Bike adventure but new rider...

[Silver_Fox]

Good morning good morning,

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, but it seemed more suited to this section than the Adventure category.

I'm a very new biker. So new I haven't actually passed my test yet, but all things being well, should do so in the next month. A few friends and I are booked to hire some bikes for a 900 mile scenic tour of the UK in July. I have a choice of two bikes currently; a WK650 TR and a Triumph Street Triple. I was looking for some input from some experienced riders really to see what they'd suggest is most appropriate. Safety is biggest priority, so if one is markedly easier to handle I think I'd choose that.

From what I can deduce so far, I think the WK will have more luggage space, be slower, but perhaps comfier and quieter than the Triple due to the fairings?

All ideas and help gratefully received. I look forward to being part of these forums

(I'm new to biking, but not new to the roads, 34 years old/Car licence 17 years)

[Northern Monkey]

Neither are more or less safe than the other.

Stripple because it is more fun.
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[Polarbear]

I love touring and have at present a Triumph Trophy which is a big bus but very comfy.

I would be in the market for a middleweight tourer and the WK seems to tick the boxes EXCEPT -

1. It's unproven.
2. It's Chinese and unproven.
3. I'd rather not be stuck in Croatia/wherever with a broken down bike, but if I had to be I'd want to be on a mainstream manufacturers bike that has support.

Stripple is a brilliant bike. I owned one but the reason I got rid of was it was crap for touring. No weather protection, crap carrying capacity and that was with Ventura luggage.

For middleweight touring there are only a few bikes on the market, The Deauville is a totally under rated bit of kit and a mile muncher with shaft drive.

An XJ900 Divvy with full luggage, shaft drive but getting long in the tooth.

Other than that you are looking at adventure bikes - Versys, V Strom etc.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[ScaredyCat]

[Rogerborg]

[Silver_Fox]

Thanks for the replies. I should have said, we'll be hiring the bikes, hence the choice of just the two models. There will be 5 riders, 4 new, 1 with 13 years riding experience. We'll be taking things gently, none of us have any desire to race around (and everyone is 30+ and pretty sensible). It's about the scenery and the experience, not bravado and racing around

That's why I was thinking perhaps the WK is the sensible, quieter and comfier option for the trip. The Chinese reliability option hopefully won't rear its head over just a few days.

(The other bikes in the trip: Triumph Explorer 1200, Tiger 800 XC, Honda NC700X, Yamaha Versys 650 and my choice of the WK or Triple)

In terms of test, I'm Mod 1 ready, just awaiting a cancellation currently.

[wr6133]

900 mile group ride after just getting your licence I'd opt for the NC700X, sedate, bland, comfortable and luggage.

[Rogerborg]

You're buying memories, so I would genuinely go with the WK just for the experience of taking a big Chinese bike on tour, whether it's positive or negative.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Silver_Fox]

[Northern Monkey]

900 miles over how many days? If its 2 days, then something boring and comfortable, if its a week, then its only 140 miles a day, take something more interesting.

I did 850 on my MSX over 4 days. You don't need a touring bike for 200 mile days
____________________
Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[Silver_Fox]

3 days, so boring and comfortable it is

[Polarbear]

300 miles a day, stripple territory.

400+ miles a day, definitely not stripple territory.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Northern Monkey]

At 300 miles a day, I'd be taking the stripple.

Such Brap
Very wheely
So ASBO
Wow
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[J0Al1]

Being a hire bike, should you brake down, surely the hire company would come and bail you another bike 'right away'?

[Polarbear]

What a funny combination of hire bikes!
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Rogerborg]

[Silver_Fox]

The new riders in the group are also limited by engine size, 800cc or under to meet the hire company's criteria

[Silver_Fox]

And now they've only gone and defleeted the WK650TR. FFS

In its place is a BMW F800R. So it's that or the Street Triple. Has anyone tried/have the Beemer?

[Rogerborg]

[Polarbear]

Agree with Roger. Stripple out of those two.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Silver_Fox]

Being a brand new rider, I just want something that won't scare me as a beginner for the trip. I rode a Fazer and a Gladius for my learner bikes, and the Fazer inspired so much more confidence manoeuvring it. I think I'd feel safer on the bike which is easiest to handle

[Rogerborg]

The BMW will feel very stable. Under-seat tank, weight is down low.

I'd still go for the Triple for funs.

Actually, why not just buy a bike? Did that come up yet?
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Silver_Fox]

I'm contemplating that after I return (probably a Fazer 600), but we've put down deposits some time ago, so I'll hire for this trip.

The Gladius I used while learning was super stable, but I found it unwieldy in the bends, and that didn't do anything for my confidence. The Fazer seemed lighter with better turn in, and I just felt more comfortable with it as a result. Bends are my weakest area so I just want whichever is easiest in them really...

*Edit: I'm not a bad rider, just slow in the bends

[Rogerborg]

[Polarbear]

It's a mind set. Both those bikes will handle bends so much faster than you are capable, or feel capable of going round them.

I remember overcooking it in a bend on an evil handling YDS7 with Dunlop TT100 tyres on it. It was either a choice of the hedge or lean it and try to get round. I lent it and the bike sailed round while I shat myself. If you think you are near the limit, you aren't
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition