Bit of a different 'recommend me a bike' thread.

[MisterTommyH]

I've had my SV for a while, and was thinking that when I was ready for a change I'd look for something like a GSXR-750, but the bits I've enjoyed most of my last few trips (coast road into Applecross, Wicklow mountains, Healy pass - basically goat tracks but not green lanes) have made me think that's not the way to go.

Now I'm very happy doing these on the SV with luggage (like how light it is, works for me with the bumps), but there's no way I could ever tour with a pillion with this, or go on anything much more severe....

So.... Any advice of what I could look at that may be suited if I go that way?

Don't really want a drz as doesn't seem too comfortable for distances.... I've seen a few people with KTMs or GS1200's struggle, and not being the tallest I know I'd have no chance on them.... So any thoughts....? Any experiences of the GS650's, 700's or 800's?

[Owenski]

How tall we talking Tom?
If you're my height (5'7) or less you'll struggle on any touring bike, they're comfy when you're on the move but stopping on anything uneven can be a nightmare.
Enduros won't cut the mustard of luggage and pillion so you're right to rule out the Drz.
Ask Simon (fallout) about his tiger, they seem to be popular now.

[MisterTommyH]

5'7"7/8ths (the 7/8 is important).

This is why I wondered if the smaller GSs might cut it (but I've never seen them).

I've seen people on rented GS1200s struggle both from the height and the weight (and I'm not talking about short or slight fellas), and I've tried in vain to get onto a mates KTM (can't remember what it was (Maybe the same as the one Orose has) and I couldn't even get it vertical!

The SV really is brilliant at this stuff for a smaller person.... But it is just... Not really made for it.

[DJ123]

I am about the same height and i can comfortably sit on a Yamaha Super Tenere XT1200Z. The weight is low down in them and they are easy to manouvere on foot. I've not ridden on yet though, still trying to persuade the old man to let me do so ;)

[Fallout]

The Tiger is awesome, but I wouldn't recommend it for the shorter rider. It's not as high as an adventure bike, but its not far off. The weight is pretty high up too, and Givi luggage sits up high on the tail. Very low speeds can be wobbly if you lose concentration. Basically its drop paradise unless you have decent length anchors to save you.

[rictus01]

Now I know everyone will recommend whatever they currently have, but it would seem you're describing my bike, wet weight 189kg, lower seat 780mm (that's 25mm less than an SV), all day comfortable (done more than 10 1,000 mile plus weekends myself), mine is fitted with full hard luggage, cheap on service costs (basic service every 6,259 miles) as well as tyres, sit at 80-90mph all day with to odd blat into 3 figures..... that about right ?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551573_10150826283834135_1859642002_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/428939_10151010390534135_2095674102_n.jpg

the right cans (and baffles), you can either drown out any SV in sight or whisper it away.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551209_10150839891789135_716617112_n.jpg

surprisingly sophisticated for it's time, with stuff like self cancellng indicators, programmable shift indicator, real time voltage monitor, on screen diagnostics mode (in real language, not just codes), digital manual built in, two trips, two times,stopwatch function, lap timer, it goes on....

they also do the bike in a trails version for the more "off road" minded.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148870&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1306254266

2005-2009 (athough you can find the odd 2010/11 reg one) and a factory version is available for a bit of bling, few carbon bits, gold spoked wheels, but basically the same bike.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=136991&stc=1&d=1274897666

Anyway here's my review of a test ride and when I got mine, worth a look ?

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=178136&highlight=pegaso

prices - anywhere from bargain ones like my own £1500 up to 10 reg factory's at near £5k, but £2.5k will get you a nice one.

Cheers Mark.

[Specialone]

Most bikes can be lowered quite easily Tom, I have seen smaller guys than you green laning on bigger machines.

People see my explorer and think its massive, which it is but seat height isn't that tall, I can still flat foot both feet so no taller than my old sprint.

I'd consider things like a yam xt660, kwak versys, ktm 690, BMW gs650 and 800.

But my absolute recommended choice would be the tiger 800xc, what a brilliant bike, test ride one and you'll be hooked.

[rictus01]

yeah I ridden the 800, but prefer the standard tiger over the XC, but you'd have to have a go on the BMW F800 GS, as that's in the same camp (unlike the G650 GS, which is aimed definately at the fuel frugal minded), still both a lot of money; so only really an option if you're in the market for new or nearly new.

[orose]

5'7"7/8ths (the 7/8 is important).

This is why I wondered if the smaller GSs might cut it (but I've never seen them).

I've seen people on rented GS1200s struggle both from the height and the weight (and I'm not talking about short or slight fellas), and I've tried in vain to get onto a mates KTM (can't remember what it was (Maybe the same as the one Orose has) and I couldn't even get it vertical!

The SV really is brilliant at this stuff for a smaller person.... But it is just... Not really made for it.

I'm shorter than you, so I understand the problem - I can't handle the 990 Adventure, but the SM-T is OK as long as I'm careful where I park. Given that the only difference I could see was the wheel heights, it's amazing how much difference an inch makes (855 vs 880mm seat height). I'm test riding the 1190 later, which is somewhere between the two.

[andrewsmith]

As Rictus, if your looking for something with off road potential.
KTM LC4, theres loads of variants on the LC4 motor (640cc's and 690's) and some bikes with cracking toys.
If your considering the GS650 (single), look as the husqvarna 650 Terra's. They are steal of the decade £4800 on the road (same engine with more prep. Its the same idea as the Pegaso yammie motor)

Multi Cylinder, Aprilia Shiver GT or Dorso, 650 Verys, Trumpet 800, v-strom

[Owenski]

I'd have the Pegaso purely off the back of Marks post... me likey

[jambo]

Depends how seriously you want to take it, but I'd consider a DL650 too :)

[SvNewbie]

...lots of photos...

Wow! So that's what it looks like when it's clean! :cool:

[NTECUK]

Siver GT?even have ABS http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/252238/images/01aprilia-shiver-gt.jpg