View Full Version : This 2nd bike thing.....
Jelster
13-11-04, 06:53 PM
Right, as some of you know I have been thinking about a 2nd bike for a while. Main usage would be commuting and 2 up riding, leaving my Gixer for the fun stuff and I could turn it into more of a race bike, making it a solo machine.
So, my first thoughts turned to the VFR800 or perhaps a big naked muscle bike. The wife doesn't want a 2 step seat, leaving her above my head and "feeling exposed" as she puts it. However, I cant see the point of having a VFR and my Gixer. The Vifer is a true sports tourer, it's just a big sports bike so I have started to look elsewhere.
The range is limited because of the wifes requirements and due to my short legs.... So the seat a height must be no higher than my GSXR, which is 825 stock. The shortlist so far is:
XJR1300 - I've always fancied a muscle bike, so this does have some appeal
Honda Blackbird - Not really a commuter, but great for high speed 2 up work
Beamer 1200GS (low seat option) - I know, I know.... But this is the only bike that I have ever sat on and everything feels like it's exactly where it should be.
So over the next few weeks I'm going to organise a test ride on each to see how I get on. If any of you have experience with any of these models I'd be pleased for your comments.
I sat on the new Sprint and it felt horrible. Wide, fat and lardy. It looks nice but it was a real anti-climax, as I really wanted it to make an impact on me, but it didn't. I also sat on Yamaha's Bulldog, that's a bloody comfortable bike, but a bit to close to a cruiser for me...
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Wiltshire7
13-11-04, 07:43 PM
i dont know much about anything..... but i do know the blackbird in its matt black paint work looks the nuts!
mysteryjimbo
13-11-04, 09:53 PM
I'd probably go for a Fazer 1000 or XJR1300. The XJR has one mean look and motor. Fazer is more sporty and a bit of a wheelie monster!
Peter Henry
14-11-04, 10:04 AM
Steve,.....Ok for me to throw in the Honda Pan Am? Never read anything bad about one of those babies. 8)
chazzyb
14-11-04, 10:24 AM
Steve,.....Ok for me to throw in the Honda Pan Am? Never read anything bad about one of those babies. 8)
Isn't that the Errmerican Pan Euro - still an ST1100 though?
what about a cbr600F
cheaper to run than a blackbird
still good for 160 mph :twisted:
double seat - plenty of underseat storage.
plus you get reliability which is essential for commuting and stuff.
Jelster
14-11-04, 11:20 AM
Steve,.....Ok for me to throw in the Honda Pan Am? Never read anything bad about one of those babies. 8)
Isn't that the Errmerican Pan Euro - still an ST1100 though?
I want a bike not an armchair :lol: Seriously, it's of no interest to be what so ever. Big fat lardy thing which is too wide to commute on.
what about a cbr600F
cheaper to run than a blackbird
still good for 160 mph :twisted:
double seat - plenty of underseat storage.
plus you get reliability which is essential for commuting and stuff.
I considered a 600F before I got the Gixer. I can't see the point of having both, and the 600F just won't do the sport thing as well as the Gixer. I want to be in a position to have a solo sport only bike (the GSXR), plus a bike that is fun to ride, has a decent pillion seat and suitable for commuting. I'd rather not go for a full sports bike, and if I did it would be an RR2/RR3 'Blade, but then the pillion position wouldn't be suitable.
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My humble Kwak ER5 is more fun than you'd ever think - it satisfies all the above requirements, plus it's v v cheap to run and to insure (group 8 ). Not the fastest thing on 2 wheels true but fun nonetheless.
how about the SV650 (naked)
but then again - there awfully slow and lack honda's superior build quality :)
*hides in the dark and secluded corner*
Dirty Baz
15-11-04, 01:17 PM
I'd get one of these, without question.
http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/de/_common/img/products/vis_end_r1200gs_02.jpg
looks cool, comutes, tours, off-roads, backroad blasts, 2 up comfort, BM build quality!!! the only bad point is the price!
Anonymous
15-11-04, 01:19 PM
Baz speaks the truth.
I think the spoke wheels are extra tho, road ones are cast I think.
Jelster
15-11-04, 01:42 PM
I'm waiting for BMW to sort me out a test ride on a 1200GS. Guy on the stand said all BMW dealers now have "low seat option" test bikes and I could have it for most of the day if I choose a weekday...
Also, if I wait a couple of weeks they said I could do a back to back with the new 1200 sports bike. Not too sure about that one yet, but I'm always for experiencing other bikes. The Mrs liked the feel of the GS, although it's a little high for a non expereinced pillion.
I don't know how many on here have tried the GS, but everybody that I know who has, says it's a marvelous machine. Looks butt ugly mind, so in a way I guess I have something in common with it. :lol:
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Dirty Baz
15-11-04, 01:49 PM
Yeah, those wire wheels are extra, still looks good without.
I think it's a good looking bike, very unique!
benHallowes
15-11-04, 02:37 PM
honda XR650 Supermoto?
Hornet? - spend some cash on th suspension tho!
dare i say a naked SV? :shock:
:D :P
Hornet? - spend some cash on th suspension tho!
Yeah - very well built and, as I found out yesterday morning, very easy to ride/tractable in slippy road conditions.
2003-onwards models have uprated/sorted suspension, improved fuel economy and larger tank (I get 160 miles to the reserve light) and a much improved headlight :thumbsup:
donniej
15-11-04, 03:05 PM
I'd find the bike you want first, make it "work" for you second...
Seats can be cut down, suspension lowered...
http://www.warriorscentral.com/sv02/rev3/left.jpg
Jelster
15-11-04, 10:22 PM
honda XR650 Supermoto?
Hornet? - spend some cash on th suspension tho!
dare i say a naked SV? :shock:
:D :P
Supermoto and SV are out due to the poor pillion provision. And yes I know that many on here will say that the SV is fine, but my wife isn't confident of gettting on the bike, she's doing it so we can spend some time together. So I need a bike that has a single seat, and provides the pillion with plenty of confidence. Supermoto desn't quite fit the bill really, and the stepped seat of the SV isn't much better.
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chazzyb
15-11-04, 10:33 PM
You could do worse than this. (http://www.ural-motorcycles.com/nf/usoloret/bild_02.jpg)
Ok, so you couldn't really. :oops:
what about one of these
http://www.sell-it-easy.de/schuco/images/06560.jpg
chazzyb
15-11-04, 10:42 PM
what about one of these
http://www.sell-it-easy.de/schuco/images/06560.jpg
Nah, chair's on the wrong side for UK roads.
Carsick
15-11-04, 11:07 PM
I bet that bike could cause a few issues if you had to stop suddenly.
donniej
16-11-04, 06:06 PM
what about one of these
http://www.sell-it-easy.de/schuco/images/06560.jpg
Looks like a Chang-Jiang... I think you'd have equal luck walking.
Jelster
16-11-04, 10:32 PM
Go for the BMW. :lol:
BMW UK called me today to see if the dealer had contacted me, they haden't so they've asked another dealer to call., and I hope to have t test this weekend....
I feel a run up to M&P coming on.....
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Without wishing to be predictable ;)
Test a KTM 950 Adventure! Much more fun than the BM and it will easily take pillions. My wife was never happy on the back of the SV but she is fine on the KTM. Added to that it is an awesome bike! I love it!!!! I tried an 1150 adventure as well as the KTM and the KTM made the BM feel like a lumbering tractor...
Jelster
22-11-04, 09:00 PM
Test a KTM 950 Adventure! Much more fun than the BM and it will easily take pillions. My wife was never happy on the back of the SV but she is fine on the KTM. Added to that it is an awesome bike! I love it!!!! I tried an 1150 adventure as well as the KTM and the KTM made the BM feel like a lumbering tractor...
Maybe if they did a low seat version... Guys, I'm a short ****, I don't fit on big bikes...
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VFR 800... can't go wrong... I rode a mates a few weeks ago and it's AWESOME! Confidence inspiring, comfortable, more upright than it looks and plenty of power.
Mate of mine has a Ducati 916 and a bandit 12 as a second bike. Happy as the proverbial pig he is too.
rictus01
22-11-04, 11:55 PM
I don't know how many on here have tried the GS, but everybody that I know who has, says it's a marvelous machine.
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Er, No Steve not everyone you know, I've had test rides on both the 1150 and 1200 GS, it's OK, if you're into that kind of thing, but not what I'd call good, also a lot of money for what it is.
Cheers Mark.
Beemers are OK, but I can't get on with the gearbox.
try a Zed 750. Looks good, big seat, torquey engine and not too expensive.Even comes in fast blue :lol:
Biased, maybe, I've not ridden the others but my bandit 6 happily commutes the 22mile round trip into work every day with a 16+ stone pillion, Good provision for passenger, chaep to run and insure, simple to maintian. Get the B12 if you want a fatter engine that doesn't need to be revved.
Get an S version if you want to tour as it'll keep the worst of the weather off! Cheap power, being sensible has never been such a hoot!
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