Buying a new sports bike - impressions so far.

**Scarydog** · 16th September 2007, 21:24

Hi all,

I have been test riding bikes over the last few weeks trying to decide what to buy. Thought I would write up some of my impressions and see what you all thought :-).

My budget is around 15k, looking for something that I don't necessarily have to be doing 200km before it's fun. I'm keen on doing one, maybe two, trackdays a year but mostly I will just be going for runs over the hill, sometimes two-up.

VTR1000 (new) - Nice, but wasn't quite what I was looking for.

KTM Superduke (new) - wasn't intending to take this for a ride but Fergus at TSS twisted my arm :-). What a fantastic bike!. I came back from the ride with the biggest grin. Just had to think about turning and the bike dropped in to the corner. At $22k it is going to be a tough call though.

Ducati 749 (secondhand) - Nice bike, fantastic engine, reasonably comfy but felt a bit reluctant to turn at slow speeds but came to life as it got faster. If I was a better rider and could get to plenty of trackdays it would be awesome. Also my arse got quite hot on the way back through the traffic :-).

TL1000S (secondhand) - Fun, and comfortable but felt a bit heavy. Couple of unusual squeaks (chain too tight?) and a few rattles, possibly because it had quite high k's. But generally in fantastic condition.

Buell XB12R (new) - Was quite surprised by the Buell. I really liked the way it flicks from side to side and the engine is fun. Didn't get to take it for as long a test ride as I'd like. Pretty comfortable and the engine sounds great. Not sure why, but when initiating turns it felt unusual, couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

So my first choice is the Superduke but I'm not sure that I can bring myself to spend $22,000 on a toy at this stage. So second choice is the Buell.

What do you all think?

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 16th September 2007, 21:31

Originally Posted by Scarydog

I will just be going for runs over the hill, sometimes two-up.

Since you seem to have choosen the SuperDuke... take it for another test ride but this time two up... see how it handles and how comfortable your pillion is...

**Ocean1** · 16th September 2007, 22:11

Did a very similar exercise a few months ago, even the machinery selection was similar. Your impressions pretty much match mine. I tried a Triumph ST and a superduke but I found I preferred the Buell, so I bought an 0'06 XB12R. Like you I found I loved the engine (mine has a race kit but it doesn't change the basic feel).

Part of the reason they feel weird turning in is the geometry, it's seriously radical for a road bike, 4" shorter than most, extremely steep head angle and feck all trail. Because of that they're very sensitive to set-up shortfalls, if the sag in particular isn't roughly right they can just feel wrong.

I'm still playing with damping rates on the front but it's close. I really notice the effects of that very different feel when following other guys on "normal" bikes, their lines are big graceful curves, whereas the Buell feels more capable of dealing with line changes within a corner. I can follow exactly in their tracks but I find I tend to dip or lift pretty much at any point on a corner to avoid suspicious patches or road marks. I can't do that on their bikes so it's not just me either.

Good luck dude, go ride some more, can't have too much data eh?

**Renegade** · 17th September 2007, 01:56

what are the servicing costs on these buells, i.e replacement belts etc??

**NZsarge** · 17th September 2007, 03:38

Gotta say I rode the new Superduke a few weeks back, I "know" what you mean about the grin you you get of your face after riding it, if your not a speed merchant and enjoy your corners more I think your looking at the right bike. Just my 10 cents.

**Ocean1** · 17th September 2007, 11:48

Originally Posted by Renegade

what are the servicing costs on these buells, i.e replacement belts etc??

Looks like service intervals are similar to other bikes, parts are reasonably priced. I happen to know that a complete front RH indicator assembly costs $34 odd (pure chance, of no significance whatsoever). Drive belts last way longer than chains, in fact the '06 XB series belts are reported to live indefinitely, (as long as it's not somehow cut or damaged).

**jrandom** · 17th September 2007, 12:03

The K6 GSX-R1000 I spent the weekend on is going for $14K. Very reluctant sale.

Just, you know. Mentioning it.

The Superdukes are lovely bikes, though.

**Kendog** · 17th September 2007, 12:22

Here are a couple of threads on my experiences with these types of bikes (and some others)

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55395

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47434

**crazybigal** · 17th September 2007, 13:08

buel parts are well priced unlike suzuki!!
but you wouldnt catch me on one after reading all the build problem stories!!

Originally Posted by Renegade

what are the servicing costs on these buells, i.e replacement belts etc??

**crazybigal** · 17th September 2007, 13:09

so your only after a twin?
if not how about the sprint or the vfr800?

Originally Posted by Scarydog

Hi all,

I have been test riding bikes over the last few weeks trying to decide what to buy. Thought I would write up some of my impressions and see what you all thought :-).

My budget is around 15k, looking for something that I don't necessarily have to be doing 200km before it's fun. I'm keen on doing one, maybe two, trackdays a year but mostly I will just be going for runs over the hill, sometimes two-up.

VTR1000 (new) - Nice, but wasn't quite what I was looking for.

KTM Superduke (new) - wasn't intending to take this for a ride but Fergus at TSS twisted my arm :-). What a fantastic bike!. I came back from the ride with the biggest grin. Just had to think about turning and the bike dropped in to the corner. At $22k it is going to be a tough call though.

Ducati 749 (secondhand) - Nice bike, fantastic engine, reasonably comfy but felt a bit reluctant to turn at slow speeds but came to life as it got faster. If I was a better rider and could get to plenty of trackdays it would be awesome. Also my arse got quite hot on the way back through the traffic :-).

TL1000S (secondhand) - Fun, and comfortable but felt a bit heavy. Couple of unusual squeaks (chain too tight?) and a few rattles, possibly because it had quite high k's. But generally in fantastic condition.

Buell XB12R (new) - Was quite surprised by the Buell. I really liked the way it flicks from side to side and the engine is fun. Didn't get to take it for as long a test ride as I'd like. Pretty comfortable and the engine sounds great. Not sure why, but when initiating turns it felt unusual, couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.

So my first choice is the Superduke but I'm not sure that I can bring myself to spend $22,000 on a toy at this stage. So second choice is the Buell.

What do you all think?

**MotoGirl** · 17th September 2007, 13:46

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

Since you seem to have choosen the SuperDuke... take it for another test ride but this time two up... see how it handles and how comfortable your pillion is...

I'd be more concerned about the handling than the pillion's comfort; after all, there's fixes for that (hint, hint)

**Cache Wraith** · 17th September 2007, 13:53

Originally Posted by Scarydog

My budget is around 15k,

oh, what I'd do for a budget of 15k

**Dazza** · 17th September 2007, 14:01

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

Since you seem to have choosen the SuperDuke... take it for another test ride but this time two up... see how it handles and how comfortable your pillion is...

There will be nothing wrong with the handling or pillon comfort, I shouldn't think, but hell what would I know,

she'll love it, my lady reckons it's 100% better comfort wise than the Millie, might have something to do with the out of the wind thingy & not perched up in the air all exposed like !