New bike suggestions?

[Winston001]

I've been chewing over the possibility of a new bike mainly cos a couple of mates are moving that way and I'm jealous......

I'm 52 and not the keen rider I once was, more weekends and the odd long-distance rally.

My problem with the BMW R80 RT is that it is underpowered and the screen is two inches too short. The screen can be cured and I could put a 1000cc kit on the bike but it would still be 20yrs old. Mind you, very reliable.

The other thing is it is heavy too. The fairing has a lot of weight. It would be nice to have a lighter bike.

Ideally I'd like a rocket that handled, and was light so I'd be inclined to take it out of the garage when ever I wanted.

However I want long-distance comfort too. A good fairing and panniers etc.

The ideal would be a sports bike for summer days with a detachable full fairing, panniers etc.

And it has to sound nice so probably a V-twin.

I'm thinking of spending $7 -10k and would sell the BMW.

Whaddaya reckon??

[James Deuce]

Talk to Bull about his Aprilia RST Futura he just bought for $11K from KTL motorcycles. A little more than you said but has all the stuff you want in spades.

[007XX]

I've been chewing over the possibility of a new bike mainly cos a couple of mates are moving that way and I'm jealous......

I'm 52 and not the keen rider I once was, more weekends and the odd long-distance rally.

My problem with the BMW R80 RT is that it is underpowered and the screen is two inches too short. The screen can be cured and I could put a 1000cc kit on the bike but it would still be 20yrs old. Mind you, very reliable.

The other thing is it is heavy too. The fairing has a lot of weight. It would be nice to have a lighter bike.

Ideally I'd like a rocket that handled, and was light so I'd be inclined to take it out of the garage when ever I wanted.

However I want long-distance comfort too. A good fairing and panniers etc.

The ideal would be a sports bike for summer days with a detachable full fairing, panniers etc.

And it has to sound nice so probably a V-twin.

I'm thinking of spending $7 -10k and would sell the BMW.

Whaddaya reckon??

Not a Vtwin (but do sound really nice anyway), and an awesome touring bike: Triumph Tiger...

How tall and heavy are you?

[Crisis management]

Ducati Multistrada....but it's probably more like $13k.

Otherwise look at Ducati ST2's, fairings, panniers and the right noise, what more could you want?

Anyone mentions servicing / reliability....they're just jealous.

[vifferman]

A VFR?
(But then I would say that...)

[Winston001]

Crikey that was quick!! Thanks guys.

Crisis - as coincidence would have it, I've got a Ducati ST4 up on my Trademe tab right now http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-128016685.htm

Triumph Tiger? Hadn't thought of that. I'm 175cm and 76kg. An Aprilia does appeal too. I probably prefer a European bike but at the same time I'm in Invercargill and a long way from specialist mechanics.

I should also say that I don't ride much - 2-3000km a year. Now the children are growing up that could change but I'll never be doing 10s of thousands of ks.

[Winston001]

Eeeerrrkkk - double post.

[vifferman]

I've got a Ducati ST4 up on my Trademe tab right now http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-128016685.htm

Buy it! :niceone:

[Crisis management]

Don't trust him, he rides a Honda! Mind you he's right about the VFR800

Ride the ST2 and 4's first as they are very different bikes, the 2 is lower powered (80hp) and has a better torque curve (based on the Paso 907 motor) while the 4 is the 916 4 valve motor which has another 20 hp, but at the top end and has less torque.
I found the ST2 was a better ride due to the better torque curve, but that is the style of engine I like. I have to admit I was nervous of the 916 motor as well as they seemed a bit more "problematic" than the ST2.
The one you have tabbed is a great buy tho, Kerry at Motohaus has good bikes and I would happily buy off him so don't be put off with my "problematic" concerns. If you need it test ridden, I volunteer selflessly!
The reason I suggest the Multistrada is that it is better technology, naked (which I like) and a lovely riding position. However to get all the bits (bike & panniers) is decidedly more expensive.

Lots of bikes to try out methinks!

[Big Dave]

Triumph Sprint ST.

[Big Dave]

vfr800 ...

[vifferman]

Don't trust him, he rides a Honda! Mind you he's right about the VFR800
No, don't trust me, but not because I'm old, just because. :crazy:

I think I'm right about the ST4, even though I've never ridden one. I just wonder if I should've got one instead of the VFR...

[Crisis management]

No, don't trust me, but not because I'm old, just because. :crazy:

I think I'm right about the ST4, even though I've never ridden one. I just wonder if I should've got one instead of the VFR...

Sanity check??? You bought a Honda rather than a Ducati!!!! :(

I have to admit, I prefered the ST4 on paper but when I rode them I prefered the ST2...whatever turns your crank really. Me, I like torque, light weight and handling, simple really.

PS. I do trust you.

[unhingedlizard]

My two cents, try a TDM900. Most underated bike in the world.

[007XX]

Crikey that was quick!! Thanks guys.

Crisis - as coincidence would have it, I've got a Ducati ST4 up on my Trademe tab right now http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-128016685.htm

Triumph Tiger? Hadn't thought of that. I'm 175cm and 76kg. An Aprilia does appeal too. I probably prefer a European bike but at the same time I'm in Invercargill and a long way from specialist mechanics.

I should also say that I don't ride much - 2-3000km a year. Now the children are growing up that could change but I'll never be doing 10s of thousands of ks.

Mmmmm...ok, the other men around here do know more than I about bikes :o, but seriously, do give a Tiger a go...you're the same height and weight as my hubby, and even though he did say at times that the bike was a little tall, he really, really liked it and sometimes regrets selling it.

Otherwise, Big Dave is right, give the Sprint a try...awesome touring bikes, and the fairing and panniers option would probably be what you're looking for.

I guess you're just going to have to do lots of trial rides...:woohoo::niceone:

[Headbanger]

The Ducati.

You know you want it.

Its calling.

[Winston001]

The Ducati.

You know you want it.

Its calling.

Yeah I suppose it's gotta be better than an HD tractor....... :gob:

Oh, and I found an Aprilia too (as you know)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-114760641.htm?key=943736

My problem is being at the bottom of the South Island - there isn't a lot of choice locally to try bikes out. I guess I'll just have to take my chances when they occur and see what fits. A mate has chosen a VStrom 650 for pretty much the same type of use.

[Headbanger]

Half an hour riding my HD Winston would leave a smile on your dial for 3 months.

[Crisis management]

Invercargil can't be tooooooo far from Dunedin can it?

MCR? motorcycles have some great deals on STs, might be worth a pootle up to look at.

[harr-i-son]

hi does any one know about whether it would be a good idea to buy this bike the frame is bent but how much would it cost to fix??
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=128429510

Thanks
Harrison

[Badcat]

Crikey that was quick!! Thanks guys.

Crisis - as coincidence would have it, I've got a Ducati ST4 up on my Trademe tab right now http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-128016685.htm

.

hey. kerry (the guy selling that red st4) had 2 of them, i bought the other one - the yellow one.
i also rode that matte black futura and found the engine on the aprilia too lumpy down low for my riding style. sweet looking bike though...
kerry is a top bloke, and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend him, ESPECIALLY if you are out of town.
That futura (the red one you mentioned on trademe) has 50,ooo ks on it!
my ducati has 8,000. pretty good for 10 grand!
i found the ducati felt lighter, handled better, but was still excellent 2 up (combined 165 kilos of me and Madass).
of course, it's about what you like, but i bet there is more ducati experience in the bike mechanics down your way than aprilia experience...
kerry has a nice blue ST4 there now - with bags too (the red one has no bags)
tell him ken sent you!

oh, and PM me if you have any questions!

k

[Winston001]

Half an hour riding my HD Winston would leave a smile on your dial for 3 months.

Well make sure you bring it with you when you do the big Mainland loop trip. :D

[Jantar]

Ideally I'd like a rocket that handled, and was light so I'd be inclined to take it out of the garage when ever I wanted.

However I want long-distance comfort too. A good fairing and panniers etc.

The ideal would be a sports bike for summer days with a detachable full fairing, panniers etc.

And it has to sound nice so probably a V-twin.

I'm thinking of spending $7 -10k and would sell the BMW.

Whaddaya reckon??

As soon as I read this, two bikes came to mind. A triumph Tiger, or a Ducati ST3.

I see you are looking at an ST4, that's even better still. Buy it. :2thumbsup

[McDuck]

Get a suzuki. a big one.

[boomer]

'08 Busa..


NUFF SAID