What should i do? bike dilemma
Discussion
I'm having troubles working out what to do about a bike. I'll explain fully if you're interested but put a tldr at the end
I'm 22 and have been riding about 4 years, mostly sunday blasts with a pillion quite often. First big bike (A2) was a leggy Bandit 600. I passed my full test last summer and towards the end of the year saved for a new bike. I decided on a 05 R1, not much sense went into the decision other than it was an R1 and it was quite cheap.
The R1 is good, but I'm not sure its for me. I don't ride it to its potential, I'll go quick on a straight but that's it. I haven't done a track day and spend 80% of time in traffic and normal roads, and maybe 20% enjoying the Welsh roads near me. I don't find it comfortable, hurts my wrists after like 30 mins (I didnt expect it to be). The OH doesn't like it at all, despite lowering the pegs and fitting a tank handle it's not working. We rode for 1 hour and we're both in agony, dreading the journey back. My excuse has always been we are young and flexible and should make the most of it. She doesn't really like to come on it at all anymore (she loved the Bandit, fell asleep more than once).
I've been thinking about getting something more sensible. Whether as a second bike or just to replace the R1. I stupidly test rode a new R1250RT the other day. I know it is hardly the bike of a 22 year old but I loved it. It was quick, super comfy albeit not overly fun. I could have stayed out on it all day but had to go back. I found I rode far more sensibly on it ( I ride the r1 like a bit of a nob at times). Getting back on the R1 was a little disappointing. It felt tiny, and uncomfortable straight away.
I knew spending nearly £20000 on a bike was not possible for me and it wouldn't fit in my gate, so I also test rode an old leggy FJR 1300. I still enjoyed that, quick, comfy, doesn't look to bad and would be fantastic for 2up work. It felt a little old and spongy, but not too bad.
I love the R1 in a way, it looks amazing, goes like something off a stick, and has far more potential than I do. I've done about 2.5k miles since November and have become kind of attached. I don't know if I can afford 2 bikes, particularly as my insurance prices are still a bit high. I think I may have answered my own question here but would really like some input.
TL DR
I have 2 main thoughts right now.
-Sell the R1 and spend around 4-5k on a more sensible bike (tourer, sports tourer, or maybe like a GS)
-Keep the R1 and get a leggy tourer around 1.5k
I
I'm 22 and have been riding about 4 years, mostly sunday blasts with a pillion quite often. First big bike (A2) was a leggy Bandit 600. I passed my full test last summer and towards the end of the year saved for a new bike. I decided on a 05 R1, not much sense went into the decision other than it was an R1 and it was quite cheap.
The R1 is good, but I'm not sure its for me. I don't ride it to its potential, I'll go quick on a straight but that's it. I haven't done a track day and spend 80% of time in traffic and normal roads, and maybe 20% enjoying the Welsh roads near me. I don't find it comfortable, hurts my wrists after like 30 mins (I didnt expect it to be). The OH doesn't like it at all, despite lowering the pegs and fitting a tank handle it's not working. We rode for 1 hour and we're both in agony, dreading the journey back. My excuse has always been we are young and flexible and should make the most of it. She doesn't really like to come on it at all anymore (she loved the Bandit, fell asleep more than once).
I've been thinking about getting something more sensible. Whether as a second bike or just to replace the R1. I stupidly test rode a new R1250RT the other day. I know it is hardly the bike of a 22 year old but I loved it. It was quick, super comfy albeit not overly fun. I could have stayed out on it all day but had to go back. I found I rode far more sensibly on it ( I ride the r1 like a bit of a nob at times). Getting back on the R1 was a little disappointing. It felt tiny, and uncomfortable straight away.
I knew spending nearly £20000 on a bike was not possible for me and it wouldn't fit in my gate, so I also test rode an old leggy FJR 1300. I still enjoyed that, quick, comfy, doesn't look to bad and would be fantastic for 2up work. It felt a little old and spongy, but not too bad.
I love the R1 in a way, it looks amazing, goes like something off a stick, and has far more potential than I do. I've done about 2.5k miles since November and have become kind of attached. I don't know if I can afford 2 bikes, particularly as my insurance prices are still a bit high. I think I may have answered my own question here but would really like some input.
TL DR
I have 2 main thoughts right now.
-Sell the R1 and spend around 4-5k on a more sensible bike (tourer, sports tourer, or maybe like a GS)
-Keep the R1 and get a leggy tourer around 1.5k
I
hiccy18 said:
Sell the R1, doesn't souind like it suits you. Triumph Sprint 1050?
That's how it feels. If i could afford, and fit, a collection of bikes, it would be nice to have a few, but being restricted to one means maybe a sports bike isn't best.I've looked at Sprints before, the GT 1050 seems like a good choice, if a little dated. I also like the FJR but a longer test ride would be needed.
Andybow said:
Sell the r1 and get something that suits what you want, it’s your money, you do what you want!
Have a go on k1300s, r1200rs, zzr1400, or more upright, tracer, tiger sport
Thanks, I think I'd rather something more upright. I quite like the look of the Tiger Explorer, but worried it wouldn't be much funHave a go on k1300s, r1200rs, zzr1400, or more upright, tracer, tiger sport
FlabbyMidgets said:
Andybow said:
Sell the r1 and get something that suits what you want, it’s your money, you do what you want!
Have a go on k1300s, r1200rs, zzr1400, or more upright, tracer, tiger sport
Thanks, I think I'd rather something more upright. I quite like the look of the Tiger Explorer, but worried it wouldn't be much funHave a go on k1300s, r1200rs, zzr1400, or more upright, tracer, tiger sport
I bought it specifically for the speed, its pretty agile for a bike bike, quickshifter, ESA ABS etc...... and most importantly the misses loves it for pillion.And we're both 40 (well she nearly is).
Took it for my first track day around Oulton the other week and it was more than up to the job.
And whilst it isn't fully upright, its a comfy sporty position. Have a look on cycle-ergo
https://cycle-ergo.com/
I mean wow, 22 and that's the bikes your considering.
A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of s
t storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot.
I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of s
t storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot. I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
moanthebairns said:
I mean wow, 22 and that's the bikes your considering.
A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of st storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot.
I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
He's just quicker to learn what is actually important.A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of s
t storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot. I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
Subjectively
i prescribe..........
yoga
after six weeks or so the bike will be fine and you'll be flexible and bendy and have an inner strength and stamina you didn't know you had, along with your GF, you'll have lots of fun trying lots of new positions and put the very silly ideas of GS, RT and FJR out of your mind
ffs you're 22 not 62/72/82
yoga
after six weeks or so the bike will be fine and you'll be flexible and bendy and have an inner strength and stamina you didn't know you had, along with your GF, you'll have lots of fun trying lots of new positions and put the very silly ideas of GS, RT and FJR out of your mind
ffs you're 22 not 62/72/82
snagzie said:
moanthebairns said:
I mean wow, 22 and that's the bikes your considering.
A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of st storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot.
I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
He's just quicker to learn what is actually important.A guy from work just bought his first bike a Triumph Tiger 800 (he's 28), he got the seller to drop it off at work. The seller and his mates arrived dressed in some sort of s
t storm troopers uniform, rukka'd up to their tits, I think they deliberately tried to made as much noise as possible coming into the car park to seem cool or something. They weren't. It was only after taking their lids off I realised none of them were any older than myself (32). Once they unzipped their many layers of man made Kevylar st, they spent the best part of the handover talking over the storage boxes and the boot. I mean wtf happened to the youth of today. It wasn't like that in my time.
Subjectively
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