Changing the bike - a real dilemma

**kevfromcoro** · 11th August 2009, 20:15

Originally Posted by jafar

BMW F800G/S

well iam with jafar on this one...

great bike.

**Blackbird** · 11th August 2009, 20:27

Originally Posted by kevfromcoro

well iam with jafar on this one...

great bike.

Too tall, don't like the looks. Long live personal taste though. It's a bit like why I fancy Sigourney Weaver immensely and why Gwynneth Paltrow does nothing for me. Both beautiful women and I honestly couldn't tell you why one presses the buttons and the other doesn't. The only certainty is that I don't press either of their buttons

**Squiggles** · 11th August 2009, 20:28

DR650 on the factory lowered settings... Ill convince you eventually.

**Gremlin** · 12th August 2009, 01:07

Don't listen to the bike mags and their stats too much. Weights of bikes can be very subjective, based on position of weight, leverage on bars etc.

For example, my 990SM weighs 195kg or something, testers (and mates who have ridden it), we all agree, how on earth does it weigh that much? Once moving, it never feels like its around the 200 mark, and could weigh 50kg less. The CB900 is 203kg and is much heavier to pick up off the side stand etc, and definitely feels like a heavier bike.

FWIW, my experience of the Speed Triple was a fantastic engine, really gorgeous, but suspension, handling and brakes were a big let down (08 model).

**Blackbird** · 12th August 2009, 07:53

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Don't listen to the bike mags and their stats too much. Weights of bikes can be very subjective, based on position of weight, leverage on bars etc.

For example, my 990SM weighs 195kg or something, testers (and mates who have ridden it), we all agree, how on earth does it weigh that much? Once moving, it never feels like its around the 200 mark, and could weigh 50kg less. The CB900 is 203kg and is much heavier to pick up off the side stand etc, and definitely feels like a heavier bike.

FWIW, my experience of the Speed Triple was a fantastic engine, really gorgeous, but suspension, handling and brakes were a big let down (08 model).

I don't. That's why I started with paper specs and then moved onto "fit and feel", to be followed by riding.

Your phrase "once moving" is right on the money. Once moving above walking pace, the 'bird is fantastic. It's the bit below that which will become an increasingly significant issue

**pritch** · 12th August 2009, 08:57

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Don't listen to the bike mags and their stats too much.

It's not entirely the mags' fault some of the manufacturers are less than forthright. I think a few mags actually use their own scales.

Honda weights as given curently are "ready to ride". Some others are dry weights, no fork oil, engine oil, coolant or battery...

Others have been guilty in recent years of just taking a kg or two off the oppositions' claimed weight.

So if you want to start taking the published weights into consideration you really do need to read the small print.

**short-circuit** · 12th August 2009, 09:04

Take the Street Triple for a ride - go on you know you want to

**Blackbird** · 12th August 2009, 09:31

Originally Posted by short-circuit

Take the Street Triple for a ride - go on you know you want to

I don't think you read my last post

. Any doubts or downside about your purchase?

**short-circuit** · 12th August 2009, 09:37

Originally Posted by Blackbird

I don't think you read my last post

. Any doubts or downside about your purchase?

None.....

except beware I've spent upwards of 7k in mods and accessories

so far....

**oldrider** · 12th August 2009, 10:22

Hey Geoff, maybe I missed it but you don't mention having tried a Triumph Tiger 1050!

If I was not going to have a pillion, I would certainly be trying one of those out.

I am patiently waiting for the new Thunderbird to be available for a test ride too.

The name "Triumph Thunderbird" has always done it for me, fickle bastard eh!

Even though it's a cruiser now, it still tickles my fancy and anyway I actually like cruisers.

I, like you, am getting closer to the ground and find the height and weight of the Tiger harder to handle at low speed.

That is the only thing that is of concern or I would keep it forever!

Thought you might be down this way after your retirement but like the rest of us, retirement keeps you too bloody busy!

How did we ever have time to go to work?

**short-circuit** · 12th August 2009, 10:25

Originally Posted by oldrider

Hey Geoff, maybe I missed it but you don't mention having tried a Triumph Tiger 1050!

If I was not going to have a pillion, I would certainly be trying one of those out.

I am patiently waiting for the new Thunderbird to be available for a test ride too.

The name "Triumph Thunderbird" has always done it for me, fickle bastard eh!

Even though it's a cruiser now, it still tickles my fancy and anyway I actually like cruisers.

I, like you, am getting closer to the ground and find the height and weight of the Tiger harder to handle at low speed.

That is the only thing that is of concern or I would keep it forever!

Thought you might be down this way after your retirement but like the rest of us, retirement keeps you too bloody busy!

How did we ever have time to go to work?

I think I'm in the same boat as Geoff - If we both struggling to flat foot a Speedy then he'll be legless on a Tiger

**Blackbird** · 12th August 2009, 10:36

Hi John

Short Circuit has got it in one!

I dare say that I will be down south again with the lads but not sure when. Next trip will be for our daughter's M.Psych graduation ceremony when we actually have a date. The plan is to drive down in Jennie's MX 5 and do a bit of tiki-touring again whilst we're down there.

Yep, retirement is busy - don't know how I had time to work. Also doing work as a Senior Net tutor! A case of the partially-sighted leading the blind if ever there was one

**Gremlin** · 13th August 2009, 01:51

Originally Posted by pritch

It's not entirely the mags' fault some of the manufacturers are less than forthright. I think a few mags actually use their own scales.

So if you want to start taking the published weights into consideration you really do need to read the small print.

Yep, its not the mag's fault in some cases, my point was more, there are some out there who judge bikes based solely on the review in the mag, or choose bikes based on weights/stats in the mags.

Just saying, best to use mags to open your mind to possibilities, then go see them for yourself. Some mags are clearly biased anyway.

ie, my 990SM. At almost 200kg on paper, you'd think it was a porky bastard (shut up Devil

) but ride it, and it will scare most people. The seemingly small amount of 115hp etc will still loft the front easily in gears 1-3. So get out and ride the bikes

**insomnia01** · 13th August 2009, 07:37

Well Geoff, I was wondering when this decision to sell the BB was going to happen... I hope all your aches & pains have healed as I can see you hammering them Coro hills for a few years yet man !!

Interesting selection of bikes so far One that comes to mind ( after having spoken to the Ulysses owner ) ever thought of a Aprillia Tuono ?? Good riding position, heaps of grunt & not to bad on the eye

**Blackbird** · 13th August 2009, 08:40

Originally Posted by insomnia01

Well Geoff, I was wondering when this decision to sell the BB was going to happen... I hope all your aches & pains have healed as I can see you hammering them Coro hills for a few years yet man !!

Interesting selection of bikes so far One that comes to mind ( after having spoken to the Ulysses owner ) ever thought of a Aprillia Tuono ?? Good riding position, heaps of grunt & not to bad on the eye

Hi Hami

Not without a lot of anguish, I tell you! There's a bit of my soul in that bike.

Not a bad choice but still too tall for shortarses like me

. Don't forget ro call in when you're up this way.