Spend on an MT07 or trade Up?
Discussion
Hi all. Absolutely love my MT07 as my first bike. However next year I want to tour a lot around Wales, Scotland and Ireland and if funds allow Spain in September. I know people say you can tour on any bike but at my age (mid 40’s) comfort is an issue due to knee and wrist problems. Can’t decide whether to spend more money on upgrading rear shock
,front forks, remap the ecu and add and an MRA/ermax touring screen to make it the best bike it can be or to trade
in for 900GT/ VFR800f/s1000r/s1000xr, MT10 or versys 1000. Family issues have made 2018 the worst possible year ever but riding my bike has got me through it. You guys that have more experience in bikes/touring than me, would love to hear opinions.. Ideally want to keep my MT07 as feel it fits me so well. But as as new rider the MT07 is my first bike, so it’s my only reference point . Are the bikes I’ve mentioned a really big step up it I were to spend around £1000+ upgrading suspension, screen etc on my Mt07? Appreciate all responses. Cheers.
,front forks, remap the ecu and add and an MRA/ermax touring screen to make it the best bike it can be or to trade
in for 900GT/ VFR800f/s1000r/s1000xr, MT10 or versys 1000. Family issues have made 2018 the worst possible year ever but riding my bike has got me through it. You guys that have more experience in bikes/touring than me, would love to hear opinions.. Ideally want to keep my MT07 as feel it fits me so well. But as as new rider the MT07 is my first bike, so it’s my only reference point . Are the bikes I’ve mentioned a really big step up it I were to spend around £1000+ upgrading suspension, screen etc on my Mt07? Appreciate all responses. Cheers.
trade up is the only way to go and you know it
you have to try before you can say "been there, done that, not for me"
after that you can go back to MT07 or CV650 or whatever 400 with a clear mind
and if possible - keep MT07. You can upgrade the suspension later and keep it as a daily workhorse or something
you have to try before you can say "been there, done that, not for me"
after that you can go back to MT07 or CV650 or whatever 400 with a clear mind
and if possible - keep MT07. You can upgrade the suspension later and keep it as a daily workhorse or something
Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Sunday 23 December 05:55
SidG said:
...comfort is an issue due to knee and wrist problems...
Easy to change the handlebars on an MT07. You might find that 'bars that sweep back more (e.g. Renthal low) put your wrists in a more natural position.Similarly, having the seat modified with thicker foam may help your knees.
(Or you could just use comfort + man maths to justify a new bike
)Yep, you can get different bars, rotate them etc. Also you can lower the footpegs a bit too. I think MWF or something like that do a set.
Why do you want to upgrade everything on the bike? What is it lacking in?
Not to say it can't be improved, but it's easy to read forums and then get upgradeitis
Within it's limits, the MT07 is a pretty swift, punchy fun bike at UK speeds. Definitely the pick of the middleweight naked bikes at that price point.
Why do you want to upgrade everything on the bike? What is it lacking in?
Not to say it can't be improved, but it's easy to read forums and then get upgradeitis
Within it's limits, the MT07 is a pretty swift, punchy fun bike at UK speeds. Definitely the pick of the middleweight naked bikes at that price point.
I get your point regarding upgrades and as it is my first bike I’m probably falling into the newbie trap of overthinking about adding mods. Got into biking late and my dream is to tour as much as possible now. I know my MT07 is a budget bike and like I said it’s my only reference point at the moment. So just wanted to get others opinions about how the better speced bikes I mentioned compare for longer trips. Cheers.
Sure. Something like a a VFR800 or other sports tourer, will feel more relaxed with better wind protection on faster roads / motorways. Smoother and more effortless too. But also a bit more inclined than a naked bike like the MT07 and less agile around town / low speeds.
Other naked bikes without wind protection with be more similar to your MT07, to a point. But the quality of the suspension, better brakes, different riding position etc all make a big difference.
The adventure styled bikes usually are the most roomy but again vary massively.
Take some test rides when the weather is better. You'll know straight away which type you enjoy and hopefully what will be comfy for longer trips.
Other naked bikes without wind protection with be more similar to your MT07, to a point. But the quality of the suspension, better brakes, different riding position etc all make a big difference.
The adventure styled bikes usually are the most roomy but again vary massively.
Take some test rides when the weather is better. You'll know straight away which type you enjoy and hopefully what will be comfy for longer trips.
I had an MT07 for a couple of years and absolutely loved it, upgrading rear shock, forks, screen etc but it was sadly still never going to be a good long distance cruising bike. Amazing for urban, b roads etc but too light and windswept for dual carriageways, motorways and covering lots of miles.
In order to do lots of distance riding I swapped it for an older VFR800 - lovely bike but personally (as a slightly creaky 43 year old), I found the riding position terrible for my neck and shoulders.
I swapped the VFR for an MT10. An MT09 Tracer, GS etc probably would have been the more sensible option but the MT10 chassis, engine, brakes just feel such a step up to ride and the standard cruise control is awesome!
Test ride them all, with bikes I find you learn so little from reading of other people's exploits...
In order to do lots of distance riding I swapped it for an older VFR800 - lovely bike but personally (as a slightly creaky 43 year old), I found the riding position terrible for my neck and shoulders.
I swapped the VFR for an MT10. An MT09 Tracer, GS etc probably would have been the more sensible option but the MT10 chassis, engine, brakes just feel such a step up to ride and the standard cruise control is awesome!
Test ride them all, with bikes I find you learn so little from reading of other people's exploits...
You can take advise of many people on here but really only you'll know after riding a few. It depends on what you really want and how you ride
If you're constantly thrashing yours and find that bit more Inc the comfort then move up
If you like the comfort, economy etc then spend the money and keep
I got back into road bikes after 10 years off buying an mv 800cc 140bhp thing. It felt fast at first then I ended wanting more power, comfort, practicality and so on. Bought a Tuono 1100 which I love but its more thirsty, heavy, lumpy round town and harder to 'thrash' due to its performance
A friend of mine chopped his street 675 for an MT10 and after the honeymoon period missed his 675 for the thrashing element... Again due to the sheer power the MT10 makes (and wheels, lots and lots of them on that bike)
If you're constantly thrashing yours and find that bit more Inc the comfort then move up
If you like the comfort, economy etc then spend the money and keep
I got back into road bikes after 10 years off buying an mv 800cc 140bhp thing. It felt fast at first then I ended wanting more power, comfort, practicality and so on. Bought a Tuono 1100 which I love but its more thirsty, heavy, lumpy round town and harder to 'thrash' due to its performance
A friend of mine chopped his street 675 for an MT10 and after the honeymoon period missed his 675 for the thrashing element... Again due to the sheer power the MT10 makes (and wheels, lots and lots of them on that bike)
I'd suggest you test ride a couple of bigger bikes. The Tracer GT, the Versys 1000 and a VFR Crossrunner. Then go back and ride yours.
All of the above will be heavier and feel much more solidly planted. But you may feel like they lack the fun and ease of the MT07.
After that it's down to you, finances and what you prefer.
All of the above will be heavier and feel much more solidly planted. But you may feel like they lack the fun and ease of the MT07.
After that it's down to you, finances and what you prefer.
My first 'proper' bike was a tracer 700, only had it a few months before it was stolen. Couldn't bring myself to get the same bike so I went for the Mt-09 instead. Massively better bike, better engine tone, handling, throttle response, clutch (quick shift) - and much, much quicker. The only downside is the lack of windscreen - you do get pushed around (I'm a big lump). I'm currently looking to replace the screen.
Around town the bike feels much lighter (and I think it is a little lighter) than the 700, much more nimble.
I was finding it challenging to hit 100 on the 700 (private roads of course), with the 9 the challenge is stopping it going over 100!
Oh I would add another disadvantage, obviously less fuel efficient than the 700, and much smaller tank so a lot more stops needed. Just thought of another - insurance doubled!
Comfortwise, I was getting a lot of wrist pain with the 700, but the clutch on the 09 is really light - could be because I have the sports pack as they are uprated. I insisted on the OEM heated grips, but do miss the heated seat from the 700.
Around town the bike feels much lighter (and I think it is a little lighter) than the 700, much more nimble.
I was finding it challenging to hit 100 on the 700 (private roads of course), with the 9 the challenge is stopping it going over 100!
Oh I would add another disadvantage, obviously less fuel efficient than the 700, and much smaller tank so a lot more stops needed. Just thought of another - insurance doubled!
Comfortwise, I was getting a lot of wrist pain with the 700, but the clutch on the 09 is really light - could be because I have the sports pack as they are uprated. I insisted on the OEM heated grips, but do miss the heated seat from the 700.
Edited by ozzuk on Monday 24th December 08:29
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