Why did you choose the bike you have?
Discussion
2017 Street Triple RS, cos it looks ace, handles brilliantly, is as quick as I need for the roads we have today in the UK ( yes I have owned much faster), it scratches, pootles and tours fine (2400 miles in 10 days round the pyrenees last year) and it ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.
There's nothing out there I would swap it for (well maybe a 2020 one if I had the cash).
There's nothing out there I would swap it for (well maybe a 2020 one if I had the cash).
Aprilia Falco.
It was cheap and faster than my old SV650, better brakes, better everything really.
My mate had owned it for years so i knew it was a good bike mechanically. It was a bit rough looking after a low side but it was only plastic damage.
Cost me a grand plus another few hundred to replace some scuffed panel's and fuel tank with second hand stuff. Looking good for a 20 year old I think.
It was cheap and faster than my old SV650, better brakes, better everything really.
My mate had owned it for years so i knew it was a good bike mechanically. It was a bit rough looking after a low side but it was only plastic damage.
Cost me a grand plus another few hundred to replace some scuffed panel's and fuel tank with second hand stuff. Looking good for a 20 year old I think.
I was looking for a more touring based bike, as we had planned a longer euro road trip.
I had a Yamaha r6 which was fine for 5 day trips.
I was torn between a Suzuki v Strom 1000 and a Kawasaki z1000sx
The Kawasaki won, simply because I wasn’t ready to go straight to adventure bike, it seemed a happy medium between sports and touring.
2 years in and it’s proved a fantastic bike .
2 big euro trips down and another planned for this year.
I had a Yamaha r6 which was fine for 5 day trips.
I was torn between a Suzuki v Strom 1000 and a Kawasaki z1000sx
The Kawasaki won, simply because I wasn’t ready to go straight to adventure bike, it seemed a happy medium between sports and touring.
2 years in and it’s proved a fantastic bike .
2 big euro trips down and another planned for this year.
I had a 125 for six months, and knew I wanted to do my DAS within a couple of months. A colleague who was my main source of inspiration had a Street Triple, which I liked the look of. I was also considering the MT-07. As I started to consider the practicalities (the bike was primarily for commuting) I began noticing the Tiger 800. I popped in to the local dealer after passing my Mod 1; they'd just got my bike (a 2013 Tiger 800) in the day before, and it was very reasonably priced. I fell in love with it on the spot and bought it immediately.
Because I wanted something similar to my KTM 450 dirt bike, lightweight and fun at sensible speeds.
Started looking at 640 Duke but for £1k more I could get the better 690 and for only £1k more I could move up 6 years, get the later engine and ABS so I bought a 2016 690 Duke - so far so good
Started looking at 640 Duke but for £1k more I could get the better 690 and for only £1k more I could move up 6 years, get the later engine and ABS so I bought a 2016 690 Duke - so far so good
Because after spending a week at 16000 RPM on an IL4 I wanted a bit more lower down, but I'm not old enough for a twin.
That left (pre MT09) the Triumph and the MV. I test rode back to back. The Triumph I had ridden previously and loved but after the MV it wiped the smile off my face, so I saddled back up and immediately placed an order for the Brutale triple.
It had its first service at six days old and it's first whole weekend on track the day after. Poor thing. At one point I think it was the highest mileage one in the UK.
That left (pre MT09) the Triumph and the MV. I test rode back to back. The Triumph I had ridden previously and loved but after the MV it wiped the smile off my face, so I saddled back up and immediately placed an order for the Brutale triple.
It had its first service at six days old and it's first whole weekend on track the day after. Poor thing. At one point I think it was the highest mileage one in the UK.
Baldchap said:
Because after spending a week at 16000 RPM on an IL4 I wanted a bit more lower down, but I'm not old enough for a twin.
That left (pre MT09) the Triumph and the MV. I test rode back to back. The Triumph I had ridden previously and loved but after the MV it wiped the smile off my face, so I saddled back up and immediately placed an order for the Brutale triple.
It had its first service at six days old and it's first whole weekend on track the day after. Poor thing. At one point I think it was the highest mileage one in the UK.
What mileage is on it now? I put 9,800 miles on mine in 18 monthsThat left (pre MT09) the Triumph and the MV. I test rode back to back. The Triumph I had ridden previously and loved but after the MV it wiped the smile off my face, so I saddled back up and immediately placed an order for the Brutale triple.
It had its first service at six days old and it's first whole weekend on track the day after. Poor thing. At one point I think it was the highest mileage one in the UK.
Tasmin200 said:
Aprilia Falco.
It was cheap and faster than my old SV650, better brakes, better everything really.
My mate had owned it for years so i knew it was a good bike mechanically. It was a bit rough looking after a low side but it was only plastic damage.
Cost me a grand plus another few hundred to replace some scuffed panel's and fuel tank with second hand stuff. Looking good for a 20 year old I think.
Nice bike that's gonna be my next bike after having a zx9r then a T509 Daytona I want to try a v twin, roll on summer!It was cheap and faster than my old SV650, better brakes, better everything really.
My mate had owned it for years so i knew it was a good bike mechanically. It was a bit rough looking after a low side but it was only plastic damage.
Cost me a grand plus another few hundred to replace some scuffed panel's and fuel tank with second hand stuff. Looking good for a 20 year old I think.
2009(08 model) ZX6R
I wanted a trackbike and I had the cash burning hole in my pocket. Enquired about a couple of R6’s but they were way past their best.
This bike made no sense whatsoever as it was at the opposite end of the country but since when did that matter? Hired a van, booked a hotel room and went and picked it up. It wasn’t a mistake as it’s done me proud for the past 3 years and never missed a beat. I’ve done 12/15 days on it in the uk and abroad, Just change the oil, filter, brake pads and throw fuel at it. Portimao booked in May, if the engine lasts the year I’ll look at rebuilding it next winter.
I wanted a trackbike and I had the cash burning hole in my pocket. Enquired about a couple of R6’s but they were way past their best.
This bike made no sense whatsoever as it was at the opposite end of the country but since when did that matter? Hired a van, booked a hotel room and went and picked it up. It wasn’t a mistake as it’s done me proud for the past 3 years and never missed a beat. I’ve done 12/15 days on it in the uk and abroad, Just change the oil, filter, brake pads and throw fuel at it. Portimao booked in May, if the engine lasts the year I’ll look at rebuilding it next winter.
Wanted something light, easy to ride and be fun just to get some experience on. Went for a 2017 MT07. Made the common newbie mistake of adding all the mods to it and probably spent more than I should have on a "budget" bike. End of last year added a ktech rear shock and now the bike feels fantastic even with my limited experience. Lesson learned - first thing to do - sort out the suspension. Plan to do some UK touring this year then perhaps further afield in 2021. The new 2020 1000 ninja sx tourer is tempting for next year's plans.
Liked the look of the MT range. Had an MT125 for a couple months before doing DAS, couldn't find anything else I wanted (except an R1M) so got myself an MT07. Thought it was a good place to start.
Absolutely love the way it looks, love the sound it makes, easy to ride.
I will 100% be getting an R1M when my insurance is less insane! Maybe for summer 2021.
Absolutely love the way it looks, love the sound it makes, easy to ride.
I will 100% be getting an R1M when my insurance is less insane! Maybe for summer 2021.
VFR750:
When I was working at McLaren I was sat next to a guy who had five VFR's and three RC30's, it was 1000 quid off ebay and anything that was wrong with it, this guy knew how to fix it. so an obvious, easy purchase for a commuter bike. On my second VFR 750 now, starts first time, every time and great on all sorts of different roads and weather.
Aprilia RSV4 RF:
I wanted something a bit special and was open to all 1000cc sports bikes, after owning a Ducati 999s, I was wary of the heat from a Ducati V4's through the seat, was not a fan of the odd lights on the S1000RR but ultimately it can down to money. Wheels Motorcycles in Peterborough were offering an amazing deal on the last of the 2018 bikes (pre-wings). I was and im still not a fan of the aesthetics of all these wings, whilst I do get that they serve a purpose, so it was an easy purchase.
I open my garage and I see my bikes and they make me smile.
When I was working at McLaren I was sat next to a guy who had five VFR's and three RC30's, it was 1000 quid off ebay and anything that was wrong with it, this guy knew how to fix it. so an obvious, easy purchase for a commuter bike. On my second VFR 750 now, starts first time, every time and great on all sorts of different roads and weather.
Aprilia RSV4 RF:
I wanted something a bit special and was open to all 1000cc sports bikes, after owning a Ducati 999s, I was wary of the heat from a Ducati V4's through the seat, was not a fan of the odd lights on the S1000RR but ultimately it can down to money. Wheels Motorcycles in Peterborough were offering an amazing deal on the last of the 2018 bikes (pre-wings). I was and im still not a fan of the aesthetics of all these wings, whilst I do get that they serve a purpose, so it was an easy purchase.
I open my garage and I see my bikes and they make me smile.
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