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Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 6:22 am
by LowFlyerXX
Hello fellow riders!
Dilemma - really would like a new (or gently used) bike, for my XX is starting to fall apart with almost 75K miles..

Honda loyal (well maybe) - road tested the VFR1200F - don't like the vibration, price, shaft drive, looks.. CBR1000RR - really nice, but the ridding position is a killer. CB1000R (street fighter) - nice ridding position , comfortable around town, but price and the "lazy" motor do not likey! Last night I tried the new CB1100 - very unstable on the road and very underpowered! Like ridding on a less than 500cc bike..Oh yeah, and heavy!!

BMW 1000RR - very nice, nimble, strong, but ridding position and hefty price tag (as well as maintenance) - kills the deal. BMW K1300 - shaft drive don't like, heavy, and price as well as maintenance.

Buell 1125 - vibration and extra sharp on handling, nice and light though - this was used 2008 with very low miles..
Rode couple of Harleys, but not sure if I want to struggle with the 800Lb + every day before 5 am..And neighbor would probably call 911 at a start up..
So, considered Italien Ducati/Aprillia but the price tag , maintenance cost and even some odd styling has dissuaded me.

Thus I am throwing the towel in, so to say, unless anyone has a suggestion!!

Oh, btw, Habayusa - don't like the style, or Kawa 1400 don't like the style - both suggested by my long time mechanic.

Thank you

D

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:22 am
by totalmotorcycle
Wow, great rider reviews on those bikes! I guess at this stage of your riding career you should ask yourself, what do you really like about an engine and go from there. I've rode many, many different bikes and while I do love the inline-4 (was my fav) I now am loving the torque of a V-Twin, but a higher revving V-Twin really does it for me. Myself, I have moved beyond HP numbers and into what I call "fun and with character". Thus, I was looking at a H-D Fat Bob but ended up with a Moto Guzzi V7.

What about you?

Mike

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:45 am
by madjak30
I would check out a Yamaha FZ1...has the snap, but is comfortable...pricing isn't rediculous. Look at the Kawasaki Ninja 1000.

You might also want to check out the sport touring lines...FJR1300, Concours 14 (Connie is a little heavier though), Triumph Sprint GT. I drool over these ones, just not ready to give up my MT-01...which I don't think would have the snap you are looking for & was never imported to the States...

Have fun shopping!

Later.

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 9:58 am
by LowFlyerXX
Thank you for replying!! I am going to look at the Yammies a little closer.. And yes, I am a little pass the "HP", I think, that is why I enjoyed the Harley test rides - any speed - twist throttle and bike lunges, hhmmm.. Yet I feel that I am incurable "speed-freak" , not quite ready to give that up..

great weekend to all!

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 12:46 pm
by jstark47
If you're willing to switch to a naked bike, look at Triumph Speed Triples. Definitely have the "lunge", but surprisingly comfortable, too.

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:02 pm
by BRUMBEAR
+1 Speed triple is a great machine and quite bullet proof as well but go for a 1050 not a 955 if your looking used. If the FZ1 was a cross plane I'd be on it like white on rice but no havey. It sounds like you enjoy power and torque it is a fun combo just saying :mrgreen: the MV Brutale is a great machine as well but a little pricey.
I love my CR best of both worlds as the gearing is a little steeper than the 1125R
Happy Hunting anyway!!!!!!!

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 1:18 pm
by LowFlyerXX
Thanks again... I do have this "mis-trust" issue with anything English built, so hhhmmm, not sure on the "Triple"... But I am to going to go roadtest couple of "Guzzis", I have a dealer quite close. And yeah. MV Brutale, definitely an Italian Styling! Again, I think the maintenance cost and just even the price is too much for me to handle at this time...

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2013 4:46 pm
by totalmotorcycle
LowFlyerXX wrote:Thanks again... I do have this "mis-trust" issue with anything English built, so hhhmmm, not sure on the "Triple"... But I am to going to go roadtest couple of "Guzzis", I have a dealer quite close. And yeah. MV Brutale, definitely an Italian Styling! Again, I think the maintenance cost and just even the price is too much for me to handle at this time...
If you are thinking about a Guzzi, now that's a whole different kettle of fish there. Try the Moto Guzzi Griso. Might just be the bike that will tick all your boxes. Horsepower and stump pulling torque. I find the seating comfortable but it is unfortunately on the "small for those 6'4" tall rider zone".



Mike

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 1:17 pm
by Tony216
Hinkley Triumphs are not your father's Bonnevilles. So far, the build quality and dependability has been better than my last Honda motorcycle (and that was pretty impressive).

Re: Deciding on a new bike..

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 3:14 pm
by Wrider
Have you thought about just finding another XX? Plenty of low mileage ones out there.