What to buy next
Discussion
My main bike is a Triumph Explorer, I’ve done about 16k miles on it in the last 4 years (I have 3 other bikes too), mainly touring.
Taken it to the Nordkapp etc, and it’s great for big journeys.
I’m kind of thinking about a change though, something a bit more mad would be good. The Explorer is really good at everything I use it for and to be honest is plenty fast enough.
Most of my riding is on country roads in Scotland.
So, wish list time. Ideally a V twin, 150ish bhp, comfy enough for big days (did 430 miles yesterday) and able to attach luggage for touring.
I’d like something lighter than the Explorer.
I’m not sportbike shaped at 6’2” and sturdy so they're all out.
Current shortlist is the Diavel, possibly a Superduke GT or super adventure, MT10 is kind of tempting too.
Anything else you would have a look at for about 10ish K?
And any owners care to say what they think about the bikes mentioned?
Taken it to the Nordkapp etc, and it’s great for big journeys.
I’m kind of thinking about a change though, something a bit more mad would be good. The Explorer is really good at everything I use it for and to be honest is plenty fast enough.
Most of my riding is on country roads in Scotland.
So, wish list time. Ideally a V twin, 150ish bhp, comfy enough for big days (did 430 miles yesterday) and able to attach luggage for touring.
I’d like something lighter than the Explorer.
I’m not sportbike shaped at 6’2” and sturdy so they're all out.
Current shortlist is the Diavel, possibly a Superduke GT or super adventure, MT10 is kind of tempting too.
Anything else you would have a look at for about 10ish K?
And any owners care to say what they think about the bikes mentioned?
Edited by Speed addicted on Monday 26th August 17:55
I’ve had a go of a Rocket 3, it was a hilarious 3 hours but they weigh about the same as a small moon. I’d prefer something a bit more flickable!
Multistrada might be an option, I’ve never been sure of the way it looks but the ride might sway me.
Thinking about it the S1000xr is in the same group!
Multistrada might be an option, I’ve never been sure of the way it looks but the ride might sway me.
Thinking about it the S1000xr is in the same group!
Speed addicted said:
Multistrada might be an option, I’ve never been sure of the way it looks but the ride might sway me.
Thinking about it the S1000xr is in the same group!
Get yourself a test ride.Thinking about it the S1000xr is in the same group!
Depends on taste obviously but Multistrada (particularly DVT model) kicks the arse of the frantic S1000XR all day long. So, so smooth at the bottom end and more than fast enough at the top. Loved the cruise control, dash etc.
I have an MT-10.
It`s fast and comfortable, although the fuel range can be a bit challenging, so not sure if that would affect its touring-credentials for you ?
It sounds fantastic, due to the cross-plane crank, and pretty similar to a V-twin (arguably better ?), and if you want "mad", well this thing ticks all the boxes. It feels like Yamaha took all the torque from further up the rev-range where it is on the R1, and instead stuck it at the bottom, because if you open it quickly in Mode 1, and you`re not holding tight, this thing will have you off the back of the bike.
Not for everyone, I know, but I love that about it, and not because I`m a quick rider (certainly not at 56, and probably not even when I was younger), but just because it`s exciting.
I`ve owned loads of Sports bikes over the years, from R1`s, Fireblades, Gixxers, ZX`s - all sorts - and never have I loved a bike like this before; I think it`s simply brilliant...
Test-ride one and see what you think.
It`s fast and comfortable, although the fuel range can be a bit challenging, so not sure if that would affect its touring-credentials for you ?
It sounds fantastic, due to the cross-plane crank, and pretty similar to a V-twin (arguably better ?), and if you want "mad", well this thing ticks all the boxes. It feels like Yamaha took all the torque from further up the rev-range where it is on the R1, and instead stuck it at the bottom, because if you open it quickly in Mode 1, and you`re not holding tight, this thing will have you off the back of the bike.
Not for everyone, I know, but I love that about it, and not because I`m a quick rider (certainly not at 56, and probably not even when I was younger), but just because it`s exciting.
I`ve owned loads of Sports bikes over the years, from R1`s, Fireblades, Gixxers, ZX`s - all sorts - and never have I loved a bike like this before; I think it`s simply brilliant...
Test-ride one and see what you think.
nomad63 said:
I have an MT-10.
It`s fast and comfortable, although the fuel range can be a bit challenging, so not sure if that would affect its touring-credentials for you ?
.
Define challenging? It`s fast and comfortable, although the fuel range can be a bit challenging, so not sure if that would affect its touring-credentials for you ?
.
I had an SV1000 a few years ago that struggled to get more than about 120 miles to empty if used enthusiastically, it became quite annoying on the west coast when the petrol station we were going to was shut and I didn’t make it to the next one!
Speed addicted said:
Define challenging?
I had an SV1000 a few years ago that struggled to get more than about 120 miles to empty if used enthusiastically, it became quite annoying on the west coast when the petrol station we were going to was shut and I didn’t make it to the next one!
It’ll easily beat that, I had my light on at 75 miles once, 110 miles and normally you’ll be sI had an SV1000 a few years ago that struggled to get more than about 120 miles to empty if used enthusiastically, it became quite annoying on the west coast when the petrol station we were going to was shut and I didn’t make it to the next one!
tting yourself you’re going to run out Speed addicted said:
Define challenging?
I had an SV1000 a few years ago that struggled to get more than about 120 miles to empty if used enthusiastically, it became quite annoying on the west coast when the petrol station we were going to was shut and I didn’t make it to the next one!
It`s pretty similar to your SV then, fuel-wise...I had an SV1000 a few years ago that struggled to get more than about 120 miles to empty if used enthusiastically, it became quite annoying on the west coast when the petrol station we were going to was shut and I didn’t make it to the next one!
The upside though (in addition to everything else I`ve said) is that you have proper Superbike performance, but yes, as with any Superbike, you pay for it in the fuel stakes.
Watching this topic with interest. I'm thinking of ditching the R1 and the Kettle and replacing both with something "fun". I'm just a bit too stiff and achey for the R1 (and I have a Thunderace at the back of the shed anyway which whilst not as focused, can replace that), and the Kettle, well, I love riding it and it's never let me down but I keep having it at the back of my head that it's 44 years old and if I wanted, say, to take a trip down to the Alps for a bit of fun, it might not cut it.
So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
CAPP0 said:
Watching this topic with interest. I'm thinking of ditching the R1 and the Kettle and replacing both with something "fun". I'm just a bit too stiff and achey for the R1 (and I have a Thunderace at the back of the shed anyway which whilst not as focused, can replace that), and the Kettle, well, I love riding it and it's never let me down but I keep having it at the back of my head that it's 44 years old and if I wanted, say, to take a trip down to the Alps for a bit of fun, it might not cut it.
So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
You have a pretty wide spread of power there! So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
I love the early Tuonos, but the new ones are that bit smaller and pretty rare up here.
I do like the new Indians, I think they’ve made a great job of them.
Speed addicted said:
CAPP0 said:
Watching this topic with interest. I'm thinking of ditching the R1 and the Kettle and replacing both with something "fun". I'm just a bit too stiff and achey for the R1 (and I have a Thunderace at the back of the shed anyway which whilst not as focused, can replace that), and the Kettle, well, I love riding it and it's never let me down but I keep having it at the back of my head that it's 44 years old and if I wanted, say, to take a trip down to the Alps for a bit of fun, it might not cut it.
So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
You have a pretty wide spread of power there! So I started out thinking "something Kettle-shaped but newer", and prob not 2-stroke, but my half-hearted shortlist currently ended up like this:
Indian FTR1200
Triumph Speed Twin
BMW XR1000
Ducati Diavel
Although not by any means in that order. Also thought about a Tuono, I've had the 2nd-gen twin before and liked it, but I believe the V4 is physically a lot smaller? (and I'm not!)
I love the early Tuonos, but the new ones are that bit smaller and pretty rare up here.
I do like the new Indians, I think they’ve made a great job of them.
Just found out there are three Indian dealers within striking distance of me so I'll go for a nose around.
Actually when I look back at the list I wrote above, that probably IS in order of current preference.
CAPP0 said:
I guess I do, although it's not ultimately about power (or lack of) for me.
Just found out there are three Indian dealers within striking distance of me so I'll go for a nose around.
Actually when I look back at the list I wrote above, that probably IS in order of current preference.
I’ve currently got 4 bikes, and enjoy booming around the place on my 80bhp Ducati ST2 Cafe racer thing as much as the far more powerful Triumph, just in a different way. Just found out there are three Indian dealers within striking distance of me so I'll go for a nose around.
Actually when I look back at the list I wrote above, that probably IS in order of current preference.
However for the bike I’ll take touring I’d want more power, mainly because my friends have things like Hayabusas and I don’t like being the slowest bike in the group!
I also really like lazy engines with lots of grunt for working my way past the hundreds campervans and dozy prats you get in a Scottish summer.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff