Not sure so need some input please :)

[beyond]

Hiya peoples.
:)

Would like some serious feed back please. Bit long winded but you need to know the background to help me with my decisions.

I enjoy riding my GSX1400 and it is a very good all rounder. Great for pillion, comfortable all day riding, heaps of power through torque and handles quite well for it's size. In short, I love it and may end up keeping it.

BUT, I am more a sports oriented rider and I push the thing to the edge fequently. My only gripe is the ground clearance and to push harder around corners without leaving bits behind, I need to hang off it a fair bit. I don't mind this at all and figure if I get a more sports oriented machine, then I will probably be doing this anyway to ensure I am not right on the edge of tyre grip.

Anyway, I am thinking about changing bikes and have narrowed it down to three. Bearing in mind I am a year off fifty and still like to take the missus for a run every now and again and she is fussy with comfort. I don't like too much weight on my wrists or a bent back. Don't want to look like Quasimodo when I'm 60. (No offence to the leathers under that name)

So, my narrowed down choice is, Kawasaki ZX-14, a Busa (or wait till the 2007 model comes out) and a Triumph ST (latest one)

I've found the GSX1400 is pretty much evenly matched against the Triumph Speed Triple, power wise, except the 1400 has a slight edge in top speed. Of course the triple should easily outhandle the 1400. The ST has the same engine as the Speed Triple and is supposed to be a very good handler for a sports tourer.

The new ZX-14 is meant o handle better than the ZX-12r and is supposed to be better in the tighter stuff than the Busa (Current model busa) But the ST is supposed to be a better handler than either the Kawa or Suzi.

BUT, the ST seesm to have a very forward sloping seat and I think the missus would not be comfortable on that for a longer run??

Any ideas, experiences or tips?

In the end, I may stick to the GSX1400 as it does everything I want with comfort and if I need to stack off to get around the clearance issues, it's not a major. It needs to be a fair way over before things do touch down.

Thanks guys. :)

[Hitcher]

An FJR1300 sounds like the bike for you.

[Cajun]

you find with all the seats misses will have problems, but those are pretty easly fix, for not a to much of a cost to keep the misses happy.(and as saying goes if she is happy your happy)

Of the rest, the busa and 14 more tourqe monster, than the st.

All an all the zx14 is awsome pricing at the moment, compared to the other two, its the best bang for your $$$ out of the all. and being what it is earn you some good street cred points.

But what boils down to is which ever of the 3 bikes floats your boat the most. and go with that.

[Scouse]

Hi Beyonce
My pick would be the ZX14 have you sized one up yet they have a couple at Mt Eden motorcycles also Terbang's neibour has just bought one he's done 280 km's one it so far

[kiwifruit]

What about a litre bike? A gsxr1000 prehaps? :sunny:
Should have enough pull for you and they are cheap enuf
pretty good ground clearance too ;)

[Zed]

BUT, I am more a sports oriented rider and I push the thing to the edge fequently. My only gripe is the ground clearance and to push harder around corners without leaving bits behind, I need to hang off it a fair bit. I don't mind this at all and figure if I get a more sports oriented machine, then I will probably be doing this anyway to ensure I am not right on the edge of tyre grip.That was exactly how I felt with my Honda Blackbird! Loved it, just like you do yours, but felt restricted by it cos of my sports riding style. I did manage to put on 20,000kms before deciding to trade it for my current bike, but once I got back on a Blade I knew that I had done the right thing. I'll always have a soft spot for the Bird though...

As far as your next bike is concerned, I'm not sure that any of those three bikes are going to be that much more sports oriented than your GSX? You did mention the ZX-12R though...:blip:

[Cajun]

the busa, and zx14 are lot more sports oriented than the gsx1400.
Both fall in to the 'hyper sports touring' market. were the st,vfr are more the 'sport touring' classes.



kiwifruit - gsxr1000 not good for carrying pillion, i can attest to riding on bike of one.

[Lou Girardin]

The Sprint seat has had praise from pillions, so it's better than it looks. Probably not as good as the 1400 though. I'm surprised at your comment on top speeds, the Sprint should eat the 1400 for top end.
I know it's a personal thing, but I think bikes like Busa's and the ZX14 are overkill, so much power that you're on eggshells when the roads wet (even dry perhaps). The Sprint would walk away from both on a twisty wet road.
I won't say what I prefer over all of them though.

[Crisis management]

I don't know how relevant this will be but you sound as if we have similar riding styles, so...... I'm 50 and ride a GSXR1100 "antique" and its appeal has been 180kg, short wheel base & a torquey engine. I have no interest in high speeds and only ride for cornering, so weight, flickability and torque are important.
The riding position is crap! Age is telling, my back hurts and knee damage restricts my climbing around the bike much. Its great for an hour and then I need a straighten out!
I have been considering the options and would look towards a "street fighter" type rather than anything else. I still want a light weight, torquey, flickable bike and having spent decades without a fairing will happily survive without it.
My choices were, Aprillia Tuono, Ducati monster, Triumph speed triple or Suzuki sv 1000. Maybe a Buell????
I haven't ridden any of these so have no comment on their suitability but on paper they are worth considering.
As I said before, the important bits for me are, torque, light weight & flickability and I keep going back to those basics when I consider any bike.
You now need to test ride about a dozen bikes, and you have an excuse to do so......:scooter:

[beyond]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Hitcher, no doubt the FJR1300 is a very capable bike but it's heavier than all the others and carries quite a price tag too. :) Good road test reports around on it though.

Cajun, whatever I get to replace the 1400 may need a seat change then.
Don't think after market seats are available for the ZX-14 yet but haven't tested it yet anyway. I have sat on the new ZX-14 and it feels pretty good although the front bars are lower than what I am used too.

ZRXER Yeah, I'm quite taken with the ZX-14 but also the ST. Might have to touch base with Terbang and see what his neighbour thinks of it. Good right ups so far.

Kiwifruit: yea, have considered the GSXR1000. Like them and they are great to ride but the pillion has a perch and then theirs the weight on the wrists again. Ideally I need to win the lotto and then have a good sports tourer and a pocket rocket for mono riding. :)

Zed; funny enough the ZX-14 has been rated as easier to ride and better handling than the ZX-12r. Just what I've read on reviews after googling.
The Blades are nice for sure but we are back to the perch for the pillion. :(

Lou, I meant the GSX1400 is has lsightly more at the top end than the Speed Triple but yes, the ST has a higher top end than both the Speed triple and GSX1400.
I have also heard that the ST is kind to pillions despite the severe looking slope on the pillion seat. I've been in and sat on your one. Do like it and are leaning that way a bit. I am going to test ride your demo once the weather comes right as well as the ZX-14 once they have a run in demo. Need to take a Busa for a run as well. Haven't ridden one of those yet so need to do so to narrow things down more.

Crisis Management, yep, have checked out all those and in most cases the pillion accomodation aint too hot. The Speed Triple and Buell will be the best solo for comfort. My mate has an SV1000 and pillion has a perch and the riding position is quite sporty too. he had to put risers on his to take the weight off his wrists but hes 190cms.

Thanks for the comments guys. Need to take them all for a test run with and without the wife once the roads are dry again. :)

[Macktheknife]

You now need to test ride about a dozen bikes, and you have an excuse to do so......:scooter:
Go for it! a good selection of bikes even include a couple that you dont think will 'do it for you'. Nothing better than this for making the decision IMO. BTW my pick would be the Sprint.

[The_Dover]

GSXR1000, unless your wife's a big bitch the pillion seat isn't that bad, apparently. I've even got a road test somewhere where it was rated for it's pillion seat.

As for weight on the wrists, not much really cos you sit quite deep in the k6, and I even know a guy who made some riser bars for his along with a haemorrhoid cushion seat.

If you want a sportsbike that can do a bit of two up and touring you could do worse.

[Cajun]

Dover i am like 70kgs and i road on back of k4 for like 20 mins and that was enough. (easy enough to modify it for more comfort, but its not like it really happens that often)

beyond - check www.trimit.co.nz we custom seats make seats, and looking at the zx14 seat it slops little forward, so passager will slide to in your back, which is easy fix, and very common on most bikes really.

[Lou Girardin]

I've even got a road test somewhere where it was rated for it's pillion seat.

.

Obviously rated by some porn star known for S.T.A.
Try to get a normal woman on one of those arse splitters for a couple of thousand K's.

[The_Dover]

K4 and K6 are pretty different bikes Cajun.

And like I said, if the missus is a biffer, forget it.

[Zed]

Dover i am like 70kgs and i road on back of k4 for like 20 mins and that was enough.Yeah but how do the K4 & K6 pillion seats compare, aren't they are totally new revamp? I've been told 1st hand that the K6 pillion seat is quite comfy too.

Anyway, he doesn't want a sprotsbike!

[roogazza]

Hey Beyond ! Since you like the 1400 why not do the suspension so it doesn't dig in the ground ? Did that to my bandit , just GSXR shock and some front springs and its a different bike . I'm sure you could get aftermarket shocks, say, 25mm longer ? Gaz.

[beyond]

Hey Beyond ! Since you like the 1400 why not do the suspension so it doesn't dig in the ground ? Did that to my bandit , just GSXR shock and some front springs and its a different bike . I'm sure you could get aftermarket shocks, say, 25mm longer ? Gaz.

Yeah, I've looked at that and may be a good option. On the UK forums for the 1400 they reckon the Hagon Nitro Express is a very good rear shock for this bike and you can get them in varying lengths. Then some good progressive springs in the front would top it off nicely.

Then again, I've got 40,000kms on my bike (just run in) so if I went down that track, probably pay to get the latest GSX1400, ditch the single swiss horn off the side (hideous) for a Yoshi and then do the suspenders. This year is the last year for the GSX1400 :(

[Big Dave]

I personally rate the Sprint ST above the others mentioned.

I gave the ST my bike of the year gong in Kiwi Rider last year for it's all round capability. (so did 2 other testers) - Even ahead of the motorcycle I ultimately purchased.

The ST does everything well. Sports, tours, commutes, track day - whatever - it's capable.
For my type of riding i favour the engine characteristics of the Triple above those of a 4 cyl - and it's a way sharp looking piece of kit.

Co-pilot rates the passenger comfort very highly. I would have purrchased one myself - but it's just a bit too small for me.

The RAT and social aspects of owning a Triumph are good value too.

[Biff]

An FJR1300 sounds like the bike for you.

You're bi-arsed.

[Hitcher]

You're bi-arsed.
Indeed. I have always believed two buttocks to be superior to just one.

[Big Dave]

Eric Idle: And now for something completely different. A man with three
buttocks!

Host (John Cleese): I have with me Mr Arthur Frampton who... (pause)
Mr. Frampton, I understand that you - um - as it were...
(pause) Well let me put it another way. Erm, I believe
that whereas most people have - er - two... Two.
Frampton (Michael Palin): Oh, sure.
Host: Ah well, er, Mr Frampton. Erm, is that chair comfortable?
Frampton: Fine, yeah, fine.
Host: Mr Frampton, er, vis a vis your... (pause) rump.
Frampton: I beg your pardon?
Host: Your rump.
Frampton: What?
Host: Er, your derriere. (Whispers) Posterior. Sit-upon.
Frampton: What's that?
Host (whispers): Your buttocks.
Frampton: Oh, me bum!
Host (hurriedly): Sshhh! Well now, I understand that you, Mr Frampton, have
a... (pause) 50% bonus in the region of what you say.
Frampton: I got three cheeks.
Host: Yes, yes, excellent, excellent. Well we were wondering, Mr Frampton,
if you could see your way clear to giving us a quick... (pause) a
quick visual... (long pause). Mr Frampton, would you take your
trousers down.
Frampton: What? (to cameramen) 'Ere, get that away! I'm not taking me
trousers down on television. What do you think I am?
Host: Please take them down.
Frampton: No!
Host: No, er look, er Mr Frampton. It's quite easy for somebody just to
come along here claiming... that they have a bit to spare in the
botty department. The point is, our viewers need proof.
Frampton: I been on Persian Radio, and the Forces' Network!