Sportsbike to something more comfy?
Sportsbike to something more comfy?
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Discussion

R1_JON

Original Poster:

859 posts

264 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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I've always had sportsbikes (Blades \ GSXRs \ R1s)and in general I think that they are bloody uncomfortable, unless you are travelling at warp factor 10 when the wind lifts the weight off your wrists.

So I'm thinking maybe its time I got something a bit more comfy but still quick. I've always liked the triumph speed triple so this is one candidate. I guess the other option is to look at somthing more hyper bike, like zzr1400 or busa etc.

The only problem then is trackdays but I probably only want to do 4 or 5 a year, so I think I could just hire a bike for those.

Has anyone gone from sportsbikes to something more comfy and did you regret it? Any suggestions for other bikes I could consider?






anonymous-user

75 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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I'm lucky enough to have a sportsbike and a naked bike (Z1000) and I know where you're coming from. When I'm in the mood the sportsbike is great and I love the feeling of being 'on it', but for so much of my riding, the Z1000 is just brilliant! The power is more than enough, the riding position is comfortable and great for town work and country lane hooning, the steering lock is miles better than my sportsbike and it's a laugh to ride! It's not so good on motorways at speed as there is a fair bit of wind blast so it depends on what riding you do. I've also ridden a Speed Triple and it too is great (with better suspension and a beefier feel to it - the Kawasaki has shades of Tonka Toy about it!). The Superduke is even better, by all accounts, with top suspension and a great engine - you'd embarrass plenty of sports bikes on track with it! Other choices:

Fazer
Bandit
Triumph Tiger
SV 1000
Multistrada
Aprilia Falco

I reckon you'd have a blast on any of them, but I suppose you need to try them first and see what tickles you! Good luck!

black-k1

12,627 posts

250 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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Add to the list the following:

BMW K1200S
BMW R1200S/R1100S
BMW R1200GS/R1150GS

Honda Blackbird/VFR800

anonymous-user

75 months

Friday 25th May 2007
quotequote all
Gethyn said:
I'm lucky enough to have a sportsbike and a naked bike (Z1000) and I know where you're coming from. When I'm in the mood the sportsbike is great and I love the feeling of being 'on it', but for so much of my riding, the Z1000 is just brilliant! The power is more than enough, the riding position is comfortable and great for town work and country lane hooning, the steering lock is miles better than my sportsbike and it's a laugh to ride! It's not so good on motorways at speed as there is a fair bit of wind blast so it depends on what riding you do. I've also ridden a Speed Triple and it too is great (with better suspension and a beefier feel to it - the Kawasaki has shades of Tonka Toy about it!). The Superduke is even better, by all accounts, with top suspension and a great engine - you'd embarrass plenty of sports bikes on track with it! Other choices:

Fazer
Bandit
Triumph Tiger
SV 1000
Multistrada
Aprilia Falco

I reckon you'd have a blast on any of them, but I suppose you need to try them first and see what tickles you! Good luck!
Superduke cloud9

The Tramp

918 posts

238 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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another vote for Superduke....

All the mags seem to love it... Road or Track

Davel

8,982 posts

279 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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K1200GT?

Pretty fast, tours, commutes.

A bit pricey but, hey, it is a BMW...

Wacky Racer

40,418 posts

268 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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I have a 1200 Bandit, plenty fast enough for wheelies,yikes fairly cheap insurance, good on fuel and very comfortable over long distances with no pressure on the wrists at all.......Just over 5k brand new.....

veetwin

1,572 posts

278 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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+1 for the Superduke comes fitted with a sackful of Kudos as standard. Nice White Power kit as well.

R1_JON

Original Poster:

859 posts

264 months

Friday 25th May 2007
quotequote all
scratchchin Hmmmm, not sure about the superduke, I know they are supposed to be proper quick but to my eye at least they are proper ugly too !! Might try one this weekend.

Maybe I should swap over to a newer R1, I know the 04/05 model was considered a bit more comfy.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Oilyyyy

120 posts

232 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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What i think you need is some sit-ups!!

get those abs toned up then you don't sit on your wrists smile

tentative

62 posts

231 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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a further vote for SuperDuke!

biker's nemesis

40,890 posts

229 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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R1_JON said:
scratchchin Hmmmm, not sure about the superduke, I know they are supposed to be proper quick but to my eye at least they are proper ugly too !! Might try one this weekend.

Maybe I should swap over to a newer R1, I know the 04/05 model was considered a bit more comfy.

Thanks for the suggestions.
I've arranged to try the big Yamaha MT-01 this weekend,Although I might put it off till next week as the weather forecast is not that clever.

I'm starting to feel that I've had enough of sports bikes on the road, but saying that,if I do not take to the MT-01 I shall not bother.

I nearly got the new R1 at the beginning of the year but... something inside of me is not sure.

I have an 05 R1 at the moment, and found it OK after a seven hour ride across Europe last year, I'm quite tall, 6ft 4", don't know if that will help you.


John.

Momentofmadness

2,370 posts

262 months

Friday 25th May 2007
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While sat in the traffic at Rockingham, one of these went past and I have to say, it looked and sounded cool and the gang biggrin




Taz666

456 posts

234 months

Saturday 26th May 2007
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Momentofmadness said:
While sat in the traffic at Rockingham, one of these went past and I have to say, it looked and sounded cool and the gang biggrin

I went in to Crescent in Verwood a few years ago to try and buy one of them, Guy the sales man ( Top bloke BTW) told me he didnt have a 1400, so after 20 mins of deep thought, I walked out with a GSXR 750. I still want the 1400 one day though.

diff lock

150 posts

225 months

Saturday 26th May 2007
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Dont discount the old blackbird. The thing is all power and with a little bit of suspension setup, a very good handleing bike.

Also the 2007 Tiger. I worked as a development rider for this bike, and think it's great. A very capable bike in the twities and equally at home on the motoway.

Edited by diff lock on Saturday 26th May 18:00

NorthernBoy

12,642 posts

278 months

Saturday 26th May 2007
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I'd definitely recommend taking a look at an R1200GS. BMW offer proper test rides, so you can take one out for a few hours and see if you get on with it.

They are far from perfect, but are really good fun.

crusty

760 posts

241 months

Monday 28th May 2007
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This may sound a bit gay... but having done the sportsbike thing for many years, I am currently bowling around on a Versys ... and loving it.

Comfortable, easy to ride , cheap, yet wheelies off the clutch in 2nd, and just a right laugh

996 sps

6,165 posts

237 months

Monday 28th May 2007
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How about a 916/996/998 not on the wrists at all?

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

260 months

Monday 28th May 2007
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ZZR1400

RemaL

25,071 posts

255 months

Monday 28th May 2007
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The Tramp said:
another vote for Superduke....

All the mags seem to love it... Road or Track
seconded or the Speed triple