Choices, choices - Which 2 wheels next? (56K hell)

Originally Posted by Peter Henry

Cloggsy....Sorry mate din't have me bins on! Ok that YAM looks ace! you tempted mate?

No

I can't do anything until my dealer pulls his finger out of his ass

[northwind]

If you've not testridden the Buell, you've got to. There's every chance you'll just take an instant dislike to it, and that makes it an easy decision. I really wanted to like the City X but after riding it, I know I'd never buy one. Worst gearbox and clutch I've ever experienced on a bike, and even on dual carriageways it was clearly out of its juristiction, never mind doing long distance. It could do it, of course, but 9/10 bikes would be better. On the plus side, they're absolutely hilarious to ride, and believe it or not that engine really works... A lot of people say Buell should build bikes around a real engine, but I can see why he sticks with the Harley.

Thing is... It's less good for distance than any bike above 125 I've ever ridden, but in town the gearbox and clutch are a total liability. (when I testrode it, the clutch on my SV was completely knackered, the lifter had lost all its bearings... And the Buell was somehow worse.

But if it's a toy you're looking for, they're awesome. You get so much attention on them too- the look, the sound, the way you can't help but pull wheelies constantly...

BUT, back to topic, we have an interesting split here, an almost even split between American over-engineering and the Japanese Death Missile, with leanings towards retro goodness and the big brother to the common-or-garden SV.

Interesting, I really didn't expect so much support for the Yank Tractor.

You see, all this comes about because, come this June, I no longer have to pay for the Clio, and am severely tempted to flog it and get the train to work every day (saving about a hundred quid a month but costing me more time - still undecided). Daisy already has a home to go to should I wish to let her go leaving me with the above question.

Now having ridden a Ulysses last year, it reminds me of why I like biking, its loud, stupid, and down right evil. The Firebolt and Lightning share the same engine and Warrs have a particularly good Lightning 04 example in stock for £5900-ish, all black, powder coated black wheels (no orange crap here), stage 1'd and race exhaust, so appeals to the Death Metal loving bassist in me. Its all violent and just wrong in so many good ways.

BUT.........

The SV has introduced me to the joys of the "Perfect Ride" (tm), the delight of precise lines, fine cornering and getting it jussssssssstttttt right. And the first bike I ever wanted was a '98 GSXR-750, so a K4 GSXR-600 seems perfect to satisfy the Poweranger in me. Plus I can enjoy the "Needle in a haystack of needles" game in race meet car parks (oh the potential hilarity).

BUT.........

I am, after all, a wuss, and the comfy seat and relaxed ride of the XJR1300, do seem nice...

BUT..........

That BIGGER SV, well its just like Daisy but, might actually be able to stop when I pull that useless lever in front of the throttle.....

You see?

If you are looking at a 600, consider the ZX6 B1H- the induction wail with the throttle wide open is addictive has loads of midrange & it's comfortable.

Originally Posted by northwind

Worst gearbox and clutch I've ever experienced on a bike, and even on dual carriageways it was clearly out of its juristiction, never mind doing long distance.

They have a gearbox!!!???!

I seem to remember this floppy lever on the left where I clutch should have been and this lump of metal near my left foot that I had to keep kicking to make the bike go faster but......gears?

seriously though, twas a fair bit agricultural but my size twelve Altbergs had little worry, though it did bring new meaning to stomping down the gear box. It wasn't the need for positive gear changes, it was the need for mindless violence just the get down to forth. BUT I should add, it was vastly better then the last BMW I went on, the R1200GS and the F650GS. They werent the most pleasent of gearboxes.

I'd go for the GSXR and probably will do myself when I get my next bike. Either that or a CBR RR but money talks more than corrosion resistance...

I fancy going back to an IL4 and want a proper sports bike. Plus you can get a K5 for silly money at the moment.

I have never really been attracted to the whole Buell thing.

Well, I've gone for the Daytona 955i...
Have you decided yet Mr. Halonic Industries?
And who is Symphonia

Very similar list to mine, quite scary

depends how practical you wanna be, is it for regular use or just a toy.... ?

I notice no 748 on your list anymore

Out of those i'd probably plump for the sv1000n but it'll be a pain to get one imported if you want a new one, I've tried 3 dealers for a price on one and none would even think of importing one

ive got the same problem at the moment. if i were to go for the buell, whih i really do want to...then i would have to get a little cheap commuter bike to get around on and just use the buell as a weekend thrasharound bike. similar story to the gsxr although you will find they will rev their nuts off compared to the sv and the others on your list.
the sv1000 is a good bike which can be used all year round, similar to the sv650, just not as much charactor as the good old sv. someting like the tl1000r which someone suggested is a bit of a handfull really, and the xjr isnt my sort of thing, i found them too wide and heavy.
depends what you are willing to sacrafise just a weekend bike(the buell), something for everything but not that interesting no offence to anyone that has one here (the sv thou), something excellent for crusing and general riding but heavy ad combursome (the xjr) or somthing which will rev its nuts off but fun to ride (the gixxer)

What about the Tuono - its not on the list above but has the big V twin and plenty of character so maybe worth a look. Best of both worlds with sports performance and everyday riding.

I am biased of course - but even the early models have been getting a good wrap in the press.