Bikes with Soul/Character?
Discussion
Ok, appreciate this is massively subjective and hard to define but looking for something to re-kindle a bit of passion again.
A few years ago I had a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. Loved that bike, it was flawed but I really connected with it and was gutted when I came off it a few years ago.
Replaced it with a Z100sx and while it's objectively a better bike in every way I find it soulless. Usually a decent length journey makes me love a bike but 2,000 miles round France in 2019 left me a but 'meh' about it.
Now looking for a replacement. Most of the journeys I do are longer ones so on the list are things like the MultiStrada and the S1000xr, as well as a couple of KTMs. Thing is, I don't look at any of them and think 'wow'
Anything else I should consider? Will obviously go and test rides but it's a long time til the weekend and I'm daydreaming. Budget is about £8k and I'm relatively tall. In all honesty I find the 140bhp of the Z more than I need but I do want some kinda of comfort.
A few years ago I had a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. Loved that bike, it was flawed but I really connected with it and was gutted when I came off it a few years ago.
Replaced it with a Z100sx and while it's objectively a better bike in every way I find it soulless. Usually a decent length journey makes me love a bike but 2,000 miles round France in 2019 left me a but 'meh' about it.
Now looking for a replacement. Most of the journeys I do are longer ones so on the list are things like the MultiStrada and the S1000xr, as well as a couple of KTMs. Thing is, I don't look at any of them and think 'wow'
Anything else I should consider? Will obviously go and test rides but it's a long time til the weekend and I'm daydreaming. Budget is about £8k and I'm relatively tall. In all honesty I find the 140bhp of the Z more than I need but I do want some kinda of comfort.
Edited by Mr Scruff on Monday 19th April 14:08
Iminquarantine said:
Sounds like you need something that will break down a lot 
That definitely sounds like my old Triumph!Krikkit said:
What about a Multistrada 950? Not big litre poke but still plenty at 115hp ish, bags of V-twin torque, decent electronics.
Yes, I think the 950 is the current frontrunner but I can't get excited about the looks of 'adventure' bikes. I don't doubt how good they are but they're rarely lookers!I found my Tiger 955I totally meh. but the Bonneville I have now definitely has character and maybe some soul.
I'd say something like a Ducati 851 or early 90s 900sss would have both.
I reckon the 80s big bore two strokes have both.
But none of these would fit your requirements.
Honda Crossrunner? That has a very characterful engine.
I'd say something like a Ducati 851 or early 90s 900sss would have both.
I reckon the 80s big bore two strokes have both.
But none of these would fit your requirements.
Honda Crossrunner? That has a very characterful engine.
Edited by Derventio on Monday 19th April 14:46
Rekindling the passion with a bike that is set up to be comfortable on longer runs can be a little harder than with something designed to get around a track quickly. It's quite easy to get excited about fast turn in, ultra light steering, instant throttle response etc. but being used for longer runs it can also be about how you feel after a 500 mile day or what it's like when riding for 3 hours through very heavy rain and gusty wind. A bike that is razor sharp, with a near "telepathic" ability to change direction will not be viewed well if it almost cripples the rider that sits on it for more than 45 minutes at a time.
I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
Mr Scruff said:
Krikkit said:
What about a Multistrada 950? Not big litre poke but still plenty at 115hp ish, bags of V-twin torque, decent electronics.
Yes, I think the 950 is the current frontrunner but I can't get excited about the looks of 'adventure' bikes. I don't doubt how good they are but they're rarely lookers!I think a lot of Moto Guzzi bikes would fit the description. I've got a V7, and definitely has some character about it. Although I don't love it yet, like I did my GSXR 750 SRAD.
I've had several bikes of different types, and they've all had character one way or another, a regular bike is much more interesting driving experience than a regular car. I guess that's often why we buy them.
Only bikes I've ridden that were somewhat soulless/boring, were Japanese 125 commuter type things. Nothing wrong with them, but pretty anonymous. Amusingly I've ridden a few of their early 2000's Chinese counterparts, which usually had a lot more character, although that wasnt necessarily a good thing.
I've had several bikes of different types, and they've all had character one way or another, a regular bike is much more interesting driving experience than a regular car. I guess that's often why we buy them.
Only bikes I've ridden that were somewhat soulless/boring, were Japanese 125 commuter type things. Nothing wrong with them, but pretty anonymous. Amusingly I've ridden a few of their early 2000's Chinese counterparts, which usually had a lot more character, although that wasnt necessarily a good thing.
Do you need paniers?
Are you taking a pillion?
If not/only occasionally maybe move your mindset a little and think of something more fun.
I bought a new Gen3 KTM SDR 6 months ago and it's the comfiest laugh a minute bike I've ever owned, I've got a friend who's got a later RSV4 Tuono which I had a blat on yesterday, different to the KTM but equally as enjoyable. You could easily do a day in the saddle on each, I've had the missus on the back of the KTM and she enjoyed it also.
Are you taking a pillion?
If not/only occasionally maybe move your mindset a little and think of something more fun.
I bought a new Gen3 KTM SDR 6 months ago and it's the comfiest laugh a minute bike I've ever owned, I've got a friend who's got a later RSV4 Tuono which I had a blat on yesterday, different to the KTM but equally as enjoyable. You could easily do a day in the saddle on each, I've had the missus on the back of the KTM and she enjoyed it also.
black-k1 said:
Rekindling the passion with a bike that is set up to be comfortable on longer runs can be a little harder than with something designed to get around a track quickly. It's quite easy to get excited about fast turn in, ultra light steering, instant throttle response etc. but being used for longer runs it can also be about how you feel after a 500 mile day or what it's like when riding for 3 hours through very heavy rain and gusty wind. A bike that is razor sharp, with a near "telepathic" ability to change direction will not be viewed well if it almost cripples the rider that sits on it for more than 45 minutes at a time.
I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
K1300S is on the list but wondering if it's a little too far over to the 'autobhan stormer' category. SD1290GT is definitely up there, ZZR1400 is again too hyper-tourer for me. I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
Moulder said:
One of my favourite looking bikes at the moment, and would tick my own soul box.
I rode one for a few hours and liked it, others have been hospitalised by journeys of the same duration so not for everyone comfort wise.
Only negative I gave heard is clutch changes are expensive.
Love one but my back is hurting just looking at that I rode one for a few hours and liked it, others have been hospitalised by journeys of the same duration so not for everyone comfort wise.
Only negative I gave heard is clutch changes are expensive.
Freakuk said:
Do you need paniers?
Are you taking a pillion?
Apologies for the quote chop - yes, definitely need panniers. I don't take pillion but I'd say 80% of my mileage is with panniers on.Are you taking a pillion?
Need:
Wind protection/fairing of some sort
Panniers
Decent range (200 miles be good)
Something that doesn't look like it was stored too close to the fire!
Another Guzzi vote here, I've got a V12 and I'm amazed at how many people want to stop and talk about it when parked up. I'd pondered changing it going back to an adventure style bike but it's really grown on me.
Not a 'great' bike by any means but super comfy with a taller screen fitted, tons of torque and 200 miles on a tank can be done. Hepco/Becker do the racks for panniers and boxes. Mine's a 2007 but I think they stopped making them c2012 if that's not too old.
Not a 'great' bike by any means but super comfy with a taller screen fitted, tons of torque and 200 miles on a tank can be done. Hepco/Becker do the racks for panniers and boxes. Mine's a 2007 but I think they stopped making them c2012 if that's not too old.
Mr Scruff said:
black-k1 said:
Rekindling the passion with a bike that is set up to be comfortable on longer runs can be a little harder than with something designed to get around a track quickly. It's quite easy to get excited about fast turn in, ultra light steering, instant throttle response etc. but being used for longer runs it can also be about how you feel after a 500 mile day or what it's like when riding for 3 hours through very heavy rain and gusty wind. A bike that is razor sharp, with a near "telepathic" ability to change direction will not be viewed well if it almost cripples the rider that sits on it for more than 45 minutes at a time.
I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
K1300S is on the list but wondering if it's a little too far over to the 'autobhan stormer' category. SD1290GT is definitely up there, ZZR1400 is again too hyper-tourer for me. I'd suggest looking at a KTM SD1290GT, a K1300S and a ZZR1400. While all are more that 140bhp they all offer a huge spread of usable torque from low rpm.
Need:
Wind protection/fairing of some sort
Panniers
Decent range (200 miles be good)
Something that doesn't look like it was stored too close to the fire!
I did over 100,000 miles on a pair of K1300Ss. Everything from 600 mile days, to riding Alpine passes to daily commuting into central London to back road days out. 50mpg, 200 mile tank range all day (and the next day) comfort, integral luggage, electronic suspension... Give one a really decent test ride. I suspect it may be the answer to your question.
Mr Scruff said:
Krikkit said:
What about a Multistrada 950? Not big litre poke but still plenty at 115hp ish, bags of V-twin torque, decent electronics.
Yes, I think the 950 is the current frontrunner but I can't get excited about the looks of 'adventure' bikes. I don't doubt how good they are but they're rarely lookers!Mirrors were a bit blurry as a moan and the one I rode had a full Akrapovic system on it which was embarrassing as I entered a town square that was doing a HRH funeral last post wotsit.
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