Choices, choices - Which 2 wheels next? (56K hell)

[Halonic]

Further to a heated discussion in the pub the other night, many things were said about my choice of "Next Bike", so what do you think? (all these are around the 4-6 thou price mark)

The options are:

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/files/images/SV1000/520_SV1000K4_Red%20copy.jpg

The Big ol' damn SV1000, like the current "Daisy", far more grrr but very familiar territory, with the added joy of brakes that work and springs that, well, spring really

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/files/images/GSX-R600_K6/520_STYR_LR5.jpg

The GSXR-600, (probably a K4 model rather then this beauty), the revvy demon and obvious sports 600 of choice for those addicted to them, precise and agile yet needing strong will power to retain both licence and ass

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/Images/2006_XJR1300_Color_Midnight-Black_tcm46-87203.jpg

The XJR-1300, get second hand model and save the added cash for hagon rear spring upgrade. Comfy as a sofa, retro grunty goodness and added low insurance for such a meaty torque fest. Though even with the added Hagon springs, the burnham bends run would be a little more sedate

and finally, the current front runner and source of much argument:

http://www.buell.com/en_au/images/bikes_gear/xb12s/studio1_small.jpg

Stoopid is as stoopid does, 5500 quid for an 04 with a thousand miles on it and full race can/filter/stage one. Highest insurance group of all these bikes (yep even the GSXR), vibrates enough to embaress an Ann Summers party and doesnt do "normal" but, makes my naked SV650 feel like a sumo wrestler in treacle by comparison and pulls like the finest Massey Ferg.

so tell me, what say you?

[dirtydog]

anything except the buell :sick:

sv thou with a decent set of cans i reckon :twisted:

although i got a daytona 955i for that cash

http://server2.uploadit.org/files/dirtydog2-shopped.JPG

got to be worth a look

[Carsick]

If I didn't need a practical bike, I would seriously consider the Buell. As I do it would be between the SV and the XJR. I've got nothing against the GSXR except for the fact that I don't seem to fit on the things.
Personally, I've got my eye on a big twin. I'd like either a Falco or a TLR, but may settle for a Firestorm.

[Scoobs]

That's a pretty broad spectrum! :shock:

Everyone needs a sportsbike once in their biking career.

[thor]

Which ones have you ridden? I think it's going to be obvious to you once you have ridden them all. I would probably lean towards the GSXR, but then I have never ridden one so...

[Symphonia]

Wasn't I sworn to secrecy on what the lovely lady was named! I seem to recall a discussion on what would happen if you ever had to own up to her name around your fellow bikers!

Anyway, my vote's with the sofa, and I think I should get two votes since I bet I'll end up naming the next one too ;-)

[jonboy]

If you really must have a IL4, then don't forget the new FZ1, an awesome machine:

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/Images/2006_FZ1-N_Color_Midnight-Black_tcm46-90702.jpg

.

[Anonymous]

What Jonboy says or Buell.

[Halonic]

If you really must have a IL4, then don't forget the new FZ1, an awesome machine:

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/Images/2006_FZ1-N_Color_Midnight-Black_tcm46-90702.jpg

.

A gorgeous machine and severly tempting but (and lo this but is lopez in dimension) high cost and high insurance group scare this fair mortal away.

Of those choices, the only one I have gotten near is the Buell, well the ulysses not the XB12 but the engine is the same, the rest is down to specs, riding postion, bike shows and the vast reams of reviews stuck in my head. Test rides commence this spring.

As for the choices of an IL4 or a Twin? I pledge allegence to none, I am the ***** of biking :P

[dirtydog]

[/quote]


As for the choices of an IL4 or a Twin? I pledge allegence to none, I am the ***** of biking :P[/quote]

then go for a triple best of both worlds :D

[wyrdness]

Buell if you want fun, fun, fun but don't mind sacrificing practicality.

SV Thou's can be had very cheaply, though I personally wouldn't choose the naked one. It's a lot of bike for the money.

[Halonic]

Buell if you want fun, fun, fun but don't mind sacrificing practicality.

SV Thou's can be had very cheaply, though I personally wouldn't choose the naked one. It's a lot of bike for the money.

Practicality, hmmm several times this has come up, ok they dont do underseat storage and the like but how does the Buell lack in practical affairs by comparison to the SV?

It should be worth noteing at this stage that french knock up I drive to work deals with my most practical needs (shopping/commuting et al), leaving the bike for the joys of hooning and trying to embrace wildlife at inconvenient moments. Pillions are not unheard of, but a rare occurance.

[wyrdness]

Buell if you want fun, fun, fun but don't mind sacrificing practicality.

SV Thou's can be had very cheaply, though I personally wouldn't choose the naked one. It's a lot of bike for the money.

Practicality, hmmm several times this has come up, ok they dont do underseat storage and the like but how does the Buell lack in practical affairs by comparison to the SV?

It should be worth noteing at this stage that french knock up I drive to work deals with my most practical needs (shopping/commuting et al), leaving the bike for the joys of hooning and trying to embrace wildlife at inconvenient moments. Pillions are not unheard of, but a rare occurance.

Depends if you want to tour on it. I faired SV thou would make an OK sports-tourer, but I wouldn't be so keen to attempt long distances on something like the Buell.

[Anonymous]

Ulysses ergo's suit sports touring (or so they say). Hard luggage too.

Gixxer's might be nice, but oh so common :lol:

Review of Buell for touring here (ignore overall ratings as its a mis-match, IMO)
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=2850&Page=1

[JakeRS]

Buell, do it *drooools*

[copper kettle]

Go for the Buell. Just for the character alone! Quite fancy a Firebolt myself next unless i can stretch to the Daytona 675 or KTM Superduke.

Dan

[Balky001]

what a wide spectrum of bikes - as someone said earlier - you do derseve to own a super sports bike once in your life though - as you should also own a twin at least once. I'd go for the K4/K5 GSXR600 out of your list. If you were buying new is would be the 675 or R6.

[Jelster]

Everyone needs a sportsbike once in their biking career.

Good quote Scoobs

ANd a 2nd hand 'Blade would be a good move. A good 929cc (RRY) model can be had for £4000, has bags of power & torque, is very comfortable and compared to most bikes, the underseat storage is like a station wagon.

Or, a 2nd hand Speed Triple - Decent one can be had for about £5k, bags of power and sounds the dogs...

.

[Sid Squid]

Buell: Don't do it. Just say no, Don't test ride one, you may well find out they can be fun - they are - for the duration of a test, just don't OK.

GSXR: All sports bikes deserve your attention, they're utterly spiffing, you really won't understand how hugely involving, (H*nd*s excepted of course), they really are 'til you own one, If you just want a toy and it doesn't really need to do anything practical that's what I'd get, although my ZX6 gets to do a load of the practical day to day stuff too.

Nekkid SV1K: Me biased, me got one. However my bias aside it's a hoot - a One Hundred Gee Gee BMX. Laugh a minute. Also in a mag test, (yeah, I know, but bear with me), of Nekkid SV1K, Benelli TNT, Trumpy Speed Cripple and MV Brutale, only one bike actually made it to the end of the test without a ride on a tow truck.

Go on, have a guess, which one? Clue: It didn't come from Europe, or Britain.

If you're thinking of a big ole retro bus like an XJR, consider the ZRX1200, it's the best one of the lookie likey 70's throwbacks*, the Yam certainly looks the part though, 'specially in the yellow and speedblock scheme - yummy, don't spend too much on an 'SP' model though, it might say Ohlins on the bouncy bits, but it's a bit of badge engineering, (Yamaha own Ohlins), they're not all that.

*Haven't tried the latest H*nd* CeeBee Enormous, (1300?) yet, but the previous incarnation was frankly disapointing next to the competition, GSX14 much better, but it's farking huuuuge.

[Jelster]

I've always fancied one of the retros. Personally I love the look and comfort of the Yam, but the big blue and white toque machine needs to be looked at.

Good call Squiddie....

.

[Jdubya]

...leaving the bike for the joys of hooning and trying to embrace wildlife at inconvenient moments. Pillions are not unheard of, but a rare occurance.

As I said on friday night...this is gonna be a "toy" so go for the superbike option... New K5 gixxer 760's can be had for less than £6k at the moment... you know you want to!

Do it...go'on...do it! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[$i]

SV 1000 me anyday :D .
but if i was 2 step up from my rr it would be an sp2 for fun. both with a nice set of akra's =P~ .

Porn 2 my ears :lol:

[Cloggsy]

If you really must have a IL4, then don't forget the new FZ1, an awesome machine:

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/Images/2006_FZ1-N_Color_Midnight-Black_tcm46-90702.jpg

Oooooo... That looks nice - first time I've seen it 8) :twisted:

[Foey]

If i wasn't such a short **** i'd go for the gsx1400 that sid squid mentioned, i really like them trouble is i'd look like a pimple on a donkey's bum. :lol:

[Viney]

That's a pretty broad spectrum! :shock:

Everyone needs a sportsbike once in their biking career.
When you getting one then?

[Scoobs]

That's a pretty broad spectrum! :shock:

Everyone needs a sportsbike once in their biking career.
When you getting one then?

Ba dum tisch! :lol:

[Peter Henry]

I bet Cloggsy is off to press his nose up against the window of his nearest Suzuki dealer?s as we speak after seeing the pic of the NEW FAZER(ERRR HUM...edit!).That is one superb looking bike! :wink: :)

[Cloggsy]

I bet Cloggsy is off to press his nose up against the window of his nearest Suzuki dealer?s as we speak after seeing the pic of the GSX1400.That is one superb looking bike! :wink: :)

That's the new Yammy Fazer thou Pete :!:

[Peter Henry]

Cloggsy....Sorry mate din't have me bins on! Ok that YAM looks ace! you tempted mate? :wink:

[Halonic]

I bet Cloggsy is off to press his nose up against the window of his nearest Suzuki dealer?s as we speak after seeing the pic of the GSX1400.That is one superb looking bike! :wink: :)

You mean this beastie?

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/files/images/GSX1400/520_GSX1400%20b_w.jpg

Been severely put off of one of these by a police rider I met in wales. Never has one man relied so much on the machine he rides to prove the girth of his manhood. Enough to put anyone off.

[Cloggsy]

Cloggsy....Sorry mate din't have me bins on! Ok that YAM looks ace! you tempted mate? :wink:

No :lol: :lol: :lol:

I can't do anything until my dealer pulls his finger out of his ass :roll:

[northwind]

If you've not testridden the Buell, you've got to. There's every chance you'll just take an instant dislike to it, and that makes it an easy decision. I really wanted to like the City X but after riding it, I know I'd never buy one. Worst gearbox and clutch I've ever experienced on a bike, and even on dual carriageways it was clearly out of its juristiction, never mind doing long distance. It could do it, of course, but 9/10 bikes would be better. On the plus side, they're absolutely hilarious to ride, and believe it or not that engine really works... A lot of people say Buell should build bikes around a real engine, but I can see why he sticks with the Harley.

Thing is... It's less good for distance than any bike above 125 I've ever ridden, but in town the gearbox and clutch are a total liability. (when I testrode it, the clutch on my SV was completely knackered, the lifter had lost all its bearings... And the Buell was somehow worse.

But if it's a toy you're looking for, they're awesome. You get so much attention on them too- the look, the sound, the way you can't help but pull wheelies constantly...

[Halonic]

BUT, back to topic, we have an interesting split here, an almost even split between American over-engineering and the Japanese Death Missile, with leanings towards retro goodness and the big brother to the common-or-garden SV.

Interesting, I really didn't expect so much support for the Yank Tractor.

You see, all this comes about because, come this June, I no longer have to pay for the Clio, and am severely tempted to flog it and get the train to work every day (saving about a hundred quid a month but costing me more time - still undecided). Daisy already has a home to go to should I wish to let her go leaving me with the above question.

Now having ridden a Ulysses last year, it reminds me of why I like biking, its loud, stupid, and down right evil. The Firebolt and Lightning share the same engine and Warrs have a particularly good Lightning 04 example in stock for £5900-ish, all black, powder coated black wheels (no orange crap here), stage 1'd and race exhaust, so appeals to the Death Metal loving bassist in me. Its all violent and just wrong in so many good ways.

BUT.........

The SV has introduced me to the joys of the "Perfect Ride" (tm), the delight of precise lines, fine cornering and getting it jussssssssstttttt right. And the first bike I ever wanted was a '98 GSXR-750, so a K4 GSXR-600 seems perfect to satisfy the Poweranger in me. Plus I can enjoy the "Needle in a haystack of needles" game in race meet car parks (oh the potential hilarity).

BUT.........

I am, after all, a wuss, and the comfy seat and relaxed ride of the XJR1300, do seem nice...

BUT..........

That BIGGER SV, well its just like Daisy but, might actually be able to stop when I pull that useless lever in front of the throttle.....

You see?

[Scooby Drew]

If you are looking at a 600, consider the ZX6 B1H- the induction wail with the throttle wide open is addictive :thumbsup: has loads of midrange & it's comfortable.

[Halonic]

Worst gearbox and clutch I've ever experienced on a bike, and even on dual carriageways it was clearly out of its juristiction, never mind doing long distance.

They have a gearbox!!!???!

I seem to remember this floppy lever on the left where I clutch should have been and this lump of metal near my left foot that I had to keep kicking to make the bike go faster but......gears? :twisted:

seriously though, twas a fair bit agricultural but my size twelve Altbergs had little worry, though it did bring new meaning to stomping down the gear box. It wasn't the need for positive gear changes, it was the need for mindless violence just the get down to forth. BUT I should add, it was vastly better then the last BMW I went on, the R1200GS and the F650GS. They werent the most pleasent of gearboxes.

[Toypop]

I'd go for the GSXR and probably will do myself when I get my next bike. Either that or a CBR RR but money talks more than corrosion resistance...

I fancy going back to an IL4 and want a proper sports bike. Plus you can get a K5 for silly money at the moment.

I have never really been attracted to the whole Buell thing.

[Jdubya]

Well, I've gone for the Daytona 955i...
Have you decided yet Mr. Halonic Industries?
And who is Symphonia :?:

[Iansv]

Very similar list to mine, quite scary

depends how practical you wanna be, is it for regular use or just a toy.... ?

I notice no 748 on your list anymore :wink:

Out of those i'd probably plump for the sv1000n but it'll be a pain to get one imported if you want a new one, I've tried 3 dealers for a price on one and none would even think of importing one

[riktherider]

ive got the same problem at the moment. if i were to go for the buell, whih i really do want to...then i would have to get a little cheap commuter bike to get around on and just use the buell as a weekend thrasharound bike. similar story to the gsxr although you will find they will rev their nuts off compared to the sv and the others on your list.
the sv1000 is a good bike which can be used all year round, similar to the sv650, just not as much charactor as the good old sv. someting like the tl1000r which someone suggested is a bit of a handfull really, and the xjr isnt my sort of thing, i found them too wide and heavy.
depends what you are willing to sacrafise just a weekend bike(the buell), something for everything but not that interesting no offence to anyone that has one here (the sv thou), something excellent for crusing and general riding but heavy ad combursome (the xjr) or somthing which will rev its nuts off but fun to ride (the gixxer)

[Demonz]

What about the Tuono - its not on the list above but has the big V twin and plenty of character so maybe worth a look. Best of both worlds with sports performance and everyday riding.

I am biased of course - but even the early models have been getting a good wrap in the press.

[Lissa]

What about the Tuono - its not on the list above but has the big V twin and plenty of character so maybe worth a look. Best of both worlds with sports performance and everyday riding.

I am biased of course - but even the early models have been getting a good wrap in the press.

A friend of ours has the Tuono. He's just done a trackday which we went along to watch, and they had to move him from intermediates to the fast group because he was p*ss*ng all over everyone. A seriously quick bike, handles brilliantly.................and sounds fantastic. :D

As for the Buell, another mate has just changed from a GSX1400 to the Firebolt. It's love! He'll never go back to an IL4 again :D

[kwak zzr]

If you really must have a IL4, then don't forget the new FZ1, an awesome machine:

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/Images/2006_FZ1-N_Color_Midnight-Black_tcm46-90702.jpg

.

whats that thing under the rear foot rest :smt102

[kwak zzr]

sv1000, tuono, tl1000s or if you havent got to commute and its just a play thing the B U E L L :twisted:

[GregK2]

Thinking of my next ride in say 18 months time, would quite like a K5 GSXR750, or back to v-twins with a SV thou or possibly Falco.