My 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. (For those that dont know, I snapped a femur & shattered quite a few bones in my wrist which is still troubling me 6 months on. I havent got back on 2 wheels yet)

So from the criteria 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.

I like the first one best but then I am going on looks and do love black bikes

[yorkie_chris]

Haven't ridden a street triple, thought the daytona 675 engine was an absolute corker though. Sitting on the street the first thought was "where's the rest of it"

Get a multistrada

That KTM is fugly

The KTM would get my vote every time , bin the cans for twin Akras and yer laughing

Of the three listed I would choose the Triumph then the Aprilia and finally (and only if I had to) the KTM.

The Triumph is a Jack of all trades, relatively comfortable good range and not to vibey. It's also gonna be the most expensive due to not being on the market long.

The Aprilia, as you mentioned same engine as the Yamaha (with the same awfull vibes) Single cylinder bikes are a very acquired taste especially for touring. As far as Aprilia quality and parts are concerned don't let that put you off. The parts problems are now sorted and were the cause of disgruntled staff. The clocks do mist the one of my 2005 RSV did but the one on the 2004 Factory (same clocks) were fine.

The KTM they are still the biking communities version of the Massey Ferguson.

But ultimately you need to get out there and ride them.

A couple of other bikes to consider

The New 600 Hornet (It's a stunner)

The Aprilia Shiver

Rob,

I'm looking to change the 'Blade soon, mainly due to a neck injury that happened a couple of years ago when I wrote off the naked SV.

I personally don't like single cylinder bikes, they can be a bit vibey and generally aren't that great for touring. I have ridden the Street Triple and I couldn't believe how much fun it was; it reminded me of the SV, being able to throw it around and give it some stick.

I still can't get over how easy it flicks round the twisties and also through traffic. I was surprised how much of a big grin I had when I brought it back to the showroom.

Only other comment I can make is that the Speed Triple was awesome.......

Steve

I vote for the Trumpet. I rode the Street and it's awesome.

[Nicky S]

Originally Posted by robchester

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)

ktm or speed tripel both well nice :P