Changing the bike - a real dilemma

[slowpoke]

I always reckon that a new bike should be one I feel very uncomfortable with and don't really like. Then I grow into it. A new bike should be something that stretches and challenges you physically intellectually and emotionally. Otherwise, how do you grow?

So look around and pick a bike where your first instinct is "Oh no, no way, I wouldn't be happy on that at all".

Maybe you never *will* be happy on it - but if you don't try you'll never know.

Time enough to stick to the tried and true when you get old.

You are smarter than the average bear Ixion, but this one had me scratchin' my admittedly empty head I'm afraid.

Buying a bike you are uncomfortable with is one thing, but buying something you don't actually like is sumthin' else. I can understand wanting to grow, or wanting to challenge yourself, but don't see the point in buying something you have no attraction to.

Having just jumped off (literally) an older sports bike on to a new-ish one I don't think a 675 or similar is going to do the trick. Even a new-ish thou' has no urgency whatsover unless you are prepared to get into the upper reaches of the tacho, and a 600-ish sports bike is only gonna be far worse. Sure they handle/stop like nuthin' else but you'll need +10k rpm up to make any reasonable forward progress. Sure a 675 has more real world urge than an IL4 600 but compared to a gruntmaster like the BB it's still feck all. There are few things more frustrating than opening the throttle......and waiting. A foot flapper you will be (Yoda).

I hear ya with regards to the Buell 1125's, they may be OK once you're riding 'em but I'd be opening the shed with my eyes closed if one them was parked there.

Have fun mate, you aren't marrying whatever you buy, if you don't like it or find something better, sell it and move on.

[slowpoke]

I know you have your tongue firmly planted in your cheek, but no thanks; I don't suffer from small willy syndrome

Is it still called a "syndrome" if I actually have a small willy?

[jonbuoy]

A lot of the new jap models have great specs on paper but don't push my buttons in the looks department, especially the semi nakeds. I think the early to mid 2000's jappas were far better looking right throughout the range.

[Gremlin]

The first thing I would have to think you need to consider is your likely riding.

You've done long trips before, but will you do them again? Heading into retirement, what sort of riding experience are you looking for?

That will most likely nail down the category of bike, be it faired, semi faired or naked. Nakeds are a lot of fun (and less speed for same fun factor) but more tiring on longer trips due to the exposure. Vice versa etc

I've clocked up a few thousand kilometres on zapf's blackbird, found it far too easy to speed (got my only speeding ticket from it ), heavy, restrained (never felt like it would let rip, or rip your arms out of your sockets), but a great bike for covering large numbers of kilometres (and day after day).

Less weight, but naked, a hornet 900 really does come to mind. Ohlins rear shock, wide bars, super reliable, cheap servicing etc, but not an "exciting" choice. If you want a Triumph, perhaps the Street or Speed Triple? Then again, if naked isn't your thing, rule the paragraph out.

Regardless, shopping, researching etc, is great fun

[sinned]

Have you considered keeping the bird and buying a second bike? The market value of the bird is now unlikely to change for a few years and it should be easy to sell at some stage. Keeping the bird means you can be more radical in choice of second bike as the bird is available for the type of riding you have been doing. A naked bike as a choice of ride for summer and local jaunts makes a lot of sense.
The additional cost is for rego, insurance and loss of interest on the current value of the bird. My rough calcs are it will cost $1k to keep the bird for a year while you play with a newer toy.

[Blackbird]

Well what a fantastic lot you all are Under all the piss-taking, they're really intuitive comments to help me step outside my mental box and I'm really grateful for that Who'd have thought that finding a replacement would be so hard? In the cold light of day, looking at specifications is a relatively small part of the choice. What a bike does for you emotionally when you look at it is almost always going to hold final sway. That's what the 'bird did for me, despite its beaky looks!

I've been riding for over 40 years, have done the twattish riding and high speed stuff, both on the road and drag racing. I still love a good fang but speed honestly isn't that important any more and I'm quite happy to bowl along at a lower pace. Guess that happens as you get older and I suspect that some of Ixion's wisdom is rubbing off at last!

Whilst the Street Triple and Thruxton are on top of the wish list at present, I agree with the comments in that I may hate the things when I've actually ridden them. I'm planning to pop down to Hamilton Motorcycles soon to have a closer look.

I will sell the 'bird because it's a bit too heavy for my future needs and my wife doesn't pillion much any more. However, I won't do it for a few months as I'm tyre testing for an importer at present. That delay will give me time to make a balanced choice(I hope ). I'll share my thoughts as I get out and actually test a few bikes.

[Swoop]

I think you are in for a rather fun time, going around the different dealerships and trying out a whole raft of different bikes!

[vifferman]

In the cold light of day, looking at specifications is a relatively small part of the choice. What a bike does for you emotionally when you look at it is almost always going to hold final sway.

Not just that, Geoff, but what it does for you when you ride it. Whenever I've been considering a new bike, I've test-ridden bikes others have raved about, but they've almost invariably not stirred the soul. I think that has to be the first thing, and if it "does it for you" enough, then looks and quirks (or even significant shortcomings) are kinda irrelevant.
The VFR's like that for me: apart from the urgleee swingarm and hub, and the (now removed front indicators), I love the way it looks. But the big thing is the way it sounds and rides, and the character of the engine (mid-way between a v-twin and IL4). I strongly suspect maybe a Ducati or Triumph triple would also "do it for me", which is one of the reasons I'm reluctant to test-ride those or other bikes.

[one fast tl1ooo]

I have had my gsx 750 katana pop up for 15 years, and will never sell it, it

[MCCFSWS]

How much would you be looking at for your blackbird, Im looking to pick one up in about two months?

[James Deuce]

BMW F800ST.

You'll be seriously surprised.

[Ixion]

You are smarter than the average bear Ixion, but this one had me scratchin' my admittedly empty head I'm afraid.

Buying a bike you are uncomfortable with is one thing, but buying something you don't actually like is sumthin' else. I can understand wanting to grow, or wanting to challenge yourself, but don't see the point in buying something you have no attraction to.

...

Well, because often I have found that after a few months riding the bike I initially found unattractive has become much more attractive.

It wasn't anything wrong with the bike in the first place, it was something wrong with me. I found the bike unattractive because it required skills I didn't posses . After a bit of riding , I necessary improved those skills, and bingo, the unattractive bike became attractive. Or perhaps I needed to change the bars, or the pegs around. Or set aside some prejudice I'd acquired over the years, or unlearn a bad habit that I could get away with on previous bikes, but not on this one.

Of course, some never really click, and I end up saying"OK, I've given it a fair shot, and I'm fairly comfortable with it, but it still isn't really an experience I like". Time then to move on. Some lessons learned, experience gained, all part of life's rich tapestry. I've never owned a bike that I didn't end up liking at least reasonably well. Even the ones where initially I though "OMG What have I done, I hate hate HATE this bike, I'll never be comfortable riding it".

But I'm not talking about the *appearance* of a bike. I ignore that completely, who cares what it *looks* like.

[hospitalfood]

suggestions of BMWs and buells.............mmmmmmmmm.

keep the blackbird and get a second bike. the correct number of bikes to own is n + 1 ( n = the number you currently have ).

don't buy another japanese bike because they suck poo coated cock.

don't test ride a bmw unless you want to own one because they are very nice to ride, if you do want one ( good choice ) ride all the models ( you are not to short ).

the buell 1125 r looks ok with a full fairing, probably adds 2k to the price which is still a heap of bike for the money.

[Blackbird]

How much would you be looking at for your blackbird, Im looking to pick one up in about two months?

PM sent to you

[2wheeldrifter]

Think were you are now Geoff is a great place for a lite nimble bike.... Ducati Monster's, Buells, Aprilia shiver, a nice V-twin on the roads around you would be bliss.
But also maybe a dual purpose bike that you can explore the coast with?.. nah get two bikes and you covered both on and off the road