1 all rounder or 2 dedicated?
Discussion
Morning,
Current owner of a street triple r, amazing bike but after using it for two up touring around Spain and France last month, it’s been found lacking in that department. It was my wife’s first time touring on a bike and has fallen in love with it and wants to do more in the future.
So this leaves me with a dilemma.
I can trade my street triple in for about 6k and put the rest on something like a bmw s1000xr, which I don’t love the looks of but seems an amazingly capable bike, or do I keep the street and spend 4K on a sprint st or similar.
Now that I’m married I don’t really get a chance to ride much on my own anymore.
I also feel the bmw is a bit bland looking,but all touring/adventure bikes have a bit of a boring look.
What your guys thoughts?
Thanks
Jonathan
Current owner of a street triple r, amazing bike but after using it for two up touring around Spain and France last month, it’s been found lacking in that department. It was my wife’s first time touring on a bike and has fallen in love with it and wants to do more in the future.
So this leaves me with a dilemma.
I can trade my street triple in for about 6k and put the rest on something like a bmw s1000xr, which I don’t love the looks of but seems an amazingly capable bike, or do I keep the street and spend 4K on a sprint st or similar.
Now that I’m married I don’t really get a chance to ride much on my own anymore.
I also feel the bmw is a bit bland looking,but all touring/adventure bikes have a bit of a boring look.
What your guys thoughts?
Thanks
Jonathan
Assuming you have the funds / storage capacity for 2 dedicated bikes, that is the route I would go down personally.
I have an S1000R at the moment and as a bike to go out on on my own it is incredible. However both my Mrs and son love coming out on the bike with me as well, but an hour on the back of the bike is about the limit for my Mrs. My son being a 16 year old whipper snapper can manage a bit longer, but a round trip from Durham to Oulton Park the other month just about crippled him on the way home.
That said, I would love another bike in the garage for those longer 2 up rides. I couldn't ever see me selling the S1000R for a compromise bike though.
I have an S1000R at the moment and as a bike to go out on on my own it is incredible. However both my Mrs and son love coming out on the bike with me as well, but an hour on the back of the bike is about the limit for my Mrs. My son being a 16 year old whipper snapper can manage a bit longer, but a round trip from Durham to Oulton Park the other month just about crippled him on the way home.
That said, I would love another bike in the garage for those longer 2 up rides. I couldn't ever see me selling the S1000R for a compromise bike though.
The obvious answer is to have two dedicated bikes (assuming finances, space etc. not an issue) BUT ....
The problem with that approach is that, inevitably, the bike for two up touring focuses on space and comfort at the expense of lightness and sharper handling.That's fine until your touring comes to some nice winding mountain passes where having a sharper bike would be much more fun, especially when you know that just such a bike is sat in your garage at home.
A single compromise bike like the XR gives enough comfort and space to get you there, but enough fun and excitement once you're there.
Not an easy choice but, likewise, a nice dilemma to have.
The problem with that approach is that, inevitably, the bike for two up touring focuses on space and comfort at the expense of lightness and sharper handling.That's fine until your touring comes to some nice winding mountain passes where having a sharper bike would be much more fun, especially when you know that just such a bike is sat in your garage at home.
A single compromise bike like the XR gives enough comfort and space to get you there, but enough fun and excitement once you're there.
Not an easy choice but, likewise, a nice dilemma to have.
Work out how much touring you're actually going to do. If it's a couple of weeks a year, why compromise for the rest of the time?
With your budget of 4k, you could pick up a very nice touring capable bike in great nick, probably with luggage. They don't have to be boring either.
That said, the XR is a very capable bike, you can sunday blast on it, tour and even the odd track day if you felt the need.
With your budget of 4k, you could pick up a very nice touring capable bike in great nick, probably with luggage. They don't have to be boring either.
That said, the XR is a very capable bike, you can sunday blast on it, tour and even the odd track day if you felt the need.
I currently can only keep one bike, ungaraged in East London, insurance prices and hassle/risk of theft reasons - I fixed the touring issue previously by owning a Honda Blackbird and I used it for 5 euro tours (1 per year) and for almost 8 years of daily commuting. We stopped touring because my best biking mate was quite ill for a while and despite him getting well again things have moved on for me with a young son now. So no more touring currently.. swopped out the blackbird for a Speed Triple.
Now once I'm hopefully out of London (after 18 years here) and with a garage and far more reasonable insurance - I'd go the two bikes route no doubts.
Now once I'm hopefully out of London (after 18 years here) and with a garage and far more reasonable insurance - I'd go the two bikes route no doubts.
Yea I appreciate all the comments, I do have space for two bikes, but as I rarely ride on my own, would the ‘fun’ bike become redundant after some time? Also having a new bike that’s made for the purpose, having the bike setup up correctly with all the electronic bits for two up riding is tempting. I like the r1200r as it seems like a best of both world bike but I’m not sure on the boxer/shaft driven bike, plus it doesn’t set the world on fire power wise unlike the s100xr.
I'd keep the triple as a fun bike and spend about £5k on something more suited to touring.
If you don't want something that's a full-on touring bike how about a K1300S. Just got one myself and can't think of anything better for the mix of sporty looks/handling with touring comfort and THAT engine.
Then if you do find you're not using the triple much then change that for something even more fun - monster, thruxton, guzzi, etc
I've firmly gone down the multi bike route, but TBH now i've got the K13 i've lost interest in riding the others. On the flip side because they're all older bikes the insurance is pennies.
If you don't want something that's a full-on touring bike how about a K1300S. Just got one myself and can't think of anything better for the mix of sporty looks/handling with touring comfort and THAT engine.
Then if you do find you're not using the triple much then change that for something even more fun - monster, thruxton, guzzi, etc
I've firmly gone down the multi bike route, but TBH now i've got the K13 i've lost interest in riding the others. On the flip side because they're all older bikes the insurance is pennies.
jonsmart said:
Yea I appreciate all the comments, I do have space for two bikes, but as I rarely ride on my own, would the ‘fun’ bike become redundant after some time? Also having a new bike that’s made for the purpose, having the bike setup up correctly with all the electronic bits for two up riding is tempting. I like the r1200r as it seems like a best of both world bike but I’m not sure on the boxer/shaft driven bike, plus it doesn’t set the world on fire power wise unlike the s100xr.
Sounds like you've already made up your mind... ;-) I own an S1000R, so very similar to the XR. I recently bought a GSXR750 to go with it because there is just something a little sterile about the Beemer. It's fantastic, but maybe too efficient?? I dunno. Just worth thinking carefully, your Triumph has loads of character and the Beemer wont.
As for bike, here's your answer: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have two bikes and for me it's def the way to go. I have a Z1000 (+ backbox) for touring and more sensible stuff and an S1000rr for track and fun. I make sure I use both bikes so that one doesn't end up sat around doing nothing, so sometimes the missus might have to get on the back of the S1000rr if we go out, but that's ok for short journeys.
I’ve just got back from a 2k mile trip on an XR. It’s all the bike you will ever need.
It’s nearly as comfortable as any touring bike and as nearly as quick as any sports bike. I kept up with a friend on an S1000RR and it’s much more comfortable than the S1000R
Everyone on the trip, including myself were really blown away by how capable it was. Really no need for any other bike. Forget the looks and get one, you won’t be going back to a sports bike any time soon.
It’s nearly as comfortable as any touring bike and as nearly as quick as any sports bike. I kept up with a friend on an S1000RR and it’s much more comfortable than the S1000R
Everyone on the trip, including myself were really blown away by how capable it was. Really no need for any other bike. Forget the looks and get one, you won’t be going back to a sports bike any time soon.
Just be honest about the sort of riding you actually do, and buy the appropriate bike(s) and you'll be much happier.
If you honestly split your time between very different types of riding, then multiple bikes is the best way, but you will spend time looking after one that you could have used riding the other.
If you honestly split your time between very different types of riding, then multiple bikes is the best way, but you will spend time looking after one that you could have used riding the other.
ex1 said:
I’ve just got back from a 2k mile trip on an XR. It’s all the bike you will ever need.
It’s nearly as comfortable as any touring bike and as nearly as quick as any sports bike. I kept up with a friend on an S1000RR and it’s much more comfortable than the S1000R
Everyone on the trip, including myself were really blown away by how capable it was. Really no need for any other bike. Forget the looks and get one, you won’t be going back to a sports bike any time soon.
That's got very little to do with the bike, its the rider. I've toured with 4 S1000RR riders on a Tracer 900 and one I could just about keep up with, the other 3 we had to wait for all the time It’s nearly as comfortable as any touring bike and as nearly as quick as any sports bike. I kept up with a friend on an S1000RR and it’s much more comfortable than the S1000R
Everyone on the trip, including myself were really blown away by how capable it was. Really no need for any other bike. Forget the looks and get one, you won’t be going back to a sports bike any time soon.
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