Next bike....

Ive been considering what I want out of my next bike and I have drawn up a shortlist of 3. Whilst the SV was a brilliant bike, I did have ideas to change it early next year anyway as I was looking for something different.
Im not a Motorway, A road or Bypass blaster, I prefer looking for smaller backroads, better scenery and passes such as those in the NYM, Dales & Lake District. I did find that the SV struggled on some of the tighter roads in these areas due to having clip ons rather than bars with good leverage. This is something I want in my next bike. It has to be capable of touring (not mega miles but 200+ a day and for 4-5 day trips) I want the bike to be fun, confidence inspiring and under 700cc's for cost of ownership.
Since my off, my confidence in riding has taken a real beating, and all of the hours of riding I have put in has been undone by something which lasted less than 5 seconds. I know I still have the ability to ride as it was my only off in 5 years, however I now realise how easy it is for it to go very wrong, very quickly.

So from the choices above, I present the 3 bikes which I am currently considering.

Firstly the bike Tim (now in Holland/formerly Yorkshire/formerly Belgium) was getting sick of hearing about. The Aprilia Pegaso Strada.

This has the XT660 engine, tweaked slightly by Aprilia. Looks wise, quite conservative but has a low seat height which i can get my feet flat on the ground. Mag reviews were in favour of it over its rivals and same engine equivalents. There is an issue of a fuelling glitch which is ironed out with a PCIII and some have issues with misting clocks. Footpegs apparently deck out quite quickly. Aprilia ownership does worry me slightly with parts availiability and build quality. Touring wise, can put a set of panniers on it, a touring screen and comes with a handy cubby hole on top of the tank. Heated grips & guards options. Price wise very appealing from £2500.

Secondly, in contrast to the Strada, the KTM 690SM.

Definitely a bike which will divide on looks, its a love it or hate it machine. When I sat on it, it was quite high and had me on tip toes when upright however there is an optional lower seat albeit only 20mm lower. Gets praise for its power output and the very smooth and well balanced single engine. A light bike at around 143kg dry. For touring, although much more adept than the older 640 engines, Im not sure if the seat will have me crying before the tank goes dry although again heated grips, guards and a touring screen is available. Panniers may be an issue with the chimneys. Tubed tyres are venturing into the unknown for me.
Price wise, available for around the £4k mark.

Lastly a bike that needs no introductions. The Street Triple (In Green)


The most expensive bike of the 3, definitely the quickest of the 3 and probably the most common of the 3 (or will be once they get everyones order out). At £5k or thereabouts for even 2nd hand models, theyre pricey and Ive heard issues regarding oil usage. Pretty small bike but im not the biggest person anyway. Looks fantastic, but im not sure whether ill want (or need) that kind of power that it has the potential to deliver. I dare say that I'd be stretching my budget to get one of these however its had some really great reviews and I feel Id be foolish to overlook it. Depreciation on these is excellent (At the moment)


I will be getting test rides of these but I would be interested in what anyone might have to say about them, perhaps through experience or just as an opinion. I dont want to be making any decisions before I see all the bikes in the same room at the NEC.

You wanna go naked then?

[punyXpress]

Two of them would take a tank bag.

Erm... you dont want another SV but youll go for one more powerful

KTM or Aprilia imo.

[Richie]

Looks to naked....


Looks like a Duck...



Looks like a Bug...



Get a Duke..... or a Gsxr1000.....




ps see you soon.

I know we who own different bikes seem to hark on about them so please ignore this if desired, however have you considered the tuono.

It doesnt fit the under 700cc rule for sure, but it seems to fit the rest, is big and comfy, with sensible exhausts and standard map it will return 40+ mpg and whislt it is powerful its very easy to ride gnetly with the right gearing oh and confidence inspiring beyond belief.

its quite cheap these days, even the 06 model (same shape as mine) is coming up at real bargain prices, its not unwiedly either, infact its really darn nimble...

anywhoo just a thought and all the best with the revovery.

imo the KTM looks awful, out of the 3 the street triple - p.s. they had one last time i went past tillstons in the suzuki part that was cheap, i think about 3k in green - might be wrong only glanced at it as i rode past

[punyXpress]

Triumph might cost more, but you will probably keep more of its value when you've finished with it.

Originally Posted by nik_nunez

imo the KTM looks awful, out of the 3 the street triple - p.s. they had one last time i went past tillstons in the suzuki part that was cheap, i think about 3k in green - might be wrong only glanced at it as i rode past

If its lime green and in the corner.. Its a speed four.

Alex, I knew there'd be one who would mention a Tuono. To me that is one of the best looking bikes money can buy, I love the attention to detail on the bike, it looks awesome and gets rave reviews, however I really dont want to be going down the lines of a thou. Ive nearly killed meself on a 650 so need to just take it easy for a couple of years with something that maybe isnt as "encouraging". Im a long time in this biking game (Hopefully) so its not as if i'm racing against time to have the ultimate bike. First and most importantly, I have to be back on 2 wheels in time for the new season. I might even be ready for a cold February rideout.