Two bikes in one, Jekyll and Hyde sought
Discussion
Hi guys,
Having sold my RSV4 early this year I’m looking for a replacement for those weekend blasts but with the ability to do a motorway commute in comfort in the week (couple of times a week 120 miles). I know I need to go and sit on some bikes to see what feels right, but I’m wondering if there’s any bikes missing from my line up (MT-10, S1000R, Touno, Z1000sx, GSX-s1000)?
Max budget 8k
Needs
140bhp+
Comfortable
Carry pillion in semi comfort
Panniers or top box ability
Reliability
Positives
Cruise control
Good sounding (coming from RSV4)
Ability to do track days
MPG above 40 on a run
Is there any other bikes I should consider?
Having sold my RSV4 early this year I’m looking for a replacement for those weekend blasts but with the ability to do a motorway commute in comfort in the week (couple of times a week 120 miles). I know I need to go and sit on some bikes to see what feels right, but I’m wondering if there’s any bikes missing from my line up (MT-10, S1000R, Touno, Z1000sx, GSX-s1000)?
Max budget 8k
Needs
140bhp+
Comfortable
Carry pillion in semi comfort
Panniers or top box ability
Reliability
Positives
Cruise control
Good sounding (coming from RSV4)
Ability to do track days
MPG above 40 on a run
Is there any other bikes I should consider?
Sounds like you have a similar set of requirements as this recent thread ....
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The difficulty is that one mans "big fat tourer" is another mans sport bike. For example, BMW only every included the K1300S in their sport bike line up along with the S1000RR. 8 grand would definitely get you a good K1300S. Likewise, Honda pushed the VFR1200F as a "road sports" bike. Again, £8k will get you a very good one.
There's also the ZZR1400 and the Hayabusa, both sold as sports bikes.
Also mentioned in the other thread is the KTM SD GT. A bit of shopping around may just find you an early example within your price range.
There's also the ZZR1400 and the Hayabusa, both sold as sports bikes.
Also mentioned in the other thread is the KTM SD GT. A bit of shopping around may just find you an early example within your price range.
Edited by black-k1 on Saturday 18th July 11:17
I guess the only obvious omission from your list would be a Superduke R.
ETA: Triumph Speed Triple R is also worth a look at.
I cant help you out with the other bikes you have listed but I am on to my 2nd S1000R (a 2107 and now a 2019 model) and have a broadly similar set of requirements as you do.
While I dont do much motorway riding, the times I have done extended periods on the motorway, I find my bike to be absolutely fine for me. Being 6'-2" the wind hits across the top of my chest and shoulders nicely, reducing pressure on the wrists and with no buffeting of the head.
Heated grips are pretty decent, although there are other bikes out there with better ones. I do believe they improved them on the 2017 onwards bikes.
Cruise control is brilliant and it is one of those things hat I always thought was a waste of time on a bike (I was wrong).
On the road it can pootle along as slowly and sensibly as you like, but it can also pick its skirt up and run with the best of them. I've ridden with lads on Tuono 1100's, Superduke R's and 1299 Panigales and have never found myself lacking in any areas.
It holds its head high on track as well.
I tend not to take a great deal of notice on MPG but when I filled up yesterday I did notice that over the course 362 miles, with and average speed of 63mph it was showing 38mpg. That was from a run from Durham to Keilder / Jedburgh and back as well as ride home from Cadwell Park last weekend via back roads.
Only issues I had with my last bike was a faulty left hand control unit which houses the cruise control, but that was replaced without question under warranty. I do believe that some people have water pumps that leak as well bit i personally havent had that problem (i think Podman on here has though)
Pillion isn't the most comfy. My Mrs can manage an hour at most on the back. My son who is tall and skinny can manage the ride from Durham to Oulton Park in comfort, but starts dancing about on the ride home.
While looks are subjective, I quite like the look of mine in black and the Catalano Grey ones. The rest are a bit meh for me. And the looks are starting to show their age slightly now.
HTH
ETA: Triumph Speed Triple R is also worth a look at.
I cant help you out with the other bikes you have listed but I am on to my 2nd S1000R (a 2107 and now a 2019 model) and have a broadly similar set of requirements as you do.
While I dont do much motorway riding, the times I have done extended periods on the motorway, I find my bike to be absolutely fine for me. Being 6'-2" the wind hits across the top of my chest and shoulders nicely, reducing pressure on the wrists and with no buffeting of the head.
Heated grips are pretty decent, although there are other bikes out there with better ones. I do believe they improved them on the 2017 onwards bikes.
Cruise control is brilliant and it is one of those things hat I always thought was a waste of time on a bike (I was wrong).
On the road it can pootle along as slowly and sensibly as you like, but it can also pick its skirt up and run with the best of them. I've ridden with lads on Tuono 1100's, Superduke R's and 1299 Panigales and have never found myself lacking in any areas.
It holds its head high on track as well.
I tend not to take a great deal of notice on MPG but when I filled up yesterday I did notice that over the course 362 miles, with and average speed of 63mph it was showing 38mpg. That was from a run from Durham to Keilder / Jedburgh and back as well as ride home from Cadwell Park last weekend via back roads.
Only issues I had with my last bike was a faulty left hand control unit which houses the cruise control, but that was replaced without question under warranty. I do believe that some people have water pumps that leak as well bit i personally havent had that problem (i think Podman on here has though)
Pillion isn't the most comfy. My Mrs can manage an hour at most on the back. My son who is tall and skinny can manage the ride from Durham to Oulton Park in comfort, but starts dancing about on the ride home.
While looks are subjective, I quite like the look of mine in black and the Catalano Grey ones. The rest are a bit meh for me. And the looks are starting to show their age slightly now.
HTH
Edited by airsafari87 on Saturday 18th July 11:13
I had a BMW K1200R I used on track often. With 160+ Bhp it was very quick, makes a great noise (especially from the intake) and plenty good for touring too. I think the K1200/1300S is even better as its fully faired, but I didnt much care for the looks of the large front headlight.
But if you want a bike that does both things well, this definitely ticks the box.
But if you want a bike that does both things well, this definitely ticks the box.
Steve Bass said:
Aren't the BMW K12/1300's getting a bit long in the tooth, especially given the cost of maintenance on older models or those outside dealer warranty?
You're probably right. But I had my K1200r in 2016 and it was a 2008 model with the electronically adjustable suspension. 14k on it with full service history and was spot on. Dick Lovett BMW did my servicing and health checks for good price, and said they rarely get any problems at all. At that time they were still selling new K1300S models, so they ran for a good while and you could get a fairly recent one. If you were that worried you get separate extended warranties for fairly cheap these days anyway.
They really are a very complete bike though. Happy on the motorway but competent on track, even had their own race series in the BMW Powercup.
Only bike I've had that was nearly as good at everything was weirdly my K4 GSXR 1000.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Tuesday 21st July 14:34
To add to the K1300 talk, you can also take out the BMW Insured Warranty product, ~30-40 quid a month, for up to possibly 80k but I forget. In any case the only annoyance is suspension goes out of policy at 30k miles. Probably other stuff too but the suspension is the expensive bit I remember!
I took mine to CSS Day 1 a year or so ago. Loved it. It was only day 1 but... well as always, it's the rider more than the machine. It felt comfortable and confidence inspiring for me.
I took mine to CSS Day 1 a year or so ago. Loved it. It was only day 1 but... well as always, it's the rider more than the machine. It felt comfortable and confidence inspiring for me.
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