Another bike gone...

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This time my 950SM.

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soad said:

Fleegle said:

As in sold or nicked?

Sold, I reckon (had a look at his garage).

Yes guys, sold. If it'd been pinched there have been one or two more expletives in my post.

Enjoyed the KTM, but want something more versatile, with such niceties as a centre stand, a tachometer & ideally a little more power.

Obvious front-runner seems to the Yam Tracer, but I might have a look at the big Versys, although it is probably a little too big, maybe an old FZS1000/Z1000/CB1000R, Tiger 1050 Sport or even a Tiger 800 XRX. A colleague swears by his Tiger 800, however I'm worried it'll feel a little flat. The Tiger 800 is surprisingly light (I was told 213kg kerb weight), although it's probably going to be one of those bikes that I really want to love, but can't do anymore than like.

I even had a little perch on a 675 Daytona the other day and it felt a lot roomier than I was expecting, so that'll be getting a test ride - no centre stand but I can fit heated grips and it'll have ABS for the st-weather.

I'm wondering also if I should have a look at the GSX-S1000 and the S1000R/XR.

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Mr Scruff said:

I had a Tiger 1050 (though not a Sport) a year or two back and couldn't get on with it. Nothing I could put my finger on, just didn't gel with it though it seemed competent enough.

Actually rode the Thundercat into work this morning, nice to get some fresh air!

I sat on a Tiger Sport the other day and it seemed a bit small compared to what I was expecting, also maybe it's a bit too staid, hence why you couldn't gel with it.

Today was nice for riding in. The streets of London were very quiet, gotta love school hols.

Glad the old Thundercat is being used.

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Playsatan said:

I've been looking at these recently (amongst others), would you recommend one?

Yes - was very happy with it but I want something a little more versatile and AWB friendly.

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J B L said:

If you find the Tiger a bit small than the Tracer will feel like a pit bike to you.

I'm too vertically challenged for the Triumph but the Tracer is just right for me.

You need one of these KTM 1190/1290 giant thingy.

I'll be test riding a few. The big wheels and mass of some of the adventure type bikes is slightly off putting though.

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Killboy said:

Did you struggle to sell it? I'm thinking of selling mine too.

Sold to the first chap to who viewed it, complete with electrical problems.

Received a few ambitious offers, but nothing that took the piss.

Goatboy off here might be interested in yours, he started a thread a couple of weeks ago.

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J B L said:

Tribal Chestnut said:

I sat on a Tiger Sport the other day and it seemed a bit small compared to what I was expecting, also maybe it's a bit too staid, hence why you couldn't gel with it.

Today was nice for riding in. The streets of London were very quiet, gotta love school hols.

Glad the old Thundercat is being used.

If you find the Tiger a bit small than the Tracer will feel like a pit bike to you.

I'm too vertically challenged for the Triumph but the Tracer is just right for me.

You need one of these KTM 1190/1290 giant thingy.

I took out a Tiger 800 XRt today and was very pleasantly surprised. Nice and smooth and very comfortable, with plenty of extra bits and bobs for the winter months. It could have done with a bit more oomph and a little more noise, but I would have been sorely tempted to get it as a commuter/tourer if it wasn't for the ground clearance issues. I was actually a little bit upset when the pegs started to scrape as up until that point I really enjoyed the bike.

I then had a go on the XCx as the larger wheels should allow a little more ground clearance, but there was still a bit of scraping going on.

Overall, both very good bikes, ruined for me as they just don't suit how I ride.

Next I tried a Tracer. Great bike to ride and lived up to much of the hype, but if I want to sit on my testicles I'll take my R1. I found the leg position a little cramped too - knees/hips were fine, but I kept touching the pillion pegs and everytime I moved my foot forwards to use the rear brake my shin was against the alternator or whatever it is. Also encountered some ground clearance issues later in the ride, but nothing that I couldn't live with.

Disappointing so far. Will try and get on the Versys 1000 next week, then maybe the S1000XR, but I think the latter is a bit OTT for my commuting/pottering about needs and I'm not sure if it comes with a centre stand, which I need.

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woowahwoo said:

Multistrada

Considered, but much like the S1000XR, I think it is much more than I need.

If the Versys fails, I'll try and take one out.

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Took out the big Versys today and really enjoyed it, except for a bit of peg scraping and a fair wobble above certain speeds. Very unexpected and disappointing ( the wobble, scraping could be lived with in this instance).

Then headed out on an 1190 Adventure, which, aside from a slightly snatch throttle response and a flaccid exhaust note, I was very happy with.

S1000XR on Friday, then decision time. Would be happy with the KTM, so I can avoid any further budget creep up towards the big Ducati. Might still look at one of the smaller Stradas though.

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CaptainMorgan said:

I love my CB1000R, comfortable even for a tall fat st like me. No centre stand though.

Definitely want a centre stand sadly, will make winter use so much easier.

Took out an S1000XR and it was tremendous, apart from the >6k vibration, which ruins an almost perfect bike.

I've heard much talk of BMW's being too competent to be real fun, lacking personality, etc, but in the context of this bike, that is utter bks.

Torn between this and the 1190 now. Taking the KTM out again on Monday, then will try and make a decision.