Why did you choose the bike you have?

Why did you choose the bike you have?

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Discussion

A500leroy

Original Poster:

5,085 posts

117 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
quotequote all
What made you buy THIS bike over anything else?

Stuart70

3,910 posts

182 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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More substantial than a Tracer, less bulky than a Triumph 800 XC and less top heavy than an Africa Twin.

Not like any of them, Kawasaki Z1000SX.
Still wish I had tried Triumph Street Triple - looks put me off, but reckon I would have loved the bike.
Next time....

Esceptico

7,347 posts

108 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Most recent purchase a new GSXR 750. I needed a bike as just moved to NZ. Wanted a good handling, light bike with enough power for good overtaking but nothing silly (more interested in using all the tyre than all the throttle). Was looking at Street Triple and KTM Duke 790 too but the GSXR was on very special offer and I got it for only £7500 (the other two were close to £10k). I’m very interested in the new Aprilia RS660 but that wasn’t available.

PurpleTurtle

6,941 posts

143 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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2002 VFR800 VTEC ... because of its 'do anything' ability.

I've put 30,000 of its 42,000 miles on it and apart from a recent poor MPG issue (seemed to be a malfunction in the Power Commander I've had on it for years, now removed) it has hardly missed a beat. It just keeps on going, has taken me on several European tours and I commute on it all year round and barely clean it, it still just takes the miles.

It has only needed consumables: tyres, pads, discs, a chain & sprocket kit, a couple of batteries and new cam chain followers, all of which I have been able to DIY maintain on the drive at home.

One MOT reckoned it needed head race bearings as they were supposedly shot, but a) I couldn't notice it and b) couldn't tell any difference whatsoever after paying 170 quid to have them replaced, but had to swallow that bill as I needed it back on the road quickly. Still think I was conned so haven't taken it or either of my other two bikes back to that garage since.

It's 18yrs old now, fairing looks a bit scabby in places, I plan to just run it into the ground.

podman

8,850 posts

239 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Test rode the 3 bikes from my shortlist/budget and choose the one I preferred the most, which was on paper, the one I liked the least before riding them..

The classic bikes where more emotional purchases, always wanted or had one being the main factor...

Rsdop

458 posts

116 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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GSXR 750. Had a 600 Hornet for 18 months after getting my bike licence and wanted to upgrade to a sports bike. I really wanted a 954 Fireblade but couldn’t find a nice one, spotted the the GSXR and fell in love with the colour and the reviews were all good. No regrets glad I didn’t find a Blade now!

hiccy18

2,625 posts

66 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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SV650X: I've always fancied trying an SV at some point, have always like the cafe racer style (didn't realise it was a fad), and most of all the PCP deal was so stupidly cheap I couldn't say no. Nice bike, only criticism is a bit light and cramped for pillion carrying.

Jazoli

9,086 posts

249 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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I wanted a 1000cc sports tourer with all the latest electronics for under £10k and not an adv bike or a naked, there was only one choice really, so I got a Z1000SX, and I really like it.


Alan_B

49 posts

71 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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2019 Tracer 900 GT: Value for money. I bought an ex demo at circa 2k under list price. It's a great all rounder. Discounted Triumps due to build quality (possibly just poor care one the ones I looked at) GS850 was nice but felt a bit peculiar coming from an early Hornet.

When you look at the standard kit - panniers, heated grips, cruise, rider modes, selectable TC, TFT screen, 20 months warranty etc at around 8.5k it was hard to walk past.

Versys 1000 was a very close second but

Brads67

3,199 posts

97 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Ewan and Charlie

Guess what bike. On my second and have loved every minute of them.

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Because I was supposed to buy a CBR600 or Ducati 749 then saw a 48 year old BSA 650 with flames painted on the tank. Flames.

Andybow

1,175 posts

117 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Tried a few different ones, ended up with a superadventure s , wanted the gt but the deal was too good.
Had a africa twin and speed triple , wanted just one road bike that could do everything, so far so good

Brads67

3,199 posts

97 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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crofty1984 said:
Because I was supposed to buy a CBR600 or Ducati 749 then saw a 48 year old BSA 650 with flames painted on the tank. Flames.
You made the correct choice.

Triaguar

831 posts

212 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Great build quality, fast, good handling, reliable, loads of aftermarket goodies, large dealer network with immediate parts supply.

Of course it's a Fireblade.

NS400R

463 posts

158 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Triaguar said:
Great build quality, fast, good handling, reliable, loads of aftermarket goodies, large dealer network with immediate parts supply.

Of course it's a Fireblade.
Ditto. Can't beat Honda build quality. That said, at the price of the 2020 blade, I'd be tempted by the BMW if I were to change. That and having a bad time with a dealer that rhymes with lady garden.

Tam_Mullen

2,280 posts

171 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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An ‘04 SV650s

Everyone says it would be an ideal first bike. Found a well looked after very low mileage one with the bits I’d wanted done for what I thought was a bargain!

ssray

1,094 posts

224 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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1999 cbr600fx it's light and I'm not man enough for a blade, tried a 929 but with a knackered shoulder the 600 fitted better
Also has a ktec front end and a nitron shock

Edited by ssray on Thursday 13th February 09:23

klootzak

622 posts

215 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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A surprising test ride.

I had a buy back/trade-in offer from the dealer because my previous bike had turned out to be a bit of a nightmare.

The dealer was handling KTM, BMW, Honda and Ducati at the time, which rather limited my choices.

Test rode a Ducati Scrambler somewhat under protest since I didn't really like the looks or hipster vibe it had. But it was brilliant fun to ride. Everything I wanted, in fact. Deal was done there and then.

In truth though, if the 797 Monster had been available at the time I'd probably have gone for that instead.

k

marksx

5,052 posts

189 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Because it's from the early 80's and cool as smokin

GPz 1100

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

260 months

Wednesday 12th February 2020
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Bike, 1200GS

Reasons,
Plenty of legroom.
Shaft drive.
1200RT felt too front heavy and bulky.
No convenient Honda dealer.
FJR1300 felt cramped.