New bike day... an optimal winter purchase! Speed Twin 1200
Discussion
Dream realised this week. Adding a second bike to the garage is something I've wanted to do for years, financially it was never achievable, especially with a money pit like the Project_5AXO ( https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1918115&i=200 ) rolling along sucking up funds like it's going out of fashion!
I've been looking at a 2nd bike for the best part of 18months with a view to actually making it happen, dreaming more than anything. However, this week I pulled the pin and threw the grenade into the bank account.
I already have a 2017 BMW S1000XR SE. I adore it, it's my second one and I wouldn't have any other sports tourer. Perhaps an M1000XR but that's lottery money! I specifically wanted something polar opposite and definitely not a 4 pot. As the BMW does the touring and sporty/racey stuff so damn well it had to be away from this.
I've had a Triumph Bobber Black before, I enjoyed it but it was a one trick pony. It didn't stay for long. But I did enjoy the motor in it. I toyed with Z900RS, XSR900GP, R9T, 765RS, 1200RS etc. Ultimately the 1200 speed twin really appealed. I tried to get on a new 2023 model in the summer but my local dealer damaged the demo bike on the morning I turned up so that was ruled out. ABR didn't have one to ride from memory and I was still blinded by the 765RS in yellow at the time!
More autotrader browsing, filter by distance and low and behold....a late 1st generation bike turned up at my local BMW dealer in Northampton. Worth a visit for sure. I wasn't too bothered about 1st gen vs 2nd gen (or even gen 3 now). It also head the exact spec I wanted;
Heated grips
Limited colour choices but I didnt want black - this is red
Billet levers
Various trim bits from new
Tail Tidy
LED indicators
Rad guard
Aftermarket exhaust and decat - vance and hines
All things I'd end up doing myself at significant cost.
and probably the best unexpected feature. Nitron suspension front and rear. Looking into it, these are a ~2.5k upgrade!
1 owner from new. 9k miles, full service history, excellent condition, brand new tyres.
Headed over for a test ride in 2DegC icey conditions. Took it pretty steady not wanting to drop a bike that's not mine. Loved every second of it. Comfy, smooth, loads of go. Couldn't really push the handling. Managed to make a deal and collected it a few days later. Here she is;
and at home with it's new garage friends:
Just waiting for the weather now...rained every day since I got it!
I've been looking at a 2nd bike for the best part of 18months with a view to actually making it happen, dreaming more than anything. However, this week I pulled the pin and threw the grenade into the bank account.
I already have a 2017 BMW S1000XR SE. I adore it, it's my second one and I wouldn't have any other sports tourer. Perhaps an M1000XR but that's lottery money! I specifically wanted something polar opposite and definitely not a 4 pot. As the BMW does the touring and sporty/racey stuff so damn well it had to be away from this.
I've had a Triumph Bobber Black before, I enjoyed it but it was a one trick pony. It didn't stay for long. But I did enjoy the motor in it. I toyed with Z900RS, XSR900GP, R9T, 765RS, 1200RS etc. Ultimately the 1200 speed twin really appealed. I tried to get on a new 2023 model in the summer but my local dealer damaged the demo bike on the morning I turned up so that was ruled out. ABR didn't have one to ride from memory and I was still blinded by the 765RS in yellow at the time!
More autotrader browsing, filter by distance and low and behold....a late 1st generation bike turned up at my local BMW dealer in Northampton. Worth a visit for sure. I wasn't too bothered about 1st gen vs 2nd gen (or even gen 3 now). It also head the exact spec I wanted;
Heated grips
Limited colour choices but I didnt want black - this is red
Billet levers
Various trim bits from new
Tail Tidy
LED indicators
Rad guard
Aftermarket exhaust and decat - vance and hines
All things I'd end up doing myself at significant cost.
and probably the best unexpected feature. Nitron suspension front and rear. Looking into it, these are a ~2.5k upgrade!
1 owner from new. 9k miles, full service history, excellent condition, brand new tyres.
Headed over for a test ride in 2DegC icey conditions. Took it pretty steady not wanting to drop a bike that's not mine. Loved every second of it. Comfy, smooth, loads of go. Couldn't really push the handling. Managed to make a deal and collected it a few days later. Here she is;
and at home with it's new garage friends:
Just waiting for the weather now...rained every day since I got it!
Congrats
Looks fantastic and I bet it's a lovely ride with the shock upgrade. Personally though I can't stand bar end mirrors, they don't look any better and make it a pain if you ever need to squeeze through traffic to get to the front of the lights. So I'd have to go back to the originals. Always like'd the Triumphs though. The best of the retro's.
I too have an XR but my alternative is a V-twin Tuono.
Looks fantastic and I bet it's a lovely ride with the shock upgrade. Personally though I can't stand bar end mirrors, they don't look any better and make it a pain if you ever need to squeeze through traffic to get to the front of the lights. So I'd have to go back to the originals. Always like'd the Triumphs though. The best of the retro's.
I too have an XR but my alternative is a V-twin Tuono.
Harry H said:
Personally though I can't stand bar end mirrors, they don't look any better and make it a pain if you ever need to squeeze through traffic to get to the front of the lights. So I'd have to go back to the originals.
I'm not sure about Gen 1, but mine came with bar end mirrors as stock, so do many other Triumphs. I much prefer them.For me the Gen 1 had a real retro look to it. The Gen 2 (which is still stunning) updated a few bits which made it a little more sporty, Brembo M50(is the the right reference number) calipers. Upside down forks. A sportier looking wheel etc. I have zero doubt it's the better bike and I certainly would've had one had the budget and spec allowed. I'm still super happy with my Gen 1.
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