A non sports bike sports bike?

[Hitcher]

Yamaha FJR1300. The perfect motorcycle.

[sels1]

Was out riding today dreaming of my perfect bike and came to the conclusion that I want a bike that can do everything.

Of course thats not going to happen, so narrowing it down:

a) High spec new components (suspension, brakes etc), not from the parts bin at the factory.
b) Sports bike handling
c) Relaxed riding position (ie able to ride it for more than 30 minutes without getting cramp or having to do the sports-bike-no-i'm-not-having-a-wank-i'm-relieving-the-pressure-from-my-wrist at every opportunity)
d) Acceptable trade off between b and c.
e) Doesn't scrape bits when lent over.

In other words a bike that can be used day to day and for touring, but is designed to go fast with good components. (Kind of like the old cbr600f.....imho)

Does such a bike exist?

Oh, I forgot f) upside down forks. Must have upside down forks. (p/t in case thats not obvious).

you have just described the new model Triumph Tiger

[Spuds1234]

Try the Cagiva Raptor.

Got the SV engine in, but looks a hundred times better than a SV.

[nudemetalz]

All that spec comes with my Guzzi V11 Sport

[Gizzit]

I'm pretty sure I have just found my "perfect' sports bike - without being a "sports bike" .....
See my profile. I have just added a stock small screen which takes enough wind off my chest to make 130K comfortable / easy, where naked it was a bit of an arm stretcher at 110K.
These are seriously underrated bikes. I have 700 + K's on mine now, and I've only had it two weeks.
Two up today with my wife, and it is the easiest two up riding I have had on any bike. Easy and light to flip from side to side and change line. Pretty effortless all around.
Hasn't got the upside down forks though ... but it handles real well for a standard setup, for my weight (89Kg) and ability!
Good luck and happy bike hunting.

[avgas]

my bike - buy it now (going cheap and fast).
i even saw the word brembro on it.....and for the first time in my life it wasn't a sticker.
no but seriously my bike is going cheap

[Zapf]

I'm pretty sure I have just found my "perfect' sports bike - without being a "sports bike" .....
See my profile. I have just added a stock small screen which takes enough wind off my chest to make 130K comfortable / easy, where naked it was a bit of an arm stretcher at 110K.
These are seriously underrated bikes. I have 700 + K's on mine now, and I've only had it two weeks.
Two up today with my wife, and it is the easiest two up riding I have had on any bike. Easy and light to flip from side to side and change line. Pretty effortless all around.
Hasn't got the upside down forks though ... but it handles real well for a standard setup, for my weight (89Kg) and ability!
Good luck and happy bike hunting.

Put some wide bars on it even better.

I am buying my 2nd one soon

[Hinny]

a) High spec new components (suspension, brakes etc), not from the parts bin at the factory.
b) Sports bike handling
c) Relaxed riding position
e) Doesn't scrape bits when lent over.

In other words a bike that can be used day to day and for touring, but is designed to go fast with good components.

Honda Pan European - designed in Germany to be able to cruise at 160kmh all day.
For handling see videos of Japanese cops competing on them. Impressively agile.
Very popular bikes with Police forces who I would say have very similar criteria to yours.
Reliability is a major factor. It is said that due to the basic goodness and reliability of the design of the Honda ST1100 almost every example that hasn't been crashed is still on the road racking up hundreds of thousands of miles.

BMW RT1200 Lighter and taller than the ST. Superb handling. Best screen on the market. No noise at 180kmh.

[Kirill357]

How about Honda VFR800, as far as I know it has everything you've mentioned, BUT they promised 1000cc model this year sooo me waiting too.

[-df-]

Was out riding today dreaming of my perfect bike and came to the conclusion that I want a bike that can do everything.

Of course thats not going to happen, so narrowing it down:

a) High spec new components (suspension, brakes etc), not from the parts bin at the factory.
b) Sports bike handling
c) Relaxed riding position (ie able to ride it for more than 30 minutes without getting cramp or having to do the sports-bike-no-i'm-not-having-a-wank-i'm-relieving-the-pressure-from-my-wrist at every opportunity)
d) Acceptable trade off between b and c.
e) Doesn't scrape bits when lent over.

In other words a bike that can be used day to day and for touring, but is designed to go fast with good components. (Kind of like the old cbr600f.....imho)

Does such a bike exist?

Oh, I forgot f) upside down forks. Must have upside down forks. (p/t in case thats not obvious).

Sounds like a modern street fighter is what you are after...ticks all the boxes. Got a R1 SF and its awesome to ride

[Stone_Duck]

Take a look at the Aprilia RST1000 Futura fine looking bike, even with the factory luggage fitted.

[Skinny_Birdman]

I was thinking along pretty much exactly the same lines after I sold my Blackbird, which I found too heavy and hard on my wrists. I had pretty much set myself on the earlier model FZ1, and was trying to find a decent one when 426crasher showed up on his Tuono, and happened to mention that there were quite a few Tuonos for sale in Christchurch. Two test rides later, and the unthinkable has happened. After swearing I would never buy another non-jap bike, I am picking up my '03 Tuono this week. Parts are better spec than the FZ1, although obviously not a patch on the Tuono Factory, wind protection is probably not as good, but the handling is stunning, and (this is totally subjective of course), to my eyes it is a bit more 'interesting' to look at.

Hope you can find the same satisfaction with this or one of the bikes suggested above.

Cheers
A

[slimjim]

get a Honda gaybird... leave yamahas to true blues...

[awd]

Try a Buell. I used to have that CBR600 you hanker after, but the Buell trounces it in every respect. I also used to have a 99 VFR800; Buell trounces it too. Come to think of it, the reason I have a Buell is that it's the best bike I have ever ridden. Give one a try.

[R6_kid:Me]

The Strangers FZ1 sounds pretty much like what you're after. He's only just now starting to think about replacing the suspension with some Robert Taylor special bits... and has done a few 'fuel economy modifications' that would more than likely see it putting out more HP at the wheel than my K3 GSXR1000. Not only that, the power is really usable, and even with a pillion the bike handles brilliantly. Gonna be a tough job chasing him around the North Island at the end of the month.