Time for a new bike - Advice wanted

[Mungel]

Have decided to retire the old girl (ZX9R - 2000 'E' Model with 48,000 on the clock, and too much wrong to make financial sense to fix) and as a result am looking for something new.

I absolutely love the power and speed of the old kwak, but am thinking I would like something a little more comfortable and even possibly with luggage (to make future touring plans easier)

I have done a little research and come up with the Triumph ST 1050 as a viable option, although reviews tend to mention it being rather vanilla in the oompf department...

Another possible that I'm looking at is the FZ1S (with the full fairing)..

Anyone with experience of these bikes on here that would like to offer an opinion, it would be gratefully accepted..

Anyone that can offer an alternative that I have not considered, pipe up with your reasoning too..

Budget is IRO £5K

Many thanks for any input..
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Mungel
ZZR600 (dead) - ZX9R (sold) - FZ1S

[_Iain_]

VFR800? Plenty of goodun's availible for that budget with luggage. Supposed to be an exceptional all rounder.

However you mention the 1050 which is a fairly big lump!

I found the Honda Blackbird superbly comfortable & stupidly quick. Handled a lot better than I expected too - plenty out there on budget with the hard luggage.

Along the same lines I've also had a sit on a ZZR1200 that I was looking at purchasing, again very comfy, loads availible on budget with the luggage.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Vincent]

You could get a crossrunner for that.

Ever thought of a BMW though?
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Space Is Deep

[P.addy]

Give a 1050 a whirl, not ridden the ST but the Tiger was "ok"

Whats actually up with the ZX9? Just aging?

[Copycat73]

[Mungel]

[Vincent]

[Ribenapigeon]

Suzuki are knocking a grand off at the moment. The GSXF 1250 is a lot bike for the price. https://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/motorcycles/motorcycles/adventure-sports-touring/gsxf/gsx1250fa-z/

[Busa1340R]

Having had a ZX9R E1 and a Sprint 1050, I feel qualified to say that the Sprint may not float your boat.

I liked mine (comfy, pretty quick, not too ugly(?)) I just couldn't get any enthusiasm for riding it. Headlights are shite if you intend to go out after dark. Don't think standard cases are up to much either. Couldn't really put my finger on why I didnt want to ride it much, just didn't gel with it. The same is not true of my current Busa or my earlier ZX9R. Maybe the Sprint is just all a bit too sensible and grown up

Already been mentioned is the VFR800..I've always looked on that in much the same light as the Sprint (although I've not owned one). I am sure they are perfectly good at pretty much everything...just not terribly exciting. Although my neighbour had one on loan once and came back shouting about how "fooking quick it was" - his usual ride was a Harley though.

+1 on the Blackbird though and there are a few (higher mileage) ZZR14s about that would surely do the job.
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Current: 2010 Suzuki GSX1340R Hayabusa, 2013 Yamaha YP250R X-Max Sport - Previous: Triumph Sprint ST1050ABS, Honda XL600V Transalp, Honda NT650V Dullsville (don't ask!), Kawasaki ZX9R E1, Honda NX650 Dominator, Suzuki GSX1300RKZ Hayabusa, Honda CBR1000FM, Kawasaki GPZ500S, etc etc

[Polarbear]

FJR1300 or GTR1400. Both shaft drive. Both with oodles of power.

Of the two I prefer the Kwak, but would be quite happy with either if I didn't have my Trophy.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[arry]

I've had my Sprint for ~4 years now. Here's a selection of a few posts I've made about it in that time:

[yodagoat]

Get a GS. It's the single best bike out there for all round riding. You'll need to do some hunting but you'll find a good one for the money. No matter what you chuck on it, it'll still handle well. It's not the fastest top end speed, but it's got plenty grunt. Only down side is that you need some special tools (get them from ebay) for servicing and everyone will think you're a prick.
Honestly, try one, and make sure you get a long test ride. They take a wee bit getting used to if you've never ridden a bike with the telelever front end.
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The shite I write
https://www.yodagoat.blogspot.com/

[_Iain_]

[andyscooter]

Subframes




Oh forget it
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Diggs]

A mate of mine went from a GSXR1000K2 to a Sprint this year, and he is regretting it for no real reason other than the Sprint doesn't give him a thickening whenever he opens the garage door.

I have ridden both plus a ZX9, and tbh if I had to own one I would go for the Suzuki 1st, the ZX9 2nd and the Sprint 3rd. If I had a 200 mile journey to do in the pissing rain with a fat bird on the back however, I would chose the Sprint....

Horses for courses really.
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Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[yodagoat]

Ha ha, aye. GS's, like any other bikes, can break. Especially if folk believe the bullshit and think they're enduro bikes.
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The shite I write
https://www.yodagoat.blogspot.com/

[G]

Obvious answer is...
Another ZX9 low milage with a couple of ergonomic mods to suit and any other bits and pieces you might want.
Then if you need any parts, you can just swap .

Or, of course, a GSXR1000 to up the game in handling, but you're going to a bit less 'comfortable' position most would say.

[Copycat73]

[Aspire]

I'd look at BMW K1300. A bit different but still a hyper bike and will tick the right boxes for you

[Mario_Kempes]

[Wull]

What you doing with the E?
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"Scooters are for men who want to ride motorcycles but prefer to feel the wind on their vaginas"

[Mungel]

Love the replies.... Those photos of the BM's are funny as fcuk, if not a little disturbing.

After all the suggestions, I decided to go with a Fazer

Picked up a low mileage, mint condition 59' plate that came with some tasteful mods and a pair of colour coded Yamaha panniers (still in original packaging)

It's got a very well set up Power Commander V (dyno'd at 143 rwhp), Carbon 'Scorpion' exhaust, Lower Fairing, Heated grips, Scottoiler, ASV levers, Touring screen.... did I mention that it was mint? Not a scratch or blemish in sight.

I love the riding position and after 500 miles of urban riding in 4 days, I couldn't even imagine switching back to being bent over onto the wrists..

Oodles of power across the rev range and easily as fast as my ZX9R, yet so much more comfort and manoeuvrability.

I'm totally sold on it.

Pictures from Ebay ad below..

As for the ZX9R, I'm going to replace the radiator and sell it.
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Mungel
ZZR600 (dead) - ZX9R (sold) - FZ1S

[Copycat73]

[Ballpien]

[Mungel]