Another bike question

[Fastmoobs]

Hey all, been a while since I visited site but marriage and work getting in the way
Now all that stuff is done I am doing some serious bike research and need everyones help.
I am away abroad working so I still intend to use the bike for travel abroad in Europe as and when planning permits but I also want something to spend the day 2 up touring the lakes or equally as at home on a short Sunday run to Kirkby Lonsdale for a brew. A bike that is as enjoyable in the pissing rain over the border to Yorkshire and visit my parents as it is in bright glorious sunshine. I have done with sports bikes and now have a different take on riding. Price is always a huge factor and because of the rising price of bikes, fuel etc I want to 'use' the bike and not keep it stored away for summer dry use only.
So far I am interested in...
Tiger Explorer
Tiger 800
Tiger 1050 road version which I owned briefly and liked
BMW F800 GS

Test rides are important but I also like real world views, owners opinions, and ideas of other bikes I have not thought of/tried

This bike will be a keeper so I want to get it right.
Budget is £5000 to £7000 but the closer to five the happier and seen some low mileage, F800 GS for 5500. Just have no experience of beemers

Thanks so much for help

PAUL

[map]

Have you considered the old V-Strom 650 (or even the old 1K model) in that mix?
Ok, it's road orientated but you didn't mention any specific off-road needs (apart from year round riding).

IIRC Rogerborg has the baby F800 (650?) and apart from BMW dealer tantrums I can't recall any issues.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Fastmoobs]

[Fastmoobs]

Almost forgot Sprint ST 1050

[Enduro Numpty]

5-7K will get you a really good FJR 1300. Superb comfort, shaft drive, bullet proof reliability and a bike that you can do 500 quick miles on day after day as well as have reasonable fun in the twisties. Hard luggage and ABS as standard on later models.

[FrankGill]

[Deaks]

I have a Tiger 1050. I love it!!!

I use it just for commuting and touring and don't do any off-road riding, so I wanted something that wasn't a compromise between on & off road, but I wanted the upright riding position an 'adventure' bike offers.

I get all this with the 1050. Proper size wheels to get sport/touring tyres on. Nice comfy riding position and plenty of luggage space, for those country spanning tours. A fantastic engine full of torque and enough power for plenty of fun.

Last year I went to Northern Spain and Andorra with a bunch of guys on R1's, Fireblades etc. I never felt outpaced on the twisty roads, and managed to get there on half the number of tanks of petrol, and could sit down in the evenings without moaning about sore knees/back etc.

Only thing I will say, and this is probably true of most bikes, I have added lots of little extras to get it the way I want. E.g. touring screen, wing mirror extenders, slip on end can, hand guards, centre stand, k&n filter & remap, will be getting metal panniers, topbox, 12v accessory socket, etc

Anyway, that's my vote for the Tiger 1050
____________________
Suzuki SV650S '04 (09/08-02/11), Triumph Tiger 1050 '07 (02/11 - current).

Live to Ride. Ride to Feel Alive.

[Fastmoobs]

[spnorm]

The F800GS has a narrow seat, so would probably need changing to suit pillion use. The Tiger 800 looks to be a better pillion bike and Id guess will have a better engine (only ridden the F800S and thought it was a very dull bike).

Obviously you know the Tiger 1050, but I hated the soggy suspension and SWMBO hated the high and exposed pillion seat. We bought an R1200GS instead which although not quite as quick, was a better bike in all respects IMHO for two-up use.

I know a couple of lads with Tiger 1050 Sports and they say the suspension and pillion position are vastly improved over the original model, but I don't know wether you'll get one for under £8k yet.

Finally, the Sprint 1050 is a poor VFR clone and nowhere near as nice to ride. I was very disappointed as I thought it would be a good replacement for my then four year old 42k mile VFR800FiY and it wasn't a patch on it.

[Fastmoobs]

Thanks for the pillion perspective spnorm, its something I need to take into account even though the missus will only be on it for short half day runs to lakes. Your right about tiger sport. Only one I have seen is a tad over eight grand ex demo bike at triumph dealer with about 600 miles on it. I need to take a test ride onGS to see what one is like as I'm not use to such size

[Fastmoobs]

I'm swaying towards the adventure bikes and looked at a gs 1200 today. I'm thinking it was a little to big after sports bikes and maybe something smaller but capable to start with. Seen a 2008 f800gs with just under 3000 miles, heated grips and ABS on fleabay for 5750. Barely used in last two years and local to me. What do those in the no think of this as I don't know much about used adventures. I can verify mileage on net no worries and with mot's its just the price etc would like advice on

[spnorm]

I had a 2009 R1200GS and it's a very well balanced bike with very neutral, light steering. It's also significantly lighter than a BB. The pillion accommodation is also very good, but SWMBO thought it was boring after the K1200S. They're pretty quick one-up, but run out of steam at 90+ two-up with panniers attached due to being about as aerodynamic as a brick and the last 25-30mph takes some time.

My RT tops 130 two-up with panniers without much effort when abroad....

The 2008 model is more powerful than the 2004-2007 model by about 15bhp at the rear wheel, so it worth the extra. It's the one with the aluminum "boomerang" on the tank

[weasley]

KTM 990SMT?
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[G]

If you're not planning dirty stuff, I'd go for proper 17" road wheels - no point in compromising with 21/18 enduro/trial sizes and sticking to the road.

What about a multistrada?