Show me the twins...
 

Given the fact that I wont need a commuter hack for much longer, im thinking of changing bikes in the next 6 months (gotta give finaces time to settle first :lol: ).

1000cc twins are at the top of the list. So for the next few months im keeping an eye out. Has to be sub 10k mileage, and still be reliable.

Top of the list so far..

TL1000 - But a little old
SV1000 - But a little tame?
Honda VTR (SP1 or 2, not firestorm) - A little expensive
Aprilia Falco -

Are there many more? I know a SS600 would be the next logical choice up, but I love twins, but want a bit of grunt as well. What others are really about or are these the pick of the bunch?

Not included any Ducatis due to running/servicing/insurance costs, and i'll still be doing 25 miles per day (instead of 56 per day).

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Tuono 1000R (you've be mad not to consider this bike)
KTM SuperDuke (if you got lots of cash!)
Speed Triple (okay not a twin but almost).

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Why is a SS6 the next logical choice?

Oh and you forgot the dukes ;)

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I can vouch for the Falco being a nice bike! Yum yum, that mid range is FAB! :D

TL1000, can be bit dangerous tbh.
SV1000 ok but not as good as the 650 (except engine obviously) imo.
SP1 or 2. Insurance cost, petrol cost. Need I say more?

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Eviltwin is considering a big twin next so I won't have to share the zed with him (woohoo).

Those are the main bikes that he has been considering along with Dukes and Aprilias.

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Buell XB12S?
Aprilia RSV?

As always you need to try them all first :)

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I disagree about a SS600 being the 'next logical step' - there are no logical steps when it come to bikes - we buy them because they do what we want / need or we just 'like' them !!

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Only if they dont have a steering damper and still the stock rear damper unit. Ive ridden a couple that are sorted and the only time i had a total tank slapper was on a TLR going over the brow of a hill at a silly speed, that was a major one, then a freind on my ZX636 (i was on his TLR) just went flying by me while i was still in a tank slapper, oh what fun. The TLS ive not had a major slapper, only getting it crossed, but oh what fun it is.

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SP2's are almost at the top of the insurance pack according to the TWO magazine we were in... Group 17.

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Out of that list, I'd probably go for the Falco or maybe the SV Thou. Both are apparently very underrated bikes. The Thou got some very good reviews, but just wasn't too popular.

I wouldn't touch a TL with a bargepole, but a lot of people do seem to like them.

SP1/SP2 are really track bikes. I've heard that being so focused makes them a poor choice of road bike. If you're after a track-day missle then go for it, otherwise look elsewhere.

Maybe you should look at the Triumph 955 Daytona too. It's not a twin, but combines the best characteristics of a twin and an il4 and is an excellent road bike, by all accounts.

Just my opinion. I expect that others will disagree.

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Pete burst my SP2 bubble by telling me how crap their tank range is (80 or 90 miles)

Have you thought about the old model mille? They're a lovely bike.

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Yep. higher than a busa :rolleyes:. I went on to see about insurance for a laugh... £2000 fully comp, busa & RSV-R £1500.:confused:

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The SP2 is top of the list when it comes to handling, fantastic bike! Some people complain about the hard seat, But I have found that not to be an issue. Insurance is a little high, and the running costs will be high compared to most other bikes in its category. Its sister the Firestorm is a nice bike, very smooth but limited by its standard suspension (a quick fix will turn that around amazingly) and its small tank range (depending how you ride).

The TL's are a good choice, either R or S, I'm considering getting another to sit along side my SV. They are not as dangerous as some people claim, well they are a bit but its so easily sorted, and it should not be over looked simply because of a reputation. Many second hand TL's are probably sorted by now anyway. You can run a TL without a steering damper, my TLS hand a Ohlins rear shock and the forks lowered 8mm and I had never had a problem (this includes fast backroad riding). The R is also well suited to the back roads and I and my mate (the owner) have never had any such wobble issues, and we don't hang around!

The good thing abouth the TL's is its just like an SV, there are so many different ways to customise and tune the bikes!

Aprilia's are nice to ride, the early RSV suits some riders better than the later version. Only problem is they aren't quite as reliable as the Jap's and it varies on reliability from bike to bike. You can have one which is completely problem free but then have an identical model which is tempermental! Also the spares back up is terrible!

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Its not that bad anymore since they go taken over. They got a good :smt075 and seem to have all but sorted it.

The falco got 15th in the rider power think in Ride mag this year and has been high in others. 5th in one of them I think. Only bikes that beat it were honda Pan Euro's VFR's and quite a few BMW's. Must mean something.

^^This is actually how I came to contemplate and buy a Falco. :mrgreen:

Like someone says go out and ride a few.

Ill warn you though I think the Falco is more like the SV650 in riding position and throwability than the SV1000. Wierd aye. :rolleyes:

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Not interested in the Buell. Friend has a 900 model. Great bikes, but not for me. Terrible to travel on to.

SS600 is the next "logical" step IMO yes. More power, less weight, and generally good reliability. But i find them a little "common" (as in bloody everywhere) and not sure the screeming 4 pot is for me.

LOVE the RSV, but would want a twin exhaust model, out of price range though again.

TL - Old man had one, still raves about it. Memories of that bike with twin carbon ART cans. ohh im nursing a semi just thinking about it. SV is obviously newer.

Not keen on 955's. Love the 675, but ot of budget. I find the seat quite hard on them too. Lovely bikes though.

Falco, well its actually looking at TheGreek raving about them thats raised the interest.

Still considering the Benelli. I can get a GREAT deal on a Benelli Cafe Racer, and TRE as well, 1130cc, triple, lovley ride, lovley engine, and i've got good support (but shouldn't need it these days ;). Still hankering for a 900 Tornado, but it would get ruined using daily.

Its all thoughts at the moment, but i like to look into what I buy, so can use the time to look into the bikes more. Reviews etc.

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Well if you have any Falco questions then feel free to ask them :tup:

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Can back up TheGr33k - had a Falco for 2 years and was a fantastic bike. Haven't had it for nearly 3 years and still miss it!

Re: Show me the twins...
 

How much have you got to spend?

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Maybe £4k when it comes round to it....

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Ah, damn. You could get an RSV if you could streach to a little over £5k...

Although the reliability ain't there.

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Get two TL's with that sorta money mate!

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Would rather spend more and get a minter with low miles than spend less and suffer with issues.

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You can get one with less than 10k on the clock with that.

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I know, been searching. Some with around 6k on them too ;)

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Actually yeah please.

Not looked into them too much, so don't really know anything about them.

Rough price range?
Price to fill up the tank?
Mileage your getting per tank?
Insurance? Good/Bad? Im paying £240 FC, protected, 7 years NCB, 20,000 miles on the bandit. 27 (2 days time :( ), garaged. Not looking for a quote off you, just example of what im paying :lol: My milage will be sub 10k now though.
BHP/Torque.
Importantly, service intervals
Parts pricey, average (Aprilia, so not going to fall under cheap :lol: ).

Ta muchly :)

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Daimo the TLs can be got for under 4k with less than 10,000 miles on them. From what I have read the only thing to look out for is frame damage...Only talking from what i've read, but from what I remember there aren't many with the probs now and most if ever had any have been fixed.

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Aye i was sat on BT last night for hours browsing.

Hmmmmmmm, dribble......... Add another £400 notes for some rear cans and im away ;)

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Here is a parts site.

Forums similar to this one for you to look through. LOTS of info there!

Issues to look for if you go check them out. Clutch drag/slip, sometimes can have a few little issues. Thankfully not very common and are pretty cheap to sort. Warped disc's, Can be quite common, the brembo items suck ****, WTF brembo!?.

Ive just ordered a pair of EBC discs and pads, so ill mention on my falco thread (in my sig) how these work out, should be on for this week end. Ive also ordered some blueflame exhausts to release the noise. Ill post some pics once they are on. There are a few pics and a bit of a writeup on what I think to the bike on that too.

Over all I love it. In the corners its AMAZING, so forgiving hold a line as if its on rails. Basically a RSV but better (quoted from the aprilia forums :D) on the road, and can be faster on the track too :mrgreen:.

Cheers,

Nick

P.S. Just had a quick look on Ebay. This looks like a decent example of what you can buy with your money. They are very cheap to pickup. You get a LOT of bike for your money.

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Some of the Benellis are now very affordable. When I look for a new bike, in all honesty ill probs go for something smaller than a thou (dont really want high running costs) but If I am swayed towards the bigger bikes, Id be looking at Tuonos, RSV, Benelli, Superduke,Ducati. All things a little different from the norm

Re: Show me the twins...
 

if you like tls what about cagiva raptor as it has the tl engine

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=4565&Page=1

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Yeah, not all Brembos are created equal :( OEM spec stuff tends to be broadly the same regardless of what logo's stuck on them i reckon.

I could definately be tempted towards an RSV or Falco if I suddenly didn't have the SV...

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Splash out on this.

http://ncs.autotrader.co.uk/ncs/NewB...&postcode=SK5%

Ratty

Re: Show me the twins...
 

My love of the Falco lasted all of 3 months. When it won't start and you have to make sure you keep it on charge, plus I don't really enjoy stripping down the starter switchgear when it's 12 degrees at 06:45 in the morning.

Other than that they are very comfortable bikes and sound amazing. Mine went round corners like a pregnant pig, but I have since found out that if you mess about with the suspension and get it wrong it really does screw up the handling. I think mine was messed with before I got it.

The sensation of torque after only having an SV650 was amazing :)

.

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oh i'm it could be made to disappear ;)

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What happened? Why did you have to strip it?

I know what you mean with the cold starts, its a bit weird sometimes I have to start it with full throttle to get it to fire up. Other wise it just keeps turning over. I don't get it but apparently its normal :S Something about it needing a lot of air when cold, greedy git. :mad:

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Cheers Greeky, I think i'll be showing that link to the old man when he comes over tomorrow.

The cold start issue is a little concerning though as i need it to start every day. But "wolf in sheeps clothing" really does appeal to me.

But thats got the cans, mudgaurd ext, better side stand, tinted screen already. I really do like that!!!

Nahh not into the Cagiva, i want a more sporty looking bike.

Re: Show me the twins...
 

NP mate. But rememeber there are plenty out there ;). Maybe find a dealer willing to let you have a test ride and see if you like it. Cant see why you wouldnt but you never know.

I think the cold start thing is down to the injectors not putting enough fuel in when its cold (it seems to be a fairly basic ECU) so you have to open the throttle for it to pump in enough fuel to combust. As long as you know then your ok.

On other thing, the batteries can get killed by them, so make sure its always got resonable charge, at worst youll need to trickle charge it on a night. No biggie.

Keep us posted on how things go mate!

Oh and watch out for 3rd gear 120mph power wheelies :smt077 Not that ive ever done it... I heard about it! :p

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Ive ordered a pair of wavy EBC pro-lite things with some double HH pads. Hopefully they will be better than the standard ones and not have the wierd breaking vib's. Ive read good things on the whole. If anyone knows anything then let me know. :D

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Spoken to pater, he agrees the Falco is a really good bike.

But...

he's also reminded me of the parts backup. Aprilia is meant to be as bad as MV, not good at all. And then there is the cost, they arn't cheap to fix if they do go wrong.

That and the little starter issues have thrown the Falco out of the equation for the moment.

TL1000 is out too, again, he reminded me that his old one used to go through rear tyres in under 1000 miles..... Doh.....

The search continues..

Re: Show me the twins...
 

Daimo,if it is big twin's your looking for then just maybe......



















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