What bike will inspire me?

[blade023]

So after my accident I've spent the last 3 days trawling through ebay, gumtree and various other sites including dealer sites looking for something to catch my eye. Each time I look, trying to narrow down my search I always come away miserable and uninspired.

So here's the idea: who here can recommend me a large torquey bike that'll be reliable, easy to maintain, good for commuting and also for having a bit of fun on the side. I really enjoyed the fzs1000 and there are a couple I've seen nearby, but I want to explore all options before I settle on something.

So far the choices I have/bikes that stand out to me are;

*FZS1000 fazer - tried and tested.
*CB1300 - I've an offer on the table here which is very tempting.
*Triumph Sprint ST - (note)
*Triumph Daytona 955i - (note)
*CBR1100 Blackbird - got to love the styling on this, and I've seen one in the flesh. Lovely bikes. Though I could only insure tpft with this.

note: Looking around, these two Triumphs caught my eye, but I know next to nothing about them. Opinions and advice here would be appreciated.

I'm a tad particular when it comes to bikes, and while I realise that a good solid cb5/6 or gpz5 or whatever would make in ideal commuter, that's not the only thing I'm after. I've just had the thing I've been most proud of and utterly loved having and using smashed beyond repair, and I want something I can enjoy owning and riding. I want a head turner.

So anyone care to throw some opinions this way?
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[clancy]

Newish z750 or z1000 ?

Triumph speed triple ?

Looks like they fit the bill pretty well, worth a look
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KLX 300r

[Nb]

I have a bird and dont think they are very inspiring, too good at going fast to be any real fun. But having said that its been totally reliable and i commute daily on it, fuel consumption is not that great around town but on the motorway its much better.
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Cbr1100xx blackbird gone, mk4 golf gt tdi chav now
Colin1 wrote 'Im grateful for what i can get, which isnt all that much.'
Columbus travel insurance are crap!! Do not use!

[Old Git Racing]

Had a blast on a GSX1400 a couple of times, surprisingly good apart from its undercarriage dragging on the road in nearly every corner but impressive that it can do this.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[blade023]

The weird thing is, I have been looking at a few zzr's and being quite tempted by their looks. Though I'm seriously considering looking at a couple of triumphs I've seen in ads. I should add that I'd prefer something with a bit of fairing at the front, like the fazer had, or the cb1300s.
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[radicalrabit]

A female friend of mine came out on a ride out on her Daytona and the only person she didn't leave in her wake was me.... and that was only out of politeness.... their shape is a balls to the wall sports bike and the riding position is relentlessly racer . If hooning round with your knee in close proximity to the tarmac is your style of riding you would love it . if not ...... run away !

Blackbird........ mine lives at the foot of the Snake Pass and has been seen leaving the trees at 160+ great for going anywhere but not for sprinting down narrow lanes through Wales... there are a lot of things you can do to make them handle better.. suspension upgrades shim up the rear shock lightwieght cans etc,,,,all make a big difference....
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[blade023]

radicalrabit: Thanks, that's actually very helpful in deciding. Always interested to hear others' take on what I see and find interesting.

OGR: I haven't really been considering suzukis if I'm honest. They just don't appeal to me so much.

I think part of the problem is that even before the incident I'd been wanting to try a sportier riding position for a bit of a hoon, just to see what it's like, and it's affecting my decision now. Maybe I should just stick to what I know and go with this cb that's on offer. It is a fantastic offer if I'm honest, and it means a lot that the guy would make it. You know who you are.

On a side note, anyone here had experience with getting a hire bike? How does the whole process work?
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[cimbian]

Moto Guzzi Breva 1100... I just got one and it is beautiful!
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22PlusY
Current: Moto Guzzi 1100 Breva. Previous: Honda XL650V TransAlp
Bearded, Balding, Born again Buddhist Biker

[XanderZZR]

Cb13 is a nice bike, I was tempted before I got my gsx1400 some years back; they are a good laugh, 600 super sports power with a comfy riding position.

Try a ZZR14, it's the best bike I've ever ridden on the road, haven't been this happy with a bike in years.

If you want a left field proposition, what about a tuono? Test rode one and it gave me more grins than a z1000.

[blade023]

I should probably add here that my budget is 1500 that I have saved, plus whatever (if any) insurance payout I get for a 2001 fzs1000 that a merc driver didn't like the look of.
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[XanderZZR]

[blade023]

I was looking at zzr1100's and found one fairly local for a really good price! Then I noticed it's age, 1990. How reliable are they? I'd certainly like to see it in the flesh.
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Seb]

The triumphs get my initial vote, I've got the newer Sprint ST and have ridden the 955 RS extensively, toyed around with a Daytona T595 a little as well. They all had stable if slightly heavy feeling handling but the motor is absolutely sublime. Far more torquey than my 04 ZX9 at the expense of that top end rush. I commute daily on my Sprint and whilst it's perhaps overkill, I arrive with a grin everytime

As far as other options go, I'll take the left of field Tuono mention and add the Falco and Futura into the mix, the Futura is a quiet refined millie with a sofa sized seat and big screen. Whilst the motor doesn't have the charm of the triumphs, I'd argue that it's noticeably more nimble with it's RSV Millie roots helping it along nicely. The Falco is a halfway house between the Millie, Futura and Tuono. Not as luggage friendly as the Futura but it's cheaper on parts (namely rear wheel bearings and mirrors).
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[radicalrabit]

SO £3000 £3500 (ISH) ???

You could get a very well sorted Blackbird for that ...Its a sportier riding position but not so much that you cant stand up straight after a 4 hour tour of the Peak Park on it..

Cant tell you much about any other bikes as my ownership has been restricted to four or five bikes. 2 VF thou's an R1200RT and the Blackbird.

You can get raised bars touring screens double bubble screens straight bar conversions, luggage etc,,,
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Honda/CBR1100XX-SUPER-BLACKBIRD/2004/_/R-NXGN-7601496

Orf you can go with the FI modified sport suspension light weight cans 6mm shock spacer to liven up how it handles tuned forks etc...

Obvious questions are? how often do you want to take someone on the back or go a long way loaded up for a tour ? If you do then a blackbird will do the job , If you never take a pilly ort have a lightweight on who doesnt mind being perched up high ona minute rubber pad,, then go for a sportier Bike ..

Suzuki ? oh yes...... this one..... Guaranteed to cure constipation, and deprive you of your bike licence .. treat them gently and they are superb (but dont go trying to do MOD1 TEST ON IT YOU WILL FAIL ON U TURNS ) open the throttle very gently ....... ,,,and be careful it isn't in change your underpants mode .....

I have ridden one up the twistiest roads around Castleton in Derbyshire and it was amazing..... but then I opened the throttle i bit quick and it turned into a moody mare, threw me off and tried to go home on its own ... up hill... and parked itself against a fence and sulked ! ..... its like..... doing a pilots licence in a little single seater prop pusher then someone sticking you in a Mig 27 and ..... .....I am not kidding ......but having got back on it and discovered greasy slush washed from off the moor on the road I decided it wasnt entirely mine or the bikes fault it was a bright sunny day .....ah well anyway yes.. try the 'Busa...... just for the hell of seeing what is missing from Alton Towers......

...https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikes-for-sale/searchresults/detail/Suzuki/GSX1300R-HAYABUSA/2002/_/R-NXGN-3083420
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[XanderZZR]

[blade023]

Interesting. Here are the two I've been looking at..

This one from Speed in Exeter
https://i.ebayimg.com/t/Kawasaki-ZZR-1100-/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/z/B9sAAMXQTT9Rzif0/$T2eC16NHJIQFHHF%28Z1soBRzifzgusQ~~60_3.JPG

And this one from a private seller slightly nearer.
https://i.ebayimg.com/t/ZZR-1100-D3-1993-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/jsYAAOxybetR7vQM/$%28KGrHqV,!qMFHT,dTLq8BR7vQMPiYQ~~60_12.JPG

Prices are similar, with only a £300 difference. The one from the dealer is older at 1990 and 300 less than the private one which is 1993 and is indeed a D model

What's the low down torque like? I'd be interested in a comparison between this and the fazer thou.
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Current: VFR800 2008 13.7k and rising rapidly!
Sorn: 2003 FZS1000 30k(ish) looking to sell.

[Alex A]

ZX-12R.

[XanderZZR]

The 1990 from speed looks mint and pretty standard which is sweet; what's the mileage like on both of them?

I can only describe it as a surge from low down, a kick at 4k and a sledgehammer at 6-8k, has a good 80-90 ft/lb at peak.

In terms of low down it should have a noticeable amount more grunt than a fazer thou. Older big bikes surge more than scream, nice fat torque curve.

Would speed let you test ride the one they have in? I can only describe them as raw, which can be liberating.

Plus they give you whiskers and knowing nods at bike meets - proper blokes bike.

[Alex A]

[XanderZZR]

[clancy]

The only thing I'll say about speed in Exeter is when I was looking they were trying to sell a written off GSXR as "hpi clear" and it was well overpriced. Might have been an honest mistake but worth just double checking the bike from them
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KLX 300r

[G]

If you'll consider the 955i, why not go for a lighter one with a proper engine?

CBR1000RR if you want cosseting, ZX10R if you want to feel alive and GSXR1000 if you want the middle ground with more torques (sic) than any of the bikes you've listed probably.

[Alex A]

[XanderZZR]

[G]

Power graph of a litre bike vs hyperbikes adjusted for in-gear speed rather than rpm:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18968307/pics/somestuff/hyperbikeadjustedforspeed.jpg
Not a massive amount in it - in the early gears you're still talking how high does the front come up if you wind it on hard, not much faster do you go.

What big sports bikes have you ridden?
I'd say the 06 GSXR1000 I had was not far off the early Hayabusa for low down pull.