Trading down - what say you?

[rastuscat]

I've had a BMW R1150GS for three years, thinking I'd do the Charley and Ewan thing. A few days on gravel made me realise that I actually don't enjoy it, so I'm an onroad rider only these days.

The 1150GS is great on road, but I'm looking a bit smaller in terms of bike size. Economy etc have become more important.

I'm looking at VFR800 Honda or a F800ST BMW. I've had an F800ST before, but I hear the VFR800 is a stunner.

I need to have full luggage, as we go away 3 or 4 times a year (two up). I commute every day on the bike, and the trips away mean I need something that will do decent 2-up work.

Interested in thoughts on this.

[MSTRS:Me]

Don't be too hasty. What will another bike do for you that the Beemer can't?
We wouldn't want you to make a mistake, now, would we?

[Gremlin]

I traded down to a R1200GSA They really are one of the best bikes for handling anything you throw at it. Economy is pretty good, but the 1150 is definitely heavier, with less performance. I've had my R1200 go under 5L/100km with full luggage, but as always, your right hand controls consumption.

I won't go off road too much at this point, but I only have to fit knobblies, and she's perfectly capable. She currently has street tyres, as I do very little gravel, and if I do, its slow speed exploring of forests etc.

To other bikes, I guess its about purpose. Naturally the smaller you go, the less suitable it is for 2up work (IMHO). I've ridden the VFR800, I didn't like the VTEC aspect of it. You'd have to ride one, to see what its like, and if you like it.

It also depends on your size, and your pillion. While the 1150/1200 are huge bikes, they are also comfortable for long distances. Consider perhaps a 2nd hand R1200, at least test ride, to see if the improvements are more to your liking?

As for other options? There is a long list of bikes to choose from Most bikes of almost any capacity are going to be smaller than the big BMWs. Depending on your budget and brand preference, the Ducati Multistrada is in similar territory, more road biased... etc. Honda Blackbird, VFR1200, ST1300... list goes on and on if you don't have a category in mind.

[rastuscat]

Yes, have pondered most of that. We rode to Nelson via Kaikoura this weekend, and back via Lewis Pass. I spent most of that time thinking that I needed a big tourer.

Thing is, probably 90-95% of my riding is one up, and commuting. Of that, 50 % is open road, and 50% city roads. I've put ST1300s, FJR1300s and Kwaka 1400s on my watch list, but I suspect they're all too big. I reverse my 1150GS into my garage each day, and that reminds me how bloody big it is.

I'm tall, 92 kg. My wife is short, and 80 kg. That's what worries me, an 800 might struggle for go when fully loaded. It'd be a great commuter, and one ip tourer, but not too sure about 2 up touring.

[Smifffy]

How long are the trips (I mean in days not ks) and how much luggage do you take?

Anything more than a weekend away, and I think you would struggle on a VFR800 with two of you & luggage.

That's not to say it can't be done of course, I'm sure there are folks who will pipe up and say they've gone for weeks 2 up around the whole country on a 250 or less, but somehow I don't think that's what you are aiming for.

[BMWST?]

I've had a BMW R1150GS for three years, thinking I'd do the Charley and Ewan thing. A few days on gravel made me realise that I actually don't enjoy it, so I'm an onroad rider only these days.

The 1150GS is great on road, but I'm looking a bit smaller in terms of bike size. Economy etc have become more important.

I'm looking at VFR800 Honda or a F800ST BMW. I've had an F800ST before, but I hear the VFR800 is a stunner.

I need to have full luggage, as we go away 3 or 4 times a year (two up). I commute every day on the bike, and the trips away mean I need something that will do decent 2-up work.

Interested in thoughts on this.

what a about a r1150 rs, r1200 rt or r1200st,same as the gs but more maneagable package

[rastuscat]

[QUOTE=Smifffy;1130027648]How long are the trips (I mean in days not ks) and how much luggage do you take? Anything more than a weekend away, and I think you would struggle on a VFR800 with two of you & luggage.[QUOTE]

My wife (bless her) can tough it out for a small number (like 3) days, no more. So I don't expect to be carrying hundreds of litres of luggage.

Cool having peoples thoughts.

[rastuscat]

what a about a r1150 rs, r1200 rt or r1200st,same as the gs but more maneagable package

Have a look at the TM listings for R1200STs. I thought it was a the perfect bike, until someone showed me a headlight profile on one. The TM listings normally show side on and rear shots, coz the headlight is butt ugly.

I have to admit that I'm not going to own a bike that repulses me. I ride an R1200RT for work (guess my job), and the bill for replacing a clutch makes me cringe.

I'm leaning toward an F800ST, used to have one, maybe should never have sold it. I watched a video of Charley and Ewan, and lost my marbles. The Lebben Fiddy has been cool, but doesn't really meet my needs. I love it, but it's time to let go.

Something about setting it free, and if it comes back, crush the f***er.

[AllanB]

Go for it - the fact that you have thought about enough to post here says to me it is a given.

Just need to decide on what to replace it with!

The Honda is a pearler and extremely capable - sounds mint with a pipe too! Heaps of info online from owners.

I've not tried the BMW800.

[Ocean1]

Triumph sprint?

Buell Ulysses?

Moto Guzzi Norge/Griso?

BMW F800ST?

Triumph Tiger, (old or new model)?

A generic boring non-descript Japanese IL4?

What do you want to spend?

[blackdog]

Triumph sprint?

Buell Ulysses?

Moto Guzzi Norge/Griso?

BMW F800ST?

Triumph Tiger, (old or new model)?

A generic boring non-descript Japanese IL4?

What do you want to spend?

must admit sprint or tiger was the first thing to cross my mind.

new 800 tiger looks spectacular in the metal.

ktm smt?

[rastuscat]

Listed Daffy on TM,

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=366513866

The local beemer bloke says that selling it is better than trading it. Also, selling it means I can buy private, or hammer a deal from a dealer.

I'm over gravel roads, it tar for me. There's a nice R1200R on TM. Budget depends on selling the GS, but around $15K,

[nallac]

Buell Ulysses?

+1 to the XB12X.....

Heapsa fun to ride one up with luggage off, good for touring two up with it back on(or so says BD).

[Ocean1]

ktm smt?

Yes. Bit off the top of the budget probably but worth a look.

I'm over gravel roads, it tar for me. There's a nice R1200R on TM. Budget depends on selling the GS, but around $15K,

Hardly trading down. Except in weight. And a lot of the "Adv" class, while utterly useless on anything more than gravel are nonetheless excellent tourers for NZ.

+1 to the XB12X.....

Heapsa fun to ride one up with luggage off, good for touring two up with it back on(or so says BD).

Yes, I liked mine. The luggage is good too, except for the bloody latches...

[pc220]

Easy. Get a smaller fun commute bike, then for the 2 up touring just borrow the company bike.