Author Topic: Suggest me a new 'bike.  (Read 6771 times)

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Online TLPower

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Suggest me a new 'bike.
« on: April 07, 2018, 07:10:37 »
The Nail was up to it's recalcitrant tricks again yesterday, I'd arranged to meet up and set off in plenty of time. Long story short it turned out to be crud in the side stand switch electrical coupling. It's 17 years old and as much as I love it when it works, even I'm starting to realise it's now unreliable.

Deep breath time, perhaps it's time for another 'bike. Must haves include upright seating position, decent weather protection, decent suspension, not ugly and sufficient "grunt".Inline 4's don't interest me unless it's a crossplane.

I do like the look of the Africa Twin, but I don't like the 21" front wheel and tubes in the tyres. I love the sound they make, the suspension and the tri colour paint scheme with the gold wheels. If Honda made the AT with 17" cast wheels I would buy one today.

KTM 1090 S not the R, ticks the boxes apart from the 19" front though I haven't ridden one yet. The colour scheme is rather dull as well. KTM dealers are not the best from what I've read.

Tiger 1050 Sport looks nice, has grunt but it is heavy. Dealers again don't seem to have much love.

Veek, I've never ridden one but the front scares me.

Your opinions please. :)
To be happy, I don't need private helicopters,a Florida house or a yacht. I'm fine with my motorcycle,a trip to a forest in Bavaria and some lunch money.

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Offline Rusty Nuts

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2018, 07:20:11 »
Hudspith.

Offline Ridaz

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2018, 07:28:19 »
I do like the look of the Africa Twin,

 :thumb: Further test rides are available. Mine is currently running the lower seat position too.
You can fit your own smaller front wheel.
http://www.africatwinforum.com/forum/185-wheels-Tyres-suspension/19490-19-inch-front-wheel.html

Offline old git

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2018, 07:47:23 »
No cross plane crank and given that it's the best all round bike I've owned in 40 years my default suggestion has to be Yamaha FJR1300. I wouldn't even consider anything with wire spokes and/or tubed tyres (why the feck would anyone?). I like my Veek, a decent all round bike if you don't want to go too fast, but enough power for most real world riding. Handles, brakes and all day comfy. Lots of wind noise and zero weather protection.

Offline tallpaul

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2018, 07:58:34 »
Is age a factor? I keep catching myself looking at the old 1000cc multistrada. 17" rims, grunty engine, pug ugly and dirt cheap. Brembos too...
Old enough to know better, but still too young to care...

Offline bigpie

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2018, 08:03:43 »
Yamaha 900 Tracer?

Offline tallpaul

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2018, 08:07:10 »
Brockett's TDM looks nice. Not suggesting that you pinch his (she looks a tidy machine!) but it ticks your boxes. Tracer is a good shout too...
Old enough to know better, but still too young to care...

Offline Dark-Strom

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #7 on: April 07, 2018, 08:14:17 »
Tiger sport 1050?
Crosstourer 800?
 :smirk:
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Offline kwackboy

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #8 on: April 07, 2018, 08:28:15 »
You could return to the fold and buy a Vee ..?
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Offline UK_Vstrom650

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2018, 08:30:21 »
I was almost about to buy the 900 Tracer until I test rode one. The engine is fantastic, but the suspension and wind protection is crap. Not good enough to warrant an upgrade from the Glee...

I'll suggest a BMW F850GS but only because there's a picture of one in my bike magazine.

Online TLPower

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #10 on: April 07, 2018, 09:54:13 »
Answers in no particular order.

I had a TDM loved it until I rode a Navigator, FJR undoubtedly a brilliant 'bike but a bit lardy for a me. Older model Milt, ugly as and also old, Tracer 900 brilliant engine everyone on here sells them as they don't seem to do "slogs" in any degree of comfort.

The 800 Crossrunner is an excellent shout, it ticks every box just missing the grunt factor. 53lb's of torque.... Crosstourer too lardy and spoked wheels. AT with Crossrunner wheels if it existed would be purchased.

I need to ride a few before I go any further.
To be happy, I don't need private helicopters,a Florida house or a yacht. I'm fine with my motorcycle,a trip to a forest in Bavaria and some lunch money.

Walter Rohrl.

Offline MartinW

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #11 on: April 07, 2018, 10:02:34 »
..... The colour scheme is rather dull as well .....
Get one with a Silver Frame then :)

Or do what Kwackboy said. Get an older Vee and stay on this forum.

I'm happy to change your username to DLPower for you  :grin:

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Offline Rusty Nuts

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Offline Fat Rat

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #13 on: April 07, 2018, 10:31:58 »
My tuppence.

1050 Tiger, an uprightish Sports Bike that is now, in my opinion, looking old, it was only really happy when being let off the reins. The Projector Headlights are so poor they should be illegal.
Veek or Gleek, I would rather set fire to my head than own the overpriced, questionable quality offering from Suzuki with the ridiculous front end
Tracer, lots of fun but I wouldn't ride one any distance, hard suspension, crap seat and no wind protection
GTR1400, really quick but I never got comfortable with it, the front end never felt planted.
FJR1300, Lovely on the Motorway, a bit of a chore heaving it out of the shed for a short run
XT660z, People ride these all over the world. I wouldn't. They are fun but I wouldn't consider them a tourer.
XT1200z, Heavy. The engine will not give you a stirring but the 1200cc lump will definitely get up hills. Did I mention it is heavy.
Africa Twin, I love it! The spoked wheels are (like most) awful, and the finish will fall of in front of your eyes, the difference in quality compared to many of the bikes listed above (with the exception of the wheels) is immediately evident. The upright seating position and wide bars tick the boxes for me.

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Offline SuzukiSte

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2018, 11:28:05 »
@TLPower test ride a few Yamaha have test days rides on at the moment, went last weekend to Rochdale the MT10 test and a MT9 what bikes but like rockets to ride. :thumb:

Online mr_diver

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2018, 13:00:58 »
Varadero 1000?
Firestorm engine   :shrug:



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Online Hugo Magnus

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #16 on: April 07, 2018, 15:00:36 »
The 1260 Multistrada is the dogs bollocks. You'll not regret it.
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Offline Holmsey

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #17 on: April 07, 2018, 17:58:31 »
Build one from scratch.  :fix:  lol  :eusa-doh:
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Offline wurzel

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #18 on: April 07, 2018, 18:42:37 »
Test ride the KTM, they are lovely, and handle a treat.
My dealer is superb, some are, some not, check out your accessible branches to see if you have a goodun.
The KTM motor is a bit like your cagiva lump, but more tractable in the low and mid range, and the upper revs, well, sample and smile!
I would like to hear your opinion on the KTM if you do try one.

Offline Tusker

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Re: Suggest me a new 'bike.
« Reply #19 on: April 07, 2018, 20:02:57 »
I'm biased I have the 2010 Tiger pre - abs model.... Its a great bike,  I would suggest you go for  one of these or a later model or if your wallet stretches to it a Tiger sport... this engine is unbelievably good..and don't believe all you hear about dealers ,, it depends which one my two local ones are OK..... not that I ever let them service my bike ..

BTW mine is the best bike FR ever let go ,,, IMHO