Britain rides the wrong bikes...but we're learning

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by ogden

I don't know about the 600, but I can say that for the K4-era gixers the thou has a far more aggressive riding position than the 750.

I've not ridden a thou so I cant compare it, according the ride magzaine review of the 750, the K4 / K5 750 is what the 600 is based on, so the 600 / 750 from that era should be the same riding position wise.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I've not ridden a thou so I cant compare it, according the ride magzaine review of the 750, the K4 / K5 750 is what the 600 is based on, so the 600 / 750 from that era should be the same riding position wise.

Maybe clip-ons and pegs are different.

ha ha britain rides the right bikes , its the roads and the weather thats wrong once we have those sorted we will all be on "big bang"

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I think riding side by side defintely makes a difference to how you percieve the bike.

Yep definately and if I want reminding theres Liz's SV in the garage so I can compare them back to back if needs be. Also theres the Ducati in the garage as well so I can compare that directly with the SV and the GSXR to. I guess I'm lucky in that respect but it really does help me realise what I want from a bike.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I felt the same about a 600 Bandit. I'd rather just have power on tap right from low revs

I do know what you mean, but then thats why I bought the 750 over the 600. You oughta try a Bandit 1250 you'll love that if thats what you're after ( if you havent already that is )

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

and concentrate on getting the best out of the road rather than worrying about getting the best out of the bike.

Thats what I like, I like having to think about everything, getting the best from the road and the best from the bike. It needs thinking about and for me that makes riding a sportsbike so involving, well for me anyway. If thats means I'm in the minority and the majority move away from buying a sports bike and I'm the odd one out. Well I'm not bothered by that at all

I also think that the SV made me very lazy with regard to throttle control. I just used to wind on the throttle and then let the bike pull itself round the corner. I did that a couple of times on the GSXR and lets just say I didnt do that again. I think its made me a better rider, my throttle control has to be much more precise now. I've gelled with it, much miuch more than I ever did with the SV, but I guess I've just found the right bike for me.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Maybe clip-ons and pegs are different.

Maybe, or maybe just positioned differently.

Originally Posted by evertheoptimist

ha ha britain rides the right bikes , its the roads and the weather thats wrong once we have those sorted we will all be on "big bang"

Now thats logic I like

Magic the whole country into Scottish roads with, Isle of Man speed limits, Shetland levels of traffic, brillant sunshine, and suddenly Britain rides the right bikes.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

if only someone designed and built a sportsbike with not only the mental peak power of the latest 600s but also the low down torque and flexible engine of the SV...

oh wait, they did, it's the Daytona 675

+1. And it's not uncomfortable, although maybe it's cos I'm so used to it and to its D650 predecessor. I don't get back/neck/wristache. While it was having its exup valve unjammed at the dealers Saturday, I sat on a Tiger, it felt so - well - upright. I'm 5'11" and I could barely get my left foot down, and definitely not both feet. First thought was 'how the hell are you supposed to ride this?' Although I daresay I'd get used to it.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

I've gelled with it, much miuch more than I ever did with the SV, but I guess I've just found the right bike for me.

The SV is not the best bike to gel with, lets be honest (unless the suspension beats you into a gel!), so I'm not particularly surprised to hear that, but it's cheap and cheerful and has loads of plus points, so we shouldn't complain about it or compare it to a 7 grand bike.

I had wanted to replace the SV with something more comfortable but of the same value and test ride an RSVR Factory as a weekend toy. (older Bandit 1200 was on that shopping list, haven't ridden one though, as was a DL1000 and a Varadero, but the post crash state of the SV means I'll probably now keep it, put helibars on it, and run it into the ground).

You would need to be very precise with the throttle on the RSVR I would imagine and can see myself gelling with it, but I would never be worrying about being in the right gear, so I could still ride lazy with the clutch and gears and I love bikes that pull at any revs. If I test ride one and don't like it I'll be gutted 'cos I've spent so long looking at them.

However, every sports bike I've sat on recently, including the RSVR feels canted forward, heavy on the wrists, hard seat, etc, must just be my body shape (and perhaps some of the chunky monkey effect), so it would have to be a weekend toy. If I could only afford one bike, and had to trade in the SV to buy it, I'd probably be buying a Sprint ST 1050.

Originally Posted by Ed

+1. And it's not uncomfortable, although maybe it's cos I'm so used to it and to its D650 predecessor. I don't get back/neck/wristache. While it was having its exup valve unjammed at the dealers Saturday, I sat on a Tiger, it felt so - well - upright. I'm 5'11" and I could barely get my left foot down, and definitely not both feet. First thought was 'how the hell are you supposed to ride this?' Although I daresay I'd get used to it.

I think this comfort thing must be down to individual body shape and perhaps age, as so many folk are saying their sports bikes are comfortable, but a full days riding in some of the stuff I've sat on, would make me hurt in places I didn't know I had.

You do need to be tall for the Tiger, I rode it a couple of weeks ago, and it was fine for me but I'm 6ft. Kilted Ginger struggled a bit, he's six foot also but he's longer in the body and shorter in the leg. The DRZ SM feels like climbing on a bl00dy horse!

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

... older Bandit 1200 was on that shopping list, haven't ridden one though...

One here if ya wanna see what it's like
I'm of the same thinking.. SV > 748 > 748 as weekend toy & 600 Bandit through the week > 1200 Bandit full time. Loved the way the Duke pulled from nothing but it killed me on long runs, 1200's got big grunt from nowt to the red line.. one gear does all