I might want a sporty bike…

Hi all, I don’t have a sports bike at the moment but have the urge to get one for this summer. I’m generally enjoying a different side to bike these days but am thinking of a last hurrah with something bonkers. Shortlist was S1000RR, triumph 1200rr, Hayabusa and a few others.

Test rode a Hayabusa this week, I was on it for an hour. First impressions were the riding position is very small for a relatively large bike. It rolled side to side beautifully, the motor is obviously the main event and I was just hanging on to it when riding it hard. Because of the grunt and length, it felt quicker than the last s1000rr I owned. I’m sure it isn’t ultimately, but it piled the speed on so drama free without trying to wheelie etc like the BMW did.

Absolutely amazing bike, but I just don’t know when I’d use it over my others. I really think my age and the way the roads are policed has just put me off these bikes even though I still have the urge to run one…. What do you reckon? Can you talk me into it? Or am I lost cause and should go full pipe and slippers?

I think that’s why I’m struggling to chose. I love the multi. It handles, it’s grunty enough (maybe just), it also does two up work and long days so well.. but I have this idea of something bonkers for the summer.

K1300s, s1000r, V4S, Tuono… they all seem wonderful bikes in there different ways.

I’m even more confused…. But in a good way :-)

The power to weight discussion has me feeling a little paranoid. I mean, yes, I’ve let myself go a little, but still ….. :-)

Lots of interesting ideas. I’ve never had something small and screamy, is worth thinking about. That’s a real change in direction as what I think I was looking for was something that encourages carrying corner speed, but really grunty so I don’t need to be hammering through gears. Probably something with more weight over the front wheel than my multistrada.

I’m not sure that sounds like a Busa or a H2… I guess it’s impossible to pick a bike when you’re not quite sure what you want.

I’m also starting to think my Busa test ride had the lift control left on high. I did play with the traction control but not the lift … wonder if that’s why it just seemed to gather speed with no drama.

ETA…. The one thing I do know is that I now want a 205/Cossie hybrid… that must be bonkers.

Loving the MVs
Getting closer to making my mind up too.

I came down to agonising between a Busa and a H2. Really could have gone either way even though they are quite different.

I ruled out the super nakeds and the full on sports bikes as I know how I've ended up riding them in the past and decided it had to be something a bit different. It's a bit of an unknown if I'll use the Hayabusa as I'm imagining, but I'm picturing rolling round the bends in one gear and surfing the wave of grunt. We'll see. I still have an F4 hankering, they are the most beautiful bikes.

I'm keeping my other bikes so the Multistrada will still do the longer trips (It has very good luggage).

Thanks for the comments guys, I’ve just collected it. Working out how to set up now while it’s damp and rubbish. Will be ready for any dry spells over the weekend :-)

Yep. Only minor and no injuries. Slow moving traffic and someone dived into a gap they had seen. But it wasn’t a gap as I was in it and they hadn’t seen me.

Needs some replacement panels on one side and bits and pieces (mirror and footpeg). It’s still rideable, just not as pretty as it was.

No idea how long it will take. I am a bit worried about parts availability… will get it collected and then keep my fingers crossed until I hear more.

Puts a bit of a downer on a new bike… but no injuries it will be fixed.

It would probably be better to get an estimate myself. I’m a bit tight on time at the moment and rightly or wrongly thought I’ll go with the insurance preference … the claim handling company seem to be used by most Uk bike insurers (certainly mine and the 3rd party). They claim to be an approved Suzuki repairer…. We’ll see how that pans out.

I am half expecting it to be written off. Most of the plastics on one side, lever and pegs on that side, mirror, an engine cover…I could easily believe it’s 4 or 5k of work.

One of the departments at the claim handler were quite keen for me to have a hire bike. It was a credit hire but they said they write the cost off in the event that it isn’t covered by the insurance (not sure what to make of that). Then I saw the charges which were over £300 a day for a 4 year old bike… I don’t need it, and all of our insurances are expensive enough so declined it. I was a bit conflicted as having it would ramp up the likelihood of a write off which I don’t want, but on the other hand, it’s an incentive for them to move quick which I do want. Collection of my bike is slower than the options to drop off a loan bike and collect mine.

It does seem to be that new things attract unfortunate incidents. Back in 94 I wrote off a bike I had for less than a month, and when the replacement finally came, it was only a couple of months before I damaged that… thought those days were a long way behind me.

I’m due some good luck so will pick up a couple of lottery tickets.

The bike went off to be assessed yesterday. The more I look at it, the more damage I see. I really am beginning to expect a write off even though its all cosmetic.

Have also heard quite a few more horror stories about the loan / hire bike from the company that both insurers were directing me too (I'm even more pleased I didn't agree to one). It does sound insane that insurers would work so closely with an organisation that has the clear agenda of driving the cost of claims upwards. I guess ultimately the cost gets past on to their customers so as long as everyone is doing it, it doesn't cause them any pain.