Choosing the next bike... advice needed

[vindice]

Hello all.

Not a new biker (or a new poster) but currently getting ready to get a new bike and retire the GSX 750 that is just too uncomfortable for long trips.

So I'll tell you what I'm looking for, and then tell you the problem and then beg you for your help.

I love big trailies or supermotos; the Tiger, the VStrom, the GS. Being a fat bloke, I like the upright riding position and I like comfort for long trips, touring either alone or with the Mrs. So something comfortable, something upright and if it looks like a big trailie, all the better.

The problem is that the bike is kept in an alarmed outhouse and the door to the outhouse is only 76cm wide. You can waggle slightly wider bars through but that is the biggest limiting factor.

I have about £2500 to spend (plus anything I get for selling the old bike which will be £900 if I am very, very lucky).

What bikes can you recommend that will fit through that door?

Here's the yard so you can see the issue:

https://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l243/vindice13/90c54582.jpg

The bike has to be reversed down a ramp up at the right side of the picture just next to where the window is and then wheeled backwards throught the black door and into the outhouse.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

How often will you be riding this big beast?
I'd use a wall anchor and low level security light...park it diagonally if it's a regular ride.
Or bust some bricks and fit a bigger door to your outhouse.
Or remove panniers and fold/remove mirrors..possibly have to remove bars to get it in.

Measure the width and length of the 750..How much bigger can you go?
Take your bike wish list and try some out. The bike's the most important factor, so you may have to forget the outhouse...maybe use it as an outhouse.


Pat
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[vindice]

The bike is day-to-day transport if Mrs V has the car, or if the car is in the garage, so having to take bars off isn;t really an option.

I don't want to leave it outside; the wall is right next to the road. I've had too many bikes nicked to want to take the risk.

It doesn't need to be big in terms of engine; I really fancy a Vstrom 650, but I have the nagging suspicion it'd be too wide.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Must be a ballache to get it in n out.

Vstrom 840 mm (33 in)
F800: 945 mm (37.2 in)
F650: 890 mm (35 in) including mirrors
Tiger 840 mm (33 in)

GSX 750 29.9 inches wide 759mm.

Where they take the measurements from i'm not sure...possibly mirror to mirror
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[vindice]

You have no idea of the level of ballache involved

I have to fold the mirrors in on the GSX.

I am a bit of a shortarse, so the Tiger might be pushing it a bit. I wonder if there's anyone willing to mesure their V-strom - either biggie or wee-strom - and post the width?

[psychofox]

I have a F650 GS and get it through a 69cm wide gate relatively easily. Mind you, the bars are higher than the gate so i'm not sure if they would cause any problems with a door. Just measured and bar end to bar end is 86cm and the mirrors don't extend past the bars. so you might be able to waggle that in.

[vindice]

Would you be able to tour comfortably two-up on a 650? I've sat on one before and was a big fan of the riding position.

[Relentless]

Take the door frame off, and attach a larger door to the inside or outside of the wall / entrance .. ???

Or buy Almax and squire plus alarm and have it secured to the wall ... doubt it will be nicked if only worth 2k ...

Also, i hope the place is yours ,,, caus advice is geared towards that ,, anyway, you could extend the side wall with trellis etc .. you would not even have to bother with a cover if you got a mini awning ... ??
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