View Full Version : Which bike shall I buy?
Ninthbike
24-02-14, 11:42 PM
My wife has just followed through on her plan to load me up with another mortgage by buying a house in Spain. I have been going along with the idea for a peaceful life and am now about to get my just desserts. Part of the deal is that I get to buy a new bike to keep and ride in Spain when I am there. And now comes the dilemma - what should I get??
I will be using it for riding some of the best roads I have ever seen in the mountains north of Valencia, will occasionally carry my wife pillion and will also be using it for track days at the circuit in Chiva (near Valencia). Suggestions most welcome bearing in mind that I should be able to buy direct from most manufacturers and avoid UK taxes as it will be for export (and will need to be Spanish market product). Look forward to hearing the suggestions. Cheers.
Alexander94
24-02-14, 11:51 PM
R6, R1, GSXR, CBR, any of the main sports bikes will provide you with what you need and for the most part it's down to personal preference. I personally love how the R1 looks.
Ninthbike
24-02-14, 11:58 PM
All great bikes, but -- pillion?? and remember, I'm getting old so the sports bike riding position is getting more painful.
Alexander94
25-02-14, 12:37 AM
Sv650/1000 naked?
The difficult thing is finding something comfortable everyday but that still has the power and handling to do the track days that you mentioned. Some form of streetfightered sports bike could be good, the crosser bars give them a more upright position but you still have a punchy engine, it depends on what you like though.
I second Tomor's suggestion of a speed triple but in Spain parts may be harder to come by unless you get them from England and have them posted, then it'll cost a fair amount in postage, just something to consider. I spent a while in France with a ZXR400 and they are almost non existent over there so getting parts wasn't easy or cheap
TheRamJam
25-02-14, 08:32 AM
Triumph 1050ST, Kawasaki ZZR1400, ZX1000, Honda CB1000R, Yamaha FZ1, XJR1300, MV 800 Dragster, Ducati Streetfighter,
Plenty of other options if your not going down the Supersports route :-)
carelesschucca
25-02-14, 12:07 PM
I'd say Street R too but I'm baised. But they are a great naked sportsbike plenty quick enough with decent pillion provision. I wouldn't say getting parts would be a struggle there's a Triumph dealer in Valencia.
Doinitmyway
25-02-14, 01:48 PM
I take it you are buying it in Spain? I am sure when my old dear moved out there they charge you to register vehicles onto Spanish plates. Something like 10% of the selling price. They are onto the old 'mot, tax & insure it' in England routine too, something to do with having to change your licence after a certain amount of time if you reside there.
Anyway. Fazer thou? GSXR750? Versys1000?
My old dear lives just outside Valencia (9hr ride from Santander ;) ), beautiful part of the world........
Chris
Matt-EUC
25-02-14, 07:48 PM
Bandit 1250?
Adventure bike. Big seat and if you have seen one of the guys from the fire bike crew you can have a hoot on the track too
And now comes the dilemma - what should I get??
What a brilliant dilemma to be faced with!
You haven't given us much to go on apart from track days, no hardcore sport ergo and occasional pillion. Are you leaning toward any particular type of bike or manufacturer? What about budget? Will it be used or brand new?
Anyhow, back to what should you get?
I imagine your main pleasure rides will involve wonderful twisty mountain passes and the like. So ....
A few spring to mind. I agree with a previous poster, Triumph Street Triple R seems bang on the money given with vague criteria.
I'm a big fan of KTM as a brand, love their 690 Duke R, 1290 Superduke R, 1190 Adventure R and my big favourite the KTM RC8 R.
I'm also a huge fan of strokers, perhaps irrelevant to you, perhaps not. For back road twisties and mountain passess I'd take a Yamaha TZR 250RS or Suzuki RGV250 Gamma SP VJ23A in Lucky Strike colours but they're not common, need lots of tlc, but are fantastic scratchers (although bad ergos for stiffer, older bodies).
Ducati Streetfighter 848 looks great and really performs according to some reviews I've read.
Hey, what about the Aprilia Tuono V4 R APRC, looks great and the reviewers love it.
Given the chance (and the budget) I'd take any of the above. (All of the above when I win lotto this weekend :) )
Bikes to avoid: Any of the Japanese inline fours! Not because they're no good, they're all great bikes but ubiquitous and their rivals are giving us a wealth of choice meaning we can dare to be different and still get a reliable and awe-inspiring head turner that does everything we want it to and more.
I love your 'dilemma' and hope I am blessed with a similar curse before too long.
Many here would rightly recommend extensive test riding and buy the one that feels awesome and looks awesome, I too would make that same recommendation.
Now, I hope that when the decision is made you will let us all know and post up many pics of the exotic beauty you choose to ride.
Enjoy the process and enjoy the purchase even more :)
Speed triple
More room than the street ;)
BMW S1000R what a bike!! Perfect in almost every way apart from the cost
Ninthbike
28-02-14, 09:50 PM
Thanks guys. Between you, you have more or less confirmed my feelings. I'll be taking quite a few out for test rides when the days get longer and the weather improves but I'm leaning towards a Speed Triple R. I rode the first Street some years ago and loved every second. To fill in a few details, I'll be looking at a new bike which I can buy direct from most manufacturers at cost due to my job. I still need to investigate whether to buy a UK model, pay VAT here and ride it over or buy a Spanish market model, excluding VAT and register it in Spain. The Spanish equivalent of VAT is 21 or 22% so it will depend upon the sale price for each model. You're right, it is a great dilemma to have and if/when the house purchase is confirmed I'll keep you all abreast of activity. I'm also getting a 125cc scoot for me, my wife and daughter to use for trips into town. I'm told that one of the best is the X-Max 125 Yamaha.
Matt-EUC
28-02-14, 10:10 PM
Can you get us all bikes at trade price/ factory cost??? I'd luuuuurve that.
Ninthbike
28-02-14, 10:35 PM
Chance would be a fine thing!
zippie01
28-02-14, 11:03 PM
Bmw gs1200
Havent ridden it but the MT07 felt very nice to sit on at the bike show. Cheap, too
zippie01
28-02-14, 11:26 PM
Mt-07 nice bike, but seeing as the MT-09 is not much more, I would love to own that !!
Can you get us all bikes at trade price/ factory cost??? I'd luuuuurve that.
What you want is the manufacturers employees discount code
;)
Matt-EUC
01-03-14, 09:22 AM
Yeah, get on that. I'd like it on my desk Monday.
I've only got the car one.
Ninthbike
01-03-14, 08:15 PM
I've only got the car one.
For a Triumph?? I think it might be a little out-of-date!!
Ninthbike
01-03-14, 08:17 PM
Mt-07 nice bike, but seeing as the MT-09 is not much more, I would love to own that !!
Great bike, but given the choice I would pay the little extra to have the Street Triple.
Matt-EUC
01-03-14, 10:08 PM
Just don't try and do a burnout on wet grass and drop it.
For a Triumph?? I think it might be a little out-of-date!!
Nissan.
But I've just used mine ;)
Matt-EUC
01-03-14, 10:14 PM
Maybe you should "aquire" a Suzuki one.
Or just stop breaking your nearly new bike and ride it!
Or just stop breaking your nearly new bike and ride it!
Did I miss a thread Matt?
Matt-EUC
02-03-14, 12:01 AM
I didn't break it. BLD did.
Ninthbike
07-03-14, 10:37 PM
I take it you are buying it in Spain? I am sure when my old dear moved out there they charge you to register vehicles onto Spanish plates. Something like 10% of the selling price. They are onto the old 'mot, tax & insure it' in England routine too, something to do with having to change your licence after a certain amount of time if you reside there.
Anyway. Fazer thou? GSXR750? Versys1000?
My old dear lives just outside Valencia (9hr ride from Santander ;) ), beautiful part of the world........
Chris
We've bought near Turis just outside Valencia. I'm very drawn to a Street R. I have spoken to someone at Yamaha who told me that I will probably be better off buying from a Spanish dealer but using some pull from the manufacturer. If I buy a UK model I will need to change headlights and get Spanish registration on top of whatever I buy it for in the UK. Was also very very tempted by the Speed R but suspect that I would kill myself. I rode the original Street back in 2008 and couldn't keep the front wheel down - loved every second. It will soon be time to start a round of test rides.
Doinitmyway
08-03-14, 01:03 AM
We've bought near Turis just outside Valencia.
About 15mins from my mum, who is not far outside Torrent. Small world...
BanannaMan
08-03-14, 04:37 AM
The new VFR 800.
More nimble than the previous model but still a good tourer, panniers and top box are available as options.
Ninthbike
13-04-14, 05:12 PM
Right. So I have now found out how much I can get a Triumph for and am ****ed off that I dodn't do this a few years ago. It's virtually certain that I will get a Street Triple R ABS and will be borrowing a demo this Thursday (got the day off). Next decision (assuming that I like the bike) is what colour. Available only in Whit, Metallic Black and Matt Grey (which I don't think I'll have as I'm not sure about matt finish paint). Any suggestions?
Ninthbike
13-04-14, 05:19 PM
You would say that! I am very fond of the white but the black also looks good with the red subframe etc. Also comes at the moment with free flyscreen, undertray and seat cowl.
Matt-EUC
13-04-14, 05:39 PM
It is also possible to get it in purple.
Daffy_Duck
13-04-14, 08:00 PM
Vfr defo
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
Ninthbike
13-04-14, 08:33 PM
It is also possible to get it in purple.
No. The standard one came in purple for the previous model but the new R only comes in three colours with a red subframe and side pods.
Ninthbike
13-04-14, 08:36 PM
Vfr defo
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
Not a huge fan of Honda gearboxes TBH. Had 2 Honda's and both clunky 'boxes (VFR400 and Hornet)
carelesschucca
13-04-14, 09:01 PM
Go white, but for pillion comfort the older model is better. Or has that been put down on the list of priorities?
Matt-EUC
13-04-14, 09:36 PM
It is still possible to get it in the old purple colour. Just say, I want it in purple. You'll get a purple one.
Ninthbike
16-04-14, 08:32 PM
So tomorrow I'm borrowing a Street R from one of my dealers to make sure that I like it. After that I need to broker the deal with the wife. Wish me luck!!
'Make sure I like it ' what a silly statement ;)
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
The street is a horrible 3cyl thing. What sort of bike is that ;)
Machine
17-04-14, 12:08 PM
Get the white one as the black or grey will soak up the spanish sun, fade a bit over time and be really hot if left outside too long. Plus the black will be a nightmare to clean as its dusty and the lacquer will definitely take a beating just check out any car from Spain they all have blistered paint and look like they have been sand blasted
Matt-EUC
17-04-14, 02:23 PM
and look like they have been sand blasted
Because they have.
But yeah, matte black would be good but failing that, anything but red.
Daffy_Duck
17-04-14, 06:55 PM
I know someone with one in dark matt green. Every time you see it A-Team theme jumps straight into your head.
Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk
Ninthbike
17-04-14, 07:45 PM
What a fantastic bike!!!! Light, powerful, brilliant suspension, fantastic brakes and no fairing so it will stop me from just going really fast in a straight line. The handling was excellent and unfortunately revealed the substantial shortcomings of the SV (I did enjoy riding that home afterwards though!). Also the induction noise was phenomenal which means that it just doesn't need an aftermarket exhaust. I just must have this bike and white will be the colour. I'm going to wait until the boss and I are in Spain at the end of the month, take her to dinner and then tell her that I'm buying it. I suspect June will be the time as Triumph's year end is the end of June and dealers will all be chasing target. Can't wait!!
littleoldman2
17-04-14, 07:57 PM
Sounds like a good plan. Enjoy
davepreston
18-04-14, 12:42 AM
cant be arsed to read the whole thread but here is some stuff you will need to know
1/ get as much security on your bike as poss (they are nicked constantly in spain)
2/ every Spanish driver crosses themselves before driving there vehicle (this tells you what they are expecting during there trip)
3/ the roads are awesome, but keep your speeding out of town, they are known for there overkill inside the city limits ( and when the guarda civil stop you, get off kneel down hands on head and only say" el residente" over and over)
4/ fillering is expected and encouraged , so is getting bumped from all sides and behind by cars and lorries
5/ Spanish streets in towns are narrow, therefore most cars are minus there right hand mirror so don't expect them to see you
enjoy its a experience
DP
carelesschucca
18-04-14, 07:15 AM
no fairing so it will stop me from just going really fast in a straight line!
I remember saying that too :-) Enjoy the bike when you get it.
Ninthbike
18-04-14, 07:18 AM
cant be arsed to read the whole thread but here is some stuff you will need to know
1/ get as much security on your bike as poss (they are nicked constantly in spain)
2/ every Spanish driver crosses themselves before driving there vehicle (this tells you what they are expecting during there trip)
3/ the roads are awesome, but keep your speeding out of town, they are known for there overkill inside the city limits ( and when the guarda civil stop you, get off kneel down hands on head and only say" el residente" over and over)
4/ fillering is expected and encouraged , so is getting bumped from all sides and behind by cars and lorries
5/ Spanish streets in towns are narrow, therefore most cars are minus there right hand mirror so don't expect them to see you
enjoy its a experience
DP
Can't wait!!!:D
Are you getting it on PCP (hides behind sofa)
Ninthbike
18-04-14, 07:30 AM
Maybe. It depends whether I want to shell out the whole lot at once, or pay £500 deposit and then £48 per month for a couple of years, then just swap for another and carry on paying £48 per month. Then at some point in the future I can buy it at the end if I want, because I will still have the money (plus interest) in the bank.
You kidding right £500 down £50 a month
Matt-EUC
18-04-14, 07:59 AM
You know who he works for right?
Is that crossroads finance. Made famous by Robert Johnson.
I went down to the crossroads.
"I got down on my knees.
A 675 street R is all I need " ;)
Matt-EUC
18-04-14, 08:21 AM
He clearly gets preferential treatment.
Ninthbike
18-04-14, 09:09 AM
Yep. Triumph staff deal. GFV will easily be covered by the bike's value and give me around the same deposit in two years' time. I will have to pay interest and around £200 in fees though, so may just "invest" the money in it and keep changing the bike every two years without adding anything. I do now know just what a priviliged position this puts me in but I feel a **** because I could have been doing it for the last ten years or more! Essentially free riding but for insurance and petrol.
Balky001
18-04-14, 06:42 PM
Having a bike to take pillion comfotably is never going to make a decent track set up. As good as the S3 might be on the road it will frustrate on ground clearance and suspension unless you are just doing 1 or 2 a year. Which would be a shame given the location. Can't you negotiate a nice little K1-K3 GSXR600track bike in to the package? ;)
Ninthbike
18-04-14, 10:30 PM
Having a bike to take pillion comfotably is never going to make a decent track set up. As good as the S3 might be on the road it will frustrate on ground clearance and suspension unless you are just doing 1 or 2 a year. Which would be a shame given the location. Can't you negotiate a nice little K1-K3 GSXR600track bike in to the package? ;)
A distinct possibility later on this year - at the beginning of August we become Suzuki Finance again! The Street R has fully adjustable (and excellent) suspension front and rear together with radial brake calipers on the front which are f*cking awesome. I had a K1 GSXR600 a few years ago and the Street is (IMO) a much better all-round machine.
Matt-EUC
19-04-14, 08:16 AM
Are you going back to suzuki because Lloyd's/black horse has gone bust?
Ninthbike
19-04-14, 09:43 PM
No, we have been in a joint venture with them on cars for the last 10 years and they will now be including bikes after a new three-year deal was signed. For the last 4+ years it has been run (badly if the dealers are to be believed) by Close Motor Finance
Ninthbike
16-05-14, 04:59 PM
Right, nearly there!! I have sold my bike (Thanks Bugster) and have squared off the deal with "she who must be obeyed". I have (almost) agreed the price with my chosen dealer and sorted the balance of the money. The insurance is (very oddly, considering the difference in value) virtually identical to the SV so that will be easy to sort too. I want it in June and will be away with the wife next weekend so have decided upon the first available Saturday in June (7th) for collection. Just three very boring weeks without a bike (typical now that the sun is out!) to go! I may have to go for some completely unnecessary test rides.........hmmm.
Matt-EUC
16-05-14, 05:01 PM
Or hire a bike.
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
dont you mean ''Closed door Motor Finance'' not my favourite of people :smt062
Ninthbike
16-05-14, 09:23 PM
dont you mean ''Closed door Motor Finance'' not my favourite of people :smt062
Huh??
Ninthbike
16-05-14, 09:26 PM
Ahh, now I get it. Not many Suzuki dealers have anything good to say about them either. It's a shame that an ex-member of our staff works there in their Motorcycle Division. He's a nice guy but will be really up against it this year.
quick version.
new bike on finance with them
bike stolen, insurance paid out (was still paying the DD's till payout)
went to get new bike and refused point blank.
they done me a sort of favour in the end really as i bought my current bike second hand with 1k on the clock for a very good price so no finance needed. had to suffer a year without a bike though.
Ninthbike
17-05-14, 10:57 AM
quick version.
new bike on finance with them
bike stolen, insurance paid out (was still paying the DD's till payout)
went to get new bike and refused point blank.
they done me a sort of favour in the end really as i bought my current bike second hand with 1k on the clock for a very good price so no finance needed. had to suffer a year without a bike though.
Nowadays they have to give some idea why they have declined your proposal. This usually involves giving you contact details for Experian so that you can investigate your own credit record. It may also just be that they didn't think you could afford a new agreement. All's well that ends well.:)
Ninthbike
21-05-14, 07:41 PM
Yaaay!!! Went in today to pay deposit and get a registration number for the insurance. Bike was delivered about 10 minutes before I got there so have now seen it in the flesh for the first time. I was due to collect on 7th June but may try to bring it forward if I can get a lift over to collect it. Just waiting for the loan to be put into my bank account. So excited!!!:D
Matt-EUC
21-05-14, 07:43 PM
Loan?! I thought you'd get it on HP.
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
Ninthbike
21-05-14, 09:13 PM
Loan?! I thought you'd get it on HP.
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
Nope. Was due to use the "excess" money from the new mortgage but this will clearly be used for setting up the new house so decided instead to borrow from the cheapest lender (at almost half the price of our "staff" loans) and pay it off early so that the bike is unencumbered in a couple of years. Then I can decide whether or not to swap it for a new one.:)
Have also just had another result. Bennetts came up cheapest on Compare the meerkat and as I'm already insured with them they told me that I wouldn't have to pay the £50 cancellation fee for the old policy. Phoned this evening as the online quote went up from £127 three days ago to £140 when I tried to buy it. They not only honored the cheaper quote but also gave me a refund of £30 for the remaining portion of the old policy. So I have just insured the new bike, fully comp with protected NCD for just £96!! Happy days.
davepreston
21-05-14, 09:19 PM
every post you write makes me hate you more and more ;)
Ninthbike
21-05-14, 09:20 PM
Thanks Dave.......Ive impressed myself as I've managed to **** you off without even meeting you!!!!
davepreston
21-05-14, 09:29 PM
no one **** me off after meeting me
must be the dodgy accent or maybe the height :)
ps GM or AR sort it out, better there than when I can really get you in trouble in spain :)
Ninthbike
21-05-14, 10:03 PM
no one **** me off after meeting me
must be the dodgy accent or maybe the height :)
ps GM or AR sort it out, better there than when I can really get you in trouble in spain :)
AR is too far but have already committed to the GM and been out with a couple of people there.
davepreston
21-05-14, 10:08 PM
muhahahahahaha :)
Matt-EUC
22-05-14, 08:03 AM
AR is too far but have already committed to the GM and been out with a couple of people there.
To which GM do you refer?
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
There's only one GM this year http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=206552
Jason H
22-05-14, 09:57 AM
To which GM do you refer?
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
There's only one GM this year http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=206552
So basically Matt, he was referring to a ride rather than the GM...silly people of the north abreviating the name of ride in such a way this it would cause confusion. :P
J
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Ninthbike
02-06-14, 06:27 PM
So back on track...........got the new bike today!!!!:cheers: Was a bit careful coming home after the "new brakes, new tyres" warnings and clearly want to run it in reasonably well but need now to get miles/time on it so that I can ride it properly - just as the weather turns ****e for a while! Doh!:(
Matt-EUC
02-06-14, 08:52 PM
I have been told by many people that running them in hard makes for goodness or something.
Running in like a pansy makes you like men. Or so I've heard.
Sent via the medium of interpretative dance.
kaivalagi
02-06-14, 09:20 PM
This is the text on it, first 20 miles the guy reckons: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Jury's still out for me.....more or less did it on my SM-T 'cause the bike wanted it and still drank oil for the first 10K miles
My first thoughts are with the thrash group as we had issues years back with P 12,
Thrashed the juke was Ok for 2 1/2 years. 36,000 miles.
Thrashed the Qashqai. Not using oil 3,090 miles on
i have never 'run in' a vehicle in my life. i ride/drive them how i would normally and change the oil at 1k. never ever had a problem.
This is the text on it, first 20 miles the guy reckons: http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Jury's still out for me.....more or less did it on my SM-T 'cause the bike wanted it and still drank oil for the first 10K miles
Really interesting article, if I'm ever in a position to run in a brand new bike I'd use the method in the article as it makes a lot of sense. I definitely wouldn't leave the oil in there for 600 miles from new, I like the idea of a flush and change at 20 odd miles or so.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.