Suggestions invited.(new bike choice)

[Pedrosa]

Good peeps of the ORG, your assistance is needed please.

For the first time ever I am considering a bike and baring in mind carrying a pillion. Preferably the machine chosen would not represent a "knees up to the chin" riding position. What do you suggest?

A few further pieces of info are as follows:

Seriously considering something naked,(yeah I would when my passenger is a lady!)

Thinking maybe 1000cc.

Must have the potential to allow me to blow the cobwebs away when I am riding solo.

General use will be canyon running,(mountain roads of good condition)

Occasional longer trip of say up to 400km distance.

All suggestions gratefully received.

THX.

[the white rabbit]

R1200GS with sticky tyres or R1200R or K1200R

:thumbsup:

[Blue_SV650S]

Goldwing!!

Hey, comfy, and it's not like you will mess the handling up 2-up!! :D

[Sudoxe]

R1200GS with sticky tyres or R1200R or K1200R

:thumbsup:


I test rode an R1200GS the other day. Loverly bike, wouldnt mind one. Got to try and 1150 and the 1100 first though. Much cheaper :)

Dan

[Ceri JC]

Goldwing!!

Hey, comfy, and it's not like you will mess the handling up 2-up!! :D

Yep. Pillion makes zero discernable difference, apart from at very low speed manouevering. Vastly more fun and "sporty" than you would imagine, too. Hold their value stupidly well too. Buy a decent condition second hand one and you can sell it almost for what you paid for it 20K miles later.

[gettin2dizzy]

faired: - BMW k1200s, Triumph Sprint 1050,
Naked - Fazer thou, speed triple

[the white rabbit]

Naked - Fazer thou

They are meant to be very very nice IIRC.

[Biker Biggles]

Zed thou,Fazer thou Honda thou you name it,but what you really want to be told is Ducati S4 isn't it?
Missing that clanking clutch already?

[ClemsonSV]

Honda 919...Hornet over there? Look really nice, pretty upright riding about like a sv650. I was seriously considering it when I got my sv, but decided I wasn't ready for that size bike yet.

[sarah]

Zed thou

without modifications it's not great for pillions. triboseat (or something like it) is a must.

[Stu]

Friend just ordered a Buell Lightning xb12
http://www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/streetfighter/xb12s/features.asp

[Keith1983]

what about a 1250 bandit?

[sarah]

Friend just ordered a Buell Lightning xb12
http://www.buell.com/en_uk/bikes/streetfighter/xb12s/features.asp

i want one.

not much good for a pillion though.

[Keith1983]

I thought bandits were meant to be pretty gud for pillions?

[Biker Biggles]

But not quite what Pedro wants for spirited riding in the Spanish uplands.
That Ducati is still calling.:cool:

[Keith1983]

yeah maybe, depends if he wants to use it all year round, after all unless he is a mechanic it will be in a garage at least three months of the year! any idea of the budget he has?

[cuffy]

Still an italian beauty, go for the Tuono (drool, dribble )

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20B/APRILIA%20TUONO%20FACTORY%2007.jpg

[Keith1983]

I've got it! A falco, perfect, great bike with all the looks and go, but bearable with pillions and they can be bought fro peanuts at the minute.

[Biker Biggles]

Dunno what Prillas are like in Spain,but here you need to buy a shed load of spares just in case as it takes months for them to arrive from Italy.
Nice bike,shame about the backup.

Ah well back to that Honda then.:p

[Keith1983]

ktm superduke? Is there a better allrounder?

[Jelster]

If going naked, I would look at the Tuono for the sunny environment that you have there Pedro.... Not great for British winters, but then you don't experience them do you :rolleyes:

If I had time, I'd wait for the new Fireblade engined Hornet, or possible go for a Speed Triple. Other than that, a 954 'Blade is about as sporty as you could make a sports tourer (well, by modern day sportsbikes anyway...) But you knew that I'd suggest one of those.

The naked FZ1 hasn't had the reception that many had hoped, not sure why. Or as somebody else mentioned, maybe a SuperDuke, at least you're the right size.

There you go, I haven't helped one bit have I ?? :roll:

[stuartyboy]

Take the fairings off a hayabusa, raise the handlebars, add some turbo goodness and a NOS kit - oh aye a seat for the pillion. Sorted

[TimTucker]

The Tuono is not to be considered if you're thinking of taking pillions.

My sixteen year-old niece, who's a whole five foot and one inch tall, found my RSV to be incredibly cramped and uncomfortable. There's no difference between the back end of that and a Tuono's.

What about an ST3/4, Pedrito? Keep the Ducati flame burning!

[Pedrosa]

Well folks many thanks for the input. Here are some of my initial musings on some of the bikes suggested so far:

BMW GS1200GS- Despite not being a fan of the aesthetics,I am unwilling to rule out due to the reputation these machines have gained.

Super Duke-All out hooligan bike and def for me,but not too sure about suitability for carrying the lady.

Tuono-Sex on wheels but yet again out and out lunatic bike! If I was to go the Aprilia route I wouldnot be able to ignore the RSV though.

Goldwing-Superb as these are, I really do not think I would be able to throw one of those around when on my own and in a spirited mood. Give me another 10 years and one of those might have an uncanny allure for me!

Bandit- Sorry would not entertain one, they just look so dated and in truth rather drab.

Fazer-Oh yes! A definite possibility if I do opt to go naked!(ooh err Mrs)

Z1000-Not altogether my cup of tea as far as looks but the Kawasaki 4 pot motors are superb

S4-Or anything Ducati,boy oh boy of course I would love one and am not ruling one out as for a big V twin they are a great on the road all rounder.

Fireblade-If I am to go faired the 954 as suggested by Jelster cannot be ruled out. Great bike which was launched before the world decided every big bike had to be a small bike! I can for sure get all my solo thrills on one of those absolutely no problem!

[Keith1983]

How bout a super blackbird, if you can handle it round the twisties? How often would you be riding pillion and for how far? What is your budget?

[Pedrosa]

Budget reasonably flexible but using funny money(euros) I intend to use pillion 50% of time. A big change for me! Not too sure how light on it's feet a Blackbird might be when Im out playing chase me chase me with pals on their Blades and R1's though.(Thinking more in the curves,lacking a touch of straight line speed dont bother me but I want some fun in the curves)

[Keith1983]

what about the falco? do you have a preferred manufacturer?

[Biker Biggles]

:p :p :p


I can hear the sound of dry clutches singing in the Spanish hillsides.

Stop ****ing about and just go and buy one.You know it will happen sooner or later.:thumbsup:

[Pedrosa]

RESIST;RESIST!:p

No preferred manufacturer,(ok I lie hey BB?)

Falco not really considered although one hell of a bike for sure.

[Keith1983]

are the latest crop of vfr800's any good? How sporty are triumph's st's?

[Lozzo]

Well folks many thanks for the input. Here are some of my initial musings on some of the bikes suggested so far:

BMW GS1200GS- Despite not being a fan of the aesthetics,I am unwilling to rule out due to the reputation these machines have gained.


I'd rule it out purely on the grounds that the 1200 BMWs, be they IL4 or boxers, are about the most unreliable bikes on the road, just ask any AA or RAC patrolman who deals with bike breakdowns. Gearboxes, electronics, servo brakes and shaft drive bevel boxes are just some of the common failure areas. Also the finish on later BMWs is dire compared to the quality machines they used to make years ago. The early 1150GS is a good bike, but that was about the last decent BMW made.

BMW are yet another company trading on previous successes, and selling a good old name rather than a good new product.

[the white rabbit]

An extreme viewpoint but one with some truth for sure, no doubt about that. But I like my unreliable R1200GS. Its does lots of fun things. Old reliable isnt always most fun though, take Ducati, KTM.
Another idea, Triumph Tiger?

[Jelster]

DId somebody mention "Falco" ??

See here (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?p=1240738#post1240738)

Not to be ignored, but not sure if it will be "agile" enough....

[gettin2dizzy]

Tiger sounds like a good idea, the sprint ST is meant to be much sportier than it was intended to be. More of a comfortable sports bike than a fast tourer- and it's gorgeous!

[rob13]

Pete I would probably look at the Tiger in your situation. Gets great reviews up against the 1200gs and it looks the business. Great engine and you're buying something British which is actually decent!

[Pedrosa]

Pete I would probably look at the Tiger in your situation. Gets great reviews up against the 1200gs and it looks the business. Great engine and you're buying something British which is actually decent!

I say Rob. that appears to be a very inspired suggestion. After just reading a few reports I can see the Tiger is indeed a very highly rated machine. Now placed on short list. Thx.;)

[Swiss]

Still an italian beauty, go for the Tuono (drool, dribble )

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20B/APRILIA%20TUONO%20FACTORY%2007.jpg
Thank god somebody suggested something sensible - page 2 before this got mentioned, tsk!
Speed Triple, the pre cut off rear seat version.

[Jabba]

I say Rob. that appears to be a very inspired suggestion. After just reading a few reports I can see the Tiger is indeed a very highly rated machine. Now placed on short list. Thx.;)

The new 1050 Tiger is; great motor and uses normal, i.e. 17", wheels and tyres. More grunt than a sty-full of Saddlebacks :D

The old Tiger uses a bigger front wheel and this, together with a restricted choice of tyre, limits handling for the sportier rider.

Both dead comfy for pillions, though :thumbsup:

[haggis]

What about the www.suzukibking.co.uk (http://www.suzukibking.co.uk) Pedro?

Okay, so not quite as nice as the concept bike but...... that engine in a naked!

[Last Action Pimp]

XJR1300!

Fast, handles well (i can grind my footpegs) brillant 2 up! no so good when it meets salt in winter hence a SV1000s

[RhythmJunkie]

Pedro I'd buy a car mate these motorbikes are way too draughty and cold, you get soaking wet, car drivers try to kill you for fun, they are uncomfortable, dangerous, have very short expensive service intervals and alienate the public, you fall off at the slightest thing, wet leaves, snow, ice, grit, mud, animal poo but.......I LOVE 'EM! :smt054 So buy one! Just choose whatever 'you' like mate cos there are so many different models, colours, styles it really is an impossible task to narrow it down for someone else, its hard enough making a short list for myself these days!
When I chose the SV650S I had a short list of SV1000, Kawa ZZR1400, Z1000, Yamaha MT01, Honda ST1300 but at the end of the day they eat chains and tyres and with petrol prices as high as they are with only increases predicted for the future I had to make a huge compromise so out of the window went all the 1000 plus bikes and I started looking at the half litre ones, but most of them were screaming fours with 14000rpm redlines and pedals for when the revs drop below 5 grand!:smt110 The SV seemed like a godsend. When mines run in I'll amaze you lot with my fuel economy figures. The most gentle right wrist in the country me!;)

There is a bike out there somewhere which is 'exactly' what you want Pedro go enjoy looking for it, thats all part of the fun, hunting down your trusty steed!:D

[Ed]

Multistrada S:cool:

[Keith1983]

I presume the new ducati hypermotard thingy isnt too good for pillions?

[rob13]

When i eventually buy a new bike (with my bank balance and the way the SV depreciates could be a while) the current choices for me are the Tuono, new Tiger, Aprilia Shiver and possibly the Speed Triple. However by that time, they'll prob be a couple of years old and something better will be there! That new Shiver gets some great reviews however they really need to produce one with some protection. Couldnt be riding a naked bike again..

[John 675]

i have the ultimate solution my small spanish pal just as HAGGIS said
but can you handle it?

THE MIGHTY B KING

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/092206_2_top.jpg

[Demonz]

I think I'd have to go with the K1200r over the Burger King.

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/contibike/images/k1200.jpg

[markmoto]

FAZER 1000 and you wont go wrong :-)

[Pedrosa]

B King hey? 150 wide front tyre and 240 wide rear?:rolleyes: I think they are an ace bike but for goodness sake what is going on with those rear exit exhausts? They look like industrial ventilation ducts. Dreadful.

[markmoto]

B King hey? 150 wide front tyre and 240 wide rear?:rolleyes: I think they are an ace bike but for goodness sake what is going on with those rear exit exhausts? They look like industrial ventilation ducts. Dreadful.

LOL couldnt have put it better myself someone wants sacking for designing those exhausts big mistake.

[haggis]

B King hey? 150 wide front tyre and 240 wide rear?:rolleyes: I think they are an ace bike but for goodness sake what is going on with those rear exit exhausts? They look like industrial ventilation ducts. Dreadful.



Erm, it's called a 'design feature' i think? Something Italian stylists (with a nod to your previous steed) have the ability to craft into just about everything they do. It's just a shame Suzuki used the services of a civil engineer on the BK it would seem. :scratch: I'm sure as with most bikes you will be able to get a nice Yoshi or Arrow system etc. to do the bike justice.


Has anyone mentioned SVthou??? Not exactly pants-on-fire i know but respectable in each of the critera you mentioned.

[joelowden]

I've just sold my SV1000SZ and bought a VFR Vtec.
Great bike , handles really well and my 14 stone son says the pillion is twice as good as the SV.. HTH

[Pedrosa]

I've just sold my SV1000SZ and bought a VFR Vtec.
Great bike , handles really well and my 14 stone son says the pillion is twice as good as the SV.. HTH

Hmmm Viffer's? I have to say that with an after market zorst they sound absolutely superb and have ridden quite hard when a pal was on one with me using the 749. Not quite as sharp as the Ducati in the bends, but not lacking by much. Good suggestion.Thx.

[Pedrosa]

Does no-one around here have a reliable source for info within any Honda dealership? I am seeing a lot of rumours that say for sure Honda WILL launch a V4 thou next year. Not sure if this will replace the CBR completely but as stated the riumours suggest it will be out there.

Should they definitely be planning to launch the kind of bike I mention, I will happilly place my order tomorrow!:cool:

[gettin2dizzy]

MCN keep mentioning a V4 thou. But wouldn't it make more sense for an 800 V4? There's also talk fo the next blackbird having a V4 1100cc with cylinders that turn on and off!

[Pedrosa]

Perhaps using a thou motor as opposed to an 800 is so that less stress and lower state of tune can be utilised for out of the crate road use. Dont think all manufacturers are going to rush to produce 800cc bikes just because that is what we presently see in the Moto GP champìonships.