I need your help getting (a) naked

[TCFA]

Hey there hive mind

I haven't ridden a great deal in lockdown, more or less not at all since August probably at a guess, went in for an MOT and remembered what I've been missing!

I'm on a Tiger 800 which I've always had mixed feelings about, and figure that for the next year with all that's going on long touring trips are going to be harder, I don't really do off-roading, and I want something lighter, slimmer, and with my feet nearer the ground. My other (non-working) bike is a cbr600f and i've always felt comfortable with those dimensions. Likewise I borrowed a street trip for a day and really enjoyed it.

So I'm doing my research before the shops are open again. There's a lot of options! I've put a few of them below, love your views on them. And anything I haven't thought of. There's a mix of things in there. I'm one of those people that gets attracted by lots of different things at first and my mind zips across all of them, until I narrow it down.

Really I guess i'm looking in the naked category, but not hyper naked, mega bucks, mega power, and still able to throw some panniers and maybe a top box on for a long weekend. OR a sports tourer might suit me too.

Street Triple - enjoyed a 675 courtesy bike, the 765 sounds like it would be ace by all accounts

MT09 - I loved the tracer engine and nearly bought one instead of the Tiger. So would be a good bet?

XSR900 - as above?

Z900 - seems like good value and a good looking bike?

Z1000SX - I've had a hankering for one of these for a while. Never got a proper test ride (only tested one quickly in central london once)

SprintST - no longer made so would deffo be used (but not an issue) - again had a soft spot for these for a while but never tried one

Husqvarna Vitpilen 701 - "odd ball" option? Looks pretty cool, never had a single. Read that they were a bit overpriced, but currently prices are low.

Thruxton? Might be a bit uncomfortable?

Guzzi V9 - might be a bit underpowered?

Indian scout or FSR?

Any views on any of these, or other bikes that you'd big up that might fit the bill greatly appreciated! I want to try to get down to a reasonably sized list by the time I start testing.

Cheers
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Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[Britabroad]

Not the N word........

[hellkat]

[Weisse Schlange]

Been out today with my 2 lads.
I was on my new Z900rs and it's so good I can hardly describe it.

Oldest was on his first ride of his new Katana. Total hooligan looking thing. Lovely bike.
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Hing Oan

[chickenstrip]

[TCFA]

[TCFA]

[Kentol750]

Had a z1000sx too, it's brilliant. But, because of the comfort (compared to the 06 blade I had) it was easier to ride at silly speeds!

Can't see duke790 or 890 on your list, I've done 6k on mine and it's better than ever now as they are selling at around 7k new for the last of them. It's quieter than a tiger 800 too. Ran them back to back for a bit.

The mt09, striple, gsxs750 (or gsr750) and duke are all brilliant. Striple and mt09 engines make any ride 10% more fun. The duke is the quietest bike I've ever owned. It's quite uncanny getting off an adventure bike with touring screen, jumping on the duke and wondering who turned the wind off.
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Some bikes.

[jeffyjeff]

Was out on the motorway the other day, a guy blasted past me on a Triumph Thunderbird. Nice looking machine, from what I saw, mostly his tail light.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[to v or not to v]

[arry]

[MarJay]

Out of the bikes you've listed I'd go either Katana or Z900RS. Katana because I have it's fully faired stablemate the GSX-S1000F and it's epic. Only downside with the Katana is the tiny fuel tank.

Z900RS because it's an absolute thing of beauty.

I wouldn't discount the Speed Twin though, they sound fun.

I also have a Street Triple R 675 and it's immense fun. Compared to the GSX it feels like a BMX but it makes a great noise and it's just a loon.
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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.

[hellkat]

Got to admit, that speed twin does look rather winsome.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Kentol750]

Z900rs is quite tall... and top box ruins look, otherwise.. yes please. Mrs K test rode a speed twin and I rode a scrambler 1200. Couldn't swap (1200 scrambler too tall) so only got to do 2 mins on the speed! Just too expensive and impractical as an everyday bike.... can't stick a top box on one and spoil the look either!
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Some bikes.

[MarJay]

Also Z1000SX is not a naked?

I think that from what the OP likes he wants something that looks good, so who cares if the top box ruins the look etc? You can always take it off when you go tarting about.
____________________
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.

[Major Doss]

You have some really nice bikes in that list!
Stripple is top, top fun, but top nickable. Garage/security
Xsr and mt’s as above but starting to present with dubious reliability and oil consumption. Bikes with conscientious owners are fairly exempt here. Newbie hooners, really.
Haven’t met a new Katana in the flesh, yet. But Suzuki do seem to be sorting out their brake pistons, and indeed, their braking systems.
Had a Z900 present for a MOT and I spaffed my pants, tbh. Whether or not they will suffer Kawasaki tin worm remains to be seen.
It was brown.
It was lovely.
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Antisocial phucker.

[TCFA]

[TCFA]

[TCFA]

[TCFA]

Z900 seems to be getting a lot of love so that's deffo on the list.

Going to look at adding Monster and beemer as above

Considered the Duke after someone posted re the 790 and 890, but tbh maybe just a bit hoony for my ability / needs

Stripple keeps a spot, as does the Z1000SX

Maybe I'll rethink the MT09 / XSR.

Any views on the Huskys?

Might have a think on the gsxs750 too?
____________________
Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[TCFA]

I think with the speed twin, i'd always just thought of the street twin and not thought much further. But it's a solid addition, thanks for the recco
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Then: Kawasaki ZZR250 > Suzuki Across 250 > Suzuki SV650 > Honda CB750
Now: Honda CBR600F and Triumph Tiger 800 XRT

[chickenstrip]

[jeffyjeff]

If you can stomach the looks, the BMW roadsters are really pretty good all around bikes. The R1200R bikes in particular can be a lot of fun in the curves, quite stable at speed on the motorway, and accessorised to be competent touring bikes.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[UncleFester]

Z1000SX - had mine for umm .... 3 .. maybe 4 years now and it's brilliant.

Pannier mounts are hidden in the rear grab bars so it doesn't look like someone stole them when they're not on. LED headlights are fantastic.
New 2020/2021 model has quickshifter up and down and a lovely LCD display.

140bhp missile if you want to ride it like that but equally happy to mooch around at 30mph in 6th if you want to be lazy. Slip assist clutch is really light on the fingers. Excellent fuelling and stable handling.

Downside - for me it doesn't have the bark and crackle of a twin / triple even after a decat / headers / exhaust but that's really about it.

Definitely one to have a try on.
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2017 Z1000SX

[arry]