Need a bike again.
Discussion
Currently have a Vespa 300 after a few years with a Street Triple. Been riding since I was 17, 37 years ago, gulp.
Vespa was a revelation when I lived in London and commuted through it but now I'm about 30 odd miles out, I barely use it. Problem for me is that I normally finish very late or start very early, or both, and although the Vespa is ok on long A-Road stretches, it feels very unsure of itself on dark, slippery, gravel strewn country lanes.
Also the fact that other car drivers, myself included, use the country lanes like Rally stretches.
I keep fancying the R1200GS, which I have test ridden in it's various guises, but I can't justify the cost, even at a few years old, and the width of the engine means I can't satisfy my younger self (Motorcycle courier back in the 80s), when plummeting through city traffic.
So I'm in my 50s, my fingers get cold very quickly, even in the summer, thanks to heart meds thus needing a bike that's fun, comfortable and easy to flick and filter through traffic, oh! and good on petrol.
My Street Triple did 30mpg average thus was not much of a saving over my car.
I did think of the Tiger 800, but the one I tested handled very oddly, probably thanks to it's larger front tyre.
Cheers.
Vespa was a revelation when I lived in London and commuted through it but now I'm about 30 odd miles out, I barely use it. Problem for me is that I normally finish very late or start very early, or both, and although the Vespa is ok on long A-Road stretches, it feels very unsure of itself on dark, slippery, gravel strewn country lanes.
Also the fact that other car drivers, myself included, use the country lanes like Rally stretches.
I keep fancying the R1200GS, which I have test ridden in it's various guises, but I can't justify the cost, even at a few years old, and the width of the engine means I can't satisfy my younger self (Motorcycle courier back in the 80s), when plummeting through city traffic.
So I'm in my 50s, my fingers get cold very quickly, even in the summer, thanks to heart meds thus needing a bike that's fun, comfortable and easy to flick and filter through traffic, oh! and good on petrol.
My Street Triple did 30mpg average thus was not much of a saving over my car.
I did think of the Tiger 800, but the one I tested handled very oddly, probably thanks to it's larger front tyre.
Cheers.
Prof Prolapse said:
Genuine question, when "older" riders want to commute, why do they immediately start discussing adventure bikes?
Surely a commuter or upright naked bike is the obvious answer?
Because people buy what they want, not what they need. This is not just related to motorbikes.Surely a commuter or upright naked bike is the obvious answer?
Life would be very boring indeed if we only bought what we needed in life!
surely the new Mt07 tracer is worth a look. Nice and light like your old street triple, punchy engine and a bit more weather protection and practicality than the standard naked mt. Very good on fuel vs a street triple too although I don't know how you only got 30mpg, mine does at least 42 in stop/start London traffic...
tjlazer said:
surely the new Mt07 tracer is worth a look. Nice and light like your old street triple, punchy engine and a bit more weather protection and practicality than the standard naked mt. Very good on fuel vs a street triple too although I don't know how you only got 30mpg, mine does at least 42 in stop/start London traffic...
Non of my bikes or cars have done very well on petrol, no idea why 
croyde said:
Cross Runner looks interesting and is the F800 the Twin that looks a bit GS like?
The F700GS and F800GS are the ones that spring to mind. About 80bhp, slim enough for filtering, high riding position for looking over car, on/off road tyres for the lanes and heated grips.SS7
I'd get an adventure bike if I were doing a mix of roads and going through cross country A-Roads. Winter especially so.
I would want the tall commanding riding position. Heated everything.. KTM and Triumph offer heated seats and having tried the 1290 Super Adventure I would say its a 'must'
...love a toasted posterior on a chilly day. Heated grips and hand guards to beat the chill. You can get some extra auxiliary lights for the winter too. Light up the road like a rally car adorned with cibie driving lights.
Also clever ABS and traction control that some on a lot of these bikes is a definite plug in those sticky situations.
I say go for it.
I would want the tall commanding riding position. Heated everything.. KTM and Triumph offer heated seats and having tried the 1290 Super Adventure I would say its a 'must'
...love a toasted posterior on a chilly day. Heated grips and hand guards to beat the chill. You can get some extra auxiliary lights for the winter too. Light up the road like a rally car adorned with cibie driving lights.Also clever ABS and traction control that some on a lot of these bikes is a definite plug in those sticky situations.
I say go for it.
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