What first bike after a time away

[KobayashiMaru86]

First bike was an SV650 which I had about a year so sold it to move for work. 5 years later I move back home and now have a garage again so bike thoughts came back. Went to my local Yamaha dealer to have a chat and they put me on a Tracer 900GT. Loved the engine and came close to getting one there and then but wanted to try other things. Yesterday I tried a Triumph Street Triple RS and a Tiger 800 XCX. The Tiger was very plush and refined but not as quick as the 900GT but the RS was fantastic. Loads of grip, fast when you wanted it but really easy in town and good to build confidence with. It's only downside, being a naked was the wind blast you got just past 65mph. Was the first naked bike I'd ridden since my test. A fairly easy bike in general which really surprised me and loads of adjustment if I wanted it.

My concerns are the wind blast but it was a particularly windy day and I wasn't in proper gear save for helmet and gloves. Also whenever I look into it I always get told I have to change the springs. I'm not the lightest (6'1, 105kg) but have lost 10kg in the last few months so it's going the right way. I'm thinking instead of changing suspension I should work on losing weight myself to improve things. Personally I never found the suspension an issue on the ride. I'll never be a rider who is on the knee sliders all the time so would probably be fine.

What other bikes should I try? Want something easy to get back into it that I can use for commuting now and again but keeps me interested. Initially I thought a twin would do but now I've tried a triple it would be that or a 4cyl. Still want to try an XSR900 but finding a dealer with a demo one is tricky.

[Birky_41]

Just try and ride ones you like the look of with a bit of reading up

Everyone's different and their wants change as they get older or lifestyle changes

I rode from 98-06 then gave up for just under 10 years to persue racing again

When I rode in that time I loved superbikes and super motos. I had R6s then R1s then got into Italian stuff and never touched Jap until I gave up. I enjoyed twins and triples

All my super motos were big 650 type singles

When I got back into road bikes in 2015 my first purchase was a new at the time mv agusta dragster 800rr. Claimed 140ps, 168kg dry and looked (to me) amazing

Kept it 18 months, put 10k on it and got bored but did really enjoy the triple, the upright naked position and the fact it calmed my speed down

Then got a late 16 Aprilia Tuono 1100. I've kept with this since, only changing for newer recently due to the mileage I put on the 16 in a short space and resale

Once I found what I liked I would upgrade and modify to how I liked. Definitely though now pushing near 40 I'm more for upright, powerful bikes with character

Edited by Birky_41 on Sunday 18th August 14:01

[KobayashiMaru86]

Birky_41 said:

Just try and ride ones you like the look of with a bit of reading up

Everyone's different and their wants change as they get older or lifestyle changes

I rode feel 98-06 then gave up for just under 10 years to persue racing again

When I rode in that time I loved superbikes and super motos. I had R6s then R1s then got into Italian stuff and never touched Jap until I gave up. I enjoyed twins and triples

All my super motos were big 650 type singles

When I got back into road bikes in 2015 my first purchase was a new at the time mv agusta dragster 800rr. Claimed 140ps, 168kg dry and looked (to me) amazing

Kept it 18 months, put 10k on it and got bored but did really enjoy the triple, the upright naked position and the fact it calmed my speed down

Then got a late 16 Aprilia Tuono 1100. I've kept with this since only changing for newer recently due to the mileage I put on the 16 in a short space and resale

Once I found what I liked I would upgrade and modify to how I liked. Definitely though now pushing near 40 I'm more for upright, powerful bikes with character

Definitely thinking bikes that are more upright. The RS was fine but wouldn't want anything more aggressive than that. Can get bar risers for it to if I needed. I liked the position of the Tracer. Reckon it would be comfy for miles. Do need to try an XSR900 but finding one to try is the hard part.

[jonindorset]

Try an MT10. Not so expensive now, the engine and chassis are amazing and wind protection is remarkably good even without a screen. I use mine mainly for motorways and dual carriageways (with some twisty bits at one end of the journey!) and with a Puig screen and spoiler the wind protection is superb.

[Birky_41]

jonindorset said:

Try an MT10. Not so expensive now, the engine and chassis are amazing and wind protection is remarkably good even without a screen. I use mine mainly for motorways and dual carriageways (with some twisty bits at one end of the journey!) and with a Puig screen and spoiler the wind protection is superb.

I had two guys both own one for 3 years and recently change. Both said the standard screen was designed really well and offered good wind protection for a naked

They don't need much to become a potent bike. Adding a link to get the wheel further back and stop the ridiculous amount of wheelies, change the front pads and get the boingers revalved. You could run fast group on track with one of these no sweat