Need a new bike

[Edbear]

All suggestions aside, it's hard to improve on a GSX 14 all round.

I agree, they're one of the all-time great all-rounders! Just ask "Beyond"! Having said that, have a chat to Hitcher about his new 1250S.

[kneebone]

I agree, they're one of the all-time great all-rounders! Just ask "Beyond"! Having said that, have a chat to Hitcher about his new 1250S.

no doubt about it, its an awesome bike, its takes me 12 to 24 months to start wanting to change my bike, its been 16 months so bring on the newbie

[Mystic13]

no doubt about it, its an awesome bike, its takes me 12 to 24 months to start wanting to change my bike, its been 16 months so bring on the newbie

And do you change to new or near new or a long way from new?

What engine size requirements. I lost you when you said prefer a cruiser, lane splitter and economical. Then plenty of power. And don't like chrome.

Or this meets all the requirements;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=368137825

or maybe this;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-370252842.htm

or this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-369280239.htm

[jrandom]

Get a road-focused bike with trailie geometry. All the advantages, none of the disadvantages. Well, that was my call post GSX1400, anyway.

Based on your probable budget, I'd go with a BMW G650GS.

GSX1400s are lovely bikes. If you're actually riding it every day around town, though, and you want to commute economically, a GSX1400 is an overweight pain in the arse. You forget how heavy they are until you try something else. I lifted someone's CB1300 off the sidestand once, and it felt like a GN250.

And Mully was round on his GSX1400 recently; I hopped on and went to lift it and it didn't move. I'd forgotten how much force was required.

It's doable; I had a GSX1400 as my only motor vehicle for two years. They're great once you're on them and they're moving, and they have hefty enough brakes to stop them as smartly as many lighter bikes, too, assuming you haven't skimped on sticky tyres.

But a bike that you can wheel backwards up a slope if necessary without having your eyeballs pop out of your skull has a lot going for it. Something tall with lots of leg room and a comfy seat.

The BMW 650s are the perfect compromise, IMHO.

XT660s are nice, too, although you might want to fit an aftermarket seat.

Anyhow, just make sure you do a lot of test riding. Asking people on the internet for suggestions is well and good, but don't dismiss bike ideas, or allow yourself to get too keen on them, before you've actually ridden them. It's a very personal choice.

[short-circuit]

• Slightly higher bhp than the GSX1400
• 61 kgs lighter than the GSX1400
• 3 cylinder linear torque with accompanying triple howl
• Top drawer suspension
• Stunning looker:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=367281554

Just saying