Another :thumbsup: for the hornet :lol: I like my bruv's one so I really hope he doesn't pass his test and want it back :twisted:

Our kid has just bought a CCM flat tracker (he's a masochist, this is his second CCM, he's also owned two Alfa's and a TVR (cars)) So he might be selling his Hornet soon (standard, black '06)

Different sort of bike though... The Hornet's ace but the F800's built a bit more for distance. One of the rags just did a head-to-head with the VFR and the Beemer, and it won by a fair margin. The standout line was "one of these bikes is slipping into the past"

Uh huh. A year ago my shortlist looked like this:

SV650S
K1200R
Firebolt
Monster S2R
Z750
Daytona 675
Hornet 600

Now that's confused!

I'm not going to be doing an awful lot of distance work to be honest. 20 miles a day for the commute and weekends out... and occasional trips to the West Country and Yorkshire.

I'm 6'4"... so was looking for something that I don't dwarf and look a twunt when I'm sat on it. Haven't sat on a Hornet yet, I do like them and the Honda reliability would be nice but it seems a bit smaller than the Beemer, and not that much less price wise.

I did consider a Fazer but all the twitvhy throttle and high revving reports put me off, especially as most of my riding is in town.

Anybody know anything about the Kwak Versys?

Read a couple of good reviews of the new Bandit1250 (MCN&DailyTelegraph). Better suspension, cheaper servicing, but most importantly a stonking engine. :twisted: Hopefully Suzuki have done their trick of bunging up the exhaust system as part of emissions like the old one, so a quick swap for BIG gains.

Comfy , not wee, bloody cheap (i think the half-faired is £5500, proper one not till later and probably cheaper again :shock: ) and will wee on the other bikes mentioned here with just a tickle of the throttle. 8)

Sorry if this adds to the confusion! :lol:


:)

I had a borrow of an F800s for a day from Williams BMW in Manchester last summer. I have to agree with Northwind about the tank, odd feeling and at 6"2', I kept banging my knees on the top of the cut outs in the sides of the tank. Also, the indicator switches are odd, I suppose it's just something to get used to. Apparently, the ST version has lower pegs and a higher screen with the bars a bit further back too create a bit more of an upright position. Gearbox is shocking, loads of false neutrals. (they all do that sir, was the salesman's reply)
The engine is very good, I went out with a mate on a CBR600 all over Derbyshire and I barely changed out of 4th as the torque is simply superb, just roll on and off the throttle and waft along keeping up with the manic power ranger on his sportsbike. I think this may be a bit of a problem as it became a bit, well, dull I suppose.
The best part of the whole day was handing back the keys and getting back on my SV, safe in the knowledge that this bike was the one I wanted and had already bought!

i test rode both versions prior to buying an sv.

They are great bikes with all the normal BMW advantages plus low maintenace costs ( lots of mpg) and no chain adjustments, etc.

The bikes are a bit quicker than the sv and with better suspension and similar handling. You have the option of sport or a tour version and abs.

However, they are expensive at £6000 or £6500 with the basic spec. The biggest problem for me was vibration thru the bars.

I decided to buy a nearly new sv s and upgrade the suspension front and rear with ohlins and fit gilles vario bars. The ride and handling are transformed and you can adjust the bars to give you a personalised comfortable position. This adds up to £4000 and gives you the BMW ( possible beater) without the belt.

Also recommend Almax chains and Squire locks to keep your bike safe

Cheers

James

05 SVS ohlins and vario bars
06 Beta Alp 4.0 :lol:

Well... I tested it today and won't be getting it.

It was a nicer ride then my SV was and I felt more confident going into corners... might have had something to do with the Conti Road Attacks, but it was deffo better set up. My tester had ABS.

No, I didn't like the tank. I felt that I had to get my nads right up against it to get my knees in the right position so was never completely comfortable.

After an hour my wrists were killing and my back was acheing like hell. Not a good choice for me for a commuter / tourer!

The indicators are weird and the indicator cancel button is located in an awkward place. You can't flick it easily, especially if you're still on the throttle... that led to a few jerky corner exits which was slightly worrying.

I took it back to the dealer and said I wasn't happy with it, might come back some time for a go on the Dakar, but the dealer said I could take one out right away if I liked, so I did.

What a great bike!!! I've haven't had so much fun for ages. Lovely and tall, quick enough for town, flicking it around all over the place.

I'm pretty much sold on the F650GS Dakar, great MPG according to the reviews I've just been reading, so that puts me off even trying the Hornet now if I'm going to be filling it up every other day, reliable and sturdy.

I can't think of anything else that might do it...

Have you ridden an F650? Not a great bike IMO, verging upon being quite a **** one in fact for road use I reckon... Just felt weak and baggy.