Best bike for 'real roads' riding?

[Old Git Racing]

What do you all think is the best bike for this, bearing in mind your own particular circumstanstantes, riding style etc.
My mate has just traded in a mint Fireblade for a 10 plate GSXR750 Suzuki because he thinks he will get more out of it. I happen to agree, owning a gixxer 750 myself. What do you think? is it the Kudos of owning a big bike, is it the bling, is it practicality of the bike, what does it for you?

OGR
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[Moxey]

Would be drawn to Say any 500CC down to 350CC twin commuters would be the best for 'real road' riding but usual Jack of all trades, master of fuck all.
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[evoboy]

I think the TRX850 is a very good road bike.

Isnt setup as stiff as the modern sportsbikes, yet still handles very well. Soaks up bumps nicely. Still upsets bigger bikes through the twisties.

The engine gives a flat spread of power and will happily pull from 2krpm in any gear.

Gives about 140mph flat out, so enough to get you banned.

Still returns over 50mpg with relative ease. ( not riding like a granny )

Underestimated. Oh and it sounds like nothing else with a set of open cans on.
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[The Shaggy D.A.]

[jjdugen]

ZZR600. Probably the best all round package I have ridden/owned, and that includes most of the big stuff.
Given the price they are going for, they beat all the usual suspects into a cocked hat. Solid, well built (finish is poorer than Honda, but better than Suzuki), fast as F*ck, insurable, handle and brake very well, comfortable, well appointed. I am so impressed I am keeping this one.

[pinkyfloyd]

I own a 1000cc simply because as a kid the owning of a big engined bike was a dream of mine, I wanted the Fireblade 900 or the GSXR1100 as it was at the time.

I settled on the VTR so I got my dream of the big bike. Wasnt a power thing for me though because the Firestorm has less power than a decent 600cc. I got it because it sounds sooooooo good when I open it up.

I wouldnt say it was the bling, There is much prettier looking bikes than the half faired Storm. And it certainly wasnt practicality as I can pee more than the Firestorm holds in its tank.

I got it because I love the V Twin bikes and it was in my budget.
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Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Depends what you want from yours "real" road riding?

The blade will be eaier to ride quicky, the GSXR750 will need to be worked harder and give you the feeling you're using it more.
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[Rogerborg]

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[Tenko]

My Mk1 Speed Triple is just about perfect for 'real' roads imo. It will beat a scooby from the lights (just...), is big so has presence, will do 50 to the gallon if not taken over 80 and sounds like a real bike should. Plus its comfortable, has decent brakes and can go round corners when pushed hard. Good build quality too and isn't depreciating any more.

I've had loads of other bikes but this is the 'keeper'...

[MarJay]

Buell XB12S.

End of thread.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
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[MarJay]

[Tenko]

I was speaking metaphorically... It pisses all over them if I give it some stick, but I have reached an age where I like to short-shift without looking as if I'm bothered...

[Kickstart]

Hi

For me it depends what I want from real road riding. Silly top speed isn't that necessary, but an interesting power delivery is something I want (and something that on a seriously fast bike you won't get to experience without doing silly speeds in 1st). Aftet that, decent size tank (because filling up wastes too much time), a sporting (rather than race rep) riding position.

ZZR is close to it in some ways, but the quick seize brakes are a pain, it is a pig to work on, has a riding position that leaves your knees too scrunched up and is weak in the mid range.

All the best

Keith
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[Stevie GooGs]

As said it really does depend on what you want to do, touring, weekend trips, commuting etc.

I loved my zx10r but now i much prefer the KTM 990 SM for the road, why because its great fun on the road compared to opening the zx10r up and hitting warp in a matter of seconds regardless of what gear. I have a lot of single track up here with a fair bit of gravel and the zx10r was pretty heavy and a bit out of place on these roads. The tank range on the KTM is not bag not great but better than a lot of SM's. The bike has power in every gear and think it would be a great city bike as well (i live in the sticks).

Don't get me wrong I would get a ZX10R again if i could afford to have both bikes, as the KTM is great for what i use it for but for long boring motorways + its not the best bike, i travel to 250 miles south to Glasgow and the ZX10R was great for this boring run apart from feeling like a cripple at the end.

The CBR 600 FY i had was a good bike as well, it was decent two up, could do a lot of miles and the power band was fun, it really all depends on what you want, i went from the FY to the ninja because i thought i want out and out sportsbike and i went from the ninja to the KTM as i wanted to be able to walk after doing a lot of miles and wanted a fun bike that would slow my top speed down .
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[salty21]

cb400 superfour, simple, well built, extremely fun to ride, good mpg, always feel like your going 10000 mph but your not, comfortable, light, pretty. I could go on forever.
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94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[stigg]

I love my Blade, the way it's engineered and does everything so well but you can still have huge amounts of fun on it. It's great to ride slow or fast, in the wet or the dry. My SP1 was a real hoot and i didn't think I would ever sell it but when I test rode the Blade it just made total sense, and as with most Honda's the build quality is fantastic. I do a lot of motorway and lane riding and it's fine with both so I'm one happy bunny.

[Im-a-Ridah]

My main suggestions would be:

-> Non-extreme sports 600s
-> SV650 or SV1000
-> 500 unfaired if you don't mind the wind

[Bendy]

The answer is the CBR600F, because it is reasonably good at everything you could ever need a bike to do. I bet if you put knobblies on it would even be a decent offroader.