Bored of my XR...what next?

[TechnoKnows]

Saturday Evening Musings
Been riding less and less - taking the car to work and not going out for run.

Finished early Friday and rode into Wales via Knockin to Bala (great bit of road) then from Bala to Barmouth and back.

Glad I spent the time on the bike, even though the weather was a mix of heavy welsh rain and humid english summer...but can't describe the experience as "fun"

Its a '17 Gen1 Xr1000 and while it is a very rapid machine, very comfortable and capable at covering big miles at quite a pace, I never seem to find it puts a smile on my face.

I've got a couple of overnight trips planned this year, which it may excel itself in, however I feel its days in the garage are numbered.
I rarely commute (only 10mi so never feels worth it) and I never carry a pillion.

Its stablemate is a '03 Aprilia Tuono Racing - Very raw and engaging and fairly rare. This wont be going anywhere. Especially as its currently broken.

Previous bikes include:
Honda Grom - Fun to commute but too slow - Kept alongside other bikes for a 18 months
Cbr650r - First big bike - Never forget.
'19 R6 - Very engaging, should have kept but only sold as was too compromised for my useage
Tracer 900gt - Thought I wanted a tourer but never got on with it - Too much wind noise, throttle connection poor
K1 GSXR - Good fun, had for a while alongside others - Never connected with it
Aprilia Rs660 - Had from new, absolute blast. Felt like you could really ride it. Light agile and nimble. Only sold as felt the right time value wise and faniced a change
Xr 1000.

So what bike could sit next my Tuono to make a great pair?
Something new enough that I dont have to worry about it too much and puts a smile on your face.
I find noise and the feel of the bike is more important to me than outright performance

The way I got on with the Rs660 finds me looking at V2 Panigales, V4 Tuonos but I've also considered bikes like the Speed Twin 1200 or Thuxton Rs.

[carinaman]

Tuono 660 Factory?

[paddy1970]

Tuareg 660? Same lovely engine character but in adventure clothing, which might suit those Welsh runs better...

[smifffymoto]

Why not go the opposite direction and get something more raw than the Tuono?

[trickywoo]

Sounds like you need a super duke gt.

[Len Clifton]

I can recommend the Yamaha MT10. CP4 motor is belter and the bike has attitude, speed and handling whilst remaining comfy.

[T6 vanman]

If you bought the XR as it's a machine that can do 'overnights' and big distances in comfort - and still want to do those activities ... then buying something similar to your other bike that isn't so good at those things leads to duplication,

I Had a HD Pan America on holiday and a machine that can do 'overnights' and big distances in comfort is right there (Or a MG V100)

[Baldy881]

Is there not a bike you've had a long time hankering for? I always wanted a Ducati 900SS carby and got one about 5 years ago. It's all pomp and ceremony and sounds and feels fantastic. I know you said you wanted to avoid older stuff but some of these older bikes are simple to maintain in reality. I've recently started doing two up riding with the missus and while the Duke is perfectly acceptable for 30/40 miles without stopping, it can be painful after that. So I'm adding a triumph tiger 800 next week so we can cover a few more miles in comfort. But maybe think about something you've always wanted to try that you can now just enjoy and appreciate.

[moto_traxport]

TechnoKnows said:

The way I got on with the Rs660 finds me looking at V2 Panigales, V4 Tuonos but I've also considered bikes like the Speed Twin 1200 or Thuxton Rs.

100 to 120hp twin is where the 'road fun' is my opinion (ironically the bike I've kept the longest and still got is an R1 but I'm looking for something more fun & accesible on the road).

A new bike you could test ride would be the latest model Ducati V2 Panigale. Awesome bike & better than previous model for road use (great riding postion, fuelling, low rpm grunt, lightness). £15k to £17k though.

Ducati 939 / 950 Supersport S would be an option at £6k to £9k for secondhand.

[TechnoKnows]

Without going into it, I inherited the XR so it does have a tinge of sadness along side it - which probably doesnt help things.

I think the better purchases are the ones you follow your heart and buy what you want rather than think about it too much.

I havent had a Ducati before I'm going to buy one.

Shortlisted for a look are:
950SP -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250612...
Mono 698 -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250116...
V2 Bayliss -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250414...
V2 Streetfighter (Previous and current) -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250623...
V2 Pani -
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250603...

Realy lust is for a V4s or V4 Streetfighter as a, been there and done it type purchase.


https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250520...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20250620...

[carinaman]

TechnoKnows said:

Without going into it, I inherited the XR so it does have a tinge of sadness along side it - which probably doesnt help things.

I am sorry to read that. It's got me shedding tears, but I have a summer bout of man flu and found a bottle of brandy. I couldn't find a hug Smilie. 30 April 2025 I hugged a stranger in a memorial park after he started crying for the second time. He got some hugs and I got some advice about equipment to buy to help with looking after the weak and infirm.

As a mental health balm and a distraction motorcycles are pretty good. Fortunately someone bought a 24 plate Z900 performance (I got hands on with the Akra can in the showroom) with 300 miles on it on Weds. afternoon as new chapters and the metallic finish on the frame reminding me of my second bicycle and first new bike and who went to the shop with me and bought it was a good enough reason to change.

Edited by carinaman on Sunday 29th June 23:09