Bored? Help me pick my next bike!

[Andymx5]

Hello Guys,

With various bills/servicing and bits in need of replacement (hoses, pads, tyres) coming up on my bike, it's about time to start looking at a new one.

Currently I have a ZX6R G1 Ninja. It's great. I can wheelie (badly) do stoppies, get my knee/peg down and go stupidly fast in reletive comfort...

I use my bike to commute (15 miles each way) and travel about 300 miles each weekend (Normally country roads but can use a motorway in winter)

I want a Bike that has:
Very Quick acceleration
Fairly good tank range (130 miles before reserve) Fairly comfy for 100 mile cross country runs
Probably unfaired so I stick below 100 more often
Hold up to Winter Salt
Very fun to ride
Not massively high insurance

:)

[Tafford]

A Triumph Tiger 955i seems to tick all of the boxes above :
Very Quick acceleration - oh yes! - geared more for acceleration than top end and very torquey.
Fairly good tank range (130 miles before reserve) - yep
Fairly comfy for 100 mile cross country runs - very comfortable for hours
Probably unfaired so I stick below 100 more often - yep
Hold up to Winter Salt - Triumph finish pretty good - I've used one in wet / cold / salt and it's held up very well
Very fun to ride - A total hoot in both town and open roads; suprisingly quick even relative to larger sports bikes
Not massively high insurance - Can't be sure but think it comes in at group 11 ish - cheap anyway.

And I just happen to have a low mileage 2001 FSH one for sale.......

[stu 9-5]

I too can recommend any Triumph, ticks all your boxes. Plenty 02 - 04 Speed Triples been traded in against the new 05 model - bargains to be had.

Alternatively the performance bargain of the month has to be the Z750. Not sure if it has a 130 mile range but everything else seems to fit the bill. Some dealers are doing blue ones for £3995 brand new on the road. Most you'll pay if you don't want to travel is £4495...

[Andymx5]

I had not thought of the Tiger. I'll have to have a think about that one...

Definately like the idea of the Speed Triple, but being a bit of a Magpie I'd want a shiney new 05 model!

Z750 - I'd considered this, but I'd really want the Z1000! I know I'd hardly ever use the extra power and I'd be as quick point to point on the Z750, but that's not the point, is it!!??!!

Anyone know the tank range on a KTM Duke 2 ?

[stu 9-5]

For tank range try capacity in litres X 9 as a general rule of thumb.

Most 500cc+ bikes return 40 - 50 mpg under 'normal' road riding. Unless it's a Honda, they're a bit thirstier for some reason.

Speed Triple has a 21 litre tank - light comes on at about 130 miles but will return 200 miles from a tankful easily if you're not battering it off the limiter.

[PhillVR6]

stu 9-5 said:

Alternatively the performance bargain of the month has to be the Z750. Not sure if it has a 130 mile range but everything else seems to fit the bill. Some dealers are doing blue ones for £3995 brand new on the road. Most you'll pay if you don't want to travel is £4495...

I've got a z750, only passed my DA about a month ago so its still a much better bike than I am a rider. 130 miles on a tank is attainable.

I see what you mean about the Z1000 but the 750 is a very capable and very good liiking bike in its own right. expecially with a Z1000 screen and a tail tidy.

Phill

[Andymx5]

I do like the Z750 and enjoyed my test ride on the faired version (they didn't have the naked one ready) but in my head it seems a bit of a step down from the ZX6R... Childish I know, but I think that thought would always be in the back of my mind.

[YamR1,V64motion]

i was going to recomend the 2003 Fireblade as thats a cracking bike and coming down in money now too, would you reconsider the unfaired thing?

[bennyboysvuk]

Have you thought of stuff like the SV1000 or the Fazer 1000? Both have extreme acceleration and although not nearly as quick to turn as your ZX6, could both provide excellent fun and a bit of comfort too?

[Andymx5]

The problem with the Blade is I will go everywhere 20mph faster then I do on the ZX6R, I will pull better/longer wheelies and lose my license or life even faster!!!

The things that make the Blade great are also it's downfull as I do not have the will power to behave!

SV1000, I do love the noise these things make, especially with after market Cans...

[speed8]

It sounds like you need the 2005 Speed Triple If I hadn't bought the ST for touring I would have got the Triple myself.
The 1050 motor is an absolute belter

[rsvmilly]

For a winter bike you are better off having a fairing for two reasons. One, it gets fecking cold and two, it keeps the engine cleaner from road crud.

[Andymx5]

Perhaps I should keep the zx until march and get a speed triple then

[Mad Dave]

Keep the 6R mate, from your list of requirements it fills the bill perfectly!

[YamR1,V64motion]

rsvmilly said:

For a winter bike you are better off having a fairing for two reasons. One, it gets fecking cold and two, it keeps the engine cleaner from road crud.

your a brave man to subject your RSV to road salt etc, my bikes go into hibernation from october to about march,it wouldnt be as bad if all the screws didnt fur up.

[rsvmilly]

[quote=YamR1,V64motion]

rsvmilly said:

For a winter bike you are better off having a fairing for two reasons. One, it gets fecking cold and two, it keeps the engine cleaner from road crud.

your a brave man to subject your RSV to road salt etc, my bikes go into hibernation from october to about march,it wouldnt be as bad if all the screws didnt fur up.[/quote]Mine gets tucked away for winter. And on the odd occassion I take it out over one of our rare mild winter days, it gets hosed down with cold water as soon as I get home.

Ironically, I ran a Ducati over winter and it came up like a new bike. The fittings on it just seemed better quality than on some Jap bikes I've seen.

Conversely, the fittings on my Gixer furred up really badly with age/use.

[YamR1,V64motion]

rsvmilly said:

[quote=YamR1,V64motion] rsvmilly said: For a winter bike you are better off having a fairing for two reasons. One, it gets fecking cold and two, it keeps the engine cleaner from road crud. your a brave man to subject your RSV to road salt etc, my bikes go into hibernation from october to about march,it wouldnt be as bad if all the screws didnt fur up.

Mine gets tucked away for winter. And on the odd occassion I take it out over one of our rare mild winter days, it gets hosed down with cold water as soon as I get home.

Ironically, I ran a Ducati over winter and it came up like a new bike. The fittings on it just seemed better quality than on some Jap bikes I've seen.

Conversely, the fittings on my Gixer furred up really badly with age/use.

[/quote]



have you tried that stuff (i think made by scotoiler) which you spray on all your bolts etc when you go out that stops the salt getting to them, i will have a look when i get back from riding later.