Thoughts - Versys 1000 GT, Tracer 900GT, GS850,
Discussion
Looking to buy a new bike in the coming weeks. I've just over a years experience on a 98 Hornet and doing the usual thing of sinking all my spare cash into a bike lol.
All are ideal for the type of riding I do which is mainly on A roads and mway. Hope to do some touring this year.
Versys GT. Lovely and smooth, not as heavy as it looks and well kitted out. 2015, £7k. Its orange which is class. Sat on it and was instantly comfortable. Oldest bike.i have looked at and seems to have held its value well enough.
Tracer GT. Riding on saturday coming, can possibly get an ex demo bike a few months old for around £9k. New is £10.5k
GS850. Quick ride today and did like it. More tech stuff than you get in most cars. 18 months old. List at £10k or there abouts. Only downside is I didnt like slow speed limpiness of the twin but that was just not being used to fine use of control.
Is there anything that stands out on any of the above bikes? Ive done quite a bit of reading and all get good reviews. Or something I am not thinking of?
I've sat on a few triumphs and just didnt like the position or the fact that corrosion was setting in on a few components. KTM 690 just not for me either.
All are ideal for the type of riding I do which is mainly on A roads and mway. Hope to do some touring this year.
Versys GT. Lovely and smooth, not as heavy as it looks and well kitted out. 2015, £7k. Its orange which is class. Sat on it and was instantly comfortable. Oldest bike.i have looked at and seems to have held its value well enough.
Tracer GT. Riding on saturday coming, can possibly get an ex demo bike a few months old for around £9k. New is £10.5k
GS850. Quick ride today and did like it. More tech stuff than you get in most cars. 18 months old. List at £10k or there abouts. Only downside is I didnt like slow speed limpiness of the twin but that was just not being used to fine use of control.
Is there anything that stands out on any of the above bikes? Ive done quite a bit of reading and all get good reviews. Or something I am not thinking of?
I've sat on a few triumphs and just didnt like the position or the fact that corrosion was setting in on a few components. KTM 690 just not for me either.
trickywoo said:
V Strom 1000 or 650 depending on the age price compromise you are happy with.
Personally I’d go with a newish 650. It’s got all the go you can realistically use and will be super cheap to run.
Sat on a 650 and found it ok, got onto Versys beside it and felt instantly at home. Personally I’d go with a newish 650. It’s got all the go you can realistically use and will be super cheap to run.
Adding some info - I'm 6'1' and 65kgs so built like a racing snake. Heavy bikes arent for me - I can barely get a mates GS1150 off the side stand lol.
Bike to be used all year round for pleasure and commuting. Did 6k this year, would like to be doing 10k next year.
Alan_B said:
Sat on a 650 and found it ok, got onto Versys beside it and felt instantly at home.
Adding some info - I'm 6'1' and 65kgs so built like a racing snake. Heavy bikes arent for me - I can barely get a mates GS1150 off the side stand lol.
Bike to be used all year round for pleasure and commuting. Did 6k this year, would like to be doing 10k next year.
The Tracer is a wee bit lighter than the Versy and(to me) felt a little more flickableAdding some info - I'm 6'1' and 65kgs so built like a racing snake. Heavy bikes arent for me - I can barely get a mates GS1150 off the side stand lol.
Bike to be used all year round for pleasure and commuting. Did 6k this year, would like to be doing 10k next year.
moto_traxport said:
black-k1 said:
K1300S. Loads to choose from, including orange ones. The second best "do it all on tarmac" bike you can get.
LOL. Wasn’t on the list! People are slightly mental and hear the question they want to hear not the question actually asked.R1 is the answer btw.
I heard the question. It's just that it wasn't the right question to get the right answer!
Janluke said:
Alan_B said:
Sat on a 650 and found it ok, got onto Versys beside it and felt instantly at home.
Adding some info - I'm 6'1' and 65kgs so built like a racing snake. Heavy bikes arent for me - I can barely get a mates GS1150 off the side stand lol.
Bike to be used all year round for pleasure and commuting. Did 6k this year, would like to be doing 10k next year.
The Tracer is a wee bit lighter than the Versy and(to me) felt a little more flickableAdding some info - I'm 6'1' and 65kgs so built like a racing snake. Heavy bikes arent for me - I can barely get a mates GS1150 off the side stand lol.
Bike to be used all year round for pleasure and commuting. Did 6k this year, would like to be doing 10k next year.
I had a 2015 1000 vstrom desert edition. Covered over 20,000 miles here and Europe. Faultless, comfy, plenty of luggage options, quick enough and very capable on the twisties. Great V twin do it all bike. I had the taller seat and I’m only 5’11”.
Great value for money. Gratuitous pic.... fond memories....
Great value for money. Gratuitous pic.... fond memories....
PIGINAWIG said:
Z1000Sx is a good shout too. Having ridden one, only complaint would be the gearing. Very revvy on motorway but a sprocket change would cure it I guess.
Then get an early one as a sprocket change confuses the IMU and leads to none of the electric rider aids working.I have one, it's a great bike, any of the OP's choices would be fine, I had an earlier Versys 650 and that too was great, I found it a bit underpowered but I'd been riding litre bikes, same engine and running gear as the current one.
Edited by Jazoli on Wednesday 1st January 10:39
PIGINAWIG said:
I had a 2015 1000 vstrom desert edition. Covered over 20,000 miles here and Europe. Faultless, comfy, plenty of luggage options, quick enough and very capable on the twisties. Great V twin do it all bike. I had the taller seat and I’m only 5’11”.
Great value for money. Gratuitous pic.... fond memories....
One of the Old Gits had a Vstrom and loved the engine but it didn't cope well with a winters commute. Corrosion took a hold in the first year despit regular cleaning and maintenance. It was replaced by a R1200RS after a year. Great value for money. Gratuitous pic.... fond memories....
black-k1 said:
One of the Old Gits had a Vstrom and loved the engine but it didn't cope well with a winters commute. Corrosion took a hold in the first year despit regular cleaning and maintenance. It was replaced by a R1200RS after a year.
Alternatively, this is mine. 24,000 miles, not commuted on but ridden in all weathers when necessary. Immaculate. However it gets cleaned and ACF50d regularly.
I've done 1500 or so miles on my Versys 650 GT. Loving it!
I hear it's sluggish loaded up with the panniers, top box and a passenger so the 1000 is the way to go. This is very rare for me as its used without any of the luggage to commute on.
Here is mine at Whitstable yesterday. Did about 60 miles and was lovely. Did a 500 mile run to York last month and it was faultless.
The Vstrom is so similar so take both out and see what you like. For me it was the feel of thee versys that sold it for me.
I hear it's sluggish loaded up with the panniers, top box and a passenger so the 1000 is the way to go. This is very rare for me as its used without any of the luggage to commute on.
Here is mine at Whitstable yesterday. Did about 60 miles and was lovely. Did a 500 mile run to York last month and it was faultless.
The Vstrom is so similar so take both out and see what you like. For me it was the feel of thee versys that sold it for me.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far, even the not so sensible ones
I just saw an offer on a new VFR800XA Crosstourer also. I will always have a slight draw to Honda, even if it is just because of build quality.
Dry weather tomorrow for a run on the Tracer. Hoping to get it for a few hours and have a decent route planned out so I shall report back on my findings!
I just saw an offer on a new VFR800XA Crosstourer also. I will always have a slight draw to Honda, even if it is just because of build quality.
Dry weather tomorrow for a run on the Tracer. Hoping to get it for a few hours and have a decent route planned out so I shall report back on my findings!
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