My Favourite Time...

**Bend-it** · 13th June 2008, 19:54

Bike buying time!!! I'll be back from overseas in less than 2 months and am looking at my next ride now...

Sold my mighty RF before leaving a year ago and had a great time on it, except it felt a little lardy to be honest... (I'm sorry, all you rf lovers out there)

So between then and now, I've been on numerous 125cc things in different parts of Asia, the most momentous being a 5 day trip around North Vietnam, on a 125cc Honda Wave, with a pillion, on what can be best described as construction work sites for about half the way. When they improve a road in Vietnam, they don't do it by sections. Instead, they rip up a whole 150km stretch at once, turning it all into muck and then fix it, all at once. However, it was great fun bouncing around the tracks and potholes and close to the end of the trip, I was purposely aiming for the rougher parts of the road!

Anyway... coming back to NZ, I'm faced with choices now... Should I:-
1. Go dual-purpose
To be honest, I don't know how much off-roading I'll do in NZ, mostly commutes and weekend rides. But something like the BMW F650GS or Honda Transalp does have an appeal.

2. Stay street
Or go the street/sport route, think SV-thou / CB9 / VTR-thou. Initially I was looking at the sv650, cb600 etc, but there's no price difference between the 600s and 1000s! Pretty sure I don't want a supersport machine as it would be a pain commuting, which honestly will make up most of my mileage.

Oh yes, budget... I'm negotiating with the Mrs for a $10,000 fund to re-establish myself in NZ, which will include bike and gun. The gun will cost around $2k all up I'd say (looking at a Rem SPS-Varmint in .308 with a Falcon Menace scope, plus reloading equipment), which leaves about $8k for the bike.

So, I'm appealing to the strengths of kb here, opinionatedness and collective wisdom. What do you reckon?

**Hitcher** · 13th June 2008, 19:57

Get a Transalp.

**FJRider** · 13th June 2008, 21:34

FJ's RULE...Learn the rules...

**Gubb** · 13th June 2008, 21:37

Bah. I voted street/sport as I thought you were talking about the Triumphs.

Most disappointed. Maybe I should actually read the post before I vote.

That'll learn me.

**Bend-it** · 13th June 2008, 21:37

Rule? what rule?

**JMemonic** · 13th June 2008, 21:41

Your forgot the DL 1000, apparently they are a good dual purpose ride according to some. Thing is if you have money to spend and are in no particular rush you get to try a few bikes out and see what you like

.

**Pumba** · 13th June 2008, 21:54

Sounds like you need to figure out what sort of riding you will be doing. Adventure riding is becoming more popular at the moment and when I was shoping around a month or two ago I asked myself the same question, do I want to give adventure ago.

A the moment I decided I would stay on the road, but I have changed my riding position (gone naked and more up right) just to get a different feel out of riding. My problem is I am still young and still like going to fast (hey at least I am honest) and I could just see me getting pissed off with only having a chook chasser.

Figure out what you want to do first, then the choice of bike will become clear(er)

**FJRider** · 13th June 2008, 21:58

Originally Posted by Gubb

Bah. I voted street/sport as I thought you were talking about the Triumphs.

Most disappointed. Maybe I should actually read the post before I vote.

That'll learn me.

Try the commuter forum ???...

**megageoff76** · 13th June 2008, 22:42

Why not you go dual purpose/off road. That way you can then you can pack up some camping gear, go hunting and then make the most of that 2K gun.

**Bend-it** · 13th June 2008, 22:43

Originally Posted by JMemonic

Your forgot the DL 1000, apparently they are a good dual purpose ride according to some. Thing is if you have money to spend and are in no particular rush you get to try a few bikes out and see what you like

.

Yeah, DL's abit more expensive though... What do you mean no rush??!? One day without a bike is one day in a cage!! Ideally, I'd like the bike waiting for me at the airport when I arrive!!

Originally Posted by Pumba

Sounds like you need to figure out what sort of riding you will be doing. Adventure riding is becoming more popular at the moment and when I was shoping around a month or two ago I asked myself the same question, do I want to give adventure ago.

A the moment I decided I would stay on the road, but I have changed my riding position (gone naked and more up right) just to get a different feel out of riding. My problem is I am still young and still like going to fast (hey at least I am honest) and I could just see me getting pissed off with only having a chook chasser.

Figure out what you want to do first, then the choice of bike will become clear(er)

Yeah, sounds like where I am! Off road riding was great fun, but I'm not so sure I'm ready to give up the speed. And also I probably won't have the time for the longer adventure rides... hence this thread.

**_Shrek_** · 13th June 2008, 23:07

duel purpose is the only way to go coz you get the best of both they are good when commuting & faster when on the open road through the twisties

**Bend-it** · 14th June 2008, 03:20

Originally Posted by megageoff76

Why not you go dual purpose/off road. That way you can then you can pack up some camping gear, go hunting and then make the most of that 2K gun.

Yes, that possibility has occurred to me once or twice... tempting I must say...

Just read quite afew KBers preference for the Transalp over the F650GS on another thread. Interesting...

**oldrider** · 14th June 2008, 07:43

Originally Posted by Bend-it

Just read quite afew KBers preference for the Transalp over the F650GS on another thread. Interesting...

TransAlps are real sluggers and extremely reliable but not the most economical as far as fuel statistics go.
Like most Honda's they are bland and uninspiring to all but their owners.

I have ridden a BMW F650GS and been accompanied by a BMW F650GS riders on many occasions.
These bikes have won my admiration for doing their job well and being reasonably easy to repair on the run with their own provided tool kits.
They are also very good on fuel by comparison to their peers.

There are very few dud bikes today but there are some excellent options to choose from, today's riders are spoiled for choice, compared to (dare I say it) my day!

BMW have impressed me with their new 800cc venture bike, if I were you I would take a long hard look at that model if you decide you want a new venture bike.

Personally I am very satisfied with my (06 model) Triumph Tiger but they don't make them like that any more, damn it!

If you can, venture biking is the way to go. (IMHO)

Cheers John.

**Bend-it** · 14th June 2008, 14:51

Originally Posted by oldrider

BMW have impressed me with their new 800cc venture bike, if I were you I would take a long hard look at that model if you decide you want a new venture bike.

If you can, venture biking is the way to go. (IMHO)

Cheers John.

Thanks for your comments OR! The new 800cc F650GS (who came up with THAT?!?) wouldn't be available for under $8k though eh? The F800GS does look bloody amazing!

So, the adventure riders are showing their support on the thread while the street/sport people are doing so on the poll. I wonder if that's a reflection on personality types...

**_Shrek_** · 14th June 2008, 17:21

Originally Posted by Bend-it

So, the adventure riders are showing their support on the thread while the street/sport people are doing so on the poll. I wonder if that's a reflection on personality types...

thats coz we get out there & do it in stead of playing with the polls

mind you i did vote