Bike alternative.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Oddly enough, in Jersey last week I was thinking that one of those would have been ideal.

it would, sublime suspension plus super grippy tyres mean that it doesn't matter how slow it in in a straight line, because while the SV is hard on the brakes you can just sail round bumpy off camber corners covered with obstacles

now, a bike that went round corners like the DRZ but went like the SV in a straight line, THAT would be the perfect bike

F800gs

Just go buy the Ducati. A Hypermotard 1100S. £9,050 new, or £7,750 for the non-S version (basically no Ohlins), dunno about € in Spain.

Sweet

There are some real naughty people amongst you!

That Suzuki and the Hypermotard are absolute hooligan bikes and right here given the right bike you have one hooligan who really should know better! There is no way I could go for one of those beasties as the temptation to wheelie at every given opportunity and to slide the rear in to turns all over the place would be just too difficult to resist.

That big humdinger of a Harley custom? Jeez you imagine trying to negotiate in any kind of traffic with that?

But,(and I am still finding it difficult to accept it is me writing this!) the Harley's for my purpose are growing on me! I do they still have enough sense to opt for a model with the rubber engine mountings as I quite like my fillings where they are! We're talking Evolution engine also! Whoooooo! And they are not as pre historic as one might fear as...get this...the one's I'm looking at have fuel injection!


But I'm not in to that feet first malarky and so getting my attention right now are two variations of the 1200.

Firstly for your viewing pleasure,(?)

The 1200N (Nightster) I love the retro,(even more retro than normal,yeah I know!) look of this baby and think it looks so cool with the single seat and the throw back fork gaiters.

[url=http://imageshack.us][/


The other option of the 1200 that I like is the Roadster, just a slight variation on the above model and gets a dual seat as you can see.




Now do not be believeing all of those tales that Harley's touch down once 5º from vertical, none of it at all. Take a look at this clip of a guy bobbing along on roads in Norway which are very like the one's we have here. It seems to be coping rather nicely thankyou.

By the way does anyone know who the guitar sound trrack is by as I think it is ace.

http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=HJOmktlM4W4

Originally Posted by Pedrosa

Now do not be believeing all of those tales that Harley's touch down once 5º from vertical, none of it at all.

32º lean, see here

Originally Posted by chazzyb

32º lean, see here

Chaz,, so they even have knee down possibilities these days? Another bonus!

My Bandit 650S.

Rides better than my SV did, slightly quicker, much better fuel range. Had 216 miles from its tank (going into a city too).

Done 10,000 miles since start of march, and never had a sore backside.

Not as light handling as the SV, but it does handle. Overall, a bike that can be ridden softly with a passanger, hard on a B road, but be refined and comfy enough for town usage.

Not tried the 1250 model, but other than being heavier, can it only be better?

Biggest gripe is 4000 mile service, and high revs on motorway. 6000rpm is about 60mph.

Originally Posted by Daimo

My Bandit 650S.

Rides better than my SV did, slightly quicker, much better fuel range. Had 216 miles from its tank (going into a city too).

Done 10,000 miles since start of march, and never had a sore backside.

Not as light handling as the SV, but it does handle. Overall, a bike that can be ridden softly with a passanger, hard on a B road, but be refined and comfy enough for town usage.

Not tried the 1250 model, but other than being heavier, can it only be better?

Biggest gripe is 4000 mile service, and high revs on motorway. 6000rpm is about 60mph.

Sorry Daimo, nice sales pitch but you aint convinced me mate.

My alternative ride would be either:

Honda SP2. Balls out, no compromise, frick-off superbike, gonna kill you, gonna make you grin, gonna empty your wallet, gonna give you cramps like nothing else before. I can keep the SV with this, since the SV would still be used as my commuting tool and my touring tool. Maria would HATE the SP2. Maybe love the noise.

Or!!!!!

Honda CBF500. No frills bike, Simple. Reliable. Upright, so easy for town work. Keep the SV as the sporty version, throw money at it and get ohlins this and gills rearsets those and akravovich whatsits.

At the moment, with my knees going wobbly and stuff, the CBF looks like a good option.

But I am oh so drawn to the SP2, oh I want one

Please

Oh, just though of another one. The forthcoming BMW superbike. Just to be differant.

Matt

Originally Posted by northwind

I'd like a Vespa PX125, or possible a DT125SM with a big narrow top box. I'd say a Duke 2, but I rode one in traffic once and though it's more nimble than an SV it's wider, which was very annoying, it was better than the SV at getting into gaps but worse at getting out of them.

You could fit a topbox like mine, sideways? If you get me?

Matt