Oh dear, a "Which Bike Thread"... I need suggestions

**Gremlin** · 25th August 2008, 01:43

Well, I have decided that the zx10 is not for me, and while choosing a new bike can be fun, its starting to do my head in. Looking for some advice from perhaps those that have done similar, or ridden something they think suits.

Background: Had a road based background, last two bikes were zx7r and 04 zx10. Most riding is road, but I enjoy roadworks and gravel, except it would be on road tyres. Having lost my license once already, it was incredibly inconvenient, so the aim is to have the same if not more fun, with less speed. Unless I really go for it and top 250+, you usually wouldn't find me much over 120-130. Straights are boring anyway. I'm 6'3 and 100kg, so 600cc odd is a bit small. I want to drop hp, but not so much I'm left thinking walking may be quicker.

Requirements: I have found the hornet 900 a fantastic bike, offering almost everything you could want, wheelies, good riding position, luggage carrying, low down grunt, wheelies and ultimate reliability with cheap servicing. The downside of it, is that it pretty much has nothing left when accelerating at 120 odd, so a lack of hp and brakes could be sharper. It lacks that feeling where it has soul, perhaps a bit of an animal. ie... the 04 zx10 lacks nothing there

The CB900 is brilliant around town, but not so great in the country.

So what options? The FZ1 was still too much like a naked sportsbike, not enough torque low down, and I suspect the Z1000 is the same along with others in the category. The CB1000R is possible, but its only available in a few months time, and will most likely not have luggage carrying options. Torque, no idea, but it looks more FZ1 than Hornet CB900.

I have ridden a KTM SM950R, found it a hoot, but the V-Twin was definitely something different, with the vibes, and I wonder if the novelty will wear off after a couple of months. The inline 4 is smoother, and much easier to do long motorway trips on. The 990SM would be what I buy, but I don't know how different it will be to the 950, with FI, rev counter and other stuff. One worry is that on slightly more open stuff, on a v-twin, I will be left feeling bored. Haven't been able to find a 990SM to ride yet.

The Aprilia Tuono was very good, lacks the luggage options again, seat was hard, and I don't think it looks that great. Shiver 750 is too small, power wise. The Tuono is a better choice than the FZ1 though. I think I will avoid Buell, most look ugly, the TT or supermoto version doesn't look too bad, but experiences with AMPS haven't been anything to write home about. The Ducati Hypermotard is a small bike, so not the ideal for me.

I think my main requirements are:

100+ ish hp. I think anything less isn't enough to be exciting in city and country
Long tank range of 200+km. This is where motards fall flat. The SXV550 Ape got 80km before R
Low down power delivery. I am enjoying doing the odd wheelie, and handing mates their arses at lights because their zx10 takes a while to get the power down is funny
Able to take luggage. This means either softer stuff or ideally, givi top boxes and panniers
Probably not much more than 1000cc, as stuff usually begins to go over 200kg dry, meaning its not easy to throw through the twisties
Ideally come well equipped. I spent thousands on the zx10, and could have spent more. Aprilia and KTM are good here, with the likes of Brembo, Ohlins and White Power coming as standard kit.

Oh, and budget, the big factor... not too fussed, so probably set it at 25k, which covers the european options like KTM and Aprilia (but exludes the expensive RC8).

**mountainboy65** · 25th August 2008, 07:47

Fazer.....a superb bike. I had the 1000 for 3 years in the UK...excellent!

**shafty** · 25th August 2008, 08:36

R1200R ? Prolly down on power but many other boxes ticked...

**nodrog:Me** · 25th August 2008, 08:47

get one of these then give me a turn.

**Dazza** · 25th August 2008, 08:58

I'm alittle biased but I love my Super Duke, had her for 3yrs & 50,000k's & still in love (15ltr tank is a concern sometimes). A mate of mine has the 950 SM & it's a great fun machine (he's just covered 10500k's & has finally geled with her). Would like to try the new 990SM as I reckon that'd be a bloody awesome real world MC. Too many options to choose from so enjoy the test rides !!!

**Quasievil** · 25th August 2008, 09:02

Get a KLR you know you want one

Nah seriously mate get a superduke or something like that, its got you written all over it

**sels1** · 25th August 2008, 09:07

Triumph Tiger. Ticks your boxes.
Check out the Speed triple and the Spring ST while you are at it.
1050 triples are an awesome motor, torque plus revs
And Triumphs tend to be comfortable for the taller rider

**Devil** · 25th August 2008, 09:16

Originally Posted by Gremlin

So what options? The FZ1 was still too much like a naked sportsbike, not enough torque low down, and I suspect the Z1000 is the same along with others in the category. ..........
............Ducati Hypermotard is a small bike, so not the ideal for me.

I think my main requirements are:

100+ ish hp. I think anything less isn't enough to be exciting in city and country
Long tank range of 200+km. This is where motards fall flat. The SXV550 Ape got 80km before R
Low down power delivery. I am enjoying doing the odd wheelie, and handing mates their arses on someone elses bike at lights because YOUR zx10 takes a while to get the power down is funny

The FZ1 is known for still being a revvy bike, so still try the Z1000.
The Hypermotard is small? Go try one, it looks cool and has cool toys.
100hp is plenty, hey, my 63hp is plenty in town and country, it's the way it delivers it!
Fuel consumption, it's where the mega motards fall flat :P I can do 250km on 12L round town. 300km on the open road!
Fixed your power delivery comment

**The Stranger:Me** · 25th August 2008, 09:28

Originally Posted by Gremlin

So what options? The FZ1 was still too much like a naked sportsbike, not enough torque low down,

Whilst it is true that the FZ1 produces peak torque higher up in the rev range, you can quite easily pull a lot more HP from the low - mid range. Mine is +5hp at 3,500 rpm and +20hp at 7,000rpm.
Also, the FZ1 is over geared, Yamaha advertise that they went longer on 5th and 6th as a tilt toward touring. However this is easily corrected too, -1 on the front.

The 01-05 model is widely regarded as the better tourer, better low to mid torque and can be made to pull the same sort of power with a few tweaks.

**James Deuce** · 25th August 2008, 09:56

You've talked yourself out of every bike that meets your criteria.

Challenge yourself and buy something you wouldn't normally. $25k gives you massive scope to buy something and add extras to meet the touring requirements.

**Jerry74** · 25th August 2008, 10:09

Aprilia RSV, GSXR, R1, Duke the choice is yours.

It comes down to budget and what is the best for you

**Gwinch** · 25th August 2008, 12:26

Had a look at the Speed Triple 1050? Lugguge options could be dubious though.

**McJim** · 25th August 2008, 12:59

Forget looking at the spec sheets - go and TRY a Ducati 1000 ss ds.

It's got the low down torque and it's big enough for you to be fairly comfortable on. The flat torque curve will make you feel as though you have more ponies under your arse than you actually have but the real lack of ponies will be evident in the lack of top end (which is where you said want to lose it from your post).

It's fine for touring but no too upright and has a short enough wheelbase that you can still carve the twisties when you want to. Stock hp is only 93 but with a power commander and some mods to the exhaust you should be up to 100 in no time at all. AND you'll still have some change left over from your $25K.

Get over the twin vibration thing. Rev the nuts off it and it gets smoother as the revs climb

**jrandom** · 25th August 2008, 13:32

What McJim said! God, I want one of those things.

Obviously there's one or two things that'd need sorting, suspension, ugly mufflers, but, meh. So sort 'em. Makes the bike more personal dunnit.

I'll put in the obligatory plug for a GSX1400, of course - ride one, you might be surprised. But it's more of a "do all of the above two up" kinda machine.

And please, do us all a favour - take an XR1200 out for a ride and report back on what you thought of it. I doubt you'd buy one, but, well, still...

And, personally, I loathe Aprilias. No, that's not right. I don't loathe them; I just have an utter absence of emotion toward them. I'm not entirely sure why. But if I'd never met an Aprilia, I'd have never realised that a V-twin Italian superbike could be so milquetoast.