Too big a move up?

[piston broke]

Decided to flag the monster bike idea, likely look for a 650 V twin. Got the wife interested now. See pillion post. Thank you all for your input.

good move imo.
i mean, what is the hurry to get a hugely powerfull bike?
but then again,
you don't really know until you have taken a few different bikes out.
just get what suits you,and what you are comfortable on.
lotsa choices out there.

[R-Soul]

If you have got the missus interested then it also changes things a little. Because if you are not going tobuy her her own bike, she will want to take yours out (when she has her license obviously), and she may not have the required leg length to ride yours. And also, you could pass yours onto her when she has her lcience, so you want an eminently controllable bike.

Definitely a V650 - but maybe a cruiser as she can get her legs down on that?

[varminter]

I don't think there is any chance of her wanting to ride a bike, she's bad enough on a push bike, but for some reason she's happy to pillion. I don't understand it but she's a woman and their logic (such as it is) is totally different. Had a look at an SV650 at the weekend, nice, there is one here in 'Vagas that I'm hoping for a ride on, bloody high K's though.

[R-Soul]

Keep in mind that with V-twins, they operate a lower revs with higher torque, so relative to in-line fours, they *should* have less wear and tear in the engine because of the fact that the pistons have gone up and down less times.

Then again there is more torque on each cylinder, with a component of these forces acting transversely to push the piston against the side wall of the piston...so I guess it evens out somewhat.

Of course it also depends on how the bike has been ridden, how well it has beeen maintained etc (changing the oil regularly can make a large difference), and the type of kilometers done.

If a bike has been used at mostly high speed (eg motorway speed) on long runs, then it generally has time to warm up and operates at the optimum temps for the oil and undergoes relatively little accelerative forces (as opposed to operating cold in stop-start traffic), so it will have less wear even though it may have higher km's - but high km's affect after sale value.

You may also want to consider the proposed ACC levy groupings (not sure if you get 600cc V-twins?). Maybe a 600cc V-4? I think you get gonda VFR600's (but I am not sure)?

[varminter]

Tried the SV650 today, nice bike but the ride gave me back ache, I must be an odd shape. Hoping to try an RF900 next now that I've lost my over 250 virginity. Yes I know, it's all in how you twist the wrist.

[Ender EnZed]

VFR600

It's a nice idea but it doesn't exist. Though someone wanted to make one on here.

[R-Soul]

It's a nice idea but it doesn't exist. Though someone wanted to make one on here.

The thread did mention a VFR 750 or 800 - they are also very nice controllable bikes- and nothing slow about them. Good tourers.

I had ridden a CBR250RR and a BMW R800 before I moved to my VTR1000F. But to be honest I could have gone straight to the VTR. It is so controllable and easy to ride (as long as you are responsible with that wrist). You get them at great prices - I have seen them on trade me at $5500 for a 1998 model with reasonable km's. They also have Honda reliability and servicing costs, and they handle pretty well (not like the newest sportbikes, but plenty good for anything you will be doing) with adjustable back suspension. They are fantastic two -up - you hardly feel her on the back.

As-and-when you get used to the power/torque (the Firestorm is mainly all about torque) you just twist a little more. You wont wheelie unless you want to. The torque available is quite frightening if you open it up in first, second or third (good for catching gaps in traffic) but its not as wild as the TL1000's. More mild mannered. They sound good with standard pipes, but awesome with aftermarket pipes. Passing cars is effortless (almost disdainful) - which makes it safer as you dont spend long times in the oncoming lane.

The looks are either love it or hate it - I think they look like a warrior chick like Red Sonja would look like if she were a bike. The unusual looks are so different that they never look out of fashion (I guess 'cause they have never been in "fashion"?).

Also the V-twin engine makes it thin - easier to filter traffic. And at about 184 kgs, its not that heavy either, and has a longish wheelbase for decent high speed stability.

Only cons -their range is short (about 160-190kms) due to a small fuel tank and highish fuel consumption (for a bike -it has the biggest carbs you will find on a bike). Although normally you need a stretch of the legs by the time the fuel runs out.

And the enormous torque does tend to chew chains and sprockets (depending on how you ride her - although its difficult to keep off the loud pedal cause its so much *fun*!).

[Ender EnZed]

The thread did mention a VFR 750 or 800 - they are also very nice controllable bikes- and nothing slow about them. Good tourers.

Yeap, I can certainly reccommend a big VFR. Same sort of purpose as an RF900 but absolutely packed full of Honda goodness.

[R-Soul]

Yeap, I can certainly reccommend a big VFR. Same sort of purpose as an RF900 but absolutely packed full of Honda goodness.

I was quite surprised when I took one for a couple of laps on a track - the VFR800 I mean- as it handled really well and was pretty quick. The Vtec engine wasn't unprdeictable at all despite having the two settings.

[varminter]

Well, today I toddled down to the local bike shop. First I took the RF900 for a run, wow, liked it but had to be easy on the wrist. Then I took out a BMW Something or the other, 650 single, like a GN on steroids, boy that gave me a sore arse. Then I tried a cruiser, M50 think it was, with VERY loud after market pipes. Bugger me (not literally) I loved it, I just can't believe it, I couldn't stop grinning, are there some special pills to take ?? If the wife likes it it's sold.

[R-Soul]

Well, today I toddled down to the local bike shop. First I took the RF900 for a run, wow, liked it but had to be easy on the wrist. Then I took out a BMW Something or the other, 650 single, like a GN on steroids, boy that gave me a sore arse. Then I tried a cruiser, M50 think it was, with VERY loud after market pipes. Bugger me (not literally) I loved it, I just can't believe it, I couldn't stop grinning, are there some special pills to take ?? If the wife likes it it's sold.

hehe Thats the old V-twin torque inspired grin that I was talking about.... you get a similar one from the VTR (but with a sportsbike seating position) - and it takes a long while to get used to the feeling. Its not about what the top speed is, but how quickly you can get to the legal limits....

[JohnC]

Wow,that was a change in focus.
Ride a couple more cruiser big twins,,,bigger grin again !

[R-Soul]

Wow,that was a change in focus.
Ride a couple more cruiser big twins,,,bigger grin again !

The M50 is a 800cc isn't it? The bigger engines have even more torque available. The thing is that you could probably wheelie on the M50 already, so whats the point of even more torque?

The 800cc probably also has better fuel consumption.

Other engines with similar torque and cntrollability characteristics to V-twin cruisers are the:
- Triumph speed triple 1000cc - although it combines it with higher power cause its a three cylinder (hence "triple"), and a 675 cc (Street triple) one is available too
- BMW's with "boxer" engines (also twin cylinder - but opposed twin I think)
- Yamaha R1 2009 - the firing order gives tehis bike supreme torque and high power

Maybe you should check them out too. If you like touring, the BMW's have amazing bikes like the R1100RT with boxer engines. These have supreme comfort for rider and pillion and great engines, awesome rideability and great sound. They are very heavy at about 250kg (no problem at speed, but when you stop you have to plan ahead), and servicing costs are probably a little high (but dont quote me on that cause I have not checked - BMW just being what it is makes me think so).

[varminter]

Well, this is the story so far for all those that are interested (both of you) today I went out on a Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom. Loved it, then tried a C50 cruiser, good too, although the wife said the seat was excellent the ride shook her up and down so much her teeth ached. I think on points the V-Strom wins, for me, wife liked the pillion ride too and no tooth ache.

[DarkLord]

Heh. This thread brings back memories.

I remember being a n00b on a Hyosung on my Learners and talking about getting an R1 or a Gixxer Thou as my next bike once I got my full, to make up for the gutlessness of the Hyosung.

Then, of course, I got my full and was privileged enough to be able to take a K7 Gixxer Thou for a 100k ride, during which time I quickly realized this was an astronomically large step up as the thing scared me half to death (and I was told by other bikers that the K7 is "docile" compared to other Gixxer Thou's).

I now have an '01 SV650 and it is plenty grunty enough for me. Not the most powerful bike on the planet for sure but it is more than capable of doing what I need it to do.