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.

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

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

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

double seat - plenty of underseat storage.

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

Originally Posted by chazzyb

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

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

Originally Posted by bikageboy

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

double seat - plenty of underseat storage.

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

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.



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