Which big trailie? Let me bathe at the spring of your wisdom

[WATCHOUT!]

Howdy

Bit of advice please. I'm a rather large fellow (6'5", 19 stone, 36" inseam) who's getting a bit tired of bending his legs past the pain threshold in order to ride a Hornet. Therefore I'd like to get some sort of big trailie, and wanted your opinion on the following. Please bear in mind that I:

-- want to sit comfortably
-- will slap a topbox on whichever one I end up getting
-- will be using the bike mostly for city commuting, with the occasional short trip
-- will need to carry a passenger sometimes
-- still need some ability to cut through London traffic
-- would like to see my insurance increase little, if at all (currently in group 12, I believe most of the following are in 13)
-- have about 5k to 6k to spend, maximum, and so I need to buy used.

That said, I am looking at these, in order of preference:

1. KTM 950 SM

https://www.mcjournalen.no/Ktm05/ktm950sm1%2005.jpg

Yum. looks tasty, supposed to ride beautifully, but the seat doesn't look the comfiest.

2. KTM 950 Adventure

https://ktm-impala.com/img/ktm/Adventure/950-Adventure2004-b.jpg

Also nice, but with more of an enduro look. Don't particularly like the screen, but the seat looks like it could soothe a sore bottom (don't ask)

3. Triumph Tiger

https://www.motorrad-bild.de/images_textbildarchiv/marken/triumph/modelle/tiger_2001/stimmung3.JPG

I like the idea of a triple, as I'm used to a 4 now and it would take me some time to learn how to ride a twin properly. Looks are ok -- obviously the ktms are hotter.

4. Older BMW R1150GS

https://www.moto-station.com/uploads/34_normal.jpg

Looks fine. Pros: it's a beemer; cons: it's a beemer. Don't particularly like the boxer layout (primarily because of its bulk). I also think it's a tad overpriced.

SO, keeping my constraints in mind, what would you recommend? Have I missed any other similar bikes?

And which sites do you recommend for used bike hunting apart from bike trader and ebay?

[LustyLew]

Personally I'd go for your first choice, but then I'm a skinny runt so I'd fit on that seat easily!

My 2nd choice would have to be the BMW. Get the Ally luggage and they look mean!

Best bet is to get yourself round a few dealers and sit on them and go for test rides.

KTM...mmm...
____________________
Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[proximity]

I think the first choice is the coolest, but the only one i can see with a topbox on it is the triumph, and it looks pretty comfy
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2004 Aprilia Tuono

[Asa600]

The ktm sport looks so much better than the rest but it almost looks too good to put a topbox on. If youre thinking more about practicality it would have to be the BMW.

[G]

I would go with a cheaper tiger, then maybe look at another bike for a 'fun' bike.
From what I've seen the KTMs have been designed as more of 'fun' bikes, while the tiger would seem to be ideal for day to day usage.

[WATCHOUT!]

thanks for the responses fellas -
as I suspected, it's going to be a practicality vs fun sort of thing. I am quite undecided. Hopefully I'll be able to get long test rides with all of these, to help me decide. I'd be especially interested to hear from owners of any of these as well, so keep the opinions coming, please!

One thing I'm not worried about is fitting a topbox to any of these -- I recently turned 30 and realised there has to be a basic level of comfort in my life. Now if I weren't influenced by looks there would be no discussion here -- triumph or bmw for sure -- but I am, so...

[stinkwheel]

I can confirm that the Tiger 900s are huge motorcycles. My mate is 6'7" and is very impressed with his.

[WATCHOUT!]

[dainesefreak]

The Adventure is suppose to be a decent bike and I think the fun aspect is as in crossing continents rather than fields in that respect.

[the grim reaper]

I am so glad you didn't put the Varadero in there, save me having to whinge about the build quality again. I, personally, would go for the BMW, simply because everyone I have ever met who has ridden one absolutely loved it. Plus a mate of mine took one round Cadwell on a track day and got the cylinder heads down, like to see the inline 4 brigade manage that one

Cheers

Grim
____________________
Adverts don't always work: Remember that advert, where the army are running across the desert and they have a wounded man on a stretcher. They get to a ravine, the bridge is down and a caption pops up that says, 'What are you thinking?'. I don't know about you but I was thinking, 'Christ, I'm glad I'm not in the f***ing army'.

[Finglonga]

Your first thing you want is to sit comfortably...If you have ever been on a KTM for anything over an hour you would know they a ruled out as the seats are just too narrow for a human ass.

Tried a Tiger loved it goes like stink looks and is Huge but the front stilts are too springy and its in trouble quick if you try to push it. The missus didn't like the pillion seat either, said it was like sitting on a plank after 10mins.

R1150gs Heavy big bugger with a tractor engine and gearbox but once you get used to it there is so much torque, that you don't need to change gear much. Shaft drive too so no worries about oiling and maintaining a chain, more comfy than the others (but i found the Varadero comfier, but again build quality let it down, and its chain drive). They are expensive but hold their value better than the others.

Personally I would do the same as me and test ride them all, dealers usually let you take them out if they think you are going to buy. But if you do, have each one for 2 hours at least or you wont get the true feeling for the bike.
HTH


*edit* forgot ....... Most second hand BM's will come with panniers of some type, so you wont need to Uglyfie it anymore with a top box.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[WATCHOUT!]

yes, it's not by accident that the Varadero isn't on there...

Finglonga, I knew about the front suspension complaints... I wonder if there are ways to stiffen the front at all. Must say I'm surprised to hear that the tiger's pillion seat isn't comfortable (not that it's comfortable on the hornet anyway). I guess a gel seat should be easy to get.

As for the bmw, shaft drive is a definite plus, but I'm just concerned about the extra cost. Could do with saving a little.

Cheers

[G]

[GearboxGeezer]

Id rather hit the engine caseing than my shin bones!

[WATCHOUT!]

[Slickfish]

950SM!!!I've seen on of these used to great effect on a trackday!!!!

[stinkwheel]

[WATCHOUT!]

[andrew]

[FreshAL]

[andrew]

Kornel said there was pics on the site already but said i'd have to dig them out myself.

What he doesn't know is that i've just put a pin on his chair!

[Finglonga]

Heres my Old faithful.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/finglonga/DSCF1577.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/finglonga/DSCF1388a.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/finglonga/DSCF1296.jpg
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[tonyyzf]

Are you planning to buy new or secondhand? are you ever going to take it off-road?
____________________
Something dark reddish with two wheels and cagiva written on the side
SS50, CB175, CB250N, CB350, CB750K2, DT250, CB750K1, CB750F1, XS1100, CB750F2, FJ1200, FZR1000, YZF1000, GSXR1000, Cagiva Navigator, Triumph Tiger 1050
https://www.cliqueyclanmcc.co.uk/

[Finglonga]

[G]

To save Korn's arse (though that sounds a little dodgy )...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=36994
https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=36995
https://www.bikechatforums.com/download.php?id=36996