What sports bike after a VFR800?

[seismic22]

I know these "what bike" questions seem to be infuriating to some but I'm going to try to keep it simple. I lurk on here most days and you lot helped out last time when I got the VFR so here I go:

2 years and 10,000 miles on the 1999 VFR , I want something a bit lighter, bit faster and bit newer as well as being reliable.

Facts:

• Last two years of riding has been a 6 day 2000 mile trip of the alps, numerous 2 day 800 mile trips in Wales and various evening and weekend runs.
• Commuting not envisaged.
• Would like to dabble in a couple of track days this year (slightly nervous of binning my p&j though.)
• Live in the Devon with great roads but crap road surfaces, suspension needs to be able to tackle this.
• I do all maintenance and repairs myself but dont want to be constantly tackling "issues".
• Bike will be looked after but will not be a garage queen and will get ridden in some crappy weather occasionally.
• I'm 6'2 tall and 100ish kg, need something bit roomy.
• Dont want a 600 etc as I enjoy long distance flat out days riding and I think they would be very tiring.
• With all riding to date being road based, I like a bit of torque.
• Ability to car some luggage is important, preferably some sw motech blaze panniers but will settle for my lomo bag or some kriegas if they can be fixed down very securely.
• Nothing naked - would like one as a second bike but high speed high mile days would be tiring I think.

Budget 5k max, preferably lower. Contenders:

Budget Pushers:

• R1 (2004-2007) - No bottom end? Or is this a non-issue given I am used to a 200+kg vfr with 100 odd horse
• GSXR 750 / 1000 (2005-2008ish) Fairing and frame quality seems very poor compared to my bike and others.
• KTM 990 SMT - Like the idea of something upright but still fun but am I ready to ditch the sports bike desire so early...
• CBR 1000 RR8 - lot of bike for the money, supposedly easy to ride/do it all bike. Looks a bit odd in some colours.

Below Budget:

• CBR 954 (If I can find a low miler) - My original "next bike" - Low mileage examples rare and not as new as I really want.
• CBR 1000 RR5 - RR6 - Not sat on one but seem small? Lacking in character?
• Aprilia RSV - Torque! Bargain but is it suitable for 400+ mile days on various road surfaces? Having to use an optimate all the time not appealing.

Curve ball and slightly against criteria:

• RSV Mille - Torque! Bargain but a bit old?
• Aprilia Falco - Torque! Not many about with low miles - odd looks mid rift looks.

Too much to choose from. Ultimately I will buy what I want to buy and what makes me want to ride, but id still appreciate any views people have in order to assist in me making my mind up!

Cheers

Edited by seismic22 on Thursday 8th February 16:32

[Lee540]

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZZR1400..

I've owned both, both brilliant.

[MotorsportTom]

Similar lines but not quite.

I used to own a VFR 750 and then went onto a 918 Fireblade. Trust me, a true 1000 has lots more everywhere than a VFR 800 will (I owned a 1998 for a month or two last year too).

You have a lot to choose from and based on nothing but looks and internet hype I would be choosing between an R1 and a CBR1000RR.

Sports bikes can tour if you still want to do that but it will have more everywhere especially with them being 35-50kg lighter than the VFR without any gear on them.

I also owned a KTM 990 Adventure, the engine is the same as the 990SMT. Absolutely bonkers engine. Pulls hard ALWAYS. Get used to wheelies and twisting the throttle to the stop a lot, I couldn't help myself on an adventure bike, god knows what it's like with real tyres, less weight and a lower CofG.

[PIGINAWIG]

Lee540 said:

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZZR1400..

I've owned both, both brilliant.

Same here. I’ve had 5 busas and a 2013 ZZR1400. Both great bikes.

[Jazoli]

Lee540 said:

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZZR1400..

I've owned both, both brilliant.

Hardly lighter than a VFR800 are they, they are big heavy bikes, and not really that sporty.

seismic22 said:

• R1 (2004-2007) - No bottom end? Or is this a non-issue given I am used to a 200+kg vfr with 100 odd horse

Its a complete non issue, they have plenty of shove low down, as for other choices the CBR is tiny and really cramped compared to the R1, a K6 GSXR thou is also a good shout.

Edited by Jazoli on Thursday 8th February 17:48

[black-k1]

ITEM RC8

Supposedly very comfortable for a sports bike and very "left field"

[terry tibbs]

PIGINAWIG said:

Lee540 said:

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa or Kawasaki ZZR1400..

I've owned both, both brilliant.

Same here. I’ve had 5 busas and a 2013 ZZR1400. Both great bikes.

this, 42000 on 16 plate ZZR best bike ever

[spareparts]

GSXR1000 K5-8

Full size sportsbike.
Lighter.
More power.
Reliable.
Still very comfortable.
Can easily tour.

[Gunk]

Out of interest OP which one are you drawn to?

You need to buy something you like, what what a load of old farts on an Internet forum point you towards.

I’d buy the RR8 Fireblade

[Andybow]

Smt 990 would be my vote, comfy, fast, handles and brilliant in the alps, My brother had one, we both live in Devon and it was faster than most sportsbikes ridden by similar riders on these st roads

[dibblecorse]

No ZX10R on the list ?? Also the answer to this question is always MX%, oops sorry, I mean Speed Triple .... fanboys will be along soon .. ;-)

[Biker's Nemesis]

I would rather chew razor blades than have another Fireblade.

[2ndclasscitizen]

Since you're a bigger bloke SMT all day every day. Those things are excellent. But if you want a sportsbike:

spareparts said:

GSXR1000 K5-8

Full size sportsbike.
Lighter.
More power.
Reliable.
Still very comfortable.
Can easily tour.

This.

[neelyp]

dibblecorse said:

No ZX10R on the list ?? Also the answer to this question is always MX%, oops sorry, I mean Speed Triple .... fanboys will be along soon .. ;-)

You've mentioned this in two threads tonight, you do realize that the Street Triple is the MX-5 of bikes, not the Speed Triple?
You tard.

[WarnieV6GT]

neelyp said:

You've mentioned this in two threads tonight, you do realize that the Street Triple is the MX-5 of bikes, not the Speed Triple?
You tard.

Funny.

[rat840771]

I would go for the GSXR1000 K5-8, but they do need looking after if they will be doing high miles, as the quality and finish isn't great.

As others have mentioned the ZZR1400 would be a great choice and those can soak up the miles with ease.

[Mr OCD]

For crap road surfaces I'd not be bothering with a sports bike as most are pretty stiff.

The R1 (04-07) would be my preferred choice of sports bike. Anyone who says they lack bottom end hasn't ridden one - its a 179bhp sports bike - its rapid and seriously fun.

For £5k I wouldn't be buying anything else.

[NAS]

Mr OCD said:

For crap road surfaces I'd not be bothering with a sports bike as most are pretty stiff.

The R1 (04-07) would be my preferred choice of sports bike. Anyone who says they lack bottom end hasn't ridden one - its a 179bhp sports bike - its rapid and seriously fun.

For £5k I wouldn't be buying anything else.

Agreed. For less money, the RN09 (2002-2003) R1 is also really good. Had two, loved them, would love another.

[Birky_41]

Cbr1000 would have my money in your circumstances

Second choice would be the gsxr 1000 if a good one come about. You wouldn't get Honda build quality though

[SteelerSE]

Mr OCD said:

For crap road surfaces I'd not be bothering with a sports bike as most are pretty stiff.

This. Plenty of longer travel suspension bikes are plenty fast enough but will probably be better for the roads that you're riding. Ride as many different options as you can and don't buy with your head.