Something comfy all rounder

[stuartyboy]

Guys/gals

Looking for advice on something comfy and more of an all rounder.

My 08rr is absolutely superb on the smooth flowing roads and on track. I could ride all day long on these type of roads and the track and feel comfortable. On the rough gnarly roads however it's too focussed. The combination of the ultra light weght, the chassis, suspension, sports tyres and lack of engine breaking (using the brakes more) make it hard work after 30-40 minutes on rough tight roads.

So I'm looking for something of an all rounder/lazier that can cope with the transition from the smooth flowing roads to the gnarly, tight bumpy roads.

I had a zx6r j2 which was brilliant and comfy however I don't want two sports bikes as I will be keeping the RR.

I was thinking hornet, cb100r, z1000. Or a twin. Not an SV unless it had a gixxer front end.

My other thinking was an 848 or similar Ducati. My reasoning behind this was the engine breaking might make life easier as I wouldn't be revving and breaking anywhere near as much as I am on the rr. I've never ridden a duke on the Gnarly roads so maybe someone who lives with one can tell me if my thinking is flawed.

Look forward to your views/experiences.

[davepreston]

2 thoughts on this
sv1000 ,no need for suspension upgrades and does everything youve asked
busa, only thing is it may be a bit to heavy for what you want

[Bibio]

bmw k1200gt or a blackbird both couches on wheels.

[Ratty]

My other thinking was an 848 or similar Ducati. My reasoning behind this was the engine breaking might make life easier


I think a Ducati's engine breaking may be expensive rather than making life easier :). Do you mean engine braking ?

Seconded on the SV1000S. Fast comfy with excellent brakes and suspension. Still easily good enough for your track days and also bargains to be had.

Ratty

[independentphoto]

Viffer? Before someone else suggests it....

[L3nny]

Comfy???

V-Twin???

Big, lazy engine??

I think I know what you're thinking of mate.


http://miamimotorcycleshow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/2010-harley-touring-electra-glide-ultra-ltd.jpg

[Specialone]

Sprint st, end of :)

[Dicky Ticker]

+1 Torque-power-lazy-comfy and can hustle if needs be. I'm with that man.

Maybe not the engine braking of a V-twin but more than an IL4.I don't get this thing with engine braking being such an important factor,it is a V-twin trait but off set by vibrations.Different horses for different riders and brakes are a lot cheaper to replace than engines,gearboxes,chains and sprockets which can all be damaged or wear quicker with excessive and abusive use as a braking system

[Essex of Essex]

+2 on the ST for all of the reasons given.

[mattSV]

STs are an old man's bike, and a bit slow ;) :-dd

[yorkie_chris]

I can't think of a better bike than an SV for that sort of use. A motard maybe, but then you'll run out of petrol somewhere remote up there.

Buy a cheap curvy and sort the suspension, simple :)

Sprint ST, VFR, etc are too long and heavy to lob about on properly knarly roads.



excessive and abusive use as a braking system

You seen me ride :mrgreen:
It has no negative effect within reasonable time span that I can see, and I have done more miles on mine than majority of owners will.

Obviously, if you put the revs through the redline, then it will go bang.

[cuffy]

I had the SV1000, great bike loads of torque and handling was great. Well, better than my abilities anyway, you wouldn't go far wrong with one, the reason i got rid was
A) It was too uncomfortable for me (Knackered knees)
B) I got so used to riding an IL4 i couldn't gel again with a twin.
C) Had no self control on the throttle, and eventually I would’ve either lost my license or my life.
Traded that in for the more sedate Z750.

I've road both the CB1000r and the Z1000 earlier this year. Both fantastic bikes.
The Z (09 model) was effortless to ride, smooth acceleration and pulled like the proverbial freight train, handling was fine, not at all wallowy in the corners. The 2010 model is meant to be even better but I haven’t had the pleasure of that.

The Honda had loads of torque in the mid-range and handled like it was on rails, tipped in phenomenally quick and was very confidence inspiring. The acceleration had the smoothness of the Z but also gave you a punch in the back like a V-twin, no dramas whilst in mid corner, but upon giving it the beans out of a corner the front end wanted to come up, and I don’t do wheelies, frighten the bajezuz out of me.

Given the choice I’d go for the Honda.
Just don’t tell the Z purists.

Cheers
Cuffy

[Jackie_Black]

Get a v-strom thou, proper old mans bike. Very comfy.

[Dicky Ticker]

Back to - ME ME ME - and how me rides and what me prefers. Sorry Chris but excessive or abusive engine braking and harsh acceleration, does not do a transmission any good and wears out component parts quicker I don't care what you say or have been taught. You end up with strain on all the components and over a period of time something will give where as brakes are designed for that purpose,yes they wear, but that is what they are designed to do and a much cheaper option to replace
I agree with you, over a reasonable time span the engine/transmission may last a while with competent smooth riding but using a bit of brake reduces stress and lengthens the life span as the inertia force of braking is spread over the complete mechanism of the vehicle reducing the stress placed on it

[MattCollins]

DT, I agree. FWIW, I believe that brakes are for braking and engine is for propulsion.

As to the original question. How much money is available? New or used? So many choices. Today I was looking at a Yamaha FZ1S. Nice bike that would seem to fit the bill for a nice torquey all rounder.

[Bri w]

Speed Triple will give you a similar riding position as the CB and the Z but will also give you more engine braking than an IL4.

[Luckypants]

Viffer? Before someone else suggests it....

I got to say that's why I like my VFR, it is a genuine all-rounder. Not as fast as some on the straights and not as nimble as others in the bends but more than competent on both. On real roads it's not often left behind.

It's all day comfy, takes a pillion with ease and can tour out of the box.

The only down side is lack of storage space for bits and bobs.

[yorkie_chris]

what they are designed to do

I believe they are designed to be given a good and regular kicking :-P

When a component part will last longer than the rest of the bike, even given higher wear rate, surely the wear is inconsequential?

Not disagreeing with you that brakes are designed to slow you down by the way ;)

[Beenz]

Like Cuffy I have ridden the Honda and the Kwak thous, The last Z was OK apart from an odd front end feeling but it was still fine enough to remove the chicken strips (the new version is much better allegedly) also the seat was a plank. The Honda CB was more comfortable and felt more planted and had the better motor in my vew. However having ridden the FZ1 (naked) that would be my choice of the bikes mentioned in this thread.

For something completely different and arguably more of a challenge, you could always consider the Bandit 1250, you have so much storage on the GT version as well. Handling is quite a hoot for a heavy beast. I didn't experience problems keeping up with better exotica on the twisties on mine. They just look less dynamic as the above. I've no idea about using one on the track mind.

[JamesMio]

Fireblade...

All the sportyness of the CBR600 but with more grunt low down, so you don't have to kick it's face in to get it moving...

(works for me!)

[Lozzo]

Sprint ST

Anyone who says they can't be hustled down decent roads can't ride.


Back to - ME ME ME - and how me rides and what me prefers. Sorry Chris but excessive or abusive engine braking and harsh acceleration, does not do a transmission any good and wears out component parts quicker I don't care what you say or have been taught. You end up with strain on all the components and over a period of time something will give where as brakes are designed for that purpose,yes they wear, but that is what they are designed to do and a much cheaper option to replace

Many years ago I did the BSM High Performance course at Castle Combe in Rover SD1 Vitesses. Our instructors were very clear that brakes are for slowing down and stopping - gearboxes are not brakes, they are for selecting the correct gear for the road speed and circumstances.

[L3nny]

Fireblade...

All the sportyness of the CBR600 but with more grunt low down, so you don't have to kick it's face in to get it moving...

(works for me!)

+1 Especially the 929, the 954s are overpriced :p

[JamesMio]

+1 Especially the 929, the 954s are so far superior that to many, they seem overpriced ;)

How are you getting on with yours? It's taken me the best part of a year to feel like I'm getting anything like the best out of mine, it was such a big step up from the SV. I don't think I'll ever get rid of mine now, it's just sublime and I love it!

There's nothing quite like that feeling when they get over about 9,000 revs is there..!?

I do quite fancy getting an old ratty hack to take some of the mileage out of it (12,000 in the first 12 months of me owning it) though.

[stuartyboy]

Fireblade...

All the sportyness of the CBR600 but with more grunt low down, so you don't have to kick it's face in to get it moving...

(works for me!)

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

Actually the blade was my thinking. I loved the 08 blade when I had it out on extended test and had the right amount of EB. The older blades are a little less focussed than the likes of the rr are they not?

The problem I'm getting is tiredness on extended runs moving from smooth roads to the gnarly tight turns. The increased changing up down, braking, throttling and weight on the wrists takes it's toll on me.

The suspension and chassis is so focussed that it needs a completely different setup on tight rough roads to make it comfy. Stopping to dial in different suspension settings is just impractical.

I've tried touring tyres which made a bit of a difference. The rossos which are on it now are great on the smooth stuff however on the gnarls they track every little bump and stone.

The ST I hadn't considered TBH. I'm used to light sports bikes, rr, zx6r. Willing to give it a go though

Surprised no one mentioned the speed triple (or have they?).

What I think I've narrowed it down to is a cross between the sportiness of the rr with a little more engine braking, slightly less head down **** up an less track focussed suspension.

[Bri w]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

Surprised no one mentioned the speed triple (or have they?).

.

Er, yes.

Mate's just sold is, and gone back to a GSXR 750. He's regretting it already. Says the GSXR is a fantastic bike on the right roads but is a pain in the on the wrong ones.

He misses the low down grunt, the engine braking that some say we shouldn't use, and the riding position that "is all day comfortable."

I found it too tall for my little legs, 830mm seat height, but I'm an apprentice dwarf

[madness]

Aprillia Shiver

[stuartyboy]

Er, yes.

Mate's just sold is, and gone back to a GSXR 750. He's regretting it already. Says the GSXR is a fantastic bike on the right roads but is a pain in the on the wrong ones.

He misses the low down grunt, the engine braking that some say we shouldn't use, and the riding position that "is all day comfortable."

I found it too tall for my little legs, 830mm seat height, but I'm an apprentice dwarf

You're right Bri - I was skimming through the posts and confused my speed triple with the sprint st.

I understand your mate with the gixxer's predicament.

The height appeals to me - I'm 6'1 so hopefully this would suit me better.

Engine braking's just like rolling off the throttle to me and if it helps me enjoy the tight roads better then it will do for me ;)