Next bike quandry...

After having a great 9 months with the Versys, I'm now considering another bike. Whilst the Kawasaki has been a great ride, something doesnt quite stir the soul for me, whether that be the fact its a Kwak, maybe its the exhaust note or whether it is just a bit too weird looking to be taken to the heart. Everything else the bike does well, maybe lacking a little in top speed (cruising Mway speeds just feel a little leggy although the bike copes with speeds above this). The low down torque of the engine does give the bike a real mid-range kick which is great for road riding.

I have thought over and over about what I want next and I just dont know what ticks the boxes. Whilst the likes of a 954 Fireblade, a GSXR 750 or a Honda SP1 are beautiful bikes I don't think I want to return to riding with clip ons (which rules a lot of bikes out). Maybe I need to try one before I dismiss it. Whilst I would love to join the Ducatisti on a 749, theyre just too uncomfortable to sit on and I would imagine a bit temperamental.

In the other box there is the KTM 950SM, the Street Triple and the Shiver. None of these have any fairing protection, but all have the style and riding position which I think i'm looking for.


What do I want the bike for? Well i'm all pleasure rider, no commuting and for the next couple of years, I dont really see myself doing any long distance trips on the bike. I have wondered whether I'm looking to change the bike, purely to replace the lack of riding compadre's i've had this year as I have found myself on my own on rides more often than not. None of my mates will now get on a bike after seeing me laid up last year. A couple of them were considering it.

Is there a bike that I'm overlooking and yet it ticks all of my boxes? I want something that's exciting and fun to ride, something which won't cost the Earth to own, something which is comfortable and can offer some protection from the elements and overall something which stirs the soul.

What am I looking for?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by robchester

Maybe I need to try one before I dismiss it. Whilst I would love to join the Ducatisti on a 749, theyre just too uncomfortable to sit on and I would imagine a bit temperamental.

954 Blade is supposed to be comfortable, ask Hovis he has one. If you go older GSXR K5/k4 before they went stubby on the exhaust, I have one of those. Did Scotland and back in one day and was fine.

As for the 749, its seat is more comfy than the one on my GSXR is and its definately more comfy than the SV seat was for me.

Liz has a 749S we've not had any major trouble with it, apart from the fact it was neglected when sat in the dealers for 9 months before Liz bought it. Apart from having it serviced and putting a new battery on it with a higher cold cranking value, its been fine. We'ev had a problem with niggly fueling but we think we've sorted that now as one of the Fuel hoses was trapped under the tank.

IMHO look into a bit more get a test ride if you can then discount it. I love my GSXR, but it doesnt stir the soul like the 749 does....

[rictus01]

No weather protection, but if one of these doesn't stir the soul, you're offically dead, had one out on Monday.

http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php...0&postcount=65



Cheers Mark

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

954 Blade is supposed to be comfortable, ask Hovis he has one.

very comfortable (IMO)

i managed germany to cardiff in a day, i love the thing, its awsome, pretty much bomb proof being a honda,

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by robchester

In the other box there is the KTM 950SM...

Don't know what you're planning on spending but there's a 990SMT available with panniers and fairing:

[JamesMio]

Originally Posted by hovis

very comfortable (IMO)

Plus one - it's not great for around town, but open roads are fine - I toured the Highlands for a week on mine and was absolutely fine. The seat's a brick, but either an Airhawk (I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a cheapy one) or a pair of cycling shorts cures this.

I'm riding a Fazer thou at the mo. The more I ride it, the more I like it. Review here: http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...ght=fazer+thou

I was scraping the pegs 4 days after I picked it up. It's a great bike, if a little soft. It hasn't got that turn round and look at it when you get off though.

Originally Posted by JamesMio

Plus one - it's not great for around town, but open roads are fine - I toured the Highlands for a week on mine and was absolutely fine. The seat's a brick, but either an Airhawk (I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a cheapy one) or a pair of cycling shorts cures this.

never had any probs with the seat>?

[JamesMio]

I'm probably heavier than you!

Originally Posted by JamesMio

I'm probably heavier than you!

probably