This 2nd bike thing.....
 

Right, as some of you know I have been thinking about a 2nd bike for a while. Main usage would be commuting and 2 up riding, leaving my Gixer for the fun stuff and I could turn it into more of a race bike, making it a solo machine.

So, my first thoughts turned to the VFR800 or perhaps a big naked muscle bike. The wife doesn't want a 2 step seat, leaving her above my head and "feeling exposed" as she puts it. However, I cant see the point of having a VFR and my Gixer. The Vifer is a true sports tourer, it's just a big sports bike so I have started to look elsewhere.

The range is limited because of the wifes requirements and due to my short legs.... So the seat a height must be no higher than my GSXR, which is 825 stock. The shortlist so far is:

XJR1300 - I've always fancied a muscle bike, so this does have some appeal
Honda Blackbird - Not really a commuter, but great for high speed 2 up work
Beamer 1200GS (low seat option) - I know, I know.... But this is the only bike that I have ever sat on and everything feels like it's exactly where it should be.

So over the next few weeks I'm going to organise a test ride on each to see how I get on. If any of you have experience with any of these models I'd be pleased for your comments.

I sat on the new Sprint and it felt horrible. Wide, fat and lardy. It looks nice but it was a real anti-climax, as I really wanted it to make an impact on me, but it didn't. I also sat on Yamaha's Bulldog, that's a bloody comfortable bike, but a bit to close to a cruiser for me...

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i dont know much about anything..... but i do know the blackbird in its matt black paint work looks the nuts!

I'd probably go for a Fazer 1000 or XJR1300. The XJR has one mean look and motor. Fazer is more sporty and a bit of a wheelie monster!

Steve,.....Ok for me to throw in the Honda Pan Am? Never read anything bad about one of those babies. 8)

Isn't that the Errmerican Pan Euro - still an ST1100 though?

what about a cbr600F
cheaper to run than a blackbird
still good for 160 mph :twisted:

double seat - plenty of underseat storage.

plus you get reliability which is essential for commuting and stuff.

I want a bike not an armchair :lol: Seriously, it's of no interest to be what so ever. Big fat lardy thing which is too wide to commute on.

I considered a 600F before I got the Gixer. I can't see the point of having both, and the 600F just won't do the sport thing as well as the Gixer. I want to be in a position to have a solo sport only bike (the GSXR), plus a bike that is fun to ride, has a decent pillion seat and suitable for commuting. I'd rather not go for a full sports bike, and if I did it would be an RR2/RR3 'Blade, but then the pillion position wouldn't be suitable.

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My humble Kwak ER5 is more fun than you'd ever think - it satisfies all the above requirements, plus it's v v cheap to run and to insure (group 8 ). Not the fastest thing on 2 wheels true but fun nonetheless.

how about the SV650 (naked)

but then again - there awfully slow and lack honda's superior build quality :)




*hides in the dark and secluded corner*

I'd get one of these, without question.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/de/_co...r1200gs_02.jpg

looks cool, comutes, tours, off-roads, backroad blasts, 2 up comfort, BM build quality!!! the only bad point is the price!