I'm biased!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

So trying to figure out which way to go with bikes. Currently got the Speed Triple. But it has been used fuck all in the last 12 months due to other stuff going on (kid, moving towns, new job, wedding). On top of that, and as much as I love the bike really probably should be looking at something more suitable for two up riding as the Mrs would like to come with me (when she can) but despises the pillion seat on the Triple (cant say it has ever bothered me).

And before anyone says it she wants to learn to ride, but at the moment it is just awkward, and she would rather pillion.

Add to that the fact that yesterday Mum dropped it while she was borrowing it leaves us in the position of what financially is (no insurance) the best path to take (no major damage but it all costs money) when it comes to fixing it or selling it.

So what bike recommendations can the good folk of KB make. I haven't kept up with the market recently so apart form browsing Trade Me don't really have a clue what mine is worth (pre crash) or what else is out there in a similar price range as don't really have anything extra to be used on the bike at the moment.

Might even be a chance to change bike style. Though I am still not sure I am ready for a cruiser :sweatdrop

You're a bit mechanically minded, and dont mind doing a bit of work? Have a look for a UJM. 80's or 90's across the frame 4 cyl, air cooled. They have big old flat seats, you can get bits for them fairly easily, and good ones can be had for reasonable money (like $5k or so). Carefully check the consumables but you'll have some change from selling your street triple which you can use to sort that shit out. They have electronic ignitions (70's you would get contact breaker points which I FUCKING HATE) and easy to work on.

Its not a sports bike as they currently are, but you would enjoy hustling it a bit, they are really comfortable two up, and if you buy judiciously you would recoup your money. Plus its fun.

Biggest difference between an older bike and a new bike in my experience is brakes. old brakes are shite compared to new ones.

as an example I had a fixed price offer on this KZ650B yesterday at $3800. I would have said yes but I am bidding on something else and leading

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=552473844

if a 650 is too small look for something like this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-533766144.htm


If you want more modern/liquid cooled you could pick up a CB900 Hornet round the same money. I had one: great bike.

If you want custom I have talked to this guy and the builder has $20k in it. $10k buys it:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-552543253.htm

bonus is that you could ride it two up, you would never see another one, and the thing is stone axe reliable (I had a 750F)

or a 750 Rolladoor (sorry, Bol D'Or)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-549169192.htm


I like these but this particular one looks somehow funky. Nothing a bit of shed time wouldnt fix:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-555087513.htm


If you could find a tidy GPz550, they're a great bike too.

[F5 Dave]

Take an ST1300 out for a ride. That should put you off that idea. I rode a mates one (for a reasonable stretch) & I pulled over at the next gas station as I though the tyres were flat. Actually just lift one off the sidestand & ask yourself "Is this a motorbike?"

As you will have found out time is not your friend when you have kids. However Daddy needs some time away from the brats so a bike is imperative. You must have on-supply parents/in laws if you expect to take more than the occasional trips away together. Mostly it will be just you so don't compromise the bike too much or it won't excite you enough to ride it.

Perhaps an upgrade seat & keep what you have & just get out & ride it? I ended up with a Tiger, same engine, but it is actually real comfortable. Just a little tall which I'm ok with. Might be a pain for yer Mum though.

[Edit] Actually I did think about a UJM, I had a GS1100 for a while which was great & Missus loved it. BUT; they can be time whores. You don't have spare time falling off you?

[Maha]

Yea was thinking an ST may be the way to go. Would really like to look at a Concourse as well but suspect the $ wont reach that far.

TDM in the link might be worth a look, or anything in the same style.

Sprint ST Carl, Anne has pillioned on a number of different bike styles/makes over the years and my older ST (in her opinion) was the best yet for pillion comfort.

[Banditbandit]

So what bike recommendations can the good folk of KB make.

Experience - and what is written above - suggests that eventually KBers will recommend every bike on the market .. good luck .. the decision is still yours ...

[F5 Dave]

Ahh you sweet naive fool. He's married remember.

Decision his? :killingme

[Banditbandit]

Ahh you sweet naive fool. He's married remember.



Bwhahaha ... so am I ... I get to buy the bike/s I want ... In fact I turned up with a brand new 1250 Bandit ... and told the wife I had just bought it ... her reply ? "Well, that will be cheaper to run than the BMW - the amount of money you've spent keeping that one on the road ..."

If she doesn't like it - she knows where the door is ..

[Devil]

Had you thought of a comfy adventure style bike. If your crashing mother is short, it would keep her off it :laugh:
Seriously though, a comfy do anything adventure bike could be a real go. test ride a vstrom or similar.

Was actually going to suggest an R1200GS. I love mine (is a GS Adventure though). So versatile.

[Gremlin]

Was actually going to suggest an R1200GS. I love mine (is a GS Adventure though). So versatile.
You haven't met him then? What he lacks in stature the GS has (and then some)...

Needs to have a reasonable seat height for him to manage, and generally the road tourers are good for those with shorter legs.

[Devil]

Certainly have met the bugger. But a standard GS is an inch lower than ours anyway - chuck on a touratech low seat as well and no probs. I'm not exactly tall, he's not much shorter than I am.

[NinjaNanna]

I reckon you'd like a late 90's CBR1000F like what I've bought over here.

[Coolz]

Turn the street triple into a bobber then put it on TradeMe for an outrageous price. Thats what others seem to do with their crashed bikes.