Budget: upto £3500 - what bike?

400bandit · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Karma :

So I've just started a new job with a company car meaning I can now get another bike at long last.

I wouldn't be doing any kind of commuting on it so doesn't have to be completely practical but at the same time when I wheel it out of the garage I don't want any hassle.

I've pretty much ruled an inline 4, I really like twins, haven't ridden a proper single, haven't made my mind up on a triple.

Thoughts so far in no particular (and yes I know I'm pushing my luck on the budget front with some)

KTM 690 SM
KTM 990 Super Duke
Aprilia Touno (mk2)
Suzuki SV1000 (naked version)
Aprilia Dorsoduro 750
Triumph Speed Triple (1050)
Triumph Sprint (1050)

I'm not overly keen on faired bikes as you can see but the Sprint would be good for a bit of light touring (though not an essential requirement)

Any thoughts/experiences with the above? My last bike was a Speed Triple but I never quite made my mind up on it as circumstances meant I didn't have it all that long plus I wasn't impressed with the quality of finish)

Thanks,

Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

The 990 KTM would probably be the one for me from your list, but I don't find the looks anything special, it's just different and rarer than a Triumph.

clancy · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Karma :

If you change your mind you can have my gsxr for 3k Laughing

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snomag · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Karma :

I had a KTM 640LC4 SM and a KTM SuperDuke so I can comment on these.

I would buy another KTM SuperDuke again without a question, if I could. Never had any serious problems with it (the oil tube thingy where you can see the oil level cracked once and had to be replaced) and it's been a superb bike both on the track and for general riding around.

Supermotos are great fun, and if I had the option to own multiple bikes I would be happy to have one as a second/third bike. But as the only one, no way :p Not to mention reliability was a major issue.

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

A lot of people like the SuperDuke for 'fun'.
Though this may be partly aggressive fueling/gearing configuration.

Street triple rather than speed, I'd say.

Me, I'd get a £1k-£1.5k 2 stroke competition enduro bike and spend the other £2k on an older tuono if twins are your thing.

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

Some very different bikes on there!

If you fancy a sprint I am likely to part with mine tbh - within budget lol

j.silvs · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Dec 2012 Karma :

Super duke would be my choice from them

Irezumi aka Reuben · Carrot Top Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Karma :

I currently have a Falco (very similar to Tuono but older) and prior to that a Street Triple. I realise my Aprilia is old and a lot higher mileage but the engine feels a lot more agricultural and less flexible than the street triple.

Assuming you arent particularly heavy and/or doing a lot of two up riding I would pick the street over the Speed any day of the week as well. A much more fun and engaging bike to own and the extra power is wasted on a naked bike for my tastes.

I also had absoloutely no problems or small issues that needed addressing with the Triumph.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

WheelieKing66... · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 25 Mar 2014 Karma :

TL1000s love them if had suspension sorted way better than SV IMO and I've rode both! My brother has one at the min and I steel it as much as possible
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Current bikes: zx10r(05) zx9r c2 and a Cbr1000RR track bike

Robster · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2013 Karma :

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

The TL1000S was a disappointment. It is not powerful, it is not fast, it sounds OK but my god was it boring.

Expected it to spit me off, didn't. Removed the damper, still didn't.

Thoroughly disappointed.

Would not recommend one.

Irn-Bru · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Aug 2009 Karma :

SuperDuke, they seem mental, quite pricey though from what I've seen. Don't get a 690 SM, they are proper ugly things although nice engine. The SMC would be out of budget probably, not really seen any that cheap that haven't been crashed or without a million miles on.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

Conzar · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Karma :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buell-XB9R-Firebolt-1000cc-V-twin-/201055735001?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2ecfdb0cd9
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Current ride: ZX6R 636 ------- Previous:KTM EXC 450 Supermoto --- ZX6R B1H --Hornet 600--CBR 600--SV650
11:05:35 Rob Fzs: i just wanna own an rd350 valve before they send us to war with durkadurkastan

P.addy · *Formerly known as* P. Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Dat frame

Conzar · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Karma :

J biker · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Oct 2013 Karma :

Tuono.

andys675 · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Karma :

you may squeeze a street triple for that sort of money
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Buells are awesome but I'd rather have a 12 over a 9... although they do seem to be rising in value.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.