What's the perfect bike?

[Keystone19]

I am considering an upgrade from the SV650S. I'm interested in people's thoughts on the perfect bike for the following:

- daily commute (country twisties for the most part - no sitting in traffic)
- touring - South Island etc
- the odd weekend blat

Not interested in a naked. I don't tend to thrash my bike on the road but I enjoy a little bit of power. Don't have a whole lot of money either - say max $10000. I'm not averse to another SV650s if this is the best bike for the job.

This is all dependent on selling my SV of course, so if anyone is keen, PM me.

Any ideas out there?

Cheers!

[skelstar]

You were touring on Pauls K4 fine in Feb....so what about something like that?...
plenty of 04 636's around for (about) that kind of money.

[ManDownUnder]

What's you preferences re performance?

Kick in the pants (i.e. a V twin) or longer smother revving inline 2 or 4 cylinder?

Hard to beat a Gixxer I'll bet, although if I had the cash I'd be steering toward a good 2nd hand Duc...

[adiddy]

mmm duca.. yeaht here was a few on tardme last time i looked aye. otherwise r6

[James Deuce]

Well, my Z750S does all those things and it has a slightly more relaxing riding position than an SV.

[Motig]

Sorry,the only perfect bike you'll get is the one you like after extensive research etc. On the forum you'll only get everybodies opinion on what they think the perfect bike is which probably 90% of the time coincides to be the same bike they happen to own at the moment so their opinion will change when they get their new best bike. So you cant trust them, their like the weather-changeable and unpredictable

[Keystone19]

Yes Motig, you are indeed correct. However, what this thread does give me is ideas about what bikes I haven't thought about yet. Jim2's suggestion of the Z750S is excellent and one I had not thought of. Hence already the thread has achieved it's purpose. Of course there is no perfect bike - but many people will have ideas around what might be!

Please, continue with the suggestions people. All are welcome.

[Keystone19]

You were touring on Pauls K4 fine in Feb....so what about something like that?...
plenty of 04 636's around for (about) that kind of money.

Have ridden the 636's of that era and didn't like the fact that I couldn't see the dash for a start! The K4 is fine, but largely out of my price range at this stage.

What's you preferences re performance?

Kick in the pants (i.e. a V twin) or longer smother revving inline 2 or 4 cylinder?

Hard to beat a Gixxer I'll bet, although if I had the cash I'd be steering toward a good 2nd hand Duc...

I don't really mind if it's VTwin or other. Not really interested in the VTR1000 but will try the SV1000.

mmm duca.. yeaht here was a few on tardme last time i looked aye. otherwise r6

Duc's are too expensive to maintain and not reliable enough for a technophobe like me who has to ride ti to work every day. R6 is nice.

[The_Dover]

if you can raise a coupla grand more then crazy steve is selling his gixxer

[XP@]

If you liked the SV650 then try its cousin the DL650, or a Transalp.

IMHO:
* Commuting they are easy to ride, and high to give you a good view over all baring the tallest cages.
* Easy to sling bags over for the weekend, week, month or year...
* Can hold their own against any other bike on NZ roads (unless they are willing to risk your licence).
* Oh, and they don't get all ansy or twitchy when you hit some gravel.

[kiwifruit]

2004-5 Kawasaki ZX10R

[The_Dover]

2004-5 Kawasaki ZX10R

Yes, a very good choice for the ladies.

[kiwifruit]

Yes, a very good choice for the ladies.

lmao

[zadok]

I've seen some good reviews about the Ducati Multistrada 620

"The Multistrada and Multistrada Dark are the perfect machines for riders who demand the versatility of these unique motorcycles that is even easier to ride than its 1000cc counterparts".

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/2005...ltistrada_620/

[McJim]

Try a SP1 - not the regular VTR1000.