One bike to do everything?

Originally Posted by aesmith

Someone's going to say VFR.

A vfr800 pre vtec,even being 16 or 17 years old,it is still said my many to be the best all round sports tourer on the road,110hp 150+ mph,With a engine good for 250k,long service intervals,if you can find a low milage good condition one you won't be disappointed,failing that go for second best and go for a vtec,and as second best they will still be better then a sprint,also have a look at the 1250 faired bandit or gsx1250 or what ever they call the fully faired version

[Bibio]

make a short list and then go test ride them.

personally if i were to get rid of the SV i would go for a stripple R or a GSXR 750 with a comfort kit but my SV does everything i ask of it and at 60mpg i dont think i will be changing it any time soon. yes it has cost a small fortune but its been worth every single penny and still a lot cheaper than a lot of the bikes out there of the same spec.

[andrewsmith]

GSXS1000 or gsx1000f

I'm waiting for the demonstration bikes to come into the UK as I'm really considering trying one.

The Mt09 and it's variants are a good one bike option

[maviczap]

Did anyone say VFR

That'd be my choice

[Red Herring]

Bikes only need servicing if you ride them, and you can only ride one at a time so I've always argued it's best to have the right bike for what you specifically want to do rather than one that is a compromise at everything..... Sure you need to keep an eye on things like batteries if you don't use it often, and I've a whiteboard in my garage with all the various MOT and tax dates on, but it's really nice to "treat" yourself to something different as the mood or season takes you.

Having said all that I've hung onto my 1997 Honda 600 Hornet and that's now got over 50k on it because it tends to be the best all rounder. I've done everything from touring to trackday instruction on it and it's been 100% reliable along the way. I do occasionally miss the raw power of a litre plus bike, but unless you live life in three figures it's just overkill on the road.

If you do want something bigger then have you looked at the Tiger? Haven't ridden the latest one but certainly the model they bought out a few years ago could hang out with the best of them.......

[Steve_God]

Originally Posted by LiquidFlux

MT-09 Tracer

Originally Posted by Tomor

tracer

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

Tracer

I like the positioning of that bike, and the throttle modes, but no electronic suspension on that one... although given the feedback, might have to give one a test ride at least to compare.

Originally Posted by littleoldman2

K1200GT

That's my current frame of mind as it happens, find a second hand one in decent condition - but wanted to see what non-BMW alternatives there were to compare it properly against.

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Fazer thou

Originally Posted by aesmith

VFR

Originally Posted by Balky001

CBR650F

Originally Posted by suzukigt380paul

vfr800/1250 faired bandit/gsx1250

Problem which all of these if they're middle of the road, and will do pretty much anything, pretty good. Whereas I'm looking at something that will do pretty much anything 'very' well - which means anything with standard style suspensions (non-electronic / without quick adjustment) aren't going to cut it.

Originally Posted by nutzboutbikes

Suzuki GSX-S1000.

Intrigued by the traction control aspect, but still standard style suspension.

Originally Posted by Ch00

R1200RT

Specs wise, it's perfect! Problem is, I'm not the biggest of blokes, and it kinda drowns me

[Luckypants]

If you think a BMW 1200RT will do the 'sports bike' bit as well as a VFR, then I suggest you go test ride them back to back. I am biased as I love my VFR, but it is still a strong contender. I'd say the suspension is the thing most likely to disappoint especially when you are in the mood for a sports bike, probably a little soft. It's also a big lump for a daily ride / hacking about (when I have room I'll get something smaller in addition to the VFR).

It might be worth taking a look at the very latest VFR800 if its in your price range, they are meant to be very, very good.

Also if you like lots of electronic do-dahs, VFR1200?

Finally, one bike that might fit the bill completely Aprillia Tuono V4 APRC!!

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I've a whiteboard in my garage with all the various MOT and tax dates on

Sheer genius.

*off to ebay for a whiteboard*

[L3nny]

I did 10k on a VFR, in 2 years. It's okay, but that's it, just okay. From day 1 I started getting bored with it. While some might say it's perfect for everything I would say it's comprimised in every way. The new VFR however does seem a bit more exciting.

I spent yesterday riding 2 of the big tourers you mention and found them both much better than the VFR. More info here.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Steve_God

Problem which all of these if they're middle of the road, and will do pretty much anything, pretty good. Whereas I'm looking at something that will do pretty much anything 'very' well - which means anything with standard style suspensions (non-electronic / without quick adjustment) aren't going to cut it.

Such a bike doesn't exist, although your definition of "very well" will obviously be a very personal thing closely linked in with your ability to actually make use of what is available.

Put it this way, you won't find a bike that will allow you to tour two up around Europe for two weeks in complete comfort before finishing up at the Nurburgring where you will be able to worry the lap record...... Most people seeking such a thing find it is far more effective and considerably cheaper to buy a competent all rounder like many of the bikes mentioned and then invest in tuning the nut that holds the handlebars. Good luck though.