Naked bikes

[boomer]

because I have now been completely spoilt by having sets of forks worked over and using Ohlins shocks, I now have to factor into the cost of any new bike those costs as well ($2500 to $3k or so, money well spent). Thats why I would be tempted to buy the standard Street Triple, spend the money on Ohlins and fork rebuild, and live with the brakes. Its not like the thing weighs a lot, and if you feel the brakes are totally shit, there presumably are things you can do to upgrade the standard stoppers. I think I am agreeing with you.

In Straya last week, the sticker price of the standard street triple was $12500, and the R was $13500, and so the lesser difference means you probably would say "yup" to the R.

Some of the accessories are fantastic, too: particularly the Arrow low pipes.

i think i read that the R's suspension wasn't that flash... I agree, Dr Roberts $$ are $$ well spent !

ps.. the Duke R has some fancy suspenders front and back as stock...!

[Gubb]

Cagiva Raptor 650
Aprilia Shiver
Kwaka Z750
'Zuki SV650
KTM 690 Duke
Hornet 900 (I'd say the 900, as the 600 is a tad wussie. The 900 is around 110 HP I think)

[short-circuit]

Did you trade the Striple in for a real bike Gubb? Zat your new ride?

[Gremlin]

ps.. the Duke R has some fancy suspenders front and back as stock...!

even the normal duke has WP suspension and brembos all round...

Saying you want a naked bike is a bit like saying you want a faired bike nowadays. The options are that vast. At one end, you have the likes of the Aprilia Tuono, CB1000R, Superduke. Basically, sportbikes with no fairings.

Jump to the other end, you have the buells, tiger etc, that are reasonably capable off road, but 200 odd kph is it for speed (or at least where most sane people stop)

So really, decide what terrain and what sort or riding you want to do/enjoy doing... then test ride

[Gubb]

Did you trade the Striple in for a real bike Gubb? Zat your new ride?

Aye, I got sick of the whole "Triumph leaks Oil" gag, so I went to something reliable. A Hyosung. What could go wrong?

[jafar]

Well - looks like I may have a buyer for the V-Strom

Which means I will be looking for a new bike.

Smaller Naked bikes have my attention at the moment. The main one in my sights being the Street Triple (in White - just to piss off Gubb).

I believe that I will have to change the rear shock - because I weigh more than I should. But I dont want to spend 18k on the new Street Triple R.

So question to the great unwashed (thats you fellas).

In a similar price range to the Street Triple - what other naked bikes would you recommend I test ride. Any gems that are a 'must ride' - does the Honda Hornet 600 actually make you gay - are there some naked bikes that look the part but are best avoided.

Im not a fast or very good rider - Just for commuting and blasting around on a the weekends / evenings.

Hornet 600 or 900, no they won't make you gay, but check with your boyfriend first
Kawasaki Z750 or Z1000 ? nice looking naked
Ducati monster 696 or 695 even if you can't afford one test ride them for the rest of us
Aprilia shiver 750.
Suzuki gsf600 ?
KTM 690 sm, you'll need nuts for this baby
BMW G650 with a road kit on it.

[Drogen Omen]

Nice bikes, as long as you don't have to listen to them...

I really cant see why every one hates Buell's... I happen to love the big Harley sound in that small sports bike package...

Guess i could say the same bout Holden's and Ford's... they look ok as long as you don't have to listen to them or drive them...

Mind you Holden's might as well be Ford's anyway with the amount of Ford parts they have... hahahahaha

Give me a Nissan or Toyota 4x4 anyday.

Get over it... just take a fucking Buell for a spin... no one is forcing you to buy it if you ride it... ride as many bikes as you can before you buy...

As long as you stay away from the plastic and aluminum foil Hyosung pieces of shit...

If i won lotto tomorrow i would go and buy myself a 0km's 2009 KTM Super Duke or MV Agusta... but $$ for CC's the Buell is a good buy...

[Tank]

Bollocks - guy ended up going with a new bike - so no change for me this week.

Oh well. I will just keep waiting. No harm done - and I still love the v-strom.

[Fatjim]

As someone with a lot in common (large and used to vtwins) I would suggest for that price range you look at the Tuono. It is very comfortable for tall guys with stacks of leg room. Plenty of grunt if needed and cruises well. Perfectly ok in traffic with the supplied 15t front sprocket and map 2. Only issues I've found are

1. the mirrors work, which means they stick out and arn't ideal for lane splitting in tight confines.
2. Can be a bit of a struggle at 180kph+ with the stock blade.

The Tuono is an absolute delight to ride on sealed back roads. the tighter, windier, narrower the road, the more it begs you to thrash it.




I paid 17.5K new for mine NEW. no 50% depreciation on mine, more like 25%.

Here's a second hand factory, which is worth paying more for if you can stomach the gold fairing.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-212546990.htm

This one might be new.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-178899022.htm

[Hitcher]

I happen to love the big Harley sound in that small sports bike package...

"Big Harley sound"? I've heard agricultural machinery that makes a more convincing rattling noise. And I guess that loud fans save lives. Buell or Harley Whineoglide?

[Drogen Omen]

"Big Harley sound"? I've heard agricultural machinery that makes a more convincing rattling noise. And I guess that loud fans save lives. Buell or Harley Whineoglide?

??? fans... what model did you ride...? my 2007 Buell Lightning XB12Ss fans only come on for about 2 mins when i turn off the bike after giving it a blast down the motorway...

I recall the Speed triple i took for a spin had the louder fans when i was sitting at the lights... couldn't hear the engine for the fans...