Discussion
After a fair bit of deliberating and a number of test rides over the last 18 months, I have finally decided to bite the bullet and reward myself for being a hard working, great husband, brilliant father/grandfather and all round good egg with a new bike.
The best bike I tried out was the MT10. I thought this was a phenomenal bike and thought I might wait for the SP to pop along. It did, but the price for what I needed it for frightened me off. Reality hit and I then questioned did I need 160bhp on the road, when I have almost 200 sat in the garage for the track. The last thing I need at the moment is a bike that coaxes me into losing my licence, which at the moment wouldn't take very much at all. Those that have ridden the MT10 will know how it eggs you on to have fun
So what to go for??? I've had a fair few bikes in the past and generally not one to follow the sheep in buying the next greatest thing for the road. My last road bikes have been a fazer, TT600, and three TRX850's (I still have two).
My affair with the TRX's started about 14 years ago and have had at least one in the garage since then. To me they are a honest bike, limited on electronics (think horn, indicators) not particularly fast and to some, not even pretty. Brakes and handling are crap unless mods are made. They are heavy, and not even that economical.......but it has something that always has me coming back for more. Unfortunately, using this for commuting has taking its toll not only on the bike, but also my desire to ride for fun. Bikes have been a part of my life for well over 30 years now, so it's time to reignite the desire to bring back some fun into road riding
To get back to the question, what to replace this with.......
I will be keeping the bike for the daily grind and the hammer it takes, while this will be getting the Sunday sunshine treatment
The first time I saw the announcement I was tempted, but held back a bit...... But I just couldn't stop referring back to the photos. Hopefully it should be turning up in April/May.
The best bike I tried out was the MT10. I thought this was a phenomenal bike and thought I might wait for the SP to pop along. It did, but the price for what I needed it for frightened me off. Reality hit and I then questioned did I need 160bhp on the road, when I have almost 200 sat in the garage for the track. The last thing I need at the moment is a bike that coaxes me into losing my licence, which at the moment wouldn't take very much at all. Those that have ridden the MT10 will know how it eggs you on to have fun
So what to go for??? I've had a fair few bikes in the past and generally not one to follow the sheep in buying the next greatest thing for the road. My last road bikes have been a fazer, TT600, and three TRX850's (I still have two).
My affair with the TRX's started about 14 years ago and have had at least one in the garage since then. To me they are a honest bike, limited on electronics (think horn, indicators) not particularly fast and to some, not even pretty. Brakes and handling are crap unless mods are made. They are heavy, and not even that economical.......but it has something that always has me coming back for more. Unfortunately, using this for commuting has taking its toll not only on the bike, but also my desire to ride for fun. Bikes have been a part of my life for well over 30 years now, so it's time to reignite the desire to bring back some fun into road riding
To get back to the question, what to replace this with.......
I will be keeping the bike for the daily grind and the hammer it takes, while this will be getting the Sunday sunshine treatment
The first time I saw the announcement I was tempted, but held back a bit...... But I just couldn't stop referring back to the photos. Hopefully it should be turning up in April/May.
Edited by Fleegle on Wednesday 22 February 20:57
J B L said:
Lovely thing.
I spent quite a bit of time round them at the NEC and the whole MT/XSR range be them 7 or 900 is really well thought out with loads of options and ways to personalise them.
I see they've already fitted the black box at the front of the frame to remind you to curb your enthusiasm!
Nice one
I doubt I will do any personalising to this one, the limited edition Abarth bits should hopefully make it stand out a bit.I spent quite a bit of time round them at the NEC and the whole MT/XSR range be them 7 or 900 is really well thought out with loads of options and ways to personalise them.
I see they've already fitted the black box at the front of the frame to remind you to curb your enthusiasm!
Nice one
I'm interested to find out how much a weight saving from the quoted 195kg wet weight all the carbon and ti exhaust will yield over the standard model. Yamaha are unable to answer this
3DP said:
These look great - congrats! Shall have to come an take a look when you get it.
Are you going to start sporting a man bun?
The top knot is coming along nicely, although it blew off this morning in the winds and I had to run like the clappers to grab it before the squirrel starting fAre you going to start sporting a man bun?
king itIt's the skinny jeans I'm going to struggle with
Renn Sport said:
Fleegle said:
The best bike I tried out was the MT10. I thought this was a phenomenal bike and thought I might wait for the SP to pop along. It did, but the price for what I needed it for frightened me off. Reality hit and I then questioned did I need 160bhp on the road, when I have almost 200 sat in the garage for the track. The last thing I need at the moment is a bike that coaxes me into losing my licence, which at the moment wouldn't take very much at all. Those that have ridden the MT10 will know how it eggs you on to have fun
Naked around a 100bhp, light and fairly nimble.
Just one thought... the Abarth seems like a lot of money and the MT10 is not far off that.
, the voices made me do it. I have been close to losing my licence recently and ended up with a hefty fine as a result. I can only see that happening again if I owned one. I'm normally quite controlled but the MT10 is like a drug, a bad drug!I'm sure the abarth is going to be a little better mannered than that. one reason for the close price is I would guess that it's a limited edition with carbon bits and a full ti exhaust, which I believe is about £1400 or thereabouts
3DP said:
LOL - They are certainly not as practical as your usual 1977 flares.
I can definitely see you as a Shoreditch Samurai. I see ankle swinging turnups are more their style now - easier to get on and off and let your cankles breathe.
Is the bar position the same as the XSR or have they lowered the bars?
They have Swallow style 'clip ons'......cafe racer styleI can definitely see you as a Shoreditch Samurai. I see ankle swinging turnups are more their style now - easier to get on and off and let your cankles breathe.
Is the bar position the same as the XSR or have they lowered the bars?
So not really clip ons at all
Biker's Nemesis said:
Andy XRV said:
That's true enough although Tony's pretty amenable as long as someone else gets the teas in 
. I think it's a northern thing
He's neither a Northerner or a southerner, us Northern lot snigger at him because he says thing like Barth instead of bath and you lot snigger at him because he still sound northern.. I think it's a northern thingHe's a plastic cockernee.
P.S.
Only joking Tony, I love you man.
Andy XRV said:
Fleegle said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
Nice one tony are you gonna get your arse up this way on it?
Only if you can guarantee sunshine all weekendWhat do you think and who else would be up for it?
Edited by Fleegle on Monday 27th February 20:06
sprinter1050 said:
Been a bit busy raving plaster off a wall which is my excuse for missing this post Tony but interested to see you fancy that bike.
I'm still waiting for the MT09 demo ride but did consider the Abarth version. Was a bit put off by the extra dosh for the styling but iirc a bit less tune than the 09.
According to the spec sheets they have the same power as the MT09, but having said that, the Yam spec sheets show the same weight for the xsr900 as the Abarth version even though there will be weight savings over the exhaust system and bodyworkI'm still waiting for the MT09 demo ride but did consider the Abarth version. Was a bit put off by the extra dosh for the styling but iirc a bit less tune than the 09.
Just received a very nice e-mail from Yamaha..........
We congratulate you on your purchase of the XSR900 ABARTH, the exclusive new factory built Yamaha Café Racer - a lightweight high-performance retro special whose authentic design reflects the true spirit of the 1960s.
As you are one of the first 145 customers to place an online order, you are invited by Yamaha Motor Europe and Abarth to join us at the exclusive Yamaha Abarth VIP Experience taking place in summer 2017.
In due course you will receive full information on how to apply for your VIP Pass that will entitle you and a companion to join Yamaha and Abarth at one of these prestigious customer experience events being staged at various European race circuits.
As a VIP Pass holder you will be given the unique opportunity to test-drive a range of vehicles from the Abarth line up. And to ensure that everyone attending is able to get a real taste of the company's genuine racing spirit, you will be invited to join one of Abarth's professional racing drivers for an adrenaline fuelled Abarth race track experience!
As well as racetrack driving experiences, you will also be able to take a close look at the Abarth line up and immerse yourself in a range of other activities that reflect the true spirit of Abarth's race bred DNA.
To let you fully appreciate the Abarth philosophy we are happy to inform you that your VIP pass will give you the opportunity to book a dedicated factory visit at the Abarth Factory in Turin during 2017.
We look forward to meeting you at an Abarth Day and salute you on being the proud new owner of the very exclusive XSR900 ABARTH!
Best regards,
Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., branch UK
Thanks. I'll have some of that!
We congratulate you on your purchase of the XSR900 ABARTH, the exclusive new factory built Yamaha Café Racer - a lightweight high-performance retro special whose authentic design reflects the true spirit of the 1960s.
As you are one of the first 145 customers to place an online order, you are invited by Yamaha Motor Europe and Abarth to join us at the exclusive Yamaha Abarth VIP Experience taking place in summer 2017.
In due course you will receive full information on how to apply for your VIP Pass that will entitle you and a companion to join Yamaha and Abarth at one of these prestigious customer experience events being staged at various European race circuits.
As a VIP Pass holder you will be given the unique opportunity to test-drive a range of vehicles from the Abarth line up. And to ensure that everyone attending is able to get a real taste of the company's genuine racing spirit, you will be invited to join one of Abarth's professional racing drivers for an adrenaline fuelled Abarth race track experience!
As well as racetrack driving experiences, you will also be able to take a close look at the Abarth line up and immerse yourself in a range of other activities that reflect the true spirit of Abarth's race bred DNA.
To let you fully appreciate the Abarth philosophy we are happy to inform you that your VIP pass will give you the opportunity to book a dedicated factory visit at the Abarth Factory in Turin during 2017.
We look forward to meeting you at an Abarth Day and salute you on being the proud new owner of the very exclusive XSR900 ABARTH!
Best regards,
Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., branch UK
Thanks. I'll have some of that!
moto_traxport said:
Andy XRV said:
Fleegle said:
Andy XRV said:
Fleegle said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
Nice one tony are you gonna get your arse up this way on it?
Only if you can guarantee sunshine all weekendWhat do you think and who else would be up for it?
Edited by Fleegle on Monday 27th February 20:06
That day arrived !!
I went to pick the bike up on Saturday. Everything was sorted and ready to go. It’s a great feeling picking up a brand spanking new bike.
This bike was bought on a whim. I’d never ridden an XSR let alone sit on one, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I rode an MT09 when they first came out and loved it, but I understand the mapping had been tweaked since its debut. The XSR shares the same engine but has different mapping for torque lower down.
My first ride was 60 miles. Jeez, I didn’t prepare myself for that. I got off feeling like I’d been in the ring with Tyson. This really is an exercise in styling, not ergonomics! Fortunately the peachy engine made the pain worthwhile. The engine pulls like a train in any gear and I get the feeling once I can wind it right open that the front wheel will be getting less wear than the rear.
My second run out was 40 miles, on mainly country roads with less traffic. This is where the bike is going to come into its own. With added speed, the weight was less on the wrists although I still suffered a little back ache.
I think the riding position will take a bit of getting used to, probably more than any other bike I have owned, but you know when you open the garage door…….
I went to pick the bike up on Saturday. Everything was sorted and ready to go. It’s a great feeling picking up a brand spanking new bike.
This bike was bought on a whim. I’d never ridden an XSR let alone sit on one, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I rode an MT09 when they first came out and loved it, but I understand the mapping had been tweaked since its debut. The XSR shares the same engine but has different mapping for torque lower down.
My first ride was 60 miles. Jeez, I didn’t prepare myself for that. I got off feeling like I’d been in the ring with Tyson. This really is an exercise in styling, not ergonomics! Fortunately the peachy engine made the pain worthwhile. The engine pulls like a train in any gear and I get the feeling once I can wind it right open that the front wheel will be getting less wear than the rear.
My second run out was 40 miles, on mainly country roads with less traffic. This is where the bike is going to come into its own. With added speed, the weight was less on the wrists although I still suffered a little back ache.
I think the riding position will take a bit of getting used to, probably more than any other bike I have owned, but you know when you open the garage door…….
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