Overated bikes, or ones that you just dont get

[fizzwheel]

Been reading a few threads recently and find myself wandering about certain bikes and why they appeal and the fact that I dont "get" the attraction

First off..

TLS

I get the big twin thing. But why a TLS, it just looks like a big curvey SV, all the ones I looked at in my eyes had the potential to turn into a money pit very quickly and I'd want the rear suspension sorting out properly which = cost.

SP1

Again the big twin thing I get, but I'm kinda averse to spending money on something that then needs a the fueling setting up properly and has a tiny tank range.

848 / 1098 / 1198

Dont get this either, looks like a jap bike and looks very cheaply made i.e. quality of plastics etc etc, and the fact it looks like Mr Blobby has done the welding on the swing arrm, sure as eggs are eggs I'd not want to buy a Duke with a wet clutch either.

VFR, RVF ( NC30, NC35 )

10, 15 year old bikes, b*stard to service, cost a fortune to buy as demand keeps 2nd hand prices high. Has no more performance than an SV and the one I rode ( NC35 ) didnt handle any better ( well felt like that to me ) than my Curvey SV did.

So thats undoubtably put the cat among the pidgeons ... so go on whats yours...

[Mr Speirs]

Pointy SV.

I mean...just...why???

I don't get the whole Harley/Custom thing

[Luckypants]

Any litre sports bike.

848 / 1098 / 1198

Dont get this either, looks like a jap bike and looks very cheaply made i.e. quality of plastics etc etc, and the fact it looks like Mr Blobby has done the welding on the swing arrm, sure as eggs are eggs I'd not want to buy a Duke with a wet clutch either.

Anyone who has enjoyed an SV650S or thou would like this as a bike! Welding on the swing arm? Manufactured and xrayed to ensure it doesnt fall apart - function -v- fashion! Wet clutch works fine but without the noise but will have a wet slipper when needed!

I find it strange that you havent put the Daytona 675 on there, well grounded, nice to ride but poor finishing and most importantly absolutely no grin factor or soul.

So what do you like at the moment?

nb650

It would be better if you added reasons rather than just naming the bike. Makes for a better arguement and more interesting read.

I wonder aboout the logic of the whole GSX-R 600/750/1000 for 'normal' usage ie not racing? I am keen to progress to a supersports next year but the more I think about changing my new SV (only owned a month but used to ride the supersports of the day in the late 80's/early 90's) the more I wonder about whether it is cost effective vs. fun factor of the larger engine sports bikes.

Let's face it they all top 150mph and get there in the blink of the eye, the mpg drops off a fair bit with the 750/1000 and they don't look massively different.

Would be interested in thoughts/comments from others or am I just missing something?!?!?

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Any litre sports bike.

But why are they over-rated? On road, they are potentially useless unless you wanna lose your licence, i get that, however, you get them somewhere where you can "use" them, I should think the result is a little different?

[ophic]

Tall bikes with no offroading potential, eg Triumph Tiger, Yam TDM900, Suzuki V-Strom, that weird Ducati thing, etc - especially the Tiger. I see loads of them about but can't see the advantages over a Sprint ST.

They're probably not overrated, its just I don't understand what they're for. I'm sure I will once someone explains it

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by nakedblue650

Anyone who has enjoyed an SV650S or thou would like this as a bike! Welding on the swing arm? Manufactured and xrayed to ensure it doesnt fall apart - function -v- fashion! Wet clutch works fine but without the noise but will have a wet slipper when needed!

I know what you mean, it just looks built to a price especially when you look at it closeley, especially when your missus has a 749S in the garage to compare it to. Side by side the 749 / 999 just look finished off and theres no plastic bits to cover things up, i.e. under the riders seat and around the ignition switch. It looks OK on a black bike, but I hate the swathes of black plastic that shroud the 849 / 1098 / 1198 in those places.

Its part of the Ducati ethos / soul of the bike to have the clutch rattle, it would feel to me like somethings missing.

Originally Posted by nakedblue650

I find it strange that you havent put the Daytona 675 on there, well grounded, nice to ride but poor finishing and most importantly absolutely no grin factor or soul.

Ohh you are so right with this one, another bike that I dont understand the hype of. Just seems like its been bigged up by the media, I would make a comment about them being common as muck as well, but I ride a GSXR so I shant

Originally Posted by nakedblue650

So what do you like at the moment?

The only thing I've looked at recently and considered changing for was a 2 year old 999R, but I havent got the cash, I was quite taken with the KTM RC8the other week, but not enough to buy one.

Dont get me wrong I wasnt intending to slag off other peoples bikes, just thought it would make an interesting discussion...