Want to change bike - what (and why) would you recommend?

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

At the moment I have an '09 R1200GS, and a recently back on the road '05 Tuono 125 (think early RS125 with higher bars). The Tuono is a laugh, it's super flickable but a bit on the slow side even at full power. Something about the GS just isn't right for me, too heavy and not powerful enough for the size.

I'm looking at selling both and pocketing some cash if I can. I'm calling the maximum budget for the replacement £5,500 but ideally a little lower. I'd like just one rather than two bikes. I'm looking at leas than 20,000 miles on the clock as I rack them up quickly.

The main use of the bike will be London commuting, probably 10,000 miles a year plus an additional ~2000 or so touring/fun riding. Hard luggage and a shaft drive would be the dream, but I'm open to all (reasonable) suggestions - I've toured with soft luggage and bungees before.

The ideal bike would handle like the Tuono, have shaft/belt drive, hard luggage, and more power and less weight/size than the GS. I'm not too set on any of those criteria for the right bike.

What do you suggest?[/url]
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Ok. Oddball suggestion.

A Moto guzzi V12 Sport.

No fucking idea what they're like to ride but I bet you hadn't even thought of looking at one. Tick a lot of your boxes.

People seem to keep hold of Guzzis for a long time.

Ok, next oddball suggestion. A motherfucking scooter. Honda X-ADV. Although I think you'd struggle to find one in budget. Might find an integra though.
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MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Forget the shaft drive, buy a scottoiler and a Z1000SX to go with it.
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Fisty · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

Gen1 busa. Scottoiler. Givi luggage.
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xX-Alex-Xx · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Sep 2019 Karma :

Can pick up a pretty decent VFR for that price with luggage if you can settle on chain?
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ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Irezumi · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Dec 2019 Karma :

BMW F800?

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Two bikes really isn't an option, as ideal as it would be.

Moto Guzzi is absolutely an interesting suggestion, but I think a little lacking in the power stakes. Absolutely not an issue for day to day riding/commuting but I don't think I'd gain anything over the GS when touring.

Z1000SX is an excellent suggestion that I hadn't considered, I'll add that to the list. Ticks many of the right boxes.

'Busa, interesting suggestion but I need newer than 2007 for London commuting, and I want lower milage than I can afford in newer bikes.

VFR12 has been right at the top of my list so far, along side K1300s. Super tempting but I think they'll be a tad on the lardy side? On paper both would be a great choice.

Vfr800/F800, owned a vfr8 before and wasn't a fan, F800s is probably my perfect commute only bike, but as per some other suggestions in the list it'll be a little under powered for loaded up touring.

Not interested in a scooter, heart comes over head on that one!
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

You know you really want a VFR12 AND a Grom.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

probably, I've never actually owned a 125 4 stroke.

Big bike + small bike would be the perfect combination but space and money just rules it out. Yes I have two at the moment, but it's problematic and the intention has been to sell the Tuono for a while now.

Realistically if I had two bikes the fun bike would probably be gsxr750 and I'd tour with soft luggage and bungees. I'd no doubt regret the decision after the first long distance ride Laughing

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winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

you mention the K1300S, I've got a K1200S and it is a bit on the large side, fantastic for a bit tour but I wouldn't fancy a commute on it.

Friend had a Z1000SX on our French trip and he was pretty happy with it, another friend on a Z1000 was pretty envious of the extra fairing and heated grips in mid March. Decent size for commuting and managed many miles quite comfortably.

Nobody said Fireblade yet?
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ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

MT09 Tracer? Probably more deft at urban commuting than some of the heavyweight suggestions but still powerful enough (and design-intended) for your touring needs.
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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

VFR12 all day long.

Get a Gen 2 with heated grips and OEM panniers
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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

I would second the big Guzzi idea. Problem is, you'll never get a straight answer on what they're like to ride. Owners tend to go a bit a Guzzi-mental (like Harley owners do) and overstate how good they are. People who have never ridden one will say they're shit. On paper they are probably shit.

I also haven't ridden a big Guzzi, mine's a small block. They seem to be somewhere between Harley and BMW in terms of character - so they will happily rev, but are a bit interesting.

Depreciation is slow so you won't lose any money. Lots of owners keep paperwork and spend money on upgrading the suspension, so buy from someone like that.

It won't be fast like a big 4 cylinder Japanese bike, but it will be fun.

ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

xX-Alex-Xx · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Sep 2019 Karma :

VFR1200 are gorgeous bikes to ride (that v4 is probably my favourite engine ever) but I wouldn’t think of it for city riding. Too heavy and harder to flick through traffic.

VFR800 would be ideal for both scenarios IMHO.
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ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

I'm not too fussed on perceived suitability for filtering/town riding, in my experience the rider makes far more difference than the bike when it comes to getting through snarled up city traffic.
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Kentol750 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2016 Karma :

R1200r?
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c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Not the R but I've really been considering the R1200S, I think it's probably just about the sportiest handling shaft drive bike and a good bit lighter than the GS to boot. I think I'm just after that bit more oomph, same reason I'm not that tempted by the Guzzi.

Z1000sx and VFR12 are top of the list at the moment.
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ThunderGuts · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Nov 2018 Karma :

Kentol750 · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2016 Karma :

The wife has an r, it's very, very good. She got rid of a cb1000r for it. It has a few extras (Screen and lower seat) that make it nice all day long. However, I had a z1000sx and would have another one tomorrow. (She didn't like the reach to the bars, nicer than my zx7r or blade by miles).
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RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

If you want to commute, the least tyring bikes (from my own experience) are in-line four cylinder four stroke sport-touring machines (half fairing, handlebars above your knees). An in-line six would be even nicer to commute on. Some well balanced twin cylinders are also nice when you get to the sweet spots where the vibrations just go away. Thinking of it, what about the BMW F800 with a belt drive? Enough power, smooth enough, belt drive.

TL; DR: For commuting, I'd get an in-line four naked/sport-touring machine and would not bother with drive shaft nor belt drive. The market seems to be full of options now, doesn't it?
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