One day, five test rides.
 

Seeing as the weather looked promising today, I decided to book myself in with a few test rides.

First of all I lined up the Street Triple and Triple R back to back. I'd previously tried (and reviewed) these bikes before, albeit a year apart. When I originally tested the Street, against the Versys I thought it was skittish, and I felt nervous when cornering. It certainly didnt give me any confidence in the bike

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/IMAG0223.jpg

So I took it out again this morning, and still couldnt gel with it. The road surface wasnt great and a newly laid piece of tarmac had some very prominent cats eyes on it. I happened to overtake into a corner and on tipping in, I caught the edge of the cats eye and I felt the front skip across which was quite unnerving. Great engine, riding position not too bad but no confidence. They do run Bridgestone BT016s which are different to the Triple R tyres.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/IMAG0225.jpg

Anyway took this one back and then tried the R. I was blown away by it in July and so hopped on to this one and immediately felt at home. The riding position is quite a bit different to the standard and its noticeable after riding both together. It pitches you further forward but I liked that. Same great engine, this time the bike is on Pirelli Supercorsa's (again never tried before) but I just felt loads more confident in the bikes ability, and was able to take corners with ease.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/IMAG0228.jpg

Beautiful bike, the fly screen actually meant there was more wind trying to force my helmet upwards. The completely naked machine was actually quite nice to ride. A fair bit of pressure at 90 leptons but below that it was very manageable.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...r/IMAG0229.jpg

This is a great bike and went back to the shop with a massive grin on my face. This is a definite contender for the next bike.

I then headed to Suzuki where I wanted to test the GSXR 600 and 750 back to back to see if I could return to clip ons, and to a more extreme riding position

So I tested the 600 first and found the riding position very odd. I thought it was quick once it was wound up (fairly sedate otherwise) but didnt get a great deal of enjoyment from it.

I then tested the 750 and immediately found the obvious - more power low down. I actually thought the riding position was slightly less extreme, the bars slightly wider and higher. Maybe I had just got used to the riding position by the time I sat on this one. Whilst it was quick and was way quicker than I was willing to try, again I didnt click with it. It didnt spread a smile across my face and I just felt that even at the NSL, I didnt feel like I was going that fast and so I didnt feel like I was working the bike.


So I took it back to the dealer and we got chatting about what I was looking for.

I happened to spot a KTM 950SM in the back of the garage and before the test had quizzed the dealer on KTM's with which he didnt much good to say about them. The one in the garage was being sold by the mechanic so after having a word, he let me take it out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...TM950SM020.jpg

What a hoot! Ok, it vibes like crazy and after being on IL4s this afternoon, it was the first thing I noticed. The seat was a bit of a plank but I just kept opening it up in 2nd and 3rd just to feel the pull of the thing. This thing is an absolute back road weapon make no mistake. Its a Versys on Steroids with maybe a few ragged edges but it was great fun. The gear lever was too high and the clutch biting point was right out but I really enjoyed hustling it over B roads. No issues with wind blast even though there was no screen on it and the front end just wanted to go light. Phenomenal handling and really light into the turns, it felt as if I was on something much much smaller.

Overall, its now between the KTBOOM and the Triple R. I think the R gives a more refined ride and looks the classier act but the KTM is just a devil of a bike. That said, in traffic it was very compliant and easy to control at low speeds and revs.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Get the Triple R! Simples :wink: (not that I am biased)

The GSXR's are funny. I have ridden a K7 600 on track and did a lot of off-track drills at CSS at the weekend on a K9 600. I just can't get on with them either! Hoping off and back onto my Daytona was waaaaay more comfy!

(I thought size-wise the 600 and 750 are the same?)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Yep they are supposed to be exactly the same.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

The bike didnt feel any bigger, but the bars did feel like they were in a less extreme position. Like I said, it might have just been that I'd already had 30-40 miles under my belt on the 600 to compare it.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

It sounds like you need to ride some more bikes to be sure.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

I'm lucky enough to have a triumph and a ktm :)

If i were to choose a naked bike, ktm for me thankyou :)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

I'm not sure ill get to test as many as you! Already tested a Shiver and 1200gs which were ok but neither as good as the Triumph or KTM. I can't honestly think of any other bikes which will offer B road thrills like those 2 will.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Have you tried the 1100 hypermotard :D insanely fun.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Oh yes indeedy...great fun :)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Rob, it's good to hear that you've identified what you want the bike for and what sort of type. With a couple more test rides it sounds like you'll have almost worked out what you want. So Superduke, Hypermotard, Dorsoduro and 1100 Monster test rides coming up soon?

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

tuono?

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

As much as I love Duke's, I dont think I'll get one. To be honest, shelling out £7k on a new bike (Street R) is a lot of cash, possibly too much for a toy.

I know people will mention KTM reliability but Ducati's just scare me. Tuono is a great looking bike and something I might try, but the independant servicing garages around here want a fortune when it comes to hourly rates on Aprilias.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Pah not having something that you love just because of historical rumors is crazy. Moderns Dukes are supposed to have fantastic reliability... considerably better than the brand you are considering recently.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Yeah!! Can I ask why you are considering a Triumph (in light of your reluctance of considering a Ducati for the same reason) when there have been a few threads on their reliability issues on an SV650 forum? Wonder what a Triumph forum is like? :)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Do you 2 own Duke's by any chance? Hypermotard is a bit too much of a one trick pony for me. Beautiful bike, great for hooning about on but anything other than that has to be a chore.

If I wanted a complete 2 hr toy, I would buy a 690SM which is utterly useless for anything but scratching.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

No I just own the Hyper, traded in my 749.
Hyper is not the most practical I guess but apart form Touring it's no less practical than most.
Before I bought one I would've agreed with you and say it was a one trick pony but after riding one apart from the tank range (which can be solved) I can't see why it would be less practical than any other naked bike.

The KTM supermoto's I agree are a 2hr toy but I think a better comparison to the Hypermotard would be the KTM Superduke rather than the Supermoto.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

I thought the same until Liz bought her 749S, you should talk to some owners on Ducatsti rather than believing all the guff written on the internet by people who've never owned one.

OK older models yes, eletrics and reliability problems. Newer bike last on the 998, 749, 999 much better reputation. You have to remember that Ducati do their development in public, so never buy the first generation of any new Ducati it will have problems.

749 the service interval is longer than it is on my GSXR, the labour rate in the Ducati Main Dealer we take it to is less per hour than the local Suzuki dealer I bought my GSXR from.

Ownership needs approaching with an open mind thats all...

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

deffo give the tuono a blat.

i swopped my sv1000 for one about 3 weeks ago and my eyes have been opened! hear what you are saying bout servicing though, and anything italian definately has "character".

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

think they were my exact words in a PM to him, except the SV1000 part.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

In the interest of clarity, a Duke is made by KTM
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gal...0Duke%2008.jpg
A Duc could be short for Ducati

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

tourno would be ace if it only looked better. is a mille much worse than a tourno? certainally books the biz and will be onmy list of next bikes for sure.

speed tripple?

or how about a z750?

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

and what's wrong with a tuono?

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

So after riding these bikes how do you feel riding your Versys now? Sometimes we salivate after expensive or 'worthy' bikes but an unpopular bike may suit us better and makes us feel great. It's just that our ego wouldn't allow us to say so in public. I'm so happy riding my little Hyosung 125SM around our roads here in Malta, even much more than riding more expensive but heavier bikes. Its manageable and fast enough to pass our slow moving traffic. A new set of stickier tyres and a new chain will make it better still.
Of course I won't dream of riding your motorways on my little Hyo but I'm trying to make a point that maybe your Versys is giving you so much fun but you're too distracted to notice.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

sod the looks, when you are riding it the grin obscures the view...

judging by the size of risers for the flat bars on my 03 the Mille will be very very wristy. at this point in time i think it is the best bike i have ever ridden and an absolute keeper.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

In comparison with everything I tested yesterday, the Versys brakes fall well short. I was riding back and actually kept going hot into the corners. Had to take a check on myself and slow it all down.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

You sir, need your eyes examined!

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Of course he does...he bought a versys!!! :)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

Did he? I thought he had a trumpet! ;)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

not jelous much,

what year and colour is yours?

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

So he did, thought you were refering to the OP....you were not. :)

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

red, 2003 tuoldo.

everytime i ride it i find something new to grin about.

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

I only count 3

Re: One day, five test rides.
 

One thing I have found with a Triumph (or any Brit bike) is if you turn up at a race meet the marshalls will let you park where ever you want and watch over it for you.I usually put mine in the scrutinering bay. :)

You also get stopped by misty eyed oldies recounting their experiences on a Triumph.