Discussion
Currntly looking to move on from my first big bike,
Passed test 5 years ago and bought a Yamaha r6
Did 2 mini breaks to France last year which were awesome, used a rucksack and tail pack
Which did the job.
Now looking at moving up to a bigger touring / adventure style bike.
Quite fancy the Suzuki ....anyone on here ride one ?
Also considering tracer 900 Yamaha
Tiger 1050 sport
Budgeting up to 7k
Passed test 5 years ago and bought a Yamaha r6
Did 2 mini breaks to France last year which were awesome, used a rucksack and tail pack
Which did the job.
Now looking at moving up to a bigger touring / adventure style bike.
Quite fancy the Suzuki ....anyone on here ride one ?
Also considering tracer 900 Yamaha
Tiger 1050 sport
Budgeting up to 7k
It's V-Strom - legend has it, a typo when registering the name.
Ridden a few; generally when my bike has been in for service. Comfy; the big'un is quite punchy and has fairly good wind protection - the plush suspension made me want to bounce it over every bump and bridge though !!
Usual Suzuki component quality; watch for corroded fasteners; bearings and calipers if its been used in all weathers or seen a salty UK winter or three.
The smaller version IMO is a bit lost - feeling underpowered everywhere.....
Ridden a few; generally when my bike has been in for service. Comfy; the big'un is quite punchy and has fairly good wind protection - the plush suspension made me want to bounce it over every bump and bridge though !!
Usual Suzuki component quality; watch for corroded fasteners; bearings and calipers if its been used in all weathers or seen a salty UK winter or three.
The smaller version IMO is a bit lost - feeling underpowered everywhere.....
My iPad auto corrected v-strom
I have have a shortlist of 5 bikes
Next stage is test rides
Been watching YouTube ...missenden flyer reviews especially
Tracer looks most fun, and weekend bike
Suzuki euro miles muncher
Trouble is i really enjoy my r6 so much
Looking forward to test riding though, haven’t done it before
I have have a shortlist of 5 bikes
Next stage is test rides
Been watching YouTube ...missenden flyer reviews especially
Tracer looks most fun, and weekend bike
Suzuki euro miles muncher
Trouble is i really enjoy my r6 so much
Looking forward to test riding though, haven’t done it before
I borrowed a V strom 1000 in IOM for TT a couple of weeks ago. It was a good laugh and plenty quick enough even 2 up.
For the money, in that market, they are hard to fault. Yes a GS is better, but for your budget you will get a very tidy V strom 1000 and likely one with touring kit on. The motor is the old TL motor, but a little more refined, it's a corker. Decent enough "scene" with the V stroms too, so you'll get lots of time to look at them and talk about them online without riding them.
When you consider you can get a brand new one for about 9k, it is quite difficult to justify a GS for near twice that.
For the money, in that market, they are hard to fault. Yes a GS is better, but for your budget you will get a very tidy V strom 1000 and likely one with touring kit on. The motor is the old TL motor, but a little more refined, it's a corker. Decent enough "scene" with the V stroms too, so you'll get lots of time to look at them and talk about them online without riding them.
When you consider you can get a brand new one for about 9k, it is quite difficult to justify a GS for near twice that.
joncon said:
Coming from a r6 ....
Will I enjoy the twin...
I am looking at a post 2014...
Maybe a 2017 if I push my budget to the limit
I have sat on a couple ..just waiting to go and test ride now
My biggest fear , is not having a sports bike .
If you've come from sportsbikes then only you will be able to decide. I find twins more exciting than fours, and certainly there's plenty of power and torque. I think it makes peak torque at 4K revs so I've never thought it fell short. For touring or commuting I've never ridden a more comfortable bike. Will I enjoy the twin...
I am looking at a post 2014...
Maybe a 2017 if I push my budget to the limit
I have sat on a couple ..just waiting to go and test ride now
My biggest fear , is not having a sports bike .
I rode my Tracer 900 to the Czech republic (through the black forest) and it was fantastic. Im sure there are some photos on here of mine with the full Shad luggage, and even fully loaded it sat on the autobahns happily at 100mph.
Definitely worth a test ride and its more than capable of long distance touring!
Eta pics
Definitely worth a test ride and its more than capable of long distance touring!
Eta pics
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 3rd April 02:41
I rode the 16 and it was a laugh. Loads of poke from down low and you could be very lazy with it. The ride quality was good but the seat was a little hard.
You'd need to get a map on it as the on off throttle was dreadful. Very snatchy and wouldn't do that half off throttle doing down hills. It was on or off.
You'd need to get a map on it as the on off throttle was dreadful. Very snatchy and wouldn't do that half off throttle doing down hills. It was on or off.
Given what you have already and some of the points asked, I'd have to say Tracer 900 too.
However, coming from a sports bike, be prepared to be shocked/surprised how remote you hands will feel from the front wheel.
I'll stick my 'universal reply' here but what about something like a FZ1 Fazer - well under budget, you'll have enough money to fit a Power Commander and some nice extras too. pretty decent at covering ground, here's mine in the South of France:
Again, you don't need an adventure bike for touring, ask many a Hayabusa/ZZR owner.
However, coming from a sports bike, be prepared to be shocked/surprised how remote you hands will feel from the front wheel.
I'll stick my 'universal reply' here but what about something like a FZ1 Fazer - well under budget, you'll have enough money to fit a Power Commander and some nice extras too. pretty decent at covering ground, here's mine in the South of France:
Again, you don't need an adventure bike for touring, ask many a Hayabusa/ZZR owner.
scorcher said:
CaptainSlow said:
Tiger Sport 1050 would be a better choice.
Or a KTM 990 SMT 
Some pre-reg 67 plates on ebay for £7.5k. Great value.
Lee540 said:
Sounds like a perfect long distance/commuter but that is about it.
I'm biased but it really is much more than just that... I've had a lot of bikes, sports/adventure/tourer you name it and the Suzuki is an absolute keeper. It's an absolute blast to ride, and with decent tires and the (fully adjustable) suspension set up right it really is brilliant. It's also very, very light compared to its competition. Downsides are the 'interesting' styling and the fact that because it doesn't have BMW, Triumph or Ducati on the side a lot of the magazines/ commenters get a bit snobby. I use mine for touring mostly but if I want a fun, clear the cobwebs blast on a B road then I'll always take this one too.
I bought an old K3 Strom last year after 25 years of sports bikes. More for a change than anything, although I am doing more long distance e.g. weekends away) than I used to. Got all the luggage cases which are quite handy as I am used to getting stuff wet with soft luggage.
Quite enjoy riding it, although I would prefer the brakes to have a bit more feel. It is comfy and the engine is far more flexible than what I was used to with the sports bikes. Basically it suits the riding I do these days, but I accept it may not be for everyone.
Older Stroms suffered from a clutch which causes judder (just had my clutch modified). Not sure if 2014 and later bikes are similarly affected.
Quite enjoy riding it, although I would prefer the brakes to have a bit more feel. It is comfy and the engine is far more flexible than what I was used to with the sports bikes. Basically it suits the riding I do these days, but I accept it may not be for everyone.
Older Stroms suffered from a clutch which causes judder (just had my clutch modified). Not sure if 2014 and later bikes are similarly affected.
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