If you had £7,000 and only space for one bike?
Discussion
Today I am feeling uncharacteristically optimistic about money despite very glib forecasts at work, so I'm looking at bikes.
If you had £7,000, but space for only one bike, what would you buy?
Personally I'm looking at 2012 onwards GSXR-1000s, 1340cc Hayabusas, ZZR1400s, and 2014 onwards Fireblades, but also beginning to think a single bike should be a naked instead....
If you had £7,000, but space for only one bike, what would you buy?
Personally I'm looking at 2012 onwards GSXR-1000s, 1340cc Hayabusas, ZZR1400s, and 2014 onwards Fireblades, but also beginning to think a single bike should be a naked instead....
Yeah I rate my Z1000SX highly, and yes I was very glad to get rid of the MT09SP!
Gratuitous pic of it at work today
ks posted by the journo's who rode it at launch, the OE tyres were rubbish and it needed a firm hand to tip into bends, a change of tyres got rid of that trait completely.
It is a great all rounder, it can easily keep up with anything on the roads, is all day comfy, looks great, is very comfortable with a riding position that is more touring than sports, will do 2 minute laps of Oulton without a worry (and probably a lot quicker with someone talented on it) once you have removed the panniers holding all your gear, it also has a great engine, you can leave it in top gear all day if you want and it pulls hard from 2k, and it also has the latest electronics with cornering abs and anti wheelie.
The only bad points are the standard 3 position screen creates a lot of buffeting and its quite low geared (which is why it pulls so well in top) and you can't change the sprockets as it confuses the IMU, oh and the clocks are hard to read in bright sunlight (but that won't be a problem for you in Scotchland)
But.........I keep looking at MT10 Tourings
Gratuitous pic of it at work today
Donbot said:
I'm not sure if the bulk would compromise the handling too much though.
It doesn't, its obviously not scalpel sharp like a 180kg Supersports bike but as a road bike its still plenty flickable and very stable once into the turn, ignore the bks posted by the journo's who rode it at launch, the OE tyres were rubbish and it needed a firm hand to tip into bends, a change of tyres got rid of that trait completely.It is a great all rounder, it can easily keep up with anything on the roads, is all day comfy, looks great, is very comfortable with a riding position that is more touring than sports, will do 2 minute laps of Oulton without a worry (and probably a lot quicker with someone talented on it) once you have removed the panniers holding all your gear, it also has a great engine, you can leave it in top gear all day if you want and it pulls hard from 2k, and it also has the latest electronics with cornering abs and anti wheelie.
The only bad points are the standard 3 position screen creates a lot of buffeting and its quite low geared (which is why it pulls so well in top) and you can't change the sprockets as it confuses the IMU, oh and the clocks are hard to read in bright sunlight (but that won't be a problem for you in Scotchland)
But.........I keep looking at MT10 Tourings
Edited by Jazoli on Wednesday 6th May 11:13
black-k1 said:
No question - A K1300S.
I'm not trying to be rude here, but do you know if you use the search function and type "black-k1" along with "K1300s", there are 232 results. By contrast if I do my own username with "K1300S" I get 22 results. You're clearly a big fan 
I'm terrified of owning a BMW. A mate has had a few and there's always something wrong with them.
Prof Prolapse said:
I'm not trying to be rude here, but do you know if you use the search function and type "black-k1" along with "K1300s", there are 232 results. By contrast if I do my own username with "K1300S" I get 22 results. You're clearly a big fan
It is funny, someone posts 'recommend me a middleweight commuter' black-k1 replies 'K1300S obviously' And I'd not have one too, I've seen and heard of many big bills for most of their bikes.
Depends on what type of riding you do. A few hours on a sunny sunday for fun, or do you want to tour on it, does it need to take a pillion regularly.
If its for you alone on sunny days, I go for a super naked, you can get a lot of fantastic bikes for £7k.
If it needs to go touring regular, take some bags and maybe a pillion. Id go Busa, or ZZR, both been out a while, big sellers so plenty of choice to find a mint one in your spec choice for £7k.
If its for you alone on sunny days, I go for a super naked, you can get a lot of fantastic bikes for £7k.
If it needs to go touring regular, take some bags and maybe a pillion. Id go Busa, or ZZR, both been out a while, big sellers so plenty of choice to find a mint one in your spec choice for £7k.
Black K1 has had a couple of K1300S bikes and clearly rates them. He's not the only one that likes them. However he has them new for three years then offloads them. He and I disagree on BMW reliability. But I'd agree with the posters above, I'm also scared stiff of a BMW out of warranty. Touch, barge and pole in my opinion.
The Kwak by contrast is a good shout.
The Kwak by contrast is a good shout.
Jazoli said:
Many good things
Thanks, I'll definitely try one out. My only real concern is the riding position. I don't like how my ER6f tries to tilt me forward, but the short reach and high bars want to push me back. Maybe I'm just more suited to a sport bike or relaxed classic bike position (I can't get on with nakeds either).Regardless, they are very nice looking bikes and that is a great pic
I'd probably stick with an FJR. I find it a supremely capable machine, even did a trackday on it and it's quick enough and handles well enough to upset most sprotbike riders on the road.
But my heart would also be hankering after either a Honda VTR SP1/2 or a Benelli TNT1130 (although the former is getting hard to find within that budget)
But my heart would also be hankering after either a Honda VTR SP1/2 or a Benelli TNT1130 (although the former is getting hard to find within that budget)
I did a lot of research before getting both of my K1300Ss and honestly feel they were the best "do it all" road bike there was. (And having owned 2 of them in the last 7 years and being an active contributor on here in that time, I'm not surprised I appear a few times in the searches.)
They can have issues but so can many other bikes. They tend to have a loyal following from people who are not specifically BMW fan boys (like some GS owners can be - BMW matching suits, BMW matching helmets etc.) and who have money to buy pretty much any bike they want. If the K1300S is that much of a problem, why do so many who buy them like them so much?
There is a good reason it Is BY FAR the most popular model of bike on the Old Gits trips. In fact, if you add the K1300S and K1200S Old Gits trips together the total is more than the next 10 bike models added together.
During my ownership both of my K1300Ss did in excess of 50,000 miles each, mostly as long distance commuters. (Suffolk to central London) hence I think it makes a great long distance commuter.
I'm recommending a model of bike I've actually used, and used hard. (Over 100,000 miles in 6 years). When others recommend a particular bike, ask them how many miles they've actually done on that model.
K1300S K1300S K1300S K1300S - that'll get the search count up a bit further!
NS400R said:
Black K1 has had a couple of K1300S bikes and clearly rates them. He's not the only one that likes them. However he has them new for three years then offloads them. He and I disagree on BMW reliability. But I'd agree with the posters above, I'm also scared stiff of a BMW out of warranty. Touch, barge and pole in my opinion.
The Kwak by contrast is a good shout.
You can buy a BMW warranty for second hand bikes up to 10 years old I think.The Kwak by contrast is a good shout.
Cheeses of Nazareth said:
One bike to do what ?
bogie said:
Depends on what type of riding you do.
As I said chaps, "what would you buy?". I'm just curious as it gives me left field choices, and it's just a bit of fun, I'm sure neither of you would base your decisions on someone elses riding. Or actually buy a bike because someone on the internet told you to.
Edited by Prof Prolapse on Wednesday 6th May 13:29
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