a professional procrastinators what bike request?
Discussion
Been thinking about a new (used) bike for a while now. Budget is 5k to 7k. I recently sold my GSX-S1000 as it wasn't getting used enough, I currently have a ZZR 1100 to sell / trade in, with the intention of going back to 1 main bike that does it all!
My problem is I dont know what to get!
What I think I'm looking for:
- lighter than ZZR1100, Naked / semi faired / a bit more comfortable than ZZR - capable of 1 to 2 hours riding in relative comfort, possibly something that panniers can be added to or decent luggage options. Not keen on throwover saddle bags/soft panniers as in my experience they never seem secure and can damage the bodywork plastics if they rub against.
- capable of just going for blast, being hustled on the twisties, and putting a smile on my face
- No sportsbikes - back, wrists and neck say no!
- No big tourers (BMW RT / GS etc) or full on adventure bikes (too heavy, too meh)
What I've been looking at (but yet to seriously view or test drive) -
- Kawasaki 1000SX - like the idea of the panniers for going on trips, looks to have a comfortable riding position, capable of touring etc. dont know what they are like for fun and back road blasts?
- Triumph Tiger Sport 1050 - as above. lower power than 1000 SX - doe s it show? reliability?
- GSX-S1000F - like the naked 1000 i had (felt like a 125 hooligan bike after jumping off the ZZR) but with fairing. More of the same? not sure of luggage options?
- Ducati Multistrada 1200 - I've had a 1100 Monster before and found it to be a PITA to drive smoothly under 40 mph (even after remapp etc) - are multistradas the same? How heavy are they?
- Aprilia Tuono V4 - look great, never driven one. How are they to tour on? Are they ok to ride around town (see ducati monster above)
- KTM SuperDuke 1290 - look great, never driven one. as above?
- BMW S1000XR - test drove my mates bike. Seems to be the do it all bike, tour, scratch, everything etc. just felt a bit to easy to go faster round corners etc without input or riding skills, a bit like a video game if that makes sense?
- are there other bikes I should look at?
hopefully there are some folks on here that can answer some of the above questions and provide insight to ownership etc and great if have experience of a few of the bikes listed above.
My problem is I dont know what to get!
What I think I'm looking for:
- lighter than ZZR1100, Naked / semi faired / a bit more comfortable than ZZR - capable of 1 to 2 hours riding in relative comfort, possibly something that panniers can be added to or decent luggage options. Not keen on throwover saddle bags/soft panniers as in my experience they never seem secure and can damage the bodywork plastics if they rub against.
- capable of just going for blast, being hustled on the twisties, and putting a smile on my face
- No sportsbikes - back, wrists and neck say no!
- No big tourers (BMW RT / GS etc) or full on adventure bikes (too heavy, too meh)
What I've been looking at (but yet to seriously view or test drive) -
- Kawasaki 1000SX - like the idea of the panniers for going on trips, looks to have a comfortable riding position, capable of touring etc. dont know what they are like for fun and back road blasts?
- Triumph Tiger Sport 1050 - as above. lower power than 1000 SX - doe s it show? reliability?
- GSX-S1000F - like the naked 1000 i had (felt like a 125 hooligan bike after jumping off the ZZR) but with fairing. More of the same? not sure of luggage options?
- Ducati Multistrada 1200 - I've had a 1100 Monster before and found it to be a PITA to drive smoothly under 40 mph (even after remapp etc) - are multistradas the same? How heavy are they?
- Aprilia Tuono V4 - look great, never driven one. How are they to tour on? Are they ok to ride around town (see ducati monster above)
- KTM SuperDuke 1290 - look great, never driven one. as above?
- BMW S1000XR - test drove my mates bike. Seems to be the do it all bike, tour, scratch, everything etc. just felt a bit to easy to go faster round corners etc without input or riding skills, a bit like a video game if that makes sense?
- are there other bikes I should look at?
hopefully there are some folks on here that can answer some of the above questions and provide insight to ownership etc and great if have experience of a few of the bikes listed above.
I have a Z1000SX and can't recommend it enough. In the past year it has:
- Done 3 UK touring holidays
- Been used for Saturday morning blasts
- Many miles of 2-up riding with my lad
- A James Whitham trackday at Mallory Park
It does everything very well. Chugging out endless motorway miles is easy and the wind protection is good (although I'm comparing to my previous GSXS1000). The engine is great and enjoys being revved out but it will also plod through towns and villages with ease. The luggage system is great and although you won't fit as much in as on adventure bike / big tourer it carried enough for a 5 day trip away. Admittedly it's not the most exciting thing to look at and won't stand out at your local bike meet but I'm not that fussed about these things anyway.
- Done 3 UK touring holidays
- Been used for Saturday morning blasts
- Many miles of 2-up riding with my lad
- A James Whitham trackday at Mallory Park
It does everything very well. Chugging out endless motorway miles is easy and the wind protection is good (although I'm comparing to my previous GSXS1000). The engine is great and enjoys being revved out but it will also plod through towns and villages with ease. The luggage system is great and although you won't fit as much in as on adventure bike / big tourer it carried enough for a 5 day trip away. Admittedly it's not the most exciting thing to look at and won't stand out at your local bike meet but I'm not that fussed about these things anyway.
SS427 Camaro said:
Z900 / ZRX1200
Decent soft luggage is a no brainer, far lighter and can easily be removed and turned into shoulder bags.
I’ve never had a problem securing decent luggage to a bike. Way too many instances of riders being seriously injured by hard luggage.
Like th Z900, what are they like for covering distance? ZRX I think is too old/similar to ZZR eraDecent soft luggage is a no brainer, far lighter and can easily be removed and turned into shoulder bags.
I’ve never had a problem securing decent luggage to a bike. Way too many instances of riders being seriously injured by hard luggage.
8IKERDAVE said:
I have a Z1000SX and can't recommend it enough. In the past year it has:
- Done 3 UK touring holidays
- Been used for Saturday morning blasts
- Many miles of 2-up riding with my lad
- A James Whitham trackday at Mallory Park
It does everything very well. Chugging out endless motorway miles is easy and the wind protection is good (although I'm comparing to my previous GSXS1000). The engine is great and enjoys being revved out but it will also plod through towns and villages with ease. The luggage system is great and although you won't fit as much in as on adventure bike / big tourer it carried enough for a 5 day trip away. Admittedly it's not the most exciting thing to look at and won't stand out at your local bike meet but I'm not that fussed about these things anyway.
Good to know it cuts the mustard on the twisties. Would be interested to get your opinion on how the SX compares with the GSXS?- Done 3 UK touring holidays
- Been used for Saturday morning blasts
- Many miles of 2-up riding with my lad
- A James Whitham trackday at Mallory Park
It does everything very well. Chugging out endless motorway miles is easy and the wind protection is good (although I'm comparing to my previous GSXS1000). The engine is great and enjoys being revved out but it will also plod through towns and villages with ease. The luggage system is great and although you won't fit as much in as on adventure bike / big tourer it carried enough for a 5 day trip away. Admittedly it's not the most exciting thing to look at and won't stand out at your local bike meet but I'm not that fussed about these things anyway.
Tuono V4 all the way, fabulous bikes.
Get a 17-on so you've got up and down quickshifter. 20-on for the electronic ohlins (which if you have a pillion or lots of luggage will be useful).
Mine is fine around town as long as you don't have a completely open silly exhaust - the throttle response is snatchy with a super loud open can, with a bit of back pressure everything's fine again. 20 zones are a bit awkward but I plan to change the chain and sprocket to bring the gearing down a fraction.
Get a 17-on so you've got up and down quickshifter. 20-on for the electronic ohlins (which if you have a pillion or lots of luggage will be useful).
Mine is fine around town as long as you don't have a completely open silly exhaust - the throttle response is snatchy with a super loud open can, with a bit of back pressure everything's fine again. 20 zones are a bit awkward but I plan to change the chain and sprocket to bring the gearing down a fraction.
Another vote for the Z1000SX.
I picked up a 2018 in June and clocked up about 1200 miles with longest single journey of 220 miles so far on twisty back roads.
It’s a good blend of sports/tourer. Incredibly comfortable, yet to get the dreaded arse pain with plenty of wind protection (I leave the adjustable screen down, haven’t raised it yet as felt no need to). Pulls extremely well in any gear making it quite relaxing to ride when in that mood yet take it over 7k and goes like a missile if that mood takes you instead.
No complaints at all about fit and finish, 7 years old with 8k miles on and not a sign of any corrosion or paint flaking, looks like new.
Try and find a tourer model with the panniers, I didn’t which is abit of a regret as a half decent set of Kawasaki Panniers are over £500 used.
I’m going to be keeping this bike many years, so far adore it and does absolutely everything very well indeed.
I picked up a 2018 in June and clocked up about 1200 miles with longest single journey of 220 miles so far on twisty back roads.
It’s a good blend of sports/tourer. Incredibly comfortable, yet to get the dreaded arse pain with plenty of wind protection (I leave the adjustable screen down, haven’t raised it yet as felt no need to). Pulls extremely well in any gear making it quite relaxing to ride when in that mood yet take it over 7k and goes like a missile if that mood takes you instead.
No complaints at all about fit and finish, 7 years old with 8k miles on and not a sign of any corrosion or paint flaking, looks like new.
Try and find a tourer model with the panniers, I didn’t which is abit of a regret as a half decent set of Kawasaki Panniers are over £500 used.
I’m going to be keeping this bike many years, so far adore it and does absolutely everything very well indeed.
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