Bad case of sellers remorse.... What to do next ?
Discussion
Hi All, I made a knee jerk decision a couple of months ago and sold my S1000RR after deciding I was riding too fast on the road (and hearing about too many nasty accidents). I've kept my green lane bike and bought a convertible car thinking I've still got biking thrills and can enjoy the nice summer weather.
But I really miss not having a road bike in the garage and am thinking about buying a big naked this weekend. I'm hoping a big naked slows me down a bit and I'll be more inclined to use it for some calm rides and just enjoy being out on a bike in the nice weather... And it still be a laugh when I want to have some fun in the bends.
Other option is to stick with the KTM for this summer and use it on and off road (although I'm not really happy doing many miles on tarmac with knobblies and I did crash it on the road over the winter having just come off a green lane)
What do you all reckon? Just use the KTM through the summer for off road and shorter on road rides? Or go and buy a big naked (S1000R) ? Or any other suggestions?
But I really miss not having a road bike in the garage and am thinking about buying a big naked this weekend. I'm hoping a big naked slows me down a bit and I'll be more inclined to use it for some calm rides and just enjoy being out on a bike in the nice weather... And it still be a laugh when I want to have some fun in the bends.
Other option is to stick with the KTM for this summer and use it on and off road (although I'm not really happy doing many miles on tarmac with knobblies and I did crash it on the road over the winter having just come off a green lane)
What do you all reckon? Just use the KTM through the summer for off road and shorter on road rides? Or go and buy a big naked (S1000R) ? Or any other suggestions?
Wont a big naked but just as hooligan and cause to to push on as much as the RR?
What about a café racer? Something like a BMW R9T, Triumph or Ducati? Something that feels fast without really silly fast - fun to bimble about the roads on and handsome enough too.
You could even grow a beard and go full hipster if you really wanted to wind people up!!
What about a café racer? Something like a BMW R9T, Triumph or Ducati? Something that feels fast without really silly fast - fun to bimble about the roads on and handsome enough too.
You could even grow a beard and go full hipster if you really wanted to wind people up!!
A big naked, as you put it 
isn't going to slow you down much.
I had a similar consideration and went for one of the current generation SV650 but MT7 or even a new Enfield 650 would fit the bill too.
I suppose it comes down to self restraint but I'd like also to think its the bike's fault too. I was finding that while you don't have to ride stupidly fast on a big bike I nearly always did because the bike felt so much nicer at speed. i also found myself constantly thinking why am I paying all this money to own a big bike and am riding it slowly.
Its a cliche but the SV has really reconnected me with the fun of biking. Its just a peachy machine all round and while it lacks the thrill of down the road G it more than makes up for it in handling fun and general ease of ownership.
I go out on a lot more rides just for fun on it that I did on the fast bikes I had previously and while its fast enough to overtake I quite often (depending on the road - don't want to miss fun in the twisties) am quite happy just sitting behind cars and take in the scenery and general feel of just being out on two wheels.
I still from time to time think maybe I should be on a MT10 or something but its only because its possible rather than because I'd have any more fun on it.
I do think the horsepower thing has gone mad now. The performance bikes review of the new S1000RR said there was no need to rev it past 7k on the road. Given you'll go from 0-150 mph in 9 or 10 seconds with the throttle pinned I can well see that you won't want to be reviving it out on the road.
The SV on the other hand can be pinned for a while through the gears without going stupid fast but still be thrilling.
isn't going to slow you down much.I had a similar consideration and went for one of the current generation SV650 but MT7 or even a new Enfield 650 would fit the bill too.
I suppose it comes down to self restraint but I'd like also to think its the bike's fault too. I was finding that while you don't have to ride stupidly fast on a big bike I nearly always did because the bike felt so much nicer at speed. i also found myself constantly thinking why am I paying all this money to own a big bike and am riding it slowly.
Its a cliche but the SV has really reconnected me with the fun of biking. Its just a peachy machine all round and while it lacks the thrill of down the road G it more than makes up for it in handling fun and general ease of ownership.
I go out on a lot more rides just for fun on it that I did on the fast bikes I had previously and while its fast enough to overtake I quite often (depending on the road - don't want to miss fun in the twisties) am quite happy just sitting behind cars and take in the scenery and general feel of just being out on two wheels.
I still from time to time think maybe I should be on a MT10 or something but its only because its possible rather than because I'd have any more fun on it.
I do think the horsepower thing has gone mad now. The performance bikes review of the new S1000RR said there was no need to rev it past 7k on the road. Given you'll go from 0-150 mph in 9 or 10 seconds with the throttle pinned I can well see that you won't want to be reviving it out on the road.
The SV on the other hand can be pinned for a while through the gears without going stupid fast but still be thrilling.
Big naked bikes wont slow you down...sure you feel the wind blast more, but on a calm day you will be going as fast as your neck muscles allow.
You need something that you can ride to its limits and feel good scratching around the bends at sub licence losing speeds - get a cruiser for the summer
You need something that you can ride to its limits and feel good scratching around the bends at sub licence losing speeds - get a cruiser for the summer
I bought a Speed Triple to slow me down after getting worried about my exploits on things with fairings.
What actually happened was that my neck muscles built up to compensate and I did more wheelies.
It's the character of the bike that's the issue, hooligan bikes make you ride like a hooligan.
My Triumph Explorer (with small screen for more windblast) is a pretty laid back thing and doesn't egg me on into stupidity, It'll do it if you want but I don't feel the need to go mad most of the time.
Something like a CB1300 (or the current crop of big retros) would be good, they're fast enough but have a pretty relaxed feel about them. An MT-10 on the other hand would be trouble!
What actually happened was that my neck muscles built up to compensate and I did more wheelies.
It's the character of the bike that's the issue, hooligan bikes make you ride like a hooligan.
My Triumph Explorer (with small screen for more windblast) is a pretty laid back thing and doesn't egg me on into stupidity, It'll do it if you want but I don't feel the need to go mad most of the time.
Something like a CB1300 (or the current crop of big retros) would be good, they're fast enough but have a pretty relaxed feel about them. An MT-10 on the other hand would be trouble!
trickywoo said:
A big naked, as you put it isn't going to slow you down much.
I had a similar consideration and went for one of the current generation SV650 but MT7 or even a new Enfield 650 would fit the bill too.
I suppose it comes down to self restraint but I'd like also to think its the bike's fault too. I was finding that while you don't have to ride stupidly fast on a big bike I nearly always did because the bike felt so much nicer at speed. i also found myself constantly thinking why am I paying all this money to own a big bike and am riding it slowly.
Its a cliche but the SV has really reconnected me with the fun of biking. Its just a peachy machine all round and while it lacks the thrill of down the road G it more than makes up for it in handling fun and general ease of ownership.
I go out on a lot more rides just for fun on it that I did on the fast bikes I had previously and while its fast enough to overtake I quite often (depending on the road - don't want to miss fun in the twisties) am quite happy just sitting behind cars and take in the scenery and general feel of just being out on two wheels.
I still from time to time think maybe I should be on a MT10 or something but its only because its possible rather than because I'd have any more fun on it.
I do think the horsepower thing has gone mad now. The performance bikes review of the new S1000RR said there was no need to rev it past 7k on the road. Given you'll go from 0-150 mph in 9 or 10 seconds with the throttle pinned I can well see that you won't want to be reviving it out on the road.
The SV on the other hand can be pinned for a while through the gears without going stupid fast but still be thrilling.
That is why I like my CBR600F4i. 100hp, 45nm (or so) torque on back wheel at 12000rpm. isn't going to slow you down much.I had a similar consideration and went for one of the current generation SV650 but MT7 or even a new Enfield 650 would fit the bill too.
I suppose it comes down to self restraint but I'd like also to think its the bike's fault too. I was finding that while you don't have to ride stupidly fast on a big bike I nearly always did because the bike felt so much nicer at speed. i also found myself constantly thinking why am I paying all this money to own a big bike and am riding it slowly.
Its a cliche but the SV has really reconnected me with the fun of biking. Its just a peachy machine all round and while it lacks the thrill of down the road G it more than makes up for it in handling fun and general ease of ownership.
I go out on a lot more rides just for fun on it that I did on the fast bikes I had previously and while its fast enough to overtake I quite often (depending on the road - don't want to miss fun in the twisties) am quite happy just sitting behind cars and take in the scenery and general feel of just being out on two wheels.
I still from time to time think maybe I should be on a MT10 or something but its only because its possible rather than because I'd have any more fun on it.
I do think the horsepower thing has gone mad now. The performance bikes review of the new S1000RR said there was no need to rev it past 7k on the road. Given you'll go from 0-150 mph in 9 or 10 seconds with the throttle pinned I can well see that you won't want to be reviving it out on the road.
The SV on the other hand can be pinned for a while through the gears without going stupid fast but still be thrilling.
I can pin it in 1st and 2nd all the way to 14k+ and still be OK(ish) speedwise.
It is my go to bike on daily basis, doesn't jerk, doesn't get hot, is fast enough everywhere but high up in the mountains.
Suspension and tires are more important than power and speed anyway.
For the naked I myself would go for Street Triple RS.
I like big engines, I like Speed RS a lot, but, thankfully, power did not corrupt me.
Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Thursday 27th June 12:06
Thanks all, it seems pretty obvious seeing the common link in the replies. I probably need to get over the idea of wanting something that's capable of being very fast while thinking (kidding myself) I wont be tempted to use it like a sports bike all the time.... The S1000RR had heated grips and rain mode, told myself I'd potter around on it like a C90 most of the time.
Maybe the main lesson I need to learn is not to knee jerk again and take my time buying. I should test a bigger / lazier naked, an adventure bike, a retro and go from there... but I doubt I'll be patient enough to get through them all.
feef said:
Second set of wheels and tyres for the KTM for road use and job jobbed.
Is a good idea. The only way in which it wouldn't be the perfect answer is I could never take a pillion out and would be restricted to short rides (I'd started doing fewer but much longer rides on the BMW)… It's a certainly a good idea though.kingb said:
You could even grow a beard and go full hipster if you really wanted to wind people up!!
Erm…. it would be patchy and ginger... lazybike said:
If going 110 instead of 150 is slowing down then a big naked will be fine.
That is the worry. Don't know why I'm drawn to the sporty stuff when the fact that they're sporty and so fast becomes part of the problem.Wacky Racer said:
.You don't have to go fast if you don't want to.
Very true. I think the problem is I only use the bikes for fun and I've spent years enjoying going fast on them. More than the throttle I enjoy the corners. Part of the reason I bought the RR was I thought I may as well have all the rider aids and extra safety. I don't think they affected my riding, but I think its very high limits and its general attitude and riding position did play a part in me riding faster and faster.Maybe the main lesson I need to learn is not to knee jerk again and take my time buying. I should test a bigger / lazier naked, an adventure bike, a retro and go from there... but I doubt I'll be patient enough to get through them all.
Good comments about the "feel" of fast. I used to have a Zx7r but had to seel it due to losgin my business. To get to work I bought a Peugeot speed fight Scooter. I drove it everywhere flat out and it was a total hoot. Maybe an extreme example, but what about something like a 400 sportsbike? you can rag them to the very edge of what they can do, they're still quck but not stupid fast.
The other thing is, going fast on public roads now is sadly just becoming a no no.
Have you thought about a track day bike?
The other thing is, going fast on public roads now is sadly just becoming a no no.
Have you thought about a track day bike?
Smaller naked like the 790 or street triple is the way to go, use more revs and more than quick enough without the true madness of the bigger machines. Naked bikes definitely pull the speed down a bit but smaller engines also increase the fun whilst not reaching crazy speeds unless you really want to.
Hungrymc said:
Maybe the main lesson I need to learn is not to knee jerk again and take my time buying. I should test a bigger / lazier naked, an adventure bike, a retro and go from there... but I doubt I'll be patient enough to get through them all.
test to your heart's content but do it with open eyes, they are not going to be like a sportsbikethere is nowhere around it - if you want to slow down you need to buy a less powerful bike
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think what you're saying is that as the problem is me and not the bike, that I should just get it done and buy the S1000R ? Your point is fair and its like trickywoo says above, the SV is working for him as its a different type of connection with riding but even then he sometimes thinks of an MT10. Maybe that shows you can break the link to crazy performance but you have to be ready to see riding differently and I guess that's less likely to happen with a really quick bike.
I'm enjoying the KTM because its simple / course / mechanical and I'm learning new skills and a new way to ride. But it seems I've still an itch for a capable and fast road bike.
Buy a bike that you know doesn't handle that great but produces the fun without the insane bhp.
A 1,679cc V Max. I rode one today and it's amazing fun.
Sure you'll get people pointing out that it doesn't corner like their (insert race replica of whatever size here) but they miss the point. My much inferior 1200 V Max was out on the same ride today and is a slow fossil by comparison. I really like the MK2 V Max now i've tried one.
A 1,679cc V Max. I rode one today and it's amazing fun.
Sure you'll get people pointing out that it doesn't corner like their (insert race replica of whatever size here) but they miss the point. My much inferior 1200 V Max was out on the same ride today and is a slow fossil by comparison. I really like the MK2 V Max now i've tried one.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I have had a few 1000cc bikes, still have the Gixxer1000 and the "slow" 954. I do not feel short-changed riding my CBR600 on daily basis.
It takes longer to accelerate, but that is exactly the fun, I can spin the engine.
On a 1000cc, unless you are seriously breaking the speed limits you are sticking to 3-4-5000rpm or whereabouts most of the time.
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